Ohio rest area inspections

What about when you are relived from your dispatch duty, and bobtailing home? Our company allows us to log the trip home as off duty, as long as certain criteria is met. I seem to remember this was also addressed, and given an "OK" by D.O.T.

Another situation is when we are spotted at a loading/unloading rack, (oil & chemical transportation), many places will tell us that we are relived of duty, and are welcome to wait in a designated area of the plant (driver's room, break room, cafeteria, etc.), or we can remain in our trucks. Most times I choose to remain in my truck; reading newspapers, laptopping, or just reclining in the drivers seat listening to music, I'm off duty, and log it as such.

 

You're right about the bobtailing . FMCSA does say you can drive an unladen CMV a reasonable distance for food or lodging . But in strict interpretation of the regulations the other scenario you give would be considered on duty although I doubt anyone has ever been cited for it .
My carrier instructs us to get in the sleeper when unloading if the customer allows it or log off duty if we leave the truck . If we leave the truck the keys must be left in it and there must be a customer employee capable of moving it in case of emergency .