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Feedback-mainSwine Flu Mania Misleading

I cannot believe the B.S. of the article on Swine Flu by Misty Bell in the June 2009 issue. The people she talked to made it seem to me that truck drivers are like plague rats of the Middle Ages. I do not know if my experiences are that much different than those of so many others in that my contact with others is very limited. I tried to keep track of the number of people that I made real physical contact with in the last week, and it was less than five.

I did not spend much time in a sealed area (no airplanes, no malls) and little time in shipping and receiving offices. I did not shake any hands or hug others. I sat by myself for meals and spent little time in game and TV rooms. The true contact level was minimal compared to office people or salesmen.

I believe the swine flu is spread by direct and/or close prolonged contact or exposure with an infected person. I do not have fleas or other pests that would spread the flu! As I finish this letter, I am reminded that these are the same people that back in February tried to say that if we did not get “National Health Care” back then, we were all going to become sick and a lot of people were going to die! They are still trying to shove that plan through Congress with a different scare tactic so as to prevent anybody from really looking at the details.

Norman Heithoff, Peoria, Ill.


CB Truth

I read Todd Dills’ recent article ‘Changing Channels” in Truckers News concerning CB radios.

I have noticed a change of direction away from CBs the last few years. I think the article was very timely, and I certainly believe that CBs are still one of the truck driver’s best friends.

Cell phones and minutes are certainly the (popular) kid on campus these days, yet the cb radio shold never be far from the trucker’s reach.

CB radios offer drivers the capability to keep abreast of chatter on the open road. This is a big advantage over a cell phone, where the conversation can only be between two parties. Many truck drivers not only have CB radios in their cabs, they also have one at home and can talk with loved ones while on the road.

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Also, in an emergency a CB radio may be a trucker’s best friend, because he may be using the radio at the time of the incident.

Danny Freeman, Oxford, Ala.


Where’s the rate?

I was just reading Todd Dills’ “West Points” news report in the October issue about the California ports, and one very important thing left out is that the reason guys run older trucks when hauling containers is their money’s so bad that’s all they can afford to run. The sudden concern for the independent trucker is very hypocritical; I never heard that concern from the drayage companies when their independent drivers complained they were only making enough money to keep their heads above water.

And even if they can get these newer trucks, independent drivers will still be in the same situation, where rates are so bad that they’re just barely making it, and they have to make bigger payments and maintenance, etc., etc.

What you should be considering is the question of rates.

I expect that what the ports and surrounding community would like is these big fleets to come in — the only people in the industry who will have the money to invest in this stuff. What they don’t understand is that the fleets will eventually have the same problems if the rate situation isn’t addressed. The big fleets will soon realize that they can’t make anything in the container business, either.

Owner-operator Lee Klass, Portland, Ore.


 

WHAT WILL BE YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION?

Via Facebook

 

To not make a resolution.

— Charlie N.


To lose this 80 pounds I gained from quitting smoking and moving to pulling vans instead of flats and stepdecks. Man, this is such a lazy job now …

— Brian G.


Resolving to stay in shape and not let the rude ‘4wheelers’ get to me! Need to take better care of family and friends, too, when I am off the road and home.

— Jack F.


Ten years ago, my 2000 resolution was to finally quit smoking for good, which I did. Now I would love to finally divest myself of the extra weight gained since that time.

— Tom B.


To get out there and go over-the-road and make my honey proud!

— Karen M.


Better rates and lower fuel prices.

— Shannon P.


Work on getting a better attitude at life in general. And try to spend more time with my family.

— James B.


To live a more active and healthy lifestyle, even if I think it will kill me!

— Tom I.


To lose weight …

— Jas B.


To get back into OTR, been out of it for almost seven years, currently driving Class B Kenworth reefer 20’-28’ straight jobs, need to make more money for the family.

— David R.


Just started a new trucking company — in this time of recession? Are you crazy??? That’s the question we get asked time and time again. We started in February of 2009, and … at the end of October we just bought our first truck payment free. … Our New Year’s resolution as a company is to be the company everyone wants to work for. You’re not a number here! My hat’s off to our three drivers working for Mitchell Transportation in DeKalb, Texas. You guys are like family. And (to answer) the number one question: Yes, you guys will be home for Christmas!

— Anna M.


VIA TWITTER

My New Year’s res is to destroy, politically, in any way I can, any incumbent politician. By destroy I mean campaign against!

— @912Truck


Do you support Washington’s efforts to reform health care/insurance?

No: 69%

Yes, unconditionally: 18%

Yes, if no one’s taxes go up: 9%

Yes, if my taxes don’t go up: 5%

ETRUCKER.COM POLL, 457 Votes


 

What do you think the biggest issues facing the trucking industry will be in 2010?

John-Williams-Feedback“The biggest issue is work returning back and plenty of work so that truckers can stay busy shipping all the stuff that has to get back and forth. You know, taking care of America and building the industry back.”

— John Williams, Blue Line, Atlanta, Ga.


Darren-feedback“The issue facing the trucking industry is going to be the cost of fuel. With fuel prices going up all the time, it’s tough on everybody, and the poor economy doesn’t help either.

— Darren Barrett, Independent,

Stanford, Ky.



Kenneth-Jones-feedback“I think safety issues on the road, and also pay.”

— Kenneth Jones, Birmingham, Ala., MCA



vicetor-feedback“It’ll be both fuel, economy and the rules because they change the rules every year, and as an ex-DOT officer this is what we go through every day.”

— Victor Jackson, East Cleveland, Ohio, Celadon Trucking


David-feedback“Probably rising fuel costs.”

— David Fisher, Werner Enterprises, Wixom, Mich.