? Practical application of HOS rules?

[smashburn]

As a newbie looking at getting into OTR as my next career, I was wondering about the 'logistics' of the HOS rules. I read them, but wonder about actual application.

Many jobs say 'out for 2-3 weeks' so in there somewhere you need to take the 36 hours off .. twice probably. What do you do? Get a motel .. live in a truckstop for a day and a half? What if you're not near a truckstop or Hwy Rest Area? Can you stay in a Rest Area that long? Especially if you're not at a terminal when that time hits.

I get the 10 hour rests .. I think .. they're just your sleep period after a days work.

Just wondering ..

Thanks!

[Kevin0915]

Well, if you only work a little over 8 hours a day, you will never need tot ake 36 off. But then again, you wont get many loads delivered on time doing that. You just have to pace yourself. For example, say you work 10 hours on day 1...at midnight following your 8th day, you get those 11 back. So if you're worried you only have 3 hours left to work,, you actually have 13 come that midnight, because those previous 7 days roll off.

But say you DO have to take a 36hr restart, if you have a good DM, you will take it at home under load (if possible). If not...say you live in OK City, OK, and you're in New York, and will run out of hours that say, well then you will just find a nice truck stop along your route, and take your 36.

As far as your 10 hours rest, all 10 dont have to be on line 2, they can me a mix of lines 1 and 2, BUT they all have to be concurrent. You can be in the sleeper doing your paperwork (yeah yeah i know technically that is line 4, but that is how you save your 70...dont waste hours) or checking e-mail..then 2 hours later run into the truck stop and take a shower and grab a nice sit down hot meal...then that would be on line 1.

Sometimes your loads will dictate where you're going to take that rest. But like i said, if you have a good DM....s/he will route your loads back toward home.

[golfhobo]

Anyone want to bet what BigDiesel will say?

BTW.... it's a thirty FOUR hour reset.

[Rev.Vassago]

Well, if you only work a little over 8 hours a day, you will never need tot ake 36 off.

You never need to take 36 off. Ever.

But then again, you wont get many loads delivered on time doing that. You just have to pace yourself. For example, say you work 10 hours on day 1...at midnight following your 8th day, you get those 11 back.

Perhaps you can explain how you can get 11 hours back from having worked 10 hours 8 days ago.....

So if you're worried you only have 3 hours left to work,, you actually have 13 come that midnight, because those previous 7 days roll off.

How exactly do 7 days roll off at midnight?

But say you DO have to take a 36hr restart, if you have a good DM, you will take it at home under load (if possible). If not...say you live in OK City, OK, and you're in New York, and will run out of hours that say, well then you will just find a nice truck stop along your route, and take your 36.

Why would anyone need to take 36 hours off?

As far as your 10 hours rest, all 10 dont have to be on line 2, they can me a mix of lines 1 and 2, BUT they all have to be concurrent.

Wrong again. You can split your sleeper berth time into two segments, as long as one of the two is at least 8 hours, and the other is more than 2.

Sometimes your loads will dictate where you're going to take that rest. But like i said, if you have a good DM....s/he will route your loads back toward home.

Riiiight.

Is there anything you actually know regarding the HOS rules?

[Kevin0915]

obviously since i drive, i know what the 70/8 or 60/7 rules are. can you not go one ***in day without the need to prove how big a dumb *** u are? once again you feel the need to hijack a thread, and turn it into a ***ing pissing contest. The guy was asking a simple question. How do your hours roll off? quite simple you horses ass.....you know that row of numbers you keep track of? #1 - #7? and then you total them? and then you subtract that from 70...and then you get the magic number of how many hours left available? well the next day, at midnight, the hours in your #1 spot 'roll off'.

bet you're going to need me to explain what double clutching or 'floating' is next.

[Kevin0915]

Wrong again. You can split your sleeper berth time into two segments, as long as one of the two is at least 8 hours, and the other is more than 2.

let me pull a Rev penis on Rev penis.......first of all you NEVER have to take more than 10 hours off....split or not. One segment is 8...one segment is 2....not MORE than two. and another thing....8 MUST be taken in the sleeper...the other 2...can be taken in the sleeper or off duty. man, dont you know anything about split sleeper?

[Kevin0915]

Smashburn, you will realize who to take GOOD CONSTRUCTIVE help from, and who to ignore. I'd apologize for Rev....but i'll let him speak for himself. That makes me remember another thread with the title of "TOOLS"....maybe Rev. should be listed as one to have on hand....since it is obvious he knows it all, and he is a "super trucker", sure would be good to have in a pinch, ya know? ..... a good....TOOL

[smashburn]

Thanks Kevin ..

I assume what the Rev was saying, in his oh so subtle way, was that most of you guys don't end up running into the 36 hours deal ... the hours just don't work out that way .. i.e. 7 - 11 hour days in a row, etc..

Thanks,
Steve

[Orangetxguy]

obviously since i drive, i know what the 70/8 or 60/7 rules are. can you not go one ***in day without the need to prove how big a dumb *** u are? once again you feel the need to hijack a thread, and turn it into a ***ing pissing contest. The guy was asking a simple question. How do your hours roll off? quite simple you horses ass.....you know that row of numbers you keep track of? #1 - #7? and then you total them? and then you subtract that from 70...and then you get the magic number of how many hours left available? well the next day, at midnight, the hours in your #1 spot 'roll off'.

bet you're going to need me to explain what double clutching or 'floating' is next.

Kevin...Your failing to inform Mr. Smashburn (I'm wondering...is this Steve Booth??) that YOU are a 6 week wonder, with all of your driving experience. You have such a good handle on the Hours of Serfice regulations, that you call the re-set period a 36 hour re-set, when in fact it is a 34 hour re-set.

You fail to inform Mr. Smashburn that the only companies which use the 60\7 rule are "Local" operators, or that as an OTR driver, Mr. Smashburn will operate under the 70\8 rule, where-by the eighth day drops off each 24 hour period. If Mr. Smashburn's math skills are lacking, the DOT will happily give him instruction at ever scale house.

It's a 14 hour work day, of which 11 hours of those 14 can be used for driving. After using a full 14 hour work period, you MUST take a full 10 hour break. You can spit break your 10 hour rest period, but NOT if you use up the 14 hour work period. When using the split break method, you may take an 8 hour all sleeper berth break, (say you work for 1 hour then drive for 5 hours, for a total of 6 hours on duty), you may then continue you driving, for 6 hours, then you may take a 2 hour break. After completeing the 2 hour break, you may then drive for another 6 hours, after which time you must take a 10 hour break before drivng again. (You can work all the hours you want after the 2 hour break, you can only drive during the first 6 hours immediately AFTER the 2 HOUR BREAK.

At least....That is how Miller Safety described the use of the split berth break to me. I just take 10 hour breaks. To heck with trying to keep up with the math. Work 10 hours then break 10 hours.

Now...Mr. Smashburn, you can take all of your ques from Mr. Kevin. Just don't cry on anybody's shoulders when you get put OOS for logging violations.

[smashburn]

Thanks Stan .. appreciate the clarification. The name is Steve Mashburn, Woodstock GA .. the smashburn handle just stuck over the years. Probably not a good one for a driver

Look, I'm just not wanting to get in a bitchfest with anyone. Kevin -did- answer my question .. he may have been 'off' a little in the answer .. but the Rev did not even attempt to answer my question .. just bitch out Kevin. I thanked Kevin for his effort as I do you. I'm just trying to get a insight into the 'real' world of trucking .. since I really don't expect it from the schools or the recruiters. You know, day to day stuff.

A career change is a big deal, especially to this career. Just want to be comfortable with my decision before I drop my dimes on training, etc ...

Thanks,

Steve

[cdswans]

Go, Kevvy, GO! You tell 'em, boy! 34? 36? Does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? Close enough is close enough.

Uh . . Kev?

Something tells me Kev may not be around for too much longer.

[Rev.Vassago]

Look, I'm just not wanting to get in a bitchfest with anyone. Kevin -did- answer my question .. he may have been 'off' a little in the answer ..

A little?

but the Rev did not even attempt to answer my question ..

That's because the Rev was posting while parked at a fuel island, and didn't have time to elaborate.

I'm just trying to get a insight into the 'real' world of trucking .. since I really don't expect it from the schools or the recruiters. You know, day to day stuff.

And here's my answer regarding the "day to day stuff":

If you are out on the road, which will happen more than Kevin knows it will, you will likely take your 34 hour reset at a truckstop. If you want to get a hotel room, it will be on your own dime. There is only so much you will be able to do to spread your time out, as many companies will want you to use all your available time when you have it. After all, you are sitting in a $100,000 piece of equipment, and they need to make the best use of that piece of equipment. Getting you home is going to be an afterthought, and if you are going to need a 34 hour reset, they will likely not try to get you home to do it.

[Orangetxguy]

Thanks Stan .. appreciate the clarification. The name is Steve Mashburn, Woodstock GA .. the smashburn handle just stuck over the years. Probably not a good one for a driver

Look, I'm just not wanting to get in a bitchfest with anyone. Kevin -did- answer my question .. he may have been 'off' a little in the answer .. but the Rev did not even attempt to answer my question .. just bitch out Kevin. I thanked Kevin for his effort as I do you. I'm just trying to get a insight into the 'real' world of trucking .. since I really don't expect it from the schools or the recruiters. You know, day to day stuff.

A career change is a big deal, especially to this career. Just want to be comfortable with my decision before I drop my dimes on training, etc ...

Thanks,

Steve

Welcome then Senor` Washburn.
There have been more than a few "Mults" roam through here the last few months...That was why I posted my wonder. Sorry if I offended you.

What career are you leaving to come to "Trucking"? Are you sure that you want to make a career change right now? Times are tough and there are getting to be fewer and fewer driving jobs, where the driver actually makes decent money. You have to watch which company you sign on the line with...then watch them like a hawk once your working.

If you choose a Community College that offers the CDL course, you will get all the HOS training you will need. I don't have any "recent" schooling experience to offer. I have been driving truck since 1979. Lot's of others on here have about the same amount of experience. Rev, for all his brashness, is rather well informed on the regulations. Golfhobo, for all the "bs" that goes on in threads, has a good amount of knowledge. There are plenty of guy's & gals here with good AND bad experiences with the "Big" trucking companies.

I'm not a fan of the methods some of these trucking companies train. That may be evident when you read a couple of the recent threads in this forum. Especially the recent "Swift" thread.

A good driver does more than deliver the load. Plenty of others can and will offer you pointers.

Best of Luck too you.

[Hawkjr]

i think swift is the only otr company that allows sleeper splits.. i think they are way to damn confusing.. just let me sleep or eat, or watch porn for 10 hours or more!!

and Kev why you act so much like a little bitch man!! real talk.. rev is correcting instead you feel like he's ****ting on you.. do me a favor kev, when you go to truck stops keep your mouth close!! and another thing don't buy a CB!! cause seriously i think it seriously it might bring harm to you due to you yapping your mouth...

[golfhobo]

Thanks for the "nod," Stan.... which makes it almost impossible for me to point out that Miller safety told you wrong.... AND your math is off. That last 6 hour drive you mentioned, can only be 5 hours.

There is no requirement that you HAVE to take a 10 hour break after splitting "once" as in your example. You can go on splitting 8 and 2 forever.... well, until you run up against your 70.

One difference between the Rev and I is that he admits he barely skims some posts. I'm sure he expected yours to be perfect and never questioned it. I expected it to be perfect too.... but, I always check the math.

I beleive there are several good threads on split logging, and HOS in general in the proper subforum. Mr. Mashburn would do well to check them out and not rely on what another newbie like Kevin says.

In your case, you admit you never split, so it is understandable. Once again, my apologies. But, I just have this thing about regs!

[smashburn]

Thanks Rev .. that's a little clearer now.

Stan, the company I work for is closing its doors Jan 1 and I'll be outta work. I provide tech support and some engineering work (network) for them. The tech support industry is in the tank these days with all the jobs going to India. With my age, 53, and lacking certain certifications, my hiring options are poor at this time .. and what I can find will pay about $25K .. I'm making $48 now. I also have years of experience in construction .. sheet metal, A/C work .. but that field is weak as well .. again with the work slow down I'm looking at < $30K. Not enough to pay the bills.

I trucked a bit when I was young .. straight trucks hauling oil (drums & cases) or doors and baseboard. Loved it until my tickets (personal vehicle) got me let go for Ins reasons.

I've always had an interest in trucking, had a friend do it for a while, ads say you can make a decent living. I'm single so I can stay out a lot. I'm very mechanical and in very good shape. Most of all I know I don't know ****! but I know I can do this and knowing myself believe I will really enjoy it. My hope is to sell the house and stay on the road as much as possible. I'll stay with family/friends when I'm off, but mostly work on paying off my debt (credit cards etc) which will be easier w/o a mortgage ... especially since I'm sure the starting pay will be nowhere near the $40K the ads promote!

I'm a bit of a vagabond by nature .. lived in a cabin in the Rockies, on a boat in the keys, my van down by the river, 6 diff states, etc. Though I've had my job for 2 1/2 years, and one a few jobs back for 8 years (they folded too) so I have a good job record, no tickets, no wrecks, no arrests .. I should be a decent candidate ..

Unfortunately there are not a lot of options out there for me, career wise. I do have a dog, and I would love to keep her with me, but other than that have no real 'demands' .. and if neccesary I may have to find her a new home. I'd be crushed but I'm kinda fighting for my life here, career wise.

I'm looking at paying my own school to open up my options .. a few recommended Katlaw, and 'Trucking Careers of America' out of Cartersville GA sounds pretty good. I'll go check them out this month. Both I can commute so I don't have to deal with iffy housing etc..

Thanks again .. good info!

Steve

[belpre122]

I beleive there are several good threads on split logging, and HOS in general in the proper subforum. Mr. Mashburn would do well to check them out and not rely on what another newbie like Kevin says.

In your case, you admit you never split, so it is understandable. Once again, my apologies. But, I just have this thing about regs!

Yes....you can see how Golfhobo applies this "thing" that he has about regs in the "Alcohol and OTR" thread (link below). This thread should be considered a must read to newcomers possibly viewing Golfhobo's guidance for the first time.


Alcohol and OTR

[Rev.Vassago]

I do have a dog, and I would love to keep her with me, but other than that have no real 'demands' .. and if neccesary I may have to find her a new home. I'd be crushed but I'm kinda fighting for my life here, career wise.

Unfortunately, a few years ago, a lot of carriers that did allow pets changed to a "no pet" policy. I believe due to insurance reasons. Too much of a liability to the company. Having a large dog out on the road can be difficult. Stopping so they can "do their business" can be difficult. I've heard of people who had dogs stopping on the shoulder of on ramps to let them do their thing, and when they were bringing the dog back to the truck, the dog got hit by cars heading onto the freeway.

Be sure to ask any company you are interested in what their pet policy is.

[Creek Jackson]

"That's because the Rev was posting while parked at a fuel island, and didn't have time to elaborate."

Well, how about moving it, so I can get some more fuel for someone to steal.

[Rev.Vassago]

"That's because the Rev was posting while parked at a fuel island, and didn't have time to elaborate."

Well, how about moving it, so I can get some more fuel for someone to steal.

If I would have stolen a bit more from you, I wouldn't have had to even stop to fuel.