PC - somewhere between use and abuse

So far, I see that we agree that there is nothing in the book against taking PC after you run out of hours, not only at a shipper or receiver as a result of detention but also any other day. I mean that, there is nothing that would indicate that FMCSA would object when a driver takes PC (provided his company policy allows that) after he's been driving for 11 hours and then instead of going to rest for 10 hours decides to visit his friend 45 miles away (off route) as long as it does not advance him towards the destination.
The condition of not advancing towards the destination seems to be crucial but it is still awkward as many times I'd be glad to PC home for the night and then return to the spot where the PC originated thus nullifying whatever advancement I could be accused of. For example...in that case # 1: instead of delivering to Valparaiso, IN, I'd have delivery in Milwaukee, WI in which case I'd still prefer to PC home (that's en route) and then return to Gary, IN in order to resume on duty driving to Milwaukee, WI. I wonder how that move would be looked at by officials.

 

Recent guidance allows the use of PC, laden or not, to get to next available parking if out of hours at a shipper.

Otherwise, afaik, pc is only allowed while unladen. You had a load. If you dropped the trailer in Gary and bobtailed home then good to go for pc on the way home but when you went back to Gary to get the trailer that would be on duty.

If you took the trailer home then pc wouldn't be permitted but if you did that I'm guessing you wouldn't go back to Gary.,

Don't think I'd leave a trailer in Gary though.

 

Nowhere I could find that PC cannot be taken while the trailer is loaded. Loaded or not, bobtail or hooked up...

 

I have labored under the delusion that PC cannot be laden. If the truck is empty you are free as a bird. In my time Ive bobtailed the hell out of the east coast with it on my time and fuel cash off.

There was a company card in the wallet that relieved me of all responsibility when off duty. So.. there is that.

 

I’ve been going with the idea that the new guidance was designed to deal with people stuck at shippers and out of hours and that the old guidance applied otherwise but you’re right, it doesn’t say that.

 

I think they modified it rather recently. I think that I read it somewhere that the reason was the lack of ability for straight trucks to unhook. After the modification, it is not limited straight trucks at least to my understanding.

 

Mostly they modified it so straight trucks and maintenance trucks and the like can use PC for actual PC type stuff. They never could before as they were always laden (well mostly always anyway)

 

Perhaps..They still need to define it better though. I mean, as long as it stays loose, I'll use it to my advantage. I don't want to push it too much though...but returning home after a week without spending the last night in Gary, IN will always be too tempting.

 

I say that Gary is a tough place. Home is way better.

 

Yes. That's much better way of saying it. More diplomatic. I would not want to hurt feelings of the people of Gary, IN with my previous statements.