Posted on 03/22/2020 8:31:56 PM PDT by Salvavida
Folks, in response to the well-written piece by John Nolte over at Breitbart commenting on the worthlessness of Hollywood elites verses the people who actually make this country move: TRUCKERS and STOCKERS. The former offers nothing of value other than mindless entertainment, the latter will in the coming months, subject themselves to the inherent risks of the virus so that this country continues to thrive.
Some facts you probably are unaware of:
Truckers have no champion. Business likes cheap freight. Consumers like cheap freight. Guess who gets the short end? Yep. It has been my experience that as soon as unionization is mentioned......you get canned. Immediately. The only company I know of that has unionized is YRC, and they are employee owned.
So be our champion. Write or call your Congresscritter. Pass this to your family and friends. Ask for some commonsense changes that are FEDERALLY REGULATED (yes, truckers are the most heavily regulated and least compensated job on planet earth--- and it isn't even particularly close).
1. END THE USE OF PRACTICAL MILES. Truckers should get the mileage they are driving, not post office to post office mileage that is absent of reality. We should get paid for what we drive.
2. A WEEKEND NEEDS TO BE DEFINED AS 48 HOURS INSTEAD OF 34. We already spend too much time away from home, more than the average military serviceman does. A 34 hour reset is the industry standard by federal regulation. Tell Congress to stop caving into the big trucking company lobbyists.
3. ALL TRUCKING COMPANIES NEED TO GIVE 2 WEEKS VACATION PER YEAR. This is for the health of the driver to relieve stress and to be with family. This isn't asking a lot. Truckers do NOT get all federal holidays and if you are lucky, you'll spend a few hours at home for Christmas.
4. DEMAND CONGRESS REVIEW REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES. That would require staffers meeting with truckers. Is is common sense that if it is needed to perform the job by federal regulation or industry safety standards, it should be provided by the company? Gloves? Hard hat? Reflective vests? CB radio? Astonishingly, it comes out of our pockets.
Do this, get the President's attention, and you will have done a massive favor for an industry you depend on.....and probably didn't know it.
That is all. And thanks. It would be swell if the conservatives stood up and spoke for the most screwed-over workforce in our society. Thanks to Whinecountry who inspired me to communicate this to the whole group.
Be happy. Truckers are in great demand. A huge chunk of the population will be unemployed in a few months.
This a good post. Truckers are on the front line as much as nurses and doctors are. We can do without actors and singers and social warriors. But we cannot do without nurse and doctors...and truckers.
I like it. Freepers who support truckers deserve a handle; let’s call them FRuckers.
I’d love to help you out, bro, but do you think Congress will actually come up with legislation that will improve your situation? Series question. Not trying to be a jerk. For once.
They can't keep people because truckers are screwed over by the industry and no one is championing them. Ever wonder why the demographics is changing to less experience foreign drivers rather than professional US drivers?
That's the reason. No one speaks for them and the big lobbyists are the ones who get Congress' attention.
Congress will not do anything if Americans don’t DEMAND.
I understand your frustrations. I just think Congress will make things worse. For drivers and consumers. Competition for excellent drivers is more likely to bring the changes that you’re seeking.
The biggest lie ever told by trucking firms is “Home weekends”
Ya, but they never say which weekend.
The dam dispatchers are the biggest liars ever in any industry.
Agreed !
Stockers have had hordes of zombies packing into the stores around them, saying, “only the flu” and breathing in their faces. Many of those zombies have been driving to five or ten stores looking for things to horde as a form of entertainment. Because of that, the disease might continue to spread fast.
People need to wake up. If what they need don’t move on a big truck then they won’t have it. 24/7 truckers are moving and it’s a damn good thing. Stay safe.
You want a Honduran, Russian, or a Pakistani driving 40 tons of fun at 70 MPH hour with his motivation solely being money and changing his station in life.....and caring for or looking out for your wife or daughter or you? Because that is what you are getting.
If you don't want to help us out, that's cool. I will still be on the road tomorrow bringing you your shit so that a stocker can put it on a shelf.
The truck driver shortage will be no more, and soon, if people stop buying things that are not essential: Furniture, a new tv, a new car, clothing/fashion slavery (including sporting goods), and housing construction will slow big time. Less fuel consumption=less tank drivers.
The shipping container industry is all about things coming and going by way of ships. Those dockworkers will feel it too.
I could go on, but that’s a good start.
Nah. The biggest lie is great pay and guaranteed miles. We are going to have to choose which battle to fight.
I’m for truckers getting all they can, within reason. But in case nobody’s noticed, a few trucking outfits are busting their buns to get rolling with autonomous self-driving trucks. Price yourself out of the market and you push even more companies to go driverless. Just thinking about repercussions.
Just an aside, everybody knows free advice is worth what you pay for it, but that step above slave wages thing rings hollow.
Maybe it will take a “Convoy”.
Trucking didn't price themselves out. They just didn't equip themselves to handle loads that are lesser in gross weight. Nature abhors a vacuum.
And don't get me started on hot shot drivers. The hot shots are truckers that still want to keep smoking marijuana. They have to abide by DOT regs....but they don't get tested.
Ten-four, good buddy.
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