Murphy’s Law

Klutch,

Proper use of PC can be instrumental in trip planning.

If you're using your driveline to go to Walmart or to Sonny's BBQ because that's what you love you're wasting your available drive time.

Every logs inspections I've had PC use all over my logs. I've had three high mileage audits at Prime. I've never been questioned about my PC use because I know how to use it.

Since you're such an expert at trip planning did you know about the adverse driving conditions exception?

I had an unusual experience over the past few days that I would like to describe and then hear from you other drivers about how to deal with this, should it ever happen again.

I got an assignment to deliver a meat load from Texas to Hazleton, PA. I got way ahead of my schedule, great weather, everything is going very well. In Ohio, I got a call from the company to meet up with another driver in Vandalia. I was to park at the Flying J, go on sleeper berth and wait for the other driver who had a load going to North Bergen, NJ. The other driver would be almost out of hours, for reasons unknown to me, but they had figured I could make the delivery on time. By the time we made the switch, I had been in SB for exactly 7 hours and still had 3 hours of driving time left on my clock. So I left immediately for the 608 miles I needed to cover to finish this delivery. Drove out my 3 hours, found a rest area to park with just minutes left to spare and went back on “paired SB” for 3 hours. When I woke up, I had 8 hours of driving time back and 449 miles to go to get to the 0800 appointment.

Because of traffic and weather issues, I ended up being about 1 hour late. But I ran out of drive time in a very congested area near the delivery, so I went on PC to get to the location, which was also very tight and congested. I made the delivery and couldn’t park anywhere near there for a 10 hour break, but I needed a trailer washout which was only 7 miles away and next to a small truck stop in Kearney, NJ. I go back on PC and go to the washout. When I was done, I tried to find a parking spot at the adjacent truck stop, but it was completely full. I get back on I95 and go to the nearest service area, where I am currently parked for a 10 hour break.

By the time I finally got shut down, I had been on PC for about 3 hours. My company only allows 1 hour. I’m sure I will get a serious call from safety tomorrow, but I didn’t see a way to get out of the New Jersey mess legally. So I kept going to my first place to safely park.

So just to make a long story endless, what could or should I have done differently?

I think new drivers should remember this is a job first AND, in the event of a mishap, ultimate responsibility will be on US, the Driver.

Refuse the load if you must. The dispatcher who needs a favor or the person who booked that account and is hoping you’ll pull them through, might appreciate your creative efforts (doubtful), but they’ll NEVER take the responsibility for you in court and they surely won’t pay your bills if you get fired.

I was recently asked to do something similar to your scenario. I politely declined, saying I couldn’t force myself to sleep at a certain time and guarantee on-time delivery.

I wanna be the go-to guy, but I need my paycheck.

Steve L says:

they’ll NEVER take the responsibility for you in court

Prime has a citations department whose responsibility is to address and challenge citations if necessary.

I have specifically been told by Prime logs that if we are cited improperly for a log violation they will fight it.

Steve L says:

they’ll NEVER take the responsibility for you in court

Prime has a citations department whose responsibility is to address and challenge citations if necessary.

I have specifically been told by Prime logs that if we are cited improperly for a log violation they will fight it.

Let me be more clear; if you go on personal conveyance to get your trailer washed out, I fail to see how that would be an improper citation, if you are cited for it.

I guess all I’m saying is, I’m not gonna hang my career and my paycheck on the hopes that somebody else is going to cover up for my mistakes.

Thanks for sharing, Bruce. I'm sure the discussions following your original post have helped to educate new drivers and veteran drivers as well. I also choose to share my bad decisions and/or mistakes with the group too. That's what a forum like this is for. If everyone was perfect and did things the same exact way there would be no need for a forum other than to list gripes. God forbid!!!

Since you're such an expert at trip planning did you know about the adverse driving conditions exception?

I actually do know, have used, and been inspected with the adverse driving conditions exemption in my logs-it's not an automatic get out of jail free card. Bruce managed to cover 449 miles in nine hours (in jersey and in winter.) Doesn't sound like anything weather or traffic related was catastrophic enough to warrant the use of this exemption.

This exemption is actually a serious red flag to DOT around here to the point that it had better be a death on the highway or the freak storm of the century in order for them not to make an issue of it. My company has actually banned us from using it simply because the requirements to meet the exemption seem to be up to the inspecting officer and are too often impossible to meet.

That is the biggest issue with exceptions and PC. They are very subjective. Different officers will have varing understanding. Don’t argue if they see the situation different than you do. Let them do their thing then fight it through DataQ.

I had a situation today I thought I would need to use it getting out of the port in New Orleans. It all worked out and I got to a truck stop with one minute left on my 70. I’ll get recaps back tonight at midnight to get home and deliver.

That is the biggest issue with exceptions and PC. They are very subjective. Different officers will have varing understanding. Don’t argue if they see the situation different than you do. Let them do their thing then fight it through DataQ.

I had a situation today I thought I would need to use it getting out of the port in New Orleans. It all worked out and I got to a truck stop with one minute left on my 70. I’ll get recaps back tonight at midnight to get home and deliver.

Interesting that you posted with this particular perspective, because I had a thought regarding Brett asking what we think would make the form better.

I respect your opinion because I think you are very informed and have a level head.

What I thought about today, involves a type of point counterpoint form topic. When an issue like this arises you could argue the point from a law enforcement officer's perspective and I would argue against your position as a type of defense attorney. All very cordial and respectful of course.

What do you think?

Thanks for the compliment Chief. That is a good idea, I guess we both still think like cops and lawyers, lol. Could be alot of fun as well as informative.

How long have you been driving now Bruce? And you still need people to tell you to do a proper trip plan. If it were me I would have identified those issues before accepting the assignment and immediately calling my dispatch. I would not have put myself in that situation to begin with.

And if something out of my control happened and I ended up in a similar situation I would not have used PC to get to and complete my delivery, nor would I have used it again afterwards to go get my trailer washed out.

You just got a decent ticket, you would think you would be being more careful when it comes to protecting your CDL. If you found my original response inappropriate I apologize but it seems you like to play the dumb act when you already know better which was my point. You already knew you were wrong and you already knew what you should have done to begin with but here we are.

You know your abusing it and using it incorrectly… why would you even post this?

Did you really read my post? I explained why I posted.

Others like yourself may not be willing or able to put your ego aside and be candid about your mistakes or inadequacies. Not only have I received great information and instruction as a result of my posting, but I’m sure other new or relatively new drivers have benefited from what has been taught by the experienced drivers. I thought that was one of the purposes and great benefits of this forum. And FYI, you don’t have to read my posts if they bug you and you have nothing constructive to add to the conversation.

Except for Klutch, I really have appreciated the objective advice given. The response from Chief Brody was the one that really stood out to me and I now have a better understanding about situations like this. So thanks to everyone especially the Chief.

Klutch, you ask me about needing people to tell me to do a proper trip plan. You assume that I didn’t. Actually I did, and a very through one at that. You expose yourself as a rookie by not knowing that unexpected circumstances can alter the best trip plan. Did I know that I would lose an hour of driving time due to flooded streets in NJ ? So, why are you so negative and judgmental?

Did I do everything right? No I didn’t, but by posting about this I have learned how to correct things in the future.

You say you have made mistakes. How about you tell us about several of them and what you learned as a result? I say put up or shut up.

The mission statement of this site is to educate, encourage and emphasize. You need to get the sense of that because you only seem capable of criticizing.

BTW, how old are you? I only ask because I have a guess and I want to see how closely I have estimated.