Posted on 08/21/2005 8:15:45 PM PDT by Flavius
(PRWEB) - (PRWEB) August 21, 2005 -- "The safety of the nation"s logistics industry and the security of the entire country has been seriously compromised by our failure to provide finger print screening for all Commercial Driver (CDL) applicants," states Terry M. Evans, CEO of Fleet Defender Consulting Services, LLC, a private company providing anti-terrorism consulting to trucking companies. "Without question, terrorists, convicted felons and other undesirables are traveling the country, legally driving 80,000 lb. big rigs throughout every community in America. We have quite literally made our highways a welcome mat for terrorism." ADVERTISEMENT
Given that trucks are the number one tool used by terrorist worldwide, the prospect that anyone can gain access to a tractor trailer is particularly chilling. The government recently mandated finger printing only for the Haz-Mat endorsement. However, this represents an extremely small fraction of the CDL driver population and having the endorsement is voluntary.
Safety and security officers with trucking companies across the country have reported thousands of drivers opting out of the Haz-Mat endorsement when confronted with fingerprinting.
"You can bet there"s a reason these guys are avoiding fingerprinting," states Mr. Evans.
Thus far, the government"s only apparent response to the grave threat of terrorism using trucks has been to fund the multi-million dollar Highway Watch Program. The program presents a basic one hour awareness training session to truck drivers and other interested parties.
"While this awareness training is a welcomed service, would it not make more sense to first screen people before providing them with anti-terrorism awareness training?" asks CEO Evans. "Many of my fine and talented colleagues in the Highway Watch Program have expressed the same concerns."
"Finger printing all CDL drivers must be mandatory and must be done now without further delay," urges Mr. Evans. "Failure to take this basic security step is inexcusable and unacceptable."
Evans urges readers to forward this article to their elected representatives and demand immediate action.
"Americans often wonder how they can make a difference in the war on terrorism. Here is the opportunity to make a real difference," Mr. Evans says.
Readers wanting more information or to contribute or participate should visit the company website at www.fleetdefender.com .
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FLEET DEFENDER CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC Terry Evans 877-711-9079 E-mail Information
If the borders were secure this BS advertisement for treating every truck driver like a criminal wouldn't even be discussed.
Once again government moves in for the kill on the wrong target.
I'm a huge advocate for truckers getting nationwide CCW permits for this specific reason. I am scared to death that some jihadi is going to drive a fuel delivery truck into a schoolhouse.
Is it just me or does this sound like someone playing the "terrorist card" to fill his own wallet?
I imagine a lot of people droped their HazMat certification just out of indignation after driving gasoline all over the country for 20 years being told they have to get fingerprinted all of a sudden. (As if fingerprints are left at truckbomb sites).
Or, their explosive-ridden rigs. Knowing Al-Qaeda, they'd probably plan for a dozen of these to take place across the country at roughly the same time. That could be tragic.
What is the problem? don't hire any arabs. I wouldn't.
Hello.
What an odd title. Unless I'm seriously missing something, there is nothing in the article to back it up-- only moaning and groaning that commerical driver's license applicants aren't fingerprinted, and so on. Actually "article" is too kind a word for this-- it's more of an infomercial or something. Shame on AP.
I have a CDL license, I have had one for many years now.......
This article is absolutely bullshit.....
Fingerprinting CDL drivers? What a crock...
Why would anyone post such nonsense?
Lol
See the basic TSA program here; http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=4&content=0900051980028ee5
Welcome to Highway Watch®
http://www.highwaywatch.com/
Highway Watch® is the roadway sector's national safety and security program that utilizes the skills, experiences, and "road smarts" of America's transportation workers to help protect the nation's critical infrastructure and the transportation of goods, services, and people.
School Bus Anti-Terrorism Training Program Announced
Highway Watch® Tops 100,000 Mark
http://www.highwaywatch.com/
My sister had a run in when she moved across county with one of these companies. The movers were all Palestinians and looking at us like they wanted to slit our throats. There was a host of problems too, where they didnt deliver her stuff and then charged extra for holding it, and it was all banged up when she got it. Thats probably irrelevent but we were later contacted by the FBI to give descriptions of what they looked like, never told us why.
Funny thing, when she moved back the movers were all Israelis. Weird.
That's because it's not an article -- and it's not AP, it's PR-Web -- "Press Release Web". This is merely an unpaid advertisement for a company offering "consulting services". There's nothing in this blurb that even has to be true, as long as it's not overtly libelous.
I'm not passing an opinion on the content, that's up to you guys who are talking about it. I'm just saying as an aside, this isn't news. It's a commercial press release -- posting it as news isn't really, ummm, accurate...
Move along, nothing to see here...
"If the borders were secure this BS advertisement for treating every truck driver like a criminal wouldn't even be discussed."
Checking for criminal records and positive identification is a security measure, and fingerprinting is the best way to do the job. Fingerprinting should be a prerequisite for any job that requires an employee to operate something, such as an eighteen-wheel semi tractor trailer, that can be used as a weapon of mass destruction .. or like, say, a jet airliner?
LMAO.
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