pressure from dispatch

and then again, you have O/O's that have to cheat on their logs. Most trucks aren't equipt with Qualcomm. And when they run into a scenerio, they can't prove that dispatch ran them that way.

So it falls back onto the driver again, who should take action on running legally no matter what dispatch says.

This has been going on for years and years. You would think by now, that the feds would have placed some rules and fines on the companies.

 

This is very true. one of dispatches favorite tricks is "call me" so they can avoid the QC. I all ways tell them send it to me and I will concider it. Then when I get it I talk with safty.

 

True on the violating. But in reality, if you are waiting in the truck for a load or around a truck stop and you cannot leave the truck and go see a movie or anything, you really are working. So therefore, your 14 should be in play.

The companies feel, you are off duty and sleeping, so when a load is available, you must drive.

 

Every driver out here know the company is not going to back them if and when they run illegal, accident tickets its all on the driver. All dispatchers push its totally up to you to say how much you will take. A driver always has a choice. If you hit someone you better be and have been legal or your out.

You can hire an attourney, Im sure the company can be show to have a habit of forcing dispatches. Sue the crap out of them at least you will end up with a settlement, but by the way your husband will probably need a new career

 

There are rules and fines and they have been enforced . US Xpress was fined $7,500 in 2006 for log book falsification . The fatal accident the Crete driver had that killed 7 kidsd resulted in an audit where Crete was fined over $50,000 . Interestingly enough the biggest part of that amount was for failure to have the required amount of random drug tests . Companies make money running drivers illegaly . For every one they get nailed for they got away with hundreds of others . For companies with hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue bringing in thousands of extra dollars each week with illegal miles , how much does a $50,000 fine hurt ?

 

Our company does not use quallcomm, but I record all communications with dispatch on a digitial voice recorder. I keep them on my laptop. I always address the dispatcher or owner by name, and repeat there instructions back to them. I have currently a little over 3 years of audio files. They are mp3 format and because they are maintained on a daily basis, and match my daily planner they are both considered admissible in court. Its not that Im paranoid its that they are out to cover there ### not yours. You are the olnly one covering your ###. CYA. Also the trucks have computers on the engine that can be downloaded, which would verify or nulify your story.

 

Recording phone conversations are illegal in some of the states. Being caught with them even in the event of trying to prove something will bring severe penalties.

You should google the recording across state lines.

 

Okay, so they got fines. , but how is this prevented beforehand, rather than waiting for an accident to happen?
Companies know they're doing wrong., how do we as drivers and citizens stop this?
Your opinion?
What Laws are out there?
Any protection rights for drivers?

 

It is Illegal when they are not aware of the conversation being recorded.

Yet, it becomes Legal when you notify them beforehand that your conversation with them, is being recorded.

All the Utility Companies do this when you call them.

 

I am well aware of the rules. I only mentioned it because many are not.