Question:
Well, I know the answer to this question but would like to get some input from other drivers: I've been driving now for about 9 months, so I'm not exactly sure what's "normal". Seems like a week doesen't go by that the dispatchers at my company don't expect me to continue to run even when I'm out of hours. For example, had a delivery that I picked up at the terminal that had been sitting for about a day, so it was going to be touch and go as to whether I could get it there on time. I got 80 miles from the delivery and ran out of hours, then called dispatch and told them I was out of hours. He says, "your only 80 miles from the delivery, you can get it in there! Just go on and then you can get some rest!". Since I'm new, not really sure what "normal" is, then I said, "OK, I'll do it." Of course I know what I should have done, said, sorry, but I will not run illegal. Guess I just haven't learned how to stand up to a pushy dispatcher. Then there's the dispatcher that says...it's a HOT load, it's GOTTA BE THERE IN THE MORNING. Guess I should refuse something like that, too, when I know it's gong to go over my available hours. I know what were SUPPOSED to do. Say No sir, I will not run illegal. But in real life, I suppose this goes on all the time...I'd appreciate some thoughts on the matter. Thanks!

Answer:
How much extra pay did they offer you, for exposing yourself to such risks? How did you feel, taking the risks? What will you say next time? Who is responsible for your log?Government Ain't YO' Friend. Nor your Servant.
A Tax Reduces Incentive & Capacity. A Regulation is also a TAX.


Answer:

It does go on all the time. I'll admit to doing it at times.
The one thing I've learned is,if you do it,it becomes expected
all of the time by management at most carriers.
There is never a worthwhile 'pay off' being a 'company' man
when something goes wrong.,you're left holding the bag
of regrets.
Answer:
How do I feel after doing something like this? Feel like a fool, really. Got dispatch off my butt for a little while. I'm just trying to work up the nerve to tell them from now on that I will not run illegal. Who's going to pay the ticket? Not only that, but Safety at my company is on a campaign to get logbook violations down. Will I be a Serpico? If I go tell Safety...."ahem, your problem is with your dispatchers". Seems like there's not enough hours in the day to get done what they want done in one day. Guess you already know that. Thanks for the input!

Answer:

You need to find another company, before the current one wrecks your DAC if you begin refusing loads that you can't deliver on time, or before you wreck your own MVR with DOT violations... or worse.
And start communicating on the Qualcomm, not the phone... you'll find that they'll be amazingly less willing to incriminate themselves.

Answer:
Yes, I've heard that. Use the Qualcom. CYA. Cover Your A.. I'll start doing that from now on. Put it on record then see what happens. Thanks.

Answer:
send a message to dispatch that you will ok it with the safety department
if it's a company of any size,dispatch will most likely quickly say never mind,they will make different arrangements
Answer:
Check out the regs on this site: http://ooida.com/Run_Legal/protection.html
This will give ya some ammo to use in case you may need it??
I hope you don't have to use it.. Why would anyone need to work harder than the law allows? If your not making enough $ running legal then you realy need to find a different job or company to work for..
Who is going to pay the fine?
Or that chance for your "dream job" arrives. (Maybe you want to be one of those NASCAR race drivers, or drive a big truck or bus for your favorite band, or sports team..or haul govt. secret security clearance loads, explosivs, oversize, ect..) and your driving record is all messed up from running illegal.. Was it worth it?
Answer:
Who's the company you pull for? BOL

Answer:
Thanks for the replys...Gonzo, for some reason that link is coming up "cannot be found" so didn't have a chance to look at it, but thanks anyway.
As I stated, I've only been driving big trucks now for around 9 months. Up until now I've been concentrating on learning to drive and back, other aspects of the job being secondary. So now that I'm getting a little confidence and experience I can work on other aspects of the profession. Being new, I don't know what's normal, what's expected, what goes on day to day in the "real world". I'm starting to get it: You can't let dispatch push you around. All you can do is your best and when you run out of hours, then you shut down. Haven't done this yet, but when I go back in from home time in a couple of days I'm going to go talk to safety about the situations that have cropped up. Not going to name names, just a general discussion. Every once in a while, dispatch wants me to ignore the HOS rules.
Don't want to say who I work for. A vast majority of the drivers like the company and I've heard very little bad remarks. Just this one little problem I'm having. Maybe since they know I'm new they think they can pull this over on me. They're not going pay my fine or clean up my record.
Thanks for your help!

Answer:
Hey Dave, you need to stand your ground and say no. If you are running without hours and are involved in an accident you are toast. Even if it is not your fault you are going to get in alot of trouble. God help you if someone is killed. If the company you drive for won't let you run legal go somewhere else. Things have changed and the tolerance for outlaw trucking is alot less now than it used to be. I hear guys on the radio bragging about how they ran 900 or 1000 miles that day. Well, it is only a matter of time before they get burned real bad. There are companies out here that run compliant. Just do your homework. I personally drive for one of them, and yes, I have told them I could not do a load. They know where I stand on running legal. Take care

Answer:
Not all that uncommon unfortunately. I was in a situation where the drivers with regular runs would call it a day while the "extras" would get pushed to run over hours. No small company mind you but I wonder, would anything have been done had I went up the chain of command? To me maybe.
Keep in mind that what you file away in that log may come back to haunt you to the tune of a hefty fine and or jail time.

Answer:
That is the number ine absolute must. When doing so write the date, time and message number down for future reference.
Also one of the best bits of advice. I have simply called the safety dept. when in doubt and when I was new.
The very lasty and best advice of all is to find another company to drive for. This one is going to ruin you and so far you hjave let them. By doing so you have made it even harder for yourself the next time. Dis patchers like yours remember a couple things about drivers. Those who get it done and those they can sucker. They will use you more and more. Give them notice and follow their instructions and then quit. That crap happens alot but not with all companies.

Answer:
Thanks for the great advice, everyone. I thought as much but just wanted to hear it from some other drivers. I'll be going back out in a day or two, so like I said, I'll go have a little talk with the safety department. The next time I'm asked to run without hours, then I'll follow the advice given here. If things don't change for me then I have no problem looking for another company. Thanks again.