Ticketed For Idling?

I saw a post on CDL Life's Facebook page about drivers being ticketed for idling. EXCEPT if you have a pet in the vehicle. So, HOW are drivers supposed to keep cool/warm without idling while waiting to load/unload/etc? There were a TON of comments such as:

"How many drivers have died because they where told "No Idle of trucks!" I know of 5. They where on there 10hr and went to sleep, never woke up! Coroner said they died from over heating."

"As for the companies that reprimand their drivers for idling...You are not to drive fatigued. But how are you to sleep when it is so hot and humid you can't breathe??? I for one, am not sleeping with my windows down and inviting trouble!"

"I have asthma and I don't have an APU. If it's humid, hot and have bugs all over, forget what the date law says. I'm idling...aaaaaaahhhhh.....A/C"

"I am laughing at the ppl whom say to just roll down the windows...seriously? Not only is that unsafe (would you leave your house windows open?) but, it definitely doesn't keep you cool enough and come on, people, it's not possible to get a hotel room all the time...."

Thoughts?-I personally will walk to a hotel somewhere if it's THAT hot..I'm lucky enough to be able to afford a hotel as needed, every DAY if I have to, so it's no issue for me..I just wanted to hear your thoughts guys....

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

My thoughts?

Well, I've been through that. Rolling down the windows doesn't help anything when its hot outside. I remember I was in Pheonix last summer and I was at my capacity on my idling so I couldn't idle. I had to drive that night so I spent my day trying to go to sleep in a truck that was 108 degrees. I remember going inside the Flying J and taking a nap on one of their tables near the drivers lounge.

I think its barbaric. Its pure hell for the driver and some of these companies don't give a damn.

That's one of the many reasons I left my first company for a company that is modest enough to supply all their drivers with an APU. Nothing I could have done, so I ran for the hills and found much, much greener pastures.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I had gotten a ticket for idleing my personal vehicle, I ended up fighting that in court and won.. it was 110* out and I was waiting on ironically a friend to finish court..

Personally, if a cop tickets a driver in the summer, is either a dbag or just wants his ticket quota....

As long as you have this on the side of your truck, they should* leave you alone.

*I say should, because we all know LEOs can get a little Cartman when it comes to flexing their authoritah.