Letters From Readers

COMPARISON MISSES THE MARK

I was so enraged by Dustin Lowdermilk’s curt and condescending attitude about truckers [September “Write On”] that I could go no further without pointing out the glaring differences between airline pilots and truckers.

Let’s start with de-regulation. The very same government that gutted the trucking industry gave the airlines $20 billion to keep afloat. That comes out of federal diesel tax money. That means I am well on my way to subsidizing your job as a commercial airline mechanic, along with your salary and benefits.

As far as hours of service go, sure, we both have off-duty time. But along with subsidizing your pilot friends’ salaries to the tune of more than $100,000 a year, plus benefits and hotels, I have been driving for 25 years as an owner-operator and I don’t recall anyone paying for mine. And there is no investment in that airplane on your part except to fly it.

Dave Prince
Birmingham, Ohio


RESISTING LOT LIZARDS

Your article on lot lizards was certainly welcome. I have noticed that most of these “working girls” are illiterate. It seems that they can’t read the “No Lot Lizard” signs on my truck.

I have been on the road for 49 years driving trucks and buses, For the past 18 as an owner-operator, I have thanked God for the strength in keeping me from giving in to the temptations of lot lizards.

Remember that the gifts you take home to your family are the gifts that keep on giving – specifically AIDS, which may not show up for years. I have seen many of my co-workers lose their wives and families because of this infidelity.

I, along with the majority of drivers, am not the exception with these views, but the norm. I have been divorced for more than 18 years, and I know once I give in to a prostitute the sex drive flames will be rekindled and, like any other addiction, I would be looking for a lot lizard. Once you succumb to alcohol, drugs, prostitutes or porn, the consequences are severe.

Bob Coe
New Milford, Pa.


SWEEPSTAKES WINNER WRITES

I was shocked to receive your telephone call telling me that I had been chosen as one of eTrucker.com’s Money for Miles Sweepstakes $1,000 winners! I doubted my luck could be so good.

Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers

For the past month or so I’ve been trying to help out a young couple that has taken the plunge and started as owner-operators. I plan to loan the prize money to our trucking friends to help out with expenses until they get their business on a solid footing. Let’s face it, with the stock market down, the weak economy and stiff competition for available loads, this was a tough time to jump in as an owner-operator.

On another note, with the trucking industry being so essential to the nation and its consumers, wouldn’t it be great to see someone at the national level take a proactive role in better educating the general public to sharing the roads and highways with trucks?

Too many four-wheelers force their way onto the highway without yielding, fail to use turn signals, cut in at high speed and slam on the brakes and a host of other unsafe practices.

David W. Callin
Nokesville, Va.


EXPERIENCE, NOT AGE, COUNTS

I agree with Brandon Mayfield in his October letter. If an 18-year-old is responsible enough to drive in a state and go to war, what makes him different from the rest of us who are 21 years and older?

Most young drivers come from a trucking family. My wife and I have five boys, and the two oldest have turned to trucking. My oldest son went to trucking school, but the second one rode with me. He learned firsthand from being on the road.

I’m a 62-year-old retired owner-operator. If I still had my trucks, I would be willing to give an 18-year-old a chance at all 48 states if the law permitted. I cannot understand why truckers sit back and let these useless laws be passed against them. All they need is a total shutdown for a week to let the public and lawmakers see how much trucks are needed. I think a few lawmakers should travel in a truck for a few weeks so maybe they would understand what a trucker and his family go through.

Roger Metheney Sr.
Confluence, Pa.


THANKS, TRUCKERS

I am 84 years old, and I love truck drivers and their wives. I have couples who come to see me and to take me shopping. I’m so thankful for them. They do so many things for us. They lose so much sleep to get food and other things to us. Keep up the good work.

Ethel Richardson
Wofford Heights, Calif.