dispatch trying to force me to run on recaps

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MikeLPause@reddit

Ignore the others saying dispatch is gonna sabotage your checks with less miles/loads etc. But be ready for it. I was. And how did I solve it? Simple, I changed companies. Dispatch is booty tickled because they probably make commission off loads 😂 I learned the hard way that they’re not your friend. No one is. Worry about yourself. You’re doing the right thing.

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Riiakess@reddit

Are you with a forced dispatch company, or a non-forced dispatch? With ones that operate as forced, you need a really good reason to say no. Unfortunately running recaps with that kind of company is common. Non-forced will grumble but deal with the no a little better. Did you let them know ahead of time that you will need a 34 after the load you were on? I always let my dispatcher know when he assigned the last load of the week that I'm running pretty low on hours and now would be a good time for my 34, and they'd normally be good with it. If they needed a load ran, he'd let me know and we'd plan with the hours to then get my reset after.

I'm with you, I run hard so I can earn my day and a half of actual rest! Having a full day to just not move helps keep me sane.

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Dr_Adderall_2000@reddit

When they say “It’s going on your records!” I’d reply “So it seems that way! Go head and write down refusal…. it sure as hell beats getting a several hundred bucks log book fine and being placed out of service anyways if caught.”

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spyder7723@reddit

Recaps aren't an hos violation. Where did you get your license? A cracker Jacks box?

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Dr_Adderall_2000@reddit

Yes but he had only 8 hours of recaps. He might not make it. Do the math there…. He has to get a load, wait for the morning and then deliver it in 8 hours. I don’t know about where you work, but where I work, recaps don’t pause when off duty. Do us a favor, you’re not very good at math so PLEASE stick to trucking… because that’s more your speed, if you understand what I’m saying. Don’t even go to food service either because that also requires math. Just stay drop and hook… basic job for a basic mind. 👍🏽

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spyder7723@reddit

Dude you leaped to the conclusion that an hos villain was involved with zero data to support that... but I'm the one seeing things?

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Dr_Adderall_2000@reddit

Oh so you’re not on drugs, just stupid? Ok.

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jcsworld417@reddit

One day you'll learn how to run your logs. Enjoy your unpaid fit, let them know when you're done crying...

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Seanw59@reddit

Too many people don’t understand that money doesn’t always drive every single person. Myself and many other drivers do this job to make money but also because they enjoy it. Those of us that don’t have to chase the dollar. There’s a fine line between sustainability and greed. Greed will put you in your grave quicker.

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jcsworld417@reddit

At this point in the game, after 25 years O/O. Money is the only reason to do it. Period

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Row30@reddit

Ran on recaps for weeks on end. Some don’t know how to trip plan correctly

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navlgazer9@reddit

Don’t do this kind of thing over the phone

Do it in texts so you can save a screenshot

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Big_Chemical_5165@reddit

Is that feasible? I'm still in CDL class trying to learn about dealing with dispatch before I'm in the middle of it. Would you just ignore their calls until they texted you, or would that get you fired?

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navlgazer9@reddit

If they tell you in a phone call to Do Something that’s unsafe ,

Tell them to Send that request in writing .

They won’t .

Or record all of Your phone calls

I used to record all of My calls with dispatch and with shippers and receivers .

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Affectionate-Tax-119@reddit

You got to be careful about that man, not every state is a single party recording consent state.

These states generally require everyone on the call to consent: California Connecticut Delaware Florida Illinois Maryland Massachusetts Michigan (legally messy; safest to treat as all-party) Montana Nevada (some ambiguity, safest to treat as all-party) New Hampshire Pennsylvania Washington

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Big_Chemical_5165@reddit

Say I tell them to send a request in writing, and they just don't. Couldn't they just fire me for not doing what they're telling me to do?

Recording calls sounds like a good idea, but say I didn't do it in this scenario.

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GooseyLunatic@reddit

I think some people are making this seem like the dispatcher is all powerful when in my experience they don't want to lose drivers.

I've learned to stand my ground on things that are important to me, but always always be respectful about it.

Just like you need them, they need you for the most part. Every company I know of is looking for drivers and they won't fire you over something like that. I feel like him saying that about your diary is just him just still pushing on you to take that load.

Like others have said most states they do not need a reason to fire you, if they want you gone, they will make you disappear, but at the same time if they fired you, your truck tires stop meaning they aren't making money off that truck anymore. So unless your working for a company that isn't hiring drivers, I wouldn't worry about it. Take your 34.

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Migistat@reddit

Just make sure you follow up with your own written account in that case.

“Hi (dispatcher), I wanted to follow up our phone call before going any further t o make sure we’re on the same page. To clarify, you would like me to (insert whatever inane or completely sketchy task here) is that correct or have I misunderstood your instructions?”

If they call don’t answer and don’t proceed. You have stop work authority. Of course you have to utilize it with tact, but never let anyone talk you into doing anything unsafe ever. Dispatchers are not authority and they will hang you out to dry if you’re caught and it’ll be your career over, not theirs.

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OneEye589@reddit

Assuming this is the US, they can usually terminate for any reason anyway.

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navlgazer9@reddit

It’s worth a try .

They send all the other I do over the Qualcomm thing right ?

But wanting you to do something unsafe is always done on a phone call

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truckeredditor@reddit

There's nothing unsafe about this though. He has hours to go make the pick. Gets 8 hours tomorrow. After midnight he can run the rest of the miles to delivery. He didn't run 70 in 6 where he needs the 34. He just doesn't want to run on recap.

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PearlMillingCompany@reddit

Some states don’t allow recorded phone calls as evidence unless the other party agrees to being recorded

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Riyeko@reddit

You can just do what I did when they wanted me to do something sketchy or stupid.... Not pick up at all.

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Shut_It_Donny@reddit

They're not telling him to do something unsafe though. He has two hours today to go 30 miles. Safe and doable.

He's picking up hours tonight, so he can run tomorrow. Safe and doable.

If he wants to refuse the load, that's on him. But that's what it is, him refusing the load.

He immediately starts crying about "making no money". Well ya damn sure don't make any on a 34.

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flatdecktrucker92@reddit

Making no money on a 34 is very different from working 8 hours a day and still making no money

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Shut_It_Donny@reddit

Well, if he works, he will certainly make more than not working. 🤷‍♂️

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homucifer666@reddit

Any exchange involving legal rests and operating rules needs to be communicated via QC, text, app, email, or some way you have a digital receipt of the conversation.

It's a common tactic by bad companies to want to bend safety/FMCSA rules to extract maximum profit from you, so when they ask something that could get them in hot water, they'll call so you can't prove they said anything.

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Big_Chemical_5165@reddit

So is it feasible to just... ignore all of their calls when you're stopped?

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Oob13@reddit

Yes. I put my phone on do not disturb when I'm sleeping. I'm off duty. Look up the legal definition of off-duty in the FMCSA. It means you have no duties at all. Including answering the phone.

The other thing to remember is that whatever sent in writing on the tablet/Qualcomm is a legal log. A copy is kept by whoever provides The tablet service. So that conversation cannot simply be deleted by your company, a copy is kept by the tablet provider, it is a legal document.

All that said, usually it is forced dispatch, and unless you're tired or have a safety reason, then they can keep a record at report that via DAC or such to any future employers for 7 years.

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homucifer666@reddit

If I'm off duty or sleeping, yes. I'm not on call to answer every little question or whatever they want to discuss 24/7. My human body has limits.

As a courtesy though, I'll let my dispatcher know I'm punching out for the day. That's their last chance to contact me before I go dark, and then whatever comes after can wait until morning.

If I get anything before my rest is over, it better be an emergency like a reefer shutdown or imminent hazard I need to drive and avoid (had to outrun a hurricane a couple years ago).

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Shut_It_Donny@reddit

They're not bending anything though. He has hours to go 30 miles right now. He picks up hours tonight to run tomorrow. He just doesn't want to run the short load they they're offering.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

in this case I think I'm covered. my last text to them was 'I need to take a 34' before they called me.

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homucifer666@reddit

Eh, technically they weren't asking you to do anything illegal, just something you didn't want to. Recaps are perfectly legal, I run on them for 1-2 months at a time.

Now if you had said something to the effect that you were fatigued and not safe to drive requiring a full 34hr rest, then the company wouldn't have any legal basis to force you to take the load.

They wouldn't be happy either way, but the second option they couldn't retaliate without putting themselves in legal jeopardy. Just something to keep in your back pocket for later.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

yeah I get it they didn't try to do anything wrong. I just thought they would respect my choice to take a break. in the future I know to bullshit about being fatigued and unsafe.

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Ok_Gotcha1@reddit

Download Cube ACR. It records phone calls.

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ibringnothing@reddit

Use email when possible. Texts are not legally admissable in all states.

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Greta-Iceberg@reddit

Yep.

Text message first.

If you MUST take the call, hand up and immediately hit them with the old:

“Just so I’m clear; you said you wanted me ______, I said _______, and the plan is ______. Is that correct?”

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KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit

For what purpose?

They can fire OP for refusing loads like this, especially if he's a forced dispatch company guy.

You're not protected by refusing a load in order to try and take a 34. 34s aren't required.

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navlgazer9@reddit

Also a good point

The new folks have no idea how to use recapture hours

All they know is the 34 reset .

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KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit

The bigger thing is they don't understand how to trade favors for shit like this.

This would have been great leverage for getting a longer reset somewhere you actually wanted to be in a couple weeks. Or some other similar favor.

And he wouldn't have had to break any rules to get the favor.

Not to mention the math of earning less doesn't work out. At least not before this, now the odds are more on the side of a low paying week than running a couple days on recaps would have been.

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COATHANGER_ABORTIONS@reddit

Not just the longer reset, but in my experience, being kind of a "yes man" within reason tends to keep you moving. Shows you're reliable.

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FWD_to_twin_turbo@reddit

Dispatchers dont give favors and if you have to trade favors to make your job work you're in a garbage job.

I show up, do what i need to and dip, as long as my paycheck says the right dollars i dont have any incentive to be a team player. We're truckers, there is no "upward mobility" we need to kiss ass for.

Do. The. Bare. Minimum.

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KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit

Maybe not at the corporate job you work at. But they also don't move any freight that really pays, so thats a large part of that.

Do. The. Bare. Minimum.

Sure, but you cant bitch about not landing the big money gravy jobs when youre not willing to do your part to earn them when luck gives you the opportunity.

Theres absolute earning mobility even staying a wage paid driver. Just because it doesnt look like moving from janitor to assistant Walmart manager, doesnt mean it doesnt exist. Most employees, at most places, have no chance of ever actually advancing at their jobs. Even when they have made up middle managers to appease to peons who think they should move "up".

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FWD_to_twin_turbo@reddit

We're regional dedicated lanes. Under 550 miles a day 90% of the time and hourly, i'm IN a gravy job, OTR is for the dumber ones. Leave terminal Monday morning, deliver the load you were sitting on during the weekend, run the week and pop back in loaded on Friday for weekend off. If you drew the short straw you might have a walmart or sams club delivery on the weekend.

Sometimes it takes me longer to get loaded than to drive to the drop, spent 5 hours picking up at lineage the other day just to drive 4 1/2 hours to the reciever and go back to sleep.

We get 3-5% raises every year, that's 'bout it.

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TapWaterKY@reddit

Nothing says ‘gravy job’ like delivering to Walmart or Sam’s Club for tens of thousands less than the actual Walmart drivers that are on the same schedule as you.

Stay humble, driver. You’re still living in a box for days at a time as a peon, even if you’re doing the bare minimum and ‘sticking it to the man’

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doobersthetitan@reddit

Depending on state, just record it.

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Desperate_Fee_808@reddit

One of the random drive leaders tried that with me..you know what I said? “Hey Chris..you get to go home at 5 everyday right? You get weekends off right? Can you imagine being in this terminal seven days a week until Amanda says you can go home?”..yeah so don’t suggest that shit to me bro

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

I have so many things I wish I'd said, but I honestly didn't expect there to be any pushback.

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Desperate_Fee_808@reddit

It’s best not to say much because the wrong thing may come out..I sorta have spiraled at my job a few times..luckily my fleet manager and I have a decent relationship..either she or my dispatcher has to redirect me sometimes..because the things that these companies will pull will have you irate 😡

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

bro it was difficult to stay calm and cool. I just kept saying 'im parked for 34, I need to take a 34'.

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spyder7723@reddit

"Need" and "want" are not the same thing

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SadPhDStudent17@reddit

Reading these comments and I understand why truckers have zero rights or consideration other than being a number by those in the office

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spyder7723@reddit

Cause they are dumber than shit and think running recaps is an hos violation?

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Dangerous_Ad1115@reddit

What part of running up against my 70 didn't he understand the FIRST time you told him?? How pissed off would he be if you took the load and got put OOS for a logbook violation?? What a complete a-hole

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spyder7723@reddit

No one said anything about a hos violation. 34 hour restarts are optional.

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Exnoss69@reddit

Idl man i see a lot of people telling you to fucking cater to these scummy people that dont give 2 shits about you. I think you did great. If they cant understand and they keep treating you like that id tey to move on and keep looking until you find someplace that trwats you better. For me it was a home daily gig, i had no interest in OTR. But when i drove OTR i had a really good experience. No shady BS and a good business. Because of this they had great scores, i never got pulled in to a scale except the time i forgot to move my tandems in FL.

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TheBrahmanBull@reddit

They’re saying “ok” now because they’ve already decided to line you up for low mileage loads probably for the next week,they’ll be ~300 or less a piece with live loads/unloads and they’ll be telling you about freight being slow. This is a game they play when they don’t get their way

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Representative_Hunt5@reddit

This is illegal and op needs to report the driver coercion to the FMCSA so it can also be logged in the carriers permanent record.

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

Hate to break it to you but thats only when they try to get you to do something illegal. Working on recaps is not illegal at all, thats part of the job. If they give you a load that you can legally run you really have no hill to stand on unless youre an owner operator or you say youre sick - then they can send your butt to a doctor before letting you drive again, which means you'll be paying for that day off.

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Representative_Hunt5@reddit

Under 49 CFR § 392.3, a motor carrier (dispatcher) shall not require or permit a driver to operate a CMV if the driver’s ability is impaired by fatigue, illness, or any other cause that makes it unsafe to drive. Final Say: The driver is the "Captain of the Ship." If you tell a dispatcher you are too tired to drive safely, the conversation should legally end there.

Protection Against Coercion The Prohibition Against Coercion (49 CFR § 390.6) was specifically created to stop dispatchers and carriers from threatening drivers. Coercion occurs when a carrier, shipper, or receiver take work or make threats. New driver might be worried about his journal and refused dispatch.

Report the trucking company to fmcsa and I can help the trucking company with the soon to happen audit. :)

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

At no point did the driver say he was fatigued until others gave it to him as an excuse. Dude just doesn't want to work and Im sure the company he works for will make sure hes well rested for the next few months. If the 70 hr clock is too tough to handle, they will give him a 35 hour clock to work for 8 days. He will be given those short haul evening deliveries all along interstate 95 and above 80 in the northeast for a while.

This is the dumbest hill to kill your career with. If you need a day off, tell your operations crew before they start sending you the next loads. Courtesy goes both ways, and the screw jobs do as well.

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Representative_Hunt5@reddit

He sounded fatigued to me. If he was safe why would he refuse to work? If his company stats dicking around with him I have a lawyer he should talk to. Bro needs to get paid.

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

Dude said in the first few comments "I usually work 7 then take a day off then work another 7 before going home." Nothing about fatigue until people started feeding him that to say. Dude is just lazy and sprung this on his company last minute. Stupid thing to do as a rookie - running recaps isnt illegal and he had plenty of hours to work. If the load doesn't fit the hours though thats a different story, but "i dont want to run short loads" is a terrible attitude and thats all he's going to get now.

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Representative_Hunt5@reddit

If he was not fatigued that is on me. I did not assume he would be lazy if he is a pro he needs to work like a pro and make money like a pro.

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SonicCougar99@reddit

This. Prepare to be screwed on your next loads.

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Representative_Hunt5@reddit

It's still illegal to retaliate

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waveyvibez22@reddit

Yeah…I hate hate hate running recaps after doing a full 70. It can be done. But if I didn’t state that I’ll run like that,to my dispatch, i shouldn’t be made to do it. But I work for a forced dispatch company. Gotta do it to keep the job.
IMO it encroaches on safety issues having a super tired, overworked driver.
However, Anytime I’ve HAD to run that way, dispatch will typically give me a 48hr+ off instead of just 34hr reset at the end of the week.

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Indentured-peasant@reddit

I mean, if you're out there to make money.....

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TruckerBiscuit@reddit

There's obviously a difference of opinion on the matter but IMHO running recaps is superior to running balls-out and taking a 34 when you get close to bottoming out. Why? You can roll every day.

I agree your dispatch people are fucking up asking you to in essence run over on your logs, though. Good on you for sticking to your guns on running clean.

Just my $0.02-worth for future reference.

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Lazy-Comment7542@reddit

They aren't asking to run past logs. They are giving a load and he states he has hours and a recap coming tomorrow.

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COATHANGER_ABORTIONS@reddit

I mean, I don't want to roll every day, sometimes I just want a day where I can relax and not have to worry about anything but being up the next day for the load.

I completely get it though, everyone is different.

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

You ask for the day off in advance, not when they find work for you to do. Im on a load to Colorado right now, delivers thursday. Id make sure to have my dispatcher know by Tuesday that id like to take a 34 because theyre going to start looking for freight tues afternoon or weds morning.

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COATHANGER_ABORTIONS@reddit

Oh yeah, I'm usually set up for resets as is. They're aware I don't want to run on recap hours. Been that way for years now.

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TruckerBiscuit@reddit

I completely get that. When I need a day off for chorin' I just tell my fleet manager I need a day off after this load and he gets it set up for me.

Yeah, it kinda' makes me smile that I make recaps work and other guys make bangin' out miles work: that both methods can be made to work well somehow.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

to be clear, they aren't asking me to run out of bounds. just asking me to run recaps to meet their needs, regardless that I'm not getting good hours back so I'll be working/earning less than 8 hours for 3 days in a row.

for me it's just a money decision. id rather take a day off and get all my hours back.

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ChiTruckDGAF@reddit

I would too but I'd rather run recaps and cooperate with the people in charge of my livelihood when they ask me to.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

absolutely. ive been the model driver so far, but today I needed a break and I wasn't gonna back down from that. but because I was honest about it instead of saying the magic safety words, I'll probably be on the shit list.

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

Really is no probably about it. Theyre going to give you a steady diet of 200 mile loads for the next couple of months...hell if youre in a right to work state then they could just tell you to pack your bags and get out of the truck at the nearest terminal.

If you want a 34 even though you have hours coming back, you've gotta ask in advance by like a day or two. Theyre not demanding anything illegal from you so its just courteous to do that. I work for a very large company too and this method has worked out well for me for years.

Working 8 hours a day, 8 days a week = 64 hours x 50 mph average = ~3200 miles. You dont have to do 70 hours in 6 or 7 days to make money. A balanced logbook is the way to go IMO.

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ChiTruckDGAF@reddit

Honestly isn't always the best policy in this business, that's for sure. I think I would have ran the load contingent on taking a 34 once it's completed.

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drpuck2@reddit

I respectfully disagree. Run two hours? For what? Im taking the day AND the 34 off.

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ChiTruckDGAF@reddit

To make some money and stay off the shit list.

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TruckerBiscuit@reddit

I suppose the counter argument is you don't get paid anything for the 34hrs you're off. Does it even out? I've never run the numbers because recaps suit me. Might be worth looking into though, if only for curiosity's sake.

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KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit

The average isnt any worse.

68 in the last 8 gets you 8.5 per day.

Sounds like youre probably within an hour of that average with you returning hours (which are indicative of how your started the last 8 anyway).

Your average over 8 days is capped by law, and the only way to max it out is to run your full hours for whatever rule set you have to abide by specifically.

Kind of a moot point now though.

Id just prepare for the idea that you're potentially going to see some retaliation in the form of a very shitty week when your 34 is up. They're either going to have you running full hard days and then sit you for another 34, or you're going to be damn close to multiple 34s before you're running normal again.

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Wasabi-Kungpow@reddit

If 8 hours for 3 days on recaps that's good recaps. 8:45 total working time X 8 days is your 70h clock. Gives you 8 hours to drive 5 pre trip, 10 post trip, 5 fuel, and 10 for check in/out shippers.

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Lazy-Comment7542@reddit

You did not state "I am fatigued". Hence you are in the wrong because you're simply coming across as a petulant child that wants a day off. Learn to handle things appropriately.

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ironeagle2006@reddit

The last time a dispatcher tried that shit on me well by the time the FMCSA was done with the audit which they were doing at the time while my truck was in pieces in the shop to begin with and he's screaming at me to get off the yard or he'll starve me out.

That outburst cost the company 2.5 million dollars in fines and a drop in rating all the way to unsatisfactory for almost a decade. The only reason why he wasn't fired was he was literally fucking the owners daughter and had just knocked her up. I left that carrier 2 weeks later.

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

Running recaps is not illegal. Lolz

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ironeagle2006@reddit

Nope it's not hell that's all we had for 70 years then the ATA convinced us that working 98 hours in 8 days was safer than the old 70 in 8 days. Do the freaking math people. If you're a hard running driver that does nothing but drop and hook terminal to terminal running for an LTL carriers like FedEx it's possible. Get up do your pretrip and hook up run your 11 sleep 10 fuel and pretrip combined next 11 by day 5 your out of your first 70 burn that 34 there's enough time to work about 28 hours more.

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UnknownGamer827@reddit

literally had this convo last night and I'm daily rate mind you deep diving into hos talk because I haven't been com in a while I'm accustomed to being on duty when waiting for roadside, standby fir a load when ready for dispatch, you name it they want me to go off duty in those scenarios I previously worked like this when I was hourly I agreed with the guy and debated to add my side but he is one of those managers that is very young and says he was a trucker before too. asking me why I got off the interstate when I was taking my req 34 I was heading to the gym and washing my clothes. every company be the same

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nasdawg77@reddit

All bark no bite. Stand your ground and if they dont like u can be with in a new company same day

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47junk@reddit

No driver shortage just a bunch or cry babies. If the load was quick just get it done and make an agreement after. Have it in writing. Looking forward to the post for miles and pay decline.

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Professional-Lake431@reddit

Man my permeant record is still messed up from that detention I got in the 6th grade.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

yeah man I figured, but I just haven't been a driver long enough to know any better.

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Pretty-Concentrate33@reddit

"I'm gonna make no money for the next two days"

And now, you've pissed off 1 of 2 people in your life that you should go out of your way not to piss off. Your dispatcher. They control the money you make at that company. Now, you will likely make less after those 2 days you were complaining about. A smart dispatcher won't make it super obvious, but you will get more & more dead-end runs or shit loads. When you actually need something, like to get home quickly, they will tell you to pound sand. Source: I've pissed off a dispatcher before.

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lilbittygoddamnman@reddit

I remember back when I was a driver in the 90s, the guy that trained me used to refer to donkeys (asses) as dispatchers every time he saw one. Still to this day, anytime I see a donkey that's what I refer to them as. I haven't driven a truck in almost 30 years. I miss my truckin' days.

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Txctydrver@reddit

Tell dispatch to go pound sand. If you dispatch is stupid enough to penalize you for this they ain't worth a shit.

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FWD_to_twin_turbo@reddit

You dont need to "avoid pissing off" anybody, we aren't children. If a job isnt making you money just ditch it without notice and go elsewhere, leave the truck at their terminal loaded or not and call it a day.

Source: I did and still do what i want. Respect and vengeance goes both ways.

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Pretty-Concentrate33@reddit

They do, & while theoretically, "we aren't children," if you want to make those choices in a controlled fashion while while maintaining your financial status until you are actually ready to jump, it's best to treat dispatchers & mechanics with some modicum of respect, whether you receive any back or not. Most dispatchers are far more able to get "vengeance" against a driver than we are ever able to get against them in the short term. I am also an advocate of leaving if it's a shit environment, but I'm never an advocate of cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Dispatchers & mechanics can be your best friends, financially speaking, or your worst enemies & it rarely hurts to cultivate their happiness for your benefit, if possible. As drivers, we are alone so much or talking with other drivers only, & sometimes we lose sight of the bigger picture because we are in an echo chamber that makes it sound like we are just being screwed over. While it is true sometimes, sometimes, it is just perception & lack of perspective. My ultimate point is to choose your battles with care & perspective.

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JeepersCreepersV12@reddit

Drivers should not have to cater to the feelings of their dispatchers. Dispatchers should not have a ruling over a driver based on how they feel about them.

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Pretty-Concentrate33@reddit

Are they human? Until they stop being human, it's probably a good idea to consider their feelings, especially if you are asking them to consider yours. Whether they "should" be able to take issue with a driver or not doesn't matter. What matters is they can and do. It ain't pretty but it is real.

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JeepersCreepersV12@reddit

Your advise reads as if drivers should kiss their dispatchers ass in order to get favorable orders. Is that about right? An unfortunate yes is still an answer

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Pretty-Concentrate33@reddit

That was not it. But in my experience, some 30 years of it, if you are unwilling to compromise, they can & sometimes will start screwing you over. No one said kiss ass. I did not say kiss ass. You clearly haven't read the entirety of my comments. I'm a tired, re-tired Gen Xer & I am now done with the commentary. Thank you all for playing.

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JeepersCreepersV12@reddit

I read your comments in full and they do read as if you're suggesting employees kiss their managers ass for better treatment. I'm happy for you and your retirement. Enjoy it!

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Pretty-Concentrate33@reddit

Thank you. It's been a long time coming, for sure.

To be clear, "some modicum of respect" "advocate of leaving if it is a shit environment" but compromise enough to make sure the job stays bearable until you can leave is not kissing ass, imho. It's being wise & choosing your battles. I was a driver from '97 to 2022, when I myself was hit by a drunk driver while hauling oil or I'd still be working. If you can keep a good working relationship with your dispatch & your mechanics, your life will be much easier. The truck will still break down & you will still get some shit runs, but those two departments can make or break your day. You do not need to "kiss ass" to have good working relationships with most of them. The saying holds, though, that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

OP sounds like they are dealing with a bad dispatcher. I even said they should make it clear they were exhausted & dispatch was pushing to cya. There are ways to deal with people that maintains your money without making your own life harder.

Thank you for the good wishes & have a great night yourself!

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oneshadeoff@reddit

Exactly this. Seek work elsewhere OP because you ain't making money here no more. Sucks, but that's the game when you have a spine.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

you're probably right. live and learn I guess. I actually have 2 dispatchers, they rotate 7 day shifts. this one I've never gotten along with, when I need something it never gets done, which is partly why I took this stand. the other one is cool and gets me way more miles.

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pisces_bubble@reddit

He was pushing to see how far he could take you.... imo I woulda taken it instead of sitting but I get it... after 70 hours you are just done! I run quite a bit on recaps but I'm banking almost 2k a week and I'm single 😜

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Pretty-Concentrate33@reddit

Not sure how long you've been at this, but don't assume that pissing off one won't color the other's opinion of you. Unless you are good friends with the one that's nice, sometimes they will have feelings about you being hard-headed from a dispatch perspective. It sucks but there is always a real asshole in the bunch. If you don't normally dig your feet in so hard, you'll probably be OK, especially if everyone knows the one dispatcher is an ass. The diary thing, that must be an internal company term, but like someone else said, if they tried to put it on your DAC, that could be a potential sticky point. Usually, companies do not report to DAC until your employment has ended, though, and that is an HR thing, not dispatch. CYA, though, you might want to stress you felt very exhausted & you felt pressured by dispatch if this ends up in an internal review. Not that you were just considering the financial trade-off. Companies are happy to do it to us, but they hate hearing it back 😆

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Critical_Opening_526@reddit

I agree but this needs context.

I'm all for helping out when they ask, it builds a good report. But yeah, if I've helped before and they're constantly asking without any give then I support taking your 34.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

plus, if I'm the only driver who could pick up this load, they don't have enough drivers, and I'll get plenty of loads.

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Round-Guarantee4948@reddit

I've got multiple infractions from 11th grade of picking toilet paper bits out of my butt

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Imaginary-Badger-119@reddit

Its easier to find a job when you have a job ..

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Txctydrver@reddit

Your legally not a 34hr break. Any time talking to or waiting for dispatch is considered on duty. Supposedly on duty. Start your 34hr after the last conversation with dispatch.

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5WEET_Cheeks_Karen@reddit

Okay, well this is going on your diary that you “refused to break the law and risk your livelihood”to run a load.

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

Running recaps is not illegal. Lolz

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firemarshalbill316@reddit

Neat thing is to learn how to do recaps and not run out your clock. Don't work for forced dispatch companies. Period. Still don't get that one but whatever.

Always say I feel unsafe and tired. Then send it via a text or on your tablet. Don't talk to dispatch on the phone if at all possible. Make a paper trail with emails and tablet messages. If the ask why you can't call say no service.

Your no is no. That's a complete sentence. Piss poor planning on their part doesn't constitute an emergency on yours. Also let them know a day before so the load planners don't put you on the load board.

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Haunting_Bed3112@reddit

Stop being a little btch and come on. If you are too tired to go one you are too tired to go on. The 70 hour rule is to shield you from your employer. The ELD was not supposed to be weponized against the driver but it is. Documentation of this and move on. You are obviously tired enough to sound like a little btch. At the end of the day who is responsible if you get in an accident? You are.

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Seanw59@reddit

For those that are telling you to show the math, don’t bother. It just gives the dispatchers a way to poke holes in your reason. People need to learn that “no“ is a full sentence and if they don’t like that using safety or fatigue should end their conversation.

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aye_ehn_jayy@reddit

Man some of y'all really need to remove the boot from your throat and get up off your knees.

Companies "don't LET" you take a 34 when it's warranted??? Bitch I EARNED that day and a half off. Old Joe in dispatch doesn't dictate how many hours I run in a day, and he damn sure isn't going to force me to continue rolling if I'm burnt out after just having worked the last 7-8 days straight while he sat his ass at home for at least the full weekend.

"Learn how to work your logs" ...What's to learn? Some people want to continuously run recaps, and that's fine. Other people, like myself, prefer to run hard for a week straight and then chill for some much-needed rest. Neither is better or worse than the other, it's about personal preference. It should be left to the discretion of the driver, not the dispatcher who goes home daily and gets every weekend off without question.

As someone who stays out 6ish weeks at a time, majority of the time I'm gonna take my full 34. I try to let dispatch know days ahead when I'm due for a reset soon, before they start preplanning me. I'll run recaps for certain situations or extenuating circumstances, but it's a very occasional thing, and never forced or coerced by dispatch.

Drivers are not robots (yet). We are still human, and resets are just as much about resetting the driver as they are resetting clocks. It doesn't make someone "lazy" if they are so low on hours that they need a reset. They EARNED that 34 by literally NOT being lazy.

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DaSaw@reddit

I never refuse a load. Instead, I just show them the math, and inform them when I can legally get there. If they try to make me run anyway, I go ahead, and with everything documented they can't complain when I end up exactly on the schedule I told them I would be on.

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CrashingTiger@reddit

Man, thanks for reminding again why i never did otr.

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ElectronicGarden5536@reddit

These are cheap freight/shit company games.

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rroarrin@reddit

You are the problem.

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thebugman40@reddit

after the second time you should have picked up the load. then tell them in the morning you are too tired to drive and can't deliver.

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Take_the_Bridge@reddit

I probably would have gone and done the load in the hopes that it would improve my relationship with the dispatcher. I’d tell them I was attempting to complete the 34 and politely request that they hook me up in the future if possible. Then I’d probably roll.

On one hand they might blow smoke and continue being impossible, then id or ably be looking at my options and considering moving on.

On the other, I might have inconvenienced myself and earned less this paycheck, but it might pay off in the future. I’d take this risk anyway.

-I wen from otr to local city driver with a raise in 2 years at Averitt express by just doing everything I could to make my dispatchers life easier. Can’t say it will work for everyone, just that it worked for me (and my dispatcher was awesome) so. Lots of variables .

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username_fantasies@reddit

Good job standing your ground

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pinquist1229@reddit

Sheez I pull a tanker ive been running recaps for 3 weeks I hate restarts cost me money to sit for a day and a half I get between 9 or 10 hrs back every night but eventually I will g r t one creepy 2 hr day lol

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BB5er@reddit

Pretty sure your next load will be Hunts Point, The Bronx, or some other fine establishment of the likes.

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negaziranavoda@reddit

You are just being lazy...

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Frenchie1001@reddit

How are you crying a bit making money while refusing work lol

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SadPhDStudent17@reddit

The average trucker lives 15 years less than the average non trucker... these comments are evidence as to why

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Round-Guarantee4948@reddit

Tell your dispatch to go blow it out of their damn asses

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Wide-Engineering-396@reddit

R U A Pussy? Run the load , you don't need 34 off

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Emotional-Salad-5092@reddit

My HS record almost disqualified me from holding a top secret clearance

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bones_1775@reddit

Use the words "I am tired, I don't feel safe taking a load without a 34 hour reset." Once you bring up safety you are covered. If they retaliate against you it becomes a legal matter.

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Ok_Bug_6470@reddit

That’s how it works man, move on if ya want. M-f gigs don’t usually have this problem but it’s the industry.

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SHOwSHOrTAge@reddit

But you don't have to let it be that way. The HOS exist to protect us drivers from shitty whip-cracking dispatchers like in OP's issue. If you're fine running on recap, you're welcome to do so, but I won't do that. Nearly every other job in the world gets at least one day off a week, why shouldn't we?

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TapWaterKY@reddit

Lol, “shitty, whip-cracking dispatchers” asking drivers to pick up a load on a Monday morning/afternoon within their legally allotted HOS. Oh my, the horror.

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SHOwSHOrTAge@reddit

Monday to the dispatcher, sure. This is OP's Sunday. When you have an 8 say workweek, whereas most other jobs have a 5 day workweek, it happens. Do you like being called in on your day off? If OP worked in an office or a restaurant, should they be expected to drop everything on their one day off to come in and work? It'll make a bigger paycheck, sure, but what if Op happens to have a social life? A hobby? Laundry that they haven't done in a month (which reminds me, I should do my laundry today lmao)? Or, if OP's anything like me, they're experiencing burnout after working for a week straight? Don't ignore your sanity and peace of mind in exchange for shitty hours and small trips. It's a time sensitive load, sure, but that's the company's problem, not OP's.

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TapWaterKY@reddit

“What ifs” that don’t apply to OTR trucking are irrelevant. None of the very obvious downsides of it were a mystery before signing up for it. If OP is only recapping 8 hours a day for the next 2 days, then OP was only on duty for 8 hours on those 2 days just a week ago. And had a day off before those 2 days evidently, as they didn’t recap any hours today. That’s not exactly slaving away, by any means, within the OTR trucking industry.

OTR is not a fixed schedule or scheduled a week out like an office or restaurant, so that doesn’t apply. Dispatch is typically done the day of or only a couple days out and it is commonly known that ‘work availability’ is determined by legally allotted HOS.

There are tons of home weekend and home daily jobs that I would be pursuing instead if I was frequently burnt out and needing a day off every single week. Most of them actually pay the same or more than lots of OTR jobs. Or I’d make finding an OTR job that is not forced-dispatch a priority. Much easier on everyone to just find a job that’s a good fit than to be at odds with dispatch because your personal interests don’t fit a job requirement. Obviously new drivers are kinda screwed while getting experience with mega carriers, but that is why the near universal advice is ‘tough out your first 6 months to a year and move on’.

Dispatchers aren’t some evil force looking to ruin a driver’s day. They’re simply trying to fulfill customer needs so that a for-profit company can remain profitable and everyone can continue to have their jobs. If dispatch could, they’d dispatch everyone on 2500 mile loads that deliver whenever someone wants to. Losing freight because it doesn’t align with every driver’s desires is a much worse option for everyone involved.

Not all of us are trying to be company shills or bootlickers — some of us genuinely enjoy running OTR and running as much as our HOS will legally allow us to. Even the great union jobs like ABF and UPS require doing things that drivers don’t want to for a while before reaping the gravy runs due to seniority.

Absolutely not shaming you for wanting a day off every week and I’m glad you found a job that allows it. But as someone that prefers to run whenever my HOS allows and select my jobs on that basis, I’d be aggravated if I had a fresh 70 on a Monday and had to cover some short run because someone didn’t feel like driving on a Monday afternoon when they legally could and were the best fit for the run.

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SHOwSHOrTAge@reddit

Slaving away is not a flex, no matter how much you romanticize it. Prioritize yourself, because your company won't.

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TapWaterKY@reddit

That’s it, for sure. Doing a job I enjoy and maximizing earnings in the process is much closer to romanticizing slaving away than someone doing the job that frequently burns them out and reclaiming their freedom with 34 hour breaks in a piss covered parking lot.

To each their own. Stay safe, driver

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KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit

OPs dispatch asked for something that specifically fell within the HOS.

The rules have no garuntees for a reset. Not to mention, a day off doesn't even actually garuntee a reset either.

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

Unless they were trying to push a 700+ mile load on the guy I really dont see what the problem is. 10 hours to use in a little over a day is money left on the table because I guarantee you when hes done with the reset he is going to get 200 mile days for the next few months until he quits.

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Waisted-Desert@reddit

Exactly. If OP is getting back 8 hours tomorrow, that means he ran 8 hours 8 days ago. So how is he "not making any money" by working the same hours per day he worked last week?

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SHOwSHOrTAge@reddit

A day off for me usually ends up with a reset due to how early I shut down before my day off. Technically, it's more like a day and a half off, which is nice.
But you're right, there's no guarantee of a day off. Trucking is one of the only jobs where expecting a day off is asking too much. Maybe that should change? If a driver accepts short 6-8 hour loads every day, they can keep driving forever without a day off. That shouldn't be acceptable. Other than nurses (which also shouldn't be as overworked as they are), I can't think of a single job that doesn't guarantee you a day off like that.

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KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit

A day off and it's value is mmassively different in different industries.

The idea that a day off in bumfuck Oklahoma because that's where your hours ran out is anywhere as good as a day off of your bullshit 9-5 middle manager babysitting job is laughable.

Running recaps for a couple weeks then taking 2-3 days off where you actually want to be is infinitely better.

Not to mention how light of a week OP had to have leading up to this whole deal for it to be feasible.

I get wanting a day off, but over something like this? Nah, because this is the sort of gravy shit you can then use as leverage for a return favor next time you want a little extra time off, or just want to head home a little earlier than normal.

Unlike most jobs, trucking is hugely about looking forward at your own work and like any job has a politics side to it. Its a bonus that the politics of the job are fairly rudimentary for most jobs in the industry.

He could have asked for quite a few things in trade for doing the load, and he would have either gotten what he wanted, or they would have just decided to find another solution if he was asking for more than it was worth to them. He would have won either way with that method, whereas with his chosen path, he just lost, by how much is yet to be determined.

Even playing a bullshit safety/fatigue card would have been dumb, but at least he wasn't dumb enough to play it when it didn't apply.

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Ok_Bug_6470@reddit

Bc your competition will run all 70.

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Immediate_Regular@reddit

It's only this way because drivers shrug their shoulders and carry on.

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Ok_Bug_6470@reddit

No, actually it’s an untapped money making resource for the company/

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Waisted-Desert@reddit

They will list you as not eligible for rehire. To some employers that makes a difference.

And if you have hours to run, I don't understand why you'd want to sit and not make money. But that's just me.

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AcanthocephalaNew791@reddit

You are tired and unsafe driving. Nothing more to say.

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sfx099@reddit

A lot of times after you put your foot down they won't try that bullshit again. As long as you're running your 70 fuck them... You need time for you too, not just for the company.

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MssMoodi@reddit

All they did was take that load and tell him oh yeah we can get it there we can get it there but they never ever ever checked with the driver first

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MssMoodi@reddit

The words it's not safe for me to drive.

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nicerakk@reddit

"Time sensitive" 😂 If the customer is wanting it off their dock immediately it's probably because someone already fucked up and dispatch is trying to cover their ass. 2 hrs to pickup then shutdown for a 10. Freight ain't getting to destination any quicker.

I would have told dispatch "It sounds like YOU have a problem"

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COATHANGER_ABORTIONS@reddit

Brother, I'm gonna say that you're the captain of the ship, and if you feel fatigued, then that's what you relay to them. Don't let them guilt you if you legitimately don't feel up to drive, but if the real reason is you just want a day off, then I get that.

I hate running recaps too, but sometimes you gotta suck it up. I hate to sound like a company shill but I explain things to mine, and if they really need it then yeah, I'll help them out. They also do right by me when I have to ask for things.

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atticthump@reddit

Agreed that's what I would do too, if only because life is generally way easier when your dispatch likes you.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

I totally get that. the last sentence is where I'm at. yeah they did really need it, but when I really need something I only get half hearted attempts, 'they tried, there is no one else.' I need a 34, I'm taking a 34, fuck them for not respecting my needs. it's never enough.

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JOliverScott@reddit

Yeah, when it's not reciprocal and the driver is always the one making the sacrifice, that's the epitome of a toxic relationship.

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FWD_to_twin_turbo@reddit

The guys saying "oh but you can roll everyday and make money, ya done goofed" are the idiots trucking for .65 cents a mile. You don't want to be like them in the long run, you want to be a M-F trucker with time to actually live.

My advice, find another job.

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nine4dnine@reddit

I've never worked otr for a company that wants/allows me to take 34s.

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Bamfurlough@reddit

I probably would have run the load. Unless I was like absolutely destroyed exhausted and it was a safety issue or something I generally try and help out dispatchers.

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GreyGhost878@reddit

Obviously resetting is the better way, for both you and the company. But sometimes there IS a hot load and you're the only driver in a position to do it. It's part of driving for a company and not for yourself. Suck it up and do it. If they make a habit of it, look for a different company. If it's a one-off don't worry about it.

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Fluffy-Dig-2094@reddit

If you hired on as a company driver and have hour left to driver you have a say so but very little if you just want a reset. There are companies out here that will fire you on the road, shut your truck off and tell you to find your way home. If you aren't financially prepared for that situation I would tread lightly.

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One-Hold1340@reddit

I’m down voting this just because there’s nothing really unusual/illegal happening here. Some truckers like running nonstop on recaps. They got it down to a T. It’s not for everyone maybe you should find a company that fits your situation/schedule better. I honestly give props to the company to keep you moving instead of being parked. They must have someone really top notch to keep you rolling without going in the red.

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dank_memes_911@reddit

When I’m in the road I’m going to run as hard as the loads allow so I don’t leave any money on the table. Being away from home sucks, being away from home and not making any money sucks more.

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GordTransport1958@reddit

What's the big deal?? I run on recap..I know a lotta drivers that do it.

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CrispyLuggage@reddit

I get it, it sucks. Do tons of favours for them, but the 1 time you say no, you're on the naughty list. When that happened to me when I was otr I was on the shit list until that dispatcher moved on. Not a fun 3 years.

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Joshua2019@reddit

Your just ruining your reputation with them so they'll always give the better loads to another driver. The harder you work the easier this job is.

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Gonzotrucker1@reddit

Just tell them you’re sick and not feeling well.

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ImpossibleLack2322@reddit

Going the sick route can backfire if they start asking for documentation or put you out of service. Plus now you've got a paper trail saying you were too sick to drive but magically feel better tomorrow.

Your 34 hour reset is your right, period. Let them write whatever they want in that diary - safety regulations trump their urgent freight every time.

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Gonzotrucker1@reddit

My doctor gives me a sick note with a call.

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StalinPaidtheClouds@reddit

Right??? It's EASY these days to get a doctor's note and appointment, takes an hour, tops. Y'all forget about virtual appointments, too. Don't even need to leave the sleeper if you pay for it.

I go to a local 100% free clinic for all my non-emergency needs like a note for getting out of work or something serious, but I know OTR doesn't have that luxury, still there are options!! Y'all are truckers, gotta be resourceful to succeed where others fail, mostly from lack of trying and lack of braincells lol

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Agreeable_Employee20@reddit

They are asking to still operate in the allowed hos. A 34 is not a right nor a requirment.
Suck it up, welcome to trucking!

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

yeah I get that, I said no when I could have said yes. I'm just curious if it matters in the big picture, or just annoys my current company.

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acs0311@reddit

In the big picture, not really, unless your company uses DAC and says you refused loads with no explanation. Then it’s a big picture problem. Otherwise you just pissed off the people that can make you or break you with what loads they give you or don’t give you.

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yeah-no-yeah-no@reddit

What’s DAC and are you saying if that is the case (a company uses DAC), that gets reported or can be seen/accessed by other companies when they are going thru the hitting process with you? Very curious about this, as I’m still a rookie, appreciate any details more you can share.

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acs0311@reddit

A DAC report is Drive - A - Check report. Trucking companies subscribe to it. It’s a shared database where companies can report on drivers records so other companies can see before they hire you. DAC has been used as a retaliatory tool against drivers when they try to leave for not playing ball or pushing back. A lot of companies have been caught putting wrong information on their and/or out right lying about a drivers record with them. When you apply to a trucking company and you sign permission for a background check run through Hire Right a DAC report is one of the checks included.

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Agreeable_Employee20@reddit

After your first year, if you are at a company that uses DAC, go find one that doesnt. Its nothing more than a tool that megas use to keep new drivers scared that your career can be ended with one just one entry. There are far more companies that DONT use DAC than do and even the ones that do look at it know its abused by carriers.

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OneMulatto@reddit

Yeah. It's not mentioned enough. That side of the trucking industry where you ride the fine line between legal and not really wanting to do it just because you can say it's against dot or whatever. They really don't care. But like other's said, be careful.

You don't wanna be the guy refusing everything because of dot. It'll come back to bite you. These dispatchers can make your day or give you a hell of a day just because you did say no.

Like my company asked me to pull a trailer about 45 mins back here that had expired tags. Legally, it's against DOT but, it's country roads and it's one of those "know when to talk and when to shut up moments“.

Guy in front of me told dispatcher no. I saw him 5 weeks later and he looked dead. I went ahead and pulled it. He said it's driver's like me who allow the industry to continue to walk all over us.

It's like these guys that stand outside of warehouses picketing for better union rights or pay. They get mad at me because I'm still clocking into the factory. Like I don't have each of my bills paid 6 months in advance and have 80k in my savings. I have to work or I'll be poor. Sorry buddy. You gonna pay my bills if I don't clock in for the next 3 weeks? You got me bro?

I'll take this trailer with the expired tags over that.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

I get it 100%.

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Agreeable_Employee20@reddit

Its goung to annoy you more when you get shitty loads and your home time gets shorted or missed. Its a game you have to play or you will be played right out of it.

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homucifer666@reddit

It doesn't matter if you mean to switch companies, but you're likely going to be put on your current company's shit list. Expect to get the worst loads for the foreseeable future until they think you've done your penance.

Up to you if you'd rather just jump ship.

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yeah-no-yeah-no@reddit

It’s not optional. If you’re too fatigued after a 70-hour week, you’re required to take a 34 reset.

And honestly, the macho “just push through it” mindset needs to go. That mentality is outdated and unsafe—for you and everyone else on the road

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KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit

That's not at all how the HOS works.

At best OP has worked most of the last week at a balmy 8 to 9 hour work day length, and finished up with a slightly longer 10 hour day.

Based on the recaps and what he's got left. The long day may have even been earlier this week, but most of his days would have to have been under 10 hours for the math to work out, unless they had a day off in there.

They're ask is pretty damn small in light of that, and fighting them this hard on it is likely to make the job he's got a worse eexperience for him in the short term, as he's going to earn an unreliable brand within the company. Not too much of a big deal if it's one of the corporates, but if he's at a mid-size or small place that's desirable for where he lives, or wants to be, doing stuff like this, especially since no one asked him to break any laws, isn't a great move.

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Agreeable_Employee20@reddit

They never said they were fatigued and you are not required to take 34.

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NFLTG_71@reddit

Hell, I work for a company if they send you a pre-plan and you don’t answer it they automatically take it off you after an hour. I don’t know how many times I’ve yelled at my Dispatcher. Excuse me my asset manager, that hey I am driving. I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet if I don’t wanna take it I just don’t say anything and they automatically take me off.

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Charlie_Hustler@reddit

Food poisoning comes and goes. Usually will be throwing up and sick one night but will feel better and good enough to drive the next day.

This is always my excuse for whenever I can't come into work. Easy to fake and hard for them to prove

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KillerCookie23@reddit

If you're s company driver, running recaps as OTR is part of the job. I have a dispatcher that hates recaps and he lets me have a 34 anytime. Previous company I worked for made me run recaps for like 2-3 weeks.

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Radiant_Swan187@reddit

Legit questions. Why would you rather just in a truck than make money? Would it fuck you in the end? Plenty of people run recaps. Also refusing to do your job without reason is a firable offense but wouldnt be an issue for your next one probably

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raddrobb67@reddit

The fmcsa states you can legally decline loads if you need to take a 34hr reset and it's illegal for companies to fault you for doing so.

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Matlovestruck@reddit

You did the right thing. The "diary" threat is dispatch trying to scare you into compliance. Nobody outside that company is ever going to see it or care about it. What they will see is your ELD logs if you get pulled into a DOT inspection running on 2 hours with a recap. That's a violation on YOUR record, not dispatch's. They won't be the ones paying the fine or sitting through a CSA audit. Take your 34 and don't think twice about it.

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18-Spinning-Wheels@reddit

Many companies will try to coerce you into runs like that. It's you're call on what to do. Some of the Megan's will use it against you for sure. Sometimes even smaller companies pull this same game too.

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LASTOBS@reddit

Why do you need to take a 34 if you have hours to run?

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

because today I've only got 2 hours, so why bother. tomorrow and the day after, I only get 8 hours back per day. if I reset, I've got 7 more days of 14 hours and then I go home.

I intentionally schedule my time for 7 days work, take 34, 7 days work, go home.

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Jesse182g@reddit

If your cpm and they want you to run low mile loads ask for a bonus or refuse.

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JOliverScott@reddit

Lack of planning on their part does not constitute a crisis on your part. If they want to call hours of service 'refuaing a load' just make sure you document it so they don't try to sabotage your chances of changing jobs - which sounds like it'll become more likely if things continue going in this manner. They'll start giving you shit loads and making your life miserable to try to force you to quit.

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KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit

They didn't ask him to violate any HOS.

He just didn't want to partake in the help us out and call in his chip later game plan this stuff pretty generally falls under.

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Wasabi-Kungpow@reddit

If 8 hours for 3 days on recaps that's good recaps. 8:45 total working time X 8 days is your 70h clock. Gives you 8 hours to drive 5 pre trip, 10 post trip, 5 fuel, and 10 for check in/out shippers.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

I'm required 15 pre trip. 5 minutes fuel stop is ridiculous, everybody taking 30 at fuel island these days. can't run my full time and just assume I'll have a place to park immediately when my clock runs out. come on.

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Wasabi-Kungpow@reddit

Idk what your saying. You ran 8 hours 8 days ago but cant do it again? Who dafuq is on the clock for 30 minutes at a fuel island? You go on duty 5 minutes to fuel then back off. Why would anyone waste their time doing everything but driving then bitch and complain they make no money and have no hours.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

yeah my bad, only 5 mins actually on duty at fuel stop makes sense. but still I'm not running recaps. if your company is efficient scheduling recaps, great. mine isn't.

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Wasabi-Kungpow@reddit

If your company is good with maxing the 70 clock every 8 days then doing resets work but if you arent doing this consistently recaps will give you more miles. My dispatcher is good with keeping me rolling at 8 to 9 hours a day so recaps work well.

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probablydeadsooon@reddit

Every load is a time sensitive load. There is always another driver.

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TapWaterKY@reddit

“There’s always another driver” comes to mind when a flexible, helpful driver and a stubborn driver are the two options for a gravy load later on down the line as well

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probablydeadsooon@reddit

That's why I self dispatch.

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Keepup863@reddit

Just turn ur stuff on mute

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SexyWampa@reddit

You're choosing to make no money sitting for 34 hours over making money for 8 hours a day on recaps? If the wheels ain't turning, you ain't earning. Keep running until you've got no time left and HAVE to do a 34. You can easily make a few hundred miles in 8 hours. I'd rather get paid than sit at some shitty truck stop for a day and a half.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

sounds great, but I've been here before. they go overboard trying to give short loads when you're short on time. 200 miles a day for the next 3 days, versus 500 miles a day when I have full hours. it benefits me to take one day off.

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CleanSeaPancake@reddit

It doesn't matter I saw elsewhere that you're a newer driver, that record won't even exist once you get your experience in and find a better job anyway lol

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

I run recaps for weeks at a time and am constantly fed a stream of loads 500-600 miles. 8-9 hours per day is plenty of time to keep rolling and make some money.

How long of a load were they telling you to go get?

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drpuck2@reddit

People can only do to you what you allow them to do to you. 2 hours today is not worth my time. If they become petty about it, time to change. Respect goes both ways.

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Huzul34@reddit

Tell them to kick rocks or
Give you
More
Hours lol

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tvieno@reddit

I dunno. This is not a hill I would die on. I've run recaps for many years before the 34 hr reset, yeah there are some days you got 5 hours to run, then the next thing you know, you pick up the hours to go full bore. But that's just me.

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zdw0986@reddit

“Sounds like a you problem not a me problem. See ya in 34”

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

basically that's what I said. only it didn't end as soon as you'd think. at least 5 times I said no, followed by 'I understand you want to take a 34, but we need you to go pickup this load.' I tried so hard to be professional, at the end I said 'No. I've already said no.' followed by 30 seconds of silence. and then some BS about how I'm refusing a load and this will go on my record.

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JMPhotographik@reddit

On top of what everyone else has said in the comments, it can't be a time-sensitive load if you only have 8 hours a day to run it.

OTOH you generally make about the same money on recaps as you would by not driving for 34+ hours, so try not to let the money factor into whether or not you want to drive. Short recaps suck for your sleep schedule, though, so you 100% DO have a valid reason for not wanting to run it.

I assume you're still in your first year of driving. It's going to suck for a while, but your next job should be a lot better. Try to get out of that company as soon as your year is up.

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TapWaterKY@reddit

Being hard headed on a Monday morning when asked to help out on a time sensitive load probably won’t do you any favors in the future with this company.

Trucking sucks sometimes, but that’s not exactly a mystery lol.

Props to you for standing up for yourself, but sometimes taking a little hit on pay for a day to help out will earn you brownie points and better pay overall in the future.

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

damn that makes perfect sense. give and take is the right way to think about it. I'll definitely remember that going forward.

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TapWaterKY@reddit

Didn’t mean to come off as a dick, so hopefully you didn’t take it that way as well. There’s a very real possibility this company is treating you like a slave and you’re well within your right to stand up for yourself. But, if this is a rare occasion thing, it’s sometimes better off in the long run to just help out in these situations.

If you want a little tip for the future, if you’re down to only a few hours on your 70 and really want to eliminate any chance of getting dispatched, go back a few days in your logs and edit them a little. Can’t go too overboard, but can knock an hour or two of availability off your 70 pretty easily.

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SHOwSHOrTAge@reddit

Next time they pull that shit, teunsafe, (in writing) you feel unsafe picking up that load as you're fatigued after driving 8 days straight. If they double down and make you do it after you told them you feel it's unsafe, sue them and go on vacation with your $10,000+ settlement

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gefrankl@reddit (OP)

I should have played the safety card. I guess I just expected basic respect when I say I need a reset.

Lesson learned.

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SHOwSHOrTAge@reddit

Their job is to make you as efficient as possible. If you CAN work, they want you to work, that's how they get their bonuses. They should have given you basic respect, yes, but don't be afraid to play your strongest card to shut down an argument about if you can drive.

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That “diary” is just internal notes. It might affect how dispatch views you, but it doesn’t change the legality of what you can run.

Better to take the heat from dispatch than create a bigger problem on the road.

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anxious_polarbear@reddit

Sounds like they're forcing you to look for a new job.