[Rebels1972] truckers
machen2081 at bellsouth.net
machen2081 at bellsouth.net
Thu Jun 15 14:45:21 CDT 2006
RN's, Doctors, Pharmacists, school teachers and professors, Lab techs,
lawyers. Addicts are everywhere.
As a RN, I have the State Board of Alabama Nursing regulating me and my
license. I am subject to drug testing at any time.
I would never willfully harm a patient. Is a trucker willfully harming
himself, the public and everything else as he craws into his rig and speeds
along cross country to make a deadline----all to make more money?
Many things need to be changed but they never will because basically John Q
Public doesn't want them changed. When you get right down to it, the
truckers are happy with things just the way they are. They don't more and
more regulations on them. You know---you are part trucker!
Susan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
To: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 2:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
> Susan,
>
> And there aren't some RNs who are using drugs to keep going on the
> night
> shift?
>
> Didn't mean you shouldn't be proud of it. Just meant that there are
> bad
> apples in your profession, too. And that's nothing against RNs as a
> whole.
> They are often underpaid as well.
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Fred
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> To: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>; "fred atkinson"
> <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 2:53 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
>
>
>> I'm all for supporting family and such.
>>
>> Today's truckers need to incorporate this and have some safety concerns.
>> I spoke of my parent's neighbor---he rakes in approx $3000.-$3500 per
> week.
>> Pretty good for a trucker, huh?
>> Most of it goes for crystal meth. His family travels with him and when
>> they don't his 14yr old does. Kid never goes to school.
>>
>> The entire trucking industry needs re-vamping but then again what
>> industry
>> doesn't?
>>
>> Remember, I'm RN -- totally 100% ( and proud of it)
>>
>> Susan
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
>> To: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
>> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 1:29 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
>>
>>
>> > Susan,
>> >
>> > There is relief we could reach.
>> >
>> > Truckers don't think the world owes them a living. Many of them are
>> > just trying to support their families and pay for their homes and pay
>> > their
>> > taxes. They don't have the luxury of having their family around when
>> > their
>> > driving shift ends (the over the road ones, I'm refering to). It's a
> hard
>> > life. I've lived it and I know. I chose not to continue living that
> way.
>> > I was out about three thousand dollars for my driver training when I
> quit,
>> > too. Fortunately, I was able to come up with it. Others aren't so
> lucky.
>> >
>> > You're right about the work ethic. Nonetheless, if we outlawed
> paying
>> > by the mile and paid them by the hour plus made them entitled to be
>> > paid
>> > for
>> > the things they are required to do that they are not currently paid
>> > for,
>> > it
>> > would change. As with most solutions, it wouldn't solve everything.
> But
>> > it
>> > would be a great start.
>> >
>> > I doubt there's anyone here that would take a job and work for free.
>> > Truckers are required to for a lot of what they do. They don't get
>> > reimbursed for the meals they get when they travel. They don't get to
>> > sleep
>> > at a hotel as we do when our employers send us traveling. It comes out
> of
>> > their pocket.
>> >
>> > Susan, there was no excuse for that trucker and I won't make excuses
>> > for
>> > him. He belonged in jail and I hope that he is rotting there. But
>> > remember
>> > that in any profession, there are bad apples. That's true all the way
>> > from
>> > the educators to the professionals, to the vocational, to the unskilled
>> > workers as well.
>> >
>> > When I finished my shift and sat in the truckers section in the
>> > truck
>> > stop restaurants, I got a chance to get to know some of these people.
>> > I
>> > was
>> > amazed at the insights of their political views and the diverse
>> > backgrounds
>> > that many of them came from. I didn't always agree with them, but I
>> > could
>> > see why they took that position and that many of them had really
>> > thought
>> > things through. The caliber of some of those people overwhelmed me at
>> > times.
>> >
>> > Remember, I'm part trucker (and proud of it).
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Fred
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
>> > To: <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
>> > Cc: "fred atkinson" <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
>> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 12:54 PM
>> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
>> >
>> >
>> >> This is probably true of most jobs. The newcomers have little or no
> work
>> >> ethics and could care less about anything but the "buck". They give
> about
>> >> 10% or less on the job.
>> >>
>> >> The older worker has respect for his job, others and America. Many
> give
>> >> 100% or more.
>> >> The difference is amazing in the two workers.
>> >>
>> >> The sad part is that the newcomers are overtaking the older workers
>> >> and
>> >> America is suffering.
>> >> In my role as an administrator for 27 yrs, I hired and terminated
>> >> RN's
>> > and
>> >> others and I would see this over and over.
>> >> For some unknown reason, 1/2 of the population thinks that America
>> >> owes
>> > them
>> >> a living( truckers included)
>> >>
>> >> The system is totally messed up and no relief in sight!
>> >> Susan
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
>> >> To: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
>> >> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 11:32 AM
>> >> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > Regretfully, that is true of the newcomers.
>> >> >
>> >> > They drug themselves up because they have to keep going.
>> >> >
>> >> > I never did any of that. And I made diddly squat. That was one
> of
>> > the
>> >> > reasons I gave it up.
>> >> >
>> >> > It's a system that rewards those who take dangerous risks and
>> > penalizes
>> >> > those who break the law.
>> >> >
>> >> > Yes, it's messed up.
>> >> >
>> >> > Regards,
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > Fred
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > --- machen2081 at bellsouth.net wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > From: <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
>> >> > To: <fatkinson at mishmash.com>, "Sansom Class of 1972"
>> >> > <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
>> >> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
>> >> > Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 10:50:13 -0500
>> >> >
>> >> > Fred,
>> >> > The only way they can make acceptable money is to speed? Putting
>> > hundreds
>> >> > of thousands of lives at risk every day on the road including their
>> >> > own----for them to make some money?
>> >> > Yea they're speeding all right---with the crap that they are
> ingesting
>> > in
>> >> > a
>> >> > pill form.
>> >> >
>> >> > I was a hemodialysis RN for 27 years and I can't begin to tell you
> the
>> >> > number of truckers that I have dialyzed over this period of time
>> >> > because
>> >> > of
>> >> > their long term drug abuse. This group was the hardest group to work
>> > with
>> >> > due to their non-compliance, disrespect for authority figures and
>> >> > continued
>> >> > drug abuse.
>> >> >
>> >> > No Fred, I wouldn't get behind a wheel and speed just to increase my
>> >> > earnings.. I'm just not made that way. I have respect for human
> life.
>> >> > Period.
>> >> >
>> >> > Transport the goods via railroad. Utilize as few trucks as possible.
>> >> > As
>> >> > for
>> >> > me, I'm sick of their attitudes---they don't own the roads!
>> >> >
>> >> > You're right about one thing---one bad apple spoils the whole
>> > bunch---this
>> >> > goes for everything in life
>> >> >
>> >> > Susan
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > ----- Original Message -----
>> >> > From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
>> >> > To: <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
>> >> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 10:26 AM
>> >> > Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >> Yes, Susan,
>> >> >>
>> >> >> There is drug testing before they can even drive. And they are
>> >> >> subject to surprised, unannounced drug testing, too. I've been
> tested
>> > a
>> >> >> number of times, myself, all negative.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Well, you'd probably speed too if you were economically
>> >> >> enslaved
>> > and
>> >> >> the only way to make acceptable money was to speed. Don't you
>> >> >> think
>> >> >> we
>> >> >> could change the law to fix that?
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I've been around the truck drivers. Mostly, they are good
> people
>> >> >> trying to make a living. And remember, it only takes one or two
>> > negative
>> >> >> folks in a stereotyped group (ah, that word) to make a lot of good
>> > people
>> >> >> look bad.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> We live lifestyles that we'd never live if these folks didn't
>> >> >> do
>
>> > this
>> >> >> work for us. Remember that. When we pass laws guaranteeing wages,
> we
>> >> >> exempt them from the same laws we make to protect ourselves.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Regards,
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Fred
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --- tech450 at gmail.com wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> From: "Rick Peek" <tech450 at gmail.com>
>> >> >> To: "Sansom Class of 1972" <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
>> >> >> Subject: Re: [Rebels1972] truckers
>> >> >> Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 10:13:55 -0500
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Hey Susan,
>> >> >> My sentiments on truckers are with you also. Driving from Gadsden
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> B'ham
>> >> >> on the interstate for 8 years, all my dealings with truckers have
> been
>> >> >> negative also. I have been run off the road several times myself
>> >> >> and
>> > have
>> >> >> seen them cause numerous accidents, some of which I barely missed
>> >> >> being
>> >> >> in
>> >> >> myself. I have hit debris many times that was left in the road by
>> >> >> truckers
>> >> >> and almost made me wreck and once hit some scrap metal that fell
>> >> >> off
> a
>> >> >> truck
>> >> >> and shredded my new tires and almost made me wreck. I have also had
> my
>> >> >> winsheild cracked and paint knocked off by flying rocks that fell
> off
>> >> >> trucks. I'm on your side.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Rick P.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> On 6/15/06, machen2081 at bellsouth.net <machen2081 at bellsouth.net>
> wrote:
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> Ah Fred,
>> >> >>> I read and re-read your article with great interest. I wonder why
>> >> >>> you
>> >> >>> would put so much time and energy into such an article.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> You see truck drivers really strike a chord with me and I'll tell
> you
>> >> >>> why.
>> >> >>> I'm sure there are many great truck drivers on the road with a
>> >> >>> safe
>> >> >>> driving
>> >> >>> record. I haven't met many. You stated that people feel anger
> towards
>> >> >>> truck
>> >> >>> drivers because of the manner in which they drive on the open
>> >> >>> highway. You
>> >> >>> are so correct. My article may offend you....
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> In 1984, I was taking my mother to and from Birmingham for her
> chemo
>> >> >>> treatments three times per week. On one Wednesday afternoon, I
>> >> >>> was
>> >> >>> driving
>> >> >>> her red car home with her reclined in the riders side. I was on
>> >> >>> the
>> > left
>> >> >>> side of highway I-59 and a "wonderful"truck driver flew by and
> took
>> > off
>> >> >>> the
>> >> >>> entire side of her car( my mother's side.) He swerved over into my
>> > lane.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> He never stopped and kept going at approx 90 miles per hr. I'm
>> >> >>> sure
>> >> >>> to
>> >> >>> deliver his goods to a store! I had to chase him down and lucky
>> >> >>> for
>> >> >>> us
>> > a
>> >> >>> statetrooper was a few miles away.
>> >> >>> I finally got the truck to stop. The driver jumped out(all 4'10"
>> >> >>> of
>> > him
>> >> >>> and
>> >> >>> proceeded to cuss me out and even hit me.I was pregnant at the
> time)
>> >> >>> He was stoned out of his mind. At this point, I was all over him
> and
>> >> >>> since
>> >> >>> my mother was only slightly injured she had to pull me off of him.
> He
>> >> >>> denied
>> >> >>> the hit and run---cars were pulled over for witnesses and the
> trooper
>> >> >>> had
>> >> >>> arrived.
>> >> >>> Long story short---This precious trucker was stoned on Demerol,
>> > morphine
>> >> >>> and
>> >> >>> being serviced by his boyfriend(also stoned)when he nearly killed
> us.
>> >> >>> Red
>> >> >>> paint was all over his wheels--he went to jail with many
>> >> >>> charges!!!
>> > This
>> >> >>> wasn't the first time for him either.
>> >> >>> How do these guys pass drug testing? Is there drug testing?
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> Like you said.... It isn't whether or not he's at fault that
> matters.
>> >> >>> You
>> >> >>> may have run into him but the question is.. could he have done
>> > something
>> >> >>> to
>> >> >>> prevent it from happening? You figure it out!
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> My parents live next door to a trucker ....This trucker steals
> goods,
>> >> >>> lets
>> >> >>> his 14yr drive his 18wheeler on long trips while he sleeps, and is
>> >> >>> addicted
>> >> >>> to crystal meth.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> My daughter and I just went to Anniston yesterday and were run off
>> >> >>> the
>> >> >>> road
>> >> >>> by a 18 wheeler and then the thing kept
>> >> >>> chasing us for miles. I called the police but the truck had left
>> >> >>> by
>> > that
>> >> >>> time. A report was taken.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> As you can see, I have little respect for truckers. My dealings
> have
>> > not
>> >> >>> been good. Many are slaves to drugs to keep them going these long,
>> >> >>> grueling
>> >> >>> hours.
>> >> >>> My hats are off to the good ones.
>> >> >>> Susan
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> >>> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> >>> >>> From: "Fred Atkinson" <fatkinson at mishmash.com>
>> >> >>> >>> To: "Rebels 1972" <rebels1972 at mishmash.net>
>> >> >>> >>> Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 8:52 PM
>> >> >>> >>> Subject: [Rebels1972] Economic Slavery on the Highways
>> >> >>> >>>
>> >> >>> >>>
>> >> >>> >>>> I'd like to share some ideas about some of the people who
>> >> >>> >>>> make
>> >> >>> this
>> >> >>> >>>> country great. They are often the most unappreciated people
> in
>> > the
>> >> >>> >>>> world.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> We take them so much for granted despite all that they
>> >> >>> do. Everyone
>> >> >>> >>>> seems to think that the goods on the shelf at your store just
>> >> >>> >>>> appear
>> >> >>> >>>> there
>> >> >>> >>>> magically. The materials to build your home, school, or
>> > workplace
>> >> >>> were
>> >> >>> >>>> not
>> >> >>> >>>> always there. The fuel that makes your car run does not just
>> >> >>> >>>> appear
>> >> >>> at
>> >> >>> >>>> the
>> >> >>> >>>> pump. And there are many other material goods we rely on to
>> >> >>> >>>> maintain
>> >> >>> >>>> our
>> >> >>> >>>> standard of living.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> There are thousands of good Americans that transport these
>> >> >>> materials
>> >> >>> >>>> to
>> >> >>> >>>> us. They aren't heralded and they get no fanfare. Man live
>> >> >>> >>>> a
>> >> >>> >>>> lifestyle of
>> >> >>> >>>> separation from their families and work an incredible number
> of
>> >> >>> hours.
>> >> >>> >>>> It
>> >> >>> >>>> is their plight I wish to discuss.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> When the economy went sour at the end of 2001, I spoke
>> >> >>> >>>> with
> a
>> >> >>> >>>> recruiter
>> >> >>> >>>> for a national trucking company, she arranged for me to
>> >> >>> >>>> travel
>> >> >>> >>>> to
>> >> >>> >>>> Memphis,
>> >> >>> >>>> Tennessee and attend a three week school that would help me
> get
>> >> >>> >>>> a
>> >> >>> Class
>> >> >>> >>>> A
>> >> >>> >>>> commercial driver's license with all the required
>> >> >>> >>>> endorsements
>> > and
>> >> >>> the
>> >> >>> >>>> training required for the company to hire me as an over the
> road
>> >> >>> truck
>> >> >>> >>>> driver. The cost of attending the truck school was over five
>> >> >>> thousand
>> >> >>> >>>> dollars and I was expected to be responsible for the cost
>> >> >>> >>>> myself.
>> >> >>> >>>> I
>> >> >>> >>>> was not
>> >> >>> >>>> compensated in any way for the time I spent in school.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> I went to truck driving school with a lot of people from
>> >> >>> >>>> different
>> >> >>> >>>> parts
>> >> >>> >>>> of the country and different backgrounds. After we completed
>> >> >>> >>>> our
>> >> >>> first
>> >> >>> >>>> week
>> >> >>> >>>> in school, we passed our written exams to get our learner's
>> > permits
>> >> >>> and
>> >> >>> >>>> our
>> >> >>> >>>> medical certificates, which were required to operate the big
>> >> >>> >>>> eighteen
>> >> >>> >>>> wheelers.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> The next week was range training. We learned all manner
>> >> >>> >>>> of
>> >> >>> backing.
>> >> >>> >>>> Backing was not like backing a car. It required a whole
>> > different
>> >> >>> >>>> twist.
>> >> >>> >>>> To back a truck to the right one must turn the wheel to the
> left
>> >> >>> until
>> >> >>> >>>> the
>> >> >>> >>>> truck jacks to the right. Then you turn the wheel to the
> right
>> > to
>> >> >>> >>>> follow
>> >> >>> >>>> the trailer and keep it on the right path. Even backing in a
>> >> >>> straight
>> >> >>> >>>> line
>> >> >>> >>>> was difficult. But we learned our required backing skills
>> >> >>> >>>> during
>> >> >>> >>>> the
>> >> >>> >>>> second
>> >> >>> >>>> week and went on for the road training.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> We drove all over western Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and
>> >> >>> northern
>> >> >>> >>>> Mississippi. To the end of the third week we completed our
>> >> >>> >>>> training
>> >> >>> >>>> and
>> >> >>> >>>> passed our road tests. When we returned to school the
> following
>> >> >>> week,
>> >> >>> >>>> we
>> >> >>> >>>> were taken to the DMV to get our Class A commercial driver's
>> >> >>> >>>> licenses
>> >> >>> >>>> and
>> >> >>> >>>> late we were assigned to a driver who would train us while we
>> > were
>> >> >>> >>>> actually
>> >> >>> >>>> transporting goods all over the country. We were paid only
>> >> >>> >>>> fifty
>> >> >>> >>>> dollars
>> >> >>> >>>> per day while we trained regardless of the miles driven.
> Since
>> >> >>> >>>> a
>> >> >>> >>>> driver
>> >> >>> >>>> often drives between four and five hundred miles per shift,
> that
>> >> >>> >>>> amounts to
>> >> >>> >>>> as little as ten cents per mile or less.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> These three weeks of driver training was done with no
>> >> >>> >>>> compensation
>> >> >>> >>>> and a
>> >> >>> >>>> legal requirement that you repay the company for the
>> >> >>> >>>> training.
>> > Of
>> >> >>> >>>> course,
>> >> >>> >>>> they pro-rated the cost over two years and made the payments
> for
>> >> >>> >>>> your
>> >> >>> >>>> as
>> >> >>> >>>> long as you worked for them. But if you found it necessary
>> >> >>> >>>> to
>> >> >>> >>>> leave,
>> >> >>> >>>> you
>> >> >>> >>>> were on the hook for the pro-rated part of the money you owe.
>> > This
>> >> >>> >>>> makes it
>> >> >>> >>>> difficult to leave if you are unhappy with the working
>> >> >>> >>>> situation.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> After I completed the training with my instructor, I began
> to
>> >> >>> learn
>> >> >>> >>>> things I never knew. I knew that truck drivers were
>> >> >>> >>>> typically
>> > away
>> >> >>> >>>> from
>> >> >>> >>>> home for months at a time. I never knew that they are not
>> > covered
>> >> >>> >>>> by
>> >> >>> >>>> the
>> >> >>> >>>> wage and hour laws (overtime? What is that?). Truck drivers
>> > don't
>> >> >>> get
>> >> >>> >>>> overtime even though they constantly work in excess of sixty
>> > hours
>> >> >>> per
>> >> >>> >>>> week.
>> >> >>> >>>> They get paid for the miles they drive and (on occasion) for
>> >> >>> >>>> loading
>> >> >>> or
>> >> >>> >>>> unloading a truck, not for the time they work.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> Many responsibilities that truck drivers perform are
> without
>> > any
>> >> >>> >>>> compensation. The Department of Transportation requires that
>> > they
>> >> >>> >>>> perform a
>> >> >>> >>>> complete and thorough pre-trip safety inspection each day,
> which
>> >> >>> takes
>> >> >>> >>>> fifteen minutes of their time. They receive no compensation
> for
>> >> >>> their
>> >> >>> >>>> time
>> >> >>> >>>> to perform this. When they weigh and balance a truck to make
>> > sure
>> >> >>> the
>> >> >>> >>>> load
>> >> >>> >>>> is legal on the highway, they receive no compensation for
> that,
>> >> >>> either.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> When they hitch or unhitch a trailer, they receive no
>> >> >>> >>>> compensation
>> >> >>> >>>> for
>> >> >>> >>>> that task. When a shipper or receiver makes them stand
>> >> >>> >>>> around
>> > and
>> >> >>> wait
>> >> >>> >>>> for
>> >> >>> >>>> their load to be loaded or unloaded from a trailer, the
>> >> >>> >>>> driver
>> >> >>> receives
>> >> >>> >>>> no
>> >> >>> >>>> compensation for the time he is there idle while the shipper
> or
>> >> >>> >>>> receiver
>> >> >>> >>>> focuses on other things (unless he is paid for loading or
>> >> >>> >>>> unloading,
>> >> >>> >>>> which
>> >> >>> >>>> isn't often).
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> And the driver is never guaranteed to get a shipment to
>> >> >>> move. There
>> >> >>> >>>> were a number of times where I sat at a truck stop in a
> strange
>> >> >>> >>>> city
>> >> >>> >>>> with no
>> >> >>> >>>> load. Our company compensated us forty dollars per day if
> they
>> > had
>> >> >>> no
>> >> >>> >>>> load
>> >> >>> >>>> for us. Imagine that, only forty dollars for a single day of
>> > your
>> >> >>> life
>> >> >>> >>>> (and
>> >> >>> >>>> not all drivers even get that) away from your family,
> community,
>> >> >>> >>>> and
>> >> >>> >>>> friends. And the per mile rates for new drivers are very
>> >> >>> >>>> low.
>> > One
>> >> >>> >>>> I
>> >> >>> >>>> was
>> >> >>> >>>> asked to pick up a trailer, weigh it to make sure it was
> legally
>> >> >>> >>>> balanced,
>> >> >>> >>>> and transport it to the nearest company terminal for
>> >> >>> >>>> reassignment to another driver. For my several hours of
>> >> >>> >>>> work,
> I
>> >> >>> >>>> received
>> >> >>> >>>> approximately twelve dollars for my efforts. It amounted to
>> >> >>> >>>> less
>> >> >>> than
>> >> >>> >>>> minimum wage.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> Truck drivers get no respect. Once when I was at a
> truckstop
>> >> >>> >>>> near
>> >> >>> >>>> the
>> >> >>> >>>> Canadian border in Maine, a driver told me that his CB handle
>> >> >>> >>>> was
>> >> >>> >>>> 'Caucasian
>> >> >>> >>>> scumbag'. He said that he chose that handle because of what
> his
>> >> >>> father
>> >> >>> >>>> (also a truck driver) told him. Truck driving is an
>> >> >>> >>>> honorable
>> >> >>> >>>> profession,
>> >> >>> >>>> but you will never get any respect. Sadly, I found myself
>> > agreeing
>> >> >>> >>>> with
>> >> >>> >>>> him. A few examples follow.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> Once I made a delivery at a warehouse. After 'bumping the
>> > dock'
>> >> >>> (an
>> >> >>> >>>> expression used that means you have parked the trailer at the
>> >> >>> >>>> loading
>> >> >>> >>>> dock
>> >> >>> >>>> so it can be loaded or unloaded), I found a door marked
>> >> >>> >>>> 'driver's
>> >> >>> >>>> entrance'.
>> >> >>> >>>> When I stepped inside the door, I found myself standing
>> >> >>> >>>> inside
>> >> >>> >>>> of
>> > a
>> >> >>> >>>> cage
>> >> >>> >>>> (subhuman treatment).
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> I once made a pickup at a major customer. As my hours
>> >> >>> >>>> were
>> >> >>> >>>> almost
>> >> >>> >>>> used
>> >> >>> >>>> up when I made the pickup, I parked the truck outside the
> front
>> >> >>> >>>> gate
>> >> >>> in
>> >> >>> >>>> an
>> >> >>> >>>> area where truckers were allowed to park and get the required
>> > time
>> >> >>> >>>> in
>> >> >>> >>>> the
>> >> >>> >>>> sleeper before they were allowed to drive again. When I
> walked
>> >> >>> >>>> back
>> >> >>> to
>> >> >>> >>>> the
>> >> >>> >>>> gate requesting to use the restroom, they refused saying that
>> >> >>> driver's
>> >> >>> >>>> weren't allowed to use the restrooms in the facility. I had
> to
>> > go
>> >> >>> and
>> >> >>> >>>> relieve myself in the middle of an open field because there
> was
>> > no
>> >> >>> >>>> other
>> >> >>> >>>> place provided for the drivers.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> People often feel anger towards truck drivers because of
> the
>> >> >>> manner
>> >> >>> >>>> in
>> >> >>> >>>> which they drive on the open highways. I did not engage in
> such
>> >> >>> >>>> driving and
>> >> >>> >>>> I did not approve of those who did. But think of what it
>> >> >>> >>>> cost
>> > me.
>> >> >>> >>>> Slowing
>> >> >>> >>>> down reduced the amount of money I made. Remember that many
> of
>> > the
>> >> >>> >>>> lesser
>> >> >>> >>>> experienced drivers are not all that well paid (contrary to
> the
>> >> >>> stories
>> >> >>> >>>> about how well truck drivers are paid). When you are paid by
>> >> >>> >>>> the
>> >> >>> mile
>> >> >>> >>>> at
>> >> >>> >>>> such a rate as twenty-seven cents a mile and only allowed to
>> > drive
>> >> >>> for
>> >> >>> >>>> a
>> >> >>> >>>> limited number of hours, making more money requires that you
>> > floor
>> >> >>> it.
>> >> >>> >>>> When
>> >> >>> >>>> a driver is caught in a traffic jam, he is sitting there
> burning
>> >> >>> >>>> his
>> >> >>> >>>> driving
>> >> >>> >>>> hours and getting no compensation for it. He cannot drive
> extra
>> >> >>> hours
>> >> >>> >>>> to
>> >> >>> >>>> make up for it or the Department of Transportation will fine
> him
>> >> >>> >>>> when
>> >> >>> >>>> they
>> >> >>> >>>> audit his driving logbook. To that end, some drivers falsify
>> > their
>> >> >>> >>>> logbook
>> >> >>> >>>> to drive more miles. This means that they are driving over
> the
>> >> >>> number
>> >> >>> >>>> of
>> >> >>> >>>> hours it is safe for a person's body to be alert enough to
>> >> >>> >>>> handle
>> >> >>> >>>> an
>> >> >>> >>>> eighty-thousand pound multi-vehicle truck and creates an
>> > additional
>> >> >>> >>>> hazard.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> Truck drivers would like to see that changed, but it's
>> >> >>> >>>> difficult.
>> >> >>> >>>> 'Over
>> >> >>> >>>> the road' drivers are away from home for months at a time.
>> > Because
>> >> >>> of
>> >> >>> >>>> that
>> >> >>> >>>> they don't get to vote. Politicians look at those statistics
>> >> >>> >>>> and
>> >> >>> they
>> >> >>> >>>> realize that spending time helping truck drivers does not
> yield
>> >> >>> >>>> them
>> >> >>> >>>> additional votes. This does not motivate the politicians to
>> >> >>> >>>> make
>> >> >>> >>>> things any
>> >> >>> >>>> easier for them. Once, a driver told me that he had tried to
>> >> >>> >>>> get
>> >> >>> >>>> an
>> >> >>> >>>> absentee ballot. He was asked where he'd be on election day.
>> >> >>> >>>> He
>> >> >>> told
>> >> >>> >>>> them
>> >> >>> >>>> he had no way of knowing because he was sent to different
> places
>> >> >>> often
>> >> >>> >>>> on
>> >> >>> >>>> only a few hours notice. Because he couldn't tell them where
>> > he'd
>> >> >>> >>>> be
>> >> >>> >>>> on
>> >> >>> >>>> election day, they denied him an absentee ballot.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> As long as we continue to pay our over the road drivers
>> >> >>> >>>> 'by
>> > the
>> >> >>> >>>> mile'
>> >> >>> >>>> instead of by the hour and pay them for the things truck
> drivers
>> > do
>> >> >>> for
>> >> >>> >>>> no
>> >> >>> >>>> compensation every day, the way many truck drivers operate
> their
>> >> >>> >>>> vehicles is
>> >> >>> >>>> not going to change. There is significant legislative reform
>> >> >>> >>>> needed
>> >> >>> >>>> but no
>> >> >>> >>>> political incentive to perform it. And many of these good
>> >> >>> >>>> people
>> >> >>> >>>> continue
>> >> >>> >>>> to suffer while making a living to support their families
> (with
>> >> >>> >>>> whom
>> >> >>> >>>> they
>> >> >>> >>>> are able to spend very little time with). The next time you
>> > enjoy
>> >> >>> your
>> >> >>> >>>> breakfast, buy nice new clothes at the store, fill up your
> tank
>> >> >>> >>>> with
>> >> >>> >>>> gasoline, or partake of any number of other countless things,
>> >> >>> >>>> you
>> >> >>> >>>> should
>> >> >>> >>>> remember that truck drivers brought those materials to you.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> Imagine if the trucks stopped rolling for a week. We'd
>> >> >>> >>>> experience
>> >> >>> >>>> gas
>> >> >>> >>>> shortages, food shortages, and have to learn to do without
> many
>> >> >>> things.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> When a driver is involved in a traffic accident, it isn't
>> >> >>> >>>> whether
>> >> >>> or
>> >> >>> >>>> not
>> >> >>> >>>> he is at fault that matters. You may have run into him but
> the
>> >> >>> >>>> question is
>> >> >>> >>>> could he have done something to prevent it from happening?
> Even
>> > if
>> >> >>> he
>> >> >>> >>>> was
>> >> >>> >>>> not at fault in the accident, it often is still reported on
> his
>> >> >>> driving
>> >> >>> >>>> record as 'preventable' (which stacks against him when his
>> > driving
>> >> >>> >>>> record is
>> >> >>> >>>> reviewed for insurance or for possible employment with a
>> > different
>> >> >>> >>>> trucking
>> >> >>> >>>> company). Imagine that, you caused the accident but they
>> >> >>> >>>> hold
>> >> >>> >>>> it
>> >> >>> >>>> against
>> >> >>> >>>> the truck driver anyway. He is responsible for managing
> *your*
>> >> >>> driving
>> >> >>> >>>> safety habits.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> These dramatically under appreciated people live a
> lifestyle
>> >> >>> >>>> that
>> >> >>> I
>> >> >>> >>>> don't understand how they continue to live day in and day out
>> > year
>> >> >>> >>>> after
>> >> >>> >>>> year. Essentially they are slaves to our system and we
> continue
>> > to
>> >> >>> >>>> take
>> >> >>> >>>> advantage of them paying many of them low wages and working
> them
>> > at
>> >> >>> >>>> a
>> >> >>> >>>> schedule that would cause most of us to experience complete
>> >> >>> exhaustion.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> My hat is off to them and I think about them from time to
>> >> >>> time. God
>> >> >>> >>>> bless our truck drivers.
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>> _______________________________________________
>> >> >>> >>>> Rebels1972 mailing list
>> >> >>> >>>> Rebels1972 at mishmash.net
>> >> >>> >>>> http://mishmash.net/mailman/listinfo/rebels1972_mishmash.net
>> >> >>> >>>>
>> >> >>> >>>
>> >> >>> >>>
>> >> >>> >>>
>> >> >>> >>
>> >> >>> >>
>> >> >>> >>
>> >> >>> >
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> _______________________________________________
>> >> >>> Rebels1972 mailing list
>> >> >>> Rebels1972 at mishmash.net
>> >> >>> http://mishmash.net/mailman/listinfo/rebels1972_mishmash.net
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Rick Peek
>> >> >> Tech450 at gmail.com
>> >> >>
>> >> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> >> Rebels1972 mailing list
>> >> >> Rebels1972 at mishmash.net
>> >> >> http://mishmash.net/mailman/listinfo/rebels1972_mishmash.net
>> >> >>
>> >> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> >> Rebels1972 mailing list
>> >> >> Rebels1972 at mishmash.net
>> >> >> http://mishmash.net/mailman/listinfo/rebels1972_mishmash.net
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
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