AGENTS SPEAK UP

[citytruck]

we first have to get control of the driver population before turning any of this mess in the right direction. i took part in every driver action in sav. for the past twenty years. there are still a few of us around including those who started this forum. if the right plan is floating around out there to do something for sure this time i have no problem supporting it to the max. the rest will follow the lead but this had better be good.

[cheezburger]

COME ON AGENTS GET INVOLVED WHAT DO YOU THINK WE CAN DO TO GET THESE RATES UP,I'M ASKING FOR HELP AND IDEAS

[24seven]

they're not going to do anything until we do it ourselves. when everyone or at least the majority of truckers out here have had enough of this crap to finally say shutdown that will be the start. first we need a plan. i see that one has already been presented on this forum in several different places. someone needs to hold a driver meeting to get the ball rolling that is if there are any BALLS left in the current crowd out at the port of savannah. organize a meeting men and we will get as many possible to attend. you have a lot of companies who would like to see us do something just for the fact the rates would temporary go up but that's not good enough. this needs to be a permanent fix so i will leave that up to the guys that know more about how to do that.

[reddavis]

lol, most these drivers like working as share croppers in georgia.

[GuestSavJaX]

Cheeze- the person 24 Seven is right.Period. We can talk back and forth for year and years like you have already done and will get no where. I said before I work for a trucking and common sense tells you we are all for profit just like you guys are. Everyone looks for the cheaper ways to make more money and at who's expense?
If you guys as a group don't stop and ask questions and demand more, then of coarse we are going to continue these rates and nothing is changing.
The truckers are at the bottom of the money chain and that's the truth from the lines,brokers,shippers etc. You guys need to reverse the chain . Good luck in 2011, but can't go offer 10 cent more a mile , when the next company has 45 trucks pulling it for the cheaper rates and we loose business cause we are not busy.

[ilovdieselsmoke]

Think about the power Savannah truckers would have to make our voice heard if only the majority would hang tough together. Maybe one day when alligators learn to fly......

[ftl]

Slw and GuestSav are very right as owner of a trucking company we are at the mercy of brokers and shipping lines.We have a few direct shippers but they dont pay any better sometimes either.

[flatwalkhome]

Well,,,,,,,
Cheez my friend.. I guess guestSAVJAX left the office and ain't goin back!!! since he/she hasn't answere OR he/she found out the ugly truth.. SOOOO glad not to be doing the trash cans anymore... The only real long term solution is to park'em again. Sad but true. Hurt them where it hurts in the wallet. YES it will hurt the drivers SHORT term, BUT long term you're gonna be better off cause they ain't gonna raise the rates or stop dipping on their own. I'd like to remind all of you that you have the RIGHT to see any invoice for loads you've pulled. See how bad you're getting ripped off and they got NOTHING on the line but their name which ain't worth crap anyway. So What if they fire you or don't give you any work??? Go to the next con artist. There's one on just about every corner around Savannah. We got one that was put out about a year ago and just like a d**n gopher.... YEP his head has popped up again and some of the dummies that were there before have gone back... NOT because he's so honest but because he's so d**n good and deception... Check it out people... KNOW what's going on. I'd also like to take this opportunity to address the remarks made by the guestSAVJAX person against hardtimes. I'm acquainted fairly well with him and yes he's bitter. so am I and so are most of the other drivers whether on this forum or not...He is what this business is SUPPOSEd and USED to be about... that is EVERYONE making what is FAIR!!!!!! You guys in containers need to wake up and start sticking together... till ya stop pullin for nuthin that's what yer gonna get NUTHIN or JUST enough to keep you there... doesn't matter what company you pulll for... WE ARE ALL BOUND BY THE COMMON THREAD.. YOU ARE A TRUCKER... was a time we had HONOR, INTEGRITY and a sense of responsibility to ourselves and our family first along with our respective companies.. sadly most of these qualities have disappeared... ask any stranger you see that doesn't know your a trucker yourself... and NO I am not trying to stir stuff up.. just wish everyone can see it from the outside as I do now... THANK GOD every day that I'm no longer having to pull containers.
Sincerely from the heart
FLATWALKHOME- who doesn't hide in his cab or behind his mic.

[doortodoordiscount]

if you can't find that particular thieving agent on the street corner try checking under rocks around sugar town for those that have closed shop but who will return later after the extent of their dirty work has had time to cool. as for the original hardtime. he must be doing something right because those that want to hoodwink truckers are the very ones that wish he would go away permanently.

[oboy@ivorva]

You guys down there in the deep south really are a radical bunch. I wish some of that rebellious spirit would rub off on a few here in Virginia. Maybe if we keeping churning along something will happen later this spring. A lot of drivers in Tidewater are just as fed-up as you are there at your ports but it hasn't gained much traction. There's talk of having a driver meeting soon in Hampton roads so maybe a few of you would be willing to attend.

[cheezburger]

JUST LETTING YOU GUYS KNOW I'M STILL HERE,JUST AT A LOSS FOR WORDS RITE NOW,I'M SEEING SOME CRAZY STUFF HERE AT SAVANNAH AND EVERYONE IS STILL JUST GOING ALONG WITH IT,THIS S$$T WILL NEVER CHANGE,RATES ARE LOW,FUEL IS HIGH,LINES ARE LONGER AND THEY JUST KEEP DOING IT.WONDER IF IT TOO LATE FOR ME TO BECOME A DOCTOR OR SOMETHING

[workload]

with the new regs there is going to be a lot less dummies for the trucking companies to chose from by the end of this year. call a savannah meeting now. time to work on a plan of action for the ones who remain.

[flatwalkhome]

CHEEZ,
Somebody with some cajones needs to step out and take a stand. Who knows there might be some others with the fuzz to stand beside him/her. Kinda wish I was still workin the port I believe I've become radical and fed up enough to actually DO something even if the port and a lot of the companies might think it was wrong.
And anybody that thinks our little shutdown din't do anything is WRONG... it made them Scared the %#$@ out of more of them than they want to admit... keep pulling the cheap crap and your gonna run yourself right out of business. that's what no one wants to see... put your head in the sand... like ole Mr. Goodwrench used to say. pay me now or pay me later. YEA I've heard alot of the guys say "I can't afford to shut down for 1 week" my response is "Can you afford NOT TO?"
Ever ready to help even though my dog is not in this particular fight anymore!
All for one, one for all. Brotherhood of the Road.
Flat

[slwrdr]

Hey flatwalkhome,

I see you have many ideas on how to change the industry but you don't work in it.

If you think parking the trucks will work more power to you, the only thing that will happen is that containers will be diverted to other ports for their drivers to deliver them.

Hey workload you are right there will be less drivers working at the end of the year due to CSA 2010 .I hope that the ones that want to stay around finally realize that they have to take some responsibility also.

[sidebar]

diverting containers to other ports worked fine twelve years ago in the east but won't cut it now especially if the drivers shut the industry down during the peak season. i don't approve a shutdown but the threat of truckers doing just that for a week or more is the only tool we have. first there has to be a game plan. then the trick is to get truckers at several other major ports to join in at same time. i work in this mad race to the bottom so I know this slimy port system. your right with csa thinning out the bad truckers the ones that remain are going to have to take responsibility for this mess we are in. no one is going to do that for us. the trucking companies certainly are not even though a few would like to see stability in rates their hands are tied by those outlaw companies that want everything to remain the way it is. we'll have to take matters into our own hands one way or another so that means gaining leverage on the big industry players with driver numbers before making a calculated move to take action. oh it's just a matter of time before you see angry drivers erupt again with some type demonstrations. maybe this time a little leadership direction with a plan will take the place of massive chaos.

[slrdr]

Actually the diversion of containers will work better today than 12 years ago due to slot chartering in the industry now that was not there 12 years ago.

But you are correct in saying that you must have leadership which has been one of the truckers downfalls in the past.
You don't need some loud mouth uneducated scraggly looking guy telling everyone on WTOC that we ( truckers ) are tired of the way we are treated and we are not going to take it anymore. Then when ask for a solution doesn't have one.You also don't need to strike over local rates or have that one of your main topics because if you do you will loose many road drivers because when the local rates are increased they take a hit.
If you are a good local driver you will make more than the OTR guys already.

Take responsibility have well spoke and groomed leadership and have a plan.
Without all of this you are just spinning your wheels.

Jan 27, 2011 8:02:22 GMT -5 @sidebar said:

diverting containers to other ports worked fine twelve years ago in the east but won't cut it now especially if the drivers shut the industry down during the peak season. i don't approve a shutdown but the threat of truckers doing just that for a week or more is the only tool we have. first there has to be a game plan. then the trick is to get truckers at several other major ports to join in at same time. i work in this mad race to the bottom so I know this slimy port system. your right with csa thinning out the bad truckers the ones that remain are going to have to take responsibility for this mess we are in. no one is going to do that for us. the trucking companies certainly are not even though a few would like to see stability in rates their hands are tied by those outlaw companies that want everything to remain the way it is. we'll have to take matters into our own hands one way or another so that means gaining leverage on the big industry players with driver numbers before making a calculated move to take action. oh it's just a matter of time before you see angry drivers erupt again with some type demonstrations. maybe this time a little leadership direction with a plan will take the place of massive chaos.

[cheezburger]

I STILL SAY WE NEED TO GO FISHING FOR A WEEK AND ENJOY LIFE AND FAMILY,DO YOU GUYS THINK THE FISH WOULD BE BITING AROUND THE FIRST OF MARCH HERE IN SAVANNAH?? TAKE A WEEK AND FORGET ABOUT TRUCKS AND WHEN YOU COME BACK TO WORK THEY WILL BE VERY GLAD TO SEE YOU BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE FREIGHT UP THERE A$$,AND PROBABLY WILLING TO PAY TO MOVE IT,THEY CANT JUST MOVE IT THAT EASILY THAT QUICK WITHOUT A GREAT EXPENSE.THEY CANT JUST MOVE IT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH US. THINK WEEKOFF AT SAME TIME T ,VACATION,TRUCK REPAIR"S ,OR JUST FISHING .TRUST ME IF WORD GETS AROUND TOWN THAT THERE WILL BE A MAJORITY WEEK SHUT DOWN IN SAVANNAH WE WILL SEE SOMETHING BEFORE IT HAPPENS AND IT COULDN'T BE ANY WORSE THAN IT IS NOW.

[18speed]

WTOC is actually an affiliate of the GPA not CBS
They're not really interested in any controversy that could possibly be an embarrassment to their prime Hometown-Hero promoter. The few times reporters did take some initiative on their own to do a decent story about issues truckers were facing at the Georgia ports this never made it past the news desk editor. Mostly they'd intentionally go out and seek the most clueless idiot possible at some fuel stop to display on TV as a spokesperson for local truckers. Sadly the ones they usually chose couldn't tell you how to find their way out of the Pilot parking lot.

[cheezburger]

this is why nothing ever happens there are always reasons why it wont work instead of doing something and seeing what happens,we don't need the press, we just need to leave the cheap freight sit in the port

[flatwalkhome]

By "Industry" slwrdr are you referring to trucking or are you talking containers??? Containers are a segment of the truck transportation industry OR truck transportation is a segment of the Container industry. I WAS in both.. I am now out of the container segment of the truck transport industry. They don't necessarily go hand in hand all the time especially if you are talking involvement in the truck transport segment of the Container industry. Yea, I probly lost ya there, but think about it.. MOST here a TRUCKERS FIRST, happen to pull containers or whatever... Yes I've had some thoughts & ideas, some probably pretty good but as you stated.but as you so eloquently stated I'm no longer involved in your particular segment of the industry. I was at First Coast/All Coast & (*&*^&up Coast. I now have my own authority and am learning again what goes on in the BIG picture. So with all that said. HARDTIME ya can boot my donkey off here whenever ya want. Some of these guys aren't going to listen to logic. It doesn't matter WHAT the hell yer pullin...If you are not making money then why in the world do you do it...... Cause you're afraid someone else will? yep your right.. some idiot will.... Gentlemen I wish you well. A LOT of you guys have been my friends and although I'm not in the port I feel your pain.. It's just not as acute anymore.. Hardtime, Cosmo, Cheeze, Keith,,, all of y'all, Jim has my number if you need any help when someone decides to actually DO something.. give me a call... see slwrdr.. you alienate your allies and you end up with no one outside the ring to cheer for ya. Yep this is Skidmark.. vaya con dios my friends. I'll be waiting on a call Jim.

[flatwalkhome]

dang,,, the bleeper DOES work.. last post.. all outta whack.
later peeps

[cheezburger]

ATT FLATWALKHOME dont be givin up on us now we are all on a sinking ship no matter what we are hauling TRUCKING IS TRUCKING and it is all cheap

[cheezburger]

ATT AGENTS i just saw a post from new jersey saying that they are getting closer to 85% that would sure help our situation

[slwrdr]

Here is a prime example of the leadership you have had in the past, sarcastic and arogant because someone does not agree with you or stroke your precious ego.

So you worked with Russell so you have seen the worst.

While you can be a trucker without being a container hauler most of the conversation here revolve around the port so stick to the point and don't try to be cute it's not something you are good at, maybe if you spent more time telling us some of your ideas instead of trying to spout off I would think more of you.

Just so you know some on here asked for an agent or company employee to speak up and I have so if you don't like the aswers don't blame me I am just responding as asked , just because you don't agree with it does not make it wrong

Jan 28, 2011 21:25:41 GMT -5 @flatwalkhome said:

By "Industry" slwrdr are you referring to trucking or are you talking containers??? Containers are a segment of the truck transportation industry OR truck transportation is a segment of the Container industry. I WAS in both.. I am now out of the container segment of the truck transport industry. They don't necessarily go hand in hand all the time especially if you are talking involvement in the truck transport segment of the Container industry. Yea, I probly lost ya there, but think about it.. MOST here a TRUCKERS FIRST, happen to pull containers or whatever... Yes I've had some thoughts & ideas, some probably pretty good but as you stated.but as you so eloquently stated I'm no longer involved in your particular segment of the industry. I was at First Coast/All Coast & (*&*^&up Coast. I now have my own authority and am learning again what goes on in the BIG picture. So with all that said. HARDTIME ya can boot I disagree off here whenever ya want. Some of these guys aren't going to listen to logic. It doesn't matter WHAT the hell yer pullin...If you are not making money then why in the world do you do it...... Cause you're afraid someone else will? yep your right.. some idiot will.... Gentlemen I wish you well. A LOT of you guys have been my friends and although I'm not in the port I feel your pain.. It's just not as acute anymore.. Hardtime, Cosmo, Cheeze, Keith,,, all of y'all, Jim has my number if you need any help when someone decides to actually DO something.. give me a call... see slwrdr.. you alienate your allies and you end up with no one outside the ring to cheer for ya. Yep this is Skidmark.. vaya con dios my friends. I'll be waiting on a call Jim.

[whatsbehindgate4]

Russell is another fish in the ocean of thieves in this town. I worked there for a short period too. It's refreshing to know your possibly an exception to this rule by even speaking on this forum. Maybe you are concerned over what we're all dealing with daily in this busniess. There are already plenty company rats on here including the ones that I work for with their sly remarks weekly about the trucker forum. We have a mutual understanding at the barn. They don't screw with me, cheat me out of my money(that I know about), don't bother converting me over with their BS, and I'll do them a good job in the city as long as I am making money.