Logging Pretrip

By the way... browsing the forum I came across an old post that fits well with this one.

Can you do all of this in 15 minutes?

 

And how much of that mileage was done on your trainers truck?

 

All of the stuff trailer-wise is checked when you hook to a new trailer. That's all included. It doesn't take long because 90% of a pre-trip is just a visual check. It's easy to pre-trip a tractor in 15 minutes or less. The rest is checked on drop n' hooks anyways which you should log a min of 30 minutes on.

If you're pulling the same trailer for a while this will also shorten the time of the pre-trip. Some things need to physically be checked hands on but most of it is just visual. Never been timed on one outside of testing for the CDL and never had a bear tell me I wasn't logging enough for a pre-trip either when looking at my logs.

The only time I log 30 for a pre-trip is only if it actually takes that long, as in, if something needs doublechecking or needs to be called in for service. I will say this though, most of the time when leaving the house after the trucks been sitting parked at the ts a couple days, I'd usually log a 30 minute PTI there because you have to check thoroughly to make sure nobody messed with your truck (like the time I had 100 gallons stolen for example).


If you're logging 30 minutes for every pre-trip you do, you're needlessly eating up your 70. You should also be giving it a walkaround when you fuel too since you're already on line 4 anyways.

 

It's feasible, only 2500 per week average...I got that just running the I-5 WA to Sac/Fresno last year.

 

Yeah but I think he works for Swift no? Didn't say it was impossible, just not likely. 2500 Average being the key which is not likely. More like 2,000 per on average I'd say.

I had close to that my first year but it wasn't 200 loads lol. Maybe half that, load wise. I had a fair amount of long trips in my first year though, that's why 200 loads kinda sounds a little fishy to me with 600 mile average lol. After thinking about it maybe he doesn't go home much, that could be it.

 

Oh, Swift...last year...now I concur and your thought of little home time off is probably correct.....

####, I hate it when I have to agree with you...I gotta go brush my teeth!

 

I can't always be wrong right?

 

Correct, I rarely go home. 86,000 of my miles are solo starting from the middle of June '09. The rest are from being team/trained.

Right again re: Swift. I've found that if I get stuck on the East coast the loads are shorter. Whenever I get bored of 95, I set hometime for California and bam, the miles jump. Runnin' an 1800 mile load right now. The previous load was 1500.

Most drivers that whine about no miles/crap loads are the ones not following company policy. Idling all the time, going way out of route, not sending in status macro every day, ignoring preplans they don't like, etc etc. Seriously if they want to pick and choose like that they shouldn't be a company driver imo.

 

One thing missing...make friends with night planners like in Edwardsville, Jonestown...and a good one to have in columbus, is the Sears planner...he can keep you moving if you get to Columbus...just let them think you are helping them, in return they help you! And stop in and "chat" with these new friends once in a while, and do "help" them when you can...it does work!

 

DOT simply says that the driver must ensure the vehicle is in a safe operating condition. There is no specific time required to do a Vehicle Inspection.