What's the deal on idling?

With fuel over $4 a gallon, companies are doing everything possible to save money.

It all depends on the company. Some let you idle, some don't. Some use the ECM to control your idle. Some have APU's and bunk heaters. Some use IdleAire.

It's something to consider when job hunting. Personally once spoiled, I wouldn't work for a company without an APU. You have to stay comfortable if you are going to live in that box. Students might not have much choice. But when you get experience you call the shots.

Then there are a few states with strict idling laws. APU is the way to go.

 

Do your trucks not have night heaters or cab cooler units?

 

Most of the larger companies who do not offer APU's, will allow their engines to idle when outside temperature is above around 75 degrees. And it seems most have bunk heaters that work well in wintertime. They B##ch and gripe when idle time is excessive but to not take into account the driver spent 70% of his time in a given period in the South and Southwest. Walk away from a company who does not have a reasonable idle policy and refuses to provide APU's. They will eventually have to adjust their thinking or will add APU or have truck's sit driverless.

Sleeping in a truck in Phoenix in August without A/C? ... no way

 

i think if it was a great idea for idleAire. I cost a couple bucks per hour but you get all the quirks with it.

 

I've had a APU the past year and refuse to work for a company that has a idle policy and doesn't provide a alternative.

May trucking was the strictest company I worked for regarding idling but heard they increased their threshold significantly.

U.S. Xpress didn't care about it when I worked their (07-09) as long as it was shut off when you weren't in the truck ( I have heard that changed)

Total Transportation didn't care either.

I have a APU at my current company and they are going to equip all new trucks with them.

 

I think we've all been there. After running across a 110 degree desert with your windows down waiting for darkness so you can sleep or being down in humid Florida with sweat balls popping off you and mosquito's the size of a buzzard biting you.... one kind of figures out a better idea!

 

The issue I had with idle air was being a non smoker and having a plume of nicotine go into my cab when I turned the a/c on.

Never again.