>> Posted: 25 September 2008 by mary leigh at 11:13 AM
With the rising cost of living and the increased number of occupational options, workers in a number of professions and occupations are beginning to consider becoming small business owners, going back to school, or applying for new an different jobs. For many truckers who work as employees for trucking companies, the thought of becoming an owner-operator has most likely crossed their minds more than once. While doing something new and exciting is usually the first choice for many truckers, cost is always a consideration. For this reason, libraries and bookstores are stocked with self-help books that aim to show working people how they can become free on a certain budget.
For truckers that book is Cost Per Mile, Scott Elgin’s financial guidebook for truckers. Unlike other business owners, owner-operators might not know every detail of their own business—every cent that comes in and every sent that comes out. Part of this may be due to the nature of the work, since expenses on the road are difficult to keep track of. Other owner-operators might find the task of keeping good business records difficult because they used to work for a trucking company that audited all of their expenses for them. Whatever the reason, owner operators aren’t always keeping good business records, and it could very well be this fact, not the cost of fuel, that is causing so many to go out of business.
Elgin attempts to change this phenomenon with his book, which is geared toward explaining the cost for every mile of operating a big rig. In fact, Elgin never meant to publish the book. Instead, he gave it to the owner-operators in his fleet, hoping that some could use it to work more efficiently. It was only because of the truckers’ favorable response to the material, however, that he put the book into print. Now, it is one of the most widely read books in the trucking industry.
Recommended as a way for owner-operators to keep track of their expenses on the road, the book contains chapters on tire cost, fuel cost, maintenance cost, and insurance cost, just to name a few. While the book is chalk full of formulas and worksheets to help each trucker determine his or her cost of operation per mile, the book is written in a way that any trucker can understand—even if he or she does not have a degree in math.
Although the book is a useful resource for owner-operators, those who are considering buying a truck and trying out the life of the owner-operator should also give it a glance. Knowing the information in the book will allow truckers to decide if they can really afford owning their own truck. Even if reading the book convinces some that they can become owner-operators right away, by having knowledge of their cost per mile right away, truckers can have an advantage over other owner-operators that went into the endeavor blind.
Although no manual has been written to tell truckers how to make it rich in these costly times, Cost Per Mileis a great resource for truckers who want to know what they’re really making and operate a more organized business.
>> Posted: 04 September 2008 by mary leigh at 12:54 PM
With the cost of diesel on the rise, it seems like everybody’s talking about the transportation industry. Private companies discuss whether or not to charge flat fees for shipping items, and the government is imposing a variety of regulations and restrictions meant to ease the burden of the cost of oil. Regardless of its subject, truckers need to know the news that is relevant to their industry. To bring the news to the truckers, many publications have been launched, some with corresponding web sites. While most of these publications are great ways for truckers to find out important information about their profession, some are better than others.
For instance, Fleet Owner magazine is an excellent publication that contains all of the information that truckers need to know on a daily basis. From new products to public policy concerns, Fleet Owner covers every aspect of the trucking industry. Both online and in print, articles about new products and innovations allow truckers to learn about the industry’s most technologically advanced products and services. With a special section for management, the publication also lists articles for fleet managers, as well as those about new equipment and general trucking news. In the past, some of the subjects explored included biodiesel and private trucking company strategies.
In addition to Fleet Owner, truck stops, magazine stands, and the Internet feature many other publications who want to know the latest news about their industry. Overdrive magazine is another publication for truckers who need to know the most recent developments in the transportation world. Since 1961, the publication has been catering to those who live their lives on the road. In addition to news topics, this magazine offers articles for the trucker’s lifestyle. For example, the most recent issue discusses health care costs, an important issue for many truckers who struggle with little or no health insurance. In addition to print form, this magazine is also available online for those truckers who like to power up their computers during down time or those who would rather not pay for a subscription.
Truckers’ News is another publication that offers transportation professionals both lifestyle articles and important industry news. This magazine has been around for quite some time as well, since the 70s and also offers a digital version of each issue. The current issue contains a refreshing mix of articles, from trucker’s interest, an article on how to break in an engine, to lifestyle articles about making money as a trucker, to news and industry briefs.
While many magazines for truckers exist, these are some of the best that offer enough variety to keep truckers interested issue after issue. Whether you prefer to check out a copy from a local newsstand or to link to the news online, truckers can stay informed relatively easily through these magazines.
>> Posted: 03 June 2008 by george wilkins at 9:39 AM
Ridiculous Just Got Rediculouser – Connecticut to Increases Fuel Taxes on July 1
I know I probably just coined a new word, but “rediculouser” is the only way to describe the increased tax on gasoline and diesel fuel that is getting ready to be imposed on drivers in Connecticut on July 1. Seems the legislators being the forward looking thinkers that they are, tied the Connecticut state tax to the wholesale price of gasoline so that taxes would rise automatically as the cost of fuel increases. They created a law which can be effectively blamed on their predecessors. The result of their efforts will automatically increase the price of diesel fuel by 7.7 cents and the gasoline tax by three to four cents per gallon.
A recent news story in the Hartford Courant details the reasons for the increase with lawmakers making the usual hue and cry, but stating that “it's complicated.” It really isn't complicated at all – they could stop this increase from happening, but it sounds at least for now, that they will wait and see how much public indignation is aroused. After all Connecticut needs to maintain their standing as one of the highest cost of living states. Having grown up in Connecticut and also having quickly abandoned that state as soon as I could, I am always amazed at the high cost of living in that state. Wage earners almost always brag about their income when compared to the rest of the nation, but somehow fail to realize that the state quickly extracts higher than normal taxes and fees on almost every economic activity that occurs which negates any higher earnings. Oh well – for those that continue to reside in Connecticut, I wish them well. For those passing through – I recommend they fuel their vehicles before entering and get out of there as fast as possible.
The Courant quotes Michael J. Riley, president of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut. "It's way too much at this stage of the game — given the price of fuel." A quick check of their web site indicated that there was no information about the planned increase and one can only surmise that nothing more than pitiful complaints will emanate from that association. The American Trucking Association's news arm TT Online has a story, but no mention of any action that might be taken to object to the the planned increase. Wonder if the Owners- Operators United has anything planned?
>> Posted: 03 June 2008 by george wilkins at 7:36 AM
June 6th is the Anniversary of D-Day – June 14th is the Army's Birthday
The largest amphibious operation in the history of the world occurred on June 6, 1944 (D-Day) as the US and our allies stormed the beaches of Normandy in France to begin the liberation of Europe from the Nazi occupation. About 2,500 GI's died in the assault on the beaches and 2,600 paratroopers died inland. The majority of US deaths on the beaches were at Omaha beach. Paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne were dropped behind enemy lines and experienced a large number of deaths. By the end of the day on June 11th over 326,000 soldiers had been landed on the beaches of France. “Saving Private Ryan” is perhaps the best known theatrical account of what it was like on the beaches that day.
As our soldiers are now engaged in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan it is fitting to take a minute to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made by American soldiers over the years to protect the United States and freedom loving people around the world.
June 14th is the 233rd Birthday of the United States Army - If you are an Army vet – Happy Birthday – if you know an Army vet – a Happy Birthday might be in order. I'm sure they would be appreciative and surprised that someone might know of this date.
>> Posted: 02 June 2008 by george wilkins at 10:12 AM
That Truck You Just Passed Might Have a State Trooper on Board
The Kansas State Police is in their second year of driving in the cab of big rigs in an effort to promote highway safety. The program was started in 2007 and is called Trucks on Patrol for Safety (TOPS). The first iteration of the program ran from April to mid-May of this year and a second 7 week program is scheduled for later this summer. No specific dates have been provided for exactly when – but one should be just a bit more cautious when driving through Kansas this summer.
The first program this year seemed to indicate that big rig drivers are safer than the average automobile driver – duh! Automobile drivers were cited for 64 moving violations and 156 speeding tickets. Truck drivers received just five moving violations and no speeding tickets. Seems to me in addition to a safety thing – it just costs too much fuel to speed. The statistics on what happened are here.
I guess it's a good thing, but to think that my brothers behind the wheel might have a State Trooper on board is a bit troubling. Maybe it's just me – are there any other thoughts out there?
>> Posted: 27 May 2008 by george wilkins at 7:44 AM
CVSA Inspections to Start Saturday – Just Another Reminder
The time has arrived for the annual inspection process to begin. As reported earlier by TruckerToTrucker, starting Saturday, June 3, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspections will begin and continue for the next 72 hours.
“Roadcheck 2008” will be conducted at more than 1000 locations across North America to provide complete North American Standard Level I Inspections.
Having your truck ready can earn a CVSA decal if it passes inspection and no defects are found in the following critical vehicle inspection items: brake system; coupling devices; exhaust system; frame; fuel system; turn signals; brake lamps; tail lamps; head lamps; lamps on projecting loads; safe loading; steering mechanism; suspension; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels and rims; windshield wipers and emergency exits for buses.
Complete details about the process are available at the CVSA website.
Economic Conditions - Used Heavy Trucks on the Export Market
An Internet survey conducted by the staff of TruckerToTrucker has provided some insight into the quietly increasing sales of used heavy and medium duty trucks to overseas markets. Several reports in recent months seem to indicate that the weak dollar has spurred the increase as overseas buyers can reap lower prices from the already discounted price of used trucks. The lower costs more than offset the transportation delivery expenses according to a number of anecdotal reports. The survey was initiated because an up-tick in international visitors to the web site was noted and piqued the curiosity of the staff.
TruckerToTrucker is proud of our visibility and reach throughout the US marketplace as well as world markets. While used truck purchases are not accurately tracked in markets like new truck sales, it makes sense that the high cost of fuel combined with the weak dollar might spur the interest in quality used vehicles to save investment costs. While difficult to track, the available information seems to suggest that markets in Eastern Europe and Russia as well as India are becoming considerably more active. Quality used dump trucks as well as other class 8 cabs and a wide variety of semi-trailers seem to be in demand as these economies become more developed and construction projects are undertaken.
Meanwhile the US is experiencing a downturn in the trucking industry as can be seen by the recent closing of Jevic Transportation which reportedly was in the Transport Topics top 100. This places increased pressure on used truck sellers which can only be offset by a visible presence in the marketplace.
TruckerToTrucker extends our best to all this Memorial Day Weekend. Please be safe and enjoy this brief respite from the everyday toils that occupy our time and energy.
We especially want to thank all the veterans that have served and are serving to protect freedom and democracy in American and throughout the world. We proudly stand and salute those that have sacrificed for our great nation. May life's richest blessings descend upon those that defend and protect us.
>> Posted: 04 May 2008 by george wilkins at 11:48 AM
Do People Care About You?
I like to think that we care about each other, but sometimes I'm not sure. I know when disaster strikes, Americans send money to others, sometimes millions of dollars. The 9-11 disaster, Hurricane Katrina, the Virginia Tech killings immediately come to mind. Millions of dollars are donated to churches every week, ostensibly to help others. But what about day-to-day activities?
If I lose my job, will my neighbors give me money? I know they will say they are sorry it happened, but what else can I expect? I will get advice, some sympathy, perhaps a job reference, but not much else. Should I expect help?
The trucking industry, particularly small operators and independents are experiencing economic difficulty to say the least. So who cares? There are some initiatives that will help – the possible fuel tax holiday, the TRUCC Act, the OOU, and the OOIDA will push for changes to provide a level playing field for competition, but I can't see much else happening. The truck shutdown and a number of stories on television and in the press have focused some attention on the issue, but the average American outside of the trucking industry is largely unaffected and unaware of any difficulties and even if they were – what can we expect them to do?
An illustration about Wal-Mart might shed some light on the issue. Americans are concerned about job losses, but Wal-Mart makes millions of dollars by offering inexpensive goods made overseas and Americans flock to their doors. So the short answer to what can be expected in the trucking industry is not much. Perhaps the question that needs to be addressed is what can we do?
The answer is not particularly appealing. Try to survive by actively supporting organizations that have your interests in mind, support legislative initiatives on the local and national level that will help, look for innovative ways to provide services, cut your costs wherever you can and stay actively abreast of industry news that might provide a worthwhile suggestion or idea.
This article is really a follow-on to a previous comment here. In looking about for what is possible, I read some articles by Walter Williams, an economist at George Mason University. He writes in a manner that is easy to understand and presents the economic picture in realistic terms. He wrote an article titled “Do People Care” which was the basis for my ramblings. His article ends, “how you make it in this world, for the most part, depends more on what you do as opposed to whether people like or dislike you. In order to produce a successful life, one must find ways to please his fellow man. That is, find out what goods and services his fellow man values, and is willing to pay for, and then acquire the necessary skills and education to provide it. Whether your fellow man cares about you or not is largely irrelevant.”
Those are some tough words. I fear they may be true.
Hey folks, listen to this new song written for Owner Operators United by Nashville song writers Ayers & Allen. Please send Mr Allen an email telling him, you would like to hear this song on all radio stations Nationwide,
He would love to hear from you
Thanks
Dan Little
Hey Truckers/Friends, I am overwhelmed by the response to the song David Ayers and I co-wrote “What They Gonna Do When the Big Rigs Don’t Roll.” Gratitude is the only word that comes to mind at this moment. THANK YOU for choosing our song to support your cause! YOU are the INSPIRATION!
As you can imagine, I am receiving a tremendous amount of emailed requests asking..
“Where Can I Buy a Copy of this Song?”
It is my desire to bring as much attention to your NEEDS as possible in this moment of crisis. I am a new writer and have never brought a song to market before so I am calling on my music row friends to help me…help YOU!
1. COUNTRY CELEBRITY ATTENTION: I am currently working with Bart Herbison, Executive Director of NSAI, to secure a well known “name artist” to perform this song (think “Farm aide”) in an effort to get celebrity/media attention on your needs. We should know within the next couple of weeks where we stand in this matter. If you want to keep up with my progress please feel free to check out my myspace page myspace.com/hillbillybarry. Who knows maybe we will get a LOT of artists nationwide behind your cause! Anything is possible when we work together.
2. GIVING: It is my desire and David’s to GIVE a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this song to the Owners Operators United Industry. I am in the process of learning how to do this PRIOR to any sale of this song.
At this time I have given Dan Little, of U.S. Cattle Haulers, full use of the song for any events relating to YOUR CAUSE including performance in Washington. However, PLEASE DON’T DOWNLOAD this song for FREE off of any website. We want this song to help you MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
I am responding to every email request for purchase and will fill those orders as soon as possible.
Let’s take this unique ROAD TRIP together.
Sincerely,
Barry Allen
Sheree' Spoltore'
NSAI National Membership Director
1710 Roy Acuff Place
Nashville, TN 37203
1-(800) 321-6008
1-615-256-3354
sheree@nashvillesongwriters.com
>> Posted: 28 March 2008 by keep on truckin' at 9:11 AM
Truckers feel like we're caught between a rock and a hard place and we're angry. We carry the bulk of the nation's goods but are getting an ever-smaller piece of the pie. We're not making enough to feed our families. Many of us are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. There's talk about a shutdown May 1-8 to protest fuel costs but problems in the trucking industry go much deeper. It's time to call attention to the plight of independent owner/operators and small trucking companies.
I've been checking through the comments readers have posted on Trucker to Trucker. Here's what you say you want. (Thanks to Chris@c.p.farms and Brian Cunningham for getting the list started.) Feel free to add your thoughts.
Reasonable diesel fuel prices with a cap to prevent price gouging.
Temporary relief from federal and state fuel taxes.
Mandatory fuel surcharge.
No lumper fees.
Limit on broker percentages.
End to price gouging on equipment insurance.
Stop the cross border pilot program and get Mexican trucks off U.S. highways.
Mandatory time limit on broker and shipper payments to truckers.
Fair treatment by DOT.
Shippers supply their own pallets.
Receivers pay for unloading.
Payment for down time while we wait for loads or loading.
>> Posted: 27 March 2008 by george wilkins at 7:52 AM
Children and the Demands of Being a Trucker
The demands of being a trucker often take a father away from his children. Does this effect the children? The short answer is perhaps. The early years are particularly critical. A child's personality and character is beginning to be formed from the moment of birth. The attachment needs of children are formed from birth to about two years. During this period the child learns to trust or mistrust a caregiver. From two to four years a child is actively exploring the world and parents need to walk a fine line between attention and neglect while encouraging curiosity. From about age five through early adulthood there are a number of stages of development that parents should be aware of and should shepherd their children through these periods of growth.
>> Posted: 21 March 2008 by keep on truckin' at 11:13 PM
There's a lot of talk going around truck radio, CB channels and the blogosphere about a possible nationwide truck shutdown May 1-8, dubbed Enough Is Enough. High diesel prices are the catalyst for growing trucker dissatisfaction over a wide range of issues that are pushing independent truckers and small firms to the brink of extinction. Trucker to Trucker readers have been hot and heavy with their comments on both ends of the debate. Here's what truckers on the front line are saying:
"This movement is to call attention to the plight of ALL of trucking. Fuel prices are just the icing on the cake. The threat of Mexican Trucks, addition of toll roads, increasing taxes, low freight rates. The trucking industry has been getting hit from all sides." - Shoestring 1
>> Posted: 09 November 2007 by TruckerJim at 12:37 PM
The Boss Say's.....
Ten things I wish would change about trucking
1. Pay by the mile only. I think that a drivers pay should be a combination of hourly pay and mileage pay. By the hour to reflect and encourage respect for a drivers time spent away from home. By the mile to reward and encourage driver efficiency and productivity.
2. Trucking company policies against the use of inverters. Drivers need household AC power in their trucks for comfort and economy. DC appliances are unreliable and inefficient at best. I would like to see
Companies kill two birds with one stone. Idle time fuel waste and a truckers need for household power can be addressed with the use of APU’s.
3. Tendency of law enforcement to hold drivers accountable for things that need to be addressed by trucking companies, the dot, and shippers. For example the burden of compliance for anti-idling laws are placed on drivers when really trucking companies should be required to provide alternatives to idling to provide in cab comfort to drivers. Another example would be parking restrictions on interstate on ramps. I agree that parking on access ramps is undesirable, however I don’t see much effort to provide additional parking to alleviate parking shortages.
4. The long way home - I always find that I always have to take the long way home. I live in central Ohio, but I will deliver a load in Tennessee only to get a load going to Wisconsin from there to Cleveland and then finally somewhere near home. Why is it so complicated.
5. Drivers need more time at home - The general expectation of most companies is that you have to spend 6 days out for every 1 day at home to make a decent living. That is just 16 hours out of 168 to take care of your personal business and spend time with loved ones. 16 hours because a driver will need at least 8 hours of sleep in the comfort of a real bed. Compare to 9 to 5er’s Who I estimate will have 57 hours per week to dedicate to personal activities. In a modern society wouldn’t you think that 4 days or 84 hours per week should be enough time dedicated to earning a living.
6. Lack of respect and appreciation. A couple things that I do believe are required for an individual to consider his job a professional level occupation is the the society in general shows a sense of respect and appreciation for the job you do. However as far as I know the Department of Labor still classifies truck driving as unskilled labor. Would you even contemplate having a medical doctor spend 24 hours away from home for 8 - 11 hours pay. This on a good day. A sales rep will have all of his meals, accomodations, and other work related expenses paid when he is away from home overnight.
7. Clueless office personal this doesn’t describe everyone, but it surely is frustrating that when you really need some assistance you end up dealing with someone who has no insight for what you are dealing with.
8. Excessively punitive traffic fines. I am all for highway safety, rules, law and order, and all that stuff, but I am a bit tired of law enforcement lining their pockets with money from truck drivers for trival offenses. Few examples Louisiana miss a scale $500.00, Kentucky headlight blown out have replacement on hand that’s great $138.00, Ohio used left lane briefly on turnpike to avoid traffic hazard $250.00
9. Complicated regulations that vary from state to state. If we can’t get rid of the complexity can we at least get a uniform set of regulations across the continental 48. I am not a lawyer, and I don’t have a paralegal to research ever archaic law for the various states I travel in.
10. Customers that treat drivers like crap. I hate going to a shipper who thinks it is okay to ask me to do extreme things for their benefit. I mean the things I do are done for free because I only get paid by the mile. For example it is becoming a more common request that a driver leave the comfort of his cab while waiting to be loaded or unloaded in exchange for sitting in crowded room in a plastic lawn chair, another customer I visited has a staging area nearly a half - mile from the shipping office. They expect you to park your truck in the staging area and walk to the shipping office to get a door assignment, and then walk back. I am not exaggerating about the distance, I counted 83 trailers parked along the walk.
I think everything I mentioned would be remedied if Truck Drivers could get the respect and appreciation that we deserve for the skillful job that we do, and the sacrifices that we make to provide transportation of goods that our economy is so dependent upon.
>> Posted: 07 November 2007 by keep on truckin' at 4:47 AM
Sounds like an ongoing point of contention here - shipping and receiving operations are not efficiently set up to ship and/or receive. Can the contract between the receiver and shipper be made any clearer?
Truckers are not responsible for loading or unloading. The recipient or shipper is. That is, or should be, spelled out in each and every contract, and highlighted. Companies need to get the word out to their dockhands. It is not the trucker’s responsibility to unload, or to suffer the results of the recipient’s or shipper’s personnel problems.
Why should a driver be forced to spend his or her time and energy doing the work that shipping department employees should be doing? Being delayed by mismanaged or under-managed shipping departments costs drivers in time and rest, and ultimately money. The stress of dealing with uncooperative or unprepared shipping departments is down right unproductive. Recipients or shippers need to be aware that results of their inadequate management will only result in higher shipping costs. Imposing fines or adding surcharges might be one way to deal with this.
In light of the planned decrease in driving hours and increased rest times, drivers are being increasingly stressed. There is no good reason for drivers to be delayed for hours because the receiving preparations are not adequate. Simply, it doesn’t make sense to waste hours, energy and money doing someone else’s job.
>> Posted: 29 October 2007 by keep on truckin' at 12:00 AM
Thanks to you, members of Congress have gotten the message that giving Mexican trucks a blank check to come into the US without having to comply with out safety laws. In fact, just this past month, two Senators, Byron Dorgan (a Democrat) and Arlen Spector (a Republican) have stated they were going to try to muster support to stop the pilot program that was initiated this last month that gives Mexican trucks full access to our roads.
Many Republicans, however, say they would not support these two senators because they say Mexico has stricter standards than Canada, whose trucks have full access. John Hill of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said yesterday that “It is unfortunate that some in the Senate would seek to deprive US consumers of the significant savings, and US truck drivers of the significant new opportunities that the cross-border trucking demonstration project is generating.”
So far only one Mexican company, Transportes Olympic, is the only carrier allowed to participate in the program , and it says it will only use long haul trucks that are three year-old or less.
Although there is much discussion of safety standards, seems that at the border US officials are simply allowing trucks across by simply examining information that the carrier gives them. The Inspector General says that information on inspections, accidents, insurance, and driver violations are not yet available in the database.
Well maybe the Mexicans have better standards than Canada, but until we see the proof, I think we need to remain skeptical. All I can say is keep writing, emailing, and calling your representatives in Washington until you are happy with the results.
>> Posted: 14 October 2007 by keep on truckin' at 2:18 PM
I was sitting around the kitchen table having a beer and chewing the fat with some buddies after the game this weekend and we got to talking about the whole Mexican truckers thing. My friend's daughter and her boyfriend had come home from college for the weekend and joined us. Now I know these kids are in what I like to call the "save the whales" phase of life. You know, they're young, haven't been knocked around by life too much yet, so they're still full of idealism. We heard a lot about equality, equal opportunity, the social obligation of rich nations to help poor ones, the historical contributions of immigrants and a lot of other stuff you hear in the rarified air that seems to exist only on college campuses and in Congress.
Now don't get me wrong. I think all those things are laudable goals. And every generation comes a little closer to reaching them. But life just isn't like that in the world I live in every day. In my world I worry about someone else getting my job. I worry about finding enough loads to make each trip pay. I worry about the price of gas eating up my profit. I worry about something unexpected (and always expensive) going wrong with the truck. I worry about paying my bills, taking care of my family, keeping them safe and providing for them -- the same things we all worry about.
Then the kids asked the question that made me write this blog.
>> Posted: 19 September 2007 by TruckerJim at 7:11 AM
Truck parking when shopping at Walmart is a hot issue with Reverend Doug, has anyone else had a problem like this?
I am Reverend Doug, I also drive truck. I recently was in the City of Northlake, IL. Late at night and out of hours, I spied a WalMart store, pulled in and Parked.
In the Morning, I went into the store to get supplies. On my return to my truck I found a Parking Ticket for parking on WalMart's lot. I didn't get this ticket while parked overnight, I got the ticket while shopping in the store.
I called WalMart (corporate) told of my ticket. After more than three weeks (I paid the $100.00 fine) WalMart said they would not help me get a refund nor reimburse me the fine costs.
I (as you can guess) am very angry, first at the excessive fine, (do they charge all Parking tickets $100)then at the ho-humm attitude of WalMart, who does nothing for the unjust ticketing of shopper's vehicles on their parking lot. They'll ticket vehicles while those customers are shopping in the store!
I Urge all driver's to boycott WalMart until they change their attitude toward truck drivers who park on their lots while shopping in WalMart's stores. There are plenty of other shopping stores who would appreciate truckers' business.
>> Posted: 12 September 2007 by keep on truckin' at 7:36 AM
Tuesday, oil prices rose to a new high, $78.23 a barrel, beating out the last record which was set this past July 31. With diesel prices projected to average about $2.92 a gallon in September, this is not good news for the trucking industry, and especially for independent operators. This projected price is about a nickel more than the average price paid at the pump in August.
Helping to drive the price were stock market speculators who pushed the light sweet crude futures up another 74 cents, speculating that OPEC’s promise at their meeting this week in Vienna, Austria to boost their production by a half a million barrels a day will just not be enough to satisfy global demand.
Nevertheless, there might be a slim chance that for a little bit, at least, that prices of diesel here in the US will stay about the same since September is generally the month where diesel and gasoline prices gradually decline from their summer peak.
The US Department of Energy is predicting that by December the average price of diesel will drop down to about $2.89 a gallon or the price we had to pay this past summer.
News from Trucker to Trucker We hope you had a relaxing 4th of July and as always, “We wish you and yours the very best.”
Speaking of “best”, we're trying to become the best there is in the Trucker domain and the staff is working hard to insure that we are serving your wants, needs and desires. After all that is our business – service to you! So . . . .
We're happy to announce we've introduced some new features...
Sellers are always looking for a way to feature their products and widen their markets and buyers are always searching to insure they have the best information available before making a purchase. We've been thinking a lot about that and have come up with a new feature that should help everyone.
Yep, you guessed it! – Trucker to trucker is introducing email slide shows and video to accompany still photos which will let sellers provide more visual information to accompany the specifications about their trucks and equipment. And buyers will now have as much information as possible to make an informed decision.
Sellers can now email individual slide shows to potential buyers. They also can upload video to You Tube and then link it to their ad and provide the essential video information that a potential purchaser is looking for. A buyer can essentially “kick the tires” from their computer monitor and a seller can reach a very large audience.
It's very simple to do and as always, Jim is available to help. The you tube videos are certain to widen the market for sellers. And purchasers will have the opportunity to search nation wide for their ideal truck, trailer or other equipment.
We invite you to give this new idea a whirl. We think you'll be glad you did. We're standing by to help in any way that we can.
By the way, don't forget to take a look at the new stuff in our Trucking Equipment Store and remember to check out the store for all your Cargo Control needs...
We're working on lots of new ideas and innovations. We had an iPhone, but Apple beat us to it! However, we're not dismayed, we're working on better stuff and you'll be the first to know when we release our new iToaster. It'll have all the features of the iPhone and will make breakfast too! Meanwhile, we hope you'll try our new video/slide show features.
As always, the Trucker to Trucker staff wishes you the very best,
>> Posted: 16 May 2007 by keep on truckin' at 8:08 PM
The US House of Representatives put the brakes on the cross-border trucking program that would allow Mexican carriers a free ride on American roads. Limiting implementation of a pilot program that would open American highways to Mexican trucks, the "Safe American Roads Act of 2007" passed the House by an overwhelming majority of 411 to 3. The bill now goes to the Senate.
The vote was applauded by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) which has been critical of the proposed program. "This bill will inject some sanity into a program that still has far too many questions that have not been answered," said Todd Spencer, OOIDA executive VP. He accused the DOT of providing "nothing but rhetoric when asked exactly how it will implement this program." Members of the House agreed.
The 3-year DOT pilot program they approved restricts the cross-border program to 100 Mexico-based carriers and a maximum of 1,000 vehicles. The newly passed bill specifies the criteria that must be met before implementation of the pilot program and charges the inspector general with insuring that all driver and vehicle safety and inspection requirements are met. The bill also requires that an independent panel be established to evaluate the pilot effort. The DOT estimated that compliance with Congress' criteria will take 6 months to a year, most likely moving the start date into 2008. The Bush administration had wanted immediate implementation under its commitment to the North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA) treaty.
In an NBC interview, lawmakers expressed concern for safety and American jobs: "We do not need 90,000-pound unguided missiles on our highways," said Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC). "We need to ensure that this program only takes place after the Mexican companies meet the same conditions that American companies do," added Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI). "You can get a Mexican truck driver to work for a heck of a lot less than a Teamster in the United States ... and that's what this is ultimately designed to do," charged Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR).
Representing owner/operators in the US and Canada, OOIDA's criticism of the cross-border program focuses on safety concerns. If they are going to be allowed to travel on US roads, Mexican drivers and trucks should be required to meet the same safety standards as US truckers, the organization argues. Seems only fair. American truckers have invested too much time and money in bringing both their drivers and their trucks up to tough US standards to allow the government to make an exception just to gain political favor with Mexico.
>> Posted: 14 February 2007 by TruckerJim at 4:47 AM
I always thought it would be cool to have an area on the web to toss out idea's and get feedback from real people. Sort of like hanging around the coffee shop. It's amazing what you can learn from people. That's basically what Web 2.0 is and it's heading for our industry big time. The changes will be awesome and we're excited to get the ball rolling.
Let's use this community to hear what people have to say about anything trucking related. We do allow posting from non-members but those who join will enjoy a profile page, contact info and a link to your website. So come and introduce yourself and tell us what you have to say.
