The "REAL" waiting times.

I get a kick out of people who actually think they can't log sleeper time because they were sitting in the driver's seat reading or surfing the internet. Like anyone is going to check - please.

 

Black or invisible? Sounds like the Federil Gobbermint at work to me.

 

Perhaps you misunderstood what I said (or meant) in my post. It implies that you should not log off duty, but rather sleeper time. Off duty requires you to be out of the truck.

 

No sir, it doesn't. I've spent lots of off-duty time in my truck. If you don't have a load, and you're not working ON the truck, you're off duty - log it as you like.

 

They're black when they're NOT invisible... sorry, I forgot to clarify.

 

Yes, that's how the FMCSRs define it and have defined it since 1939. But, realistically, does it make any difference in terms of highway safety? I'm not trying to be cute. I really mean it: Does. It. Make. Any. Difference? Most drivers aren't paid for that time, no matter how they log it. Why not conserve your hours for work that pays? The whole set-up is BS.

If you're waiting to get loaded or unloaded I don't think you can claim that you were "relieved of all responsibility" because you're still responsible for your rig. Whether you slept or not (that's your business, not the government's) they can't say you weren't in the sleeper if you say you were. "Did you really sleep, driver? Did you dream? About what? How many REM cycles did you go through?" Jeeze, guys nap in the passenger seat all the time. So what? Who cares?

 

Please read FMCSA sec 395.2 Definition of on duty (4) "All time, other than driving, in or upon any commercial motor vehicle except time resting in a sleeper berth.

Your either in the sleeper, on duty, or out of the truck.

 

OK... and did you remove that mattress tag BEFORE you got home?? That's against federal law.

Seriously think about what you're saying... first, there's no way that this could ever be enforced. Next, who cares? I mean... really? If you relax in your chair, or recline on your bed... or heck, catch a full-blown nap on the table in the employee's lounge at the shipper.. what difference does it make?

You're not going to be asked what position you sat in, or laid in... after the fact.

Overreaction is usually a symptom of ignorance. You're not ignorant, but let's not perpetuate another reason for people to react badly to..

 

In other words, you'd better bet your butt that if I spend 3 hours surfing the net or reading... all in the driver's seat... you know I'll log it as sleeper time. I'm not giving up any of my 70 for any reason other than fueling, pre-trip/post-trip or driving.

 

I don't disagree with what your saying, or what really happens. My point is that under the rules, when at a shipper, you are presumed on duty unless you are in the sleeper. The rules don't regulate what you do in the sleeper. I don't touch freight for the company I drive for, so the time after bumping the dock is sleeper time. The release from duty letter that I have from my employer only allows off duty while in transit between stops.