Understand the upcoming changes to the Hours July 1, 2013

paullud

Veteran Expediter
Some people actually have to drive 11 straight. Most of our longer FedEx loads don't even have time to stop and fuel let alone eat. So to make that statement is ignorant. My question is why are all the van drivers so worried about what we have to do and regs to follow?

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TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
We have spent a lot of time on the this issue a few years ago when the proposals started and there were many links and how to's about getting your voice heard and how to write letters. Moose even provided a sample letter with addresses. The sessions we listen to and attended with Anne Ferro, we feel as if FMCSA did listen and they acted. The drivers wanted a break each day and they wanted to not be pushed at an odd time after their 34 hour break to go back to work. How many took the time to listen to the hearing or to write their letters?

The new HOS are here and after hearing about the listening session once again this week Anne Ferro is going ahead with the proposed rules as they stand it is time to figure out how to make them work or we will be the ones getting the violations.

The 1/2 hour has been beneficial to me as I now can eat a leisurely lunch if on a dual driver load, or if on a non secure load it is a chance to get out and walk. Either way it takes some planning on when and where I will stop. One problem I had was stretching it out to the eight hours and I got into road construction and just about did not make it to the break in time. That was a lesson learned and one that will help keep me from getting a violation in July.

i suggest that you start practicing this 1/2 break especially for team drivers like Jimby82 says who are used to their meals being served to them.

The Trucking Solutions Group has spent a lot of time discussing this issue and while most of them are solo's they find that they very very rarely do not stop for a 1/2 hour for a meal or to stretch their legs within the first eight hours. They like us are more concerned with remembering to log the 1/2 hour break.

Try it and if you go about the new 1/2 hour with a positive attitude you might find out it is much easier than expected.

So far the new 34 hour restart would not affect us as we are watching this also. This past week we waiting to move a little bit longer then normal and we both got the restart the funny part was we really did not need it as looking at the recap we still had hours. As a team we are going to have to watch our hours a little closer then we have had in the past.

I for one do not ever want to go back to the 5 and 5 as we were always exhausted. The eleven hour driving works great and I get plenty of sleep and I am ready to drive my shift.
 

moose

Veteran Expediter
Yes i have submitted my letter to the FMCSA. 7 weeks{!} later i received an Email with a link to the docket# so we know it was properly filed.
@ least i know i was ignored well.
driver did asked for a break, but they always asked for flexibility at the same time. with the 30 min. do not pause the 14 clock- drivers are infact been penalized for taking a break.
the way this rule is going to work answer none of the drivers requests.
it is a text book example of FMCSA ignoring drivers input.
when it comes to the restart, drivers clearly asked for flexibility. what they got in return are 2 more restrictions.
i remember very well the FMCSA hearing {yet not listening} to a company driver @ MATS describing how his carrier gets him home for EXACTLY 34 hours and how all of his time @ home he is forced by the carrier to keep watching his clock because once that 34 is over with he is expected to hit the road immediately. this new rule will not pot an end to those kind of practices. it was clear @ MATS that the 'one size fits all' will NOT fit this time. yet we have been ignored.
i have sounded my voice on this issues more then a few times. last week i have called the office of congressman Peter Defazio and talked with a staffer. {@ least this time i konw i was ignored since i did not had a matching Zip code...}
am now getting ready to execute my practices. some phrases that will, from this point on, guide me, are 'confiscated freight'. 'every place that is not restricted by law is a legal place to park'. 'a stop is where i can stop a truck'. and so on.
am also ready to document my loses and communicate such losses with my peers, FMCSA and my direct representatives.
 
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