But I Thought Fuel Costs Were The Single Highest Cost.
Topic 31651 | Page 1
Hey Todd,
I was in Lawton, Oklahoma recently but you must have missed my post offering to meet up.
No diesel fuel needed in your basement, Todd.
The price of hot pockets are about to skyrocket. That should be your bigger concern, Todd.
I found this following current-day video on the American freight industry and where it's headed. It's very interesting to watch when you get a few minutes of free time. They say that in theory an autonomous truck would reduce motor carrier costs by 70%. That's totally hard to believe. Is driver payroll really that high? What do you think?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q79BHfxfaSI
The video is mainly about rail freight, but it hits on trucking a lot and how rail and freight compete. The railroads are never short on train drivers (too many wannabes and very few RR positions open), but drivers for trucking is always in high demand.
Todd / Mr. Jones;
Howdy, again! (I miss Purple Preston, tho!)
We've got a great pal that works for CSX; not sure in what capacity, however. What exactly do you 'mean' by 'train drivers?!?!?' Engineers???? There's SOOOOOOO MANY MORE positions that matter JUST as much, that pay REALLY well. The 'indoctrination' (read: orientation and/or training) is very similar to trucking, and airline positions. Vetting to the nines. Low turnover. Ergo, your last nine words.
You're bouncing between trucks and trains, so .. add airplanes next time (LoL.. I'd love to be an ATC, personally!) and see how much digging the NTSB, FMCSA , et al are similar, with self driving . . . 'besides' autopilot, of course.
Many rail companies ARE union. Does that matter?!? I don't know. Not to me (us) either way. Our CSX pal tried to get Tom in, some 10 years ago...just because. Even with Tom's TWIC , and EVERY possible CDL endorsement and years of experience, it was a 'nope' but for a 'grunt' job, if even. Their turnover is almost nonexistent. Why?? You tell me. It's not like they're 'flailing' elsewhere, afraid of losing their jobs! AND, they .. are not automated, either; nor threaten (or even hope to be) beyond as MUCH as they are; which IS more than a Semi, honestly. Ever ridden the subways in NY? See the Conductor?
Back to 'freight' rails: Others that work at the ports: Longshoreman, and JB Hunt and Schneider guys . . . Will THEY be automated, too? Look at the 'not so long ago' bottlenecks at the ports. Why didn't they just automate the cranes ?!?!? Sure would've helped, right?
Another example: Look at the 'EVERGREEN (or GIVEN depending on who you ask...)' getting stuck. Automate THAT ?!?!? Heck, maybe they should have, hahaha! Why didn't they hire an automated excavator to dredge the Suarez Canal ?!?
Remember the Exxon Valdez? Would automation have prevented THAT?!? How about the Summit Venture? I was THERE. Literally. Automation would have HELPED? Sure, it WAS operator error. Do you think, had 'iT' been driving that vessel, things would have ended otherwise?
How about this one, last week ?!?!?! 13 Freight Train Cars Derail in Colton. I'm perplexed. Theyhad MUCH more 'iT' / automation than a semi driver, on a highway. Have you read, and followed up, the blame . . . on that one?!? It's in the works, but .. they're leaning toward 'technology fails.'
Until (and/or whenever) the INFRASTRUCTURE is AMENABLE to CMV'S FIRST, it'll not work.
It's always kinda cool to see you back around, Todd. (Oh yeah, I liked TomCougar and Purple/paisley (?) Preston better, however!) Sometimes you've got good banter, sometimes its debatable, haha!
Have you had any luck, here ?!?!?! >>>>Apply For Paid CDL Training !!!
Be well, good sir!
~ Anne ~
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Just deleted Todd’s post accusing the TT Mods of playing “girly games”. Exact quote.
It’s “your games” Todd that justify deletion of all but a select few of your posts. If you are sincere about your intentions; click on Annie’s profile if you want to contact her.
Just deleted Todd’s post accusing the TT Mods of playing “girly games”. Exact quote.
It’s “your games” Todd that justify deletion of all but a select few of your posts. If you are sincere about your intentions; click on Annie’s profile if you want to contact her.
,
I'm SO confused, G'Town.
Girly games?!?!? So he thinks I'm YOU, now???
What IS this trend? First Bruce (or BK) thinks I'm Brett, now this ?!?!?
Good LORD. Just because I'm a girl that 'knows a bit' about the industry, I'm a hoax ?!?!? SMDH.
Thanks for having my back, G.... though I'd kind of liked to see it, haha! I'm sure it wasn't in the best interest of the forum, however. Sorry!
I'm totally amenable to having Todd contact me otherwise, however. So, if he should read this, yeah . . . . !
Thanks guys!
~ Anne ~
ps: It never ceases to amaze me . . . the guys on here either like me a lot, or HATE me. Yeah, I know who's who, hahaha!! Just because I'm not a driver (yet) like Laura and Rainy, I'm tough enough to take smack, LoL!
pps: Is there something factually incorrect, in my above post? I'm pretty sure not. I double checked on the various engines/vessels I mentioned.
Anne I’m pretty sure the other Bruce. K was Todd as well. You know we all have your back.
"Girly Games" accusations from a basement-dwelling poser?
Todd, I am just crushed that we have not lived down to your expectations!
The latest nothing article really didn't do it for me. It was nothing when compared with BBQ sauces, nor tractor and trailer color schemes. Those were certainly a much better waste of time than your current nonsense.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Anne... you are absolutely an essential part of this community.
Todd..? I do not care about. He is a total Poser!!! You however are loved, respected and accepted by this forum.
He was annoyed that one of the moderators deleted his reply to your post directed at him. Had some “not-so complimentary” comments towards the moderators, not you Anne.
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I found this following current-day video on the American freight industry and where it's headed. It's very interesting to watch when you get a few minutes of free time. They say that in theory an autonomous truck would reduce motor carrier costs by 70%. That's totally hard to believe. Is driver payroll really that high? What do you think?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q79BHfxfaSI
The video is mainly about rail freight, but it hits on trucking a lot and how rail and freight compete. The railroads are never short on train drivers (too many wannabes and very few RR positions open), but drivers for trucking is always in high demand.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated