OOIDA Vs. FMCSA 2016

Open forum. Ummmm no bad idea.

There's an old saying amongst attorneys; " The lawyer that represents himself, has a fool for a client. "

The attorney(s) for OOIDA know right what they are doing. This is big time, like we're perma F if we, they don't win.
We don't need some drivers, albeit well meaning, misinterpreted testimony to sink us.

 

It's the mega's shot at being able to keep flooding the industry with urchins that simply do not have the skill set for this work, this life.
They lose the urchins, they lose the ability to drive down rates, and pocket all the cash for themselves.

 

Good point. But I think OOIDA does care about drivers, and the industry as a whole. Don't kid yourself, the mega's will hate life if this gets shot down. They all got mandated on e-logs because they had so many violations, they were going to lose their credential. I've always been on paper, except when I was a trainer at CRST. My CSA score is 0. I have a streak and track record of clean inspections. I have 0 accidents and citations. I don't have to run e-logs if I open Dave Trucking. I'm competent.
If e-logs aren't a must, there are going to be % carriers that are going to option you for paper, and their phones are going to be ringing.
There is no way in a million years gonna convince me a guy going over his 11 or 14 by 15 or 20 minutes to get to a decent place to stop or his shipper or receiver, is more dangerous or malicious or a threat to the general public, than the same guy posting up at an off ramp, cause he's 10 miles away. What about the driver? What about his safety? Is it safer to have an 18 wheeler in a location you would not normally find one? It's madness.
The same urchins that will screw up on paper, are the same ones that already have it all screwed up!!!!! And they are always gonna be there.
When the megas can't fill those seats, the shippers are gonna turn to the independents.

No one wants this e-log mandate passed more than the officers at mega trucking inc., no one.

But lets pull one driver from each side for use. They can take my logs & driving record if they like.

Dude Schneider's DOT physical is a cattle walk. Why? They need people in the seats.
JB Hunts was tough 10 years ago. The one for teamsters you gotta be a friggin astronaut almost. Why? Cause they aren't desperate for drivers.

How much freight would be available if the mega's lost say 20% of their business?

 

Yup. The second the ATA mentioned "leveling the playing field", they exposed their true intent. Heck, if THAT'S what they are after, why not "level the playing field" by requiring fuel stops to charge the same amount per gallon to EVERY customer who fuels? "Level the playing field" by prohibiting suppliers, distributors, and dealers from giving anyone "bulk" prices on tires, parts, or even trucks.

The megas think nothing of digging into MY pocket to increase MY costs in their effort to "level the playing field"...so I won't be losing any sleep if their costs go up in that same spirit of "leveling the playing field".

 

Why should anyone tell me when I'm too tired to drive?
I can safely drive 22 hours a day and only need 30 minutes of sleep, I can stop on the shoulder, usually over the crest of a hill where I'm hidden, and hop out and cool off my brakes, LOL, then I can hop in the right lane at 5 mph with a lot of traffic coming. But the gravity of taking off down hill really helps me get up to speed.
I like to run 8,000 miles a week and with elogs I can't do that.
.

 

So your view is, the only correct way to operate a truck is the way you do it, therefor everyone should follow suit?

 

It can't be, the pushers for paper logs need to cheat the HOS because they can't plan their loads and keep that left door closed.
Their argument should be about the HOS rules not a silly elog mandate.
"But Tucker, I need a nap every hour and the 14 hour rule won't let me nap" Tucker says " learn the phrase "would you like a hot apple pie with that?" Because truck driving is too tough for you, Candy"