Should fmcsa officials hold a CDL?

Aug 13, 2019 at 09:52 PM CST + 16 - 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Ok i borrowed the title from elsewhere, but i think it is time for a solid change in the way our government handles the rules. While I'm not very satisfied with the things OOIDA does, I'm not seeing another viable entity to represent any of us. Suggestions appreciated. It is my understanding that the governing of pilots has pilots on the panel. It has never made sense to me that no one governing our daily lives has any idea of what we do. Not in the day to day life. Also our experiences differ from region and type of freight. The megas have ATA. The rest of us have almost no representation. In a perfect world i would like a group that represents, say, livestock haulers and ag based bulk haulers. That said i don't really have an idea how to initiate change. Having people in fmcsa/DOT that have been an owner and or driver seems to me something that should be a priority Art Pfluger

Replied on Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 08:58 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I AM SURE EVERY DOT SHOULD HAVE A CDL AND PREFER TO HAVE SOME DRIVING EXPERINCE. ONE OF MY TRUCKS GOT DOT'D IN OK AND THE YOUNG MAN HAD HIS BOOK WITH HIM TO CHECK MY TRUCK. THE DRIVER HAD TO ADVISE HIM WHERE TO LOOK FOR SOME OF THE ITEMS AND THEN HE WENT BEYOND A NORMAL INSPECTION. IF YOU CANT DRIVE A TRUCK YOU HAVE NO TRUE SENSE OF HOW TO INSPECT ONE.

Replied on Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 10:07 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. GOTTA AGREE WITH ART. WE HAVE WAY TOO MANY COLLEGE EDUCATED IDIOTS MAKING RULES FOR AN INDUSTRY THAT THEY HAVE NO EXPERIENCE IN. IN SPEAKING WITH OUR LOCAL FMCSA FIELD OFFICE I MADE THE SUGGESTION THAT DURING THE CONGRESSIONAL BREAK IN AUGUST MAYBE SOME FMCSA PERSONELL OR EVEN SOME SENATORS OR CONGRESSMAN JUMP IN WITH A FEW OF MY DRIVERS AND GO FOR A TOUR TO SEE HOW THEIR REGULATIONS AFFECT THE DRIVERS LIVES. ALSO SUGGESTED THAT FMCSA EMPLOYEES AND WELL AS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PERSONELL SUJECT THEMSELVES TO THE SAME REGULATION THAT THEY REQUIRE OF DRIVERS. TO SAY IT WENT OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. " WE JUST MAKE THE RULES, WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO SEE HOW THEY AFFECT ANYONE!" WAS THE RESPONSE I GOT. MADE ME PROUD TO SEE THAT MY TAX DOLLARS ARE BENEFITTING MY INDUSTRY IN THAT MANNER.

Replied on Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 10:07 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

GOTTA AGREE WITH ART. WE HAVE WAY TOO MANY COLLEGE EDUCATED IDIOTS MAKING RULES FOR AN INDUSTRY THAT THEY HAVE NO EXPERIENCE IN. IN SPEAKING WITH OUR LOCAL FMCSA FIELD OFFICE I MADE THE SUGGESTION THAT DURING THE CONGRESSIONAL BREAK IN AUGUST MAYBE SOME FMCSA PERSONELL OR EVEN SOME SENATORS OR CONGRESSMAN JUMP IN WITH A FEW OF MY DRIVERS AND GO FOR A TOUR TO SEE HOW THEIR REGULATIONS AFFECT THE DRIVERS LIVES. ALSO SUGGESTED THAT FMCSA EMPLOYEES AND WELL AS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PERSONELL SUJECT THEMSELVES TO THE SAME REGULATION THAT THEY REQUIRE OF DRIVERS. TO SAY IT WENT OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. " WE JUST MAKE THE RULES, WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO SEE HOW THEY AFFECT ANYONE!" WAS THE RESPONSE I GOT. MADE ME PROUD TO SEE THAT MY TAX DOLLARS ARE BENEFITTING MY INDUSTRY IN THAT MANNER.

Replied on Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 10:23 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Having a CDL doesn’t really mean much, however if you recruited small fleet owners they would have real battlefield experience in the market, understanding the pressures inside the office, and likely have a million miles behind a windshield, so they would be well rounded. They should be recruited from all segments, dry bulk, liquid bulk, dry van, refrigerated, over size, etc since all face different challenges .

Replied on Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 10:23 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Having a CDL doesn’t really mean much, however if you recruited small fleet owners they would have real battlefield experience in the market, understanding the pressures inside the office, and likely have a million miles behind a windshield, so they would be well rounded. They should be recruited from all segments, dry bulk, liquid bulk, dry van, refrigerated, over size, etc since all face different challenges .

Replied on Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 10:23 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I feel like that's a very reasonable idea Art. Seems to me that something like that could benefit safety as well as standard of living. It is also my belief that some of these dot fines are just "taxation without representation " hidden under the disguise of safety. You put that in great context Art. A local SD representative is a parts man in a truck shop, I'm heading there now to chat with him about that exact topic. He has at least had the guts to fight back on some of the heavy handedness of the fmcsa. Unfortunately he has to excuse himself from many votes, regarding trucking, because.....his family owns a trucking repair shop and heavy towing service, and the eld mandate has financially benefited their towing business, and epa emissions standards have benefited the repair shop financially.

Replied on Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 10:23 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I feel like that's a very reasonable idea Art. Seems to me that something like that could benefit safety as well as standard of living. It is also my belief that some of these dot fines are just "taxation without representation " hidden under the disguise of safety.

You put that in great context Art. A local SD representative is a parts man in a truck shop, I'm heading there now to chat with him about that exact topic. He has at least had the guts to fight back on some of the heavy handedness of the fmcsa. Unfortunately he has to excuse himself from many votes, regarding trucking, because.....his family owns a trucking repair shop and heavy towing service, and the eld mandate has financially benefited their towing business, and epa emissions standards have benefited the repair shop financially.

Replied on Thu, Aug 15, 2019 at 10:00 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Sounds like the best idea I’ve heard. I’ve noticed that our village has a certified county deputy FMCSA qualified truck inspector now. He doesn’t know how to pour piss out of a boot but he’s our truck inspector.

Replied on Thu, Aug 15, 2019 at 07:10 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Absolutely and random drug,alcohol and CBD screening and then occasionally we send them for roundup testing.

Replied on Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 07:07 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I think the basic premise is something we could agree on. I haven't any idea how or to whom to look toward for action. I understand that action on this in my lifetime is unlikely. I however feel strongly that it is time for the little to attempt a seat at the table. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks Art Pfluger

Replied on Wed, Nov 20, 2019 at 07:38 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I think the basic premise is something we could agree on. I haven't any idea how or to whom to look toward for action. I understand that action on this in my lifetime is unlikely. I however feel strongly that it is time for the little to attempt a seat at the table. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks Art Pfluger " Perhaps we should start by setting up a social club for small carriers only, with several different chapters around the country, where we could get together weekly and discuss some ideas on how to better organize, and form a strategy to move forward?

Replied on Wed, Nov 20, 2019 at 07:38 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "I think the basic premise is something we could agree on. I haven't any idea how or to whom to look toward for action. I understand that action on this in my lifetime is unlikely. I however feel strongly that it is time for the little to attempt a seat at the table. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks Art Pfluger "

Perhaps we should start by setting up a social club for small carriers only, with several different chapters around the country, where we could get together weekly and discuss some ideas on how to better organize, and form a strategy to move forward?

Replied on Wed, Nov 20, 2019 at 07:38 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I like your mode of thought, Art. I concur 100 percent. However, the FMCSA isn't about safety...it's about control. Once they have the verterans out of the industry they'll move to the next phase of the takeover. The Feds have grown exponentially since the War of Northern Aggression and will continue to do so if left unchecked. The issues you mention are only a symptom of a much much larger problem. Bascially, there is no way to fix the overrreaching omnipotent powers the Federal government have obtained since 1861. They continue to grow more and more tyranical and no amount of protesting nor voting will fix it.

Replied on Wed, Nov 20, 2019 at 07:38 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I like your mode of thought, Art. I concur 100 percent. However, the FMCSA isn't about safety...it's about control. Once they have the verterans out of the industry they'll move to the next phase of the takeover. The Feds have grown exponentially since the War of Northern Aggression and will continue to do so if left unchecked. The issues you mention are only a symptom of a much much larger problem. Bascially, there is no way to fix the overrreaching omnipotent powers the Federal government have obtained since 1861. They continue to grow more and more tyranical and no amount of protesting nor voting will fix it.

Replied on Wed, Nov 20, 2019 at 07:51 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Every small owner operator needs to shut there truck off come Dec.17 the till the 1st of the new year, and I believe things will change. Let's not just talk about it take action.

Replied on Fri, Nov 22, 2019 at 07:44 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Every small owner operator needs to shut there truck off come Dec.17 the till the 1st of the new year, and I believe things will change. Let's not just talk about it take action." There is one place that a shut down is guaranteed to happen, but only because the government forced it too, and that’s Commiefornia when AB-5 kicks in, making it official that trucking is a dead end job, with no opertunity for advancement, at least in that state.

Replied on Fri, Nov 22, 2019 at 07:44 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "Every small owner operator needs to shut there truck off come Dec.17 the till the 1st of the new year, and I believe things will change. Let's not just talk about it take action."

There is one place that a shut down is guaranteed to happen, but only because the government forced it too, and that’s Commiefornia when AB-5 kicks in, making it official that trucking is a dead end job, with no opertunity for advancement, at least in that state.

Replied on Fri, Nov 22, 2019 at 10:14 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. ALL DOT OFFICERS SHOULD HAVE CDLS. THEY DO INSPIRATION ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES SO THEY SHOULD HAVE TO DO THE SAME.THE VEHICLE'S THEY DRIVE ARE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ALSO. DO THEY HAVE PRETRIP INSPIRATION ON THEIR VEHICLES? IT SUCKS I THINK IT'S ABOUT "MONEY" NOT SAFETY.

Replied on Mon, Nov 25, 2019 at 08:43 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. All attempts to shutdown since deregulation have failed, due to lack of unity. Organizing over the internet does not build the kind of unity, that the old ways did, when truckers used the coffe counters at the truck stop, as a social club, personal interaction builds comradery. Supporters of the second amendment for example, get together on the local level, holding events at the local firing range, organized religion has local churches that hold social events at the local level, because when members interact with each other, it enhances motivation to become involved. You don’t have to organize everyone, only the folks with a MC#, since they are the gate keepers that CONTROL all the other drivers in the market. Only someone with a MC number can book loads. What would happen if everyone got their drivers to take vacation at the same time, say around deer hunting season? It’s time to go back to what’s been proven to work in the past, and stop depending on the internet.

Replied on Mon, Nov 25, 2019 at 08:43 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

All attempts to shutdown since deregulation have failed, due to lack of unity. Organizing over the internet does not build the kind of unity, that the old ways did, when truckers used the coffe counters at the truck stop, as a social club, personal interaction builds comradery. Supporters of the second amendment for example, get together on the local level, holding events at the local firing range, organized religion has local churches that hold social events at the local level, because when members interact with each other, it enhances motivation to become involved. You don’t have to organize everyone, only the folks with a MC#, since they are the gate keepers that CONTROL all the other drivers in the market. Only someone with a MC number can book loads. What would happen if everyone got their drivers to take vacation at the same time, say around deer hunting season? It’s time to go back to what’s been proven to work in the past, and stop depending on the internet.

Replied on Tue, Nov 26, 2019 at 07:40 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Everyone making rules should be holding an active dot number and have minimum of 5 verified years of ONLY trucking income.

Replied on Tue, Nov 26, 2019 at 07:47 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. And also the whole dot thing should work like a coop. All cdl holders should be able to vote people in and OUT

Replied on Thu, Nov 28, 2019 at 06:18 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Theoretically I think it’s possible to achieve that, however I believe it’s very unlikely that any of us will ever see it, since overwhelming evidence suggests the government wants all of us gone, who do not currently have thousands of trucks. FMCSA, EPA, ELD, AB5, and the 649 million dollar fine New Jersey hit Uber with all put the paint down on the canvas, for what the picture will look like when it’s done, extermination of the independent contractor. In 1966, California created CARB, by 1972 the feds came out with the EPA, CVSA was created at the state level as well, and then it grew into what you see today, so it’s very likely that California and new jersey are laying the ground work for the federal government to roll out its own version of AB5. It’s all about handing consolidation and control over to Wall Street, just like the railroads and airlines, or what they have done with healthcare, when all of the private practices disappeared the lack of competition caused prices to sky rocket, and look who kept all the money, it damn sure wasn’t the doctors.

Replied on Thu, Nov 28, 2019 at 06:18 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Theoretically I think it’s possible to achieve that, however I believe it’s very unlikely that any of us will ever see it, since overwhelming evidence suggests the government wants all of us gone, who do not currently have thousands of trucks. FMCSA, EPA, ELD, AB5, and the 649 million dollar fine New Jersey hit Uber with all put the paint down on the canvas, for what the picture will look like when it’s done, extermination of the independent contractor. In 1966, California created CARB, by 1972 the feds came out with the EPA, CVSA was created at the state level as well, and then it grew into what you see today, so it’s very likely that California and new jersey are laying the ground work for the federal government to roll out its own version of AB5. It’s all about handing consolidation and control over to Wall Street, just like the railroads and airlines, or what they have done with healthcare, when all of the private practices disappeared the lack of competition caused prices to sky rocket, and look who kept all the money, it damn sure wasn’t the doctors.

Replied on Thu, Nov 28, 2019 at 09:01 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. As a former Montana CDL examiner, I hired on with 3,000,000 miles under my belt and at the time, I had five times the miles of all the other CDL certified examiners combined. I also noticed that many examiners had their endorsements for testing purposes only. I had actually earned my endorsements. I had to leave when the governor capped our wages at $12.75 hour. I did learn a lot, but it just didn't pay.

Replied on Thu, Nov 28, 2019 at 09:01 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

As a former Montana CDL examiner, I hired on with 3,000,000 miles under my belt and at the time, I had five times the miles of all the other CDL certified examiners combined. I also noticed that many examiners had their endorsements for testing purposes only. I had actually earned my endorsements.

I had to leave when the governor capped our wages at $12.75 hour. I did learn a lot, but it just didn't pay.

Replied on Fri, Nov 29, 2019 at 07:42 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I believe any person writing or enforcing regulations should have the same qualifications as those that they are enforcing those regulations upon. This may actually lead to a more common-sense approach to the types of regulations that we receive. This holds true for all industries, not just trucking.

Replied on Fri, Nov 29, 2019 at 08:23 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "As a former Montana CDL examiner, I hired on with 3,000,000 miles under my belt and at the time, I had five times the miles of all the other CDL certified examiners combined. I also noticed that many examiners had their endorsements for testing purposes only. I had actually earned my endorsements. I had to leave when the governor capped our wages at $12.75 hour. I did learn a lot, but it just didn't pay." The fella that gave me my cdl driving test was great. He had plenty of driving experience. He also has common sense. He said that he was always in trouble with his superiors for his testing methods. Example, he let's drivers shift without using the clutch pedal....and shift gears when going through an intersection, which are both big no no's in the manual. I had been driving for 10 years prior to my test and asked about that before doing the driving. I was honest with him and said I will look like a dummy if I drive this way. He made it very clear to drive the way you always do, and hes been threatened with losing his job for that. Hes also been threatened for refusing to give the driving test to people that dont speak English. Basic common sense is becoming scarce

Replied on Fri, Nov 29, 2019 at 08:23 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "As a former Montana CDL examiner, I hired on with 3,000,000 miles under my belt and at the time, I had five times the miles of all the other CDL certified examiners combined. I also noticed that many examiners had their endorsements for testing purposes only. I had actually earned my endorsements. I had to leave when the governor capped our wages at $12.75 hour. I did learn a lot, but it just didn't pay."

The fella that gave me my cdl driving test was great. He had plenty of driving experience. He also has common sense. He said that he was always in trouble with his superiors for his testing methods. Example, he let's drivers shift without using the clutch pedal....and shift gears when going through an intersection, which are both big no no's in the manual. I had been driving for 10 years prior to my test and asked about that before doing the driving. I was honest with him and said I will look like a dummy if I drive this way. He made it very clear to drive the way you always do, and hes been threatened with losing his job for that. Hes also been threatened for refusing to give the driving test to people that dont speak English.

Basic common sense is becoming scarce

Replied on Sat, Nov 30, 2019 at 10:12 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. We serious need more of those guys...EVERYWHERE!