A Crash Course in Creative Logging....Part One

[MrRoute2]

This video sounds like they are on speed.

[jakeblack1982]

All I can say is screw the companies and the DOT,and for the truckers keep trucking and feed your family anyway you need to even if it means breaking the law.

[1976bigjon]

who the hell shows a 15 minute post trip

[NJKatwoman]

@1976bigjon I think that depends on your company's policy. When I worked for JB, I had to show a 15 min pre-trip and post trip. When I did it with my present company, the log department considered that a "violation", go figure!! So, in the morning, I still do my walk-around, pre-trip, but I only flag it on the log book, and I still do my walk around when I'm done at the end of the day....things can and do happen en-route, like a marker light blowing out, etc, and yes, I show 15 mins post.

[nomader999]

Those that run short and mid distance almost never have to do creative log bookin. So that's why they act almighty rightous and shit. If a driver is ambitious and wants to make money driving a big rig he/she has to do a lot of creative logbookin. But if a driver is content with making just enough for beer and women and likes truck stops then I guess he/she can stay within the logbook regulation limits. Great video!

[NJKatwoman]

@nomader999 Funny, I seem to do better on my logging on the long hauls, it those short hops, go here, drop/hook, now go there, drop/hook, know go to the next State and get live loaded....argh....it's days like those that can really goof up my log book, cuz I'm running hither and yon and lose track of time, and what the hell I'm doing. For me, logging is easier, and less 'creativity' on the long hauls.

[nomader999]

@NJKatwoman I know what you're saying and I sympathize with you. At the start of my career that was all I did - short and mid distance haul. However later I switched to reefers between eastern Canada and southwest USA. As a single driver you cannot do those constantly week in and week out legally. If you tried you'd get fired or you'd be put in as a team - which I would never agree to, so I'd get fired. As a single I wasn't much slower than a team. Half a day on average.

[AirborneRooster]

do u have a course in creative electronic logging?

[NJKatwoman]

@AirborneRooster Wow, I just saw your comment, Rooster. It's only been 9 months, eh? lol! Well, a lot of drivers claim that they gain MORE driving time w/ electronic logs. That's because many of them are set to NOT register driving when you are in traffic jams, or on the Cross Bronx Exwy where you can sit for hours. The bottom line is to start paying the professionals a decent living wage so that NO ONE has to work like a dog to make minimum wage.

[KeepOnTruckinNYC]

That gave me a friggin headache  lol.

[peardino]

I never had a prob. staying in rest areas. they were my fav. place to stop. I would stop at a Flying J or a Pilot two or three times a week to get my shower(that is when I had time) and stay at rest areas the rest of the time. But in a few states, a truck cant stay in a rest area for more than seven hrs., although there were a couple of times when I had no choice but stay there.

keep on keeping on!

[nchayfarmer]

Its simple we pull a rgn mostly oversized loads for hunt transportation and can only run 60 when oversize its the law and we always get atleast 630 miles in a day everytime you stop you can give yourself 30 mins to a hour added later to the day and since most states prohibit running at night with oversize it works out perfect with us

[joshzam445man]

HEY NJKatwoman you should change to volvo becase it ride like a car and you safer too if case of a acident

[MetalTeamster]

Personally, I am glad the hours of service are not more than they are. If drivers were allowed to drive 18 hours a day, by god, the wealthy , anti Union republican owners of these Corporations would have us running like that. The only thing I think should be changed is 34 hours reduced to 24 hours off to re-set. Pre trips, Inter-trips, and post trips catch problems that can be dangerous and costly. Usually about the only people I regularly see doing that are Teamster drivers. UPS, ABF, Roadway .

[NJKatwoman]

Well, I like the 34 hr restart, because when I got home, I'd have so much to do....laundry, cleaning, shopping, cooking, etc, etc, and still try to find time to have a little fun. And also, if there were only a 24 hr restart, companies would push the drivers harder. Same w/ 10 hrs off. When it was only 8 hrs. everyone drove tired. Local drivers would only get 8 hrs off. I lived an hr away from the term at that time. I never got more than 4 hrs sleep. Some things are good, some not so. :)

[mnbvcx12m]

i drive a rig for an oilfield service company granted we are not driving over the road but our logs run way diffrent with the oilfield exemption we can put in a 20 hr day and still be legal to drive since we can log waiting time on location

[backspace971]

i just log my fuel stops correctly,and log around it ,i drive and p/u and del. in sleeper alot,everyone else i talk to does the same,must p/u and del on time no exceptions

[failingtocope1976]

Hi, I find these videos and the HOS ones very interesting, it's good to get an idea how you guys differ from the UK. Our rules seem so complicated, if you would like any info on our rules etc let me know. Maybe I will try and post a similar video on our regs.

Stay safe out there friend

[dieselguy2008]

It may help if you slow the video down

[NJKatwoman]

Hey, dieselguy! Well, my original intent was an attempt at being 'humorous', being that it is a "crash course", after all.

Then, I realized that the video was going over 10 mins....but then I realized, that there are many people who may want to really KNOW this stuff, so, if you keep watching, you'll see that I brought it down to normal speed, as I also did with "Creative Logging" part two.

Thank you for commenting and watching! :)

[TruckerDan75]

I have been driving for 12 years and I have never had to run "illegal". Just log it as you do it and you will never have to worry about anything. If you don't have hours then don't do it. Creative logging is how us honest drivers get bad raps!

[NJKatwoman]

Sometimes that is easier said than done, TruckerDan. About five months ago, I was heading West on 76, and planned to shut down at the service plaza that was listed in my book. Got there, and it was closed for reconstruction. Was forced to drive another hour and a half before I could get to "safe haven" to shut down. So, all my trip planning really went out the window at that point...there was no place else to go. So, had to "get creative". What would you suggest in that case? TY! :)

[TruckerDan75]

What I do is I have a Truck Stop guide. I look to see where my hrs are going to run out then I call the truck stops in the area to make sure they are still open and how many spaces and such that they have. I also ask what other truck stops are in the near area in case they are full or closed for some other reason. I also plan to make my stops when the traffic is not at its peak like at 1700 when everyone is going into the truck stops.

[jsmitty1974]

Todays date, 1-23-09......my log book is still on Dec 26th, lol. Piss on em

[NJKatwoman]

Aaargh! You're a brave one, friend! Watch yourself!!! Unless you have very deep pockets, be careful!!!

[alphabooger]

just be carefull.

[NJKatwoman]

Oh yes, alphabooger....absolutely! The man in this vid was a seasoned old pro, and nobody, but nobody can tell him how to run the freight. Anyone who cooks their books like that, better have deep pockets to pay the fines if they get caught. Thanks for commenting! )

[trutopianlife]

you dum fucks the fine for not doing your log is less then falsifying it you can always catch it up later as long as your last day is upto date.

work smart not hard

[NJKatwoman]

You are supposed to update your log at every change of duty status. A nice DOT man MIGHT give you 15 mins to update your logbook, but if you are really behind, you can get hit hard with fines.One driver was fined for not being able to produce the previous 14 days of his log book, (he had just started a new month, ,and didn't have the previous month w/ him) They could have hit him w/ a 4000 fine for falsification, instead he got hit w/ a 2500 fine for not having met regulated DOT requirements.

[trutopianlife]

Any one who fails to do 14 days worth of logs is retarded.

really behind what do you mean you should always have the 6th day up to date they have no choice they can issue a fine but still must allow you to bring it uptodate.

nO oos for that

For example in pa this is a $130. fine

Nice He has no choice he can write his bs revenue ticket

You bring it up to date and go on your way.

The 70 hour rule is Unconstitutional to begin with.

Its all a scam resist

[NJKatwoman]

No trutopianlife, it's not that he didn't DO the 14 days prior, it was in his previous month's logbook, that he forgot to take w/ him. Guess he figured since he was on the 3rd day of the new month, that he didn't need the older logbook with him. So, poor local driver, struggling to make a decent paycheck, got hammered w/ a whopping big fine! PS; Obviously, Resistance is Futile. Not enough people will stand together to effect a positive change.

Thanks for commenting!

[trutopianlife]

Nope not enough people believe they can cuz they keep telling themselves not enough people

or they are told not enough people.

when reality ande history shows it only takes one

[darrenhol]

I have never been busted for falsifying, and in 14yrs of driving, most of it hauling produce, i have done some creative writing. My log book is always up to date. It may not be true, but its up to date.

[bulldog0046]

The company I drive for don't care how we log in the truck as long as we turn the logs in legal. I average my speed when I do my logging. My truck runs Pre-Pass and and the company pays the tolls with the little box on the window. I catch alot of $*it from the older guys they say It will catch up with me one day, and I don't act the a big cowboy trucker. This guy is giving pretty good advice.

[ifonlypeopleknew]

Been there done that! LOL

[ifonlypeopleknew]

Oh yea I never logged pee stops or Meals on the run. If I was running fast Those few minutes I was stopped. I was able to use those to make up my time on paper...hehe

[btjohnson83]

Sheesh! This running legal stuff sucks. Unplug the satelite, if ya have one, eat your toll tickets and turn them into the tax man at the end of the year, then the only thing that you have to worry about matching at the end of the day is fuel, If ya have big tanks then you only have to match every other day. NEVER sign times on BOLs Keep plenty of loose leaf logs on hand, and one at home to turn into the company. do it how ya want to. thats how i used to roll till they glued my satelite plug in

[NJKatwoman]

LOL! They glued your satellite plug IN? Aaargh!! Big Brother is watching YOU, friend! Damnnn. Yes, I have learned that many OTR drivers are still going to drive the miles the way it works best for them...Each driver has their own individual needs...some like a cat-nap, some want to stop and eat a decent meal...

whatever it is they need to do...they do it...and they'll just "make it look good on paper". The current HOS is like some "cookie cutter solution" which of course, isn't working.

[darrenhol]

wrap your satelite globe with tin foil. it works well.

[foomangoo]

suuuurrrreee..... lol..... thats as clear as 500 level Time Series Statistics....

Thanks for the headache Kat! :)

[NJKatwoman]

LMAO!!! You're too funny, foomangoo! Well, I had sped it up a bit in a few places...one, because it's a "crash" course, and two, I didn't want to go over the alloted video time....but then, I realized, there are some folks that might really need to LEARN this stuff! lol! So, in part two, we kept it normal. Even at normal speed, all that thinkin', figuring, and conniving, gives ME a flippin' headache!!! aargh!

[Garysnic]

i took my creative logging class in grade school...great video!

[NJKatwoman]

Good for you! Now, would you please be so kind as to teach the rest of us??? I'm STILL confused!!! lol!

[Garysnic]

i find it really hard to teach someone how to be creative on their paperwork. it's like telling someone how to do something the wrong way, if you know what i mean.

[NJKatwoman]

sigh...again, the trucker is stuck between the rock and the hard place. OK...we are supposed to take a 10 hr break. Well, after 7 hrs sleep, my shower, breakfast, I still had an hour to cool my heels before I could legally leave. To me, that's stupid. I was well rested, and ready to roll. And then there were times, where there was NO PLACE TO SHUT DOWN...and was forced to run further to get to a safe haven...so, we divide the speed limit into the mileage, and log that time.

[Garysnic]

i know. makes no sense whatsoever.

[NJKatwoman]

PS...was it "legal"? No. Was it necessary? Yes.  Most drivers log by dividing the speed limit into their mileage and logging it that way. Do you know what I mean? Or should I post a part three! LOL!!! :)

[Garysnic]

i used to take 5% off my mileage since i got paid 'map' miles. why log it if you don't get paid for it?

[NJKatwoman]

Damn good point, Garysnic!!! Most outfits beat the crap outta the drivers on the miles. That's another issue...and one that should be stopped. Especially if you run the route you were told to take...Damn good point, friend! Kudos! Oh boy...don't get me started! LMAO!

[darrenhol]

dot caculates your miles with speed limits, so why shouldn't we. Makes no sense to give your hours away for free...rite!

[NJKatwoman]

@darrenhol Some drivers at my present company log off as soon as they hit Indianapolis. Our company is now paying the drivers "county to county' instead of zip code to zip code. Drivers are furious about this new and improved 'rip off' of our hard work. So, a lot of drivers now log off as soon as they hit the County line, even though their destination may still be 30 miles away.

[fraser5001]

Hi.. seems your log books are worse than aussie ones .. we can drive 14 hours and rest breaks are not counted in that 14 hours but are counted in the 24 hours. We must have a 7 hour continous break in the 24 hours and 2days off(must be together i.e. thrusday and friday) per 14 day period. see it's so easy ..lol.. there's more to it but noone knows if we are doing it right...lol

[NJKatwoman]

Yes, I've heard that, Fraser! How unfortunate that we have people of position of "authority", that are too concerned with their own personal agenda, and climb to the top of the power chain, to really care about what affects the men and women who MOVE AMERICA! Thank you for commenting, Fraser5001!! :)

[DUCK3O9]

I'm back on patrol in a matter of weeks! You're busted so bad! LOL!!

[NJKatwoman]

Geez....now I'll have to run the back roads, and run outta hours, just to stay two steps ahead of YOU, Duck!!! LOL!

[loveskateforskate]

That was Funny!!LOL You guys Were Both Confused!!Sometimes I Get confused with That To!5*****

[NJKatwoman]

Well, it's no secret, that I'm the worst liar in the world...so, me lying on a log book just isn't my forte. I can fudge it a little, if need be, but the simplest way is to try to "log it as you do it" everytime possible.

Thanks for commenting, loveskateforskate!

[Anna1755]

My brain was getting a cramp trying to follow youse guys. Kudos to you all. Great vid, NJK. Thanks so much for sharing.

[NJKatwoman]

Thanks so much, Anna! The idiots who make these unrealistic "laws" should be forced to ride w/ an OTR trucker for two weeks...MANDOTORY! And they HAVE to stay awake, when the driver is awake. Then they will see how unsafe these current HOS really are.

[Anna1755]

You certainly make a strong case. For sure it makes no sense that "off duty" time should be available to the driver as needed. Safety first!!! Those lawmakers should be made to ride a minimum of seven days straight in a truck. MANDATORY. Then things might change! Good luck in your job search.

[Anna1755]

Bad grammar - I mean it makes no sense that you can't take "off duty" time as needed. Sorry 'bout that.

[NJKatwoman]

Not to worry, dearest! I knew what you meant, and you knew what I meant, even when I accidentally misspelled, "Mandatory". lol! :)

[NJKatwoman]

You and I are on the same page, Anna! And that person riding along for the week, or two, would have to stay awake as long as the driver was awake. Sleep at the same time, wake up at the same time. Bet none of those a*holes who make these unrealistic laws could even DO it! Thank you for your positive feedback! :)

[NJKatwoman]

Well, in the "old days", drivers popped illegal substances so that they could run to Chicago and back in one shot! aaargh! The laws are to protect the drivers, and the public....to be safe...but the HOS don't allow the driver to take meal time, or rest breaks, as "off duty, not driving" without it counting against their 14 hour clock. Too rigid, and unrealistic. And NOT safe. Thank you for commenting! :)

[82Gunney]

HMM..what if your truck goes 76 mph..but you are in a 65 mph state doing 70 mph all day?? then you would have to NOT show some of your stopping time..I would NEVER EVER do that though..THAT is ILLEGAL..LOL Great Vid Girl! Gunney

[NJKatwoman]

LMAO! Uh-huh....me neither! LOL! The pro's know what they are doing out there! If you're tired, take a nap...sleep studies have shown that naps increase effectiveness and safety...you just can't LOG it! The industry needs some sweeping reforms in the interest of truckers health and safety! Thank you so much for your positive feedback, 82Gunney! :)

[hosatosa]

Oh gee, I understood absolutely nothin LOL. I guess I better stick to the european rules.. The suck big time too though!! It's like the european governments that decided the rules have forgot that a full day and night period is 24 hours!! A normal legal day for a european truckdriver is maximum 9 hours of driving + 45 minute break + 11 hours of resting/sleep. 3 times a week, 9 hours of rest and sleep is enough and two times a week you can drive 10 hours if you take two 45min breaks..

[hosatosa]

All this and the time it takes to load and unload has to be in a 24 hour period. So, if you don't have alot of loading and unloading and just alot of driving to do, for several days, then your 24 hour period is only 19 to 22,5 hours... Where the heck did the rest of the day go??

And then we have the tachographs..

[NJKatwoman]

Oh man, you guys have it gooooood! I like your HOS much better than ours, that's fur sure! And maybe, stop paying drivers by the mile, and start paying hourly, with time and a half. Then EVERYONE is guaranteed a decent day's pay for a good day's work. It will also put pressure on the shippers/receivers to get the driver loaded/unloaded in a timely manner! Thank you, Hosatosa!!! :)

[sandy6073]

I understand completely how this guy does his logbook. I have had some days where I wait 3 or 4 hrs to get unloaded and 4 or 5 hrs to get reloaded...where is the legal driving hrs then? How is a driver to make a paycheck to support your family when the shippers/receivers dont care if they load you or not? Yes, I know all too well about how men are treated better than women out here, I see it nearly every day. I do wish you the best of luck finding a job soon. Take care of yourself.

[NJKatwoman]

Thank you, Sandy6073! Yeah, the bozo's who make these unreasonable rules, haven't spent any time in a big rig. There are SOOOO many details, variables out there. The drivers sacrifice their health, family time, miss meals, irregular sleep patterns, etc, etc.

And yet, the majority of them still maintain safety, and allow for the stupidity of the four-wheelers. Thank you for commenting! :)

[mikegrouse]

Interesting Vid. Hope you get a job soon. Take care

[NJKatwoman]

Thanks Mike! I appreciate that! It's really the one thing I do best, and love to do. But the economy is so bad....there are 'employed' drivers, who are sitting for days, waiting for a load.

[trikmitruk]

I never understood how a log book knows if your to tired to drive,I've had plenty of hours to drive legally,And still been tired and sleepy as hell.

[NJKatwoman]

Thats why I believe that these current HOS are unreasonable and unsafe. When they took away the driver's option to be able to pull off for an hour, to take a refresher nap if needed, and log it as "off duty, not driving", they are forcing drivers to run fatiqued, or to have to lie on their log books. The drivers have become much more "cut-throat" because they are trying to 'git-r-all dun' within the alloted time. The way it stands now, a driver can't even stop to eat.

[josh198869]

good video that mean your going to start working again? lol i hope so

[NJKatwoman]

I hope so, too, josh198869! Got the apps out...nothing happening yet. You and I both know, that a man will get the job before a woman will. Not fair, but true. I love driving, and I miss it terribly. Thank you for coming by, friend! :)

[josh198869]

i no its sad its still that way about the man geting the job be for the woman will )-: well i wish you the best i no you need the money just like i do could you do a video of your truck or cars you have? that sure would be cool

[woofybigj]

I don't know what to say...what makes a truck driver any more dangerous than me, and I don't have to log anything in 4 wheeler. They should just pay you for a 14 hr day whether the truck is moving, stuck in traffic or stopped, make things simpler and safer, heck run a camera system if the company thinks you are jacking around. I know with the cut-throat companies out there its not possible and most drivers are paid by the mile, but still it would be safer,

[NJKatwoman]

I agree with you 100 percent, Woofybigj!!! When I was paid hourly, with time and a half after 8 hours, at least I had a decent day's pay for a killer 14 hrs in that truck. The way it is now, drivers are running so hard, illegal, just trying to keep the roof over their heads. There is no other industry that I know of, that doesn't pay their people an hours pay for an hours work. How many drivers don't make a dime until they've been in the dock for two hours or more! NOT FAIR! Good Comment!

[MrKabDrivr]

Let's just add that it is very useful to have one of them detachable sheets type instead of the bundled & stapled type... Makes it a lot easier to make a few corrections... BTW, here in Québec, all rigs must now have a 105KPH (65 MPH) governor... Definitely a drag... Very hard to make up for lost time...

[NJKatwoman]

I hear you on that one, MrKabDrivr! I used to lose a ton of time trying to pull hills when I drove for Eastern Freightways. Their trucks couldn't go over 30 MPH going uphill!!! LOL! So, I'd try to make up for it on the downstroke! Yeah, I liked this feller's log book...but, I always had a couple of bottles of "white-out" to make "corrections"! Thank you for commenting!