Why CSA 2010 and E-Logs are a good thing.

Okay can some of the EOBRs supporters tell me how this isn't against the HOS regulations. This post is from a E-log runner from a different thread but it shows my point in this discussion... They do not make the roads any safer nor do they help in compliance of HOS.

This is from a driver that runs E-logs::::::: I got to receiver last night at 2310 did my 15 min post trip. Parked in the lot just north of the entrance. Business was closed for the most part. Security said they would come and get me when they are ready for me. Had a 7am apt. They knocked on the door at 6am. I'm on E logs and I haven't had my 8 hour break in. If you don't go to far it won't kick you on drive line. So I drove to the door and backed in. Still in the sleeper birth. If I would of actually put on duty not driving it would of kicked me back to sleeper birth because it took less then 5 minutes to do. Also if I would of took more then 5 mins and it was a little farther away. I would of lost the 7hrs of sleeper birth time I had, and would have to start over. In the 14 plus years I have been driving I have never been ticketed for wrong change of duty status. It's always a first time for everything. I think I'll take that risk. So as it looks I'm still on line 2 with with 45 more minutes remaining before I can use split sleeper birth and head to pick up my next load 3 miles away. They are still unloading me but I'm sure it will be another 20 mins or so and then I'll go back to my space in the front of the parking lot till time is up. All on line 2.

ANYTIME you do a change of duty then it NEEDS TO BE LOGGED THAT WAY.....

 

let it go, man, this crowd aint budging

they can cheat as long as the computer doesnt pick it up, its ok

and we can cheat as long as DOT doesnt pick it up

but the point being, even with that ball&chain around their happy necks, they are no more "honest" than we are, just more docile

 

protected from the govt. that's about a joke times 100.

 

How would you log that on paper? Additionally a company could set the Auto Change of Duty Status to whatever number they like. So I could set it to 0.1 miles before ACDS,but what good would that do me when the FMCSA recommendations are 2 miles?

 

Well since I am an "outlaw" and run paper my log would show I never interrupted my break but thats not "legal" so I just can't understand how its okay for an EOBR to allow it ? The only point I am making here is Illegal is Illegal and there is no difference or should I say not in compliance is not in compliance so whats the good in EOBRS again? I believe the push for E-logs is moot since they really don't stop anyone from being compliant.

 

Of course they don't make you compliant, I have drivers that violate every day. the speed limit sign doesn't make you not speed. People are going to do what they are going to do. The eLog helps record the events more precisely than a paper log does. The company is then either going to allow or disallow certain activities. It's people like me (industry killers) that push for stricter company policies to make compliance 100%. We'll fail a lot, but we'll be much more compliant than a paper log.

 

I find it very interesting that so many want to use/apply the exact "letter of the law" when that choice works "in favor" of their argument...both for and against...whatever the rule/law they are discussing.

In this case (volvodriver example), the driver is parked "right outside the gate", basically on property, in other words...he is at the receiver, now all he needs to do is bump the dock. Everyone who is on E-logs, knows/is told what the speed or distance parameters will move the system automatically to Line 3, so with informed "allowances" the "system" by each company is set to add a little "forgiveness" for this example and for other similar situations. Where, you might, or probably will be required to "adjust your position" before your 10 or 8 is completed.

Nothing is absolute black and white....everything has that shady grey area that things are going to need tweaking. How many drivers actually run 55 in CA and/or OR, we all know we can get away with 58-62, not 55. And the line officer understands what the legislators won't accept, that 55 is a hazard, the line officer gives a little to maintain a better traffic flow. But step out of line too far, and the officer has the 55 limit to legitimately put you back in line. It is the same with the EOBR's...there is a "little forgiveness" for these little "issues" that we must deal with since the shipping/trucking/receiving world is far from absolute in times/scheduling/and maintaining any schedule or "plan".

I run paper logs...we tried the "BETA" format of E-logs and the company found that it wouldn't be the drivers that would have the most trouble keeping out of trouble, it would be the company and their dispatch and load/unload timing. We are still paper, and will be...not for safety, not for driver...but for company convenience.

 

Very very true, drivers are adaptable. Planners and dispatchers are not.

 

trying to make concrete parameters in a fluid industry is worse than trying to fit a square block into a round hole

but DOT and Safety Managers will destroy drivers' careers and this industry trying to do just that

just because they can

 

Don't want you thinking I am using fighting words as I am just showing that there is really not a difference between paper and E-logs. As OTHERHALFTW states below there is a grey area whether you run E-logs or paper. So why should E-logs be pushed upon drivers in the industry even though there are plenty of drivers that admit there is THAT GREY AREA? Just because it is easier doesn't make them right..

So in my closing arguements I just want to show my point is that just because someone says that EOBRs are safer or make you more compliant doesn't mean they are right. Technically we have guys(company's) running E-logs and are legally cheating the HOS. So just because it is easier to spot a guy cheating on E-logs doesn't mean that paper guys should be forced to run them. Like I stated a few pages ago I truly believe if there was a study performed right now that there would be more guys having accidents and violations as a whole running E-logs over paper... Again not fighting here just enjoy the arguements on both sides of the matter.