I work in the transportation (trucking, 18-wheeler) industry.

[johnaries]

If I told you the name of my company and you asked a trucker about us, he'd tell you that we're bigger than Visa, MasterCard, and American Express combined when it came to Over The Road trucking.

Right now, it's bad. Most truck drivers use different types of specialized "credit cards" to buy fuel. These cards use phone lines or frame relay to get authorization to allow the drivers to buy fuel.

Most of the phone lines and frame connections in the southeast are down. The dispatchers are calling us asking if their drivers are even still alive. We don't know, because the connections are down.

Many major Truck Stop chains are simply out of fuel. Already.

Most of the ones who are not out, are limiting the amount that can be pumped. That means that the drivers are having to hop from one station to another on tanks that are close to empty.

There are numerous reports of price gouging. Several states have issued warnings against price gouging and given 800 numbers to report cases. The 800 numbers are swamped - if you call, all you get is a busy signal.

It's bad out there. We need some hope. We need some Leadership.
Hello, GWB? Hello, Congress? Hello, hello?

another busy signal....

Guess it's up to us! Any ideas?

[qanda]

1. Do you think we should stock up on essential food items?

Just wondering.

[Jackpine Radical]

6. Great minds...See post 6, which I was busy writing while you

were writing this one.

[sandnsea]

10. I already did

Just basic stuff, I didn't stock up for 6 months or anything. Spent about $100 or so. I don't think we'll face shortages necessarily, prices may skyrocket temporarily though.

[johnaries]

13. I wouldn't recommend "hoarding". The "essentials" will still get

through. they will just cost a lot more.

[phusion]

2. I have a feeling...

This is going to get REALLY bad.

Thanks for the update and good luck to you!

I've nominated this post.

[merbex]

3. In a very sad way(hurricane Katrina) Americans are getting a

crash course in how commerce-,goods and services really get to us

[seemslikeadream]

4. Thanks for posting

It's going to get very bad

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Thanks for the report.

Sorry I don't have any ideas that might help you, but as for me, I think it may be smart to lay in some canned goods, if only because of what's gonna happen to food prices in the next 6 months.

[WLKjr]

7. Here's an Idea, and I think its been done before

PARK THE RIGS, TEAMSTER STRIKE! SHUT IT DOWN.

My grandpa was a trucker for 25+ years, and he always spoke well of the Teamster's Union, and said that the best way to make a point was to park the rigs and refuse to move until you got your way, because the truckers have the companies by the balls.

[johnaries]

23. There's already a driver shortage.

One of the reasons my company is so succesful is that we help offer "driver incentives" that help the companies in recruiting new drivers.

There's not much the drivers can do.

Most of the smaller companies were "weeded out" during the gas hikes in 2000. I watched a lot of companies and owner-operators go bankrupt and be bought up by larger trucking companis.

All of the "suckers" and the grass roots are gone and have been for 4 years.

It's up to the "Large Trucking Corporations" now. They just don't seem to have much of a voice in this administration.

But they need one - now more than ever!

[Cleita]

8. No, but I would run that by Randi Rhodes.

She claims she was a truck driver for awhile and maybe if sympathic she might give your problem some air time. She has a website with her email on it. Try it.

[ugarte]

9. You need to park it for a week

Truckers have the power to make even Bush pay attention.

[ispeculate]

18. What the hell do you want to strike for?

Do you really think a couple day strike is gonna get more fuel in the supply chain?

I drive a truck for a living...not an 18 wheeler, more like about half that size. At 2.75 a gallon it would take $160+ of diesel.

In the original post, the gentleman said there is a shortage at some of the stations. Already?? If this is true (and I believe it is) we might be about to witness something alot more devastating than any 3 day strike.

From what I've read there are actually about 10 oil rigs missing in the gulf. In addition to that, you have all of the refineries in the New Orleans area shut down for god knows how long.

This isnt going away any time soon and it could get worse than you or I ever imagined.

Three day strike? I hope it doesnt turn into a three year recession.

[ugarte]

26. I don't disagree with you,but at $3 or $4 a gallon, if you can get it,

a lot of people might as well park it.

[johnaries]

40. You're absolutely right! As I mentioned in another post there's

already a driver shortage and has been for several years. A driver strike would do nothing. Right now, we need MORE drivers!

If you're looking for some loads, IM me. But if you just stay by your phone I'm sure you'll have plenty very shortly...

[havocmom]

19. Truckers need to take a cue from Cindy Sheehan

Find out where the bastard is hiding and park yer asses there!

And tell the kids that school sports are cancelled! School districts are broke enough without this on top of it. Park the busses.

[Im with Rosey]

11. If memory serves me

wasn't there a time years back that the truckers all drove to Washington to show that they were united in their desperation? Please don't tell me it was just a movie! But wouldn't that wake up the emperor? Plan it for 9-24.

[johnaries]

41. Most of the owner-operators and smaller companies were forced

out of business in 2000.

I remember it well.

[blue sky at night]

12. was out on the super slab today.....

looking at lots of big rigs on 1-80, wondering how bad it is getting for these guys..... I should get my CB hooked back up so I can monitor. (I hate to bring up a sore point, but I yanked the sob when all I heard was pro-bu$h traffic back in 2000....wonder how many truckers wish they had their votes back now?) I am feeling for Truckers otherwise...if you can't make money why work? Everyone should realize how quickly we could all go in the dumper right now, if Truckers can't or won't work we are fucked.

[johnaries]

16. Don't blame the truckers.

It's almost impossible for an Owner-Operator to make a living these days. The only owner-operators who still survive get their loads from major corporations. Check out LandStar-Ranger.

[blue sky at night]

22. I know what you are saying.........

and I don't blame anyone who wouldn't work if they don't get paid. What I am saying is, in my opinion......Truck Drivers are not Dems, they bashed the shit out of Gore, day after day, and I got sick of it. (I drive everyday in my job)I am sick of people that vote against their own best interests. Please tell me that I am wrong.

[johnaries]

44. Actually, you'd be surprised! Forget "Smoky and the Bandit:".

Yes, there are still some truckers out there who are "dumb as a rock", but companies are paying big bucks for drivers! I have talked to many drivers who had engineering degrees but were driving an OTR truck because it paid better! But, you burn out quickly.

For example, my job is to train Tech Support specialists to troubleshoot and fix the most popular Unix-based Point of Sale system in the transportation industry. We usually don't consider a call-center Tech "certified" until they've had at least 6 months of classroom and on-the-job training, and have passed rigourous testing.

In my last class was one of the best and brightest students I have ever had. He had an engineering degree. He was also a truck driver for 2 years - because it paid better.


Don't stereotype. I did, at first. You would be amazed, just as I was!

[PinkyisBlue]

49. Truck Drivers

Yes, but just because a truck driver has an advanced degree doesn't mean he didn't vote for Bush. The more money a person earned, the more likely he/she voted for Bush in the last election.

Unfortunately, being bright and/or having an advanced degree doesn't make one "smart".

[blue sky at night]

52. Hey, I am really glad to hear that.......

I deal with Truckers that deliver the equipment I service, so I am still hearing some Pro-Bush comments. I took the radio out in 2001, so perhaps there has been some change. Anyway, I am pulling for the industry like all of us should. Simple things like letting a Truck over, into traffic and using turn signals all help! Very interesting post.

[hedda_foil]

14. Food is going to start to be a problem across this country.

Our biggest port is closed. Trucks won't be able to gas up to transport what food there is. At least it's summer and the Farmers' Markets are running -- if they can get gas to sell their produce.

We are in DEEP DEEP trouble, folks.

[dweller]

27. deeper than deep, you are right.

it's going to take a week, maybe a little more though for the wave to sweep through the farthest reaches of the podunks and burbs of citizens that *don't* listen to the news, but when it hits them ...

i don't want to even speculate the backlash.

but it's coming.

hang on
dp

edit: see post 24 below

[Pallas180]

50. "Food is going to start to be a problem" - my thought too.

.

[Mr_Spock]

15. We need a real leader at this time.

We don't need an anarchist at this time...

[Cleita]

17. We need a real leader all the time.

We really have to work on making sure the crooks never gain control of this country again.

[exsoccermom]

21. We need a leader

Amen

[Mr_Spock]

25. Do you think enough of the lazy stupid people will catch on?

Or will they get thier fake morality from their church while in reality they voted for an ass hole who is destroying their real-life country...

[Cleita]

35. I think the religious grifters need to go to jail.

One big problem with freedom of religion is that it's a nice cash candy store for the unscrupulous because government has never wanted to enforce the laws against religious organization. The Catholic Church gets away with pedophilia and the "send money to me until it hurts" crowd gets away with selling nothing.

I mean, what if I placed an ad in the paper asking people to send me a dollar and people responded? I would go to jail. This actually really happened. The person who did it was arrested as a confidence man. However, if he had placed an ad to send $1 to Jesus, they would never have gone near him.

Time to keep religion within the Ten Commandments, don't you think?

[Mr_Spock]

45. The Ten Commandments are like the flag - just a silly symbol

for RW religious nuts to hide behind as they rape us and murder our children in Iraq (and many other people's children as well).

[Cleita]

47. I know that. But about the flag, I don't consider it a silly symbol.

It has been co-opted by these people to show they are patriots because, like in Nazi Germany, if you didn't agree with the Fuhrer and his invasions, you were called unpatriotic. So all those flag waving freepers are really afraid to admit that their sons and daughters aren't dying for an American cause. They are told they are unpatriotic to even question our prezidunce.

The fact that Bush is now trying to bring WWII references into his web of deception, the last war that was actually fought for real patriotism, shows another way how they are distributing the koolaid all wrapped up in our flag. It's time to take our flag back and show what real patriotism is.

[Mr_Spock]

48. I had to use that symbol to make my point. They did steal it

I've always been liberal and parents brought me to war protests against Vietnam in the late 60's. I had a flag on my wall as a kid - I thought it was cool. The song in my signature says it perfectly "flag waving dick-heads, all up in my face ... now I just wish that they would shut the fuck up". My thought exactly. TO THEM it's something to hide behind and they miss the true meaning of freedom and patriotism (ie dissent). I know the flag is a sign of dissent AGAINST what the Freepers are doing - and I agree, we will take it back WITH A VENGEANCE when the time is right. Just a little more patience is in order though...

[osaMABUSh]

20. That reminds me that Hawaii capped gas at $2.75 a gallon - LOL

Hawaii is enforcing a law that caps gas at around $2.75, I think, certainly less than $3.00. Now how is that going stick when the mainland is paying $3 up to $4 in the coming weeks?

[HadItUpToHere]

42. nobody is going to ship them any gas, if it means losing money.

so unless hawaii can sink a few producing oil wells and build a refinery REAL QUICK, they'll either have to change the law or learn to do without gasoline.

[Ikonoklast]

24. Kicking my load off 9/1 @ 0700 in Massillon, Ohio

and then I am heading to the house. If there is going to be fuel rationing I can sit at home easier than sitting parked at a truck stop waiting for a fuel delivery.

I get a big kick out of some posters bitching about the cost of gas. My fuel bill alone for last month was $5200. I filled up yesterday before the big spike up and it still cost me $780. And I get to do that again in three days if I am running.

The internet freight boards that we subscribe to are going crazy right now with brokers trying to find trucks to haul their freight; however they still want the truck owner to operate at a loss. The sad story is that they are making a killing on the fuel crises as they are charging the shippers for the extra cost of fuel, but refuse to pass that money to the actual fuel buyer, me. If they don't start to pay out these increases to the truck owners we will see very soon a significant percentage choose to sit home and wait and see what develops.

In any large metropolitan area in this nation there is never more than a 5-7 day supply of food, almost entirely brought by truck. How long do you think it will take for shortages to develop if only 5% of the available capacity is idled?


We are moved by market forces and always try to haul the highest paying loads; but for so long many small trucking companies have been operating on the ragged edge. We will see many fail in the very near future, putting a further strain on shipping. The large mega-carriers are all at capacity with drivers; there is no room for increased freight hauling capacity on their part.

[blue neen]

29. Excellent post.

They can't expect you to work 10-12 hours a day and actually LOSE money.

This country is in the worst crisis I've ever seen. EVERY aspect of our lives has been affected...everyone's jobs, everyone's living costs, and especially everyone's state of mind.

[BiggJawn]

30. Wait a minute..YOU buy your OWN fuel????

That sucks a big green weenie... You an O-O?

[Ikonoklast]

36. Yep.

My truck, my trailer, my base plate, my insurance, my maintenance, my taxes (which include, in no particular order, Federal Heavy Use, IFTA, which is the national interstate taxing authority for on-road diesel paid state-by-state, Social Security, Workers' Comp., state and local, NY state HUT, Kentucky Road Use, Kansas Personal Property, even though I am not domiciled in Kansas)and probably two or three more that I forgot.

And, oh yeah, fuel.

All of the above come first and the bills must be paid out monthly and quarterly whether I made a profit or not, or I will not be allowed to operate.

Notice I did not even put down drivers' wages there. I get to keep whatever is left.

Last year was my best year ever, gross dollar wise. I netted, after everybody took their pound of flesh, $15600. That is fifteen thousand, six hundred dollars. Net. For me.

If you think that I am full of it , I would gladly show you my 1099's and a copy of my federal tax return.

How much longer do you think that I can justify working 100 hours a week and still do this?

[johnaries]

46. You're doing a lot of hard work that a lot of people don't realize.

That's why my company exists. Most people don't realize how much is involved in Over The Road - I know I didn't! Just keeping up with the latest permit laws, over-weight, and state tax laws in all 50 states is a full time job! It's cheaper for them to hire us to do it for them than for them to have an entire department to do it themselves.

And that's just one of the services that we offer that saves them money by hiring us to do it. It's a lot more complicated business than most people realize!

In a lot of businesses, keeping "afloat" is a matter of watching pennies.

From what I've seen, in the OTR business FRACTIONS of a penny can make the difference between staying in business and going belly-up.

It's a good living, if you watch those fractions. And if you can keep your log book "legit" (wink, wink). Oh, and if you don't get burnt out.

I salute you! I couldn't do your job!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

33. We haven't hauled for anyone but ourselves in over a year... but

just this week I have gotten 3 calls from brokers digging us out of the files, asking if we can haul their loads. They have quotes out for loads that they now cannot get anyone to haul for the price.

The fuel bill from yesterday's runs - $650. We've been pooling our resources with another Co and buying futures by the month. It's helped a little bit until now.

[johnaries]

38. It sounds like you're pretty busy, But, if you want more work

IM me. I'm sure I can hook you up with one of our Sales folks who has a customer dying for an empty load. We have lots who pay by the load, and lots who will cover expenses and pay flat rate.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

53. busy enough! I Just hired another driver...

To get all our loads moved. But I'm going to remember your offer!

[Lugnut]

39. My son is an O/O

During the winter he usually hauls produce out of Florida into NYC. He's not doing it this year. He's been running locals all summer and is still making a living without wearing out his tractor and trailer. He told me until and unless he gets a huge rate increase he's just not doing it.

[Ikonoklast]

43. That is the problem

with running perishable foodstuffs. Good money going into the receiver, starvation rates coming out of the city. Add them all together and the rate still sucks and you burn up your truck quicker.

The one broker that we deal with quite a bit(he treats us fairly, pays promptly, and has never stiffed us on a load)tells me that he has been covering loads out of NYC, NJ for $.70!! a mile going back to California! I don't want to sound racist, but the fact of the matter is when he hears a NJ accent on the phone asking about a load, he hangs up. When they get a slavic or middle-eastern accent on the phone, they know that they will make big money off these guys as they run a team and work for nothing to get off the east coast and back to CA for another high-dollar perishable load back to NYC. The problem is that if they are willing to run at a loss, that sets the rate standard for the rest of us.

I cannot even afford to fuel my truck and run it for that kind of money on a backhaul, so we get at least $3.50 a mile to go the east coast so we can just deadhead out back to where freight pays better. If we don't get it, we don't go.

[gauguin57]

28. We're the richest country in the world, and yet ...

... we're a terrorist attack or a hurricane away from total disaster. I can't figure it out ...

Oh, yeah. Dubya is our president. Well, that explains it.

[Pirate Smile]

31. I posted your original post on a recommended Daily Kos diary titled

"Report From An Anonymous Insider - Lost Oil Rigs"

I thought your information would add to the discussion.

I hope you don't mind.

It was comment 224 so it is down quite a way. I would link straight to it but I don't see a way to permalink to a specific comment.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/31/172025/630#224

It has information as to the true current state of the oil and gas industry.

[johnaries]

34. Thank you!

I hate to sound "doom and gloom", because I believe it will get better and we could learn a lot from this situation.

But, right now, it is bad. It will get better, but we have to recognize how bad the situation is right now in order to deal with it appropriately.

[johnaries]

32. By the way, even though the trucking industry is now run by Large

Corporations,

I just want to mention that when the dispatchers call in looking for a particular driver, they really are concerned for the driver.

The trucking industry really has become a "cut-throat" industry, but so far when the dispatchers have called in they are not concerned about the truck load, they are concerned about the driver.

I'm also proud to say that my company is working to help coordinate rescue and relief efforts among all of our customers, and the response has been wonderful.

Yes, some of these "bottom-line" cut-throats actually have a soul.

It's still going to be bad. But there is hope, if we all pull together.

[Historic NY]

37. HOW about price controls.........on fuel

we had wage & price controls in the 70's when inflation was running wild. The Congress or the * could enact them until the crisis passes. The profits being made on oil are obscene and the misery all Americans are facing is totally unnecessary. We need a Goverment that has a Leader someone with balls...GW isn't that person, he is a profiteer.

[smurfygirl]

51. Call Mike Sodrel my repuke congressman and also a owner

of a trucking company call sodrel truck lines aka SOLO.

http://sodrel.house.gov/Contact/
To contact by mail, phone, or fax, use the following information:

INDIANA OFFICES

Bloomington Regional Office
812 South Walnut Street
Bloomington, IN 47401
(P) 812-330-1543

Jasper Regional Office
215 West 5th Street
Jasper, IN 47546
(P) 812-482-9864

Jeffersonville Regional Office
279 Quartermaster Drive
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
(P) 812-288-3999
(F) 812-288-3877

Seymour Regional Office
415 South Walnut Street
Suite #115
Seymour, IN 47274
(P) 812-523-8050

Versailles Regional Office
P.O. Box 212
829 South Adams Street
Versailles, IN 47042
(P) 812-689-7300

WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE
1508 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(P) 202-225-5315
(F) 202-226-6866


Let him know what a fine job these republicans are doing for the industry you work in.

[satya]

54. Diesel cars can run on veggie oil, can trucks? $300 to convert

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2005/July/20/LNspota.htm

Abe Mwaura of Huntington and his brother, Jesse, spent a day in December 2004 converting his diesel engine to run on vegetable oil by installing $300 worth of equipment that includes a filter, a fuel selector and tank for the vegetable oil.

The conversion has meant significant savings for Mwaura, upwards to $1,500 a year in fuel costs. Mwaura gets his vegetable oil free from restaurants and only buys diesel fuel every 3,500 to 5,000 miles. The car uses diesel only to start the engine, Mwaura said.

Also check out Willie Nelson's BioWillie.