I have no problem with people using it as I have done the same when needed. The only reasons that you would not have received a violation is that the log auditor did not check thoroughly, does not understand the regulation, our you just didn't drive long enough after the 2 hour break so there was no violation. Think about it this way: you drive 4 hours and then take an 8 hour break leaving you 7 hours. You then drive 7 hours and take a 2 hour break and then can drive another 8 hours before the 30 minute break. That doesn't seem odd to you that you can drive for 15 hours in a 17 hour window. That would mean you could show that you did a PTI at 00:00 then immediately went into the sleeper until 08:00, drove until 16:00, break until 18:00, then drove until 02:00, 30 minute break, then drove until 05:30. That's 19 hours of driving in 21.5 hours and you think that is the way the regulation was written? If your log auditor told that then they are just completely wrong, it defies common sense.
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Your math is as screwy as your procedure: do a PTI, and immediately go into the sleeper?
Not how I do it, lol. A PTI is worthless if it isn't done shortly before leaving: ever heard about 'practical jokers' who pull the 5th wheel handle, then yuk it up when you drive off, leaving the trailer on the ground? *Edit: just realized the PTI is for post trip, lol. But your figures are still wrong: the drive from 0800 - 1600 is not 7 hours, it's 8. [Is this why carriers "don't want drivers to use the split sleeper"? LOL]
This is a typical load, and how the split sleeper can make it work:
PU in Akron @ 1600, [38 mile DH], Del. in Louisville, Ky @ 0700 [312 loaded]
1430-1445 PTI
1445-1545 DH
1545-1615 Load, secure, log, etc
1615-2030 In Cincy [all times/mileages made up!] Take a 30 minute break, because the remaining 112 miles may not get done in the remaining 2 hours, given the traffic and construction from Cincy through northern Ky. [I spent 3.5 hours going that far through Texas yesterday, with construction south of D/FW]
2030-2100 Mandatory break
2100 Drive remaining miles to Louisville, arrive 2330.
Uh oh: 14 hour clock is up @ 0430, and you need to unload @ 0700. You can do it, but you can't drive off the customer's property - now what? Plus, even if you can stay put, you'll have to start the 10 hour break after delivery, going back in service at 1730 at the very earliest. Good luck!
Now, try the split sleeper:
Begin the same, but at 2030, take an 8 hour sleeper period, until 0430. Subtract what you drove already [04.75] from 11, and you have 06.25 left to drive, and the 14 hr clock has bumped back from 0430 to 1230 [added 8 hrs, for time in sleeper].
Do another PTI, 0430-0445
0445-0645 Drive to Louisville [112 mi]
0645-0715 Unload
0715-0730 Drive [to nearest big box store!]
You have made delivery and left the customer's property without violating the HOS, and can sleep until ready to go back in service. For me, that's around 1400 or so, depending on what errands/chores I need to do. It sure beats waiting until after 1730!
You are correct in that the split sleeper used repeatedly will result in violations, but no one in their right mind would do it that way, and I certainly don't. I use it when it works, or when I want to, but not every day, or even every week.
You mentioned carriers who don't allow [or want] drivers to use the split sleeper - do you have any sources for that claim?