Mike
Well-Known Member
FYI - This thread was given the title "strike" because that is what a large number of truckers are looking for. Make no mistake, this isn't a strike, this isn't being led by us or any individual person. It is being led by concerned truckers from all over the Country.
I am sure many of you already know about this, or maybe not. But in the interest of getting information out to those who want to be informed about what is going on, there is another movement being pushed on the CB Radio regarding Truckers shutting their rigs down on April 1st, in protest of the $4.00 Dollar per gallon fuel costs. This is commonly being called a "Fuel Shut Down".
We are half way through March, and I just heard about it a couple days ago, so unless those who are in charge of this, whoever they may be, really get busy in the next week or two, I don't expect to see much from it.
With this "shutdown", much like every other one that grows legs on the CB, it is done with good intentions, but unfortunately it is being done on short notice, and being done most likely without the support of the majority of the trucking industry. A huge portion of the trucking industry is new drivers, who are company drivers, and most of them don't have a good understanding about what these fuel prices are doing to the individual owner-operator, as well as the smaller multi-truck companies.
While I don't think this will do any good, I do applaud those who's efforts are genuine in this. I wish them the best of luck in achieving their goal, but the bottom line is only a small percentage of drivers out there listen to the CB these days, and many of those have it turned off until they run into traffic congestion.
Another problem with the CB rants regarding these shutdowns is that as soon as someone speaks up that doesn't support the idea of a shutdown, rather than being able to have a productive discussion on why it is happening, it quickly turns into namecalling, and then a mini-CB war between Owner Operators and Company Drivers. Once again, same crap, different month.
For those who do read trucking forums, and support having a shutdown, I have a proposal for you:
Rather than crusade on the CB radio to organize a shutdown of the trucking industry, and expect it to happen in a matter of weeks, get out there and direct all those you can to trucking forums, where everyone can communicate in a less combative environment. It doesn't have to be this forum, but make sure it is a forum where those who are behind the scenes are there to try to truly make a difference in the trucking industry, not a place where the goal seems to be nothing other than to provide a medium for whining and bashing companies.
On a forum, such as this one, you become more accountable for your actions, and less likely to spout off non-truths, because what you say is documented, and can be verified. It helps stop false rumors before they run rampant like you see happen on a daily basis with the CB.
Also, the new wave of people coming into the trucking industry using forums like this one to learn about the industry before getting into it. In addition, they are using trucking forums to communicate with other truck drivers. The use of message boards like these will only continue to increase, so take advantage of them.
Back to the "April Trucker Shutdown"
I participated in the last shutdown, which was also on very short notice. Just like this one, I heard about it shortly before it actually happened, just like everyone else. I hope those who participate see something positive from it, but I doubt it will happen.
Edit (3/18/08)... Since originally posting this thread, many dates for the shutdown have come up, and some truckers have already shutdown their rigs.
Edit (4/8/08)...
Ok everybody. We had some great discussion in this thread for the most part, and with almost 50,000 page views to this thread alone, I think it is safe to say we successfully directed a large amount of attention to the April 1 Shutdown.
Now it is time to direct our attention to another rally. This rally and potential shutdown includes not only truckers, but also all citizens. Basically everyone that drives and is effected by these outrageous fuel costs, as well as the money that brokers are scamming from truckers causing the rates to be forced up and the cost of groceries to go up as well.
Join us in the following thread and let's get the word out for a big rally on April 12, 2008, followed by a potential shutdown on May 5th.
Truckers and Citizens Rally April 12, 2008 - Shutdown May 5th
I am sure many of you already know about this, or maybe not. But in the interest of getting information out to those who want to be informed about what is going on, there is another movement being pushed on the CB Radio regarding Truckers shutting their rigs down on April 1st, in protest of the $4.00 Dollar per gallon fuel costs. This is commonly being called a "Fuel Shut Down".
We are half way through March, and I just heard about it a couple days ago, so unless those who are in charge of this, whoever they may be, really get busy in the next week or two, I don't expect to see much from it.
With this "shutdown", much like every other one that grows legs on the CB, it is done with good intentions, but unfortunately it is being done on short notice, and being done most likely without the support of the majority of the trucking industry. A huge portion of the trucking industry is new drivers, who are company drivers, and most of them don't have a good understanding about what these fuel prices are doing to the individual owner-operator, as well as the smaller multi-truck companies.
While I don't think this will do any good, I do applaud those who's efforts are genuine in this. I wish them the best of luck in achieving their goal, but the bottom line is only a small percentage of drivers out there listen to the CB these days, and many of those have it turned off until they run into traffic congestion.
Another problem with the CB rants regarding these shutdowns is that as soon as someone speaks up that doesn't support the idea of a shutdown, rather than being able to have a productive discussion on why it is happening, it quickly turns into namecalling, and then a mini-CB war between Owner Operators and Company Drivers. Once again, same crap, different month.
For those who do read trucking forums, and support having a shutdown, I have a proposal for you:
Rather than crusade on the CB radio to organize a shutdown of the trucking industry, and expect it to happen in a matter of weeks, get out there and direct all those you can to trucking forums, where everyone can communicate in a less combative environment. It doesn't have to be this forum, but make sure it is a forum where those who are behind the scenes are there to try to truly make a difference in the trucking industry, not a place where the goal seems to be nothing other than to provide a medium for whining and bashing companies.
On a forum, such as this one, you become more accountable for your actions, and less likely to spout off non-truths, because what you say is documented, and can be verified. It helps stop false rumors before they run rampant like you see happen on a daily basis with the CB.
Also, the new wave of people coming into the trucking industry using forums like this one to learn about the industry before getting into it. In addition, they are using trucking forums to communicate with other truck drivers. The use of message boards like these will only continue to increase, so take advantage of them.
Back to the "April Trucker Shutdown"
I participated in the last shutdown, which was also on very short notice. Just like this one, I heard about it shortly before it actually happened, just like everyone else. I hope those who participate see something positive from it, but I doubt it will happen.
- Educate
- Plan
- Act
Edit (3/18/08)... Since originally posting this thread, many dates for the shutdown have come up, and some truckers have already shutdown their rigs.
Edit (4/8/08)...
Ok everybody. We had some great discussion in this thread for the most part, and with almost 50,000 page views to this thread alone, I think it is safe to say we successfully directed a large amount of attention to the April 1 Shutdown.
Now it is time to direct our attention to another rally. This rally and potential shutdown includes not only truckers, but also all citizens. Basically everyone that drives and is effected by these outrageous fuel costs, as well as the money that brokers are scamming from truckers causing the rates to be forced up and the cost of groceries to go up as well.
Join us in the following thread and let's get the word out for a big rally on April 12, 2008, followed by a potential shutdown on May 5th.
Truckers and Citizens Rally April 12, 2008 - Shutdown May 5th
