OOIDA

I agree with you. It’s a distraction from bigger evils. I do believe OOIDA is pushing the broker thing because of the large amount of its members crying about not being able to make money due to “brokers.” At some point they have to respond to their base.

 

I see it like this.. Since I started in 1994 just about every possible expense a driver or company could have has increased. While rates continue to drop, and over regulation increases. The gains ooida have made are barely a drop in the bucket. If drivers want to give money to them have at it that's your choice. They won't see another penny from me.

 

My view is they have on various prodicts saved me around $7500 since i became a driver over a decade ago now. They are #### near the only voice that doesnt want truckers basically chained to the wheel of their truck as nothing more then mindless drivebots. And frankly there are a lot worse things to spend money on.

Sure they could do better. But who else is there that is actully effective? No one ive found. And unless and until they turn on the hand that feeds them ill support them. Afterall the what $30 a year is a paltry drop in the bucket and they do have a lot of good services.

 

Personally I think OOIDA makes $ for themselves like any other group but I do have insurance through them and it’s a better policy for less $

Any of these institutions are in it for themselves
It comes down to what you accept as ok

 

I was a member years ago. Personally haven't owned a truck since year 2000 that was probably around the time I gave up on them. Another year or two and I'm done the mega fleets and clueless foreigners can have it.

 

Its different for everyone. Ive found out from talking to guys who have their own authority and are more in tuned with whats going on, there is some good with OOIDA. If your leased on, not so much.

 

OOIDA does a lot of good things for O/O's, including a bunch of help getting started, help with staying within regulations, etc. They do good work lobbying for the O/O's and drivers and push back against legislation and Megas.

I strongly disagree with SOME of their stances. Driver training and over 80K trucks, specifically. My 30 year old son has been driving semi trucks for the farm since he was 16, but now can't get a CDL without spending 5K on training he will absolutely get nothing out of. Likewise, we run 90K trucks, which saves a bunch of time, fuel and miles on equipment.

Still it's what we have, and I'll remain a member as the overall balance is overwhelmingly positive.

 

$40 or so per year is nothing.
It is two breakfasts at TA.
They fight what there is to fight. I don't see any better alternative.
The point is all the bad things they try to prevent from happening as well as all the good things they try to bring about, I agree 100%. The way they try to do things is the only correct way, not some convoys riding on Washington DC.
It is not exactly up to them how effective they can be. Maybe, if they had more members - more money - they could lobby better.

 

I could care less about the money I just don't think they are very effective.