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Originally Posted by Patrick
It seems to me that if someone felt "safe" they might be allowed to go with it. But unfortunately I can understand how some companies may abuse their drivers if they were not legally prohibited from doing so. One of the reasons unions came about (like the Teamsters)?
But what happens to the company when one of their drivers gets a log violation? Do they get penalized at all? Or is it all on the driver? Do some companies pay their drivers back for any fines?
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If you're working for a decent outfit.. they'll take care of your fine for you. Fines issued through an audit that is, not at the scales.
You get a logbook ticket on the road... simply said... you're an idiot and deserve to pay it.
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I don't want to be illegal, but if 60% of the people taking this poll (so far) say they doctor their books on a regular basis it seems that this is still an issue in the industry.
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Then let me ask you this, what is your primary reason for you being out OTR for days on end.
To be known as a saint...?
or make a living while practicing the same accounting priniciples and tactics that all businesses do.
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Wow! Some very strong opinions there Montara. But it seems to me you feel that if someone would want to be legal they are "Simpleton Steering Wheel Holders" and are "bitching" when they try to comply.
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Let me clarify that for you.
If the company is going to demand 100 % compliance and run legal logs.. they can kiss my old school ass goodbye and replace me with some whipping boy that'll genuflect to them on demand.
That has happened too.
The driver they hired to replace me, 3 accidents in the first 6 weeks, the last one writing the tractor off.
A Just reward no? 8) :lol:
And yes, I did make sure to call the company up and congratulate them.
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Am I correct in assuming that when you think of "Old School" drivers you're thinking of the macho, independent, "Do what it takes", kind of person?
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Close but not exactly.
Old school as in I'm not about to pull in and have a mechanic adjust my brakes because I haven't got a clue what to do with a 9/16th's wrench on a manual slack adjuster.
Old school as in the last thing you do before you got in a truck was remove your mud covered boots and set them on a towel beside the door.
Old school as in 6x4 did not mean 24, 5x4 did not mean 20.
Old school... meant you knew how to do it and took care of it yourself.
Not picking up the phone every five freaking minutes asking some paper pusher... is this okay, am I allowed, would it be alright, etc...
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Is this kind of non-bitcher the good guy and the non-old school, steering wheel holder isn't as good a driver or worker?
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Depends on who you ask I suppose.
Some saftey mensas will tell you that they don't care for the old school because they can't bs us and to them, we are seen as being somewhat loose cannons.
Others will tell you they'd go with an old school driver any day of the week because you could trust them to know how to take care of a situation without screwing up.
Old school attitudes meant taking pride in your ride while doing what it took to get the job done.
It meant stopping to help another driver that was broke down, not seeing just how much spray you can throw up on him as you went flying by at 55mph.
Steering wheel holder, doesn't really care about what they drive or the truck's appearance as long as it's legal. The only concern they have is following the rules and regulations to a tee. Nothing more.
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And are the DOT regulations governing time on the road "idiotic"?
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What part of government legislation and pieces of paper dictating to your body on when it must sleep or deny it sleep do you not understand? :roll:
Log book says I must sleep now... OK... I'll lay here for the first 4 hours even though I'm not the least bit tired.
OH
* Yawn * ... can't stop now... or I'll lose my hours available to make a
Living
Ya, that's not idiotic now is it? :roll:
You ever tried to fight a ticket? How many have you ever beaten it?
Easy money for them and yes, a cash grab, because the government knows damn well that in order to survive, you're forced to fudge or cheat in your books. It's a win win situation for them... they get your income tax dollars and a bit more on top of it, if they catch you trying to get ahead.
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I'm confused. Was it better when there were no restrictions and a company could demand you drive 12, 14, 18 hours in one shot or you loose your job?
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Well, as someone that has driven before they mandated hours of service up here in Canada, hell YES it was better then. And anyone with a backbone put in that position, would have told the company to go, well you know, to do what to themselves.
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Maybe if the current law is over protective, where would you draw the line between safety and productivity?
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Get rid of log books altogether.
Why is Dr. Joe the heart surgeon, William the CEO or Edward the Senator/Congressman allowed to put in 14 hour days and then hop into his Yukon with the boat towed behind it and drive all night to get up to the lake on the weekend. ?
Class discrimination?
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I'm just a rookie - never once driven a big rig. But this doesn't seem to have a simple answer to me, and as someone who takes a great deal of pride in my perfect driving record (yes 33 years old and no incidents whatsoever since I started driving at the age of 16 - well except for a parking ticket), I want to do what is right and legal. It is my driving record on the line, isn't it? It is my career that would be in jeopardy, right? Man, I hope because I'd like to protect my record and be safe I'm not just dismissed as a bitching, "new"-school driver who isn't able to "keep my end up" because I'm only capable of holding the steering wheel.
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Well.. that's a nice fantasy and one that is commonly shared by all at first.
But feel no shame when reality kicks in and makes you realise that.. a safe driver is just that...
One that drives safely, not one that drives to meet the requirements of when and for how long set out by an idiotic piece of legislation.
Incidently, I've over 2 million, preventable accident free miles.
The last preventable accident I had, which was admittedly my fault, was in 1983 when I clipped another driver's mirror and hood while backing in blindside one night.
The one consistent thing... I could give a rats ass about logging it absolutely legally.
I logged it so that I could drive when I wanted to, make a living and above all else, do so safely.
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By the way - I'm not necessarily in favor of such restrictive regulations either. I just wish there were a way to balance each individual driver's abilities and endurance while guarding against companies that would endanger their employees, their equipment, and the public by pushing their drivers to work unsafely.
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There is... we all know our own body and limitations.
Judge yourself accordingly.
And nobody forces you to drive or work unsafely, ultimately, we all have the final say.
If a company doesn't like it... they can go... well again... you know
They need us more than we need them.
Trust me.
You think that those wearing white shirts and suits and ties are going to pick up the slack?
Not bloody likely.