Load that can't be done legally

Interesting. Watched a YT video about this a few hours ago. How to Handle Forced Dispatch. About how the Fed (FMCSA) has the trucker's back on this one. Only up to the point where the trucker accepts the load. Just state your legal/health reason and stick to it. Start suffering reprisals (less miles, fired, etc) the Feds got your back. So they say.

My question is what are the best ways to keep record of these "refuse a load" dialogs for future reference if needed. I've witnessed too many drivers, for different reasons, lamenting the fact that have no proof.

- Record the phone conversation (laws differ from state to state).
- Video tape e-log texts
- Keep a journal
- All of the above
- What?

 

Like others have said, you have two choices, both of which will make your career worse. One of which (refusing to run illegally) will only hurt your current situation, while the other (running illegally and potentially getting caught) could have career-ruining implications.

Tell them it's impossible. Cite the regulations. Record all the communications between you (text messages, email or Qualcomm) and take it to the proper authorities if and when you get fired. There will always be another, better company out there to treat you better. The reason your company is doing this is because they, likely, can't compete with others in the same market, and need to take "fly-by-night" contracts to make any money.

 

Not sure why it has to hurt his career.

Every now and then I get dispatched on something I can't do. Dispatchers aren't perfect. I'll let them know ASAP what I can do. They either reschedule or repower. It hasn't hurt me.

 

This doesn't sound like a company that has reasonable dispatch. Obviously, he only has one true choice, and he just needs to cover his butt.

 

The best way to play that game is DONT PLAY. You don't do it. Don't go out out and buy dunnage for 1 load. Don't go out and buy coil racks to haul one coil. Don't do an all nighters for a load that doesn't have money. Once you start taking crack ho money, then EVERYONE wants to treat you like a crack ho. Have you ever seen a successful crack ho? Don't want to deal with brokers? Get your own contracts.

To be honest, we could see this all coming since 2008. The Dems have had a big hard on for the trucking industry and when they got the Senate, House and Presidency and started attacking trucking, it was only a matter of time. They infiltrated the entire industry with morons! You can't park, can't fuel, can't eat, can't do anything in trucking without some moron somehow doing something stupid. And you want to know what reeeeaaaalllly pisses me off? I am expected to "compete" with this moron. Fine. I don't compete. I will wait for Moron to hit the bridge, tear stuff up, then charge stupid money to fix his F'up.

"Oh, I have a driver who will tarp that load for $50."

Well, go ahead and call him. My rate is $250/tarp. Funny thing is, when California did their thing against older trucks, my company called me and asked me about considering getting a new truck. Why should I? I haven't been to California since 2007.

"Oh, but you will be missing out. There's lots of freight in California."

Lots of cheap freight. How can you guys spend $200000 and buy a new truck to pull cheap freight?

"Well, old trucks will nickel and dime you to death, and this truck has a warrantee..."

A new truck may not nickel and dime you, but all of that downtime, PLUS truck payments will sink you much faster.

Speaking of rates... A Landstar driver showed me a rate of $3.50/mile for a 13'9 wide going from the east coast to the west. Unbelievable. Someone will take that load. I hope they go broke for being stupid. Landstar has made the same mistake that the bottomfeeders make. Hire any moron with a pulse. 10000trucks. Less than a thousand drivers. And the guys that can truck have to rub elbows and eat at the same table as the Braindeads.

I actually thought about quitting all together. That speed limiter thing. I'm not going to do it. IMO, it's not safe. The last thing I want to do is go down the road at 14-15 ft wide, 150-200ft long, and match speed with a bottom feeder whose doing the rookie wiggle. But then Hickory lost the election, so I will stay a little bit longer. just a bit longer.

You should always stick with your guns. No stupid pet tricks for a load. No circus acts for brokers. But then, you don't eat? Right? No, I still eat. Just had to be a little smarter with the food money.

 

I'm currently under a load like that op ( 4 drops nyc area ).
I have a long standing policy of load it late and it will be delivered late no matter if paper or elogs .
I'm paid to drive the truck not be a superhero .

 

That's all great when you are running your own show. But those of us who prefer to run as company drivers for whatever reason (mine being I could get more enjoyment out of the money spent by piling it up in the driveway, soaking it in gasoline, and watching it burn) that is not always an option.

Owning a truck is expensive (as you know all to well), the business is extremely cutthroat with everybody in the race to the bottom (wonder how long before drivers will be expected to move the freight AND pay for the priviledge?), and the brokers certainly aren't making things any easier.

A lot of drivers do have to swallow a pile of crap to do their jobs for one reason or another. A lot of drivers are running for smaller, paper log outfits who are doing extra long days and trying to make it look legal at the end of the week. And ot would be nice if the rest of ya would try and keep in mind that this DOES occur even today, e-logs notwithstanding.

 

Do they have to, or are they agreeing to, or perhaps even volunteering for crap duty? I started in a reefer truck. The whole reefer world was like that. It wasn't just one grocer, but all of them. From the fruit stand to the gigantic warehouse. I got out

Been open deck since 1992. Been an owner op for nearly 10 years. Perhaps, I have lost touch. Would you mind if I get a second opinion?

 

The other side of the coin is that I dispatched a driver last week on a run that CAN be done legally in one shift (it's a bear, but I've done it), but he claimed it couldn't be done without a 10 hr break. Ok, fine. Sleep if you're tired.

But darned if he didn't make it back home in one shift.....

 

I agree 100%. I have Elog now and love it. And benefit of bein small and my own boss is they are still editable. Only reason 2 be an outlaw nowadays is if there is extra money involved or it's your own choice 2 get home. I will still do the 1k mile days. But not 4 anyone except getting home 2 family or unless there is a hefty incentive. Other than that. There problem. Reschedule. "Oh and by the way this a when I will there. So that is the new appointment time!"