House Bill H.R. 1773: Safe American Roads Act of 2007 was upheld recently which prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from allowing motor carriers domiciled in Mexico to operate across the border into the United States. President George Bush was in favor of this outrageous proposal and has stated that he will veto it. This is not surprising since President Bush stated on May 30th, 2006 that seventy miles of border fence would be constructed by September 30, 2007.  Well, today is September 30th, 2007 and even though the funds and sources have been appropriated for the border fence, only three miles have been completed.

I have driven in Mexico, hauling dry goods in and out of the country. Mexico basically has no laws governing the commercial motor carrier and their truck drivers. There are no hours of service rules, drivers do not have log books and safety inspection requirements simply do not exist.  Once, while in Monterrey, Mexico a truck in front of me could not get around the “millions” of vehicles in front of him, so he simply drove his rig up over the curb (sidewalk), taking out a street sign, and nobody appeared to even notice! Mexico does not have any EPA laws, so the fumes and smoke from the cars and trucks were blinding.

The senate approved the proposal by a 74-24 vote, delaying the Bush plan to allow Mexican trucks to fill our highways in the United States. Who were the Republican Senators who voted against it? They are listed below in alphabetical order:

Allard (CO)
Bennett (UT)
Bond (MO)
Bunning (KY)
Burr (NC)
Cochran (MS)
Cornyn (TX)
DeMint (SC)

Dole (NC)
Domenici (NM)
Grassley (IA)
Gregg (NH)
Hagel (NE)
Hutchison (TX)
Kyl (AZ)
Lieberman (CT) (Independent)

Lott (MS)
Lugar (IN)
Martinez (FL)

McConnell (KY)
Murkowski (AK)
Stevens (AK)
Sununu (NH)
Vitter (LA)

Two Republicans, Craig of Idaho and John McCain of Arizona must have felt that the safety of the American people was not important of an issue, because they did not even vote! As a Florida resident, it has opened my eyes to the insight of Senator Mel Martinez. If you are from Florida and would like to let Senator Martinez know how you feel you can do so by using the link below:

http://martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm

Sometimes I feel as if the entire Presidential election is a scam like over the road trucking. The acts by President Bush and the Republican party seems as if they are purposely attempting to fail in order to bring in a Democratic President. Does the American vote really count anymore? Is the next President already decided by those in extreme power? When you sit back and watch the leaders of our nation do some of the things they do, one has to wonder. The majority of credit has to go to the Democrats on this one . . . they voted to keep America’s roads safe. Now let’s see what President Bush will do . . .

About the Author:

Aubrey Allen Smith is the author of the Truth About Trucking and an expert in motor carrier transportation. Fighting back for our nation’s drivers, he reveals the scams of the truck driving schools and trucking industry. Please visit http://www.truthabouttrucking.com today, to learn more. (Special thanks to my friend Barry for his contribution to this article)

© 2007 – 2008, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: motor carriers

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There is nothing like the feeling of sliding into a Cessna 172 or Piper Cherokee 180 and heading off into the sky. The sense of freedom is enormous, and whatever worries or problems you may be facing, just fade away. It is an incredible feeling!Nearing my 22^nd year of professional truck driving, nothing can clear my mind or ease my spirit as much as flying. The sound of the engine, lowering the flaps, full rich mixture and power and the aircraft shooting down the runway and then . . . lift oes that they can enjoy when they are home. It is very important to be able to do those things for relaxation to mend the mind and body, before having to jump in the truck again.  ff! Now this is cool. This is more than cool . . . it is totally awesome!

After CDL training, the stress of trucking can wear you down sooner or later. Trucking will take over your life until you have no life . . . if you let it. After a hard three or four-week run, all a driver wants to do when they make it home, is rest. In a few days they will have to head out, and start it all over again. It is imperative that someone who lives the life of a trucker, has hobbi

Many will enjoy a movie out with their families . . . a fishing trip . . . time out on the boat . . . a motorcycle ride . . . whatever it is, a driver should set aside that time at home for rest and enjoyment. Life is too short to spend it always in a truck. Most trucking companies don’t understand this. The only thing that exists in life is the freight. Forget about the freight for a while . . . and enjoy life when you can before it’s gone. I look forward to riding my Harley every chance I get. What a rush! But, flying . . . now there is freedom and peace. Have you ever thought about becoming a pilot? It’s not hard at all, and is not too expensive . . . and the joy it brings is immeasurable. Only if it is two or three hours a week or several hours a month . . . the rewards are great.

At 3500 feet or 8500 feet, all the stress and worries of daily life seem to disappear. It makes you realize that we are very small creatures inhabiting this planet! It brings your perspective of things back to a normal realization. If you are one who’s entire life is bound by trucking, like so many drivers are, (I know, I’ve been there), and you are considering a “hobby” of some sort, consider attaining your Private Pilot Certificate.  Discover the joy of general aviation. You won’t regret it.

I am planning my first flight to Freeport in the Bahamas and will be flying a Piper Cherokee 180. I received my Private Pilot License in March 1985 and still have the same enthusiasm today as I had on my first flight. I have about 15 hours to go in attaining my commercial/instrument rating . . . always learning and always discovering new things. Although it is only about 246.5 nautical miles and will take roughly two hours and forty minutes to make it to Freeport, with approximately thirty-eight minutes of “ocean” flying . . . it’s going to be the best two hours and forty minutes of my life!

Don’t let trucking control your life. Whatever it takes . . . whatever hobby you choose . . . make it work for you. If you’ve never thought about flying, consider it now. Trust me . . . you’ll be glad you did.

About the Author:

Aubrey Allen Smith is the author of the Truth About Trucking and How to Guarantee a “Perfect” Move. He is an expert in motor carrier transportation and a 38-year veteran in the household goods moving industry. Please visit his web sites today, to learn more.

© 2007 – 2008, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl training, trucking, trucking companies

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The United States trucking industry hauls more than nine billion tons of the country’s freight every year. That works out to be over 64 percent of the nation’s cargo. How important is trucking to American consumers? The number of communities that solely depend on trucking for the delivery of their merchandise is a staggering seventy (70) percent!

If the American truckers decided to go on strike, this country would be doomed. Within a matter of days store shelves would be empty, and all the necessities that we, the consumers, take for granted would be gone. Within a week’s time, we would have the appearance of a third world country. It’s true what they say . . . “Without Trucks . . . America STOPS!”

The trucking industry brings in a yearly revenue estimated at slightly over 255 billion dollars. Common carriers yearly revenue is estimated at nearly 98 billion. This is no easy task, since the operating ratio for these trucking companies is estimated at approximately 95.2 percent, meaning that for every dollar in revenue, it costs the trucking company 95.2 cents to operate. This gives them a profit of only 4.8 cents per dollar. There are a lot of miles being driven!

On the average, an over the road trucker will run 100,000 miles per year. That is the same as driving around the Earth four times! As an over the road driver for 21 years, accumulating approximately 2,220,000 miles, it is the same as having driven around our planet slightly more than 89 times. I know professional drivers who have accomplished five million miles in their careers . . . that is 200.75 times around the Earth! Amazing when you think about it.

What can a driver expect to make in salary for all these miles? The average company driver now earns between $32,400 and $42,300 . . . depending on the size of the company. The majority of owner operators gross salaries ranging between $100,000 and $150,000 per year, but with an average operating cost of 50%, their net income averages $50,000 to $75,000 . . . if they’re lucky.

If a company “promises” that you will earn $60,000 per year or more as a company driver, be very leery. It just does not happen in the real world. The over all average per year . . . $35,000 gross. Is this worth all the stress and headaches that come with over the road trucking? Is it worth being away from your family for long periods of time? These are questions you will have to ask yourself and contemplate with your loved ones.

Trucking is an enormous asset to our country and our way of life. The general public does not understand this. As a driver, you play a major role in keeping our “way of life” going. Don’t forget that when you are traveling around the Earth.

About the Author:

Aubrey Allen Smith is the author of the first and original: Truth About Trucking, as well as How to Guarantee a “Perfect” Move. An expert in motor carrier transportation, he assists new drivers entering into truck driving careers by exposing the scams of the trucking industry. Please visit www.truthabouttrucking.com today, to learn more.

© 2007 – 2008, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: company driver, over the road trucking, trucking, trucking companies, trucking industry

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