Monster.controversy
I've been in the trucking industry since 1982 and an owner-operator longer than I care to remember.
I have also lost my interest in professional sports over the years, mostly from a lack of time. But I still enjoy the Super Bowl for the simple reason of the commercials that debut. I saw the Monster.com commercial (Deb Whistler's Editorial March) and nearly fell on the floor with laughter. It was great!
Those who were offended need to buy themselves a sense of humor.
JMAC
Houston,Texas
Commercial Funny
I thought the commercial was hilarious! I don't know if anybody at your Super Bowl party saw the commercial the way I did. My evaluation was, without truck drivers in the truck to control them, the trucks would wreak havoc on the roads (in a Twilight Zone sort of way).
The commercial conveyed a strong positive message towards the truck driver. He is a very important piece of the puzzle, probably the most important. Kind of the truck wrangler (in a Twilight Zone sort of way).
unsigned email
Peace From Shock
I saw the Monster.com ad, live in my living room. I've been in the trucking parts business for almost 21 years. It shocked me, with its destructiveness. It was, I guess, entertaining, about the same as COPS, Fear Factor, and several other new shows.
Is it what we really need? H--- No! We live in this reality, shock-filled life, wouldn't a little peace and quiet be welcome?
If they had to have shock, a better script for the ad - had they checked with me - would have been for the driverless truck to be destroyed, instead of the rest of the world. That's why we would need drivers.
I have seen the redo of the commercial (with ATA's input). It is better and more "under control." I find it informing, and I do appreciate Jeff Taylor's efforts (Monster.com president) to take "The Ghost of Hannibal Lector" out of the truck!
Bob Faenger
Field Service Engineer
Tuthill Transport Technologies
Coolant Confusion
Your article in the May issue of HDT was simply superb (Deborah Lockridge's Maintenance For Profit: Cooling Trends). The topic of coolants is a very confusing one here in the field. With so many different coolants, so many horror stories (destroyed engines from the softened silicone seals/gaskets using ELC, etc.) and orange coolants, red coolants, it's just about impossible to tell what is what except for good old green!
Great article, thank you.
George Morrison, STLE CLS
AV Lubricants Inc.
Columbus, Ohio
Criminal Backgrounds
It would seem the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) is taking their job a little too seriously. Undersecretary Loy states "Our mission is to protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce."
Evidently he, and others, would like all truck drivers to undergo criminal background checks and have this information linked to a central database. My question is: Who will have access to this info? Will it be your employer, or just the feds? What is considered a "criminal background?"
I once stole a candy bar from our local drug store when I was in high school. Will this make me a threat to our freedom of movement? I know I'm a criminal because I took that candy bar, so my next logical step is to steal a truck full of explosives and blow up the county courthouse.
I know there are a few lunatics on the loose out on the road (sometimes we all get a little looney), but I hardly think we're a bunch of criminals. This scenario of federal ID cards and a central data base reminds me of something that happened to the Jews in the 1930s.
Perhaps all those working for the Homeland Security Department should have a criminal background check also. Maybe Hitler is alive and well, working for the TSA.
Maury Tieszen
via email
America's Road Team
America's road team, what a joke! Most are LTL trucking companies. When will they put some real truckers on America's road team? Smells like big company politics to me.
Mike Brunner
Crafton, Pa.
Eyes Wide Open
My eyes were really opened after reading the Owner-Operator Contracts story in the March Heavy Duty Trucking. While I always suspected, I never realized there were quite so many ways for companies to scam their owner-operators.
I bet that's why most companies are profitable and most owner-operators are not.
As a 27-year trucker, I remember when the truth-in-leasing rules were made. They were supposed to stop skimming. Seems to me that simplest way for companies to avoid the potholes in federal regulations is to follow them. You only hit those potholes when you try to go around them.
Tom Swartz
Louisville, Ohio
