8/2 Split Question

I understand the basics of how an 8/2 split works, but I need clarification on something. If I have 2 hours of time on my 14 hour clock and take an 8 hour break in the sleeper, when I come off that break, I know I still have the 2 hours. However, once a 2 hour break is taken, that gives you those 8 hours back on your 14 hour, right? Don't you just keep getting the break time added back each time if you run a while on 8/2 splits?

The 8/2 split works by effectively pausing your 14 hr clock. After you come out of 8 hrs in the sleeper you have whatever time you had prior to going in. 11 and 14. After driving you take a 2hr break. That 2 hr break gives you back what time you had used prior to your 8 hr break. Any time used up between the 8 and 2 is still gone.

The 8/2 split is good for extending your day to make deliveries/pickups. I wouldn't run around using it for giggles though. It can really jack up your schedule and hours available. Better to take a 10. I would only do the 8/2 split if making your next appointment after taking a 10 would not be possible. You would miss it by like an hour. Even then you would have to have enough time on your clocks to make it to the next appointment before you went into the 8 hr sleeper.

I hope this helps.

Drive Safe and God Speed

I understand the basics of how an 8/2 split works, but I need clarification on something. If I have 2 hours of time on my 14 hour clock and take an 8 hour break in the sleeper, when I come off that break, I know I still have the 2 hours. However, once a 2 hour break is taken, that gives you those 8 hours back on your 14 hour, right? Don't you just keep getting the break time added back each time if you run a while on 8/2 splits?

Patrick is correct in his explanation.

The "supposedly" EZ Explanation from JJ Keller, can also be used a reference to how this works.

After the 8 hour split, your 14 hour is PAUSED (so the 8 hours don't count towards your 14) - so you still have only the 2 hours you used PRIOR TO the 8 hour break. Once you take the 2nd TWO HOUR break - BOTH CLOCKS (11 & 14) reset back to zero, from the END OF THE 8 HOUR BREAK.

Don't forget you still need to take your 1/2 hour break during any 8 hour consecutive period of driving - regardless of how you do your splits. In your example above - you only drove 2 hours before going off duty - so you have 9 hours of driving & 12 hours of your 14 after coming off your 8 hour break. At some point in that 9 remaining hours, you need to take a 1/2 hour.

You can run "rolling splits" until you run out of your 70. But it can get confusing (even though the QC/E-Logs tracks splits pretty good). It can screw up your trip planning - by not correctly figuring what kind of drive time you have the FOLLOWING DAY. It can really get screwy if you start hitting your 70, and are running on ROLLING RECAPS AND ROLLING SPLITS. Figuring your split time and what you're getting back on recaps can make your head spin.

At some point you're going to want to take a 10 and just get your 11/14's reset. Similarly - at some point you're going to want to take a 34 and get your 70 reset. Some folks swear by running rolling recaps and only reset on home time - others (most) will try and grab a reset as soon as they start to get into running on recap hours.

Clock management comes with time, and as you learn how you like to run, and how that fits in with how your company is running you - you'll get it down to a science.

Rick

The easiest way to do it...

Regardless of which break you take first, imagine the end of it being your NEW 11/14. Once you shut down for the second break, deduct the hours you drove between the first break and second break from your 11. Any on duty time driving and non driving between the two breaks gets deducted from your 14. That is what you have available.

The confusion comes from the 8 hr pausing it as the second break as it considerably extends the 14 hour clock. But the concept is the same.

I personally don't care for split logging. Have I done it, yes. It just starts getting really convoluted really quickly. Then again it is not my driving style. I run my clock out every single day that I am able. I run my 70 down to nothing than take a 34. Everybody develops their own style of clock management. I prefer run like my rear is on fire and my hair is catching. Then when I am all done and exhausted for the day, shut down, get some rest, then do it again tomorrow.

I personally don't care for split logging. Have I done it, yes. It just starts getting really convoluted really quickly. Then again it is not my driving style. I run my clock out every single day that I am able. I run my 70 down to nothing than take a 34. Everybody develops their own style of clock management. I prefer run like my rear is on fire and my hair is catching. Then when I am all done and exhausted for the day, shut down, get some rest, then do it again tomorrow.

A lot of times my appts won't allow that though. So I'll run real hard to get there 9 hrs early but not have enough time to get the full ten. So then 8 sleeper. During the loading I'll get the other 2hrs.

I also use it to switch the time of day I drive. Been driving nights the past couple nights, but will use it to floo to days to drive thru WY.

I am in a situation with multiple stops trying to figure out how to make the most of what I have left on my 70, so I think an 8/2 will be the best thing. I usually run hard and take a full 10 too, Patrick. LOL

Thank you for asking this question. I have been out for a few weeks without my computer and been wanting to find out about this... There are a lot of times I could really use this now that I understand how it works haha.. This is why I love this forum.

You can combine 8s too.

This morning I was tired and slept for 2 hours. By 0800, I had driven 4 hrs. I did 8 sleeper. At 1600 I got back 7 hours, but drove 5 of it. At 2100 I went 8 sleeper again so I can drive WY during the day. At 0500 after the sleeper I'll get six hours of drive. Then I'll stop and take a 2 hours where I can find parking.

So basically I did 2,8,8,2

It can seriously mess you up on your delivery day if you don't understand it.

What I suggest is that everywhere try it when you have time on the load and understand how the QC calculates it.

because of it, I can flip flop from night driving to day driving without losing time on the load.

I am in a situation with multiple stops trying to figure out how to make the most of what I have left on my 70, so I think an 8/2 will be the best thing. I usually run hard and take a full 10 too, Patrick. LOL

This really, almost has nothing to do with the 70 - aside from utilizing as much OFF DUTY TIME as you can.

Regardless of how you use your splits to arrange your available driving time on your 11/14 hour clocks - TIME OFF DUTY does not accumulate on your 70 hour clock. OFF DUTY - is - OFF DUTY.

And since this discussion was started to understand split-sleeper - I really don't want to hijack it into a recap/reset discussion.

For folks that prefer to save their 70, and do resets when they run it out (versus running on recaps), any time not driving or legitimate On Duty (loggable) time - like pre-post/trip, fueling, etc, (stuff that has to be logged as On Duty) should be spent OFF DUTY to save on your 70. Get some fuel and go inside to grab some grub, a shower, etc. - stay on duty for the 10-15 minutes it takes to fuel - then GO OFF DUTY. Get to a shipper and check in, then you have to sit and wait for a door, or pull into a door and wait - GO OFF DUTY.

Now - if you happen to get stuck for 8 hours at the shipper - your 14 hour clock will pause for that 8 hours - and you will have the REMAINDER of your 14/11 to drive after you leave. Or you can just try and hang out for another two hours and get your full 10 hour rest in to reset both 11/14.

REMEMBER - EVERY MINUTE OFF DUTY - is a minute you DON'T BURN ON YOUR 70. People who run rolling recaps and never take 34 resets - tell folks to stay ON DUTY, as you'll get that time BACK when it falls off on the 8th day. I still don't get the logic of that (time not used, is time not used on your 70). I see how it works - it just doesn't compute for my way of thinking. Nor am I here to argue it either.

As Rainy says - you can stack splits any way you want - but it's the 8 HOUR BREAK that is the one that pauses the 14 hour clock. The SECOND BREAK OF THE SPLIT resets both clocks to the end of the first break. If you take two 8's in a row, you finish the first split 2 hours into the second break - and then start another split at the end of the 2nd (8 hour) break. It looks CONFUSING ON PAPER - so let the QC/E-Logs do the calcs for you.

If you're using splits to trip plan - best be REALLY DOWN with how they work. The QC won't do "future what if's" with splits - you have to figure this on paper or in your head.

Again - as far as the 70 goes - the 11/14 and splits really have NOTHING to do with that clock. Every minute ON DUTY burns your 70 - every minute OFF DUTY DOES NOT. Plain and simple.

Rick