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Truth About Trucking “LIVE” radio talk show has booked Sally Baptiste for their special guest, broadcasting Monday, September 8th, 2008 at 6:00 P.M. EST. As former Orange County Mayoral candidate and activist, she will be discussing her goal to force reform in our Transportation System and to reduce the level of Governmental corruption. She has spent years researching and analyzing the cost of Transportation, and has become highly recognized and known for fighting to stop the abuse of additional taxes implemented by Governmental Committees wanting to add more toll roads . . . not only in Florida, but in other States as well. She has appeared on many talk shows, including the popular, “Bud Hedinger Live” of Orlando’s massive AM540 WFLA.
Call in and be a part of the show! Mark your calendar and join us, as Sally Baptiste explains her plan to STOP the addition of more toll roads on FLORIDA’S I-4 interstate and ultimately bring about reform in our Transportation System. Discover the truth about toll road taxes!
Her website is: http://www.tollscreategridlock.org
Sally Baptiste is an activist who is working to stop toll taxes and to reform transportation. She is in the process of organizing a Central Florida sign waving campaign, and an I-4 caravan to protest tolls on Florida’s I-4 and to protest the selling/privatizing of our country’s infrastructure - especially to foreign interests.
The messages will be “No Tolls on I-4“, “Protect the Freeway“, “Tourist Tax Dollars for Roads” and “Vote for Transportation Reform.” For those who have done a great deal of traveling across this country, they know all too well about the toll roads that stretch across our paths. Have you ever wondered, “Where does the toll fees go?” …. especially when you have to pay to drive on the road, and it feels like you’re running along a back-country road in an Army tank!
Sally has set out on a mission to change all that. Her plight was just brought to my attention, and I thought I would pass it on to those who may be interested in joining her cause, be it through her website or through her campaign right here in Florida. Does Florida really need more toll roads?
Recently I received an e-mail asking me to explain the “very confusing” 11/14 hour truck driving rule. As you know, this is the rule which tells the driver how many hours he/she may work, when to break, how long to break, and how many hours of driving that he/she may drive during a 24 hour period.
Here is my reply to her that I would like to post for all new drivers:
This is a real simple rule that sometimes people can make harder than it really is….me included, when it first came out. In a nutshell…it simply states that you cannot “work” more than 14 hours in a 24 hour period…and cannot drive more than 11 hours in a 24 hour period, without taking a 10 hour break.
“Work” means the same as “on duty”…As soon as you start your pre-trip, you are on duty….you have 14 hours to be “on duty” from that moment on, before you are required to shut down for your 10 hour break.
So, if you start your pre-trip at 6 AM, you have to be stopped, shut down, done! by 8 PM. Your on duty “work” includes, pre-tripping, post tripping, driving, unloading, loading, waiting time, stopping for a meal, bathroom break, stopping to make a phone call…ANYTHING you are doing between the pre-trip and post trip….this is your 14 hours you have to complete your day’s work.
Example : Let’s say you start your pre-trip at 10 AM. and you drive over to the shipper to get loaded and you get there at 10:30 AM, and they tell you it will take about 5 hours to get loaded. You are finally loaded at 3:30 PM. You now only have until midnight to drive or “whatever”, before you must shut down for the 10 hour break. You will be completely legal because you shut down at midnight, which is 14 hours (10 AM to Midnight)…and you only drove 9 hours (10 AM to 10:30 AM, and 3:30 PM to Midnight)…even though you are 2 hours under the 11 hour driving rule, the 14 hour rule beat you to the punch because of the waiting time the shipper placed on you.
Just remember, whatever time you start the day on your log, you have to be completely shut down (break), within 14 hours. Now, if you start your pretrip at 10 AM, arrive at shipper at 10:30 AM, and are loaded by 11 AM, you can drive until 9:30 PM - (11 hour rule - 10-10:30, 11-9:30), ….even though 14 hours is midnight (10 AM to midnite), the 11 hour rule beat you to the punch…you can still be on duty until midnight, like waiting to get unloaded, calling dispatch, repairing a trailer tire…etc., you JUST CAN’T DRIVE anymore.
After 14 hours you should be doing only one thing : on a 10 hour break. Just because you hit 11 hours of driving, you can still be doing work-related duties, as long as you are not driving…AND…once you hit the 14 hour spot…you must be shut down, totally, and be on your 10 hour break.
Remember two things :
1. Be shut down (on your break) within 14 hours of starting your log.
2. Within that 14 hours, make sure you have not driven more than 11 hours.
NOW! There is also the 34 hour rule! But this is easy…if you are off duty for at least 34 hours, all your hours beforehand are “erased” and you can start “clean” with another 70 hours. There is talk about doing away with this rule, but for now, it is still on the books.
Healthy eating requires us to eat a number of nutrients every day. In fact, there are 40 different nutrients we need in order to keep our bodies healthy. That’s a lot of nutrient we need to know about! Luckily, we can break down all of these nutrients into smaller categories in order to keep them organized in our minds and make sure we get all of the food products we need.
First and foremost, everyone needs water in order to live a healthy life. Without water, we naturally become dehydrated and will eventually die. On the average, one can only survive without water for about seven to ten days. We lose water through perspiration and through daily bodily functions, so water must be replenished. Drinking about eight glasses a day is recommended. Of course, water is found in food products as well as in drinks, so we can get these eight glasses by consuming such things as cantaloupes and watermelons.
Of course, we need much more than water every day to survive. Another group of nutrients we cannot live without are proteins. Proteins are found in foods such as meat, eggs, and soy products. They provide the amino acids needed to build muscle tissue as well as help to make some of the hormones in our bodies. Red blood cells and hair are also made from protein.
Along with proteins, a body also needs adequate amounts of fats and carbohydrates in order for us to have enough energy during the day. Fats are primarily used for energy during intense activity, like exercising, while carbohydrates are primarily used for energy during fewer intense activities, such as sitting as in the case of truck drivers. Both the fats and the carbohydrates that we eat in a day can be stored for later use as fat, so it is important to eat enough for energy. However, it is also just as important to regulate our intake in order to stay slim and healthy. In the event that we are not eating enough fats and carbohydrates, our bodies can also provide itself with fuel from proteins.
Vitamins and minerals are also important nutrients for our daily lives. We get these from fruits, vegetables, milk, and most natural sources of food. Some of our foods, such as bread products, can even be enriched so that we get more vitamins and minerals in our bodies. There are dozens of nutrients that we need to consume regularly, such as iron, thiamine, vitamin C, and vitamin D. If we are eating a healthy diet, we can most likely get enough vitamins and minerals from our food intake, but we can also take vitamin supplements to make sure that we are getting the right amounts we need to maintain body function. Supplements may also be available to help with other nutrients as well, so if you are worried, talk to your doctor about how you can be certain you are eating a healthy amount of nutrients.
Please join us as we discuss the aspects of a major, nationwide truckers strike in the United States. My special guest will be Wayne Weisser of Las Vegas, Nevada….as we open up the phone lines to discuss this important topic. Also available will be our instant messenger service where you can “blast” me a question or comment. Unless Tropical Storm Fay knocks us out….we will be ”LIVE” on the air…..come and be a part of the show!
Are you considering a career in trucking? How do you know if it’s the right choice for you? Join Allen on Sunday, August 17th at 6:00 PM EST on Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio, as he shares his thoughts on how to determine if trucking is the right career for you!
Due to a family emergency, the “Ask The Doctor” radio show featuring Dr. Joseph P. Nesheiwat has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.
Ellen Voie is the President/CEO of the Women in Trucking Association - Their mission statement says it all : “Women In Trucking was established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women in trucking”.
Ellen serves on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association and was involved in adapting the Wisconsin Driver’s Manual. She is the recipient of the Skinner Humanitarian award, which is presented annually to a trucking advocate in her state. She helped found and organize the Trucker’s Pride Day in Waupaca, Wisconsin and convinced Governor Tommy Thompson to proclaim the event as a statewide “Trucker Appreciation Day.”
Ellen has written extensively about trucking and family issues, and her articles have appeared in print and internet magazines. She is also a published author - ‘Marriage in the Long Run’ - a collection of some of her most popular columns. She holds a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Wisconsin.
Join Allen as he welcomes Ellen Voie to the show to learn more about this great organization, and the roles and accomplishments by women in trucking!
Are you considering getting your CDL? Worried about passing the CDL exams? This is an excellent program that will guarantee you’ll pass the CDL exam the first time! Want to know how to make more money with your CDL? The answer is simple…..the more endorsements you have…..the more money you can make! That’s it! Each endorsement is like an extra pay bonus…..HazMat, Tanker, Doubles, Triples, Passenger……even if you never use them, just having these endorsements will open up a ton of extra employment opportunities for you, giving you more chances at a successful career in trucking than just…..”over the road.”
Not only will this program guarantee you’ll pass the standard CDL exam the first time…..but you’ll pass any and all endorsement exams you choose to take…..and it’s GUARANTEED!
Don’t stress over the CDL exam and all of its endorsement tests……check out this program and you’ll ace ALL of the tests! You have my word on it!