It's a Team's Life
Butting your head against a WALL
The proposed changes to the HOS were released during our Christmas break, which I believe, was done on purpose. Many businesses were closed and this gave people time to look over the changes and simmer down before the screaming begins.
The first rule that drew our attention is the 34-hour restart. With the rules we have now when we shut the truck down and do not move again for 34 hours we are good for another 70 hours. The new rules would have us stop for two consecutive periods of time between midnight and 6 a.m. This could potentially cause us to shut the truck down for nearly 3 days.
We switch drivers between two and three in the morning, which fits both of our natural, sleep patterns. Bob is a night owl and I am an early bird. We usually are able to get a restart on the weekends starting on Saturday and finishing on Sunday for both of us. With the new rules if we are under a load that does not deliver until 2:00 in the morning Bob is messed up and then I drive for a short period of time to our layover and I am messed up. Now we have to wait until Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. to get our restarts.
One of the rule changes I am very happy with is the ability to sit in the front seat legally and watch the scenery going down the road. With the past rules we were not able to sit in the passenger seat without going on duty not driving. Now we will have two hours a day to sit in the passenger seat and enjoy each other’s company.
One of the new interesting rules in the mandatory half hour break during our driving period. We will argue this point as some loads can make this difficult and also dangerous to us if we are not in a safe haven to sit this long. If this rule goes through it will force us to stop and smell the roses! We are usually so hell bent on delivering our load we do not take time for ourselves. I think in the long run once some of the logistics are worked out proposed rule will have its benefits. For those that get sleepy in the afternoon they will be able to take a short nap.
My thoughts have been we can beat our head against the wall,
scream, yell, and kick and the rules are the rules.
Lets first give our comments and why we feel
the proposed rules are flawed, after the rules are in places figure out how to
make them work the best for us.
We spent
hours listening to the listening sessions and giving our thoughts knowing full
well that the FMCSA would not come out with rules that would make all of us
happy.
Now lets follow through and make
the rules work, as it does no good to drive my self-crazy by ranting and
raving.
Bob & Linda Caffee

Leased to: FedEx Custom Critical

TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO

Expediters 6 years been out here on the road 11 years

Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle; 
Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;

Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;

Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.