The American Driver - Post Your Comments Here

[Mike]

The American Driver (theamericandriver.com) is leading the way for the current shutdown we are discussing, and this is the organization that our forum is supporting in the efforts to turn the trucking industry around.

This organization has started out to do something very similar to what I would have wanted to do if I were to start an organization, in that they are building with representatives from each State in order to put together a much stronger network of drivers. Having representatives available like this also makes it much easier to pass on information in a much quicker manner across the entire United States.

To take it one step further, they are also including the general public (non truckers), as fuel prices affect everyone.

__________________________________________

The Point Of This Thread

With any organization that is in it's beginning stages, there are going to be bumps, bruises, and concerns along the way.

What I would like from those reading this thread is comments and constructive criticism regarding this association.

• What do you like?
• What do you dislike?
• What improvements can be made?

I am bringing this topic up because we have fielded our share of concerns about this organization, and I feel the best way to make your feelings known, and the best way to improve a product, is to talk publicly about it, and talk about it in an un-biased environment.

We have members of this organization who read this forum (and I am hopeful that their entire staff will read this thread as it develops), we have several members and visitors who are interested in the future of this organization.

So, with that said, make your comments here. This is unsolicited by "The American Driver", it is something that I felt would be a good idea to do, due to the concerns that have been presented to me.

***Comments from the Staff of "The American Driver" are encouraged***
​

 

[Tn. Truckers Wife]

I have heard so many people say, shutdown, take a vacation, have a BBQ. May 5th. I feel that is the wrong thing to do. People need to gather in large groups with protest signs call the media and let them know where you will be. There will be alot of drivers to sit back and see what happens. If they see others fighting the strike will grow larger each day. If May 5th comes and they don't see anyone on the news striking, they are not going to step up. If you sit home then who knows you are on strike but you and your family. I feel this is what went wrong with the strike on April 1st. was people just sat home. That is why the strike did not grow stronger instead it fizzled out pretty quickly.

 

[Mike]

I have heard so many people say, shutdown, take a vacation, have a BBQ. May 5th. I feel that is the wrong thing to do.

Is this what the leaders of "The American Driver" is recommending that you do? I would hope not as they should be pushing you to be active during the shutdown period.

Remember, this thread is for comments about "The American Driver" organization itself, not the shutdown itself. Let's use this thread to provide feedback to how we think they are doing as an organization.

 

[truckerstrike08]

Bullwinkle nothin has been said about what TN. Truckers Wife just said. The shut down for May 5th is still on.

 

[Mike]

Let me start with some general comments I have toward the organzation, and the website itself, so everyone knows what the purpose is here.

Website

• Layout is very bad
  • I go to their homepage, and I then have to click to go to their actual homepage, or the one other option that contains information about the shutdown. The actual homepage should give me access to get to any area I want.
  • Finding information is far too difficult. If I didn't know there was a shutdown, I might never find any information on the site about it.
• Site is very slow loading

Overall, for an organization like this, an investment needs to be made to put together a professional looking website, where information is much easier to navigate through and find.

The banners running down the side of the forum for all the trucking companies and such give me the feel that I am at truck.net. I don't think an organization that is leading a shutdown should have the banners of companies listed that are not participating in the shutdown.

Organization

• Who are the representatives for each state? If it is listed, why can't I find it?
• Which States still need representation? Where does one go to find out the duties involved and apply?
• Mission Statement and Bylaws - Where is this, and if it doesn't exist, it needs to rather quickly.

Overall

I was told that this organization was being established to support all drivers, truckers and non-truckers. We need that kind of representation, and a solid voice that will make sure the public is heard.

The concerns that I have heard is that the staff isn't properly following up on requests by people to represent States, and many are concerned that the organization is more concerned with making money than actually accomplishing the goal. These aren't my words, these are comments made to me on more than one occasion, which is why we have this thread.

You have my thoughts above, now let's hear others as well.

 

[Flatbedpete]

Truckers and Citizens United website

Website

• Layout is very bad
  • I go to their homepage, and I then have to click to go to their actual homepage, or the one other option that contains information about the shutdown. The actual homepage should give me access to get to any area I want.
  • Finding information is far too difficult. If I didn't know there was a shutdown, I might never find any information on the site about it.
• Site is very slow loading

Overall, for an organization like this, an investment needs to be made to put together a professional looking website, where information is much easier to navigate through and find.

The banners running down the side of the forum for all the trucking companies and such give me the feel that I am at truck.net. I don't think an organization that is leading a shutdown should have the banners of companies listed that are not participating in the shutdown.

I agree with everything said above Bull, I find myself spending less time there because it is very difficult to navigate, there is too much hitting you in the face from the start. I understand there is a LOT to say and a LOT of information to put out there but it needs to be better organized. I realize that the site was probably put together very quickly but they really need to clean it up a lot and add pages to address each topic.

Organization

• Who are the representatives for each state? If it is listed, why can't I find it?
• Which States still need representation? Where does one go to find out the duties involved and apply?
• Mission Statement and Bylaws - Where is this, and if it doesn't exist, it needs to rather quickly.

This also should have it's own area and an e-mail or phone number to contact each representative. The mission statement is on a separate page that you kind of stumble across while looking for other info. This should all be together.

Overall

I was told that this organization was being established to support all drivers, truckers and non-truckers. We need that kind of representation, and a solid voice that will make sure the public is heard.

The concerns that I have heard is that the staff isn't properly following up on requests by people to represent States, and many are concerned that the organization is more concerned with making money than actually accomplishing the goal. These aren't my words, these are comments made to me on more than one occasion, which is why we have this thread.

You have my thoughts above, now let's hear others as well.

I fully support the organization and what they (we) are trying to accomplish, I think the organization is there, it's the drivers that are afraid that it won't work and as a result, don't participate. There are a LOT of people busting their butts to do this, but I feel that all this info on the internet is only tipping off the gov't so they have a Plan B all ready to go. You can't do this in a public arena and expect it to work perfect, but it's all we have so thats what we go with. We need to keep at this until something is accomplished, however long it takes. DON'T TAKE CHEAP FREIGHT, demand your surcharge or don't take the load. No one running the organization is in this for money, only to be able to MAKE the money they deserve. I don't know who paid for the $3,000.00 permit in DC, but if it was Mark, he did that because he BELIEVES in this cause, you don't spend 3 grand just for fun, especially when you're hurting like the truckers are right now. OK, I've said enough for now.

Petes wife

 

[Fed-Up Flatlander]

Website

• Layout is very bad
  • I go to their homepage, and I then have to click to go to their actual homepage, or the one other option that contains information about the shutdown. The actual homepage should give me access to get to any area I want.
  • Finding information is far too difficult. If I didn't know there was a shutdown, I might never find any information on the site about it.
• Site is very slow loading

Overall, for an organization like this, an investment needs to be made to put together a professional looking website, where information is much easier to navigate through and find.

The banners running down the side of the forum for all the trucking companies and such give me the feel that I am at truck.net. I don't think an organization that is leading a shutdown should have the banners of companies listed that are not participating in the shutdown.

I agree with everything said above Bull, I find myself spending less time there because it is very difficult to navigate, there is too much hitting you in the face from the start. I understand there is a LOT to say and a LOT of information to put out there but it needs to be better organized. I realize that the site was probably put together very quickly but they really need to clean it up a lot and add pages to address each topic.


Organization

• Who are the representatives for each state? If it is listed, why can't I find it?
• Which States still need representation? Where does one go to find out the duties involved and apply?
• Mission Statement and Bylaws - Where is this, and if it doesn't exist, it needs to rather quickly.

This also should have it's own area and an e-mail or phone number to contact each representative. The mission statement is on a separate page that you kind of stumble across while looking for other info. This should all be together.

Overall

I was told that this organization was being established to support all drivers, truckers and non-truckers. We need that kind of representation, and a solid voice that will make sure the public is heard.

The concerns that I have heard is that the staff isn't properly following up on requests by people to represent States, and many are concerned that the organization is more concerned with making money than actually accomplishing the goal. These aren't my words, these are comments made to me on more than one occasion, which is why we have this thread.

You have my thoughts above, now let's hear others as well.

I fully support the organization and what they (we) are trying to accomplish, I think the organization is there, it's the drivers that are afraid that it won't work and as a result, don't participate. There are a LOT of people busting their butts to do this, but I feel that all this info on the internet is only tipping off the gov't so they have a Plan B all ready to go. You can't do this in a public arena and expect it to work perfect, but it's all we have so thats what we go with. We need to keep at this until something is accomplished, however long it takes. DON'T TAKE CHEAP FREIGHT, demand your surcharge or don't take the load. No one running the organization is in this for money, only to be able to MAKE the money they deserve. I don't know who paid for the $3,000.00 permit in DC, but if it was Mark, he did that because he BELIEVES in this cause, you don't spend 3 grand just for fun, especially when you're hurting like the truckers are right now. OK, I've said enough for now.

Petes wife

Hi everyone! I go to The american driver site and this site because I believe
the more blogs you read the more you understand how bad our nation is doing. I'm new to the computer so both sites can be confusing but I registered on this one because site was easy to surf. I hope we can all work
together and achieve our goals to lower fuel prices and in the process form
a stronger trucking industry.

 

[BANDIT]

Bull & Pete, I agree with you both on you concerns with the American Driver site. Another big problem I have is, it was my understanding that the Rally In DC on the 28th was mainly to be a meeting with gov. officials to address all the problems that we would like to have looked and and the help that we all need. I heard that everyone was invited into the senate office bldg., and everyone was interviewed by a bunch of reporters, and that's it. I have not heard a thing about any meetings with officials, and if there in fact were meetings, I haven't heard a word about what was discussed or what the outcome was. I understood that it was dependant on the results of the meetings whether or not there would in fact be a shutdown on May 5th. I don't understand why all of this seems to have been forgotten or completely overlooked. I think it is important that all of these things need to be addressed.

 

[4x4]

4x4 from the American driver

First Id like to Introduce myself Im 4x4 from the Truckers and Citizens United, The American Driver site.
I thank you for the criticism on the site and we are always working on trying to make it more user friendly, however there are only 2 of us working on the Truckers and Citizens United site and we work full time jobs.
We are in the process of udating the site and staying with PHP system its the easiest way to get information, news flyers or live feeds out there.
Please let us know what you would like to see as well and Hopefuly we can implement your ideas.

Ok on to D.C all i can say is WOW a long day.. below is an article by SS From Truckers and Citizens United

Our Day In D.C.

Posted on Tuesday, April 29 @ 21:18:34 GMT by SilverSurfer
April 29, 2008




The convoy began with the arrival of rain. Not what we were wanting...but we were determined to make our stand and speak out no matter what the weather was. Rain or shine - we were going.

We encountered obstacles, but continued on our way. The weigh station was opened and they allowed our convoy to use the bypass - trucks, cars & coaches - without problem. It was definitely a unique experience.

All along the way we had others join up with our convoy as we proceeded towards D.C. The last was UMTA's dumpers joining us at the 11 mile marker on the Capitol Beltway. As we entered the city, it was the most emotional moment for me in many years. Our horns blowing made our entrance of our miles long convoy a presense to be reckoned with. It truely was beautiful.

Not to our surprise, we were welcomed by everyone...construction workers, people walking down the street, people in their automobiles and people in the buildings. They were raising their fist as a sign of unity everywhere we looked. As we rounded the second turn of our loop...we received an announcement on the CB that Senator Sessions R-AL (a member of the Energy Committee) would meet with 4 representatives of Truckers and Citizens United. This my fellow Americans was what we came for. This was an accomplishment never granted truck drivers before as quick as this time. In the '93 shut-down, it was 2 days before we got a meeting. We were nothing less than excited about this announcement.

Even with the problems of some streets not police controlled, we made it to RFK Stadium parking to prepare for our march to the capitol. We began this 2 mile march, with kids and an elderly lady in a buggy...that's right folks, an elderly lady with a cane showed up to march with us...and I and 3 others began pulling that buggy. After 17 blocks we arrived to only have the skies open up again with a down-pour.

As everyone was shuttled into the Russell Senate Building, I alone stood by the cart as instructed by police. I can only say, from being told by someone, that the press conference indoors went very well. By the time someone came to relieve me so I could get to a restroom...I was thoroughly soaked.

Being in the building when the representatives were being selected, I was lucky enough to be one of the four (an honor I accepted proudly.) We were ushered upstairs to Senator Sessions anti-chamber to await our meeting. It was an exhilirating, yet anxious, moment for me...as I'm certain it was for the others (Mike (JB) Schaffner, Mark Kirsch, Ron Wenger, Stella with UMTA and a gentleman with a MD truckers' group who I just can't seem to remember his name.) We shared with Senator Sessions the realities of high fuel prices on American citizens and also provided our suggestions for solutions. One of these were the construction of new refineries on de-commissioned military bases. I stated to Senator Sessions that any truck driver can tell you about bottle-necks, and that America hasn't built a refinery for 35 years, yet our country's population has grown dramatically. We are using less this year because of the price of fuel, but no matter how much you increase the oil supply...you'll never really solve the problem of fuel prices until you increase the number of refineries to meet America's demand. Therefore until you eliminate the bottle-neck you'll never really get fuel price issues truely under control.

Our meeting ended with a feeling of accomplishment of getting our voice heard and with the hopes of getting the actions American citizens need to stop this financially crippling situation. As I shook James Hillman's hand with a thank you, he told me that they welcomed any other suggestions...even if they're outside the box. This truely re-inforced my hopes of something being done.


I would like to offer a Big thank you to Joia as well for setting up the meeting with Sen. Sessions.


SilverSurfer

The funny thing is everything in the meeting was talked about by Pres. Bush the next day on his Press conference....

 

[Greyfoxx]

Website

• Layout is very bad
  • I go to their homepage, and I then have to click to go to their actual homepage, or the one other option that contains information about the shutdown. The actual homepage should give me access to get to any area I want.
  • Finding information is far too difficult. If I didn't know there was a shutdown, I might never find any information on the site about it.
• Site is very slow loading

Overall, for an organization like this, an investment needs to be made to put together a professional looking website, where information is much easier to navigate through and find.

The banners running down the side of the forum for all the trucking companies and such give me the feel that I am at truck.net. I don't think an organization that is leading a shutdown should have the banners of companies listed that are not participating in the shutdown.

I agree with everything said above Bull, I find myself spending less time there because it is very difficult to navigate, there is too much hitting you in the face from the start. I understand there is a LOT to say and a LOT of information to put out there but it needs to be better organized. I realize that the site was probably put together very quickly but they really need to clean it up a lot and add pages to address each topic.



Organization

• Who are the representatives for each state? If it is listed, why can't I find it?
• Which States still need representation? Where does one go to find out the duties involved and apply?
• Mission Statement and Bylaws - Where is this, and if it doesn't exist, it needs to rather quickly.

This also should have it's own area and an e-mail or phone number to contact each representative. The mission statement is on a separate page that you kind of stumble across while looking for other info. This should all be together.

Overall

I was told that this organization was being established to support all drivers, truckers and non-truckers. We need that kind of representation, and a solid voice that will make sure the public is heard.

The concerns that I have heard is that the staff isn't properly following up on requests by people to represent States, and many are concerned that the organization is more concerned with making money than actually accomplishing the goal. These aren't my words, these are comments made to me on more than one occasion, which is why we have this thread.

You have my thoughts above, now let's hear others as well.

I fully support the organization and what they (we) are trying to accomplish, I think the organization is there, it's the drivers that are afraid that it won't work and as a result, don't participate. There are a LOT of people busting their butts to do this, but I feel that all this info on the internet is only tipping off the gov't so they have a Plan B all ready to go. You can't do this in a public arena and expect it to work perfect, but it's all we have so thats what we go with. We need to keep at this until something is accomplished, however long it takes. DON'T TAKE CHEAP FREIGHT, demand your surcharge or don't take the load. No one running the organization is in this for money, only to be able to MAKE the money they deserve. I don't know who paid for the $3,000.00 permit in DC, but if it was Mark, he did that because he BELIEVES in this cause, you don't spend 3 grand just for fun, especially when you're hurting like the truckers are right now. OK, I've said enough for now.

Petes wife

We need to think beyond MAY 5th to June 5th & July 5th.
I'd be willing to throw in a few bucks to help pay for a website that is 100% devoted to planned Trucker/citizen shut-downs and boycotts, that deals in facts. As we get into summer driving fuel prices will rise and more citizens will be ready to join in a well orginized protests. So the bottom line is we need to put a website into gear now, not later. This isn't a democrat or republican issue, it an American issue.

Hey ..... look at what the longshoremen's were able to do today with a little orginization.

 

[Flatbedpete]

What have they done? I haven't seen anything about it on the news whatsoever.

 

[Greyfoxx]

Strike MAY 5th, and if need be June 4th, and again on JULY 4th.

The amount of coverage yesterday for MAY 1st ( May Day, worker's day ), and today seems to have gotten the attention of the world. May 1st the day the we celebrate the workers of America. Instead of see just American workers on the streets we see millions of illegal aliens marching in the streets demanding they be allowed to come and go as they please and get paid for it. I'm not sure MAY 5th was the best day for the strike, but maybe it will help stratch the interest and news coverage out a few more days.

One other concern. Is the truckers strike intended to force fuel prices down, or to get the shipping company's to raise their shipping prices and cover the O/O's fuel costs? I'm with Bandit, where are the supporters of the strike on this forum, and then there are other's who just want to spit on anyone's windshilds.

I'm getting a lot of horn blowing and thumbs up because of the sign on the back of my Bronco. Most people I'm talking to haven't heard a word about the trucker's strike. We need an email campaign. We need two or three people to write an email that we can all used to email everyone who works for a living, not for those who are sucking the life out of America. The email can't be just about the truckers, it's got to be about justice for all legal American workers.

I know that many Americans have been turned off about workers Unions in the past. But if it weren't for Unions we still have five year old children working 12 hours a day in textile mills, and don't think that can't happen here again. They use children in China, India, Mexico, and every other third world country on the planet, and the way things are going it could happen again here. We would still have auto working eating their lunches on the job. We'd still have workers, who work on assembly lines, pissing in cans instead of being allowed to go to the head when they need to. We need a common speaker, someone with the guts to shake their finger in the faces of the infected assholes that are screwing the America workers.

There are a few people on the forum that are working their butts off trying to build what is in effect a union of men and women to fight to the death those who look at the middle class worker as nothing more the wage slaves. It's the attitude of the rich toward the working class that pisses me off, that tells me to give no quarter, that tells me to unite, to pick a candidate who will fight for the working class, and not someone that is another lap-dog for the corporations. Who do you know that can speak for the workers of this nation. McCain? Clinton? Obama? Ron Paul?

We are a war with those who hate America, who want to grind us down to a third world country, and their doing a good job at this point. The war is right here in America, not in some damned country that doesn't even know the definition for the word democracy! We're dumping $750,000,000 a day into a country that was no love for us. We need to bring our tropps home to defend this nation from the inside out, to stop terrorists that are crossing our southern boarder every night of the year.

There are those elected infected assholes who think we don't need America any longer, that we need to change the name of our mighty nation to the North American Union. They want to make the workers of this country and the world slaves again.

We need to be pounding holes in the doors of those we elect to do the job of managing the affairs of the American people, and not the infected asshole who are trying to take our America away from us.

We need to be thinking of repeating the Strike on June 1st, and again on July 4th. That gives us plenty of time to get everyone's attention.

It was Ben Franklin who said "The people get the government they deserve". If you don't fight for it, you don't deserve it.

 

[truckerstrike08]

Greyfox I am willing to step up and teach people how to e-mail others in mass but it seems nobody has yahoo messenger or MSN. AS for the people to contact in regards to the issues we are all facing I have all those contacts too and have posted them in the past. Also I have suggested people e-mail me so I can send them people to contact to get the word out, a few did and others did not. So I am extending the offer again. THose that want to help e-mail others can contact me and I will give full instructions on how to e-mail people in MASS to save time.

 

[4x4]

we were thinking along the same line of doing something on July 4th however it wouldnt make an Impact... everyone is already off and it would do no good.. There are several Holidays Like the 4th of July that it would be ineffective.
Memorial day
4th of July
Labor day
People are Off already, people mindsets are when there working and see this ...and saying Wow I need that day off too

 

[Greyfoxx]

Grayfoxx will posts only at "YOU HAVE TO READ THIS"

Greyfox I am willing to step up and teach people how to e-mail others in mass but it seems nobody has yahoo messenger or MSN. AS for the people to contact in regards to the issues we are all facing I have all those contacts too and have posted them in the past. Also I have suggested people e-mail me so I can send them people to contact to get the word out, a few did and others did not. So I am extending the offer again. THose that want to help e-mail others can contact me and I will give full instructions on how to e-mail people in MASS to save time.

Good morning Truckerstrike08:

I'm just trying to get my research information out there so that others who just might get the chance to talk to those in power to see the truth behind the crude oil and fuel debackle. Those in power are getting their facts from those who stand to benifit from the rising fuel prices, they are not getting the real reason behind the raping and pillaging of America. So...

From now on all my posting will be at "YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!!" 500 billon bla bla bla......It's just gotten to disjointed.

 

[sledgehammer]

 

[Tn. Truckers Wife]

Is this what the leaders of "The American Driver" is recommending that you do? I would hope not as they should be pushing you to be active during the shutdown period.

Remember, this thread is for comments about "The American Driver" organization itself, not the shutdown itself. Let's use this thread to provide feedback to how we think they are doing as an organization.

What i have seen on the American Driver.com is to take the kids and go fishing. That is posted there a couple of times. I don't mean this to critize, I support them 100% and i think they are doing an AWSUM job that we all owe a debt of gratitude. I just think this is the wrong message to send. I did not hear the vacation or BBQ thing on the American Driver and i apologize for posting that here but i have heard these things. I just wish we could get the whole country on the same page about how to handle the shutdown to make it more effective.

 

[BANDIT]

It's Time To Park 'Em

"S H U T 'E M
D O W N N O W"
>> A M E R I C A <<
S T A N D F I R M
S T A N D
* * U N I T E D **​

 

[BANDIT]

This Is Bullshit

issed:Well, I was just at the American Driver website looking around, and I noticed something that really pissed me off. After all the hard work and help we tried to give them, and all the backing we tried to give them, They Don't Even Have The Decency To Post Us here at Truckers Forum As A Link on their damn website. Now that really pisses me off. We've been sending people to their site, I have signs and posters with their site address all over them. :wtf: I guess that's their way of saying thanks for all the help. I really am about fed up with their pompous attitudes at American Driver. I see that they no longer have the "ROUND THREE, The Strike" banner on their site. It's all gone, and in it's place is another local rally on May 17th in the Gables parking lot. Is this all that this is all about? Local rallys in truckstop parking lots. I'm sorry, but I'm really pissed at these people. There are alot of Truckers and other people here that have worked their asses off to try to help these people with whatever it is they profess to be doing, and the Truckers Forum doesn't even rate being posted as a link or even mentioned as a Truckers website on their cluttered up site. We are mentioned there one time, hidden off on a side page, and all that does is show the one thread that's been closed for over a week. Why isn't there a Link to us with the rest of the links they have listed? Thanks, all of you at American Driver !!!! All my signs and posters are in the trash to be burned tomorrow. I will not send one more person to the American Driver website. Sorry, but they can KISS MY ASS. I don't know how the rest of you feel, but I'm all done with them. Do ya'll feel that they are that much better than we are? They obviously do, but I damn sure don't.:nono: They have a link on the home page to TruckerStrike08 MySpace page, but none for Truckers Forum. Again, KISS MY ASS ! ! Contact me when you're REALLY SERIOUS about helping the Truckers and the Citizens of this country, maybe we'll talk. Ya'll Have An Awesome Evening

 

[4x4]

I dont know what the problem is bandit however the American Driver has been working there ass off.
as well The Truckers and citizens United page was hacked and we lost alot of information,, Im not the webmaster of American driver I have only helped Moderate the TACU end..if you want a banner or link up on the Americandriver please contact Silversurfer,.