Trucking Advocate and Activist Allen Smith of TruthAboutTrucking.com : Articles Current News and Information for CDL Truck Drivers and Truck Driving Students…"Raising the Standards of the Trucking Industry"
Hope Rivenburg, the widow of slain trucker Jason Rivenburg, along with Congressman Paul Tonko, AskTheTrucker, and everyone who has worked so diligently to get HR 2156 passed into law, has designated June 28th 2010, the official day for Jason’s Law – Bill HR 2156.
Jason’s Law, otherwise known as Bill H.R. 2156, was introduced on April 28th, 2009 and has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Bill, named after truck driver, Jason Rivenburg of Fultonham, NY, who was found shot to death in his truck, would implement a pilot program to establish safe truck parking facilities.
What this day of recognition means is that on, June 28th, 2010, we are calling for EVERYONE to call their Representatives and Senators, telling them that it is imperative for them to support HR 2156 in order that truck drivers can have the promise of safe and adequate parking. We need to flood the phone lines and “Get Er Done”
This is a Bill that has the Support of everyone. With all the many differences that exist among one another within the trucking industry, we are all in unanimous agreement that H.R. 2156 must be passed and become law.
Organizations in Support of H.R. 2156- “Jason’s Law”
OOIDA Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
Teamsters The International Brotherhood of Teamsters
It’s time to for us all to be determined and not depend on the next guy. Here is an article written by Todd Dills of OverDrive Magazine which explains why we must not be passive, but instead, the absolute vital importance of why we must all be proactive in this cause. We must all create a frame of mind within ourselves that says,
” If I make this call today, Jasons Law Will be passed”
Hope Rivenburg has made numerous trips to Washington in support of HR 2156, attempting to gather support and co-sponsors for the bill.
She does this for 2 reasons:
So that her husbands death will not be in vain
So that no other truck driver or their family will have to endure similar pain and loss
Land Line Magazine, the OOIDA business trucking magazine, reported on the recent Dan Rather Reports TV Show in which I was invited to as a special speaker from the audience. In the article they wrote:
Rather turned to an audience member, Allen Smith, who has spent 30 years in the business. Smith claimed he has received thousands of responses on his site, askthetrucker.com, since the “Dan Rather Reports” episode aired featuring Wood. ( misquote)
“The schools are still taking their money. They’re wasting their time in the truck knowing that within a couple of weeks they’re going to be thrown out of the truck anyway,” Smith said.
Although I’m sure Land Line would never admit to receiving the volume of emails we have received from all of you since our site began, all of you CDL students and new drivers out there who have experienced these abuses you have shared with AskTheTrucker over the years, should consider also sharing your stories directly to OOIDA and their Land Line Magazine.
In fact, here is an email we just received a few hours ago from a gentleman who wanted to share his nightmare story of his Owner Operator Lease Purchase Program, which I have discussed many times. For Land Line Magazine and OOIDA . . . this is just another one of the thousands we have and continue to receive:
Dear Sir:
I have settled down a bit, so let me put things into perspective and give you some more info:
I am near the end of my 5th week with ********. I will get my 4th settlement statement tomorrow. I am a rookie driver – all my experience is these 5 weeks, plus ******** driver training program. My driver trainer was a lease op, he convinced me that I would make much more money as a lease op. I was convinced by many ******** people that leasing my truck would provide me more income, more flexibility in various aspects of the job. I got back to the yard, tested out, and one of the instructors talked to our group about leasing. He pulled me aside, and of course I had already made up my mind to do it…long story short, he gets $300 bonus for every one he can get to sign up. And I did so. It has turned into a nightmare. I was making more money ($330 a week) with Georgia unemployment than with this company.
My settlements so far during my short career have been: $755 for week 1, $305 for week 2, $56 for week 3, week 4 comes out tomorrow, and of course here I sit broke down from Sunday Nov. 8 to probably Sat. Nov. 14, so when I get the settlement for this week, it will be deeeeep in the hole no doubt. Those figures
are before taxes and Soc. Security, which I have to pay quarterly. I probably wont have to pay anything as I had worked in the corporate world in my old job for a half year in 2009. I have to drive 1800 to 1900 miles to “break even”.
I am told that ******** Trucking receives $30,000.00 from the US Govt. for every new driver it trains and puts on the road. At the same time, this company has a 120% turn over rate, and it’s because the lease ops are making the truck payments on a fleet of lemons (Cat C-15 engines with problematic Regen systems), and the Drivers (lease or company) are not getting enough miles to earn a living. What do you think, is it a scam? Or is aall of the trucking industry just like this?? This is a “$30,000 a head personnel factory” funded by our tax dollars.
Five weeks is not a very long time, perhaps it reduces the impact or legitimacy of this story, you know, here is a guy just whining or whatever, but to me it is very big… I did this as my answer to being laid off from the corporate world, my big career change, a new beginning.
I am planning to complete my 90 day obligation to ******* and then give my 2 weeks notice to break the truck lease. At least there is a 2 week walk away clause. Today is Nov. 12, and I have been broke down since Sunday Nov. 8th, and I have to continue making lease payments, pay my own hotel bill, and basically just wait until it is fixed. Yes I signed a contract, I knew what I was getting into, but I did not expect I would be issued a lemon. My truck had 238 thousnad miles on it – just broke in, they all said. They do offer a truck rental at *******, but I wont be down long enough for it to work out – it would be time to come back up here & get my truck after only say 1 run in the rental (from back at the yard in *******), and by the way, there are no rentals available right now anyway. I checked yesterday (Nov. 11). So, my truck will be issued to the next victim, and this puppy mill will continue to generate $30,000 government payments.
I guess I am a complete idiot. Trucking has turned into a nightmare in only 5 short weeks, I have gotten a real education. I think it is God trying to tell me something. I await some kind of sign from Him, or maybe its that simple: that he wants me to go home and not be a truck driver?? I know this has hurt my wife badly, and I am lonely as hell. What can I say? I can do this work, I know it, but I cannot survive at the abysmal level of income. If I had some other source of income, it would be OK to stick with it and learn the ropes, get the experience, and so on. I believe trucking has a chance to come back like the old days, I believe that is why the old veterans are hanging in and running on.
I cannot afford it.
If you can use any of this please do so. Bear in mind I still have to work with ****** for 4 more weeks or so to fulfill my 90 day obligation – that covers training expenses. They say they can charge me with it if I leave early.
Very Best Regards,
***********************
MY REPLY:
Hi ******** :
I’m really sorry this has happened to you and is the reason we are working so hard to expose these scams and abuses by the trucking industry, from those companies and schools which are allowed to operate in these abusive manners.
I don’t have to tell you that “yes” in many cases, these lease purchase plans are nothing more than scams. There are good companies out there with good lease programs. I cannot really say about the company you mentioned, but again, this lease purchase programs show to have an 87% failure rate.
They are simply designed for a driver’s failure by many companies. Understand, you ARE NOT AN IDIOT! Sounds like you are just another victim of the abuse and scams of the trucking industry that we are working to expose. I cannot verify the $30,000 you mention – that sounds very high to me – but I will look into it.
Industry leaders will always say that it’s YOUR fault … but trust me … it’s not. It’s their fault for allowing these scams and abuses to continue.
I’m sorry that once again, another newcomer to the industry who only wanted a new career and a way to support their family, has been victimized by this industry. We will keep fighting to expose the truth.
Sincerely,
Allen Smith
So here is ANOTHER story shared by one more victim of the scam and abuses of trucking. We maintain all emails within our system, so if OOIDA wants to say that I “claim” to receive . . . we will be glad to start posting more here on AskTheTrucker including the names of those trucking companies within the emails.
Monday evening Nov 9, 2009,Dan Rather Reports videoed part 2 of an ongoing trucking industry investigation at Willies Place Truck Stop in Carl’s Corner, Tx. The objective of this broadcast was to follow up from the Show of October 20th,“Queen of the Road” where Trucker Desiree and Tom Hansen discussed the poor practices going on in trucking, specifically the students in the CDL training mills and the new driver company training programs.
When the drivers first drove up and were entering Willies Place, some were confused, thinking that the show may create a poor image for drivers. After talking with many of them they soon realized that the intention of the show is to actually improve the image of the American driver by confronting the many scams that so many of them have faced throughout their career. The CDL school mills and new driver training programs are just 2 programs which are hurting the image of the drivers. This is because by churning out so many inexperienced drivers, not only are veterans being starved out of the business by newer lower paying drivers, but the lack of experience by these new drivers is not a true symbol of the excellent driving skills which so many veterans possess. I personally talked at length with trainer Jimmy Watson of KLLM. Jimmy at first came to Willies Place concerned about the possibility that his reputation would be damaged by exposing poor training tactics of other companies. It wasn’t until I explained that by exposing and eliminating the poor training practices of other companies, that his company would not have to endure any kind of negative stigma which may result from them.
In this week’s follow up, “Truck Talk “, Dan Rather visited the big truck stop at Carl’s Corner, Texas, to hear from others within the trucking Industry. Truckers from across the country were encouraged to attend the live videoing of the follow up program so they could witness first hand the questions and discussions going on among Dan Rather and the stage panel: Todd Spencer ( executive VP of OOIDA), Michael Belzer ( Economics Prof of Wayne State), Miles Verhoef ( O/O), Derek Leathers (COO of Werner ENT), Tom Dean( Veteran Driver for Werner Ent) and Guest audience speaker Allen Smith of AskTheTrucker.com. Many Truckers were in the audience including Desiree Wood from the first Dan Rather Reports trucking Video, along with owner operators, company drivers, company trainers, and even a student who came to Allen for help regarding a wrongful statement on his DAC report which has ended his short lived trucking career of less than 1 year.
As you will see after viewing the Dan Rather Truck Talk video, the greatest part of this program has been the fact that it has brought truckers, blogs and organizations together, discussing the problems and issues within the trucking industry. As you are aware, Allen Smith has been an advocate for students and drivers and has been talking about the scams within trucking for quite a number of years now. TruckerDesiree and Allen, AskTheTrucker, for the last year have had a synergistic relationship, fighting for the rights of students, new drivers, the harassment women in trucking trainees, and even the veterans who are being starved out. Other issues only being addressed by Allen, are the DAC abuse and the Trucking Lease Scams,which hopefully will gain the attention of others as they are crucial topics which must be addressed.
Now, we have agreement with Todd Spencer of OOIDA, who personally told TruckerDesiree what a great job she did in the first video. Also notice in the video that Todd Spencer brings up how there never was a driver shortage, but the problem is the 125% turnover rate, something which Allen has been trying to explain to people for years and actually devoted a chapter to in his book, “The Truth About Trucking.” When I heard Todd say that, I wanted to jump out of my chair and personally hug him!! I did mention it to him later, although I didn’t hug him…
I want to say that this meeting/forum at Willies Place has given me a hope that I have never felt before. I felt unity and comradeship, people standing around discussing problems together. I had a great talk with Norita Taylor, media spokesperson for the OOIDA, as we discussed things like the importance of Jason’s Law HR1256 and the CDL training problems. Norita told me also that her boss Todd Spencer said that Desiree’s depiction of CDL training was right on, and how great it was to be able to meet and speak amicably on all these important issues.
You see, we all need to have the same agenda, the same common goal….THE SUCCESS OF DRIVERS AND TO” RAISE THE STANDARDS OF THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.”
Watch Both Dan Rather Reports Videos ( “Queen of the Road” and “Trucker Talk” on the right side column!
Will Hope Rivenburg and Family be at GATS? With a little help from…….. OOIDA or the ATA
The families of Murdered Truck Driver Jason Rivenburg are continuing their campaign for “Jason’s Law”, H.R.2156, which will implement a pilot program to address shortages in safe parking for commercial motor vehicles on our National Highway System. It is necessary that we continue to collect as many signatures on the petition as possible in order to ensure the passing of the bill. Jason’s Law will create the 6 year Pilot Program in the amount of 120 million dollars in grants over a 5 year period.The legislation allows the Secretary of Transportation, in cooperation with appropriate State, regional, and local governments, to allocate funds to improve rest areas that serve the National Highway System.
Whenever I speak to Hope Rivenburg ( Jason’s Widow), gratitude just pours out of her. It’s quite humbling to speak to someone who has gone through so much, and yet so much of her words are in appreciation of others. She appreciates all the websites and blogs who have helped in the support of “Jason’s Law”, no matter how small or large they are, all the individuals who have expressed their most sincere condolences, and everyone who has signed the petition.
Along with the many individuals, trucking blogs and websites such as this one, there are 2 major organizations who are supporting Jason’s Law… OOIDA and The ATA.
During my conversations with Hope, she has expressed that she is also very grateful for the support of both The ATA and OOIDA . She said that OOIDA wished her the very best in all her endeavors when she had first contacted them about the proposed bill . Hope said that it wasn’t too long after though, when Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) released the draft of the bill “Jason’s Law” or H.R. 2156, they came to bat and supported the family and the bill through magazine postings and calls to action.
Hope and her family initially met with Congressman Tonko on March 14th, 2 days after Jason’s funeral, in a coffee shop in New York State, to discuss the need of the bill. Since that first meeting, Hope and her family members have worked tirelessly in order to make sure that this Law passes and that another family does not have to endure the same kind of tragedy or loss. You can read the family Journal which gives an account of the struggles and progress which they share on their Blog
On April 28th Congressman Paul Tonko introduced legislation H.R. 2156 in the House titled “Jason’s Law,” which would implement the pilot program to address shortages in safe parking. I think Paul Tonko’s name is engraved on the hearts of Jason Rivenburgs family, as well as many others who are grateful for his initiative in introducing “Jason’s Law.”
OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer said Tonko’s bill is a “good one” and urges members to call their representatives and educate them about how this bill will help provide safe parking for truckers. “We need to pursue whatever is possible to expand the amount of parking in areas where it’s so desperately needed,” he said. Read the entire post here.
Shortly after, the ATA quickly jumped on board and strongly supported HR 2156 and S971. In an article posted May of this year in FleetOwner Magazine, “Jason’s Law: ATA pushes for quick passage of truck-parking measure” President and CEO Bill Graves stated, “The parking shortage for commercial motor vehicles comprises the safety of drivers out on the road and requires a comprehensive solution involving all interested parties.”
This is a time when it is necessary that we all stand together ( as we are). Drivers, Trucking Blogs and Websites, OOIDA, the ATA and everyone else who is concerned about the safety of drivers’ lives out on the road and the desire to see” Jason’s Law” a reality( not a dream) are in unison together.
This August The Rivenburg and Hardendorf family members are hoping to attend The Great American Trucking Show ( GATS) in Dallas, TX. It is their desire so set up a booth and run their campaign, to reach so many thousands more about “Jason’s Law”, providing their many pamphlets, T-shirts, bracelets, etc….educating people about the crucial need and vital importance of this legislation.
As you can imagine, cost of the trip for the family members and the added cost of a booth at GATS, can be quite expensive.
I asked Hope Rivenburg if she would accept sponsorship from either The ATA or OOIDA for their campaign at GATS. She was thrilled and deeply moved at the thought of a sponsorship.
It is at this time we would like to make our plea for Sponsorship to both the ATA and OOIDA for the Rivenburg and Hardendorf family members. Please reach out and help them, as they have endured so much, and yet remain dedicated and loyal to the cause of their passing loved one and his fellow brother and sister truck drivers. We know how important this bill is to you, imagine how much more important it is to Jason’s family. Their presence at GATS will surely impress and imprint the hearts of thousands more.
ATA and OOIDA: Please contact Hope Rivenburg for your sponsorship. God Bless You email at : h_rivenburg@jhlrivenburg.com
We thank you all for all that you have done, continue to do, and will do, in order to ensure that “Jason’s Law” becomes a reality and that Jason Rivenburg’s death was not in vain.
Special thanks for my friends who inspire me to be a better person and to fight for the rights and betterment of others:
Desiree, Damian, Fred, JB, Daniel, and all my twitter friends!
Timothy Hardendorf, Jason Rivenburg’s uncle, appeared on trucking talk radio: Truth About Trucking “LIVE” sharing his family’s quest in helping to provide safe truck parking for all truckers, through Jason’s Law, H.R. 2156. The bill, now sits in Committee and the show largely dealt with the aspect that now is the time to act.
Mr. Hardendorf shared the family’s sincere thanks for all of the support that truckers and citizens alike, have expressed for the passage of Jason’s Law. Greatly supported by truck drivers and organizations such as the ATA and OOIDA, Mr. Hardendorf stressed that the bill is still just in the first phase and we all must continue to let our voices be heard and to advise our representatives and senators that we fully support H.R. 2156.
Please take a few minutes out of your day and make a phone call to your state representative and senator and let them know that you want their support for bill S.971 – Mr. Hardendorf also pointed out that just by dropping a post card in the mail with the words, “I support Jason’s Law” written on the front, will help bring about this much needed victory.
Don’t know who your State Representatives are? Find out Here:
Special thanks to Timothy Hardendorf for coming on the show at such short notice. At the end of the show I was calling him Mr. Hardenburg! focusing so much on the Rivenburg name, but I’m sure he’ll excuse me for that. Important bill . . . let’s do what we can to help bring about safe truck parking . . . lets contact our state representatives and senators and let them know that we support Jason’s Law.
Desiree is an OTR Driver who not only enjoys driving, but enjoys helping cdl students and new cdl drivers overcome obstacles every chance she gets, and she does . . . alot! She is an advocate for truck driver training safety, the fair treatment of students by their trainers, women in trucking, and Green Trucking . . . but NOT at the expense of the Owner Operators, which appears to be the case these days.
Desiree will the guest on Allen’sBlog Talk Radio Show on Sunday February 22, 2009 at 6pm EST discussing: “The Harrassment of Women CDL Students and Drivers Within Trucking Companies” and also the Contoversial “CARB” ( California AirResources Board) Topic, which has many, especially owner operators, quite disturbed to say the least.
TruckerDesiree ( as she is known ) has become quite popluar with many groups as she makes her stand for truckers everywhere.
She is quickly becoming “a voice for many” as she is frequently contacted by magazines, news networks, and organizational groups desiring her input, opinions and support. Here is a page from her Facebook account which will give you an idea of “Who is Trucker Desiree” and what she wants to accomplish:
“Trucker Desiree :California is where I was born & raised. I am of a Family of Migrant Field Workers who came to California before the Freeways. I grew up at the beaches in Venice, Oxnard, Malibu, Arcata, Trinidad and Carlsbad as a child of the Welfare System.”
“After a life of struggles as a Single Mother, I am now an “Over the Road” Trucker.I fully understand where the miscommunication lies between Activists, Environmentalists & Truckers because I have lived on both sides of the argument and I have an Idea that can help.I am New to Trucking and I quickly learned to not tell people I was from California because of the manner Truckers are looked upon in my home state.”
“Similiar to the way I conceal I am Mexican as I travel across the U.S. as a Trucker to areas that Mexicans are also misunderstood. The Geography of my home state isolates population centers from understanding that Industry requires dirty stinking trucks that work 24/7 to move sensitive high dollar freight from the Ports & Agriculture from rural areas of the State.”
“Trucking is a detail oriented job that requires much more than driving skill. Good planning to move freight out of California in Particular, makes this State… the least desired State to work in as a Trucker. Mostly because California targets Truckers without regard to how difficult this job is and what they do for California Industry.”
“California has the worst infrastructure I have seen since I became a Trucker. No Parking is available to accommodate sleepy drivers, especially in areas where Freight must be shipped from. The transit time to move freight out of the state at the Truck speed of 55 mph thru the traffic centers of Southern California & geographic locations in Central California affect a driver’s ability to NOT violate Federal “Hours of Service”. Therefore, California places Truck Drivers at risk by NOT providing them adequate space to rest, forcing them to continue to drive out of the state in many cases to get to “Friendlier States” where they can sleep safely.”
“Sleeping safely includes Idling because currently no other system in California has other options for drivers to sleep properly & have temperature controls in their cabs. A safe driver is well rested, not roasting or freezing which is the case now because Idling laws do not take into account that Truckers live in their Trucks & must congregate where shippers are located for proper planning to move sensitive California Freight out of the State.”
“Truckers are targets for Hijackers, esspecially in this economic downturn. Much of the Freight from the Port is extremely High-Dollar that must not stop for at least 200 miles from the time the trailer is sealed at the shipper.”
“Freight moves 24/7 so a driver must be on call to drive 24/7, this is why many trucking companies have Terminals in the Long Beach Port & other Port Areas. Owner-Operators do not have anywhere to go but wherever they can to sit and wait. Both Company Drivers & O/O must idle to rest & be ready at a moment’s notice.”
“Many times, arriving at the shipper, the load is not ready. Sometimes I have waited 14 hours, my entire Legal shift for a load at the shipper. I am only paid to drive, nothing else. Legally, I cannot drive. I must be in the sleeper 10 hours to go back on duty, but with no temperature control? Even if I am in the sleeper in the shippers dock during that 14 hours I cannot have temperature control to sleep properly under California’s current policy. When I am waiting at my company terminal in Long Beach, Pomona, French Camp waiting for a load, sometimes for days on end I have nowhere to go, I live in my truck to move freight.”
“Many O/O in this downturned economy do as well. California needs to implement in their Infrastructure plans a “Green” solution for Truckers that everyone can afford, not just targeted at “Mom & Pop” Truckers who have only their Truck in the whole World where they live & work to move California’s Freight out of the State.”
“Shippers, Receivers, Big Trucking Companies who have Terminals in California & the State of California need to combine forces to reduce emissions.The burden on O/O is too great, they are being singled out because they have just that “Old Truck” that is their life’s blood. As a Student Trucker I am appalled to see companies charging drivers to Idle in Freezing Winter Temperatures at a price higher than Diesel per gallon & the turning around and accepting the “Smart Way EPA Award.”
“A true Smart Way would be to require innovation to combine existing technologies in Trucking & provide adequate space for Truckers to park & rest.This includes at Shipper/Receiver facilities, Terminals & areas for O/O. Companies that manufactuer APU units to reduce idleing have struggled in our downturned economy. Truckers who have purchased expensive APU units to comply with emissions regulations now have an additional concern that they cannot get warranty or repairs done.”
“Idleaire, the company that is in use at some Travel Plazas, is not a viable option for mass appeal because technology has advanced to the point that their product is quickly becoming obsolete.”
“Currently, Wal-Mart has a no idle policy on at their Distribution Centers. For Wal-Mart Tractors, a unit is provided in the bobtail parking section that keeps the engine block from freezing in Winter Temperatures. This unit currently does not provide temperature control for the driver, only for the engine. Some Tractors come equipped with bunk heaters, but many Big Trucking Companies buy only the Standard Model for their Fleets that do not have bunk heaters.”
“In California, Temperatures do not fall low enough to jeopardize the engine block, but they do get too cold & too hot for the driver to rest properly without temperature Control. RV’s can plug into electric power, Ships in port can receive shore power, but nothing is available to Truck Drivers to accommodate their comfort for safe driving to move freight from the State of California.”
“My Idea is a unit of similar size which is currently used by Wal-Mart to provide warmth to the engine block. It is less cumbersome than Idleaire.
It would not pump in foreign air like IdleAire which is an added security risk, because of Hijackers & Criminals who target Truckers and rob them. This unit could run off electricity but could be developed into a solar unit, perhaps wind power as well.”
“The Long Beach “Green Port” Project is the Ideal place to implement such a prototype because of the forward thinking innovation they are currently using to modernize this urban center. I am concerned when I read the Conference entitled “Faster-Freight, Clearner Air” has no VIP Speakers who are Truckers who live this life. I only see VIP Speakers who sell Trucks.” http://www.ffcacalifornia.com
“When I watched the Port of Long Beach Webcast about The Green Port Project, I heard about Innovations for Ships but not for Trucks that move the freight and fight Southern California Traffic to do it. To solve this problem, Californians need to understand Industry of this State is conducted away from the beach and the beautiful scenery. Its a dirty, stinky business that must be done. Who wants to put some plasma screens in their mercedes and drive them across the country? Anyone?” — TruckerDesiree@gmail.com
: askthetrucker, ata, H.R. 2156, hope rivenburg, jason rivenburg, Jason's law- H.R.2156 S971, ooida, paul tonko, teamsters, todd dills, trucking, trucking industry
the excellent driving skills which so many veterans possess. I personally talked at length with trainer Jimmy Watson of KLLM. Jimmy at first came to Willies Place concerned about the possibility that his reputation would be damaged by exposing poor training tactics of other companies. It wasn’t until I explained that by exposing and eliminating the poor training practices of other companies, that his company would not have to endure any kind of negative stigma which may result from them.
