August 2006 eReport

Were you able to attend the ExpediteExpo this past weekend? We sent you a couple of notices. Actually, our former intern sent them.

The third rule in mass distribution emailing is; always be sure to change the subject line after the test. We're pretty sure our former intern knows that now, and we apologize for the duplication.

We don't really have an intern program, but we understand that placing the blame on interns is a very common practice and we thought we might as well take advantage of it. Besides, if we told you what really happened, you wouldn't buy it.

We do, however, have a list of rules for mass distribution emailing and changing the subject line is rule number three, right after send test message to insure system is distributing properly.

Anyway, here's an interesting e-mail we received. It got us thinking about a couple of things, and that made us wonder what you think.

Here's the e-mail, and right afterwards is the new TruckDriver.com survey.

And, after that you'll see the results of the last TruckDriver.com survey.

From: dn
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 7:37 PM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: truck driving schools

Why don't companies have schools that after a certain age make drivers renew their driving skills? I know for a fact that a lot of them need to sharpen their skills.

Also, why doesn't DOT make the CDL License a Federal thing instead of a state thing?

I know for a fact that I have been screwed by 2 states about having an out of state CDL.

And, since the second state changed their law, I no longer have a CDL.

__________

Every once in awhile, we hear talk about mandatory road testing for senior drivers. Of course, the older we get, the less we favor it.

Most OTR truck drivers know when it's time to hang it up, or have to hang it up when they can no longer pass the DOT physical.

We googled around the web (yes, it's official, google can also be used as verb, as in to google) and found some interesting statistics concerning driver licenses and senior drivers. Here's what we found.

More than 70 million drivers age 65 and over will be on the road by 2030. Fatal accidents caused by drivers in that age group is estimated to increase by 155 percent.

Drivers 80 and older hit more pedestrians per 100,000 people nationwide than drivers in any other age group.

Currently, only Illinois and New Hampshire require mandatory road tests for older drivers age 75 and up.

Illinois drivers between 75 and 80 also must undergo a written test and an eye examination every four years when they renew their licenses. Those between 81 and 86 must be tested every two years; drivers older than 86 must be tested every year.

Illinois began requiring more tests for older drivers in 1990. About 14 percent of drivers over 75 fail the tests. The state has 439,597 drivers 75 and older.

California and Florida are reportedly studying the problem in their states, which have the highest populations of older people.

Several states accelerate renewal times for older drivers. For example, the normal renewal time in Missouri is six years, but it's three years for those 69 and older as well as for those 21 and younger.

Some states also require additional vision screening for older drivers.

We also tried to find out about a Federal Commercial License, apparently, there is some conversation about it as a national security issue. There's also some concern about revenue sharing, and administration.

So, what do you think? Take the TruckDriver.com Old Timer's Mandatory Testing Survey and let us know.

The last TruckDiver.com survey was about offline activities; here's what you told us:

50% of you spend less than 5 hours a week watching television

40% of you spend 5 to 10 hours each week watching television

10% of you watch TV more than 10 hours a week

70% of you spend less than 5 hours each week reading newspapers or magazines while just over 5% of you spend more than 10 hours each week

75% of you spend less than 5 hours exercising each week while around 20% of you spend 10 to 15 hours each week with 5% of you exercising for more than 10 hours per week.

Only 8% of you daydream more than 15 hours a week – we thought it would be more, but that's because we're daydream believers. Being Monkee's fans, we just couldn't resist.

ACS MultiMedia

July Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month
Vic and Sue Jones
&
Truckin' Teddy

Vic and Sue Jones, along with their special friend Truckin' Teddy, received the ACS MultiMedia Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month award for July.

Truckin' Teddy, a large stuffed bear that travels with Vic and Sue and also "writes" to the schoolchildren, is likely a big factor in the nomination of Vic and Sue as Trucker Buddies of the Month. Truckin' Teddy is virtually famous in the trucking world and a big hit with the second graders in Deanna Reed's Southport Elementary School, Indianapolis, IN.

The postcards, educational items and annual scrapbook Vic and Sue compile for their class also played a part in their nomination, and selection, as Trucker Buddies of the Month.

"We have learned so much from them. They've sent us hundreds of postcards so that we can follow their journeys around North America," Reed said. "As they traveled, they also sent us other interesting items. We've received a huge tumbleweed from Oklahoma, oranges from Florida, cotton from Georgia, Texas Ranger badges, a book about Seminole Indians and candy and wooden Klompen shoes from Holland, MI. Sue always writes an explanation with each surprise so that we all know as much information as possible."

The children feel the same way.

"This is about our Trucker Buddies Vic and Sue who I like a lot. They've even been to Canada. I've learned there are some cool places in the world," wrote student Justin. "Their job is interesting because they go around buying us postcards and oranges, beads, and other things."

The Jones, better known to many as Rabbi and Kachina Doll, are leased to Con-Way NOW, Ann Arbor, MI

The couple, from Kansas City, MO, has been paired with Reed for the past three years.

The Jones's have interesting hauls and trips with Con-Way NOW, a time-definite motor carrier specializing in emergency ground, air and dedicated services throughout the U.S. and Canada. NOW is one of seven businesses that are part of Con-Way Transportation Services, Inc.

"One of the most exciting items that this past class received was the flag that Vic and Sue displayed on their truck as they drove in a huge convoy in Florida for Special Olympics," Reed related. "The kids loved hearing about the convoy."

In addition, Sue kept track of the questions and comments each child wrote throughout the year and then talked to each one personally about their questions.

"I have appreciated their genuine love for the children and their sincerity in wanting each child to 'listen to their parents and teachers and learn all they can in school.'" Reed added. "I really feel like we're buddies!"

Each Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month receives a personalized jacket, along with a check for $300 to spend on the class and $200 in Trucker Buddy merchandise, compliments of ACS MultiMedia Advertising (www.tmi-multimedia.com), the advertising agency of choice for the trucking industry. They also receive an IdleAire adaptor (www.IdleAire.com), a Koolatron cooler, an Accident Photo pack and a complete set of Airtabs for their tractor or trailer (www.airtab.com). The class will receive a CrossCountry USA game from Ingenuity Works (www.ingenuityworks.com), which will help them learn more about how trucks move freight across the continent.

The Jones and Trucker Teddy are among nearly 4,000 other professional drivers who share their time with elementary classes throughout the world. The only criteria to be a Trucker Buddy is to be a truck driver and willing to send a postcard each week to a class in grades two through eight. Drivers and teachers can find out more about the program by visiting www.truckerbuddy.org or calling 1-800-MY BUDDY.

Trucker Buddy is dependent on corporate sponsors such as ACS MultiMedia Advertising and TruckDriver.com to fund the program.

You still have time to Click here for your FREE tickets to the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas on August 24 - 26. We'll get a couple of FREE tickets out to you in the mail.

From: CD
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2006 9:58 PM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: sat, July 15th E Report / more truck drivers needed.

I have been driving OTR for nearly eight years now, and at times it feels like its been forever, even though I know better. This story on new drivers needed just hit me in a way that I would like to give you my perspective on some of the issues that are plaguing the trucking industry, and some of the things that truly need to change if it wishes to survive.

First off, I hate a liar, and any of the recruiters for the larger companies (and a lot of the smaller ones) could put a snake oil salesman to shame. I cannot understand why they simply cannot tell it like it is instead of sugar coating everything, and inflating facts. They should realize that once you get into the system you are going to find out the truth, and most probably walk, and, unfortunately, with an attitude for the trucking industry that no amount of time can change. I know this is something I have never been able to tolerate and I won't be associated with them. Look at my resume and you will see that prior to my entry in trucking I worked no less than 5 years for any employer. That has dropped to 8 months post entry.
Secondly is pay. In short it sucks. I made just as much as a newbie hauling dedicated P & G for Schneider National as I can now with almost 8 years of safe, legal and clean driving under my belt. No service failures, late deliveries, nothing.

When I'm on the road, as any of you drivers can attest; we not only have to make enough to support ourselves but also take care of the household bills to boot. Not to mention pay the mechanic, plumber, carpenter; etc., to do the things I cannot since I am not there. My wife's one handy gal, but even she has her limits.

It's a real bunch of crap that I can make more staying home, doing the 9 to 5 thing and living good than I can living in the truck away from home and most everything I love, sacrificing all with no reasonable compensation and very, very little thanks. Its no wonder this industry had a, what, 127 % turnover last year?

Lastly, to keep this thing of a reasonable length is the sacrifice. You can learn to control your day to keep reasonable start and stop imes and get your rhythm, not to mention showers and meals. But that doesn't replace the hugs and smiles of your family, the security of your home, the constant familiarity of surroundings, sounds, faces. Drivers are in a new place with every passing minute of the clock, it's the nature of the beast, but it's a bitch when it's spent in states that want your freight, and then get the hell out. MA, CT and NJ being three that immediately come to mind, although the latter is a place I'm glad to depart.

The south seems to be the only place that still harbors any respect for the trucker and what he does, and I love 'em all for the treatment I've always received there, both from people and companies, and other drivers as well. Listen to the CB as you come up north. It don't take a rocket scientist to know when he's crossed the Mason - Dixon and he's gettin' close to Jersey. I can't believe drivers can turn on each other like this. It fills me with much sadness to think things have degenerated so badly in this industry that you can be on the side of the road and even somebody who drives for the same company as you won't get on the radio and see if you're ok - let alone stop.

Unfortunately I remember and experienced the days when this wasn't so back in the early to mid 70"s, and although this life was never no BJ and the bear, we had brotherhood and we took care of our own. It's this lack of " family " that saddens me the most. All the rest can be attributed to corporate greed, but that last one is on us.

I just lost my truck due to the price of diesel, I just couldn't make enough to get and keep things going. I'd like to try again, but not at the rate things are going now. I'm presently driving for a local company and staying close to home while I decide whether or not to hang up my keys for good. Finding new drivers isn't the answer. It's hanging onto the experienced ones that are already out there. I've seen what's coming through the doors at these training centers, and I can say for myself, I'm not very impressed. If anything else, these kids definitely aren't truckers, and never will be. Pay the drivers what they're worth and you'll see some kind of positive change. It won't answer all the needs of the industry, but it's a start.

Well, I bitched enough I reckon. Thanks for listening, and if you want, feel free to print this. You might be surprised at what you hear back.

In closing, to my brothers on the road, although you may not hear it anywhere else, Thank You.

We do like to hear from you and invite you to let us know how we can improve the e-Report. Please send your ideas and suggestions to: jobs@truckdriver.com

“Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old.
All you have to do is live long enough.”
~ Groucho Marx ~