Trans Am Still

Did you put the load locks on? I love going into the trailer when it is turned on as it is so nice and cool there. When I first went to orientation there was a guy there who fell of the trailer. When he told us(EM CHIEF) the first thing we thought was how did he get up there? I know that is mean but some of these guys need to go on The Biggest Loser or we will read about them dying in truck stops.

I am going to go to a different Dr., the one who treats me for Diabetes next year as I have gotten my numbers back to normal and even against their advise have been taking way less of the meds. I hate pills or prescriptions. In todays world it seems like the Drs are all too happy to hand out pills instead of telling people to stop eating and exercise. Shoot just walking around will help out plenty. Most drivers don't even leave their trucks in the beginning of their day just to make sure the lights work. When I was local we used to drain the airtanks everynight, they had a valve, now they have this cord and still most won't, I do everytime I fill up. Maybe I am just old and see things differently than some of the new guys coming out now. I still thump tires.

Now off to Liberal where I am sure to wait for the rest of the day, right now in Geary, Ok so not much more to go today. My early time is in the morning but when I have gone to Liberal before sometimes they would have my load ready in 10-12 hrs if not going to Wal Mart

Be safe out there

 

I dread getting up into my trailer. I on the heavy side and not as young as I once was.

 

I have been getting tagged when I copy and post a full article on here lately. I try to post the full article when it is something that I think you need to be aware of because I know that most of you don't have the time or patience to click through several different websites to get to the full article. I had originally posted the full article about Anne Ferro but changed it to just the link.....guess I should have posted the full thing. She is the new president and CEO of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators .......she will have a major input on law enforcement and commercial driver licensing ....it is not a good thing. Every states licensing bureau and law enforcement agencies belongs to the AAMVA from what I can tell.

[h=3]Who is AAMVA?[/h]The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization developing model programs in motor vehicle administration, law enforcement and highway safety. The association also serves as an information clearinghouse in these areas, and acts as the international spokesman for these interests.
Founded in 1933, AAMVA represents the state and provincial officials in the United States and Canada who administer and enforce motor vehicle laws. AAMVA’s programs encourage uniformity and reciprocity among the states and provinces. The association also serves as a liaison with other levels of government and the private sector. Its development and research activities provide guidelines for more effective public service. AAMVA’s membership includes associations, organizations and businesses that share an interest in the association’s goals.

 

Unfortunately it is true that there are many jobs that Americans consider beneath them .....adults and kids. I have a friend that lost his business but refuses to take a job at a local store because it is beneath his dignity .....and has had their utilities turned off several times. However, that is not the case in the trucking industry.....obviously we all work in it....and there is no shortage of American workers willing to drive a truck, TransAm runs how many through their orientation every week? The driver shortage in this country is a manufactured crisis for corporate profit.

 

Australia drivers have been dealing with the same thing for several years longer than we have.

Jan 6, 2014
TWU NEWS

TWU Acting National Secretary Michael Kaine has slammed the call from the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) for trucking companies to be granted free reign to bring in overseas drivers as a ludicrous proposal that deliberately ignores the root causes of the crisis in the trucking industry.
TWU MEDIA RELEASE, 5 January 2014
“The ATA argues overseas drivers are required because of an inability to find locals to do the work. But recent unemployment data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show more than 20,000 jobs lost in transport and logistics. That’s 20,000 people with the skills, experience and willingness to do the job.
“What they really want is to drive down wages and rates in the industry further and bring in drivers with even less ability to say no to the impossible demands and deadlines from big transport clients likes Coles.
“Truck driving is already the most dangerous job in Australia with a death rate that is 15 times the average for all other workers. Every year hundreds of people are killed in truck crashes, devastating families and communities across the country.
“More than 20 years of evidence shows the link between rates of pay for drivers and safety on our roads, but instead of addressing the root causes of the crisis, the ATA wants to paint over the cracks by importing overseas labour vulnerable to exploitation and bullying.
“The answer to the issues in the trucking industry must be an end to the economic squeeze from big clients like Coles and Safe Rates for truck drivers, with fair wages, safe working conditions and improved training.
“People from overseas will always be welcome in Australia, but we must make sure that our labour system is fair and that it works in the national interest, not just the interest of big companies and their lobby groups,” concluded Michael.
In 2012 the Federal Government introduced the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal to address the safety crisis in trucking - but this is now under threat, with the new Government conducting an “urgent review” of the Tribunal with the intention of scrapping it before it has the chance to save lives and make the industry safer.

 

I might be fat, but at least I'm still fairly limber and can get in and out of the trailers easily. I don't particularly enjoy it because of an old knee injury from being kicked by a horse, but I'm happy I can do my job without falling over and dying.

 

Is this your Cranky Yankee Voodoo doll

 

Wow!!! Just spent an hour chatting with a cousin of mine that I haven't seen or talked to in, oh... I don't know... 15 years maybe. She found me on facebook. Wasn't going to friend her at first, didn't recognize the name, then saw she was friends with my brother. Really enjoyed it.


BTW, will be at the TA in Milldale, CT tomorrow, twiddling my thumbs, JIC anybody is in this area. Don't pick my reload till Monday.