HOS Question/advice

Ladies and gentlemen,

I'm not exactly sure of the best was to ask this question but here goes.

Is it better to drive 11 hours a day using up time but then having to endure a 34 hour reset, or is it better to do 8-9 hours per day so you won't require the reset, and can work/drive every day?

By " better" I'm not sure if I mean being able to maximize miles and money, or does "better" mean making my DM happy. Or are they equal to each other?

I'm a asking this as a generalization, because clearly there will be situations that will arise that would be better served by one or the other, but generally speaking.

One is not necessarily better than the other. Your loads will more than likely dictate what you need to do on a daily basis. As a rookie you just want to deliver on time and safely. A year or so in and you'll start developing your own style of how you like to run.

Paul, you will find there are a lot of different opinions on this. If I remember correctly Rainy's driver manager doesn't want her doing 34 hour resets. These dispatchers get paid based on the performance of their drivers, so some of them are more pro-active as to how they think you should be running your truck, and they'll help you develop a style that works for both you and them.

As far as the way I do it will invariably change every couple of weeks. Sometimes I'm running on re-cap hours and other weeks I'll be doing a reset. Basically my communications with my dispatcher , and the information he has for me on my loads helps me determine what is the best way to manage things for that particular week.

Yep,.my FM.would never.deny me a.34 but if I have 5 hours.left on my clock.he will.find a.load I.can.pick up within 300 miles lol. he stupidly sent.me.to FL with 1.5 hours.on my 70 and no time coming back. got my 34 in then. lol

the thing is,.some days I feel great and drive 600 miles. other days I slow.it.down.and drive 300. my.FM doesnt.care as long as I do.like old school said.get there early and.dont hit.anything. I usually try to.run the load as hard as possible and take it.easy the last day.

keep in.mind, as per my accountant, a 34 does not.count as your days on the road.for.tax.puproses.

Just remember that HOS are linked directly to the driver..... I think this website has so many times management tools that you can learn from

keep in.mind, as per my accountant, a 34 does not.count as your days on the road.for.tax.puproses.

You're trolling me - right?

If you are taking your 34 away from your "tax home" (that is - the home address that qualifies you to take per diem deduction in the first place), then that certainly is a "day on the road". You should ask your accountant to double-check this. You still incur expenses for M&I (meals and incidentals) when you are on your 34 reset (away from home), and are entitled to deduct these expenses (if you take the "Standard Daily Rate For Transportation Workers" deduction on your return).

ANY full day you are away from home - counts as a "day on the road" - regardless of whether or not you're driving. Same as if you were shut down for a snowstorm for 3 days, or stuck waiting on a load for a day or two, or stuck with your truck broken down.

Rick

Paul The asks a question:

Is it better to drive 11 hours a day using up time but then having to endure a 34 hour reset, or is it better to do 8-9 hours per day so you won't require the reset, and can work/drive every day?

The other answers do go into the background of your weekly trip planning. But to go directly to the day-to-day routine, keep in mind trucking is not a "punch the time clock" job. You can't drive 11 hours and say "It's time to turn in!"

Everyone points out there are many factors to mix in to your decision on when to start and when to call it a day. All things being equal, try to shoot for 9-10 hours behind the wheel, then head for your planned stop. Your pick up location & time, your delivery appointment, how much time you have for this day (in the 14 hour window) as well as how many hours you have on your 80 hour week all count. Don't worry if this sounds confusing (as an inexperienced driver/student). It will all really become part of your life as you get your first miles in.

And, the 34 hour break. I really have "endured" a couple, at a truck stop far from anything, and no way to leave the place. I also have enjoyed 34 hours, like Rainy, at a great location. This, too, can be part of your trip planning.