Within most industries lies corruption and the long haul trucking industry is no exception.  For years, this abuse has been kept swept under the rug and was only talked about, quietly among veteran drivers.  There are various aspects of corruption such as:  political, corporate and bribery which is usually always associated with the intake of power and money.  The silence that has covered the corrupt world of OTR trucking for so long is fading, largely due to the technical world of social media.

Having been the first to publicly expose the scams and abuses within the industry by launching Truth About Trucking in May of 2005, the power of social media exploded, and the real truth about the corruption that lies within the over the road trucking industry continues to be further exposed.  This corruption not only involves trucking companies and organizations, but at times, even drivers themselves.

We have seen many drivers who originally came on board for the task of exposing these scams, only to make a complete turn around when contacted by various organizations who “promised” them certain favors in return.  Thus, exposing the truth becomes a much bigger battle when drivers such as these will sell their morals and ethics to the higher bidder.  As for me, I pay them no attention.

CDL students and new drivers, as well as many veteran drivers, will continue to be abused, manipulated, lied to and used by these OTR trucking companies until enough drivers stand up and fight back.   I still reiterate that there are good trucking companies and not all are bad, but problems lie within all companies, good or bad.  One of the largest obstacles you will face as a new driver with any trucking company, is the employee abuse from both dispatch and safety departments.  Remember, a huge percentage of this corrupt industry is set up for a driver to fail, and this is used by both good companies and the not-so-good ones.

One set up is where dispatch will place you with a load that will cause you to run over your hours, breaking regulations.  You can tell dispatch that you do not have the hours or rest needed to run the load, but they will continue to plead with you to take the run.   It is a “hot” load and you are the only driver they have to get it there on time.  The safety department has made it clear to all drivers that breaking regulations will not be tolerated and you will be shut down for one, two or three days after so many violations.  Normally, after a third violation, safety will suspend your driving privileges for 30 days . . . yet, here is dispatch pleading for your help.   If you take the run to help out your dispatcher, then safety will come back against you . . . if you refuse to take the load in order to not break regulations, then your dispatch will come back against you by making you sit for two or three days . . . so what do you do?

Dispatch understands the Safety Department requirements, and safety understands that dispatch does this type of pressuring to drivers all the time . . . yet, when a driver is faced with such a decision, it is a no-win situation for the driver . . . the driver will always be blamed and the one to face the consequences.   Reporting what happened to safety, you will be told that you should not have taken the load . . . reporting what happened to dispatch, you will be told by the dispatcher who pleaded with you, that you should not have taken the load if you did not have the hours to make the run.   A no-win situation and you, the driver, will always be at fault, while both Safety and Dispatch Departments know that this little cat and mouse game goes on.   It is one of the many set-ups that will lead up to your failure within the trucking industry.   Failure that is not your fault, but one aspect of the long haul trucking corruption.

What makes this OTR trucking industry corruption worse, are the lies and deceit against their own employees (drivers).   Issues I have discussed often such as:

• The Owner Operator Lease Purchase Programs
• The DAC Report
• The driver shortage lie
• The continual scam of starving out drivers in order to bring in new, lower paid drivers as a form of cheap labor
• CDL Schools receiving Government subsidies, accepting driving students with no chance of being hired

Many are coming forward and exposing the real truth about the long haul trucking industry.  Others will still sell out to any organization that will pretend to be on their side and show them any kind of attention.   CDL students and new drivers can make it in this industry that many drivers call “the most lying, deceitful and corrupt industry on Earth.” For now, you will have to continue paying your dues for the first one or two years and if that “starter company” is not working out for you, then you will be able to move on to one of the “better” trucking companies.

Any trucking company can go out of business at any time . . . we saw that with Arrow Trucking.  Although some form of corruption will exist in any trucking company or industry, there are good companies out there . . . at least better than most.   As drivers who are not afraid to stand up for what is right continue to come forward through avenues such as social media to tell the real truth about the OTR trucking industry, this vocation can change and get better for all drivers, both new and veteran.  U. S. truckers and CDL holders are eight million strong . . . that is a powerful voice.

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: CDL schools, cdl students, corruption, dispatch, drivers, employee abuse, good trucking companies, government subsidies, long haul, over the road, owner operator lease, Safety, social media, trucking, trucking industry, truth

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by Allen Smith

Professional truck drivers have a lot of enemies.  Many drivers perceive the DOT as one enemy . . . and without question it is the general public who looks at trucking as something that is just in their way:  a big, slow 18 wheeler creeping up a hill at 25 MPH, making a huge wide turn that cuts them off,  a dirty machine that smells of oil and diesel . . . enemies can even include entire towns or cities that proudly make it known by stating,  “Truckers Not Welcome,” such as was the case of Greenwich, Connecticut.

The world of the professional over the road truck driver is a secretive one that few on the outside ever experience.  Mainly, the trucker talks and converses  with other truckers . . . few else would be able to relate.  The nine-to-fiver has no comprehension of how a long haul trucker will run more miles in one year, than they will drive in ten.  For those who jump into OTR trucking as a new career . . . statistics prove that most will only last six months.   It takes a ton of stamina to be a professional over the road truck driver . . . stamina, that most do not possess.

The truck driver will find enemies at nearly every turn . . . shippers and receivers who will treat them like they are less than dogs . . . law enforcement telling them that they will have to move their rig, even though they are parked out of the way on some small, forgotten empty lot overgrown with grass and weeds . . . enemies that even live within their industry itself . . . lies reported on their DAC report . . . a disgruntled dispatcher who will “cut” their miles because they refused to haul an illegal load . . . enemies everywhere.

Professional truckers will talk among themselves at the docks, rest areas and truck stops . . . talking about the abuses of the industry and keeping these insights quietly to themselves.   They cannot let their company catch wind of such discussions . . . they can’t afford to lose their jobs.   The veteran driver knows that for every one truck driver that loves their profession . . . ten more hate it, due to the abuse that continues to survive within the industry.

As one trucker said to me a few weeks ago: “The trucking companies own us . . . we are nothing more than slaves.”

I would not go so far as to referring to trucking as slavery, (we can all quit at anytime we want to), but for many thousands and thousands of OTR truckers . . . they are faced not only with a highly stressful, demanding and tiring vocation . . . but also with the daily misfortune of having to deal with so many misinformed outsiders who have no understanding of what over the road trucking is all about.  Enemies who look at truckers and their big rigs as a nuisance of the roads and something that just simply slows down their ever increasing, fast paced way of life. None of these, however, are the truck driver’s worst enemy.

I’ve always had a saying: “There is only right and wrong . . . and nothing in between.“ Fighting for a right is a much tougher battle than fighting for an obvious injustice.  History proves this.   Like water which takes the path of least resistance, it is much easier to join forces with the injustice, than it is to fight against it.   How you know that the “right” is gaining ground to winning, is that the voices of the injustice grow louder.  Right versus wrong has existed since the time of man and will continue to exist . . . it is just human nature.   There are those in which their sole purpose in life is to argue, attack and to continue spewing hate . . . even when they know that they are wrong.  I could make a post tomorrow about how the sky is blue, and I would be attacked by those who would say, “No . . . the sky is amethyst.” Truth, or the “right” is meaningless to them . . . their pleasure comes only from continually provoking hate and discord.

Trucking companies in the United States have never worried about a trucker strike.  These companies know that the brotherhood of truckers does not exist anymore and that many truck drivers could not get along, together, long enough to form a successful strike. An easy way to prove this is to simply turn on your CB radio and try to have a normal, decent, intelligent, adult-like conversation.   You may make it for a few minutes . . . but it will soon be attacked by other truckers.   It does not matter why or how the conversation is attacked, just that it is.   It’s the world we live in today.

It is understandable to have disagreements . . . it is more understandable to have professional and civil discussions.  Yet, there have been truckers who have actually “attacked” a widow of a murdered truck driver: a women who is fighting to bring about a new law that will provide more safe and secured parking for our nation’s truck drivers.   No professional, civil or adult conversations . . . but written, verbal attacks against a lady who lost her husband who was a fellow trucker.    “Professional” truck drivers filled with jealously and rage because somebody else is doing something of such importance, and it’s not them . . . trucking organizations who came out strong in support of the new bill, only to fall weak and abandoned it when faced with losing their funding from those with special interests in mind.  To her, I say forget about them and don’t lose any sleep over it.   These are the segments of truck drivers and industry “leaders” who prefer to follow the path of least resistance.

Fighting . . . discord . . . hate . . . jealously . . . pride . . . whatever the reason, a large majority of the nation’s truck drivers will continue to follow the easiest path.   The thousands of others who are professional and civil . . . may work quietly in the background or even raise their voices . . . but they will do it in a manner that shines with their professionalism and commitment to bringing change to an industry that needs change in several areas.    There will always be those who will fight and wreak havoc just for the sake of fighting and wreaking havoc . . . the truck driver’s worst enemy is the truck driver.

Anyone who has been in trucking for any length of time knows that trucking is a tough vocation.  Over the road trucking is especially rough . . . hard on the body, the mind and apparently, even the soul. It no doubt has come around due to the hardships of the trucking life.  It not only exists in trucking, but sadly, you can witness this fall in human kindness and decency throughout many aspects of our society.  Personal attacks have become a past time favorite for many.  A large majority of mankind now gains complete satisfaction from launching verbal and textual attacks against anything and anybody, purely for the sake of what they perceive as entertainment. They contribute nothing good or positive to society and they care not to.

The simple art of “believing” is nearly dead.  When anyone attempts to work for something for the sole purpose of helping, it must be for “other reasons.”  In today’s society, there is absolutely no way that anyone would take on a task for the sole purpose of  “helping.”  That aspect is simply absurd!  What the trucking companies have over a large vast of drivers, is that they can all “get along” with one another . . . they know the chances of this among drivers is next to nil.  This is how companies can continue to abuse drivers through the use of the DAC Report . . . this is how trucking companies can work together to “blackball” a driver from the industry, a control tactic if you will. Together, they are a nationwide “team” . . . on the contrary, assaults and attacks are launched against drivers by drivers.  Obviously, the trucking companies know that they do not have to do anything . . . the drivers themselves will do the job!   The companies understand human nature and use it for their benefit.

Over the road trucking can wear you down.  Enemies from all sides . . . the stress, the lifestyle, the demand . . . and so often the case, another enemy that can creep in if you allow it:  cynicism.

Cynicism. This word is actually very interesting.  It refers to a group of ancient Greeks called the Cynics, dating back to  four B.C.   Today, cynicism describes the opinions of those people who see self-interest as the main, primary motive of human behavior, and who fail to believe that anybody does anything simply out of sincerity or virtue.  Cynics truly believe that no human being invokes any action of any kind purely out of goodness. Also, the way cynics express themselves, due to this belief, are through sneers and sarcasm.

Sad, isn’t it? We only have one life to live, which is so short, and one must live it through cynicism and failure to believe in anything right and good . . . living life by attacking others who are sincere in their goals, only to make themselves look like a “hero” and to bring attention to themselves.  Another amazing aspect to this is that so many of them complain on a daily basis, yet will not even attempt to get involved and change things for the better.  If things changed, they would no longer have the reasons they need to throw out their sneers and sarcasm.  It is an odd characteristic.

For many, over the road trucking has worn them down.  On the other hand, those stronger did not allow the OTR life to destroy them and they enjoy the trucking life and prove that it is possible to remain a highly trained professional in a very difficult lifestyle .  The life of an over the road trucker can transform you into a bitter, jealous, hate-filled cynic .  . . . but only if you let it.   Remember, that the “truck” is not your home . . . your HOME is your home . . . remember, other truckers are not your family . . . your FAMILY is your family . . . and always remember, that the freight is NEVER more important than those loved ones waiting back at home.

So, for all of you new CDL students and drivers breaking into the industry . . . over the road trucking can provide a decent career eventually, but only if you are up to the drastic change in lifestyle.   Will you follow the path of least resistance, or maintain the strength to stand up for what is right?

Before entering into the world of long haul trucking, you should answer yourself one question:  “Will I be a follower or a leader?” Do not allow yourself to become your worst enemy.

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cynicism, enemies, enemy, long haul, otr, over the road, professional, truck driver, truck drivers, Truckers, trucking, trucking companies

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Reported by:  Jonathan S. Reiskin, Associate News Editor

Is the trucking industry as we know it in North America changing?  Will trucking careers slide downward and may even eventually become somewhat “obsolete?”  Many experts believe it will and are advising that the shear core of the U.S. trucking foundation is on very shaky ground.

Trucking in North America is in the midst of a fundamental reshaping which, according to James Hebe, a senior executive of Navistar Inc.,  “will lead to flat tonnage levels for fleets and fewer truck manufacturers producing much more expensive vehicles, mostly in Mexico.”   Mr. Hebe, further noted that federal policies will cause the demise of a number of trucking institutions such as “long and tall tractor design, owner-operators and independent maintenance shops.”

He further noted that long haul operations will shift to regional positions and dedicated contract carriage for distribution and that “the availability of truck-rail intermodal for many linehaul movements of more than 1,000 miles and the shock of $4.75-a-gallon fuel last year mean “fuel prices have changed the world.”

Believing there will be a surge in truck sales within the second half of 2009, he states that this will just be a “suckers’ rally” but it is “only so buyers can avoid more expensive 2010 trucks equipped with new emissions controls.” Due to high fuel and equipment prices and the onset of electronic on-board recorders, this he said will be the “death knell” for owner-operators because they will not be able to survive by running legal.

He also pointed out the high cost to truckers due to the current administration policies for unionization.  The cost of unions, he said, is driving manufacturing jobs primarily to Mexico.  He pointed out that “there are no unemployed truck workers sitting around in Mexico.  We will have to train truck builders who have never built trucks before — and that means a ramp-up will have to be slow, or quality will have to suffer.”

With 38 years of experience under his belt, he believes “truck pricing will increase dramatically.  If you think the pricing in 2010 is bad, you haven’t seen anything yet.”

Summing it up, we must wonder if the outlook for the U.S. Trucking Industry is about to be shaken to its core.

According to Mr. Hebe:  “Truck jobs in the U.S. are gone and will not be coming back.”

Your thoughts?

Allen Smith

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: industry, james hebe, long haul, mexico, owner operators, regional, Truckers, trucking, truth about trucking, u.s. trucking, unions

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