Logging Off Duty Instead of Sleeper Berth

It used to be that a company had to give a driver a written permission to be off duty at any time while dispatched. If not driving, just on duty and sleeper, that's it.
Don't believe me, ask that DOT dude with a mustache and thick glasses at Spokane Valley, WA POE...is he still there?

 

My trainer years ago would log sleeper berth when he went home to see his family. I asked him why he logged sleeper when he was at home instead. He dance around like his ### was on fire bellowing and saying I was a stupid rookie. He was in his home sleeper berth. Kid you not. I didn't care when I asked him, just wondering.

 

I'd be more worried about a lawyer convincing jury it was true.

 

The point of even having the option of logging Sleeper Berth has to do with attorneys and law suits.

If there were not any accidents, then the sleeper berth option never would have been created.

 

Brother, I've been over this thread since around page 3. People doing 3 minute pre trips and holding down truck stops for 10 hours straight everyday cause they've never used a split is my grounds for dismissal on any future input related to logs (not directed at you)

 

I will say, i do see the off duty's side and will probably start incorporating mixing in a little bit of off duty time sporadically during 34's or whatever. Maybe even logging off duty for shower and dinner for the first hour of my 10 before going to SB if i know im doing a full 10. I will still not be defaulting to off duty though because I'd rather not have to edit my logs back to SB every time I need a split, especially if I was in SB and could've just logged it SB to begin with. I feel like that'd be a much worse look than just logging SB from the start.

Personally, I will trust those disregarded 'blog posts and brochures' that were created by legal teams in charge of protecting many hundreds of millions of dollars worth of assets.

But, I do see how the regs don't define it explicitly in the way those brochures offer guidance, so I can see why people would also just log off duty.

I have only clean inspections logging SB and evidently, there are others with only clean inspections logging off duty, so it's pretty much just going to be a revolving door of the same arguments back and forth lol. No one's going to be convinced what they did to get a clean inspection was wrong.

 

I usually log off duty when I stop, then switch to SB when I'm going to sleep.
Sometimes I forget to change it over to SB.
I have had my logs inspected and I have never had a problem with DOT or my company when it is off duty for the whole time.

Not saying I could not have problems, just that I have not in the past.

 

I laugh every time I read the comments about "don't discuss anything with the police". So you're pleading the 5th on if you were in the sleeper berth whilst logging "off duty"? You have the right to remain silent on a roadside inspection? Lol...

No-one is accusing you of murder. There's no need to lawyer up. If your and everyone else's position that logging sleeper berth as "off duty" is perfectly legit then why do you have to clam up and invoke the 5th ammendment (LOL) if an LEO asks you if you were in fact in the sleeper or have hotel receipts?

 

Reading through all of this nonsense I just shake my head.
Will keep driving the way I have since 1977. It’s worked with no issues.