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| 26 Oct 2008 05:06:15 pm |
 Lumpers and other con-men. |
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For any of you in the trucking business that don't know what a lumper is, it is a person who unloads or palletizes freight. Most people not in the trucking business assume wrongly that all freight is put on pallets and a forklift puts on and takes off the freight from a trailer. We wish it was that easy. Despite the fact that trucking companies are paid to haul freight from point to point, most companies have gotten sucked into the unpaid business of unloading and sometimes loading the customers own freight off of and on to their trailers. With the hours of service rules being as strict as they are and the succeptibility to injury, many companies do not allow their drivers to unload freight by hand. Instead, they hire a lumper. Lumpers are typically meth addicted thiefs who will rob you in a heartbeat if they can. They accept cash payments from the trucking company's driver to unload freight from the trailer so it is arranged the way the receiver wants it arranged. Logic begs the question, "If the customer wants the frieght arranged a certain way, why don't they order it that way from the supplier, and why is the trucking company paying to arrange it?" Great question, and one that I personally have never been able to answer. Apart from weak minded trucking company execs who cave into unscrupulous tactics from receivers in order to keep hauling freight, I can't fathom a reason. Most lumpers do not pay any taxes on the money the make. Many are receiving unemployment checks while making 400 - 800 per day tax free. They are the scourge of the industry and a law to require shippers and receivers to oad and unload their own freight is desperately needed. A law demanding this would stop tax free monies from being paid to drug addicted thiefs, would allow drivers to focus on driving instead of arranging for and sometimes unloading the freight themselves, only to find themselves too physically worn out to drive.
LUMPERS are terrible and should be eliminated. Write your congressmen today to le them know about this little known bad side to the trucking industry. |
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Category : Trucking Jobs
| By : admin |  Comments [0] |  Trackbacks [0] |
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| 03 Sep 2008 07:11:05 pm |
| In the end, Truck drivers are paid by the hour, not the mile |
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I heard a driver complaining the other day about being told to drive a different, longer route than he would have chosen to drive if it was up to him. He was saying that he got screwed out of some pay because the miles he was paid to drive were less than the miles he was told to drive. This part of his complaint I understood. It sucks to get paid for less than you drive. This is, and always has been, an unfortunate downside of paying drivers based on miles listed in a mileage guide instead of the actual odometer. Industry reports say that drivers get short paid about 5% of the miles they actually drive. But when you account for the miles that most drivers put on the truck running errands, going home for the weekend, etc, it just about comes out even.
So, back to the whiner. He was told he would get paid 500 miles but was told by the company's fuel optimizer to drive a route that took 550 miles. The catch is, the 550 mile route was 1/2 hour faster than the 500 mile route. The driver said he wanted to drive the 500 mile route cause that's what he was going to be paid for. At first glance, this makes sense. But does it really?
The driver was going to be paid for 500 miles, no matter which route he drove. It would take him 8.33 hours to drive 500 miles at an average speed of 60 miles per hour, or he could average 70 miles per hour for 7.86 hours to go the 550 mile route. The different average speeds are because of the speed limits, stop lights, and stop signs, and ability to pass slower vehicles. The driver was NOT paying for the fuel in the truck, the company was, but he was still complaining about having to drive 50 miles further, even though it took him 1/2 hour less.
So I ask all the other truck drivers out there.... If you get paid per book mile (not odometer miles), would you rather drive less miles for a longer time, or more miles in a shorter time, all for the same pay?
Every OTR truck driver gets 14 hours to work, and 11 hours to drive every day. If a driver's goal is to make as much money per day as safely possible, they should be asking themself, "How quickly can I drive these miles safely?", not "Does my pay stub match my odometer?" Because in the end, when we look at our pay stubs, the most important number is the dollars, not the miles. |
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Category : Trucking Jobs
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| 15 Aug 2008 02:02:34 am |
| Trucking Bankruptcies Up 50% for the Year |
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Remember a month ago or so, we told you that jumping ship may not be the best thing to do? Well, we were right. Unless you see trucks being reposessed and your paycheck is bouncing, the atmosphere in trucking right now says you might be better off to stay where you already are. Drivers have been complaining about companies turning their trucks down, in an apparent effort to save on fuel costs. Those drivers that are complaining about that better not talk too loudly; they may unkowingly be standing next to a driver who only wished his company would have done what it took to stay afloat. Now that driver's paycheck bounced and he's hearing someone complain about a slower truck. He doesn't know how lucky he is to even have that truck driving job right now.
I even heard one driver say he gets better fuel mileage going 70 mph compared to 65  As if the company was dumb enough to fall for that and turn his truck back up 
The facts in trucking right now, are that times are tough and companies are looking to squeeze every penny out of every dollar they can. Companies are filing for bankruptcy left and right. Drivers who don't really want to be drivers but refuse to do the only other jobs they are qualified for, will soon be watching the big rigs from the side of the road. Trucking companies will be thinning their fleets, keeping only the safe, efficient, and high producing drivers. On the other hand, drivers who are professional, have clean MVR's, and haven't hopped around from job to job will have their pick of companies to drive for, as long as they remember that being a truck driver is not compatible to being home every weekend. If you want to be home every weekend, get out of trucking. |
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Category : Trucking Jobs
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| 15 Jul 2008 04:17:06 pm |
| Tired of the rich being so powerful? |
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THEN QUIT ASKING THEM TO BE!
I hear people complain aobut the rich being so powerful, and how they despise the rich. I think it's a combination of jealousy and laziness that makes up this hatred. We all don't want someone else making decisions for us, and that's what used to make this country so great...freedom. But then people started giving their kids everything they never had, and we got spoiled. I recently got a request for a donation from the mother of a girl who plays competitive soccer. It's not cheap. they travel to different states to play in tournaments, have sharp looking uniforms, warm up suits, bags with their names on them, custom water bottles, etc. They look like a pro team, but they do it for fun. So the kid's mom emails me and asks for money for the "expenses" that come with playing on this soccer team. So this middle class kid is being taught to rely on others for her ability to play soccer. I'm sure if the money doesn't flow in like they are hoping, the kid will still play soccer, she just won't have the bag with her name on it, or the warm up suit, but her parents will find a way for her to still play. But the kid will see other girls that did get the warm up suit, water bottle, etc, and her parents will surely not tell her, "Tough", they'll tell her that she needs to start asking for donations earlier next year, or any other reason besides "It's too expensive."
We've all grown accustomed to living beyond our means, asking for and expecting others to help us when the financial reality hits home, and then demonizing the rich people who donated last year but cut back on donations this year because times are tough. How dare those damn rich people stop giving like they used to...my kid NEEDS to play soccer! |
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Category : Trucking Jobs
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| 15 Jul 2008 04:06:42 pm |
| Obama and change? I think not. |
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| This is a stray from our usual trucking specific commentary, but it needs to be said. I listen to the radio on the way home every night, switching from channel to channel to hear all the stories and points of view I can take in. I think this gets me to a more rounded and open state of mind. I hear people calling in to talk shows and saying that they are voting for Obama because they are tired of the same old stuff happening in Washington. What confuses me is how they think electing someone who has made their life a quest for elected offices will be any different than what we already have. Obama's history of "jobs" has been nothing more than a trail of political offices used as stepping stones for his ultimate goal of becoming president. I'm not faulting him for that at all, that's his right to pursue that dream. What I am saying is that if you look at what he has done to get where he is, what's different from every other politician already in office? I think CHANGE is what we need, but I don't think Obama is going to give it to us. McCain is no different, but then, he's not the one going around saying he's going to change everything. |
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Category : Trucking Jobs
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| 03 Jul 2008 02:41:27 pm |
| If you got it, a trucker brought it! |
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While you're celebrating America's independence this fourth of July, take a moment to ponder the things around you and how you came to have them.
Your house - The wood framing, the siding, drywall, and pretty much everything in your house was probably delivered by a truck and driver.
Your food and drinks - The hamburgers, hot dogs, pop, and beer you eat and drink were definately brought to the store you got them from by a truck and driver.
We could list every item you may use or consume this holiday weekend, but that would take too long. Instead we offer this challenge, tell us something that did not come on a truck. |
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Category : Trucking Jobs
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| 16 Jun 2008 09:15:41 pm |
| Floods in midwest causing headaches for truckers. |
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· Interstate 80: in Cedar County I-80 is expected to open in Cedar County at 4 p.m. There are no other closures on I-80.
Flooding continues to affect many roadways in the state, according to Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) officials. Iowans are urged to closely monitor conditions and never enter a water-covered roadway.
The Iowa DOT's temporary customer service phone line will be in operation from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily until further notice. That number is 866-452-8510. This number was set up for assisting travelers navigate state roadway closings. It is not an emergency number. Emergency calls should be made to 911. This phone line is extremely busy, so if you get a busy signal please call back.
For Internet users accessing closure information, visit ww.511ia.org (use the low bandwidth service since the high bandwidth service has been temporarily disabled due to high volume).
Update:
· Interstate 80: in Cedar County I-80 is expected to open in Cedar County at 4 p.m. There are no other closures on I-80.
· U.S. 136: Lee County - Keokuk bridge U.S. 136 from Keokuk into Illinois will be closed between 8 p.m. tonight and 6 a.m. tomorrow morning for flood control activities.
Roadways now open to traffic
U.S. 218 ramps in Black Hawk County The northbound U.S. 218 exit and entrance ramps at Lone Tree Road are open.
Previously mentioned and updated road closures
Interstate routes
· I-29: All exit and entrance ramps at McPaul interchange All exit and entrance ramps are closed at the McPaul interchange (exit 20) in Fremont County.
· I-80 and Dubuque Street interchange: in Johnson County Flood waters are over Dubuque Street south of this interchange in Iowa City. The southbound exit from I-80 is closed.
· I-380: in Johnson County North- and southbound lanes of Interstate 380 (also U.S. 218/Iowa 27) in eastern Iowa between exit 4 (North Liberty) and exit 10 is closed.
· I-380 and H Avenue Interchange: in Linn County (ramp closure only) The southbound I-380 exit ramp (#21) to H Avenue has been closed due to flooding.
· I-380 and 1st Avenue interchange: in Linn County (ramp closures only) The northbound I-380 entrance ramp (#19A) to 1st Avenue West and the southbound I-380 exit ramp (#19B) have been closed due to flood waters over 1st Avenue West in downtown Cedar Rapids. I-380 remains open.
· I-380 and 1st Street interchange: in Linn County (ramp closures only) The northbound I-380 exit ramp (#19C) to 1st Street West and the southbound I-380 exit ramp (#20A) to 1st Street East have been closed due to flood in downtown Cedar Rapids. I-380 remains open.
· I-380 exit ramp Diagonal Drive Interchange: in Linn County (ramp closure only) The northbound I-380 exit ramp (#19A) to Diagonal Drive has been closed due to flooding.
U.S. routes
· U.S. 6: in Johnson County U.S. 6 is closed from Burlington Street to the intersection of Iowa 1 West within the city of Iowa City due to flooding.
· U.S. 6: in Johnson County U.S. 6 is closed from Iowa 1 to Gilbert Street within the city of Iowa City.
· U.S. 6: in Muscatine County U.S. 6 is closed from Muscatine County Road X-46 to Iowa 38 due to flooding.
· U.S. 18: in Floyd County While flood waters have receded, the water damaged the roadway east of Charles City. U.S. 18 will remain closed from Charles City to New Hampton until repairs can be made. This is a long-term closure. Detour is in place using local roads.
· U.S. 30: in Boone County U.S. 30 is closed at the Des Moines River west of the city of Boone.
· U.S. 30: Clinton County U.S. 30 is reduced to one lane between the towns of Wheatland and Calamus due to water over the road. Traffic is being flagged through the lane closure.
· U.S. 61: in Scott County U.S. 61 is closed in the city of Davenport from Iowa 22 to U.S. 67 south due to the rising Mississippi River.
· U.S. 61: in Louisa County U.S. 61 is closed from the north city limits of Wapello to south of Iowa 92.
· U.S. 61: in Lee County: U.S. 61 in Lee County is closed from Iowa 103 and Lee County Road X-38 due to water covering the road. Traffic is suggested to follow local detour signs for U.S. 61 at
Fort Madison.
· U.S. 63: in Tama County This road is closed south of Tama due to flooding of the Iowa River.
· U.S. 65: in Cerro Gordo County The outside lanes of U.S. 65 are closed on the north edge of Mason City.
· U.S. 65/Iowa 5 bypass: in Polk County The left lanes of south- and northbound U.S. 65 have been reopened. The right-hand lane of southbound U.S. 65 will be opened as the water recedes. However, the right-hand lane of northbound U.S. 65 has been undermined and repairs must be made before opening that lane later this week. The Vandalia Road exit remains underwater and is still closed.
· U.S. 67: in Clinton and Scott County - U.S. 67 is reduced to one lane between the towns of Folletts and Princeton due to water over the road. Traffic is being flagged through the lane closure.
· U.S. 67: in Scott County - U.S. 67 is now closed from the Illinois State Line to Iowa 74 due to flooding of the Mississippi River. This is located in the downtown areas of Davenport and Bettendorf.
· U.S. 136/U.S. 61: Lee County U.S. 136/U.S. 61 is closed until further notice due to flooding at the Missouri state line. This closure will detour travelers between Iowa and Missouri.
· U.S. 151 Business: in Linn County The city of Cedar Rapids is closing the 1st Avenue bridge (also Business U.S. 151) due to rising flood waters.
· U.S. 151: in Iowa County Road closed from Iowa 220 to U.S. 6 between the town of Amana and Homestead.
· U.S. 169: in Dallas County U.S. 169 is closed one mile north of Iowa 141 due to a gas leak.
· U.S. 275: in Fremont County This roadway is closed from the Missouri state line to Fremont County Road J-64 (old Iowa 333) at Hamburg.
Iowa routes
· Iowa 1: in Linn County Road closed from U.S. 30 to the city of Solon due to flooding.
· Iowa 3: in Butler County This highway is closed west of Shell Rock. There is roadway damage that must be repaired.
· Iowa 5: in Warren County Iowa 5 is closed in both directions at Hartford. Water is over the road about 2.5 miles north of the intersection of Iowa 5 and Warren County Road G-24.
· Iowa 14: in Marion County Iowa 14 is reduced to one-lane from northern city limits of Knoxville to Marion County Road G-40 due to a landslide. Electronic traffic signals are in place to direct traffic.
· Iowa 21: from Iowa 212 north to Benton County Road E-66 The road remains closed south of Belle Plaine.
· Iowa 22: in Washington County - Iowa 22 is closed from U.S. 218 to U.S. 61.
· Iowa 22: in Muscatine County Iowa 22 is closed east of Muscatine to Scott County Road Y-40.
· Iowa 22: in Scott County Iowa 22 within the city of Buffalo from Scott County Road Y-40 to I-280 is closed due to the Mississippi River rising.
· Iowa 24: in Winneshiek County Iowa 24 is closed at Fort Atkinson due to a washed out bridge approach.
· Iowa 70: in Louisa County - Iowa 70 is closed to traffic from IA 92 to before Muscatine County Line due to flooding.
· Iowa 92: in Louisa County Iowa 92 is closed in Columbus Junction. Traffic is being detoured onto local roads.
· Iowa 92: in Mahaska County Iowa 92 is closed at Mahaska County Road V-13. Traffic is being detoured on local roads.
· Iowa 92: in Marion County Iowa 92 is closed to traffic from Mahaska County line west to Marion County Road T-17 due to flooding.
· Iowa 92: in Muscatine County Iowa 92 is closed within city limits of Muscatine due to flooding.
· Iowa 98: Van Buren County Iowa 98 is closed from the start of Iowa 98 to Iowa 16 due to flooding.
· Iowa 150: Benton County Iowa 150 is closed from the Cedar River north to Benton County Road E-16 due to wash outs and road failure.
· Iowa 220: Iowa County - Due to the flood damage to the roadway, Iowa 220 will be reduced to one lane from U.S. 6 to West Amana between the hours of 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Traffic will be flagged through the lane reduction. The road will then be closed to all traffic from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. This schedule will continue until further notice.
· Louisa County: Meyerholz Lake area Louisa County Road G-26 is closed. Several local roads are also closed in this area.
· Van Buren County: Lacey State Park area - Van Buren County. Iowa 1 and Van Buren County Road J-40 are currently still open, however; all roads leading in and out of Lacey State Park are closed due to flooding.
Flood safety tips and other helpful information for travelers are available at: http://iowadot.gov/floods/index.html |
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Category : Trucking Jobs
| By : admin | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0] |
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| 16 Jun 2008 09:10:58 pm |
| Roadcheck 2008 |
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The trucking industry is currently in full swing of Roadcheck 2008. Roadcheck is a co-op program from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and state transportation departments in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, which was scheduled from June 3rd through the 5th.
During this three day blitz of roadside inspections, nearly 10,000 certified officers have been conducting road checks around the clock with a 37 point procedure for examining drivers, vehicles, and cargo safety. CVsa officers will also being handing out educational safety material to drivers.
Roadcheck 07 brought 62,370 inspections with 21.5 percent of those vehicles being placed out of service for certain problems. The results also show that the driver out of service rate roase for the second year in a row to 6.2 percent, the highest since 1999.
If you've had the experience of dealing with Roadcheck 2008, already my advice is to just keep rolling. But if you're on the road and you have not met up with an inspection yet, do what you can to ensure you and your vehicle are in compliance. |
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Category : Trucking Jobs
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| 14 Jun 2008 09:37:08 pm |
| Trucker Srike |
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I found this myspace page about the trucker strike. http://www.myspace.com/truckerstrike08 Seems like I've heard about the "big trucker strike" coming a few times before. Hasn't happened yet though.
Seems odd to me that most of us truckers don't think the big bad government should tell us how long we can drive but when diesel prices get too high the big bad government is the one we look to for help. Strange! |
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Category : Trucking Jobs
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| 14 Jun 2008 09:27:22 pm |
| Trucking jobs won't be so plentiful soon |
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With diesel topping $5.00 per gallon in some areas, many trucking companiese are re-examining their business practices, and some are even examining whether they should keeps the doors open at all. Jevic Transportation recently decided to cease operations, citing high fuel and insurance costs as main factors in theire decision. Many fleets are turning down the speeds on their trucks to help increase fuel economy, a move that they have pushed back as long as possible, but now are being forced to do just to stay in business.
Turning down the speed of trucks has always been a sticking point with the drivers, and managers know this all too well. Schneider had it's trucks set at 65 mph for several years and made a strategic move to attract drivers when they increased the speed of their trucks. Schneider may be rethinking that move now becuase turning a truck's speed down does not sit well with the guys and gals who keep the country moving.
What alot of company drivers aren't considering is that alot of fleets don't have a choice in turning down the trucks. It's either turn them down to increase fuel efficiency, or close the doors. For the past few years, for the truck driver, this meant holding his hand up in the air and seeing which job offer ran into him first, it really was that easy. But with many companies choosing to close the doors before they go bankrupt, and thousands more already having closed the doors this year, finding another company to drive for may not be as easy as it was 2 years ago.
Take this as our nickel's worth of free advice, and don't jump ship before you know the boat you're swimming towards will be floating when you get there. Truck driving jobs operate under the same supply and demand laws that everything else does. When there are less companies, and therefore less jobs available, trucking companies won't be forced to hire every guy that walks through their door. Only the strong companies, and drivers, will survive.
Keep on truckin' |
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Category : Trucking Jobs
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