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TDMST Email Newsletter, 2017-04 April 14, 2017 |
Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips Email NewsletterIssue #93, April 14, 2017Featuring content from and supporting: Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com"Because truckers know that no trucker deserves to be stung financially."
Table of ContentsPartnershipHere are some serious questions about aspects of your earning potential as a professional truck driver:
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MediaIn numerous places throughout some of the TDMST Weekly Round-Up content, you'll see where we request a comment "below". These are references to the place on the page from which the content was taken, where comments may be left.
By the way, OOIDA was calling on members to demand representation in the Senate hearings. Please share your thoughts below. 2. Owner-operators, how long would it take for you to realize a profit from the purchase of a new truck if it could save you, say, 14 percent in fuel economy, as described in this March 16, 2017, article? Please share your thoughts below. 3. Punctuation matters! A "missing comma" gave rise to a "dispute between a Maine dairy company and its delivery drivers." According to a March 15, 2017, article, "Essentially, the district ruled that drivers fell within the state's exemptions for overtime. Judge Barron disagreed, citing the lack of a comma that made the law ambiguous and ruled in favor of the drivers." Truckers, it pays to read and thoroughly understand the contracts that you agree to work under. Please share your thoughts below. 4. A new Facebook page called "Kill Federal Overreach on Trucker Wages" has been created to gather support from professional truck drivers to fight any attempt to further suppress their wages. See this post from AskTheTrucker.com for more information. 5. Winter Storm Stella dumped more than a foot of snow -- and in warmer areas freezing rain -- in the New England area earlier this week. The storm forced road closures and tractor-trailer bans on some interstate highways in New York. Truck restrictions and travel bans were also announced in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut, according to a March 14, 2017, article. Other states had already been impacted by the storm. According to this March 15, 2017, article, "More than 20 trucks were stuck in the snow at the rest area near Berwick for more than 30 hours" and one trucker's snow chains didn't help. If you were forced to wait, what did you do with your time? Was this the perfect time to work to earn a second income from the cab of your truck? Please share your thoughts below. 6. What are your thoughts on "truck platooning" and "Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control technology," as described in this March 14, 2017, article? Please share your thoughts below. 7. As good as the list of safety tips for driving in high winds is, it's difficult to drive a high profile truck when the winds are blowing up to 81 mph. How high do the winds have to be blowing for you to park your truck, especially when your trailer is empty? Please share your thoughts below. 8. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will hold its 72-hour "International Roadcheck inspection blitz" on June 6-8, as reported here. The focus of this event will be "load securement," a tips document of which has been issued here. According to this March 13, 2017, article, "Inspectors will mainly be conducting a North American Standard Level I Inspection, which is the most thorough roadside inspection. It's a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of both driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness." The article lists the items that may be examined during such an inspection, a list of all inspection levels and what they cover being here. Even if you are skilled in cargo securement, do you think that it is wise to review best practices? Please share your thoughts below. 9. A March 10, 2017, article written by Sarah Allen of DAT asks and answers the question, "Should I use a GPS for Fuel Taxes?" It addresses using GPS technology for tracking mileage. In that regard, I feel compelled to ask this: Since we are now in the 21st century when GPS technology is available, why are some truckers being paid according to the Household Movers Guide instead of by GPS miles or hub miles? Why aren't truckers being paid for every inch they move their trucks? Please share your thoughts below. 10. A trucker is facing charges of "criminal mischief" for refusing to have his truck towed during a snowstorm and "contributing to a traffic jam" that trapped "more than 300 people" on the highway, some of whom were stuck there for "more than 12 hours," according to a March 18, 2017, article. The trucker had other issues. However, be aware that impeding the flow of traffic on a road can lead to an arrest. Please share your thoughts below. 11. According to a March 17, 2017, column (which may be a bit satirical), "True, advocates of robotic drivers can point to elimination of human error; but such gains may be illusory. ... The economic windfall for trucking conglomerates might be short-lived. One pundit has pointed out that since the robots replacing humans in factories and elsewhere aren't paying income tax, Social Security, property tax or sales tax, the government will eventually have to reconfigure things to keep the economy from collapsing." Do you agree or disagree? Please share your thoughts below. 12. Owner-operators, have you experienced an increase in costs due to repairs and maintenance of your truck? If so, has the emissions system been the cause of much of that increase, as this March 17, 2017, article indicates? Please share your thoughts below. ----- From the TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.03.25 1. The 2017 Mid-America Trucking Show is in full swing this weekend. Please comment below to share how you saved money in any way while or after you attended. 2. During a "routine compliance inspection", Indiana state troopers found $400,000 worth of illegal drugs in the cab of a truck, according to this March 20, 2017, article. The [t]wo semi-truck drivers "were both arrested and charged with dealing marijuana over 10 pounds and possession of narcotic drugs." Don't transport illegal drugs. The cost isn't worth it. 3. A March 23, 2017, article from the The Wall Street Journal about President Donald Trump meeting with truckers regarding the healthcare law stated, "The ATA says the Affordable Care Act has saddled trucking companies, especially smaller firms, with extra costs, liabilities and administrative burdens. Replacing the law would lower insurance premiums and reduce those burdens..." Because of these "extra costs, liabilities and administrative burdens," did the Affordable Care Act (ACA or "Obamacare") affect trucking companies' ability to increase wages for truckers? Please share your feedback below. 4. On March 23, 2017, the New York Post reported, "Marc Leder's Sun Capital came thisclose to getting away with shafting 1,800 truck drivers out of $8.3 million in back pay — but the US Supreme Court slammed the brakes on the caper." Good! We're glad the truckers had their opportunity to collect their final paycheck! Do you agree? Please share your thoughts below. 5. Did you ever think you'd live to see the day when family-owned Schneider National would sell stock in their company? See the March 24, 2017, article and please give your feedback below. 6. A March 24, 2017, article stated: "One by one, recently, union pension funds have slashed benefits to retirees who saved their entire lives for retirement. The idea is to prevent the severely underfunded pensions from going into insolvency. Setting aside money in a pension is not a guarantee of retirement income. Market forces and the economy can vary greatly. Isn't it better to leverage your time through the right kind of second income you can start earning from the cab of your truck during your off-duty hours? 7. We'd like to know: - if you agree with the March 23, 2017, article that states, "The ELD mandate was established to make it easier to keep logs and inform drivers and carriers so they can better manage fatigue" and - if you think that, as owner-operators, it is worth having Progressive Commercial Insurance in order to get "free ELDs for as long as the driver keeps Progressive as his or her insurance provider"? Please share your thoughts below. 8. Please provide a service review of "Truck Parking USA", which according to a March 23, 2017, article is a "new app to help truck drivers find available, safe parking." The article further said that the app was "launched with the goal of showing drivers not just standard parking options, but also alternative locations that allow truck parking that drivers may not be aware of." Thanks in advance for your review of this trucker app. 9. If you drive the 2018 "Peterbilt Model 579 Epiq", please share whether or not you realize the stated improved "fuel efficiency [of] 8% compared to 2017 models." Please submit your truck parts review here. 10. According to a March 22, 2017, article, "RoadPro announced it will introduce Rewards, a new lifestyle loyalty community that will give drivers a chance to get engaged and be rewarded." Have you ever purchased one or more RoadPro products -- and if so, how would you evaluate the quality? And based on that quality, do you feel that "RoadPro Rewards" will be worth it? Please share your thoughts below. 11. Does the talk about operating remote robotics to allow "remote driving" and "more home time" give a false sense of security to professional truck drivers? Will future operators of these remote robotics be required to get their commercial drivers licenses (CDLs)? Assuming a trucker is currently operating the truck remotely, who is going to inspect the trucks, fuel the trucks, open the trailer doors at shipper and receiver locations, and much, much more? Please share your thoughts below. 12. Are you at MATS this weekend? If so, which vendor at which booth is offering the best freebies or discounts? Please share your thoughts below. ----- From the TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.04.01 1. A March 27, 2017, article reported that a truck driver was "cited for driving too fast" in dense fog after he "failed to negotiate a curve in the road." Furthermore, the trucker's accident occurred "shortly after 2 a.m." (meaning that it was dark and visibility was lower than in broad daylight). Be smart. When weather conditions demand it -- such as when there is rain, snow, sleet, fog or wind -- slow down. You'll also want to slow down when there is smoke or blowing sand. Don't overdrive what you can see and negotiate with your truck. Note: there are certain situations when you shouldn't drive at all, but that's a subject for another time. 2. Why are truckers willing to risk their trucking careers and their futures for such paltry amounts of money? I don't condone stealing in any respect, but what would motivate a trucker to steal a load of shoes worth over $19,000 only to be paid $250 for the theft? That's stupid. Please comment below on what was reported in the March 27, 2017, article below. 3. A March 28, 2017, article opened with this: "Many truck drivers rely on GPS on their route from Springfield, Mo., to a Walmart distribution center in Clarksville, Ark. People who live in this area near the upper Buffalo River want to tell truckers: 'Please go around.'" The article states that the GPS route is "shorter by 81 miles to get from Springfield to Clarksville, compared to using the main U.S. 65, but it's not faster -- considering the climb and descent." Here are 5 questions that I'd like to have answered: a. Are there any signs posted in or around Springfield instructing truckers about the "hair-pin turns" and "climb and descent" on the
shortcut and to go around?
b. Have the trucking companies supplied specific routing to their drivers to "go around" instead of using the shorter route? c. Which type of GPS units have the truckers who have taken the shorter route been relying upon: - standard (for cars) or - those made specifically for commercial motor vehicles? d. If the truckers who took the shorter route relied on routing from CMV-specific GPS units, which brands of GPS units were these? e. Are trucking companies who are dispatching truckers to the "Walmart distribution center in Clarksville, Ark." been paying truckers for the extra 81 miles to "go around"? If you know the answers to any of these questions, please comment below. 4. It saddens me every time I hear about a trucker dying on the job. But I feel compelled to ask questions to find out if the accident that caused a trucker's death was preventable. A March 29, 2017, article stated that high winds caused a truck to turn over. But this phrase from the article -- "The man was partially ejected through the window" -- makes me wonder if the trucker had his seatbelt properly fastened. In many cases, when someone is "ejected" from a vehicle, it is because he/she was not wearing a seatbelt. The article did not state whether or not the trucker was belted in. As a refresher, 49 CFR 392.16 states, in part, "No driver shall operate a commercial motor vehicle, and a motor carrier shall not require or permit a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle, that has a seat belt assembly installed at the driver's seat unless the driver is properly restrained by the seat belt assembly." Here is more guidance on "Safety Belts: An Essential – and Easy – Boost for Commercial Driver Safety". Remember: Drive a Truck? Buckle Up! Also, here are some tips from the states of Oklahoma and Ohio for driving in high winds. Feel free to comment below. 5. A March 30, 2017, article from CNN stated, "An elevated section of northbound Interstate 85, a major north-south artery for the Southeast, collapsed Thursday evening in Atlanta after a massive fire, officials said." Traffic was halted in both directions of the interstate and this infrastructure issue will affect an "estimated 250,000 vehicles" that traverse the road daily. CCJ reported that the time it will take to make repairs is unknown and OverdriveOnline.com stated that "All lanes of I-85 north and south are closed indefinitely from the downtown connector to Georgia Highway 400." A TruckingInfo.com article stated that this issue has brought "traffic delays in the area to critical levels." This article also listed some road closures. Be aware of potential delays, detours and opportunities for road rage in the greater Atlanta area for this reason. Do not let someone else's impatience negatively impact your future. Please share your comments below. 6. A March 31, 2017, article from TruckingInfo.com stated, "Renewable diesel fuel is made from 100% renewable raw materials and results in a 40-90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the fuel's lifecycle when compared with traditional petroleum diesel." Are you using renewable diesel fuel in your truck? If so, have you found it to be better for both the environment and your wallet? Please write a product review. Thanks in advance. 7. Bill Cameron is one of the owner-operators for Parks Transportation. In a March 30, 2017, commentary, Bill stated, "I like a user-pay system". He cited increases in "toll rates on the Blue Water Bridge" and "Ontario licence fees" and said to bring them on -- as long as there is "documented proof that revenues from increases will go where they always should go: to improvements and maintenance." What do you think? If truck tolls and truck license fees increased -- and it could be proven that that money went to maintenance on the roads where the tolls were collected -- would you be satisfied? Please share your thoughts below. 8. The issue of driver-facing dash cams is being sold on the merits of exonerating truckers who were not at-fault in crashes. But according to a March 30, 2017, article: "Video data also can help prevent accidents by pinpointing unsafe driving behaviors and giving managers opportunities to coach individual drivers accordingly. In the same way, the coaching can save money by focusing on habits such as aggressive acceleration and braking that waste fuel." Do you consider this to be "micro-managing"? Would the opportunity to be "coached" about how you drive make you more or less likely to want to be "on camera" every time you got behind the wheel of a big truck? Please share your comments below. 9. "Simple Truck ELD is a provider of a scaled-down electronic logging device now offering truckers six months of free service when they sign up for 12 months for only $228 ($19 per month)," states a March 30, 2017, article. If you use the Simple Truck ELD service, would you please provide a service review? - What did you like or not like about the service? - How well does it meet your needs? Thanks in advance. 10. A March 30, 2017, article describes the following with respect to "autonomy" in transportation: "A Tesla has already killed its driver in an at-fault accident, and another accident in Arizona placed Uber's autonomous program on a brief pause. None of these 'self-driving cars' has hit a pedestrian -- yet. If or when that happens, that could add years to a rollout." This is the first mention that I've read of autonomous vehicles being involved in an accident. So, that answers one question I've had about these devices being accident-free. They aren't. (More about that Uber crash is here.) The author went on to write, "CGPS claims the number of workers in driving occupations from 2010 to 2014 was 4.1 million. Just more than 3.1 million (about 77.32 percent) are delivery and heavy truck drivers." Although autonomous trucks may not be rolling out right away, it is the wise driver who prepares for the future. Perhaps starting to earn a second income from the cab of one's truck is a good idea? 11. If the cost of natural rubber is responsible for Firestone's predicted air spring price increase of "up to 6 percent", why doesn't their company do what Cooper is doing and "cook up" the rubber? Please share your thoughts below. ----- From the TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.04.08 1. A March 30, 2017, article stated that a truck driver who appears to have driven non-stop "from Seattle to Deerfield, Massachusetts earlier this week" was high on "crystal methamphetamine, LSD and cocaine". Fortunately, no one was injured by this trucker. However, he is "being charged with Operating Under the Influence of Drugs" and "will be facing many additional charges". Other truckers have been caught hauling various kinds of drugs, according to an April 7, 2017 article. One trucker charged with drug possession hit a utility pole and caused a local power outage, stated an April 5, 2017, article. Don't take -- or haul -- illegal drugs and drive commercially. It isn't worth it. 2. A March 31, 2017, article stated: "Swift Transportation Co. is appealing a federal district court ruling that said the giant carrier improperly classified five of its drivers as independent contractors rather than employees." The plaintiffs' attorney said that the drivers had effectively already won the case but that "Swift is now trying to delay in order to keep other drivers from finding out about the case and minimize its liability." This is a legal challenge because: - Swift failed to pay the truckers all the wages due them under "federal and state wage and hour laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act"; - "Swift controlled every aspect of their work schedules"; and - Swift controlled the trucker's equipment, including "maintenance and condition". What part of "don't misclassify your drivers" -- and "pay truckers what the law says to pay" -- do these trucking companies not understand? 3. LandLineMag.com reported on March 28, 2017, that "Higher fuel taxes [are] up for consideration in 16 states". If this matters to you, please contact your elected state officials to voice your concern. 4. A truck driver "is facing charges of child solicitation and attempted sexual misconduct with a minor", having "solicited the sex through an exchange online", according to an April 6, 2017, article. 5. An April 6, 2017 article stated, "truck driver retirement rates jumped to 33% last year, up from 22% in 2014". Another article published on the same date said that "transportation companies are using more tech-oriented recruitment strategies to attract younger drivers." Will they be successful? 6. According to an April 5, 2017, article, the trucker involved in a single vehicle truck rollover accident in Phoenix was ejected from his truck because he was not wearing a seatbelt and died from his injuries. 7. "Cargo theft in the United States is estimated to cost shippers and trucking companies at least $30 billion a year, according to the FBI," stated an April 1, 2017 article. The article went on to list a number of "top targets for cargo theft", including items for home and garden, food and beverages, and electronics. Always follow the best practices for security concerning your truck, trailer and load. 8. According to an April 1, 2017, article, a transportation planning director from Indiana stated that "Higher tolls on Interstate 80 in northern Indiana may have shifted some traffic to Interstate 70 and imposing tolls on that highway could result in more traffic on U.S. 40." When you are deciding whether or not to take a toll road, what is the tipping point? 9. Congratulations to the seven truck drivers who drive for XPO Logistics and "have achieved 3 million consecutive miles of accident-free driving"! 10. An April 7, 2017, article stated that in order to raise the tax on diesel by 20 cents per gallon in the state of California, a concession was made to "restrict the state from requiring owners to retire or retrofit trucks to meet new greenhouse gas regulations before they're 13 years old or reach 800,000 miles." LandLineMag.com quoted a state senator who cast doubt on the tax increase as going to transportation: "This state is already diverting a billion dollars in weight fees away from our roads every year." Do you think the added fuel tax will actually go to road maintenance and improvement? 11. In 2010, Crete Carrier Corp. put in place a policy that "requires all driver applicants with a body mass index of 35 or greater to be screened for sleep apnea via an in-lab study". In 2013, a trucker sued the company, "arguing the carrier's apnea-screening program violates drivers' rights within the American Disabilities Act." The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the company and the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that they will not hear the case. 12. Inquiring minds want to know: Why can't all road construction projects be completed in "approximately 10 weeks" like it is estimated that the reconstruction of the Atlanta bridge over I-85 is scheduled to take? ----- From the TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.04.15 1. According to an April 13, 2017 article, a letter that was signed by 17 organizations -- including the OOIDA -- was sent to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. It said "the ELD mandate and proposed speed limiter rule ... would collectively cost $2.845 billion to implement without providing 'any meaningful safety or economic value to our members or the American public.'" The article further states: "Trucking Alliance carriers can verify that a typical over-the-road truck driver spends about 6.5 hours each day actually driving. The other 4.5 hours which could legally be spent on the road are spent at the shipper location, sitting in the truck and waiting to load or unload freight." According to an April 11, 2017, article, "Industry implementation of electronic logging devices ahead of the December 18 deadline for adoption is still expected to cut trucking's productivity and drive up rates, said owner-operator analyst Todd Amen last week." Have you calculated the total cost of implementing an ELD and speed limiter on your truck(s)? If so, what is the cost? Please share. 2. "At least six major wrecks have happened in the past five years near the Peninsula Corp. Drive overpass that leads to Congress Avenue in Boca Raton," stated an April 12, 2017, article. Drivers are ignoring clearly posted signs and failing to slow down when leaving the interstate. Unless you're traveling on an on-ramp to merge into moving traffic, slow down whenever you preparing to transition to another road. 3. An April 12, 2017, article said, "The truck driver involved in the fatal church bus crash last month stated he had been on [prescription] medication and was texting before the accident, a Texas Department of Transportation report shows." While the medication was supposedly prescribed, medicine always has an impact on the user's body. It was up to the trucking company that considered hiring him to determine if these prescriptions could impair the driver's ability to do his job. However, by texting while driving a commercial motor vehicle, the trucker clearly engaged in unsafe behavior that could result in his termination. The FMCSA states, "Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a CMV can result in driver disqualification. Penalties can be up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers who allow or require drivers to use a hand-held communications device while driving." Texting or using a handheld phone while driving a commercial motor vehicle can be injurious or even deadly. It can cost you a lot of money, your job, and even your trucking career. Don't do it. 4. An April 8, 2017, article stated that "18 people were hospitalized..., seven with life-threatening injuries" in a railroad accident in Poland. It was caused by a trucker who "apparently disregarded signs banning heavy loads from an unguarded railway crossing" and whose truck got stuck on the tracks. The fast "train carrying 300 passengers" struck the stuck truck. The trucker was "charged with causing a traffic catastrophe" and "could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted." Pay attention to and understand the road signs. And make sure that you follow truck routing. 5. A California trucker is facing "a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life" after pleading guilty to "a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute", according to an April 10, 2017, article. Don't haul illegal drugs. Period. 6. "Sociologist Steve Viscelli believes the turnover [in the trucking industry] exists due to low wages, as drivers are paid only by the mile, rather than inclusively, such as when waiting to enter a dockyard or unloading cargo. Signing bonuses are helpful, but do not completely ameliorate the issue", according to a March 8, 2017, article. Do you think that truckers are underpaid for their work? Please comment below. 7. A trucker has been "issued a citation for several traffic violations" including excessive speed following his truck's crash "into a highway bridge in southern Oregon", according to an undated article. Remember Newton's first law of motion: "In an inertial reference frame, an object either remains at rest or continues to move at a constant velocity, unless acted upon by a force" (link). 8. "The U.S. DOT has increased fines across the board for violations of federal trucking regulations, it announced Wednesday", stated an April 11, 2017, article that included several tables that listed:
New penalty values range from $314 to $182,877, depending on the violation. Ouch! 9. An April 12, 2017, article stated that the Truckload Carriers Association has written a letter to lawmakers about keeping maximum truck weight at 80,000 pounds. "Carriers are unlikely to see rate increases that fully offset the cost of moving the additional weight," the letter stated. In addition to increased potential operating costs, is there the possibility that increased truck and freight weight could result in an increased potential for accidents? Feedback? 10. Do you realize that the "Surface Transportation Assistance Act... allows drivers to refuse to drive when his or her ability to drive is impaired"? This includes illness, especially when one is taking a "doctor's advice". So, when a driver was ill twice and the trucking company "improperly used its attendance policy to discipline the driver" -- according to an April 13, 2017, article -- the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) determined that the company must pay the trucker "$10,000 in punitive damages, $1,500 in compensatory damages and $5,915 in attorney's fees." Never let a trucking company bully you into driving when your ability to drive is impaired. ----- avoid their shop they will rip you off with labour charge, took long time to fixed my light after unexperienced mechanics just walked around take his sweet Next time you upgrade your smart phone just use your old one for a dash cam. Lots of good free apps out there. I like the large screen. Nexar had an inexpensive Earn More, Save MoreA February 11, 2017, article stated, "Motorists traveling on westbound I-84 in Dutchess and Putnam counties were dealing with some major traffic problems Saturday, because authorities had an eight-mile section of I-84 closed, 10 hours after two tractor- trailers collided on the highway." A ten hour delay like that can absolutely ruin a day's worth of driving for a professional truck driver. When you drive professionally, you're trading time for money and many things can hinder your ability to earn money. Don't you wish there was a safety net of some kind? There is! Vicki is revising her Second Income for Truckers E-Course into a different format. Learn more about earning a second income as a trucker. Social NetworkingFollow us on our Social Networking channels:
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The beauty of spring can lure some students into a sense of complacency or mediocrity in their studies or work. Please don't let complacency or mediocrity ruin your day, your load, your truck, your job, or your career. Do your work with excellence. Stay sharp! Be professional! You can do it! To all of our readers who are professional truck drivers, we wish you safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road! Best regards, Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com
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