The reason I still belong to OOIDA is simple... They have spent years building the expertise necessary to actually start making accomplishments instead of simply making noise.

I remember demonstrations against taxes that were passed anyway, and years later when OOIDA was able to file class action court cases to have some of them removed.

I remember "the battle" with the Tennessee PUC, it took years to get enough publicity to get the state of Tennessee to admit the graft and corruption and EXTORTION of truckers.

I remember when good intentioned people led a protest against the split speed limits in Indiana. It went sour when some of the organizers turned to their own misguided extortions of the truck stop owners, I remember OOIDA stepping into the void and arranging a settlement that included a modest win for the truckers without a federal criminal complaint about misguided actions.

I buy nothing but membership from OOIDA even tho they offer many things in their attempts to provide what some people cannot provide for themselves, BUT I belong to promote the organization because they have begun to have some EFFECTIVE voice for owner drivers and company drivers in the face of the propaganda placed in debates by the ATA.

I wonder just why those people who are promoting a shut down fail to see the fine line a trade organization walks, and where they get the arrogance to think the publicity they got did not also have help from people who cannot publicly proclaim and promote, but who understand the aims and can use personal contacts built over YEARS of effort to suggest to their connections that publicity would really help these who are asking for it.

It never ceases to amaze me how people can get so puffed up at the first publicity they receive that they complain about anyone who doesn't join the fawning masses, while failing to see that the attention they are getting is due as much to quiet support from people who cannot professionally stand on the fence and cheer publicly.

In order to lead by example, you have to set one. In order to condemn and complain you have to have real knowledge of someones actions and legal restraints...


My heroes are those who accomplish, not those who pontificate...

If I was not a life time member, I would become one. I bought my booking agent a life time membership today when I passed by the office.

As to the merits of the actions and reasoning of those who participate in a shut down or not, I like most people who care about truckng as an industry and life choice will make up my own mind when I have some FACTS of them and their reasons. Too many people seem to be operating on the "don't confuse me with the facts" basis in demanding that the teamsters or OOIDA support their chosen action in their chosen manner OR ELSE they are gonna complain.

Too many people are assuming thier successes were not in part due to the efforts of people they did not see or talk to but who might have spread what efforts thay made in circles that had guiet effect rather than tempestous racket.

It is worth thinking about and even discussing here... Why is OOIDA worth belonging too... as the poet said let me count the ways...

Thank you I strongly aggree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The more people OOIDA has, the bigger voice they would have..

I'm counting all the rest area closures in states that have started enforcement of "No Parking" areas passed by the same Government officials who defunded said rest areas.

One again, the silence from Missouri remains deafening.

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I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

I agree with the both of you, Iowa and Yoda. I joined them because I was "alone" when I started out and wanted the backing of an orgaization. I appreciate that OOIDA keeps me informed of the ever-changing world of trucking and DOES go to bat for those who need them. I too do not partake in the insurance or fuel cards or any of that, but I still like being a part of this organization, and I like to think that I am being represented by a group of people who are truly looking out for my best interest.

I am with you 18wheeler, I support them with my membership, but I do not take advantage of their fuel cards, permit department (haven't needed to), health insurance or commerical vehicle insurance. I no longer feel I am "alone" with them, as I am backed with 160,000 members.

On that issue look at how much a truck pays in taxes, fuel, etc. A lot of these places you will find 4 wheelers taking refuge where a truck could park so the driver could sleep. Some of these rest areas are very beautiful in the landscaping etc, Some almost look like theme parks and the state has dropped a ton of money in them. As far as funding these a car pays only a drop in the bucket compared to a big truck. Seems to me that anyone would think why cut the parking for big trucks. They bring a lot more in tax revenue. ( I am well aware of why we are losing space due to some nasty slob of a excuse for a driver that tosses bottles and trash everywhere) It just seems to me that someone would think the harder we make it for truckers the less we will make in the long run.

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

On the rest area issue, I totally disaggree with it, however we had it coming. I know there are many truck drivers out there who are very respectful, nice, don't litter, etc. etc. but all it takes is 1 bad driver out of 10 good ones to make us look bad.

You have the bad drivers who are too lazy to walk 100ft into the rest area to take a poop, and decided to open their door and go right there, or open the door and pee on the parking lot, chuck their pee bottles out their windows and other trash, etc. etc.

What can we do, to attempt to get a "good image" of ourselves? Many public, non truckers have a extremely bad image of us and its time for a change!

At least now you can see you are not a schmuck for not agreeing with people even if they have admin or staff behind thier names!

I see people claiming OOIDA is silent on issues I know they are working on, feel free to call member services and ask them what they are doing about closing rest areas etc.

The terms of service to register here said I culd not post any links, it is not my forum and being as I see I am on a dfferent side of this issue from "staff" members I certainly do not want to violate any terms of service, so I cannot point you to the 4 files I have posted on the internet that contain a scrap book of the fight between OOIDA and the Tennessee PUC, nor can I show you the small inclusions on many of the stories about the recent strike and protests that show evidence that contacts of OOIDA were covering the protests after talking to OOIDA ... Strange that there was such widespread pick up of the articles from the far flung news outlets that OOIDA has been developing over the years...just coinincidence I bet!

Of course the new protest leaders are sure they accomplished this on the strength of thier news worthyness alone... OOIDA nbot being able to back them, they are sure they had no help getting such attention... ( right)

Wow, what a forum... My OOIDA post was removed as was a comment in this thread. I guess there are some thin skinned people around here and don't want to talk about the facts. I did nothing wrong. What a shame. What a waste of time this place is...

Well said notarps...I totally agree

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The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so
- Mark Twain

Let's support our new president,
but Obama should remember one thing,
Gray Davis.....