It’s official: the horse is dead
Finally, in recent months media outlets and government entities have figured out what OOIDA has been saying for decades: There is no driver shortage.
There sure is a shortage of drivers willing to work hideously long hours, for paltry wages, far from home for weeks on end. They are tired of the long waits of uncompensated time. They are tired of being treated like substandard human beings. They are, honestly, beyond tired. They are sick and tired and fed up.
It’s beyond time to put this one to rest. In thinking about how to make this point very clear, I stumbled on to this gem of a quote. I tweaked it ever so slightly to fit perfectly.
“The more you talk about it, rehash it, rethink it, cross analyze it, debate it, respond to it, get paranoid about it, compete with it, complain about it, immortalize it, cry over it, kick it, defame it, stalk it, gossip about it, pray over it, put it down or dissect its motives it continues to rot in your brain. It is dead. It is over. It is gone. It is done. It is time to bury it, because it is smelling up your life and no one wants to be near (the) rotted corpse … Be the funeral director … and bury that thing!”
– Shannon L. Adler
The horse is dead, American Trucking Associations, and it’s stinking up the place. We’re here to help you bury it, because you can’t even keep your story straight. The driver shortage lie insults every driver who wants your respect in the form of a proper living wage and treated like the humans that they are.
Starting on Page 13, Associate Editor Mark Schremmer, starts the unraveling of ATA’s narrative, using their own words. We follow that up with team coverage from Schremmer along with Digital Content Editor Greg Grisolano and Staff Writer Tyson Fisher on Page 18.
Based on the impending change on the hours-of-service regulations (See Page 22 for an update), drivers have learned that by using their voices they can spark change.
Let me introduce a new voice in the battle for more, safe and secure truck parking: Lee Zirbel. This feisty OOIDA member made an appearance at the OOIDA Town Hall Meeting at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., in late March. Her firecracker of a speech wowed everyone in the room. When she was done with her nearly seven-minute rant, I was ready to jump up and yell, “Preach it, sister.” Tyson gives you the highlights on Page 38. And if you have time and want to hear the whole thing, visit the Land Line Magazine YouTube channel.
Speaking of the Town Hall Meeting, what an inspiring bunch of activists we have. Members who met with OOIDA leadership to talk issues are a sharp, thoughtful bunch. They shared tips and ideas on meeting with lawmakers. Oh yeah, OOIDA member Scott Cadle, who happens to be a lawmaker in West Virginia, was there pitching in on the conversation. Greg has the recap kicking off our MATS coverage on Page 56.
After this long, nasty winter, there was a chronic case of spring fever around Land Line HQ. So with Major League Baseball’s spring training happening in March, the die-hard baseball fan in Mark Schremmer couldn’t help but pitch a story about truckers and how they make spring training possible. Our Art Director Debbie Johnson really made us all yearn for the green grass of spring with her incredible design of the article. Remind yourself winter is over, and enjoy the piece starting on Page 48.
And lastly, a bit of trivia for all of you. We occasionally field the question: So, why are you called Land Line? Curious? We have the answer for you on Page 16. LL