Would you quit if forced on eLogs?

I will wait to spend my money until it is mandated. It will likely take years for them to get through the process. If I see a cost benefit, then I may reconsider. But, when I can buy a years worth of log books for $10-15, it is hard to justify spending several thousand dollars for technology that I don't need and a monthly fee of estimated at $45 to do the same think that I can do with the paper logs. If it does eventually pass, I may just sell my trucks and buy stock in those companies that will manufacture the EOBR's. Investors stand to make a fortune. Do the math. There are approximately 3-5 million trucks in this country. Multiply that by the estimated monthly fee. Profit is a major reason they want to mandate these for ALL owners. We can operate just as safely with paper logs as we can with electronic logs. If those who want this technology want to challenge me on that statement, then show me the proof.

 

E-Logs have been around almost 20 years now. I have no doubt they will "try" to make them mandatory some day. But its gonna be a long time until they tell every O/O they have to go spend $1000's on a E-Log system that will take away from there pay as well.

Also Why get on them Early? 20 years ago when the first company switched to them (werner?) I'm sure it was a mess trying to run on them, now 20 years later companies are STILL haveing issues trying to get loads done in a timely maner on E-Logs.

We'd all be better off if drivers avoid E-logs until they are mandated (IF it happens) because by that time YEARS from now, more companies will be on them, and will have figured out the logistics behind running on them, AND they will have forced changes in the way shippers/receivers operate.

Once everything works together at least pretty good e-logs wont be the end of the world, but they WILL still bite you in the butt from time to time, and that is when it cuts into the Driver AND the Companies Wallet.





American Trucker

 

It seems the band aid to the shipper/receiver issue is detention charges. Even if they pay it, most will simply see it as the cost of doing business and that does nothing to remedy the situation.

 

Add Detention Fee's and there freight not getting there on time because they waste drivers hours.....they will learn. If not charge them more





American Trucker

 

I would rather be on paper and thought would leave my company if they installed elog in the truck.... but I haven't yet. I HATE elog but I'm still here, because there are other things to compensate for it... Great dispatcher, great load planner and great equipament are some of the good things I don't want to let go.

I always planned all my trips, my breaks, my fuel stops, everything and was doing very well on paper, it was much easier, less stressful and less time consuming than using this nanny-box... and I had more freedom. With this box, I have to tamper with it to be able to run my errands during my reset cause my company's rules about off-dutty driving are practically impossible to follow.
So, with this elog, I am showing a little less time on-dutty + driving than if I were on paper. Not much though, one hr so... And that's only because I spend a lot of time planning my minutes,changing stuff on elog at the end of the day to show less working time, showing no more than 6 mins fuel and 7 mins drop n hook, so forth and so on.... and trying to remember to change my status from driving to off dutty as soon as truck stops even a few miles before I arrive at fuel station or customer, etc (which is a pain in the neck all the time)...
It's a freaking pain in the neck to be always remembering to change the status everytime I change what I am doing.... leaving the truck, entering the truck... I feel like a machine controled by a timer.... And if I forget to change, have to edit it later, what takes even more of my time....
The elog I am using in this company is not easier than paper.
So, now, when I plan my trips, I have to consider stopping 1 or 2 hrs earlier just in case there's a possibility I may have to go a few mins over my 11 to find parking for my 10 hr break.

So, if you can find a good company, with lots of loads, with no elog, good dispatchers and good load planners, go for it. I wonder if there are companies like that out there.... Or have your own truck, be your own boss.... good luck.

 

Its pretty easy to tell when my A/C, Lights, starter,and Radio isn,t working. Does this MAGIC BOX have the same characteristics? How many tickets or job losses do i go thru before someone decides MAGIC BOX isn,t working? Call Air France up and ask them how well they work!

 

If they were all that serious about requiring EOBR's, they would make it mandatory for all trucks to have them factory installed, just like steering wheels and brakes.
Same with anti-idleing, mandatory APU's.

 

Shhh! Don't give them any ideas!

 

Goodness......after reading some of THbatman8's post he sounds like he's been held captive and has been reprogramed by the government. I mean.......just sayin. Sounds kinda like one of those people that cannot think for themselves and needs to be told what to do and how to do it.

 

If e-logs become law for sure I would hang it up. Drivers out here just continue to take whatever government hands out. Very few has a clue how to stand up for your selves. Like one post said its just change and no one likes change...well hes wrong its government sitting in my passenger seat watching my every move