OK I'm fed up with the BS and the back and forth.

Okay, I should have done this in the first place rather than play around with those who say I did not do my homework or am otherwise ignorant. This is for the benefit of the OP (if he is in any way like myself), and others for that matter just to illustrate just ONE of the ways this industry does what is tantamount to enslaving and placing it's ownership on you:
　
As I indicated, I know the book. I know what I can and can not do, and I certainly know how to log. It was expected of me that I did not know, or at least would succumb to UNWRITTEN company policies just because nearly every one else does, and because certain D.O.T. / F.M.C.S.A. regs are an inconvenience to the company. Maybe they are an inconvenience to companies and most drivers, but I have a particular problem when I am forced to do something at my total risk and sacrifice because of a crusade against Federal regs I have nothing to do with.
　
When I drove, I logged completely by the book. I was not interested in the logging creativity most others do. I know how to do it. I wouldn't. From day 1 in training, I was told to log line 1 (Off Duty) whenever the truck wheels are not turning because there is no money being made. It's clearly spelled out with no ambiguities that a driver is within his / her rights to pursue activities of his / her own choosing when Off Duty, otherwise, you're On Duty Not Driving (Line 4 on the log). When in training, I did not do the line 1 thing, and I did not do it when I was in my truck. Sorry, but the problem of hours is also the problem of the planners. If I have to do a 34 hour reset, it's probably for the best. If I have to shave hours to save on my 70, I am probably going to be tired enough eventually to need a 34, but can not do one because I have available hours through being 'creative' with my log. DANGER ZONE.
　
Most are content to going back into the sleeper while at a shipper or con for their off duty time, and that's fine for them if that's what they really want to do. That's not how I want to spend my off duty time. I am not a napper. Naps do not help me. I do not want to nap not knowing whether I will get a knock on the truck in 15 minutes or an hour to be told the load is done (when not doing drop and hook that is). I couldn't nap anyway with the forklift shaking the truck around, and unless it was a company policy (at the shipper or con), I really did not want to go through the hassle of dropping the trailer during the loading / unloading process (I have had to do this a few times).
　
OTR drivers are out 3+ weeks at a time with only ONE day off per week worked (so if you're out 3 weeks, you're only home 3 days). When OTR, you're driving the truck all day or all night, and you live in the truck. On my off duty time, I want to get away from the truck and the job. Enough time as it is is spent with the truck and job. I like excercising. I won't get out of shape because of the driving lifestyle, so I want to take a walk or bicycle during my off duty time, not spend that time in the sleeper. If I had to stay with the truck, I was doing en-route inspections and cleaning the truck I had to live in (keeping the truck clean is what the company requires you to do).
　
More often than not, I was told I could not leave the truck. In that case, I logged line 4. I will not be told what to do and where to be when I am off duty and not being paid. This is a right clearly spelled out by Federal Authorities, this is NOT a MY WAY thing. I did not write the book. But it IS a MY WAY thing where the companies and many drivers in this industry is concerned, and I am expected to be the same robot. This is why there is no talking to me sometimes.
　
To avoid the 'he probably logged line 4 all the time', I'll tell you when I did log line 1:
　
1: When I could leave and pursue activities of my own choosing.
　
2: when stopping for meals.
　
3: Shower or other break stops.
　
4: Stopping to get needs for the road (if I had the time).
　
I could go on, but you get the idea (I hope). There are plenty of instances where you log line 1. I do not agree with the 'line 4 time is only the D.O.T. 15 minute minimum for pre-trip'. Here's what I was not going to allow in addition to being taken advantage of: I get suckered into logging off duty to save on my 70. Eventually I get fatigued driving to the point I am dangerously impaired or even fall asleep at the wheel. I get into an accident and kill someone, or maybe an entire family. The D.O.T. goes through my logs with a fine tooth comb. The D.O.T. sees I have little to no line 4 time. The D.O.T. knows I am avoiding the 34 hour reset. I am sure to lose my CDL (even my drivers license in general). I am prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter. Will the company back me by saying it was their policy for me to log off duty all the time? NO WAY. The company washes their hands of this event, takes the black eye for the accident on their safety rating, and hires the next person in line for more subsidy dollars. Sorry, not gonna happen to me through any creativity - especially as a new driver who should not be run like a 10 year veteran for the cheap miles. BTW - I am NOT lazy. I do not need to stop for a half hour for every two hours I drive (I have driven a semi many times for 6+ hours without so much as a restroom break), so let's squash the 'he's lazy' thing before it happens. I can outdrive many, I have a lot of endurance. I know what it is like to be on the roads just from my four wheeler experience (which is over a million miles). But as you experienced drivers know, driving a truck is not the same as a four wheeler.
　
I am well aware of the analogy of "I am not burning my 70 waiting at a shipper or con". Well I am not being confined to a place I do not want to be when I am off duty and you're not paying me. This brainwashing and the forcing to log line 1 is what made me even more reluctant to do so when I did not have to and was within my rights not to.
　
This is just one example of what soured my attitude. I will tell of others that were completely arbitrary, unfair, unethical and just plain wrong. Like I said, I went in the industry knowing full well of the usual anomalies, but I did not know of the problems I would be given by following a book I did not write - a book a higher authority wrote that NO company or individual has a right to change or ignore. It's really no wonder to me why the D.O.T. / F.M.C.S.A. has to get more 'creative' with their restrictions after some of what I have seen, heard and experienced in this industry. Companies and drivers bring things on themselves. Sorry, but support will not come from me when I am told certain things are my own fault or doing. I do not support anyone who pretty much does not care about me, MY CDL (I emphasize that CDL is MINE, not the company's), my safety, or the safety of those near me. Want to preach and emphasize safety, don't be a hypocrit about it and let me run safe. You can still get 3,000 miles out of me in a week. I've done 3,000 miles BY THE BOOK.
　
It's simple: Line 1 (Off Duty) is what the two words say. I'm OFF DUTY. That's MY TIME. I won't be told I can't do this or that on MY TIME I am NOT wrong on this as per D.O.T. regs and Labor Laws. So my attitude was soured with the idea of being owned or enslaved by the company. Last I knew, that was not legal in this country. Next thing you know, they will want to tell you what to do and where to be on your home time!
　
As for company policies: I want ALL policies I am expected to follow in writing on a company letterhead, and endorsed by a company official. I want the policy spelled out spacifically with no double-speak, loopholes or other ambiguities. IE: Drivers are to log Line 1 (Off Duty) when not driving, regardless of whether or not the driver is permitted to pursue activities of his / her own choosing. NOT GONNA HAPPEN because it's an ILLEGAL POLICY. So don't hold me accountable in any way when I do not follow that policy.
　
Now I want to read the double-speak about how I am wrong in what I did concerning logging, and why I (or anyone) should be owned by a company.

 

You know I am so surprised that some one who bent backwards to please the Air Lines and FAA would be so anal about the regulations of Trucking. Your interpretation of the FMCSA rules are to say the least exaggerated...

I think you chose the wrong Industry...

 

Just an example of childish instigations when some people do not like it when I make a point. I shudder when I see the mentality of some who are supposed to be adults. In the eyes and minds of the mature, posts like this only show your problems, not mine.

People who post like this are on our highways driving 40 ton vehicles. Does this type of instigation really give a lot of confidence that they are not the type to give the D.O.T. reason to want to add more regulation?

 

Save it. You're yet another mega-year veteran driver (or at least claim to be) wanting to protect an industry by trying to discredit me.

My interpretations are NOT exaggerated. What I spoke of is plainly written by the D.O.T. / F.M.C.S.A..

When it comes to MY TIME, yes, I am anal. Too bad. Since there is so little of MY TIME out there, I will be anal about not being told what to do when I am on it.

Yeah, I chose the wrong industry because of the acceptance many have of being owned and enslaved. This wide acceptance has pretty much been the platform to force others to accept that. I hope some people will think about that before entering this industry themselves.

As people think they have proved their point, I think I have proved mine. I have better things to do than to play with robots, and be enticed to doing something to be banned from the forum. It's a nice day out, and I am going out for EXCERCISE - something unknown to many others.

So keep the inuendos coming and comments with the childish smilies and jokes while I am not here to defend myself .

 

You seem to be the one unwilling to let it end, you said it yourself, you proved your point, now quit poking the hornets nest.

 

Let me tell you just a little about me...but 1st...as far as the aviation thing goes...you seemed real proud to throw that little factoid about having flown for a long time out ...til someone calls you on it....but I don't know you and I don't know what you did or didn't do...Its no matter to me.
I don't care what you tire of either ...my experiences and my years of driving are behind me...don't have to work any more have a great retirement and good health in order to enjoy it with. The veterans that frequent this forum try anfs give what we know to be sound and good advice..we sometimes differ on opinions...but to a person we all agree that while trucking has it's problems it's not all that some think it is.

You come on here and try and tell us that we are not intelligent , that we're lazy , that we're just letting a higher power tell us what to do..well you are partly correct..we all have to answer to fed's in some way or another..just the way it is...but no one is forcing YOU to work for a company that tries to make you run illegal.

 

I already gave up, Tony. For the exact same reasons!

 

BHW and Oscar.....I'm done , sorry for my ranting.

 

Nice try I am genuine, and yes I will protect an Industry and the Professionals that belong to it unlike you I am proud to be associated with those who really care. Although it has change dramatically over the years especially the last 5.
I'm curious before trying your hand at Big Wheeling and finding out it required skills you didn't possess, Did you apply to TSA? I'm sure you would do well there.........

I had a guy who claimed to be a helicopter Pilot apply for a job a while back, When it came down starting off he could never remember to take the handbrake off...

A bit like the guy who went for a job as a Helo pilot,
The Flight Instructor decide seeing as he had experience with fixed wing he let him go up on his own.
So off the applicant goes and the instructor says I'll stay here and talk to you by Radio. Take her up to 1000 ft the Instructor say's at 1000 ft , the Instructor says your doing fine take her to 2000 ft, At 2000 ft the Instructor says that's good go to 3000. Just then the Chopper comes crashing down, the Instructor runs over to the wreckage and ask's what the Hell went wrong you were doing fine.
Yes said the applicant, I stated to get a little cold so I shut the overhead fan off.....

Yes it is a nice day out, and as I have nothing to do today while my truck is in the shop, its nice to play with the Forum Pets. I understand some may be allowed to go walkies.. And of course that would be on a short leash..