New HOS start today - figure out how to make it work

[OntarioVanMan]

That is true if the delay happens at the beginning of the work day, but what if your planned stop is two hours ahead and you get delayed from hour six to hour seven? That gives you one hour to find a place to park for 30 minutes.

How easy is that? For a van driver who has no HAZMAT on board, it is no trouble at all. But for a straight truck or big rig driver in a congested area, it may not be easy at all.

While it may be a nice way to pass time to discuss the possibilities, the rules went into effect today so it will not be long until we learn what the true impacts are. One real-life case is posted above (big-rig parked on side of road). Others will follow, I am sure, including those about people who noticed no impact.

Diane and I began our work day today by going back on the road with reset logs after a few days out of service. We have already been affected by the new rules but I'll wait to see how the rest of this day plays out before telling the story.

I can say that nothing appears out of the ordinary roadside, on ramps, at scales or at rest areas as of 7:00 p.m. on this Monday before the Thrusday Fourth of July. Can't say about truck stops since we have not been to one yet today.

Undoubtedly it is going to be a PIA... For some

 

[Picklett]

As an expedite team we are really trying to make lemonade; but, how do you make that when:
1.). Secure loads - log on duty or sleeper, get in trouble with customer or DOT?
2.) DOD loads - see above.
3.). HazMat - see above again.
4.). 1.4 Ammo. - see above again.
I have a few more questions about the half hour break; but, these are enough for now.
No, we won't use the 2 hours for the co-driver after 8 hours in the sleeper....not fair to co-driver if they aren't already awake.
We are all for safety; but, this has nothing to do with safety - only control!
IMHO

 

[OntarioVanMan]

You want to make the big bucks you get the big aggravation

 

[layoutshooter]

You want to make the big bucks you get the big aggravation

That is a pretty goofy statement.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

How do you figure ?you guys get the big bucks you got to put up with DOD hazmat,to put up with customer's requests and all that.... You guys should be getting three dollars a mile minimal just for putting up with all the crap

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Crap equals all those certifications

 

[layoutshooter]

How do you figure ?you guys get the big bucks you got to put up with DOD hazmat,to put up with customer's requests and all that.... You guys should be getting three dollars a mile minimal just for putting up with all the crap

Well, we turn down most DOD and hazmat loads, they don't pay very well compared to our other work. Most other loads are not as much as a pain as those other loads. DOD is some of the worst.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Then you have to take time off to get certified for T-Fal inGreen

 

[layoutshooter]

Then you have to take time off to get certified for T-Fal inGreen

That is a requirement for the truck. That pays for itself, in spades.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I still think for all that you must have security clearances and all...$3.00 a mile should be minimum

 

[ATeam]

So where's the breaking point when do you stop squeezing the lemons?

In our case, the breaking point was reached when:

1. New CARB regulations were passed and retroactively applied to our truck that was fully compliant when purchased but made illegal to drive in California after the new regulations were applied; and

2. Those same new regulations would have required us to spend $40,000 to upgrade our truck engine and replace the reefer (more practical to replace the whole thing than put a new reefer engine in an old reefer), and

3. After doing research, it was discovered that freight rates and volume of loads going into and out of CA would not appreciably change if the $40,000 was spent on the truck, and

4. An exciting new business opportunity was discovered in which that $40,000 could be invested instead of merely spent (put down a rat hole) to maintain the status quo if the money was spent on upgrading the truck.

The regulations created a $40,000 disincentive to stay in trucking. The new business opportunity created an exciting and new incentive to leave. When things inside and outside of trucking line up that way, you find it quite easy to move through the door.

 

[layoutshooter]

I still think for all that you must have security clearances and all...$3.00 a mile should be minimum

The clearances are very low level with no access attached. Only once were we given access and read into a program. I suspect that was an error on the shippers part. We were read in at a much higher level than we had clearance for. Then, after we unloaded, we were never read out of the program. HUGH mistake on someones part.

 

[paullud]

Regulate the van? Won't be that easy. There are millions of "commercial" vans out there. Certainly the DOT won't have enough money or manpower to check every van. I can picture thousand of the roto-rooter vans awaiting in line at the DOT scale sneaking in front of the big rigs, lol.

They may pursue those that participate in inter-state commerce which would eliminate the local drivers.

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[OntarioVanMan]

In our case, the breaking point was reached when:

1. New CARB regulations were passed and retroactively applied to our truck that was fully compliant when purchased but made illegal to drive in California after the new regulations were applied; and

2. Those same new regulations would have required us to spend $40,000 to upgrade our truck engine and replace the reefer (more practical to replace the whole thing than put a new reefer engine in an old reefer), and

3. After doing research, it was discovered that freight rates and volume of loads going into and out of CA would not appreciably change if the $40,000 was spent on the truck, and

4. An exciting new business opportunity was discovered in which that $40,000 could be invested instead of merely spent (put down a rat hole) to maintain the status quo if the money was spent on upgrading the truck.

The regulations created a $40,000 disincentive to stay in trucking. The new business opportunity created an exciting and new incentive to leave. When things inside and outside of trucking line up that way, you find it quite easy to move through the door.

When the stars are aligned

 

[TeamCaffee]

First day of new HOS accomplished with no problems. We were under a load that we worried about the most, we were going to be on back roads and concerned about where the 1/2 break would be legal to take.

We had eight hours to plan, the first plan worked, we parked legal and had a chance to relax for 1/2 hour and eat. After break took off refreshed and ready to finish the load.

We are going to have to start planning our day and thinking ahead of how we will take the 1/2 break. This is not going to be a problem for us and there will be no stress in this truck over the new rule.

 

[layoutshooter]

Running our first load today under the new regs. Should be fun with a border crossing to deal with. Same with Thursdays load. STILL trying to figure out how to wake up after the stop or how NOT to wake up when Mrs. Layoutshooter makes her stops. I KNOW I get sleepy when I stop after I have been driving for a while. Have to figure a way around that. March in tight circles around the truck maybe? Can't go into a truck stop, can't be more than 25 feet from the truck. Should be a very interesting learning experience.

 

[scottm4211]

So much for the freedom of the open roads. Disgusting.

 

[BigCat]

I was in back roads of Iowa and wasnt able to get my 30 minute break yesterday. It's hogwash bulls*** of a rule that isn't safe or in a lot of places possible to take.

 

[jjoerger]

I saw a driver using the fuel aisle for his 30 last night. The TA employees had to come out and run him off. And there were empty parking spots available.

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[layoutshooter]

I saw a driver using the fuel aisle for his 30 last night. The TA employees had to come out and run him off. And there were empty parking spots available.

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Don't you just love people like that? I have seen drivers leave trucks in the fuel aisle and shower.