Archive for category Truckers Health

Tough Guy Persona Hampers Trucking Issues

Posted by Allen Smith in Safety, Truck Driving Jobs, Truckers Health, otr trucking, trucking, trucking life on March 10th, 2010

Little Tough Guy The trucking industry certainly provides jobs for millions of people, but like most industries, it has its share of problems. For years, these problems had always remained swept under the rug with few people stepping forward and going public with the injustices that exist within the industry. As social media evolved, that all changed. More and more drivers began speaking out and challenging many of the regulations and policies that affect their way of life. As trucking issues by drivers became more public, trucking companies and organizations began to take notice. So much so, that industry policy makers began taking action by communicating directly with many of these social media outlets from drivers.

In order to change a policy, rule or regulation for the better, first takes discussion. Discussing an issue is the first step towards improving a problem faced by truck drivers or companies. If a particular regulation is not working, then change can only first come about through discussing the issue. Unfortunately, there are still those drivers who consider “discussing an issue” as a form of “whining” and “complaining.” Since when did discussing a problem become whining? I contribute this type of mentality to something I call the “Tough Guy Persona.”

No matter what the issue being discussed, the tough guy persona will always appear. Be it the lack of rest that truckers receive, the hours of service, cheap freight, poor truck driver training . . . whatever the case, there will always be those who will step in and retaliate by saying, “Stop your whining and do your job.” From where I stand, I see drivers accepting the challenges of trucking and performing their jobs everyday with remarkable professionalism. What the tough guy persona is really saying here, is that they do not care about the injustices and poor treatment of truck drivers or in helping their company become more successful. They would rather sit back and change nothing . . . simply roll along and let things remain as they are. Even on the issue of cheap freight, which is a major concern for owner operators and trucking companies alike . . . the tough guy persona prefers to continue to work harder and accept things as they are, instead of discussing the problem to come up with a better solution. They would rather cling to their tough guy image, than work to bring about reform that could ultimately provide a better quality of life for themselves and their own families.

I considered for a moment, as to how the tough guy persona would work in other areas of life. Following the recent Haiti earthquakes, instead of the United States pouring out billions of dollars in aide that we cannot afford, perhaps we should have taken on the tough guy persona and told the Haitian people to just “Shut up and accept the situation.” Of course this is ridiculous, but this is how the “tough guy persona” operates. If simply discussing an issue is considered whining and others allow this form of coercion and peer pressure to win, then ultimately the entire industry continues to lose.

Everyone understands that a company must do all it can to remain profitable. However, all too often, the trucking industry will invoke the struggles directly onto the driver, taking no responsibility upon itself to bring about reform which could help both driver and company. Shippers will always have to ship and receivers will always have to receive. Simple logic. There is no reason to have the magnitude of cheap freight hauling that we now have in this country.

When the industry was deregulated in 1980, it was all about promoting competition. Deregulation only leads to monopolies, which we now have been experiencing in the trucking industry for years. Deregulation only promotes competition in the early stages, but later it eliminates competition as rivals are driven out of business. As we have seen with the trucking deregulation, other crisis come into play as well:

Eliminates the weakest companies
Prosperity is lost, as survival becomes the motive
Wages go down
Workers are laid off
Services are dropped and quality is reduced

Hundreds of thousands of truck drivers lost their jobs as a direct result of deregulation. They were hired on with the major companies which survived, but only after taking a cut in pay. Since then, the monopoly has worsen. Who can haul the freight at the cheapest rate is the name of the game now, and service is no longer the primary concern. Furthermore, the one paying the most for cheap freight . . . are the drivers. Running longer, running harder . . . to try to make ends meet. This entire scenario could be eliminated by trucking companies simply raising the cost of freight transportation. Either the shipper or receiver pays the cost . . . or they will have no inventory. Of course, the rise in cost will lead to higher consumer prices, but this can even be monitored by controlling inflation.

One can go on about many issues facing industries today, and the first step to any process is discussion. Discussing issues have led to many victories ranging from wage increase for workers to tearing down the Berlin Wall. To openly talk about issues such as safety, driver pay, owner operator struggles, cheap freight, CDL training, hostility in the workplace and so forth, has nothing to do with “whining” and “complaining.” It has nothing to do with being weak or being a tough guy. It has everything to do with standing up for one’s rights and determining a correct path which can lead to a better life and work style for both employee and employer.

This “tough guy” persona that exists within the trucking industry only hampers the ability to correct things for the better. It never succeeds, only hampers. It is a powerful urge that some cannot overcome. I simply overlook it and refuse to accept that the best thing to do is simply sit back and leave things the way they are. Why would any driver not want to work to raise their wages? Why would any driver not want to stop abuse of any kind toward another driver? Why would any driver not want to correct a policy within their company that could only make the company a better one?

This type of driver would rather hold on to the tough guy image, than work to make life better for their own family. I determined a long time ago that it is impossible to rationalize with irrational people.

: deregulation, truck drivers, trucking, trucking companies, trucking industry, trucking issues

deregulation, truck drivers, trucking, trucking companies, trucking industry, trucking issues

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How Safe is the HOS 14 Hour Rule for Truckers?

Posted by Allen Smith in Jobs and Careers, Politics, Safety, Talk Radio Show, Truck Driving Jobs, Truckers Health, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on March 9th, 2010

With his permission, a local truck driver out of Nebraska recently sent me the following email:

“I have been driving for over 20 years and began working locally with a company about a year ago. I have to say that the hours of service rules for truckers can be a killer for drivers, and perhaps more so for local drivers and those new to the industry. My shift is suppose to start at 7 A.M., but often me and my slip-seat partner runs late due to various reasons beyond our control, and many times he does not make it back until 2 P.M. or later. I am accustomed to getting up around 5 A.M., so going back to sleep is impossible.”

“So, up at 5 A.M., make it to work at 2 P.M., put in a 14 hour day, so I’m done at 4 A.M., home by 4:30 A.M. On this particular day, I have been up and awake for twenty three and a half hours. This type of schedule happens very often in local driving work. Even squeezing in the 10 hour break, you are either running behind all week or completely drained of all energy for the remainder of the week, just from your first day of work. If I say anything to dispatch, I am met with “So what are you saying? Are you turning down the load?” Drivers accept this challenge everyday and do their jobs professionally, but I see no safety in this type of operation, when the industry is constantly talking about “Safety First.”

This is very typical of trucking and is the main reason why veteran drivers will always stress that trucking is not a job, but a lifestyle. Regardless, how can trucking companies stress the importance of driver safety when so many drivers are expected to operate under this kind of schedule? Too many variables in the real world can stop the fourteen hour clock instantly: traffic accidents and delays at the shipper and receiver just to mention a few. Is driver and public safety a real concern for trucking companies and the powerful trucking organizations? Or is greed the primary motive for the continuance of pushing professional truck drivers to their limits?

Just last year in 2009, a major retail corporation lobbied to Congress to push truck drivers into a 16 hour work day. Luckily, that proposal was shot down. Anyone who has driven long enough and far enough will agree that driver fatigue is a major factor within the industry. Those who say otherwise, have not driven a truck for a real living. With the hours of service rule pushing drivers harder and further, allowing their lives to be controlled by the driver logbook, the fact that there are as few big rig accidents than there are, is only a testimony to the professionalism and skill of truckers.

The regulations set forth by the hours of service rules, only makes it more difficult for drivers, while allowing the industry itself to reap greater monetary rewards . . . all on the backs of the truck drivers. Why are truckers forced to work 70 hour work weeks and 14-plus hour days with no regard to the many obstacles that are thrown in their paths? At the same time, they are required to maintain their logbooks in a legal fashion.

Is safety a real issue or is greed the motivating factor within the trucking industry? Are the current HOS rules working for professional truck drivers and does it even take into consideration the safety and health factors of truck drivers?

Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio presented: Truckers 14 Hour Service Rule – Safety vs Greed on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 7 PM EST :

“How safe is the truck driver 14 hours of service rule? Truckers can work 70 hour work weeks with trucking companies, shippers and receivers showing little regard to the safety and health of the drivers. With the current HOS rules for drivers, many local truck drivers can easily be up for 20 or more hours at a time. Is the trucking industry really concerned with safety or is it nothing more than greed?”

Discussing truck driver safety on Blog Talk Radio with co-host: Barry Szczucki. If you missed the “live” show catch it now:

: fatigue, hours of service, Safety, truck driver, trucking, trucking companies

fatigue, hours of service, Safety, truck driver, trucking, trucking companies

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Running Across America for Truckers Medical Fund

Posted by Allen Smith in Truckers Health, trucking, trucking life on February 25th, 2010

Jasmine “Jazzy” Jordan is only 16 years young, but is on a mission. Having grown up in the trucking industry, one of her parents employees, Sheila Grothe fell ill and succumbed to cancer on April 17th, 2009. From that day forward, Jazzy was determined to make a difference in the lives of those who could not afford medical insurance or coverage. She began a rigorous training schedule and on September 1st, 2009, she began her run across America with all donations going to the St. Christopher Trucking Fund.

In her own words, Jazzy states: “My goal is to raise attention to the growing problem with people who have medical issues who are under insured and insured. We have all seen how generous our country has been in the past. I believe even in economic hard times we still make a big difference. Will you help me make the difference that is so needed? Together, we will change the future for the better.”

In our previous post, Non-Profit Organization Helps Truckers with Medical Expenses, the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund continues to provide assistance for truckers and their families who may be having difficulty paying medical expenses.

Jazzy Jordan Media Storm

You can “run along” with Jazzy on her cross country run at Run With Jazzy, and your donations will help this amazing young lady to achieve her goal . . . a goal that is higher than herself . . . a goal to help others in need.

Running in the hot sun, through rain, snow and dust storms, Jazzy Jordan has caught the attention of the media and American Truckers are being “challenged” by the Jordan’s to donate $10.00 to the St. Christopher Fund.

Jasmine “Jazzy” Jordan . . . 16 years young . . . what an inspiration!

: jasmine jordan, jazzy jordan, medical fund, run across america, st. christopher truckers fund, Truckers

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Non-Profit Organization Helps Truckers with Medical Expenses

Posted by Allen Smith in Trucker Donations, Truckers Health, trucking, trucking life on January 19th, 2010

The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to professional truck drivers and families of truck drivers, who have medical problems and can not otherwise afford health care. According to their site:

“Studies have shown that more than 70% of the 3.2 million professional drivers in the U.S. have one or more serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes, sleep disorders and cardiovascular disease. Professional drivers also lack the same access to health that most Americans enjoy.”

On a further note, it has been shown that professional long haul truckers experience a life expectancy rate that is ten years shorter than the average person. Due to the hardships of trucking, professional drivers often face medical expenses that can easily overcome their ability to pay. St. Christopher provides financial assistance to as many drivers and families as they can through the donations received.

Their Mission Statement:

“SCF helps professional drivers and their families who have financial needs due to medical problems. Assistance may be in the form of direct payment for medical services or prescription drugs, assistance with expenses while recovering from illness and out of work, or negotiating price reductions with insurance companies, medical providers and hospitals.”

Founded by Dave Nemo, host of the Dave Nemo Show (XM Radio Channel 171 – Open Road) and Dr. John McElligott, the Chairman and Founder of Professional Drivers Medical Depots, they offer help for those drivers and families of drivers who may be experiencing difficulties in paying medical expenses.

For more information about the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund or to make a donation, please send a letter to:

P.O. Box 30763

Knoxville, TN 37930

Or visit their website . . . Truckers Fund

: assistance, families, medical bills, non-profit organization, St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund, Truckers, truckers fund, truckersfund

assistance, families, medical bills, non-profit organization, St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund, Truckers, truckers fund, truckersfund

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Do Hostile Training Environments Exist for Women in Trucking?

Posted by Max4health in Talk Radio Show, Truckers Health, Videos, Woman Truckers, trucking on October 26th, 2009

During the Great American Truck Show in Dallas this August, I had the honor to meet a woman, Beverly Peterson, who dedicates much of her life to defending people in the workplace who are and have suffered the effects of bullying. Some think this isn’t a serious epidemic going on and will say, ” just tell them off”, or “if you don’t like it quit”, or “report them to their superiors” ( What happens if even the superiors are covering up to protect the company?).

Ahhh….if it was only just that easy all the time. It’s easy to judge, until you or a loved one are in that position. Oh, how we will then seem to change our non empathetic and very apathetic tune when the circumstances hit home.

Some circumstances for a specific job sometimes don’t allow leaving, quitting, or escaping, and the victims become seriously abused, either mentally or even physically.

Here’s one example of Bullying within the Trucking Industry :

A woman truck driver trainee on a truck can be in a very vulnerable position with a trainer. Alone, away from home and desperately trying to learn and gather enough of the required miles by law (to be eligible to apply for another job as miles of experience is a requirement) The trainee can feel trapped, afraid, threatened,intimidated, fearful to tell anyone of the abuse that is going on…even to tell someone in their company for fear of losing their job, and worried they will never get another driving opportunity somewhere else! Who do they tell? What do they do? They’ve heard the stories about others who have reported the abuse/harassment to HR and have been fired for it! They just paid 6000 dollars at a CDL truck driving school, what should they do now? Is there somewhere to turn?

The trucking industry has had a series of allegations by drivers, many of them women, who have expressed and eventually reported that these types of abuses have taken place in their life.

Listen closely to these 2 very short videos, as Ellen Voie of Women in Trucking and Ronald Fletcher, a teacher at a community college in Texas, share with Beverly, their comments to questions asked to them regarding this controversial topic. ( Listen closely at the questions being asked)

Remember: Many women are afraid “to tell others in the company” so because of that, “there is no record” of a report.

Here is a Radio Show That Allen did back on June 17th of 2009- Bullying in the WorkPlace Part One-

The follow up show is here: Hostile Training and Work Environments within Trucking 6/23/2009

Shame on any of us who turn our backs on our fellow man just because it hasn’t happened to us!

We reap what we sow………..be careful who you judge.

: Ellen Voie, hostile work, ronald fletcher, truck driver trainee, tuck driver taining, women in trucking, women truck driver trainers, workplace bullying

Ellen Voie, hostile work, ronald fletcher, truck driver trainee, tuck driver taining, women in trucking, women truck driver trainers, workplace bullying

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Health Care Reform for Truck Drivers

Posted by Allen Smith in Talk Radio Show, Truckers Health on September 24th, 2009

With premium costs spiraling upwards and no end in sight, health care is a big concern for truckers and the trucking industry as well. Join hosts Allen Smith and Barry Szczucki, with special guest Mike Johnston scheduled, for an in-depth look into possible solutions to reforming health care. Even company provided health care coverage is seeing increases as high as three to four times the premiums from a year ago.

Trucking talk radio show, Truth About Trucking “LIVE” on Blog Talk Radio, will air Health Care Reform for the Trucking Industry, Thursday, October 1st, 2009 at 3 PM EST.

Come join the conversation . . .

Allen

If you are in need of affordable and guaranteed health care coverage . . . you owe it to yourself to check out Access Health Care. Top rated company that provides affordable health coverage for as little as $99 per month for single, and $249 per month for family! Check it out for yourself, and be sure to join us on our next show.

: access health care, affordable health care, barry szczucki, health care, health care plans, mike johnston, reform, talk radio, Truckers, trucking, trucking industry, truth about trucking

access health care, affordable health care, barry szczucki, health care, health care plans, mike johnston, reform, talk radio, Truckers, trucking, trucking industry, truth about trucking

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Truck Drivers Health and Medicine Combinations

Posted by Allen Smith in Truckers Health on September 3rd, 2009

Over the counter drugs combinations I have written and talked about the dangers of combining different medications with each other, even the possibilities of over the counter drugs. As an over the road truck driver, there are those times when we fall ill and find ourselves hundreds of miles away from home. Most often our only resource are the OTC drugs available from the area stores.

An interaction between two drugs occurs when the effect of a particular drug is altered when taken with another drug or, in some cases, food. We all know that combining prescription drugs with over the counter drugs can be deadly, but it is important to reiterate that the combination of OTC drugs can be just as harmful. Each year, 100,000 people die from prescription drug combinations and one million more are hurt by the very drugs prescribed to them by their doctors. But what about just combining a few over the counter drugs? The same dangers exist.

For example: taking Advil and Aspirin together, can lead to deadly consequences. Furthermore, there are another 864 known drugs that will interact with Advil and 1,199 other drugs that will interact with Aspirin in an adverse way. When trucking for weeks and months at a time, we have all made the trip to the OTC counter, grabbing whatever looks like would provide us with the relief we are needing. Realize, that even over the counter drug combinations can lead to detrimental factors.

I wanted to provide professional drivers out on the road with a way to check to see if a certain combination of two medicines would be safe. With many truckers running with their laptops and smartphones these days, checking from out on the road had to be possible. Drug Interaction Checker will do just that. After you click on the “I Agree” button, you will then go to the next page which allows you to type in and/or choose from a large list of drugs and medicines, including OTC drugs. After placing the two names of the drugs in question, then just click on “Check Interactions.”

It will then give you the details for any major interactions, medium interactions or if there are no interactions between the drugs, and if they are safe to take together. When I checked against Advil and Aspirin, I was immediately given notice that this was a Major Drug-Drug interaction danger.

During your over the road trucking, you find yourself searching the OTC counter for whatever looks to be helpful, be safe. First, check with the Drug Interaction Checker. Especially, if you are needing cough syrups. Remember, they may only be over the counter, but hundreds of combinations exist that can and do lead to severe consequences.

: drug combinations, drug interaction checker, drugs, health, interaction, interactions, medicines, otc drugs, over the counter, over the road, truck drivers, Truckers, trucking

drug combinations, drug interaction checker, drugs, health, interaction, interactions, medicines, otc drugs, over the counter, over the road, truck drivers, Truckers, trucking

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Energy Drink for Truck Drivers, Without the Caffeine

Posted by Allen Smith in Truckers Health, otr trucking, trucking on August 27th, 2009

The life of a truck driver can be tough. Over the road, regional and even local trucking can wear us down and the lifestyle itself prevents many of us from receiving the proper diet, exercise and vitamins or minerals that the human body craves. Often, we barely have time to grab a quick hamburger or a cup of coffee and get back on the road to meet our deadline. Finally, when we reach that moment in time where we can shut down and actually go inside the truck stop or cafe and enjoy a good, hot meal . . . we head for the all-you-can-eat buffet or in my case, ( or maybe my downfall?) my favorite . . . chicken fried steak dinner. Hey! What can I say? I like it!

I’ve never been one who liked those energy drinks or supplements that we all know and hear about. Although there were many times my body could use a jolt of energy, I never wanted to fill my body with pure caffeine and sugars, which most energy drinks offer. However, there were times I gave some of them a try. Once, when I was waiting to get unloaded at a receiver in Maryland, I walked to their break room and found a vending machine, but all it had in it were energy drinks. They looked good and showed to have vitamins and minerals, so I figured I would give one a try. I put in $1.50 and chose one that looked like lemonade. I took a really big drink . . . and instantly got rid of it in the sink! It tasted like crushed vitamins mixed with water. It was the worse drink I have ever tasted and several others that I have tried through the years had the same effect on me. They tasted like medicine or was filled with unhealthy ingredients . . . until now.

I have been hearing a lot lately, about a new energy drink that was specifically designed for the lifestyle of a professional trucker. It made me want to research more about those other drinks, and my suspicions were confirmed. Most energy drinks are filled with high sugar, calories and caffeine and “other ingredients” that can lead to increase weight gain which medical science proves can result in diabetes, obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. I don’t know about you . . . but that term “other ingredients” tends to make me very leery.

Big Ol’ Trucker Energy Juice is a new energy drink that is beginning to make a name for itself and I thought I would pass this information on. Before doing so, like anything I do, I tried it first. For the last two weeks I have been taking 1-2 bottles of Big Ol” Trucker with me to work. The very first thing I can say about this drink, is that it is the first energy drink that I could actually drink! With the fruit punch flavor, I could still get a touch of that nutrient and vitamin taste, but it was still a good flavor. I actually enjoyed it. This energy drink for trucking professionals is filled with vitamins and nutrients which creates a heart healthy energy blend:

Big Ol’ Trucker Energy Juice gets an A+ rating. There was no “jolt” of nervous energy and no “crash” afterwards. Just a normal, relaxing and more natural effect that is what the body actually needs, being provided by the vitamins and nutrients listed above. It’s worth checking out and just so I make myself clear here . . . it tastes pretty darn good too!

For Trucker Health:

Allen

: big ol' trucker energy juice, caffeine, drink, energy, energy drinks, healthy, lifestyle, nutrients, sugars, truck drivers, trucker, Truckers, trucking, vitamins

big ol' trucker energy juice, caffeine, drink, energy, energy drinks, healthy, lifestyle, nutrients, sugars, truck drivers, trucker, Truckers, trucking, vitamins

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Green Truckers and Life Outside of Trucking

Posted by Allen Smith in Talk Radio Show, Truckers Health, trucking, trucking life on August 14th, 2009

With our previous Blog Talk Radio show about life outside of trucking being so well received, Barry Szczucki rejoined us for one more go around. Looking at what professional drivers do to pass the time when not on the road, Barry turns to organic gardening and topics focusing on energy.

In this broadcast, he discussed how to make your own compost and fertilizer, what you can plant right now, no matter where you live and his continual efforts toward providing easy-to-understand advice on his website: relyonyourself.com.

Organic gardening part 2 – Green Truckers aired live on Sunday, August 16th, 2009.

Take a look at how Barry helped me get started and why he is becoming known as the Green Guru: Organic Gardening

For now, enjoy the show:

: barry szczucki, blog talk radio, energy, fertilizer, green, green guru, make your own compost, organic gardening, rely on yourself, Truckers, trucking

barry szczucki, blog talk radio, energy, fertilizer, green, green guru, make your own compost, organic gardening, rely on yourself, Truckers, trucking

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Truckers to Shape Up or Ship Out

Posted by Allen Smith in Politics, Truck Driving Jobs, Truckers Health, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies on August 11th, 2009

Allen Smith Next time you stop after a hard day’s run at your favorite diner, you may want to think again before ordering that chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy! The trucking industry just keeps on changing, and now . . . it is going to tell the professional drivers what they should weigh, and if they just happen to tip the scales a little too heavy, then it’s “no truck driving job for you.” Isn’t Government great?

Truck driving jobs will now be considered for those interested, by more certain types of criteria. One of them being the Body Mass Index or BMI. We told you it was coming and it has arrived. Prime, Inc. shows the new BMI rule for new hire on their site for their qualifications. If your BMI is over 39, then you can forget about driving for Prime. This is just the beginning. Just for fun, check to see how your BMI would hold up? Isn’t this great?

Furthermore, I want to reiterate that more “changes” will be coming to the trucking industry. How far away it is, I will not determine, but it’s coming . . . when we open the Mexico border and allow thousands of their trucks to run across America, watch as a wide-spread deduction of truck driver wages will eventually take hold. Trucking companies will sooner or later be able to save millions of dollars in wages, by dropping the American driver at .38 CPM and more, and grab hold of these in-coming drivers from across the border who would think they were in Heaven earning .22 cents per mile!

You know, in my opinion . . . when I think about it . . . our neighbors to the South seem to have a better BMI rating than the overall American average?

Just a thought . . .

Allen Smith

: American driver, BMI, body mass index, mexico border, professional drivers, truck driver wages, truck driving job, Truck Driving Jobs, trucking, trucking companies, trucking industry