associations......

You mean like NASTC, OOIDA, etc?

 

OOIDA, the only one im a member of

 

OOIDA

Pro, if you're O/O, they do BOC-3 for free with your membership. If you have legal questions regarding regs, they can help answer them.

Con, not a lot of power. They're just a trade organization, not a union. So, they can't bargain, etc. Their lobbying power is nothing compared to the ATA. Which is why most anti-OOIDA folks don't like them. But, they'll never have the money the big companies will.

NASTC has a lot of financial benefits. Fuel card alone is worth the membership. Also, discounts on tires at TA/Petro. Never pay night/weekend/holiday for road service from TA/Petro, only the standard rates. Get discounts on PMs at TA/Petro as well.

Cons: Have to attend an orientation for joining (either at MATS in Louisville, or else in Nashville).

I'm a member of both. For OOIDA, if $40 is going to be a make or break decision, you're not making enough money. If you go O/O, for BOC-3 is worth it.

For NASTC, the discounts on fuel and tires are definitely worth it. No question there.

 

OOIDA - Great association.

Just won a big lawsuit against CR England on behalf of the 0/0's & L/0's.

 

OOIDA - cheap to join, best load board I've found. lot's of options for various services, insurance, drug consortium, life insurance, etc... but there may be better options for you on any of these. I'm a member but still haven't put their stickers on my truck.

NASTC - expensive to join, this is a for profit organization and makes no bones about trying to sell you on their other products. Fuel card is overhyped but may be a decent option for some. Seems geared towards people looking to "move up" to 5 or 10 trucks, etc... Doesn't really provide you with any info you can't get for free on TTR. I won't be rejoining.

TTR - not a trucking association, but a wealth of knowledge which can answer virtually any question you may have. pro's - free, cons - you have to have a little discernment and take the info with a grain of salt.

 

Of which only 1000 of the over 3000 plaintiffs in the litigation are qualified for any money from CRE, and of the 1.3 million that was finally awarded, 1/3 goes to the lawyers. Yeah. Life is good. Now divide what is left by 1000. Ballpark $871 per plaintiff, that is, unless someone else gets their hands in the till. CRE still has 30 days to appeal...again.