Good point Mr C! Headborg to sum it all up below:

Bingo! Headborg is right on the money again. That is the direction that the industry is heading. Sooner rather than later.......................

Interesting how some of these cut-rate outfits have suddenly discovered the necessary capital to outfit entire fleets with APUs :?: Hmmmm..............

 

We had a couple drivers quit this past week over the idling time issue. I walked into dispatch just as the argument was getting heated between 2 drivers and one of our owners.

Basically the owner said that both of their idle time was too high (one was 52%, the other 54.5%) and they needed to shut down their trucks more. Both drivers had just come out of El Paso. Long story short, we now have 2 empty trucks in the yard and have lost 2 drivers who've been with the company 10+ years each.

Myself - if it's not too hot, I shut down. However, if I'm supposed to be getting some sleep and it's hot, the truck is running.

 

the idle shut down can be disabled through the computer IF the buyer wants it.

 

my boss doesnt plan on getting apu's Or making a no-idling policy OR going under, he simply asks us to use common sense. he will pay for a motel if you get stuck out because it's usually cheaper than idling, bt he knows if you sleep in the truck, it' gonna be running, what he does is makes sure he gets a good enough freight rate to cover it..

 

It isn't just a Freightliner thing. Idle timers can be turned on or off or adjusted at a dealership or in the shop. I had Petes and Macks as well as the Freightliner I drive now, and they all had an idle timers on them. I think you can adjust the length of time before shutdown in five minute increments.

 

I don't mind the auto shutdown timers, just as long as the driver can override them when necessary.

I've had the autoshutdown on KW's, International's, Volvo's and Freightliners. It takes all of about 5 minutes for the shop to disable/change the setting in the trucks computer.

 

there's another -- be it more radical solution--

it involves the drivers & companies-- getting 'on the same page' together.


Tie the safety/risk management director to a chair and stick his butt in a closet--- go back to a 'comic book' is just a 'comic book'---- run 'outlaw' operations--- and keep those wheels turning---- this is another big problem the industry is facing. The satellite & the safety department/log department has all the drivers scared senseless--- most drivers want to shut down and take their legal/required 10hr break at night--- they are have been gradually -because of parking shortage--- arriving at the T/S earlier and earlier trying to secure parking before sunset.----- Then, instead of getting up earlier---and starting their next 14 hour shif at 2 am etct--- those 10 hr breaks are being stretched longer and longer.

Given the current price of fuel--- companies need to keep the wheels rolling--- even O/O are finding that it's better business to take a lower paying freight rate that will break even-- relocate to better paying freight area-- than setting idle waiting for a better paying load.

 

Exactly HB. Which ties in perfectly to your earlier insightful post about getting rid of sleepers. Feeder networks, while not a cure-all, are a viable and effective alternative to the above described. The entire situation/crisis is quickly snowballing into a complete industry overhaul. Short to medium haul feeder systems. Long haul on an as-needed basis as a specialty probably to return to the independents/OOs.

It is certainly a rough shake-up. Yet one that I predict will benefit all of us drivers.

 

Don't O/Os talk about how good a rise in fuel costs is for the bottom line due to a higher fuel surcharge?

Do companies not get this fuel surcharge?

:?: :?: :?: :?:

 

Bingo .....

We (as drivers) are left with no choice....

They make the slightest change in policy and it fans out like a ripple

in the water...... some of my 10's are now 14's and more :lol: