What has Happened in Va. ?

[shortcircut]

I am just wondering what has happened here in Va. Yes, the work on the piers has picked up a little bit, but, does that mean everyone is happy getting screwed ? Paying workers comp insurance ? Paying escrow then not getting it back ? Sitting in long lines because VIT doesn't want to allow any more ILA to be brought in to load and unload containers ?
What about the lack of chassis in PMT, NIT and that crap hole APM ? Doesn't anyone have an opinion on that or are you to wait until the comapny you are leased to gives you permission to have an opinion !

[sidetrac]

Same ol' BS continues until we decide to stand up and take action together.

[robby]

"NOTHING,NOTHING,NOTHING"
It seems everyone in this area is totally satisfied with being ripped off by the VA trucking agents. We have no O/O-driver support group. We can expect more of the same unless big changes are made by local truckers themselves. When will that happen here in Virginia? Who knows?

[90centsamileisajoke]

We are not happy at all. My friends and I are totally disgusted. We are going to do one of two things. Take our trucks over the road and pull flatbed/reefer/dry van freight or get regular jobs and park/sell our trucks. Lets face it we have no leverage. They can cut the rates to nothing and there always will be some uneducated desperate trucker who will pull it. The famous words are ( I guess something is better than nothing). I hear it all the time from these guys driving ragged beat up trucks not fit for the road.

[wiseup]

I am stuck under payments like many others out here but I don't work for less than a buck/30 per mile to my truck! Right now I pull from PMT-NIT up eastern shore to DE & back. Who knows how long before someone cuts this rate from us who thinks they can make it at .90 per mile. There are plenty of stupid people left out here with tractors for hire but the supply of suckers is dwindling.
If I have to I will park my truck & finish the final payments to KW before I work for slave wages.
F&%K these cheap container hauling companies & their greedy agents in Norfolk. We need a driver association that will stand up for truckers in Tidewater. I would gladly support the right group whose leadership is not interested in what the local industry thinks of them or wrapped up in maintaining a driver discount program in order to attract new members .
Sorry guys but I'm tired of the BS.
It's time to show the corporate maritime players in Norfolk that we mean business as a group. We're not struggling out here so some local driver association leadership can be their f^#king country club buddy!! This is a War for survival against the ones who want to bleed the trucker of every drop of blood. Look around at what's happening to us. What ever it takes to accomplish change in Virginia please let's make it happen this year. If the guys who maintain this site can offer their help in this matter please do. GOD BLESS

[Sinbad]

Well said Wise up. I'm thinking we still have a chance if the majority of drivers decide to unite in Hampton Roads. I have three trucks leased pulling short haul from area ports. Driving one myself I fight this ridicules port system day after day. There is no doubt as an individual driver we hold no power but working as a large group we'll be able to force these criminals who steal from us out of business for good. We also can persuade port policy change at the terminals that will stop senseless delays or they can just pay us for our stinking time. I'm more than willing to inform others about this list serve. Everyone else should do the same on a daily basis. Those groups with the largest of numbers have a voice in making the final game rules. Right now we have no voice in VA. I think it's important to use this board as a critical contact point to solicit the troops. There needs to be a driver meeting called in the very near future to elect real leaders that can get the job done.

[wildthing]

so what is the plan fellows? i hope it's more then shut our trucks down once again. after we get the bosses attention then what? how can we legally do anything as a bunch of independent truckers banding together to get what we want? i am not being negative about taking drastic steps because yes i am at my wits end with these stupid people. i have had enough of their crap out here along with u. it's just this time before i park my ride i want to know more the direction we will go. how many truckers will it take to make them squeal real loud at the piers? we're only going to get one more chance at this so it better be the big one this time with a great plan. pk

[jake]

THE PLAN CAN BEGIN WITH TURN OFF THE KEY FOR THREE SOLID WEEKS RIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS FREIGHT STARTS MOVING AT FULL THROTTLE. THAT WILL GET THEIR CUSTOMERS UNDIVIDED ATTENTION.

[jj]

i was introduced to this web site last night by another driver from our company. i'm all for whatever it takes to do to these agency crooks what they are steady doing to us as oo's. late yesterday our company says we would have to take a cut on the rate for a pmt local move to keep their valuable customer from going elsewhere. we are not taking anymore pay cuts from this clown. i believe it's a lie anyway just like the rest of the bs from his mouth. enough of this foolishness.

[Jackie]

I don't think people in Virginia take this job hauling at the port serious. What needs to be done to get things pointed in a new direction around here?

[holeinthewater]

i agree with this board something has to be done but what can we do? if someone will call a meeting here we'll get people to attend to listen. if it is a good plan many will join. your right. no one is doing anything around here for drivers in this area.

[JoeT]

fat chance of any of this happening without driver support. we need to turn that around at the ports or find a new line of work.

[rocknroll]

Many years ago Virginians got things done. We stood up for what is right regardless of the cost to us. What has happened to our spirit?
Trucking here has gone to the dogs totally with our help. Is it this younger generation that wants to work for scraps or have the older guys who are still left give up or gotten soft? At any rate I would like to see change before I throw in the towel next year.

[WHAT]

Hey , rocknroll, myself and a bunch of younger guys got in the container pulling GAME in 2001 and in a few short months saw what a joke it was . I asked the question how has it gotten so rough just to get a container out of any port here in VA. And the response I received from a veteran trucker was it's always been rough and I have been in the business for 20 years . So it's not the younger generation that is somehow getting into the container pulling GAME that has made it a joke , it's the older generation that for years now have been working for penny's out here. This problem has not came about in the last few years it has feasted for years and years .

[rocknroll]

The point I was making was there's plenty fault to go around to newbies as well as older drivers. I have been trucking out of HR here since the seventies. Back then back then we made good money hauling out of the ports. After deregulation thousands of new companies came about slashing the rates to HELL. It's been a rapid slide down hill since the early eighties. I don't work cheap but it's very difficult at this time to find decent paying loads anymore. I sit parked now more than I work but at least I don't add to the list of those who will practically truck for the price of fuel! Unless we do something drastic this will not end. Truckers are the only ones at the Virginia ports who are willing to work for piece meal wages. It'll take more than talk to solve this problem. The only thing these greedy people at the port shipping companies understand is when they take a hit in their wallet. If that's what it takes for truckers to change this system than we better get busy organizing for the big one. At the same time though we must have a good plan when we bring this freight to a screeching halt. If not we'll wind up looking stupid just like in past events.

[coolaid]

It better be BIG with a really good mop up plan when we stop the wheels. There won't be a second chance to work out last minute mistakes. It's all or nothing this time.

[superchicken]

Let's do somethin even if it's wrong!
Just kidding, I know we can't make any mistakes like in the past so one step at a time. I really do think timing is right to start getting everyone slowly together around here. There is shaping up to be a truck driver shortage like never seen before.

[shortcircut]

you know, sometimes to do have to do something wrong to make things right . I personally think all the drivers sgould shut their trucks down the tuesday wednesday thursday and friday after labor day. I think a solid week would hurt the agents, carriers and shiplines more than anyone realizes.

[xxxtrucker]

Please shut down! I will take all that work. If the wheels are not turning, your not making any money! Let's cut off our nose despite our face... I have seen a lot of your posts and have yet to see any thing positive to come out of your rants. Are you the guy? Are you the one in this area that is going to try to unite us? If you are our hope, we are sunk. Stop your wining and start doing something!

[shortcircut]

funny how this clown hides yet talks crap. this is what this industry has turned in to , a bunch of whing chicken s*#t little crybabies. take off your panties and stand up so you can be put in your place by a real man ! I promise you I will NOT back down , not to your cowardly ass or any one elses

[shortcircut]

anyone who has something to say to me , I will be at NIT tomorrow morning at 7am turning in a Evergreen Container to the South Zone , then I will be bobtailing to APM to check out a Maersk container. Have a nice night

[xxxtrucker]

I do not know who you think you are talking to, but you better lose the attitude Shortcircut.

I am here to try and connect with other local truckers and see what is going to make things better!

But if you cannot play nice just send the real man who is going to stand up in your place to see me...

If anyone else has anything to post in this Topic please feel free.

Maybe we need to start a new post for Shortcircut him self. That way he can kick his own butt every time he says something...

I am not here to cause an issue, I am trying to get familiar with your port system.

You do not want to start with me.

[shortcircut]

And you don't want to start with me either ! I have been working these ports for 16 years and done more around here to try to bring these guys together that you have. If you have a problem with me , then lets meet to see what can be done about it. No violence is necessary unless that is what you choose .

[findthatmoney]

Watch out shortcircut , xxxtrucker might flash ya.

[shortcircut]

yeah , I hear you LOL . like I am real scared , ha ha