Comments on: The Quest for The Truth About Trucking with Dan Rather Reports http://www.askthetrucker.com/the-quest-for-the-truth-about-trucking-with-dan-rather-reports/ 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" Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:34:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Mick http://www.askthetrucker.com/the-quest-for-the-truth-about-trucking-with-dan-rather-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2995 Mick Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:11:33 +0000 http://www.askthetrucker.com/?p=1154#comment-2995 How an organization can send along comments but not give themselves a free 20 minutes of time to tell their story, refute, or for that matter just to even say, "we realize there are issues and we are here to help resolve those issues" would speak volumes. That alone would have been a huge step in the right direction. But no, send along some lame nonsense that immediately turned everyone off just speaks volumes as to what their underlying purposes and motives really are. Perhaps its time for a REAL organization to come that truly is what it claims to be, be created. How an organization can send along comments but not give themselves a free 20 minutes of time to tell their story, refute, or for that matter just to even say, “we realize there are issues and we are here to help resolve those issues” would speak volumes. That alone would have been a huge step in the right direction. But no, send along some lame nonsense that immediately turned everyone off just speaks volumes as to what their underlying purposes and motives really are. Perhaps its time for a REAL organization to come that truly is what it claims to be, be created.

]]> By: tom http://www.askthetrucker.com/the-quest-for-the-truth-about-trucking-with-dan-rather-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2993 tom Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:40:45 +0000 http://www.askthetrucker.com/?p=1154#comment-2993 Well I would like to add my story to the mix. I worked two years and trucking and became another victim of lease/purchase scams, hot loads, low yield income, and bad malicous dispatchers, and poor shop practices. The two companies I worked for blasted my dac report with petty incidents for which they have no grounds for. So I have been blacklisted. I however am disputing the dac report and their charges. One of which is on record giving me bad references so I cannot get work, whether trucking related or not. I have lost merchandise twice from being terminated, on two ocaasions which I am disputing now. Plus I am stuck with a school loan to pay. These companies are quick to get you in, then they are quick to disqualify you for anything they can find just to fire you once you have experience. Well I would like to add my story to the mix. I worked two years and trucking and became another victim of lease/purchase scams, hot loads, low yield income, and bad malicous dispatchers, and poor shop practices. The two companies I worked for blasted my dac report with petty incidents for which they have no grounds for. So I have been blacklisted. I however am disputing the dac report and their charges. One of which is on record giving me bad references so I cannot get work, whether trucking related or not. I have lost merchandise twice from being terminated, on two ocaasions which I am disputing now. Plus I am stuck with a school loan to pay. These companies are quick to get you in, then they are quick to disqualify you for anything they can find just to fire you once you have experience.

]]> By: Desiree http://www.askthetrucker.com/the-quest-for-the-truth-about-trucking-with-dan-rather-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2989 Desiree Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:52:13 +0000 http://www.askthetrucker.com/?p=1154#comment-2989 Using the The term "not credible" or "their sources were suspect" was such a lame response it makes the ATA look worse in my opinion. That anyone even has to go to these lengths to ask for Safe Taining for an 80,000 lbd truck and Personal Safety within their own company with their own co-workers is probably the craziest thing about this entire event. I just finished my post about this followup show a few hours ago and it has had over 100 hits. .... Check it out at : http://truckerdesiree.com/2009/11/14/dan-rather-report-part-2-truck-talk/ Using the The term “not credible” or “their sources were suspect” was such a lame response it makes the ATA look worse in my opinion.

That anyone even has to go to these lengths to ask for Safe Taining for an 80,000 lbd truck and Personal Safety within their own company with their own co-workers is probably the craziest thing about this entire event.

I just finished my post about this followup show a few hours ago and it has had over 100 hits. ….

Check it out at :

http://truckerdesiree.com/2009/11/14/dan-rather-report-part-2-truck-talk/

]]> By: Allen Smith http://www.askthetrucker.com/the-quest-for-the-truth-about-trucking-with-dan-rather-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2968 Allen Smith Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:39:16 +0000 http://www.askthetrucker.com/?p=1154#comment-2968 Hi MSGUSARET - I always appreciate it when drivers add posts such as yours revealing an inside look into OTR trucking and the scams such as the Owner Operator Lease Purchase Program. It's not just me showing "The Truth About Trucking" --- thanks, and good luck .. Allen Hi MSGUSARET – I always appreciate it when drivers add posts such as yours revealing an inside look into OTR trucking and the scams such as the Owner Operator Lease Purchase Program. It’s not just me showing “The Truth About Trucking” — thanks, and good luck .. Allen

]]> By: Allen Smith http://www.askthetrucker.com/the-quest-for-the-truth-about-trucking-with-dan-rather-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2967 Allen Smith Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:34:26 +0000 http://www.askthetrucker.com/?p=1154#comment-2967 Thanks Mike, very well said. I'm glad people are getting it. These things have been going on for years and the industry never really has had anyone stand up, right in their face and tell them that it's time for these abuses and scams to stop .... trust me, there is more to come ... thanks for the post, Allen Thanks Mike, very well said. I’m glad people are getting it. These things have been going on for years and the industry never really has had anyone stand up, right in their face and tell them that it’s time for these abuses and scams to stop …. trust me, there is more to come … thanks for the post, Allen

]]> By: MSGUSARET http://www.askthetrucker.com/the-quest-for-the-truth-about-trucking-with-dan-rather-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2965 MSGUSARET Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:12:15 +0000 http://www.askthetrucker.com/?p=1154#comment-2965 You have been a driving force in my pursuit and career as a driver. I try to follow your web casts and always read the emails you send me. Now that I have been driving for 6 months, I guess I should apply for a trainers posn. LOL;>. I found Mr Leathers, though I laud his appearance, very vague in his answers. He basicaly sugar coated most to all issues. One thing I take seriously to heart is the pay aspect. As you are aware, I am a retired veteran. I have a pension comming in as well as a VA disability. I paid for my school upfront so I have no contract or repayment obligation. I run rather hard, Attempting to average no less than 2400 miles a week. Though my average is currently at 22.3. I did not take the medical or dental coverage, since I have that through the VA. My only deduction is for Open Road drivers plan. My average take home is $450 a week @ 28CPM. I am not the average CDL student. My point is, A fellow student, sold his truck to get the money to get to school, and live for 3 weeks. He has a wife and 3 kids. This would be his only income. Since he had to take the $0 down option, he has a $45 deduction for tuition per week. He has to take advantage of the medical and dental plan. Lets say that is $40 Per week. For the first 4 months he has a deduction of $25 for a recovery fee if he was to abandon the truck. His starting pay at $0 down is $.25CPM. Oh by the way our company has a mandatory 5% pay cut as of 1 June 09. Lets say he averages the same as me 2400 a month. Already he is having $110 Skimmed off of his gross. With the 5%, he is now at 23.25 CPM. Lets say he lives on $100. The 3 weeks that his out, which we know is impossible. So @ 23.25 X 2400= $ 558.00, without taxes. - $220, $338.00 a week. This is an what he has to support a family of 4. Keep in mind I stretched the deductions to an absolute minimum and did not withold taxes. $ 37,000 a year my ass. Here is your turnover. On a realistic note, he would be lucky after expenses to clear $175 a week. Like I said I am not the norm, But this is. Thanks for all you do . Pete. You have been a driving force in my pursuit and career as a driver. I try to follow your web casts and always read the emails you send me. Now that I have been driving for 6 months, I guess I should apply for a trainers posn. LOL;>. I found Mr Leathers, though I laud his appearance, very vague in his answers. He basicaly sugar coated most to all issues. One thing I take seriously to heart is the pay aspect. As you are aware, I am a retired veteran. I have a pension comming in as well as a VA disability. I paid for my school upfront so I have no contract or repayment obligation. I run rather hard, Attempting to average no less than 2400 miles a week. Though my average is currently at 22.3. I did not take the medical or dental coverage, since I have that through the VA. My only deduction is for Open Road drivers plan. My average take home is $450 a week @ 28CPM. I am not the average CDL student. My point is, A fellow student, sold his truck to get the money to get to school, and live for 3 weeks. He has a wife and 3 kids. This would be his only income. Since he had to take the $0 down option, he has a $45 deduction for tuition per week. He has to take advantage of the medical and dental plan. Lets say that is $40 Per week. For the first 4 months he has a deduction of $25 for a recovery fee if he was to abandon the truck. His starting pay at $0 down is $.25CPM. Oh by the way our company has a mandatory 5% pay cut as of 1 June 09. Lets say he averages the same as me 2400 a month. Already he is having $110 Skimmed off of his gross. With the 5%, he is now at 23.25 CPM. Lets say he lives on $100. The 3 weeks that his out, which we know is impossible. So @ 23.25 X 2400= $ 558.00, without taxes. – $220, $338.00 a week. This is an what he has to support a family of 4. Keep in mind I stretched the deductions to an absolute minimum and did not withold taxes. $ 37,000 a year my ass. Here is your turnover. On a realistic note, he would be lucky after expenses to clear $175 a week. Like I said I am not the norm, But this is.
Thanks for all you do .
Pete.

]]> By: Mike http://www.askthetrucker.com/the-quest-for-the-truth-about-trucking-with-dan-rather-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2964 Mike Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:25:13 +0000 http://www.askthetrucker.com/?p=1154#comment-2964 Outstanding.. I kinda stumbled on to this whole thing and I must say I am really impressed.. To be able to hear and to understand the many different perspectives on this issue has been quite enlightening.. I understand why some people didn't show up for this conversation for their assumed concern of being cornered or unequally singaled out for whatever, but I decree shame unto the ATA for their disgraceful dismissal of "Trucker Desiree" for her legitimate claims of which I can personally attest to in my own experience.. To dismiss this drivers matter of fact, take or leave it perspective of a problem that certainly exists and any other trucker will attest, to dismiss these very real issues is simply incompetent on ATA's part.. Further to lament that basically "your feelings have been hurt" by this one humble female driver and that is the reason you refuse to participate in this discussion is sickening.. Slander? I really don't remember her ever saying anything pertaining directly to the ATA or it's policies.. Something is very suspect with an organization that is so quick to be on the defensive and to reactively cast blame and shame on such a convenient target.. Are these people really on "our side"? Outstanding.. I kinda stumbled on to this whole thing and I must say I am really impressed.. To be able to hear and to understand the many different perspectives on this issue has been quite enlightening.. I understand why some people didn’t show up for this conversation for their assumed concern of being cornered or unequally singaled out for whatever, but I decree shame unto the ATA for their disgraceful dismissal of “Trucker Desiree” for her legitimate claims of which I can personally attest to in my own experience.. To dismiss this drivers matter of fact, take or leave it perspective of a problem that certainly exists and any other trucker will attest, to dismiss these very real issues is simply incompetent on ATA’s part.. Further to lament that basically “your feelings have been hurt” by this one humble female driver and that is the reason you refuse to participate in this discussion is sickening.. Slander? I really don’t remember her ever saying anything pertaining directly to the ATA or it’s policies.. Something is very suspect with an organization that is so quick to be on the defensive and to reactively cast blame and shame on such a convenient target.. Are these people really on “our side”?

]]> By: Amanda-Kay http://www.askthetrucker.com/the-quest-for-the-truth-about-trucking-with-dan-rather-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2948 Amanda-Kay Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:07:20 +0000 http://www.askthetrucker.com/?p=1154#comment-2948 I have been keeping up with this on going investigation and I think concept is great. But not all new driver's are the bad guy, my husband as been OTR for about two years now, he is a third generation driver on his dad's side and second generation his moms side. I joined him this past summer and am a second generation driver. So we know how to drive and how all this works. We are n a lease from a company that shafts us every chance they get and they blantly do not care about there driver's. We have resorted to living out of our truck because of the lack of stable miles. Here is an example of our companies turn over rate. Our friend quit and turned his truck in on October 30th 2009, on November 6th 2009 we saw a new driver in his truck at a reciever about 100 miles from the yard. It took them less than a week to have someone to fill his spot. We can complain all we want, they don't care. They wont fire us but they will starve us to the point of quiting. Or so they hope! I am posting a blog about our daily trials feel free to check it out. www.midnighttrucker.blogspot.com I have been keeping up with this on going investigation and I think concept is great. But not all new driver’s are the bad guy, my husband as been OTR for about two years now, he is a third generation driver on his dad’s side and second generation his moms side. I joined him this past summer and am a second generation driver. So we know how to drive and how all this works. We are n a lease from a company that shafts us every chance they get and they blantly do not care about there driver’s. We have resorted to living out of our truck because of the lack of stable miles. Here is an example of our companies turn over rate. Our friend quit and turned his truck in on October 30th 2009, on November 6th 2009 we saw a new driver in his truck at a reciever about 100 miles from the yard. It took them less than a week to have someone to fill his spot. We can complain all we want, they don’t care. They wont fire us but they will starve us to the point of quiting. Or so they hope! I am posting a blog about our daily trials feel free to check it out. http://www.midnighttrucker.blogspot.com

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