OOIDA - Are you a member? I'm thinking about joining

[Lady18wheels]

Just curious to know how many here are members. I'm thinking about joining.

http://www.ooida.com/

[solo379]

Yes, I?m a member of OOIDA, since 1997. That?s a fastest growing drivers organization, in a country. When I joined in 97, it was just a bit over 30,000 members, and pretty close to 120,000 now!
For those, who didn?t know, you don?t have to be O/O, to join, everybody is welcome.
There is a lot of services for the members, like: business service department, truck financing and INS, legal referrals, and members forum, Landline magazine, is included.

Practically, you could contact OOIDA, with any issue you have.
OOIDA, also fight a legal battles, on behalf of truckers.

That $45 a year membership, is a money well spend! Besides, I believe you could join for $25, with referrals! I?d say go for it! In numbers-strength! 8)
By the way, i've got a $1000.00 rebate, thru OOIDA, for my truck!
8) 8)

[Silent Runner]

Like Solo says, strength in numbers. But it isn't just about being a member. You have to do your part to.

OOIDA will let you know when something that affects truckers is coming up in the government and how to make your voice heard. You CAN NOT just pay your membership fee and expect things to happen over night.

I particularly enjoy the member's forum. Lots of info from people that have been around and know what's going on.

As for the rebate programs, I got a new Dodge pick up with the OOIDA member promotion and it saved me a considerable amount of money from what I was getting done just talking to the dealer.

I would like to hear the views of the people that voted "NO, wouldn't ever consider it", too. Give the rest of us a chance to change your mind.

[solo379]

Judging, by the nomber of views, and posts, "new generation", much more interested in "lot lizards", than future of trucking! :sad:

[kreeper01]

Like Solo says, strength in numbers. But it isn't just about being a member.

I plan on being a member soon. $45 is well spent for a full year membership. I believe the above statement, "STRENGTH IN NUMBERS" :!: :!:

[solo379]

No, but I'd like to know why I should join
25% [ 2 ]
I believe that between me, and Silent Runner, we've got it pretty much covered!
But, if you have some other concerns, or questions, please, don't hesitate to ask! 8)

[LTC]

They have a voice in Washington.
They just opened an office by the Capital too.
They do a lot of good not only for the owner operators but for truck drivers and the industry in general.

They seem to have the best interest of the drivers, contractors, and industry in what they do. You don't see that often.

[kreeper01]

The part of "No, but I'd like to know why I should join ", seeing 2 people who posted, 1 was my vote :!:

[trckndadsangel]

We are not members yet but plan to be soon.

[solo379]

I would like to hear the views of the people that voted "NO, wouldn't ever consider it", too. Give the rest of us a chance to change your mind.

So far, 5 people voted "NO", yet no one care to explain?

[wanderingson]

For those, who didn’t know, you don’t have to be O/O, to join, everybody is welcome.

Didn't know that OOIDA accepted company drivers! I've read a bit about OOIDA,and it sounds like a great thing. Thanks for the info Solo!

[Silent Runner]

The magazine that OOIDA puts out is also for anyone, whether a member or not. That was how I first came to know about OOIDA in 2000. I picked up a Landline magazine in a truck stop (don't remember if it was in a free stack or one someone left behind) and became interested in all that the organization has to offer. It became the one I actually went looking for instead of some of the others that are mostly advertising. Have since been put on the mailing list and it comes right to my door. I then joined the organization and started visiting the members forum on their website.

That site is literally stuffed with information if you are just willing to pull it up and read it. Doesn't get any easier than that.

They are also FULL SERVICE. Insurance, legal issues, compliance issues, all authority issues. Excellent at getting the word out on subjects all in the industry need to know about and even tell you who to contact to make your voice heard.

As for "would never consider joining"....I'd have to say those posters are probably being told something to keep them away (by someone that stands to gain from the poster's lack of knowledge). If you don't know your rights, you can't very well demand them. This goes for (O)wner-(O)perators, (I)ndependents, and (D)rivers. Everyone OOIDA is here to help.

I encourage everyone to join. If you're not ready to join, AT LEAST look into the organization and find out how you can help keep the industry from being engulfed by every outside interest there is (motoring public, shippers, receivers, carriers, law enforcement). All are against trucks, or at best think of us as cash cows. You don't have to be a member to write your congressman. You don't even have to be a member to find out who to write to or what to write about. But, it does help when OOIDA's representatives go to that person and can say "I have 120000+ members ready to stand behind us on this issue".

As you can tell, I am passionate about this organization. I don't think any other group has done for truck drivers what OOIDA has already accomplished, much less is still plugging away for us.

[kreeper01]

Silent Runner, I agree with you. Land Line is the best source of info for anyone in the trucking industry.

[BanditsCousin]

See signature

[Doctor Who]

So far, 5 people voted "NO", yet no one care to explain?

Why would there be a need for an explanation I was one of the no voters no explanation necessary. I have no need for OOIDA nor do I care to spend money on an organization that has no real clout what-so-ever.

Case in point the "Run Compliant In June" Good plan that went nowhere. Why run compliant just one month out of 12? Didn't notice any decrease in supplies and from unofficial observation there where just as many trucks running in June as there were during the other months.

[solo379]

[

Case in point the "Run Compliant In June" Good plan that went nowhere.

And how's that OOIDA fault?
At least we tryed to do something! Just was not enough support from the majority! :sad:

[Lady18wheels]

Doc, thanks for taking the time to reply - even if was negative. I'm not sure I think they have any real clout yet either, but I think they're making inch by inch headway in Washington DC.

So many unfair things have happened to me since I became a driver. Where or who can I turn to for REAL justice or redress? The ATA could care less about drivers - from personal experience.

The Federal Labor Board has ALWAYS sided with the company when an individual case has made it that far. In fact, in one of the decisions I researched, the board quoted verbatim from the company's website!

The FMCSA (even if they are "friendlier") is useless to me, as is DOT; FHWA; FTA; NHTSA; CVSA; you name it.

I just wish we, as drivers, had a very loud, very powerful voice where it counts - in DC. And OOIDA seems to be the best hope.

[BanditsCousin]

At the very least, you get LandLine sent to your house for free! 8)

[katesdad]

I joined, I dont expect things to change overnight. But they have gone to bat for some people that needed help fighting companies with bad business practices.

[Silent Runner]

But it isn't just about being a member. You have to do your part to.

Case in point the "Run Compliant In June" Good plan that went nowhere. Why run compliant just one month out of 12? Didn't notice any decrease in supplies and from unofficial observation there where just as many trucks running in June as there were during the other months.

Very few things work the very first time they're tried. Where would we be if all ideas were scrapped when it didn't work the first time? And do you really want an organization that has the ability to force you to take part in whatever they are doing? It was every driver's option to run compliant. Evidently it was one of those "Let's see if it works for everyone else first" things.

You're entitled to your opinion on this, Doc, but I really hope it doesn't persuade too many to follow your example.