Serious as a heart attack

Not if the company releases you from duty. If you're backed into the dock waiting for unloading then you MAY be released from duty for that time period. Now if you're still having to perform duties such as being on dock for counting or watching for other things you're not technically able to go off duty. You also have to have written permission from the company to log this.

I am sure somebody will throw this out as to why you have to be on duty, but I've already covered it. If you're in the dock then you're not moving the vehicle, in fact in many locations now you're required to turn off the vehicle and wait in your truck OR their drivers lounge )not on the dock. As such with the proper documentation you're still eligible for off duty/sleeper during the process of loading/unloading UNTIL something is required such as paperwork or checking the securement of the load.

 

The biggest drawback for me is that it can be a PITA to get to truck stop or even just some civilization after delivering a load. There is no fudge factor at all with e-logs. Even if you are only 15 minutes from a truck stop but only have 10 mins of driving time left you are basically screwed.

Benefits? I can't really think of anything I could call an actual benefit. Sure, I don't have to use a pen and ruler. I don't actually have to add 2+2. I don't see those as actual benefits though. More like letting my brain rot from non-use...LOL

 

It's called trip planning, learn it.

 

Dispatchers will try to ram loads up your butt either wittingly or just because they're morons who can't do simple math. Either way, all they care about is getting the load covered, and they know that whether or not you run legal is completely not their concern or problem if you get in trouble with DOT or the cops.

 

Learn it huh?
Learn how to avoid an accident on the freeway?
Learn how to do 65mph average on 45 and 55mph roads?
Learn how to avoid bad weather and slow downs due to said weather?
Learn how to get shippers or receivers to not take hours to do a 1/2hr job?
Learn how to avoid an idiotic appointment time made by those same shippers/receivers?
Sorry bud, but that is a statement straight from either the inexperienced or someone that doesn't live in the real world of over the road trucking. I haul Cat machinery and get hung up at times. Decatur, Il is a prime example of being lucky if doing a 1hr job only takes 4hrs.

Martin

 

I've hauled plenty of loads for CAT and I know what a PITA they are. With proper trip planning and not wasting time you can at the very least get to a place to park for your break. furthermore, work for a decent company that will release you from duty in case you need it to go to another location.

You work for a scrub outfit, expect to get treated like a scrub.

 

I work far from a "scrub outfit" myself bud, so hopefully that was not flowing my way.
The person asked about going to a place to park AFTER he got held up at his delivery point. There is absolutely no planning for that. Just like the other scenarios I listed.
I stick to my statement on this one, regardless of what logs you use. Unfortunately the world we work in is far from perfect in my experiences of 19 different countries.
As for Cat, Decatur is the only place where you get hung up, or at least I do. I don't haul parts etc, I haul the machines. Every other plant is an hour job to get in, break down, get loaded, chain/sign/flag and leave. Parts loads may well be a different ballgame though, so cannot speak from experience on that one.
Out of curiosity though, what do YOU do if you get hung in bad weather, traffic, slow receiver, and so on, and you have the 10 minutes left on the clock? I know there is no way to plan for it (per my last post), so what is the magic fix? No sarcasm or hidden agenda, just wondering on what the situation is when stuff happens and you run e logs.

Martin

 

Left there are very few times when those do occur, but I know how bad CAT is on parts: get told an arrival time, and you better check in before it only to wait 6-8 hours for the next shift to come on duty. Once that happens depending on what number you are getting there (and if you're lucky they take 2 trucks in at a time), you will wait outside the gates further only for a slow unload. I've been there and seen a 14 hour clock wasted when I started my day 30 minutes from delivery, but these events are alot rarer than these rookies who don't know how to log/or plan a trip.

Bad weather or traffic, I call dispatch ASAP let them know what is going on and as soon as it clear I find out how they want to handle it. Luckily I drive for an outfit and have a fleet manager who knows I don't waste time, I also don't do anything illegal for any reason. We're allowed to be off duty once we get set up at a shipper/consignee (real off duty not falsifying while on the dock) further, we're allowed off duty driving in order to find a place to get food and park once we're unladen. The other good thing is my outfit does charge those nice detention rates, which means the places like CAT (though not them specifically) will pull us to the front of the line, and get us out in a hurry.

So no I wasn't referring to your company specifically I respect in 19 years you've seen more than me first hand, but you and I both know these rookies have alot to learn about who they work for, and how they work.

 

Totally agree on that post mate.
I get hung up in weather etc with running permitted loads, not to mention some of the most stupid routing seen in history. It can happen to me due to routing, inclement weather, curfew zones with an accident in the middle of it, and so on.
Not so much the logbook issue per say, but trying to find somewhere to park an oversize load on 2 lane road in the middle of Tx etc can be a challenge!
Not really hauled a box etc, or legal size/weight loads for the most part, so I guess I may well be behind the game so to speak on that kind of freight.
Glad to hear the company you run for understands the issues of e logs etc, I am sure most do not.
So if you get hung in traffic etc, you can make a call and they give you the OK to go to the next rest area/truck stop/etc without penalty I am guessing?

Martin