March 2008 – Trucker Calls for Strike in California

I ask all truckers: Do you want to make an impact? We should strike against California. We are wet, cold and miserable due to new anti-idling laws that contain no sleeper berth exemption. The dog is freezing now and, come summer, will “cook” if I have to return to California.

I propose we refuse to enter the state with the highest fuel prices. We saw prices of $3.75 per gallon. When you only make 92 cents per mile and a fuel surcharge, you are working for welfare wages.

How would California’s lawmakers like to be forced to experience the living conditions they are imposing upon us? How many of them sleep 10 hours straight, without heat or air conditioning?

We need to boycott this state and any others that impose such harsh conditions upon us.

These are but some of the reasons the trucking industry is in such bad shape. Every day thousands of owner-operators go out of business. The time to say “enough” is now.

Sherryl Anctil – Tucson, Ariz
http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=67406

I couldn’t agree more. For the first time ever, a couple weeks ago, we decided to start refusing loads to California. It really was/is that simple. Most of the loads don’t pay enough to go out there any way, so what’s the point? Unfortunately that 1 load that we refused won’t make much difference, but if we ALL refused to go to CA…we might have a chance.

The author of this editorial didn’t even go into the possibility of receiving an automatic fine for not having a STICKER on your engine. I say “automatic” because it’s non-negotiable. If you’re given the ticket don’t think you have a chance at fighting it. The law says you’re supposed to have it. The law also says that it’s at the official’s discretion. Nice. Don’t piss the CHP off or you’ll get a ticket that you can’t fight. Sound unconstitutional? You betcha.

March 2008 – Higher Education

For the most part, Linda is right on in her view of the lack of “driving experience” most new grads have and the safety concerns the problem presents. But after making me think twice that she might actually have a clue, she ends her column with this:

“Will all this lead olders drivers to stop complaining about the younger generation? Not likely. But at least maybe they’ll gripe about something other than “He doesn’t have a clue how to drive…”

The nerve of this woman. Drivers may complain…heck, they DO complain, a LOT! But…sit down and listen to ANY of them, write down what they’re complaining about, and then after the “heat of the moment” has subsided, re-read what the initial complaint was about. I’ll bet you everything I own (ok, that isn’t much – let’s make it $20) that their complaint is indeed legitimate. These are the guys that are out there 24 HOURS A DAY folks. They LIVE, EAT, and BREATHE trucking – I would consider any complaint as an expert’s viewpoint. I definitely would not consider it “griping.”

I read her viewpoint…there’s mine.