Quote:
Originally Posted by GMAN
You can still earn a decent living in this business. But, it is becoming more difficult with all the new regulations on the industry. Many of these new regulations are being pushd by the ATA and some of the major carriers. We would not have elogs without the ATA and a few of the mega carriers. If you want to fight back, you might start by refusing to work for the mega carriers and look for carriers who don't have elogs. Tell carriers who push elogs that you refuse to work for any carrier who uses elogs. If enough drivers refuse to work for carriers who have logs, things might change, if it isn't too late. No one is forced to work for a carrier who uses elogs. In fact, you cannot be forced to work for anyone. Some carriers who previously had elogs have gone back to paper. If it were not expected to be mandatory, I think most who are currently on elogs would revert back to paper if the mandate were reversed. I have not heard that some carriers are pushing for longer work weeks. That tells me than elogs are not working as well as they thought they would. If you really are serious about making changes for drivers, it would help to get involved in the political process. When legislation comes up that effects this industry, you need to make your views known to those who can help. The FMCSA is required to publish any pending rules or legislation. Anyone can make public comments. When we complain to fellow drivers it doesn't do much to help a situation. Taking constructive action can help. Just think, there are somewhere between 3-5 million drivers in this country. Imagine if only 10% of those drivers took an active interest and called or wrote their elected representatives and made public comments? It could make a huge impact and could be the start of meaningful changes. I guarantee you that the special interest groups and lobbyists will be acting in their interests and those are not necessarily in drivers interest.
I somewhat agree with you as usual, but some not. Regs do what regs do- moderate growth. I actually think the ATA is advising their top members to consolidate the industry by hoarding capacity. Equipment and drivers spread all over and under utilized. That would explain the 'driver shortage myth' while drivers are sitting.
I think the best thing we can hope for is that one day some of the giants get cut down to size.