The truth about EOBR's

The only real fix is when the shippers and receivers get on board either via carriers pressuring them (doubtful as they'd rather undercut each other) or the gov't gets involved. Typically I like less gov't, but if EOBR are the way of the future, the customers need to work with us more.

 

It wont be too long before the DOT gets used to them and will be asking to see them. EOBRs dont prevent violations, they just tell on you quicker.

 

I think it's not so much EOBR's that are an issue and would say most companies should be running E-logs for company drivers (I am one) I do have a problem with it being mandated for O/O... they invest a HUGE amount of $ to start a business and are already at a disadvantage due to size. Their only advantage is they make their own schedule and could see where the government might use EOBR's and E-Logs to further regulate them at the request of the ATA to try to force them out of business

 

You keep a paper log?


If so...You're "babysat".....
Every time you pull up and get an L3 or above.....DOT is "checking up" on you.......Just like a babysitter.....

 

Btw....What we all need is more flexibility......

 

I am against any mandate, irregardless of company or O/O. That being said, I have been on EOBR for a year now. I own the truck. I have not experienced any revenue loss because of it. If a person is paper logging things relatively close to how things are actually being done, there would be very little problem being on an EOBR. It was a smooth transition for me.

As for a O/O being at a disadvantage compared to a carrier, I am not so sure that is the case. Of course, if that O/O is trying to play the general freight game, using stuff like load boards all the time, and competing directly against the carriers, that might be true. But most truly successful independents develop their own clients they pull for and have their own contracts. Those shippers like the service they get as opposed to the service and negative attitudes shown my large fleet company drivers.

And maybe the ATA has its own agenda, there are many carriers that are part of the ATA that use more O/O than company drivers. They have no desire to see the demise of O/O. Having these O/O actually provides a greater degree of flexibility than they can get from only using company drivers. My carrier is one of them. They have over 3 to 1 O/O compared to company trucks. Their recruiting bonus is twice that for getting an O/O than a company driver. And they are an ATA member.

 

How about if we must use EOBR's to make everybody who's not a driver happy.....
Our clock starts then stops when we sit ....dentition time...Road construction closures....etc.....Then starts again when we move.....

How about shippers/receivers pay more attention to appointment times....
I can't tell you how many times I have say an 0700 appointment....Show up at 0600 to check in....Then sit for 3 or 4 hours.....

Home Depot is bad about that....
Lowe's is worse......

 

Regarding detention, I have lost track of the number of times I got detention after 2 hrs, even though I didn't demand it. I even got detention one time for 10 hrs at $75 an hour. That was for arriving at 1800 for an appt, the receiver could not unload for 12 hours, I went ahead and took a 10 hr break on site. A couple of weeks later, my settlement had a detention pay tacked on for the wait. Not bad, got detention for taking a 10 hr break. I didn't even ask for it. I just used the time to get in the break and be ready to run with a fresh 11.

It is nice to be with a carrier that does all the dirty work to get its O/O and company drivers detention when it is deserved. That is the way it is supposed to work and then the EOBR thing is a non issue.