Log books or comic books?

[Mustbecrazy]

I Am considering makeing a career change to become an OTR driver after owning and operating a small construction company.

However I am becoming a bit conserned with some of the things I have read in the few diaries and blogs I have found.

Is it really true that the even the larger carriers encourage and reward false log writting practices?

[Big_Dave]

First, welcome aboard. :)
Is it really true that the even the larger carriers encourage and reward false log writting practices?
They won't usually come right out and say, "You gotta run this load illegally because you are out of hours" (or something similar).

What they can and will do is, the minute you don't play the game, that's the minute they start letting you sit in BFE all weekend.........slowly starving you out. :angry:

They'll run you up to the minute you run out of hours, then say you gain 3 hours at midnight, they'll expect you to run for 3 hours........even though it's a total waste of time.

As for rewarding for false logging, well, the safety dept. won't say anything to you as long as your fuel stops, tolls and anything else they keep track of....matches your logbook.

If you're thinking of falsifying your logs, consider this:

1. If you're involved in an accident and your logbook is found to not match what you said you did, you can expect at the very least, 10 hours OOS (Out Of Service) and/or a ticket.

2. If you're involved in an accident and there is a fatality and your logbook is found to not match what you said you did.....you can and will be arrested and hauled off to jail to see the Judge and prosecuting attourney at a time convenient to them.

3. If you take the time to learn how to log and have the brains and ability to tell dispatch 'No' when they pressure you to 'run hot', then you shouldn't have any problems if you're found not at fault in an accident.

Back in January, I was involved in an accident with a car. The 5 DOT officers and the other 3 officers did a very thorough check of my truck/trailer, my logbook, my permits and license. I received NO VIOLATIONS or CITATIONS and got 2 CVSA stickers as a result. That was my 'reward' for running legal. :cool:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/southernrain/wreck2.jpg

[Mustbecrazy]

Now the next question is there a way to keep leagle and still eat? lol

I mean if the Industry standerd is to push dirivers to the limit and beyond if they are fool enough to do it how dose one remain honest and still earn a wage?

Also lets say for example you have driven 10 hrs today you have another 1/2 hr to go to make youre planned stop for the night some freak accident happens and stops traffic for an hour.

So now you are 1/2hr past nap time how do you log this and if Dot happens to catch you in the act of still driving past your time what happens?

Do they nail you or are they reall people that will understand you have no controll over traffic and accidents you are not involved in?

I truley value and welcome all oppinions.

thanx Mustbe crazy

[Big_Dave]

Now the next question is there a way to keep leagle and still eat? lol
Yes, it's called time management. You have to become very efficient at managing your time each day.
I mean if the Industry standerd is to push dirivers to the limit and beyond if they are fool enough to do it how dose one remain honest and still earn a wage?
Log it like you do it. You have 11 hours of 'drive time' each day (line 3). You're also allowed a total of 14 hours per day (combo of line 3 & 4 as long as 11 hours of driving isn't exceeded), up to 70 hours in 8 days.....unless you do a 34 hour reset. Then you 'start over' with a fresh 70 hours.
Also lets say for example you have driven 10 hrs today you have another 1/2 hr to go to make youre planned stop for the night some freak accident happens and stops traffic for an hour.

So now you are 1/2hr past nap time how do you log this and if Dot happens to catch you in the act of still driving past your time what happens?
Depending on the officer, your attitude and how far past the allowed limit you are, well........you may get a ticket or just a warning.
Do they nail you or are they reall people that will understand you have no controll over traffic and accidents you are not involved in?
Unfortunately there are no 'gray areas' when dealing with the DOT or any LEO's. You're either within the law or breaking it. Again, it all depends on the officer, your attitude and circumstances.....but you may still get a ticket or just a warning.

You can be put OOS right there on the spot, which if necessary, the officer will call for a tow truck to get you off the road, or if he's nice enough, he may follow you to the nearest truckstop, rest area or legal parking area.

Here's the link for the FMCSA website. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Here's the link for the HOS (hours of service) page.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/truck/driver/hos/revised-hos.asp

[Big_Dave]

Also, read Uncle Fester's reply on this thread.

http://www.truckstopusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=15865#15865

[USAF_2T2]

As a Cop I will give you this much advice,

HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE!!

I don't want to see you anymore than you wanna see me so don't ruin the moment with a crappy attitude. I tend to be more lenient(sp) and forgiving if you are honest and have a good attitude.

[nitestar]

Also lets say for example you have driven 10 hrs today you have another 1/2 hr to go to make youre planned stop for the night some freak accident happens and stops traffic for an hour.

You can run it and mark your log stating the accident. Of course you have to have been able to make the run legally under normal driving in the first place.
That hasn't changed under the new rulings.
Most think it is just for weather related problems.
I have questioned several DOT LEO's and they all have stated the same thing.
But it comes down to interpretation of the law by each officer.

[LugNut]

I Am considering makeing a career change to become an OTR driver after owning and operating a small construction company.

However I am becoming a bit conserned with some of the things I have read in the few diaries and blogs I have found.

Is it really true that the even the larger carriers encourage and reward false log writting practices?Absolutely none of the large carriers want to log illegally. They will in fact discourage it. They might even fire you if you get caught doing it very often.

No one logs illegally, just ask them and they'll tell you they run legal. But when you log 15 minutes for fuel when it took 30 to get rolling that is illegal. When you log off for the day nthe minute you pull into a TS it is illegal because your driving until it's parked. If you 30 minutes away from a scheduled appointment and out of hours your illegal by driving there.

I have never met a driver who does not cheat the log book in one way or another. As long as it looks legal and makes sense companies will not pay one bit of attention to the minor discrepencies. Until you have an accident. There's almost no way for the DOT to look at your logs on the road side and find errors if your smart. You'll get away with it the same as going through a scale. If the accident warrants they will look later checking all records that can't be checked on a road side inspection and all the wrongs will come out. That's when the companies will hang you out to dry7. As long as all is well you can cheat away. When a problem comes up it will be on you alone.

[Mtneerdan]

Excellent post LugNut. You hit the nail on the head with that one.

[Big Lare]

My brother will be driving for Swift soon and he was told by someone that they only keep tabs on your book for the first month or so, and after that you can cheat on it, also that some drivers have 2 log books. Anybody know how that would work?

Thanks

[maxmiddle]

Big Lare:

Not very well. Look for a very short driving career, and a long one in prison industries.

:ninja:

[Mr. McFeely]

The work day is limited by hours, but most drivers are paid by the mile. Therein lies the conflict. If you're stuck in traffic, you're not making money. Many drivers don't allow this non-productive "drive time" to accumulate on their log, which reduces their take home pay. Their mentality becomes, do I cheat the log or cheat myself?

[ric5445]

I know JB has it all computerized. The fuel stop, Qualcom, logs being sent in etc... if the computer detects a false reading it kicks it out. you get about 4 chances and you wee be terminated. Yes the company will hang you out to dry if something happens and they can, but you are not the only one in trouble if something happens. The company gets it too and they don't want the reputation as someone that lets things slide. That increases inspections by the government and higher insurance and nobody wants that. You need to log it as you do it , that keeps everyone safe. You can still make good money and less stress if you do it right.