Truck Owners ANGRY and Scared Over Fuel Costs

[MedicineMan]

Originally Posted by Ron-MARS Trucking

Have checked on the property easements?

Here in CA they are 5' from BPL and down through the "breezeways". Otherwise, the utility companies would not be able to provide services. Also in CA, as a property owner you own the land to a depth of 500'. This suits oil companies, gas companies and water companies because those commodities are usually found below 500'. All of the aforementioned commodities can be obtained through horizontal extraction. It just depends on how much of the commodity exists and how much drill rod the companies want to push in the ground to reach the resource point.

Property in TX is very seldomly sold with the mineral rights. They can set a rig up on your property anywhere they want. They have to pay you, and it pays well but you can't stop them

[5mouths2feed]

Originally Posted by Ron-MARS Trucking

5mouths2feed, fair enough.

Not all of those kids are lazy. They have us as an example to follow. What these kids have seen is old guys (yeah I admit it, I'm one of the old guys now..heh) busted their azzes and some died before they retired or shortly thereafter. Of course that's their perception.
Anyone who worked 30 years ago or earlier knows that the workforce has changed, safety enforcement has changed and the overall ethic has changed.

I remember we used to smoke while cutting asbestos pipe...we never wore hard hats or steel-toed boots. What was hearing protection? We did not wear it and that's why we all are driving our families crazy when we reply HUH? every time the ask us something.
Those kids don't want to end up like the majority of us over-weight and with assorted health problems.

If we want to make a difference and set an example let's show these kids how to get things done. We all come from different walks of life but we all have one thing in common. We are involved in trucking a once honorable business and we can return it back to that time.

We need to set realistic goals and we can do it here on this forum.

You want to make a difference let's do it. But let's do it in way that shows that we truckers aren't a bunch of Red-necks (no offense), we are business people just like those who run manufacturing or servicing. We are a vital component in the American business community. Stop thinking that we are just there to work for someone. We provide a necessary service that without it, nothing moves.

Stop thinking that we're only TRUCK DRIVERS...that's just part of what we do.

Now thats what I'm talking about. Here Here!!!!!!

[Lurchgs]

Originally Posted by MotherTrucker204

Could a strike happen? sure...Will it happen? No... There' one problem with comparing the baseball strike to a trucker's strike....money..Look at how much the baseball players are paid, they can afford to strike and not suffer financially. Truckers on the other hand, in many cases, cannot afford a shut-down. When you consider the fact that there are so many of us out there just barely keeping our heads above water right now, the thought of shutting down is not an option. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see it happen. Company drivers would be fearful of losing their jobs. It has to be a united effort by all to be successful...

Mom, you are right - but there IS more to it than the fact that baseball players are insanely over paid.

For one, there is a very limited number of MLB players... 25 players per team times 26 teams equals 650 players. Total. Minor league and managers don't count, but still bring the total to less than 5000.

How many O/O are out there? How many just plain *truckers* are out there?

It's a lot easier to reach a consensus among 650 than it is among 20-100 thousand.

Secondly, MLB players are unionized. As far as I can tell, the O/O don't even have a collective bargaining agreement/orgainization.

Nowhere have I found a set of trucking pricing standards. It's completely open. If some fool opts to haul for 2 cents a mile, there's no pressure to change - other than his internal desire to not go broke.

As for investors.. there are good and bad, of course. I put my money into a company (buy shares of ownership: stock). I'm sure as hell not interested in losing money. If I wanted to do that, I'd donate it to some charitable cause and help my taxes. I expect a return.

However, it's up to me, AS PART OWNER, to ensure that I'm not gutting the company. I'd rather make 2 cents a month / share for the rest of my life than make $5000 once. It's my responsibility TO THE COMPANY to ensure (to the best of my ability) that everybody is paid a fair wage, that expenses are kept to a reasonable minimum, and that equipment is up to snuff.

I don't know how many of you remember (or even heard of) the 'dot bomb" a few years ago.

That was a *direct* result of bad investments and awful management. People put money into a company, management frittered it away on some of the most inane items (one thing comes to mind is a 22ft stainless steel conference table). Then, after a few years of no return on investment, the investors pulled out. No money, no company, no jobs.

However, as bad as that was, it was a result of a FEW investors. Most shareholders are, if not long term, at least split between long term and short term.

I wandered. The point is, the investors DO have some responsibility for the situation. Not a lot, but some.

Now, what would happen if Trucking Company of the Imperial Gulf Coast were to raise their rates a half a cent per mile? They'd lose a little business. Not a lot, probably, but a little. A small change like that isn't likely to cause healthy accounts to move away - especially if they have a good relationship (on time, undamaged, etc) with the shipper.
If their administrative infrastructure is any good, they put that money into the physical infrastructure: drivers and trucks. Pretty soon, they have happy drivers, and jealous competitors. Happy drivers means more careful drivers means more successful deliveries means more customers.

People (and businesses) are willing to pay a bit more for better quality (else FedEx and UPS would not be beating the hell out of USPS. In fact, I rather think the USPS would not exist if it weren't illegal for anybody else to carry letters (as opposed, legally, to "Documents"))

Of course, the trend will continue up, as more and more O/O make bigger profits, until it reverses again.

On the other hand, if you form an association with a supermajority if O/O and all agree to a reasonable price structure- with built in adjustments for inflation and cost of fuel, it probably won't be long before the trucking companies follow suit.

Just my two cents (worthless, I know, but I don't inflate)

In general, it sounds to me that Ron May is offering the best advice and deepest thought on the topic (while I just blather)

[roadkill439342]

Originally Posted by Sergeant-Scream

As I see it, the same idea was brought about when gas prices were high enough at $2.35, emails after emails forwarded back and forth among us all about just not driving one day on this and that certain day. (IMPOSSIBLE) to get everyones attention to do such a thing.... But with truckers and this forum it could possibly take a mass PM or forum post to start with a day we just start shutting down and letting the trucks sit....... I know it is probably impossible but look at the Baseball strike that happened a couple years ago, could a truckers strike actually happen soon?????

I assume you are talking about those ever-popular "Gas Out Day" chain-emails that recirculate every so often.

Tell me, what exactly did they accomplish again?

[Sergeant-Scream]

Originally Posted by MotherTrucker204

Could a strike happen? sure...Will it happen? No... There' one problem with comparing the baseball strike to a trucker's strike....money..Look at how much the baseball players are paid, they can afford to strike and not suffer financially. Truckers on the other hand, in many cases, cannot afford a shut-down. When you consider the fact that there are so many of us out there just barely keeping our heads above water right now, the thought of shutting down is not an option. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see it happen. Company drivers would be fearful of losing their jobs. It has to be a united effort by all to be successful...

Correct, on that note of barely making it, there are some of course that didn't make it and lost their trucks and jobs. We all cannot keep going and going, even living on just barely enough to feed our families is going to crash down even harder if the prices keep going up. Today I spent $500 just in a simple repair at the TA for a freaking water pump hose. $120 to go get the thing, $80/hr X 2 hours of work, plus the part. Now who in the the world makes an 11 inch aluminum pipe that needs to be on a truck for the value of 500$. That has basically ruined my day and not to mention the other 15 guys that came through the garage needing some kind of work. We all are suffering but how many can keep fighting the low rates and still live....?

[Working Class Patriot]

Originally Posted by MedicineMan

Property in TX is very seldomly sold with the mineral rights. They can set a rig up on your property anywhere they want. They have to pay you, and it pays well but you can't stop them

MM let me check out Tx Real Estate Principals to see what applies to easements.

I am not a Lawyer nor am I a licensed Realtor in the state of Texas. So any info I find and pass along to you will be quoted from the pub.

[Working Class Patriot]

Originally Posted by Lurchgs

Mom, you are right - but there IS more to it than the fact that baseball players are insanely over paid.

For one, there is a very limited number of MLB players... 25 players per team times 26 teams equals 650 players. Total. Minor league and managers don't count, but still bring the total to less than 5000.

How many O/O are out there? How many just plain *truckers* are out there?

It's a lot easier to reach a consensus among 650 than it is among 20-100 thousand.

Secondly, MLB players are unionized. As far as I can tell, the O/O don't even have a collective bargaining agreement/orgainization.

Nowhere have I found a set of trucking pricing standards. It's completely open. If some fool opts to haul for 2 cents a mile, there's no pressure to change - other than his internal desire to not go broke.

As for investors.. there are good and bad, of course. I put my money into a company (buy shares of ownership: stock). I'm sure as hell not interested in losing money. If I wanted to do that, I'd donate it to some charitable cause and help my taxes. I expect a return.

However, it's up to me, AS PART OWNER, to ensure that I'm not gutting the company. I'd rather make 2 cents a month / share for the rest of my life than make $5000 once. It's my responsibility TO THE COMPANY to ensure (to the best of my ability) that everybody is paid a fair wage, that expenses are kept to a reasonable minimum, and that equipment is up to snuff.

I don't know how many of you remember (or even heard of) the 'dot bomb" a few years ago.

That was a *direct* result of bad investments and awful management. People put money into a company, management frittered it away on some of the most inane items (one thing comes to mind is a 22ft stainless steel conference table). Then, after a few years of no return on investment, the investors pulled out. No money, no company, no jobs.

However, as bad as that was, it was a result of a FEW investors. Most shareholders are, if not long term, at least split between long term and short term.

I wandered. The point is, the investors DO have some responsibility for the situation. Not a lot, but some.

Now, what would happen if Trucking Company of the Imperial Gulf Coast were to raise their rates a half a cent per mile? They'd lose a little business. Not a lot, probably, but a little. A small change like that isn't likely to cause healthy accounts to move away - especially if they have a good relationship (on time, undamaged, etc) with the shipper.
If their administrative infrastructure is any good, they put that money into the physical infrastructure: drivers and trucks. Pretty soon, they have happy drivers, and jealous competitors. Happy drivers means more careful drivers means more successful deliveries means more customers.

People (and businesses) are willing to pay a bit more for better quality (else FedEx and UPS would not be beating the hell out of USPS. In fact, I rather think the USPS would not exist if it weren't illegal for anybody else to carry letters (as opposed, legally, to "Documents"))

Of course, the trend will continue up, as more and more O/O make bigger profits, until it reverses again.

On the other hand, if you form an association with a supermajority if O/O and all agree to a reasonable price structure- with built in adjustments for inflation and cost of fuel, it probably won't be long before the trucking companies follow suit.

Just my two cents (worthless, I know, but I don't inflate)

In general, it sounds to me that Ron May is offering the best advice and deepest thought on the topic (while I just blather)

Thank you for your insightful post. I am by no means the smartest here, but I have do have some experiences to share. I like the idea of an O/O consortium. Strength in numbers was the premises of Labor Unions. But an O/O consortium is not out to "run" a company but rather negotiate a deal with shippers that benefits all parties to included the shippers' customers. If we have a deal to truck at say x amount pm and that is higher than what the "low-rates" will run, we have to justify our rates. We must have that shipper/customer walk away from the table satisfied that they will receive exactly what they paid us to do. We as O/O's must set the bar higher and deliver as promised. Trucking is every much a profession as a dentist, MD., lawyer, or an accountant.

Let's start acting that way.

[Rokk]

Ok i am game for this, only however, i see a multitude of others going for it.

I signed the online petition and i am prepared to shutdown not one but 3 trucks. but i will be watching this for organization. in my expereince, todays truckers are not brothers. i see it in truck stops and on highways, i see nothing but the greed in the eyes of the drivers that pass me by and those i walk past in truckstops. not to mention what i hear on the cb radio.

for every good deed i try to do in the course of a day, i see 10 more truckers do something bad, greedy, or plain dsgusting. i see it in rest area's, truck stops, shippers, and recievers. i see filth, i see unclean, i see drivers that dont care about their apearance much less the safety of others on the road..


Show me organization, and i will jump on the band wagon. Yes i am leery of this, because once again it could all be about greed. After all is said and done, with prices of fuel lower, what will happen to the lesson learned. drivers will most likely go back to greed, filth, and acting like ######## ######## down holes in their cab floor while the truck rolls down the highway.

This industry disgusts me, yet i live and work in it, for the one piece of adventure i get once in a while out there on the road, i put u with everything else that sucks most of the time. most of all, i put up with the typical disgusting truck driver parked next to me.


SO show me some sincerety, and i will be one of them owners that joins the game. I am only out there looking for at least one driver a day that shows some decency to another human being each day. so far i havent found many.

good day.

[Sergeant-Scream]

Originally Posted by Rokk

Ok i am game for this, only however, i see a multitude of others going for it.

I signed the online petition and i am prepared to shutdown not one but 3 trucks. but i will be watching this for organization. in my expereince, todays truckers are not brothers. i see it in truck stops and on highways, i see nothing but the greed in the eyes of the drivers that pass me by and those i walk past in truckstops. not to mention what i hear on the cb radio.

for every good deed i try to do in the course of a day, i see 10 more truckers do something bad, greedy, or plain dsgusting. i see it in rest area's, truck stops, shippers, and recievers. i see filth, i see unclean, i see drivers that dont care about their apearance much less the safety of others on the road..


Show me organization, and i will jump on the band wagon. Yes i am leery of this, because once again it could all be about greed. After all is said and done, with prices of fuel lower, what will happen to the lesson learned. drivers will most likely go back to greed, filth, and acting like ######## ######## down holes in their cab floor while the truck rolls down the highway.

This industry disgusts me, yet i live and work in it, for the one piece of adventure i get once in a while out there on the road, i put u with everything else that sucks most of the time. most of all, i put up with the typical disgusting truck driver parked next to me.


SO show me some sincerety, and i will be one of them owners that joins the game. I am only out there looking for at least one driver a day that shows some decency to another human being each day. so far i havent found many.

good day.

Amen to that!!! I always feel like every time I go to a dock, I feel like a piece of dirt. Not b/c I am one, but the others who have appeared to the public like dogs, and having dock workers despise me. I myself am new to the business, but working on my masters degree in Criminal Justice, buying trucks, going into the Ohio State Patrol, getting out of the Army after 6 long years of dealing with the government itself and driving in the meantime and going broke. It seems as to what you said, maybe if we the (Truckers) would have a more decent look and professional attitude those costumers we deliver to would have more respect, and be willing to negotiate prices. It's all psychology when it comes down to it. A manager at a dock would be willing to deal with a business man faster then he would a grease wearing, muscle shirted guy that hasn't bathed in days.

[broncrider]

i got one to jump my truck this am....as i ran the battery's dead

he even flat out refused to let me buy him lunch or even give him $10

" if we don't help each other out, who will?"

quoted from the company driver for champange metals who jumped my truck

there are still some of us good ones out here

( i have done the same for a few in the past)