This is the letter they want us to send about Mexican trucks

[Doghouse]

Please help me understand this, especially the part where as CDL holders, we were required to have a commercial license for 10 years.
This info makes no sense to me.
The rest seems to, but with weird info like the 10 year thing,...what else is wrong?

Keep in mind I did not write this, its a cut n- paste from an OOIDA e-mail.







Dear Editor,
The United States Department of Transportation is poised to kick the border wide open to trucks from Mexico operating throughout the U.S. This will have a very real effect on all highway users.
DOT says safety and security programs are in place. This is a joke!
Truckers in the United States must hold a valid commercial driver's license with 10 years of driving history. For the Mexican equivalent, we won't know if these drivers are trained as truckers or terrorists.
United States truckers are required to be drug and alcohol tested and to follow hours of service regulations for driving time. No such regulations exist in Mexico.
DOT says every truck will be inspected at the border. Not likely. They inspect less than 4% right now. And what will these trucks haul into the US? Could be people or drugs or dirty bombs. We won't know.
Why the rush to open the border? The answer is money. The United States Chamber of Commerce believes we need more trucks and cheaper labor. So, safety is compromised and American drivers lose their jobs. Doesn't sound like anyone in this country wins.
Right now, there are definitely more questions than answers. And until the DOT can assure the public that Mexican trucks are just as safe as U.S. trucks, the border must stay closed.
Contact your elected officials today and tell them to keep the border closed!

[person]

I think what they mean is that a carrier is required to check on your last 10 years of driving history, if you have that much, when they hire you. That is all the farther back they must check you out by law, - 10 years. And that there is really no real way to find out about a Mexican driver's record for the past 10 weeks. There just is no data base.

Therefore the rules that were written years ago when this thing of the trucks coming here was thought of, will never (at least not for a real long time) be fulfilled. SO, the truck drivers really shouldn't be admitted if they go by the law. The same thing about inspecting their trucks. BUT they are trying to get around the law by calling this deal by a different name. "Demonstration" something or other. The teamsters, along w/ others like ooida that have joined them, are suing the govt because they are circumventing the safeguards that were built into the program when it was OKed and originated. There are like 6 things in the law that aren't fulfilled.

What is happenenig is that the govt may put this into place before everything that is going on to get it stopped plays out. Bush is pushing DOT and the federal motor carriers safety assoc.

[pepe4158]

Hmmm doubt that would go anywhere cuz international treaties can circumvent our laws, say I am a Russian diplomat, accused of a serious crime comitted in the US, one call to my head of state, another call to the white house, and what ever I have done I may walk away free, where you might do hard time.

[ssoutlaw]

Hmmm doubt that would go anywhere cuz international treaties can circumvent our laws, say I am a Russian diplomat, accused of a serious crime comitted in the US, one call to my head of state, another call to the white house, and what ever I have done I may walk away free, where you might do hard time.

What does this have to do with mexican drivers coming into this country to work?? They will not be diplamats so this makes no sense!!!

[bulldog2036]

Good point... :? :?

[Rev.Vassago]

I think what they mean is that a carrier is required to check on your last 10 years of driving history, if you have that much, when they hire you. That is all the farther back they must check you out by law, - 10 years. And that there is really no real way to find out about a Mexican driver's record for the past 10 weeks. There just is no data base.

I guess OOIDA, which is the OWNER OPERATOR INDEPENDENT DRIVER'S ASSOCIATION, is completely forgetting that any truck driver with their own authority has no driving history check. Is it any coincidence that is who their organization is geared towards?

It amazes me that OOIDA doesn't hire spokespeople who have a grasp of the English language. Their "call to action" sounds as if it was written by a ten year old. But, I guess they are trying to dumb it down so their "git r dun" members can understand it.

[pepe4158]

Hmmm doubt that would go anywhere cuz international treaties can circumvent our laws, say I am a Russian diplomat, accused of a serious crime comitted in the US, one call to my head of state, another call to the white house, and what ever I have done I may walk away free, where you might do hard time.

What does this have to do with mexican drivers coming into this country to work?? They will not be diplamats so this makes no sense!!!

Makes plenty sense...read the wording in whatever NAFTA agreement that is signed ( I am not up cuz I dont care about them) if the treaty says they are exempt, they are exempt.
True they dont have diplomatic imunities, I wasnt infering that much power on them, take the Indian nations within the US, they are exempt from treaties of ever having to pay income tax(on money made within the US, as technically not the US). Treaties are a powerfull tool that the government uses to force its will on citizens...moral: choose your leaders wisely
I can assure you Mexico doesnt, and both peoples are now suffering.

[no_worries]

Actually Rev, a 10-year work history is required, even on yourself. You must treat yourself as if you were an employee as far as record-keeping is concerned.

[Rev.Vassago]

Actually Rev, a 10-year work history is required, even on yourself. You must treat yourself as if you were an employee as far as record-keeping is concerned.

But you are not required to take any action on it. I doubt there are any O/O's under their own authority out there firing themselves due to a poor work history.

[no_worries]

That's a good point. Although I think the big carriers have quite a bit of latitude within the law as well. In the end it's the insurance companies that call the shots. To be honest with you, I've come close to firing my driver a few times. Talk about a lazy, no-account...but his damn record's clean

[Rev.Vassago]

My driver is a big slacker. Lazy SOB. :wink:

[PackRatTDI]

take the Indian nations within the US, they are exempt from treaties of ever having to pay income tax(on money made within the US, as technically not the US).

Well considering how good the US government was at abiding by treaties signed with native american tribes, not taxing them is the least we can do.

[PackRatTDI]

Actually Rev, a 10-year work history is required, even on yourself. You must treat yourself as if you were an employee as far as record-keeping is concerned.

But you are not required to take any action on it. I doubt there are any O/O's under their own authority out there firing themselves due to a poor work history.

Imagine the conversation at the unemployment office if they were.

"I see you were an independent truck driver."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And you had your own authority."

"Yes, ma'am."

"It says here you were terminated."

"Yes, ma'am."

"But you had your own operating authority, you worked for yourself, how could you be terminated?"

"I decided my poor work history warranted my termination. I'm required to submit a 10 year work history to my employer. I reviewed my work history, decided it was unsatisfactory and therefore I fired myself."

"That's the most ridiculous, preposterous thing I have ever heard.....you'd be perfect for any number of government positions if you're interested!"

[Doghouse]

This is my point,
I have no problem standing for a cause,....however, the information that I am being asked to repeat,...it had better be accurate.
I will scan all the info, and if one item is not correct, or seems to be off,...I will not defend the rest of the info,..even if its correct.

[pepe4158]

Actually Rev, a 10-year work history is required, even on yourself. You must treat yourself as if you were an employee as far as record-keeping is concerned.

But you are not required to take any action on it. I doubt there are any O/O's under their own authority out there firing themselves due to a poor work history.

Imagine the conversation at the unemployment office if they were.

"I see you were an independent truck driver."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And you had your own authority."

"Yes, ma'am."

"It says here you were terminated."

"Yes, ma'am."

"But you had your own operating authority, you worked for yourself, how could you be terminated?"

"I decided my poor work history warranted my termination. I'm required to submit a 10 year work history to my employer. I reviewed my work history, decided it was unsatisfactory and therefore I fired myself."

"That's the most ridiculous, preposterous thing I have ever heard.....you'd be perfect for any number of government positions if you're interested!"

OMG thats so funny!