OOIDA

It is a sad state of affairs where good governance is dependent on bribery. What else can you call PAC and PAC funds?? It sure as hell isn't democracy.

Not picking on the US - it's much the same in Canada and the UK.

 

Unfortunately, you have to fight fire with fire Old Tom. And to RickG, better pay more attention to OOIDA as the Teamsters see that OOIDA has more power than they do on a lot of trucking issues. The teamsters have started to join up more with OOIDA fighting all the new regulations and the south of the border trucking program. The ATA is just a front for the mega carriers and they love any rule that puts O/O's out like trying to force EOBR's on us.

 

Well, they can't campaign without money. Advertising isn't free. I see nothing wrong with supporting someone you're behind with money. Lot's of folks take issue with a Supreme Court ruling that said campaign contributions equal free speech. I'm not one of them. Sure, there are mega-corporations with tons of Pac money. There are plenty of associations with ordinary middle class members that do the same. But this is veering off topic.

 

i joined a week or so ago for 25 bucks, shoot thats worth the magazine ant least!

 

I have been a member of OOIDA starting around 1998. have used them for financing , insurance for 2 trucks and an engine rebuild. I am very happy with them and will stay a member.

 

Was the financing on your engine rebuild pretty low? I have never used them for financing but had a friend that did, he bought a new APU and they gave him a pretty good deal. I remember him telling me they required a credit score of 700 or above.

On the insurance I have tried to deal with them but every year they are a lot higher then the other agents I have got quotes from.

 

You are right and a lot of good information in the mag also that you don't see in others.

 

I use them for some insurance and I find the magazine very interesting. Plus I get 10% off my cell phone bill.

 

I was a member back in '04 . I was going to get my own authority , asked them about full coverage for insurance and they told me they couldn't provide it in KY . I went to another source and they sent info with 4 agencies that could provide coverage .
Why don't some of you members post your membership numbers in your signature ? Can't new members get a discount if you refer them ?

 

The problem as I see it is that too many people expect an organization like OOIDA to address every little problem they have....No matter how insignifigant the problem may be.
When OOIDA doesn't react the way the driver thinks they should...The driver decides that OOIDA is a horrible organization that's not concerned with the problems of individual drivers.
I was talking one day with a guy that saw my OOIDA sticker on my truck and made a stupid comment about them....Turns out, He got a ticket for an unsecured load and wanted OOIDA to help him fight it even after admitting that the load was not secured properly.
OOIDA told him that they could not help him so he cancelled his membership and now talks trash about them to anyone that will listen.

That driver is an ignorant fool!

Anyone that thinks OOIDA is there to hold your hand through every little issue that comes up in your business is looking at the organization the wrong way.
OOIDA is an advocate/voice for our independent businesses that does what it can to make OUR concerns heard by the people that can do us the most good or the most damage as the case may be.

Are they always right? No....It's impossible to make everyone happy all of the time. If you don't believe that just look at these forums and read all of the varying viewpoints from people that insist that they're right regardless the idiocy of their position on a given subject.

Overall though OOIDA has had a positive effect on this industry and has done a lot for us for the small cost of membership in the organization.

If YOU as an individual don't think OOIDA is a good thing, you are free to not join but if you can see and understand the larger picture and want to get your voice heard so to speak...You ought to join.

The larger the membership, the bigger the voice.