Posts Tagged trucking companies
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
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.
© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: 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:
© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: fatigue, hours of service, Safety, truck driver, trucking, trucking companies
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Truck Driver Training is Serious Issue for Industry
Posted by Allen Smith in Safety, Truck Driving Jobs, Videos, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on March 4th, 2010
By Allen Smith
It is often very easy for veteran drivers and trucking company officials to overlook the importance of truck driver training for CDL students and new drivers. With years of experience, the possibility of becoming laxed over time can lead to deadly consequences. Many issues within the trucking industry have remained swept under the rug for years, including the lack of proper training for new truckers. The seriousness of proper truck driving training and the lack there of, was pushed into the main stream media through our blog about one and a half years ago, through the writings of a newbie trucker known as Trucker Desiree.
Originally met with a great deal of hostility by drivers and trucking organizations, today, the issue has grown into a more acceptable situation where many trucking individuals are finally realizing and commenting on the fact that the industry indeed lacks proper truck driver training skills in many areas. Although there are many excellent trainers in the industry, there is still a long way to go in order to bring about further stricter guidelines for driver trainers.
Calling oneself a trainer, does not make one a teacher. Teaching involves the skills and ability to present the lessons being taught, in an acceptable and understanding manner. Teaching requires the trainer to place themselves in the same situation as the student. Nervousness, fear and anxiety . . . all the emotions that a new CDL student will encounter, all have to be recognized and understood by the driver trainer . . . the teacher. A trainer may have thirty years of driving experience and a perfect record, but without the understanding of teaching and how to teach, the student can often experience higher levels of anxiety and disappointment.
There are endless stories of CDL students being yelled at and even having been “thrown out” of the truck by the trainer. Trainers in other professions are required to attend a trainer course and various other forms of class-training to become certified as a professional trainer. Within the trucking industry, most often it is a matter of the company telling an experienced driver that they are now a “trainer.” More thought must be placed in the equation when determining who can be a trainer and who cannot. Training and teaching goes hand in hand, and just because one can drive an 18-wheeler with the utmost skill . . . does not make them a teacher.
When choosing which driver will represent their company as a driver trainer, the trucking companies should look at some basic qualifications as to what makes up a good teacher:
- Explanation skills – Being comfortable with explaining content to students is an essential skill for teachers.
- Cool under pressure – Good teachers are able to successfully resist the urge to yell or scream at their students.
- Have a sense of humor – Research has shown that good teachers have a sense of humor, and that they are able to use this skill as part of their training methods.
- A “people” person – Liking people is essential for being a good trainer/teacher. Drivers considered as “Loners” are not the best choice for trainers.
- Are Fair-Minded – A good teacher is able to assess students on the basis of performance, not on the their personal or physical qualities.
- Have Common Sense – A trainer should be able to size up a situation quickly and make an appropriate decision.
- Set high expectations – A good trainer/teacher should set high expectations for themselves and their students.
- Have organizational skills – They should be organized in their professional and teaching duties.
- Understand time management – Managing time to achieve the best end results for both the trainer and student.
- Is a Leader and not a Follower – Being comfortable in a position of a leader within a very stressful industry.
- Not taking things for granted – You were once in the same situation as the student. Keeping this in mind will make you a better trainer.
Drivers who understand the importance of the role of a professional driver trainer can continue to release safe and skilled drivers out on the public highways. The driver trainee should never be released before the designated trainer has stated that they are ready. This means that the trucking company should allow the driver trainer to be the sole person to determine when that time has come . . . not because the company needs to get the driver out there ASAP.
It should also be noted that rules for driver trainers should be adjusted in order to meet the demands that are placed on trainers. Running the truck 24/7 is not a good idea for a trainer-student combination. At some point, trucking companies and the industry must realize that the trainer must rest and receive the required sleep that is needed to function in a logical and professional manner. If the trainer is sleeping in the bunk while the student is driving, where is the safety and professionalism? All too often, the company becomes laxed in their decision making all for the sake of getting the freight down the road. What is loaded on the trailer should never be more important than the safety of the driver trainer and student.
This video shows an 18-wheeler, being driven by a student CDL driver losing control of the vehicle while going down the 7,085 foot Donner Pass . . . while the driver trainer is sleeping in the bunk. Both student and trainer were killed:
Most professional truck drivers understand the importance of proper truck driver training. The time has come for the trucking companies to understand it more as well. Allowing for additional time between load pick up and deliveries . . . providing additional rest periods and understanding that both student and trainer will need added comforts, different from the solo driver . . . will prevent tragedies like this one from happening. It will also provide more safe and skilled drivers being placed on our nation’s highways.
© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: cdl student, cdl students, driver trainer, truck driver training, truck driving training, trucking companies
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Trucking Industry Covers Up Female Driver Trainees Harassment
Posted by Allen Smith in Safety, Woman Truckers, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies on January 10th, 2010
Are female truck driver student trainees really being harassed by some male CDL trainers? Are the stories of verbal and sexual assault true or are they just stories? Why would trucking organizations and companies want to cover up such acts of violence against women? In the world of over the road trucking, is violence against women driver trainees really taking place and are the trucking industry leaders doing all they can to cover it up?
For years, this giant industry has moved along in total control of how drivers lives would turn out. The company could either make you or break you. With billions of dollars at stake, a large majority of OTR drivers are still just a pawn in the companies game of playing with people’s hope. Hope that they can have a rewarding career and provide for themselves and their families . . . many of these trucking companies use this hope to pull in new CDL students and drivers, caring not at all that their lives, most often, will be ruined even more . . . all for the sake of the almighty dollar. Here is a recent email I received:
Mr. Smith,
I received your trucking information about a year ago and I wanted to follow up with you. All I can say is that everything you said was true. The tactics used by my company was so blatantly obvious that even a child would have been able to detect it. Everything was going fine for the first 4-5 months, but then everything changed. I realize we are in a recession, but it became very clear to me that they were working hard to “starve me out.” At the same time they were telling me that freight was slow, they were hiring new student drivers every week. I wish I would have taken your advise a year ago, it would have saved me a lot of heartache.
Truth About Trucking, LLC is not about pushing anyone away from trucking as a career, but to assist in showing how and what one will be expected to go through in order to make trucking work as a career. Surviving the first couple of years as an OTR driver is the key, which you must realize will be very difficult to do for many. Again, a great part of long haul trucking is designed for your failure.
Having been involved in trucking in some form or fashion since 1969, I am no newcomer to the industry. In past years, I have declined to work as a driver trainer and I have never operated around female student drivers. In fact, with 20 years of long haul trucking under my belt, I never even ran into that many women drivers. As reports of abuse and harassment by trainers against female students became known, I first responded by doubt. Thirty two years of driving a truck, locally and long haul, I had never witnessed any such acts against women drivers. Then came news about CRST and the suit brought against by hundreds of women, which by the way, was refiled on November 30th, 2009. Unlike many drivers and trucking industry organizations and leaders, I could not believe that all 230 women were simply lying. This was just one company . . . I wondered if there were other female driver trainees too afraid to come forward regarding these acts of violence which include both mental and physical abuse . . . then came TruckerDesiree.
As I mentioned on the Dan Rather Reports, after Desiree began sharing her story on this blog, I began receiving emails and often phone calls, from women across the country asking for our help in making this issue more public. First came a few dozen, then as many as a few hundred. I would always ask each women why they never reported such incidents of violence, even rape by these male trainers . . . and the answer was always two-fold: (1) they were afraid of losing their jobs and (2) they did not think anyone would believe them anyway. Through our investigation, one aspect that always surprised me was the fact that industry “leaders” and organizations tried and are still trying, to keep this issue silent. This is an issue that not only deals with female harassment, but male harassment as well. Furthermore, let’s be fair . . . driver trainers have also been harassed by driver trainees. Bottom line . . . there is a big problem within the trucking industry and its driver training programs. Why then, is the industry fighting back so hard to prevent this issue from being heard further?
Why would large trucking organizations contact former drivers who are now unemployed and on welfare, and recruit them to write against TruckerDesiree and anyone who works toward making this issue known? Why would these organizations and trucking companies not want to change their driver training programs and instead, continue to turn their heads when women are reporting physical, mental abuse and even rape? Furthermore, why is there no law enforcement agency stepping forward to conduct their own investigation into this matter?
How big, really is this issue? Are you a female CDL student trainee who experienced such acts of violence by a male driver trainer? Post your experience at Real Women in Trucking. Trucking organizations have recruited drivers that were once on the side of Desiree . . . I know this as fact. Why are they wanting to cover up such illegal acts by some of these male driver trainers that they continue to hire? Why are there still those trucking companies and organizations condoning this behavior and working to discredit those women who are sharing their experiences?
We would like to hear your thoughts . . .
© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: cover up, crst, driver trainers, female driver, female drivers, harassment, otr drivers, real, sexual harassment, Trucker Desiree, trucking, trucking companies, trucking industry, trucking organizations, violence, women in trucking
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Arrow Trucking Not the Last Trucking Company to Close
Posted by Allen Smith in Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies on December 31st, 2009
With hundreds of former drivers lining up to join the lawsuit against Arrow Trucking, what will 2010 ring in for the long haul trucking industry? I can only reiterate what I have discussed before and that is Arrow Trucking will not be the last trucking company we will see close their doors. There will be many more. In fact, it has already begun.
YRC Worldwide, one of the nation’s largest trucking companies, is barely hanging on and it remains to be seen if they will indeed survive.
Carlen Transport out of Hampden, Main will be closing their doors, placing 100 drivers out of work because they are unable to maintain in the current economy. After 23 years and having grown into the largest trucking company of its kind in the state, will be gone forever.
Auto Truck Transport, Corp. out of Springfield, Missouri will close down within the next few weeks.
Both large and smaller trucking transportation companies struggle to remain open, and the continual fall of many will take place unless stimulation of the economy begins . . . and that is where the problem lies. There are no plans in place to get the economy moving again. In fact, just the opposite is taking place.
With the new CSA2010 to take place, this alone could most likely lead to the fall of up to 50% of all trucking companies in the United States. Compound this with the on-going determination to enact new legislation for emission controls, etc., and more companies and owner operators will call it quits.
There is much more building here than many realize. Nothing is coincidental and, “just my opinion,” there will be more OTR trucking companies to fall.
© 2009 – 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: arrow trucking, auto truck transport, carlen transport, close, companies, csa2010, driver, emission controls, endorsement, hazmat, job, tampa, tanker, trucking, trucking companies, trucking transportation, yrc worldwide
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The 7 Biggest Mistakes by CDL Students and New Truck Drivers
Posted by Allen Smith in Jobs and Careers, Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on December 18th, 2009
For thousands of new CDL students and truck drivers, entering into an industry that they know nothing about can be devastating financially. The ever present scams of the over the road trucking industry and truck driving schools continue to ruin the lives of many wanna’ be truckers. Not fully understanding the inside workings of OTR trucking, many newcomers to the industry will fail, through no direct fault of their own. The failed success of many truck drivers breaking into the business, is simply the way a large portion of the industry is set up to be. For many trucking companies, the truckers failure is their success.
The more one understands how this corrupt industry works, the better opportunity one has to succeed in a long haul trucking career. Most often, the failure comes from simply not knowing what questions to ask or what exactly to look out for, when pursuing a career in trucking transportation.
In my opinion, there are seven big mistakes that CDL students and new drivers most often make during this time of transition into a new career change. By understanding and knowing what these mistakes are, one will be more prepared for achieving success in an industry that has been described by many veteran drivers as the “most corrupt industry on the planet.” Enough said . . .
Download the PDF Bonus Report:
The 7 BIGGEST Mistakes by
CDL Students and New Drivers
By Allen Smith
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: cdl, cdl students, mistakes, students, truck drivers, trucking, trucking companies, trucking industry, trucking transportation
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Retaining Truck Drivers Should be No Problem for Trucking Companies
Posted by Allen Smith in Jobs and Careers, Safety, Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on December 9th, 2009
Recently, concerning the problem for trucking companies to retain drivers within their employment, an industry leader commented that no trucking company wants a “revolving door.” That statement is actually both true and false. The many decent and well respected trucking companies in the U. S. work extremely hard in keeping their drivers from finding another driving job elsewhere. It is also a fact that no company can keep every employee satisfied at all times. Regardless of the past 128% plus turn-over rate among drivers, there are those companies who do work diligently in keeping their drivers as employees. However, to say “no trucking company” wants a revolving door is simply not true, and there are thousands upon thousands of drivers who know this.
We know that there are those “starter” companies, as well as countless other trucking companies, who continually rotate drivers through their front doors. These are the companies which have the sole purpose of moving both the highest paying and cheapest freight, using the cheapest labor as possible. Who are the cheapest labor? New CDL students and drivers.
For years, there have been discussions on the trucking industry problem of retaining drivers. This problem should not even exist, and does so, due to the direct actions of the companies themselves. I recently read a comment stating that the driver turn-over rate is now down to a 56% overall average . . . but it is not because things are better, it is due to the state of the economy. Drivers are not leaving employment because of the poor job market. As soon as the economy gets back on its feet, which I do not believe will be any time soon . . . the turn-over rate among professional drivers will go right back up to where it once was.
To retain drivers should be a fairly simple task for a trucking company. Professional truck drivers do not ask for much . . . the companies keep the turn-over rate and retention rate going in order to continue the rotation of new and lower paid drivers, thus making more on their bottom line. Simple fact. There are 25-30 year veteran drivers who have not driven within the past one year, who are being turned away from trucking companies and not being hired. They are being told that they do not have the required verifiable driving experience for the past year . . . what about the verifiable driving experience for the last 24-29 years? Obvious reason, they would rather hire a new, inexperienced driver with 3 weeks driving experience, over a veteran driver with many years of OTR experience . . . cheap labor.
The pro driver with the 25-30 years experience will demand a CPM rate of .38 plus per mile, while the company can get away with paying the new driver a measly .22 to .24 CPM, sometimes even as low as .13 CPM. They can continue to rotate these new drivers out and keep the influx of lower paid drivers coming in . . . it’s all about the money, nothing about the safety.
Over the road trucking companies enjoy talking about the importance of safety and how the driver is their primary asset, yet they will turn away a years of experience veteran driver, and settle with a 3 week driver trainee . . . all because the veteran, for whatever reasons, has not driven within the past one year. This is another segment of the scams of OTR trucking, and they wonder why retaining drivers is so difficult. It is not difficult at all . . . it is done on purpose by the very companies who say they are working to try to solve the problem of driver retention. Let me help those companies out . . .
You want to retain drivers? Very simple . . . since most long haul drivers are paid by the mile:
- Pay them a good and livable CPM wage - Starting point: .38 CPM plus – NOT .22 CPM and definitely not .13 CPM . . . could you live on that?
- Give them MILES! - I know this may be a shocker to some of you, but since they are getting paid by the mile . . . GIVE THEM MILES!
- Let them have their home time - When you tell a driver that you will have them home every two weeks, then get them home in two weeks. If you guarantee home on weekends, then get them home by the weekend. Also, don’t let them arrive home at 3 A.M. Saturday morning, and dispatch them on a Monday pick-up load where they have to leave home by 12 noon on Sunday . . . do you really consider this “home on weekends?”
- Treat them with the respect that they deserve - Many companies advertise that the driver is their most important asset . . . really? Then treat them as such.
Your drivers do not ask much from you . . . they want to drive and earn a good living to support themselves and their families . . . the exact same thing that you want. Drivers can even live without Number 4 above, if you will at least give them the other three.
To bring down the trucking company self-made driver retention rate, the companies will have to stop their actions which are causing it in the first place. Secondly, give the drivers what they need, want and deserve . . . it is very simple and would greatly reduce this problem that should really be no problem at all.
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: cdl students, driver retention, otr, over the road, retain drivers, retaining, retaining drivers, Safety, Scams, truck drivers, trucking, trucking companies, verifiable driving experience
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The Trucking Bubble
Posted by Allen Smith in Politics, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies on November 25th, 2009
Political correctness is destroying America. There are no leaders running this country, only cowards who bow down before other countries and submit apologies for America’s “sins.” A present day government filled with lies, deceit and fraud, creating bubbles within a bubble. The thing about a bubble is : it will eventually burst.
The housing bubble finally grew as big as it could get before bursting, and pushing the country into a massive recession, as well as more bubbles: the banking bubble and the auto industry bubble. Continual lies, deceit and fraud not only upon this great country and the American people, but the entire planet. We now have the emails of the scientists who have been behind the pushing of the global warming threat, showing that in fact, it is the greatest scientific hoax ever designed. A politically based hoax that made many multi-millionaires, which aimed directly at the expense of the American people, i.e. Cap and Trade.
We now have a government and administration which cares nothing about America or its people. Its only goal is to push through their agendas which will further cripple this country and the middle class working men and women. I have always stated that this whole global warming charade was a political scam . . . a big money making scheme. Yet, “President” Obama is set to go to Denmark next month to further expand on the administrations policies to fight “global warming.” They still continue to fight to push through nationalized health care, although polls show that the large majority of Americans are against it. The administration does not care what “we the people” say, only furthering their agendas toward socialism. I understand it will be difficult for millions of Americans to realize that they have been scammed by their own government, and many will still deny it. However, the global warming bubble was bound to burst sooner or later . . . that is what bubbles do.
A far greater threat for America is the Military Bubble that the government and administration has created. You haven’t heard of the military bubble? That’s because I am the first to coin the phrase. The military bubble is that which attacks our own men and women in uniform. The military bubble is what causes high ranking officers to throw the lower ranks to the wolves, saving themselves. Most recently, the three Navy Seals who captured Ahmed Hashim Abedm, the mastermind behind the murdering and mutilation of four American Blackwater Security personnel in 2004, who now are being brought up for court martial, because this coward Abedm, received a bloody lip when punched by one of the Navy Seals. Honorable Navy Seals, capturing a high risk target, only to be facing criminal charges . . . and the high ranking officers squirming away like little mice. But, there’s more to the story . . .
When U. S. Navy Snipers shot and killed the three Somalian pirates holding Captain Richard Phillips hostage last April, all praise went to “President” Obama as being the one who gave the order to fire . . . not so. Truth is, a high commanding officer who had grown tired of the hostage situation, gave the order to fire . . . not Obama. Now, the three Navy Seals are paying for that decision. How? This administration is sending a clear message that “they” are in charge . . . nobody else, and everyone will play by their rules . . . these brave Navy Seals are victims of a military-hating administration and have been abandoned by higher ranking officers who do not have the guts or courage to stand up for their own men against an administration bound and determined to lead America into an implosion. A murdering terrorist mastermind has filed criminal charges against American Navy Seals . . . the military bubble is growing.
The over the road trucking industry is no exception. Known by veteran drivers for years, this industry is filled with lies, deceit and fraud as well:
- The Truck Driver DAC Report
- The Owner Operator Lease Purchase Program
- The Driver Shortage Scam
- Government Subsidies Fraud
- Starving Out of Drivers
- Using CDL Students and New Drivers as “Cheap Labor”
I have discussed these issues many times, except for the Government Subsidies scam. Not only is this the most recent scam by those trucking companies who have their own CDL training schools, it is also fraud . . . fraud against CDL students and new drivers and fraud against the U. S. Government. There are at least 26 known government subsidy programs that trucking companies with CDL schools can apply for, in order to receive a check from the government for each CDL student they train. In order for the trucking company to receive this check, the student must stay with the company for a certain period of time. The amount of government subsidy ranges from $5000 to $10,000 per student, and I have even seen ranges as high as $30,000, but that figure could not be confirmed.
Once the student/new driver has reached this certain time period, they will then find themselves being starved out, or the company will find a way to terminate the student. Once removed, more students can be brought in and utilized in the same manner, in order to keep the government subsidies rolling in. These trucking companies CDL mills are nothing more than a profit center . . . more students . . . more free government money.
The secret behind this government subsidy fraud, is the tax code. By utilizing the tax code, many of the big “starter” trucking companies are able to haul their freight for nearly zero dollars, thus, raking in huge profits. The U. S. Government subsidizes these trucking companies CDL schools who participate in the program(s) to train the under employed or unemployed. The Government provides these companies with tax credits for hiring these CDL students and subsidizes their wages for the first year of employment. This tax credit is for every CDL student they “hire.”
The subsidy works along this avenue:
- 100% first 3 months
- 75% second 3 months,
- 50% third 3 months
- 25% final 3 months.
Therefore, if the CDL student can even stick it out for the full year, the U. S. Government pays half of the salary. With these starter trucking companies paying new drivers a low wage and receiving government checks that pay for the driver’s wages, no wonder these companies keep the driver shortage myth alive. But, this is not the end of the government subsidies fraud . . . there is also the depreciation factor set up within the tax code as well. Under this code as well, trucking companies can now deduct the entire cost of the truck from their corporate taxes. Therefore, the trucking companies with CDL school mills who operate within this fraudulent scam, now have free trucks, tax credits and employee wages . . . all paid by the U. S. Government with YOUR tax dollars. Fraud against CDL students . . . Fraud against the American tax payer . . . and Fraud against the U. S. Government.
Like the housing market bubble . . . like the global warming hoax bubble . . . the trucking bubble too, will someday burst. That is what bubbles do.
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: Ahmed Hashim Abedm, Blackwater Security, bubble, Captain Richard Phillips, cdl mills, CDL schools, cdl training schools, court martial, fraud, global warming, government subsidies, hoax, housing, navy seals, scam, starter companies, subsidy, tax code, trucking, trucking companies
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Trucking Companies, USIS and False DAC Reporting – Class Action Lawsuit Building
Posted by Allen Smith in dac report on November 8th, 2009
The petition to Stop False DAC Reporting is nearing 700 signatures of support. Many are still unaware of this petition, but support is growing.
If you have been victimized by companies placing false information on your DAC report and are interested in joining a Class Action Lawsuit against the trucking company, USIS and DAC Services, due to unfair, deceptive and unlawful business practices, contact through email:
For more information, visit their website at: Badisse.Com
FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE DAC
Allen Smith
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: badisse.com, dac, dac report, false dac report, lawsuit, trucking companies, usis
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OOIDA Land Line Magazine Should Hear From CDL Students and New Drivers
Posted by Allen Smith in Land Line Magazine, Trucking Company and Driving School Comments, ooida, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies on November 13th, 2009
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.
Allen Smith
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
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