Why a strike? The CSA 2010 will cripple trucking.

It's interesting to notice that most people who don't mind the CSA, electronic logs and recording devices are the new generation of drivers, wanabees and young people.... for them, more intrusion and control over their/ our lifes doesn't bother them....

 

That's because the Government has been controlling/brainwashing this new generation from day 1 unlike those of us who have been around the block a couple times.

 

So do I. Only everyone is not created equal. I can not sleep more than maybe 5 hours straight. It just ain't gonna happen. When I get tired, I pull over and take a nap or even get that 5 hours that I can manage. For me to sit in a truck stop and twidle my thumbs for another 5 hours is just as tiring as driving that 5 hours. I manage my time well to fit my needs. I don't all of a sudden come to myself and wonder where the last 5 miles went when I just realize where I am at. That doesn't make me an irresponsable driver. I make my money and I feel completely confident that I am doing it as safe as anyone else out there that doesn't leave safety to chance.

 

For a group of people that should "stick together" I see a lot of hate. Not everyone is the same. Never will be.

Criticizing the company or new drivers is only gonna prove the goverments point. They as we all can see that you think the rules shouldn't apply to you. THAT is a large part of the problem here.

I see this as a chance to put the blame for forced dispatch, and everything else where it belongs. On the companies, shippers and recivers.

If you think this is an infrigment on your "rights" then you shouldn't be online. Your being tracked every time you go online. You are tracked by cell phone, computer, factory vehicle computer, and lets not forget the qualcomm or other truck tracking device you have.

The trucking industry has been given more than enough chances to clean itself up and has failed every time. So, what's the alternatives? Leave the companies and drivers to drive 3000 miles overnight with only fuel stops?

While we're at it, take the speed limiters off all the truck and let 'em run 100mph all the time. May as well, leave the brakes shoes with no linning too.

I see a lot of drivers both company and "owner operators" who cann't drive unless they're tailgating or on the lane diveder line. Won't move over for someone on the shoulder even though they have room. Have to block the driveway at a business because they won't walk another 5 steps.

I don't want to hear, this is just the "new breed" of drivers. I see all type of "drivers and owner/operators' do this stuff irreguardless of how long they been doin' it.

If you want to be critical of others, look close in the mirror first. I'm willin to bet you ain't all that great yourself.

We all mess up and make mistakes.

 

Good post.

We're close to the same age, you have me by a few years. Not sure what you think. But I'm ready to slow down. There are guys who will always out perform me. But in the end, I'll still have my CDL and I'll still be able to get another job. If the need arises.

And it's not just the new/younger guys who are making my job harder/more dangerous than it needs to be.

It is however...the same 2 groups of drivers.

Broke/Greedy or just don't give a #### about anyone than themselves.

If you have to speed or run hot logs. Someone else is in control of your truck and your life. It could be a dispatcher, or a bill collector. But the end result is the same.

I'll be the first to admit fudging a log within reason, to get home. But I won't run tired. I've driven an hour over to get to the house. I've also parked the truck within 30 miles of the house...and went to bed. These are my choices, not my company's. And I will have to suffer any consequences that arise.

Within the past 5 years, I've had to dial 911 on other drivers with increasing frequency, company and O/O. It's not something I'm proud of either. But I'm not going to sit by and watch them kill themselves and others. My load has to get down the road. The paper work combined with their accident that shuts the road down in front of me...makes it difficult.

If the drivers are unwilling to police themselves and their companies. Then the law will have to take steps to make sure they do.

With CSA and the tightening of rules and fines. I have the ability to make a load so late....it forces a repower. I've never intentionally made a load late. But having that ability puts the blame squarely on the load planners and dispatchers.

My days of "hot" loads are over. If I don't have the hours....they can all KMA. I still get those loads. But they make sure I have the hours to do them, before they dispatch me. If not...I simply select NO in the acceptance form, or send a free form stating I will accept it. But it will have to be repowered down the road.

ONE ticket can cost me 2 weeks pay. No way in hell am I going donate my money....for the "team".

 

In case someone misunderstood my last post, I said that according to my perception from talking with drivers new and old, experienced and not, most of the ones that don’t seem to be bothered by the amount of regulations and control over their/ our lifes, are the new ones.

I was not criticizing the way they drive or do their job.

I understand that because of so many “bad” drivers of all ages and stages of experience, and the lack of participation in decisions that affect our jobs and our lifes, and the lack of union among us, we will all end up being submitted to even more government control to the point that driving a truck will no longer offer the same satisfaction, freedom and remuneration that used to.

But like some said, there's already so much government control and intrusion in our lifes that a little more will not make much difference, right?

It's really sad the path this country is taking....

 

I wish I could "Thank" you 100 more times! You said it better than I could.

 

For solo driving you gotta do what you gotta do as long as you do it safely. Running teams is different. I think every team setting should be 10-10. You do 10 hours onduty/driving. no more. that includes fueling,driving, pre-trip, post trip. Then the other guy does his 10 hours. You never run out of hours, you keep the truck going all the time and you never have to stop as you get back just as many hours as you use every day.

 

This isn't a thread anymore for trcukers ready to strike. It's just a opinion page for opinoins. Everybody has one. It's useless.

 

You're right and I appoligize for my part in that. Fact is, it WILL happen.