Question about the ELD mandate

Your missing the Biggest point,(I guess I should have stated)

CUSTOMER SERVICE !- Your a driver...It doesn't affect you on relationships with customers,Like some of us.
Customers don't want excuses, Especially a Logging excuse. They'll search for another carrier Right Now!

I have a lot to lose.. and Im Soorely not going to let an ELD destroy what I sweat Blood for.

My customers and my Family COME FIRST..

 

Stayinback, there was a good article in overdrive magazine about how with elds the dot will have plenty of data to show what can be done and what can't from so many carriers and eventually all moving over to them. Sure if you can do it in a fast truck with an eld than it isn't an issue. But they are arming themselves. The whole "if you aren't cheating you have nothing to hide" to me is a bad argument because of freedom of movement and no search and security, but we won't get into that here, what I'm saying is what we have now is going to be mostly everyone in compliance, and the few that keep running 99 or older will come under more scrutiny simply because they don't have the eld. To me, it's really at a point of I either comply or I'm done trucking I guess.

As far as the customer service goes, some of the customers need to be educated on how hos works and the regulation we are facing as carriers. If you are doing a run that can't be done by a single legally and they demand you keep doing it that way, you will eventually get caught and lose. And now what does the customer do? I had to fire my first direct customer because of this. He did not want to hear about any hos rules.

 

Ok points kiddo...And yes,It goes beyond legal running or not, As I'm in favor and always have been in Safe operation.......

I'm not a gambling man, And I'm not too sure I'm going to take that chance..NO WAY JOSE will I let anything get between What I service.

Last thing I need is my customers start shopping around for service they are accustomed to....Sure,They may come back when nobody will be able to outshine my operation because of ELD's.. But im not willing to chance anything.

Its kinda like family...You are going to protect your siblings at all costs!!

 

Yeah I get it man. I have to ask though, if you are running legal then what's your argument against it? I cringe just seeing those words typed with my name on it.. To be honest I hope it gets struck down again. I think "the spirit of the law" is lost when the regulations are enforced as rigidly as the eld will bring.

 

And it "may" work....Not saying it wont. But I agree with you on the 'spirit' and fundamentally and mentally the way Ive been doing it for years...I Don't need interference of this potential law.

It throws off your rhythm,If you may.... Again, Im a huge advocator of safe operation, But Im not going to chance things.

Just Knowing 'mentally' your on a electronic clock can make your day that more stressful. I guess If I have to explain it in more detail......Some folks will never understand.

 

Yep. Things like a driver did 34 minute break and it back tracked him said he only took 29 and he's guilty. Booted off customers property no other option but go in violation to truck stop to sit there forever watching a clock count down (again) to deem me rested. Drive down road pray to God dot isn't having pay for the national debt through writing bs tickets to truckers day. That is what I am afraid of.

 

Eggs-Ackley^^

That's just 1 out of several dozen scenarios that are potential.....

Like I stated in a previous post..These ELD's are good for regular route operations. Linehauls ior local P and D with a "regular starting time everyday.....

And, Most of those jobs pay hourly anyway so...It really doesn't matter.

Hmmm...That Brings up a Better point..Since these Lawmakers don't think things through.....They outta just make a law stating EVERY carrier/driver/ is paid or Bill by the Hour.

That should wake people up....

 

Can't really answer that without getting political me thinks ....

 

Regarding a "safe" operation. Being compliant doesn't mean being safe, that's what some people don't understand. There shouldn't be no hos, just guidelines. Work as long and hard as you please as long as you don't drive tired. I was 45 minutes away from home, and I was feeling tired, pulled over and slept for a sleep cycle of 1 hour and half. Woke up refreshed and made it home safe. And legal. This is supposed to be the most free country lol. Which is far from it, everyday more and more becomes a tyranny. Bending us into submission. Land of the free my as

 

I believe as follows:
1. The current ELD mandate will not survive until Dec. 2017 as it currently is.
2. ELD's will in some form become mandatory.
3. Mandatory ELD's will result in the opposite effect on safety that was intended.
4. Reasonable parties led by insurance companies will lobby the government demanding changes to the hours of service regulations to actually improve safety and ultimately increasing their profitability.
5. Large self insured carriers will push for even greater regulation making compliance more expensive for their competitors.

The changes necessary are currently not important as everyone is focused on the eld requirement. Changing the HOS rules should be our focus and will truly improve safety.