Since we haven't heard anyone mention it, we will consider the War on Christmas to have officially ended...we wish you a very, merry Christmas!
Mail Call
Editor: In the last edition of the e-Report, we posted a letter from Jerry and asked for comments. Ask and you shall receive.
From: CD
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 7:45 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: Fuel Consumption
Jerry has made a good point. Fuel savings would be drastically increased by companies installing GenPacs on their tractors, but that's only one of the many benefits and advantages. Idling is probably one of the most damaging periods for a diesel, so I have always been told. So service and engine life would greatly be changed.
Also, if like Jerry you live and work mainly on the upper East coast, then you are already familiar with the no idle laws in effect in states such as NJ, MA, NY, NH among others, and soon will include PA. Are we to become slaves to systems such as IdleAire? I hope not.
I like shutting down in areas that maximize my day and sets me up for a better tomorrow, not somewhere I don't want to be just because its 20 degrees out and if I don't hook up and choose to idle to keep warm I run the risk of being cited for doing so just so I can stay warm.
But when I look at the billboards and see the price of diesel the first thing that pops into my head isn't about Companies installing GenPacs, but why is diesel so much more expensive than Gasoline? Why haven't the big companies banded together and put pressure on the government to bring the cost of fuel down where it should be? I keep hearing that soon we'll be paying as much as Europe for a gallon and that's a bunch of crap. Yeah, they pay $5 a gallon but the extra money funds a nation wide free health care system, takes care of all the roadway system, and cuts the crap out of all other taxes across the board, here you'll still get nothing extra, and big oil will be stuffing a 100 million dollars an hour into their pocket instead of the 55 or 60 they’re getting now.
I really worry about this country and where its obviously heading, and feel sorry for my grandkids, and not because of what
we have done, but for what we didn't do and allowed big business and live and let live liberal boneheads to do to us and our not so great anymore nation, while doing nothing about it.
Sorry for ranting drivers, and thanks for listening. Take care, be safe, and GOD bless you one and all!
* * * * *
From: JE
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 1:54 PM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: fuel prices
Dear Sirs,
What a shame that diesel prices are exceeding gasoline prices. People forget that diesel is a waste product (byproduct) of gasoline after gasoline is refined. Manufacturers of gasoline, years ago, didn't know what to do with, or how to dispose of this waste (Diesel), so they burned it in lamps and such. Then Henry Ford got the idea of a diesel engine, and it has never been the same since.
The other day I paid $3.54 per gallon for diesel (MD). That’s insane! And, the trucking companies are letting the oil companies get away with it, too. All over the C.B. radio, you will hear drivers comment we should all "park" our trucks for a week and how that would stop this country in its tracks. How true!!
Just imagine...no gas for cars, no food items on grocery shelves, no items at Wal-Mart...this, indeed would wake-up the bureaucrats and would force the oil tycoons to significantly lower fuel prices...maybe as much as 50%.
But the sad part about it is the truck drivers themselves. They talk the talk but will not walk the walk. They are too afraid of getting fired and most are afraid to stand up and become ONE..United!! I would park my truck in a heartbeat if we could truly go on strike as it were. I won't starve to death for a week. And, truly, if a driver gets fired, he can always find another driving job. After all, who'll replace the fired truck drivers? Soccer moms? Corporate truck owners? Do you think that the corporate bosses are going to go out and take up the wheel? After all, its companies that can afford fuel prices because they get huge fuel incentives from the oil companies. And how can they afford to do that? By paying low wages to their drivers and hiring inexperienced "drivers" with no practical knowledge of what they are doing in the first place.
I say: America’s Drivers....LET’s SHUT 'EM DOWN
Editor: It worked last time. Anyone care to comment?
* * * * *
From: Marvin
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:06 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: RE: December 1, 2007 eReport
RE: Jerry’s Article
Jerry,
Outstanding and direct! You have certainly said a lot with very few words.
Marvin Shefsky
Publisher/CEO
OTR and Pro Trucker magazines.
Editor: Nice to hear from you Marvin, have a great holiday!
* * * * *
From: DF Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 7:09 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: Jerry's letter about government tax breaks for generators.
In response to Jerry,
Have you noticed that states have raised the speed limits on many highways in recent years? I have, and there is a good reason. The government does not want us to save fuel, no matter what the politicians tell you. Think about it, what happens if we buy less fuel? The answer: Less tax money on purchased fuel. It is as simple as that. Forget the deep seeded conspiracies. Government by nature will never have enough tax money to spend.
The Governor of my home state has been known to cross out words in the transportation budget, thereby creating new sentences that divert money to the general fund. It's true. Hopefully someone can back me up on this.
Thanks,
Editor: Anybody got DF’s back?
TruckDriver.com
Carrier of the Month
WEL Companies, Inc
WEL Companies, Inc. was incorporated in September of 1975 with one tractor and two trailers. It is headquartered in De Pere, Wisconsin. It is privately owned and operated by Bruce Tielens, President and CEO and Randy Tielens, Executive Vice-President. Both have many years of experience in the trucking industry and are very active in the management and development of the company.
WEL Companies, Inc. has experienced steady, well-managed growth and is constantly adding to and refining their customer base. Their reputation of reliable on time service has provided an excellent partnership with its customers.
They value their employee drivers and owner operators and are currently seeking professional over-the-road drivers to help grow their business.
The original goals and objectives envisioned by Bruce and Randy included establishing long-term partnerships with customers by providing high quality, reliable and innovative supply chain services. Their success is evident as the company continues to grow and expand its services.
The people at WEL stay focused on these goals as they strive to offer their customers the most up-to-date nationwide warehousing, logistics, transloading and container drayage and stripping services while utilizing the most innovative technology available today.
The future is bright for WEL Companies, Inc, if you want a bright future; consider driving for WEL Companies, Inc.
With every New Year comes change. Do you have changes planned in 2008? Take the TruckDriver.com 2008 Fate Survey .
We are not sure what the breakdown on the TruckDriver.com I'll Be Broke for Christmas Survey means, but the largest percentage of you responding (27%) said you would be spending less than $100 on Christmas this year. The second largest percentage (22%) said you would be spending over $1000 on Christmas this season.
All we know is, it does not matter how much you spend on Christmas as long you spend it on someone you love.
Until next time, have a wonderful holiday season!
Keep on truckin' and please drive safely.
Your Comments Are Always Welcome
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
