Ok, so you're in the top bunk... the driver slams on the brakes!! Where do you go? You're in the top bunk, the driver makes a sudden lane change, where do move? with the high center of gravity a truck has- motion is felt more at the top, and you're at the top in the top bunk.
Safety restraints are all well, but in many trucks- they don't put them on the top bunks on purpose... to discourage sleeping up there while the vehicle is in motion.
The top bunk should be utilized for when the vehicle is Stopped... Only.
You're on the bottom bunk, driver calls on you- you don't have far to stumble. You don't have far to go to grab that map for them- or if they need a snack or something - you're there to help them (if they know you're still awake).
Team- No "I" in Team as I always say. Drivers help Drivers.
If driver gets tired. Stop! climb up on top bunk. Get some rest.
Make it a rule- if other driver wants to drive- they have to wake the top bunk up (and deal with their sleepy attitude) and be sure they move to the bottom bunk and are secure.... Before the rig gets put into gear!!
The top bunk is dangerous for more than just falls "from" the bunk. With the vehicle in motion it invites slips and falls when climbing in/out of the bunk- no matter how you get up there.
Sure, it's convenient to a certain degree to have that bottom bunk free to get to storage under the bunk, or use it as bench to fix a meal or do paperwork or watch TV or chat on the phone or laptop... but is that convenience factor worth it when you're putting your team mate at risk for injury?
Look at the financials too, injury means lost time, lost time means loss of revenue?
4.00+ a gallon for diesel + loss of revenue from injured co-driver= bad math.
The sleepy co-driver will understand if you're standing up while you make a snack then do all the other stuff from the top bunk- if they don't, they're not a very understanding co-driver. The way I see it, is if my co-driver is in the bunk instead of driving- (for less than 15-20 min.) then they're being safe. That's provided they're not doing it every 2 hours. If you can't stay in the seat for 3 or 4 hours driving commercially then you really don't need to be driving commercially.
Another thing is to keep a dry erase board (about the size of a laptop) somewhat handy, and if the driver gets out of the truck, they're to write rough location and time of exit of the truck and approx. time of return- so if bunk driver wakes up and moves that curtain- they will know what's up.
And be sure to take that cell phone out of the truck with you, with a good charge on it!!!
Please, Thank You.
That's just my 2 cents.
BBB
