Electronic logging and the "freedom" of driving.

Long ago a job driving a truck meant Independence. It meant no boss looking over your shoulder. Just the driver and the open road. Those days are gone. I have a computer screen that tells me very loudly how much driving time I have left for the day and A GPS tracks my every movement. So short of a webcam hooked up to watch me drive my boss is not only over my shoulder but in my truck.

My first week of electronic logging has been ok under the circumstances. It's nice knowing that if I get DOTed or hit by some moron that I do not have to worry about my log book. At the end of the day I just change status and not have to do anything like math or figuring out when my logbook will catch up to me. Another worry is not having enough time to find parking etc. but we have a "line 5" option that allows us to move the truck if needed without ruining our duty status. I got to use that function in Pendergrass, GA when I needed to get to the truckstop from the customer.

Bad parts: Gone are the 714 mile days. With a 65 mph truck I could log 11 hrs driving X 65 and be legal. Of course one cannot average 65 in a governed truck all day. I think the most recorded was 680 something. if I hit a traffic snafu or the customer takes their sweet time I am screwed.
Good parts: Most DOT officers aren't fmiliar with this new system. I had heard one driver say that a DOT officer asked for his logbook and he handed him the computer keyboard. he just waved the driver on once he saw it. We get these stickers put on our hoods that say ELECTRONIC LOGGING and it's like a get out of jail for free card.
I still managed to get over 3500 miles last week so I am not complaining.........yet.

I get a nice weekend off for the 4th and I head back out Sunday am to a beautiful suburb of Chicago. Happy Independence day!!