Logs Dept. - Using Resources

Recently, my co-driver and I accepted a load we knew would be a challenge because beforehand we had expressed a desire to 34 reset. We had been running off recaps for several days and it just got to the point where it's inevitable. Told we were the only option ATM, and it was a "hot" load, the FM said to pick up ASAP and do our best. We did.

At first, I almost resigned myself to the fact that I was just going to inchworm across the country based on our 70 hour clock, which was both of our dilemmas. With time whittling down I pulled into a TS...it was full of course..so there went the option B I had in my trip plan. Uuughh!

Then it occurred to me...Logs! I called, explained I needed 30 minutes of time, and could they help? Put me on hold for 6 minutes, came back and told me to go off-duty for 10 minutes where I safely could. 10 minutes later, I had an additional 4.25 hours added. That got me to the Joplin 44 with time to spare and actually rollover to my next shift. My partner did the same the next morning, gaining 5 hours. In the end, logs saved the day...load arrived on time, safely in good condition. I avoided a log violation, which driving over your 70 is a big deal on the severity scale. I'm sure my FM and acct. Mgr were thankful as well.

I guess my point is, keep an attitude of "YES, I CAN." Never just accept what seems at first glance as certain defeat. Know that other resources share the same end goal as you. You just need to remember and be humble enough to reach out and express the need for assistance.

I am lucky enough to be on a very sweet dedicated account not even advertised on the company's internal job listings. Failure is not an option. Plus, succeeding is FUN!

Use resources. Take a deep breath and draw up a list of options. Realize that communication with others who can help is crucial.

...and keep the attitude of "Yes, I can!"

Ducky out!

I don't understand what you're saying logs did for you. Can you explain it a different way for my feeble mind to understand? LOL

I too am wondering where the 4.25 hours magically appeared from.

Oh, my bad. They went through my logs and found minutes here and there that they could convert to off duty status I assume. I dunno exaxtly, I just know it worked.

Oh, my bad. They went through my logs and found minutes here and there that they could convert to off duty status I assume. I dunno exaxtly, I just know it worked.

I'm still confused how they could come up with that much time, but oh well lol. I mean, it worked and I doubt they would've done it if it hadn't been legal. Kudos for being proactive and thinking up a solution! That is real trucking right there.

I think they can only go on the logs you haven't "approved" which you should daily. Maybe my oversight in approving daily benefited me? Omg I am a degenerate...jk lol

I am with the others here...that's a lot of time to suddenly "find".

My suggestion, try to find out "what" adjustments they made. Yeah it's great you got the load delivered, really is; but that's a "one-off" unless you learn something tangible from this. If better clock management can increase your utilization rate by 6-7% over a 70 hour period, it's a learning opportunity for you and your teammate that will ultimately put more money on your pockets.

Good luck.

Very good point G-town. I will absolutely try and recreate the trip and learn from this. I'm all about getting better with things under my control rather than luck or sheer happenstance.

I would also suggest that you figure out exactly what adjustments were made, as you are responsible to sign off on and approve the edits.

If they were able to find over 4 hours for you, then you obviously weren't managing your logs efficiently. Yep, definitely figure out where those hours came from.

The other day when I was about to be stuck in the "hood" of Chicago we were scrambling to salvage time to get me out of there and all we could come up with was about 4 minutes. I ended up having to deliberately violate HOS to get back to a safe location. First time ever, but I did what I had to do. I notified logs compliance before I did it and explained how it had happened. Nothing has been said so far and I made up the overage on my break.

When the guards are all armed AND locked inside this reinforced building with very heavy bars on the only window and it's accessed by a "bank safe" type door.. well that would be somewhere I will not be hanging out after dark.

It was caused by circumstances beyond my control but it is what it is. Time management is crucial in this business.