I rarely pick up at the ports anyway so I don't think I will support another tax on entry to the ports. In fact, I don't think I will renew my hazmat endorsement, either. I can't see paying $94 for my hazmat and then another $135 (I believe) for the TWIC. Every time I renew my CDL they run a background check on me. I can't see paying another $200+ for them to do what I pay with my CDL anyway. I think it is time to stand up and tell the government we are not going to pay any more taxes. This has nothing to do with security. The security they currently have in place is useless. All it does is make things difficult for law abiding citizens. I haven't hauled a hazmat load in at least 3-4 years. These checks are nothing but a way to shake down drivers. They know some will be forced to ante up due to mostly working the ports. If enough drivers refused to pay this extra tax they would either have to stop or shut the ports down. Enough is enough.

 

I haven't hauled a Haz-Mat load in 21 hours "G". Hadn't hauled one for 38 hours before that one...and 42 hours before that. Ummmmmm....... I haul about 85% Haz. Once the trailer is empty...it's still hazardous.

I haven't been into a port in 2 years. About 75% of all the plants I haul into or out of though are under either Coast Guard and MARSEC, because they have one or more docks with water access or Homeland Security domain because they handle hazardous materials, receiving product by rail & truck. Unless I plan on changing to flatbeds..... I have little choice...

 

I understand that you don't have much of a choice, Stan. It is a shame that we are forced to pay more taxes for a hazmat endorsement, TWIC, etc., in addition to our CDL tax, just so that we can earn a decent living. Just wait until Hussein gets into office. He wants to give us so much from the government that we can just sign our paychecks over to the feds to pay for it all. And he wants to prevent small businesses from paying capital gains taxes. WE DON'T PAY CAPITAL GAINS TAX!!!! Capital gains tax is for those who sell stock, real estate over what they paid for it. I want him to lower my INCOME TAX!! Sorry, I didn't mean to get started on Hussein and the tax everyone but me party.

 

At Groendyke we are required to pay the new Fun Tax in order to remain over the road. I am currently doing a dedicated but I am going to get it anyway. Just because it is so much fun to give the government money.

 

Ok you braggart! I haven't hauled a Haz-Mat load in 49 minutes! Hadn't hauled one for 2 hours before that.

As a matter of fact, I haven't been hooked to anything without placards for nearly 3 years. Put that in your pipe Stanley!:eek:

Go Local!

 

Har, har, har... well said.


GMAN- I totally understand your frustration and I'm with you on it. For you, refraining from joining up and paying more is an option but for many others, it's a necessary evil. You are right that it's just another way to get money out of us. Truckers are an easy target. Yeah, sure, they're not targeting us as terrorists, but they are targeting our wallets under the guise of stopping terrorists. Do you feel any safer about it? I don't.

Kind of like when Homeland Security took over airport security. Do you feel any safer about it? I don't. I'd actually feel safer if a private company with incentives and consequences for their employees were in charge of the airports.

It's right up there with toll roads. They don't call it a tax, but that's exactly what it is. Well said.

 

Unfortunately, tweety bird, the government knows that we are a captive audience. I wonder what would happen if every one who had a CDL would refuse to get their hazmat endorsement or pay for the twic? :eek: I agree about the airport security. From what I have seen Homeland Insecurity is a joke.

 

Truck stops treat us as a captive audience, too- that's not really a tax but it is a problem. Thank goodness most Wal-Marts have truck access (even though some of them still don't want us on the lot- can't blame them with all the bad driving, trash and pee bottles, though). There are quite a few truck stops with nearby "normal" restaurants and what I never understand is why are you going to go walk in to the Country Pride when you can go to a "regular people" restaurant instead. It's going to cost the same and you'll get better food (of course, I understand if you don't like that particular restaurant- but you can't tell me drivers are ga ga over the Country Pride or the County Market- lol).

I guess if you want to make a buck in trucking, the easy way is to do it is to keep the truckers captive and sell them stuff at high prices...

 

Some of the country pride restaurants are not too bad. It does get boring having the same menu day after day. I prefer regular restaurants but it can be a real challenge finding one that has truck parking. It is more difficult for drivers who don't go the same route to find good restaurants that are easily accessible. I prefer finding independent truck stops who have restaurants. There food us usually better than the chains and is often less expensive. At least I feel that my business is appreciated. Most independents have bigger parking areas that are easier to park.

 

I f there was even the SLIGHTEST chance that it would prevent a single terrorist action, I would get it and pay without complaint, but as everyone knows, ( except the idiots in Washington) it isnt going to make a bit of difference, as you said, it's just a another tax, just another reason to get in our pockets. I am wondering why they havent started charging us to join highway watch yet. I guess they just havent thought of it. and by the way, they are useless. a few years ago, I was hauling a load of sulfur dioxide, (very deadly stuff) and a car was following me for a long time, it was late at night and I couldnt see who was in it, I slowed down to 30 and they slowed down, I sped up to 80 and they stayed right behind me, I put on my signal to exit and they put on theirs. at the last minute, I went on instead of exiting, and so did they.. so at that point. I called highway watch and told them what was going on, they told me to call 911. They said to always call the police in a case like that, I said then why are we required to join you if we are just supposed to call the police, she said they are there to teach us to be more aware. so I guess if I hadnt watched their video, I wouldn't have noticed the car following me, I did call the highway patrol number, not 911 and they said they would dispatch an officer, about 20 miles down the road after staying on my bumper, the car finally exited, I never did see a cop. I guess they either just liked following me or maybe they really were up to something and had a scanner, either way, it scared the crap out of me..