Interrupting sleeper break to swap loads?

Do you go on duty? I know you're SUPPOSED to but DO you? Twice this morning my sleeper break was interrupted to swap. The first time I went on-duty which is probably why they set up the second swap to get the swapped load on time. I calmly explained why you need to go on-duty to the dispatcher and his response was to stay off-duty and let the other driver send the message even though this could easily be discovered by any truck accident attorney. Tired of these dum basses.

 

I go on duty if it wil take more than just answering a phonecall or text. If I have to get out of the truck and do work, it's on duty and they are paying me for the time as well.

 

I never did. 10 hours of sitting was long enough for me, I wasn't going to extend it unless I absolutely had to. I'd drop mine prior to my 10, and when the other driver dropped his I'd idle over to it and back under it. Hook up and log a PTI after the 10 is up and hammer down

 

Do what you want - the only person that will know is YOU, but your logs, log it the way YOU want...

None of us care...

 

My company doesn’t to swaps when we are sleeping. I had a load last year I was swapping with other driver. The address was not correct but I found the correct place and drop trailer. I even called in to night dispatch to let them know now correct location.

10 hour later at truck stop I get knock on my door. It was other driver that was was supposed to already got my trailer like 5 hours ago. Dispatch gave him same bad address I was given. Since I was on my 10 break he and dispatch though I had the trailer still. So the load was late because they told other driver to wait till my break was done. Kinda funny because I called dispatch at night and let them know thay had the wrong address in computer and it was gas station not for trucks.

 

Like others said you could log dropping trailer. Then go to sleep and then hook and inspection in the morning. I’m not fan of doing it because I like my sleep if go over 7 MPH you set the ELD off or you have log PC.

 

Stay in SB.
You were disconnected from your trailer when you shut down and your ELD was in the SB with you.
Nothing says that you can’t be awake in SB or that answering a message has to be on duty. I just don’t understand what your issue is.

Maybe I’m just misunderstanding what you posted?

 

So it sounds like the dispatchers are having you do this to cover their arses.

You are correct, it should be on duty, but this kinda falls into the "choose your battles" category.

I would probably just do it without going on duty and not tell anybody. Make the switch on your log in the morning during your pretrip.

If the dispatchers make a habit of doing this, let the safety department know.

 

Better ask yourself, do I want the job or not? Maybe the likes of Schneider, Swift, JB Hunt could sympathize with your dilemma but anywhere else it is about getting things done. You must understand that someone else trying to make a living is not going to wait for you to complete your break because you are HOS regulations saint. Accident attorneys are greedy pigs and will try to prove you were driving tired no matter what your logs show. Some things are done at your own discretion. When you log your sleeper time and happen to get out to stretch legs or use a bathroom, do you log off duty, interrupting your sleeper too? Ultimately, it is your own decision and yes, it is supposed to be on duty per HOS rules but how someone else logs it is their own sortof don't ask, don't tell business.

 

My main reason is that it could make you automatically at fault in a wreck if you stay off-duty and don't restart your break. That's the way I see it.