every truck job.com

[mde]

Been at it for 6 months now. My distant and trivial criminal history was the issue from the start. Now, I’m expected to run illegal by falsifying HOS logs. The company unspoken rule: Only put down 15 mins. for fuel stops, drops that took hours, waiting time at docks that took hours? Redo logs in order to run longer and make drops on time? I know this practice is common in the industry and required by most companies to retain employment. So far I have been a first responder at 3 accidents in the last 2 weeks and from what I saw the fatigued truck drivers were at fault. One guy (Swift Driver) didn’t even get out of his truck to check on the rolled over 4 wheeler and assist as a first responder. When I checked on him he was busy getting his logs legal and didn’t appear to care about the family in the car smashed and upside-down. I got my act together over 15 years ago and decided that laws are there for good reasons and this is why I abide by them. Now, I'm expected to violate federal laws for the company, so that there loads are on time even at the cost of life’s lost on freeways?

"The 2007 overall traffic fatalities 41059"

[ckwilson]

I know the first year of experience is the most important and being able to stick with the same company. I would get the experience and look for a different company to work with. Not all of them force the driver to run illegal.

[mde]

Thanks for the reply. After a month of cooling off and a vacation I started in processing with a reputable company yesterday.They informed me that through the use of Qualcom and per there company policy I will not be required to compete against HOS violators nor be given unrealist trips. I did get just enough experience to get on with a good company and a good reference from my prior employment.

[ckwilson]

Great Glad to hear it.....I did talk to several drivers and most of them said it was standard for a company to have a time limit on fuel stops. It's up to the driver to adjust their logs to fit.

[gdkrull]

I have been driving semi since the middle-70's. Back then, with the old HOS rules a person could pretty well log what they actually drove with little "innovation". Today, however, with the "NEW" HOS a driver will NOT make any miles/money if they stick to factual daily driving events unless they are on a higher than average pay scale, say .43/mi. It's virtually impossible.
All my logs, since the advent of the new HOS rules, have been fabricated, close to the truth but not actual. I do this by knowing where active DOT scales are on my chosen route and when they're likely to be open, keeping my speeds, etc., in check, carrying a steno pad that shows my actual stops and mileages, and being fairly accurate with my last stop listed on the log. Don't use the old log books!! Use the binder logs and at the end of the day re-write the log to what fits. Basically, be smarter than the people watching you, think ahead, plan ahead, know what's ahead. Use the logs to your advantage; don't let them hinder your driving progress. One hint: log your odometer reading under your stopping memo. Don't log your actual driving time from A to B. Instead, keep track of the miles and divide that number by the average speed limit in the area.

[valcaldera]

I have been driving semi since the middle-70's. Back then, with the old HOS rules a person could pretty well log what they actually drove with little "innovation". Today, however, with the "NEW" HOS a driver will NOT make any miles/money if they stick to factual daily driving events unless they are on a higher than average pay scale, say .43/mi. It's virtually impossible.
All my logs, since the advent of the new HOS rules, have been fabricated, close to the truth but not actual. I do this by knowing where active DOT scales are on my chosen route and when they're likely to be open, keeping my speeds, etc., in check, carrying a steno pad that shows my actual stops and mileages, and being fairly accurate with my last stop listed on the log. Don't use the old log books!! Use the binder logs (or loose leaf) and at the end of the day re-write the log to what fits. Basically, be smarter than the people watching you, think ahead, plan ahead, know what's ahead. Use the logs to your advantage; don't let them hinder your driving progress. One hint: log your odometer reading under your stopping memo. Don't log your actual driving time from A to B. Instead, keep track of the miles and divide that number by the average speed limit in the area.

I concur and have been doing such unless otherwise with a company that required using their lag books.
I once worked at a company in '00 that stated in a safety meeting "Log it like you do it".
I did just that and from starting on a Monday, I was out of hours (70) by Friday.
I did not repeat such a procedure and since have logged it like I saw fit.

Example:
If it takes 3 hours to go 120 miles because of accidents or construction zones, I log it at 60-65mph.
ANY state with a 55 mph limit for TRUCKS I logged at 60mph.
I NEVER received a speeding ticket nor was put Out Of Service.

My log book would reflect where I had the goofy 10 hour break if I was ever actually at those places.
I was usually driving while sleeping and sleeping while driving and still SAFELY made up to 715 miles a day on many days. 715/11=65

Once I had the corrected log for the day, I would NOT sign it or if i did sign it I could ALWAYS redo it.

Get plenty of rest, eat right and keep the shiny side up.

[jeffnesmith]

Where to start...?

I may not make any money, but when I hear someone tell me, "Make it legal," I RUN for the door. Don't stay with anyone who treats YOUR license with such disrespect.

[bigcountry]

Well i been out here 10 years and all i can say is do what you feel comfortable with. If they tell you you have to run illegal i would find another company. I personally make my log book work for me i don't work for it and i always get plenty of sleep and i make good money. Do i cheat? Of course, you have to to some extent. Would i lie because it helps my dispatcher? NO. Would i lie because it helps me? absolutely. Fact is it is your butt on the line if something happens.

[dave78]

Here's my two cents. I once worked for a company that encouraged the drivers to run illegal logs. During my interview the president of the company told me what the practice was and hooked me up with a seasoned driver to learn how to cheat the logs. I ran my butt of for this company, ran when I was dead tired drifting into other lanes, did the head bob while speeding down the highway, getting two to three hours sleep in 48 hours. It sucked I was stressed out all the time and I never made any more money then I do running legal. Come to think of it I make more money going by the HOS rules. After all that running around risking my life and everyone else on the road theres only on conclusion I came to. It's not worth it. When you run illegal your proabably tired all the time and then you run the risk of causing an accident and killing someone because you fell asleep at the wheel. If this happens and the police find out what your doing thats it you do not pass go you go right to jail. Your life is over and if you have a family that depends on you then you have just failed them too. It's not that hard to find out if you have been running the books, your cell phone can be tracked (even if it's off) they can go to you pick up and drop locations and get any video surveillance with times that you were there. This industry is not like it used to be, nothing is as easy as it used to be.

I like your attitude about companies telling you to run your log, you hit the door. Thats the kind of driver I like to share the road with, safe one's. If a company don't tell me to run it like it happens then I tell them that is how I drive not exceptions. And to those who do run the logs, good luck guys and girls I hope that nothing ever bad happens to you. Please stay safe watch the morons there every where.

[sonibell1]

Yea, I worked for a small company that it was a unwritten/unspoken policy that you "rewrite history". If you questioned them about going over on the logs, you didnt work. I got tired of running 18 hour days, so i quit them....my reward for falsifying my logs....they falsified thier responce to potential employers. I cant get hired driving to save my life.

[The Wizard]

That's what the DOT whistle blower program is all about. Stay in the seat and run legal, let the carrirs answer to a higher authority. Using the background check as a sword is ilegal and punishable with at least 6 months in jail. But a carrier isn't going to jail unless a driver like you tells somebody about it, and I don't mean other drivers. Contact the FHWA for more info and help put a stop to abusive employers.

[jojodemo]

Truth is simple. If you dont want to work the books then drive for a paperless log company. If you drive for typical companies the use a loose leaf log book. If you run for like $.34 a mile and log it like you actually run it,be ready to run hungry. It is likely you will sit more then drive..spend more time away from home..and burn out much faster.