SBTC Denied Request For HOS And ELD Exemptions When Pets Are On Board

Last Friday the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published its ruling denying the Small Business in Transportation Coalition's request to allow drivers traveling with domestic animals – in other words, pets – an exemption from the ELD mandate, and to allow for additional hours of driving and a longer work shift.

SBTC denied request for HOS and ELD exemptions when pets are on board

I'm on this guys FB page (SBTC).

If your pet cannot work around the FMCSA's regs - they shouldn't be on your truck.

This links in with the guy who was on here last week - that insisted a trucking company should take him and his service dog on, and accommodate them through the training period (forcing a trainer to have a trainees dog on THEIR TRUCK).

James (SBTC) is a decent enough guy - his heart is in the right place - but he tends to be litigation happy.

This came up on his page - and I didn't comment, because my sentiments on the issue run contrary to his. OTOH - he is very ANTI-ELD - so any issue he can use to try and get an exemption, he'll go for it.

My dog goes out "to go", every 8 hours or so. Aside from consignees objecting to you walking your dog on their property - there really shouldn't be any reason why someone can't accommodate their pets needs and still fit into their HOS restrictions.

One of his points was "proper exercise" - and again - if your pet REQUIRES a 1/2 hour of "running around" to meet their needs - and you cannot accommodate them and stay in regs - you should be LEAVING THEM AT HOME.

Accommodating my furry partner - is amongst the many reasons why I haven't gotten out driving (health, finance and other reasons aside).

Rick

I'm on this guys FB page (SBTC).

If your pet cannot work around the FMCSA's regs - they shouldn't be on your truck.

This links in with the guy who was on here last week - that insisted a trucking company should take him and his service dog on, and accommodate them through the training period (forcing a trainer to have a trainees dog on THEIR TRUCK).

James (SBTC) is a decent enough guy - his heart is in the right place - but he tends to be litigation happy.

This came up on his page - and I didn't comment, because my sentiments on the issue run contrary to his. OTOH - he is very ANTI-ELD - so any issue he can use to try and get an exemption, he'll go for it.

My dog goes out "to go", every 8 hours or so. Aside from consignees objecting to you walking your dog on their property - there really shouldn't be any reason why someone can't accommodate their pets needs and still fit into their HOS restrictions.

One of his points was "proper exercise" - and again - if your pet REQUIRES a 1/2 hour of "running around" to meet their needs - and you cannot accommodate them and stay in regs - you should be LEAVING THEM AT HOME.

Accommodating my furry partner - is amongst the many reasons why I haven't gotten out driving (health, finance and other reasons aside).

Rick

Absolutely agree. The gentleman you are referring to on here, I also tried to get him to understand his requests were not reasonable. I have a pet on board and we live in the truck. I plan my loads with extra time planned in for pet potty and exercise. Our pets are our burden (so to speak) not our employer, shippers/receivers or the governments. This particular lawsuit seems to be what I consider to be quite frivolous and just plain ignorant.

If the pet is not earning a paycheck, there should not be an exemption.

4 years Goofball was on my truck...and he never once complained about being fatigued or unloved/ cared for.

And slept whenever he wanted. Driving or.not

4 years Goofball was on my truck...and he never once complained about being fatigued or unloved/ cared for.

And slept whenever he wanted. Driving or.not

"Goofball"? Hey, wait. Mrs. Curmudgeon may get jealous if she thinks I rode with for four years. All this time she thought Goofball was out and about on his own...

Too many people trying to prove to the world how specially they need to be treated. My outfit has a no pet policy. We've had local driving candidates come along wanting their "emotional support animal" allowed. Not a service dog (different dealio in my mind), just an "I'm lonely and want to have company" animal, or maybe an "I can't leave my dog at home for the 14 hours, it's gonna need to potty" animal. They were not veterans, they were never deployed into the maelstrom. Just persons that needed. They were not allowed their 'cuddle buddy'.

Sorry if I sound judgemental. I have a dog at home. She IS my emotional support animal, especially now that I'm not permitted to work. She is my cuddle buddy. I have one. And I will leave her at home when (not if) I return to work.

Flame away.