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"
The July, 2010 edition of Truckers News has a great article by Carolyn Magner and Misty Bell about the generation gap between the modern day truck drivers. Looking at trucking through the eyes of veteran road warriors versus the “newbie” truck driver, the article, “Clash of the Generations” gives an insight into how the two generations of truckers see each other.
The article also made me think about how long haul trucking has changed through the years and how this generation gap plays into the factor of any sort of truck driver shortage. Although there is no such thing as a truck driver shortage, the Truckers News article unknowingly touches on another facet of this newer face of trucking, one which trucking companies would be wise to pay attention to.
As with any new and upcoming generation, changes are expected to be made. The newer generation of workers today are more apt to get a college degree than prior, older generations that grew up in the belief of a blue-collar work force era. In relation to trucking, many of the newer young guns of the highways reject the fact that a professional truck driver must live out on the road for months on end. This is one reason trucking companies tend to experience a more difficult task of retaining truck drivers in their employment. In years past, the old dogs of trucking accepted the quality of life for truck drivers. As with any newer generation that is set in their own way of thinking, this quality of life will have to change in order to meet the newer demands of today’s younger drivers.
For the trucking industry to continue down the same old path of years past, they will discover that times are changing, like it or not. Many are beginning to understand that the old school of OTR trucking is just not cutting it with a newer generation of truckers. Some trucking companies are working to build more of a regional operation to meet the wants and demands of theseyoung guns. For those companies who choose to stick to the old way of doing things, they will continue to fight the constant battle of truck driver retention.
Due to the hardships of the long haul trucker lifestyle, American truckers life expectancy drops by 15 years, compared to the rest of the work force. Many of the up and coming newbie drivers believe that their quality of life and having a life, is more important than running themselves into the ground for an industry that shows no care or remorse for doing so.
Even as I write, veteran truck drivers are struggling with paying their bills and keeping food on the table for their families . . . many owner operators caught in the company lease programs are not getting enough miles to meet their truck payment . . . professional truckers face newer and tougher regulations, always aiming at their pocketbooks . . . and recent CDL graduates are running all 48 states for as little as .13 cents per mile. This is the old school . . .
Perhaps the newer breed of young guns truckers have it right . . . work smarter, not harder and still have a life to enjoy.
Hello everybody . . . I wanted to let you know about a new show on Blog Talk Radio, hosted by 20 year trucking veteran, Larry Stafford out of Arizona. His new show – Independent(R)ealist, will give quick talks to enlighten people on the trucking life, and the many opportunities and challenges of truck driving. He will be broadcasting every Monday at 10:00 AM – MST.
As you know, our main goal here at Ask The Trucker and the Truth About Trucking, is helping to assist students and new drivers with the information they need in order to be successful in a trucking career. Mr. Stafford’s show is another avenue you can utilize to learn more about the in’s and out’s of trucking. Let’s show him our support! Check out the Independent(R)ealist talk radio show…..
If you missed his show today, you can give it a listen right now:
It’s amazing what an over the road truck driver can encounter on a daily basis. All of the sights and sounds they experience become so vast that they soon forget and accept them as simply a part of their daily lives. Experiences that few will ever know and even fewer can only dream about. I often stop and remember such things like slipping through the back roads of the Blue Ridge Mountains…….literally sliding my way down a snow covered Snowqualmie Pass……or slowing the rig down a few notches so I could enjoy the scenery of actual wild horses running across the plains of Wyoming…….and of course, that time I had no choice but to stop in the middle of the road and let that massive, huge moose cross in front of me in Caribou, Maine. All the sights, sounds and wonderment that now only live in my memories…..
Though I no longer operate over the road, I am still “running” here in the State of Florida, averaging 420 miles per day. Not too long ago I was making a delivery in Gainesville, Florida at a small BP service station. As I pulled in, I noticed a haggard looking man huddled underneath the overhang of the building. Working nights, I often have to deal with some “rough” characters approaching me for money or food, so I kept my sight on him. It wasn’t long until I knew he was homeless as he walked up to me and the conversation began:
“How you like driving that thing?” he asked.
“It’s OK,” I replied, “Been doing it a long time.”
He remained with me as I began my work and everything seemed to be going fine. Just a lonely guy, I thought, needing a little company. He walked back over to where he had been and sat back down beside a duffle bag containing all of his possessions. Suddenly, he placed his hand on the bag and started shaking it back and forth saying, “Get up! Get up!” I focused my attention back on him. Then, he began moving his head from side to side, his eyes darting here and there. I heard him mumble, “They’re dead……..they’re all dead.”
A massive thunderstorm was moving into the area and I was working feverishly to complete my work before it hit. All of a sudden, an enormous clap of thunder and flash of lightening struck sending me running for cover. I immediately heard him yell, “INCOMING!” He was down on the ground with his hands over his head and it was then that I realized something…….I was in the presence of a hero.
I knew I had to do something to bring him back to reality so I yelled, “HEY!…..HEY!…..you hungry?” He rose to his feet, his shaking subsided and a grin crossed his face, “I’m always hungry, dude” he laughed. I ran out to the truck and brought back a Gatorade and a ham and cheese sandwich. “Here,” I said, “This is my last drop so I’m heading home, I don’t need them.” As the rain poured down and the thunder rolled, I stayed by my new friend as he enjoyed the free meal. The political side of me kicked in and I wondered why is this man, why is this hero….left alone, forgotten by our Government, and made to live out on the streets?
During the next thirty minutes, we talked about many things . . . from the Florida weather to alligators to truck driving . . . and with every teeth-jawing blast of thunder he would yell out, “KABOOM! ,” followed by a fit of laughter. As the storm passed and moved further to the Northwest, I said my goodbyes and told him to take care of himself. He shook my hand and thanked me for the drink and sandwich. Never once did he ask for money or help of any kind. He was his own man . . . he was a hero.
As I began pulling out of the driveway, another loud burst of thunder occurred, followed by an enormous streak of lightening. I glanced over to see him staring up in the sky, his eyes flashing as bright as the lightening . . . his arms moving up and down . . . and I knew, once again, at that very moment he was no longer with me in Gainesville, Florida. I gave him a wave goodbye, but he failed to respond. He was no longer there . . . the hero had gone back to Vietnam.
Due to the controversial topic: “Can CDL Truck Drivers Carry Guns?”, I have researched and found a Federal Law that so many drivers are looking for. Read what an actual Federal Law states about this topic, to put it to rest, once and for all. ( or maybe not)
Can a CDL truck driver legally carry a gun in the truck? This is a very HOT topic! In my previous article, “CDL Truck Drivers Carrying Guns,” much controversy was created because nothing could be found anywhere showing any Federal Law stating that it was illegal to carry. I have pointed out that there is NO Federal Law saying that it is illegal, only city, county and state laws that make it illegal to do so, as well as policies set forth by the motor carrier. I have found the actual Federal Law revealing the insight on this subject, listed below:
Title 18 Setcion 926(a). The peacable journey law.
TITLE 18–CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I–CRIMES
CHAPTER 44–FIREARMS
Sec. 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms
Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or
regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person
who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting,
shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a
firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully
possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully
possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the
firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being
transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the
passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in
the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s
compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked
container other than the glove compartment or console.
OK…now that we have the Federal Law on this matter, what does it mean? I would say that you could give this to 50 attorneys, and all 50 would interpret it differently! I believe what it is saying, is what I originally wrote in my previous articles….a CDL driver may carry a gun in the truck with him or her, PROVIDING that it does not violate any other STATE law, in which the driver will be passing through. Thus my point again…city, county and state laws may be the prevention for CDL truck drivers to carry guns…
With the return of Ethanol gasoline into the market, so comes the return of problems we faced back in the ‘70’s, 80’s and 90’s. It is only a matter of time that the problems will grow and perhaps make their way into the news. Of course, the media can squash any news they want, so maybe we will hear nothing more about it.
At least for now, some of the misfortune of using gasohol is creeping ever so slightly into the news realm. Ethanol problems are being noticed here and there and I wonder how long will this “new” form of energy last this time.
People are now experiencing problems with getting their cars to start after using ethanol blended gasoline. Read more about what problems you may experience down the road with gasohol.
I would like to say that all the talk you are hearing about truck drivers going on strike and high fuel prices is just the final “straw” for truck drivers everywhere. I’m not down playing high fuel prices at all. As a matter of fact it was a serious enough problem to finally initiate some truckers to display their total anger and dissatisfaction and pursue a strike. However, what I am saying is that their source of being disgruntled is muchmore deep seeded than that.
I’ve written much about the trucking lifestyle and the sacrifices made in order to succeed in OTR trucking. I try to paint an honest picture to everyone in regards to what a trucking career is really like. I ‘ve written the song “The Trucking Brand” to express the sacrifices and obstacles truckers face on a daily basis. However, public apathy is a big part of a truckers dismay. The general public as a whole finds trucks “annoying” and truck drivers part of the problem of their “inconvenience”. In general, let’s face it, when was the last time you passed a truck and thought, “Oh great, there’s another wonderful truck driver bringing all the goods we need to our local stores.” I think never. It’s probably more like, “Man I hate these trucks, always in the way when I’m driving!”
Next, are the trucking companies themselves. Let’s face it, they’re out to make money and with a 128% turnover rate among truck drivers, they’re really not all that concerned about them, their families, or their futures. Then you have the brokers. I can’t even tell you how many shady brokers there are. A seasoned owner operator can get through this, but even the best can get fooled sometimes.
When you sum it all up; with sacrificial lifestyle, public apathy, lack of compassion, the poor attitudes of the trucking companies towards their drivers, and having to deal with some pretty shady brokers, you can see how increased fuel prices was the final last straw for truckers. Let’s face it, we all endure much in life to succeed. Some endure quite a bit just to make ends meet. But, when it comes down to it, if all your sacrifices lead you to little or no profit, where’s the reward? Why bother?
Something must be done to relieve these men and woman of this burden. There must be provisions made for them by our government somehow. As their profession becomes limited in its pay, their families suffer. The government can only be forced to comply with the effects of high-fuel prices if the public becomes more sympathetic to the problems of the truck driver.
I’m certainly not one to advocate the government is the answer to all our problems. Quite the contrary, the government is in large part, the problem. Oil is not the problem either. Oil brought us the industrial revolution; oil is the reason we enjoy the comfort of living we all experience. The problem lies with those who will not allow further drilling in this country. The problem lies with those who will not allow further plants to be built. I spent many years working in the oilfields of Oklahoma. Advancement in technology now allows us to set up a drilling rig, recruit the petroleum products we need and remove the drilling rig and barely leave a “dot” on the landscape.
As long as those groups continue to keep us from drilling in our own country and not allow for new plants to be built, then we all deserve what we will continue to get…high fuel prices. And, it’s not only the Middle East that we rely on so heavily either. In fact, our #1 source for oil is Canada…and our #2 source is Mexico! Alternative fuels are a good idea, but I don’t see that as a cure all. Take Ethanol for an example. The cost of producing Ethanol is far greater than what the product yields. Also, it will only lead to higher grocery prices…think about it!
Every consumer needs to support truck drivers , in particular the over the road owner operators that are feeling most of the impact. If we don’t, there will be far greater consequences for the consumer. It’s just a matter of time.
Truckers have a lot of time to themselves. Many of us write songs while we’re on the road. Trucking life is a rough one, the music and thoughts we keep are what keeps us going.
Nobody really understands the sacrifices and lifestlye that the American Trucker endures….except the truck drivers themselves.
Trucking is a “brand” if you will. We all can relate to one another in some way, shape or form. We may have different opinions on many things in life, but our one common bond is our trucking bloodline.
Having a little fun, here’s a song I wrote about no one…. and yet everyone. You’ll know what I mean after you listen to it.
I think you’re going to enjoy it……it’s dedicated to all of you truck drivers out there…
including all the truckers striking , demonstrating the high price of fuel
Article describing the devastating effects that Owner Operators within the Trucking Industry are experiencing because of the High price of fuel.
Truck Drivers from all over the country are being forced to make drastic changes in their lifestyles, some on the verge of bankruptcy
As an over the road truck driver,one has endless hours to spend just thinking. I don’t know about you, but I think about weird, sometimes complicated things. For instance, is a horse really a horse? Anyway, I would like to hear about what some of you think about when trucking across this country of ours. For now, I would like to share this piece of information as just one of the “things” I think about :
The Big Bang Theory……we all know the story : Approximately 15 billion years ago an enormous explosion started the expansion of the universe. What existed before this explosion is purely unknown. World re-known British theoretical physicist and mathematician, Stephen Hawking was once asked what existed before the explosion. His answer? He thought for a moment and simply answered, “Well, there was nothing.” Nothing?
Now I am in no way within the same category of intelligence when it comes to Stephen Hawking. My High School teachers will attest to this fact. In fact, science and math were my two worst subjects! But his answer got me to thinking. Before the universe “began,” there was “nothing.” Well, what is “nothing?” Nothing is defined as the lack or absence of anything at all. If I hand you a box and tell you that you can have what is in the box, and you open the box and it is empty, then there is “nothing” in the box. No existence of anything, only nothing. Now, could you take that “nothing” and make something out of it?
Simple, common sense tells me that something always comes from something else. You cannot take nothing and create something else from it. Stretch out your arm and open your hand. Now, I want you to take what is in your hand, (nothing), and make something from it. Can you? Of course not, because there is “nothing” in your hand. And, since something always comes from something else, how can you make anything?
Let’s look at something that is common in our lives. Let’s say…..glass. Did glass just appear out of nothing? Glass is derived from sand, soda ash and limestone. What about limestone? Limestone mostly consist of calcium carbonate. Did calcium carbonate come from nothing? No, calcium carbonate is a chemical combination of calcium, carbon and oxygen. OK, what about oxygen? Natural oxygen comes from a mixture of three isotopes : 16O, 17O, and 18O.
Something ALWAYS comes from something else.
What about human blood? Can it come from nothing? Human blood consists of the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets all floating around in a fluid called plasma. Something ALWAYS comes from something else.
OK, what about air? The air that we breathe . . . does it come from nothing? Air comes from 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen with traces of carbon dioxide, argon, water vapor, and other various components. Something ALWAYS comes from something else.
Being in trucking most of my life, I thought about common petroleum-derived diesel. Maybe diesel comes from nothing? Wrong! This type of diesel comes from about 75% saturatedhydrocarbons, mostly paraffins, and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons. What about these things called paraffins? Perhaps they come from nothing? Paraffins are chemical compounds that are made of only two elements : carbon and hydrogen. Something ALWAYS comes from something else.
According to Stephen Hawking, perhaps the most intelligent human being on our planet, in the beginning, there was nothing. But, in this case, the “nothing” is something. And, since something ALWAYS comes from something else . . . then where did the “nothing” come from? The “nothing” could not have just appeared from “nothing.” The “nothing” had to come from something else, because common sense AND science tell us that something ALWAYS comes from something else. If indeed there was “nothing” then “something” had to exist BEFORE the “nothing” in order for the “nothing” to have come into existence.
What existed BEFORE the “nothing?” Could it be some kind of “Creator?” But if something always comes from something else, then where did the Creator come from? The only explanation in my simple mind, is it would have to be something supernatural. Something far beyond our science, logic and common sense. A question that man can never comprehend or understand. It is simply beyond our reasoning.
Many supernatural phenomenons can be explained by science. Yet, there is still one that cannot be explained or understood : what existed before the “nothing?” Before there was a universe . . . before there was life . . . before there was space . . . before there was time . . . there was nothing. But, again, in this case . . . nothing is something. What existed before the “nothing” will never be answered by man or science. We are not meant to know or understand.
Something always comes from something else. What came before the “nothing” can only be something of supernatural existence.
Aubrey Allen Smith is the author of the first and original Truth About Trucking. His eBook has helped hundreds of new drivers understand the scams of the trucking industry. If you are considering a career in trucking, please visit http://www.truthabouttrucking.com today.
A professional truck driver gets to know the best places to stop for a meal or rest during their time over the road. Normally based on what services are available, ease of parking, safety, etc., each driver has their own “favorite” spots to stop along the way during their travels. These are mine:
ALABAMA:
Bucksville: Petro, I-20/59 @ exit 100
Cullman: Jack’s Truck Stop, I-65 @ exit 304
Grand Bay: T/A, I-10 @ exit 4
Robertsdale: Oasis Travel Center, I-10 @ exit 53
ARIZONA:
Eloy: T/A, I-10 @ exit 203
Kingman: Petro, I-40 @ exit 66
Tonopah: Rip Griffin, I-10 @ exit 103
ARKANSAS:
Earle: T/A, I-40 @ exit 260
Prescott: Rip Griffin, I-30 @ exit 44
Russellville: Flying J, I-40 @ exit 84
West Memphis: Petro, I-40 @ exit 280
CALIFORNIA:
Buttonwillow: T/A, I-5 @ exit 257
Coachella: T/A, I-10 @ exit 146
Corning: Petro, I-5 @ exit 630
Lodi: 3 B’s Truck Plaza, I-5 @ exit 485
Madera: Pilot Travel Center, Hwy. 99 @ exit 159
Ontario: T/A, I-10 @ exit 57
COLORADO:
Cameo: Gay Johnson’sA/T Stop, I-70 @ exit 47
Fountain: Tomahawk A/T Plaza, I-25 @ exit 128
Limon: Rip Griffin, I-70 @ exit 359
Loveland: Johnson’s Corner, I-25 @ exit 254
CONNECTICUT:
Branford: T/A, I-95 @ exit 56
DELAWARE:
Middletown: 301 Plaza, US 301 South
FLORIDA:
Jacksonville: T/A, I-95 @ exit 329
Lake Panasoffkee: Spirit Travel Center, I-75 @ exit 321
Mossy Head: Lucky 13, I-10 @ exit 70
Reddick: Petro, I-75 @ exit 368
Vero Beach: T/A, I-95 @ exit 147
GEORGIA:
Carnesville: Petro, I-85 @ exit 160
Richmond Hill: T/A, I-95 @ exit 87
Tallapoosa: Noble A/T Plaza, I-20 @ exit 5
Unadilla: All State Truck Stop, I-75 @ exit 121
IDAHO:
Boise: Boise Stage Stop, I-84 @ exit 71
Eden: Travelers Oasis, I-84 @ exit 182
Idaho Falls: Yellowstone T/S, I-15 @ exit 113
Post Falls: Flying J, I-90 @ exit 2
Twin Falls: Flying J, I-84 @ exit 173
ILLINOIS:
Effingham: Dixie Travel Plaza, I-57-70 @ exit 159
McLean: Dixie Truckers Plaza, I-55 @ exit 145
Peru: Crazy D’s, I-80 @ exit 75
Russell: T/A, I-94 @ exit 1
Troy: St. Louis East Truck Plaza, I-55-70 @ exit 18
INDIANA:
Brazil: Brazil 70 T/S, I-70 @ exit 23
Fort Wayne: Fort Wayne Truck Plaza, I-69 @ exit 109A
Memphis: Country Style Plaza, I-65 @ exit 16
Remington: Hoosier Heartland Travel Center, I-65 @ exit 201
IOWA:
Ainsworth: Four Corners, US 218 & Rt. 92
Altoona: Bosselman Travel Center, I-80 @ exit 142A
Denison: Ampride Truck Plaza, US 59N & Rt. 141
Elk Run Heights: Road Ranger, I-380 @ exit 68
Sioux City: Truck Haven, I-29 @ exit 143
Walcott: Iowa 80 T/A, I-80 @ exit 284
Williams: Boondock’s USA, I-35 @ exit 144
KANSAS:
Beto Junction: T/A, I-35 @ exit 155
Garden City: Garden City Travel Plaza, Hwy. 50 & 83
Newton: Newell Truck Plaza, I-135 @ exit 31
Oakley: Mitten Truck Stop, I-70 @ exit 76
KENTUCKY:
Corbin: Corbin Travel Plaza, I-75 @ exit 29
Paducah: Southern Pride, I-24 @ exit 16
Richwood: T/A, I-71-75 @ exit 175
Smiths Grove: Smiths Grove BP, I-65 @ exit 38
Sonora: Davis Brothers Travel Plaza, I-65 @ exit 81
: generation, lifestyle, quality of life, truck driver shortage, truck drivers, trucking, trucking life, veteran drivers
