Trucker Charity, Inc.

Desk of Lance Wood, President

It looks like the Pilot Bill of Rights 2 is going to pass and needs to in my opinion. I never knew much about his stuff until I got my FAA certification. The Pilots Bill of Rights 1is probably one of the only things Obama has signed into law I agree with. I have been against most of the “Truckers Bill of Rights” that some have pushed because they do not seem to really represent a change in government enforcement but seek change in normal competitive practice and parking. Two things I do not want the government involved in.

There are very few Pilots in the USA compared to Truck drivers. 600,000 pilots counting all types from students to commercial pilots in the USA and 900,000 in the world. Compared to 3.5-8.7 million CDL drivers in the USA. The membership based organizations that represent pilots like the EAA and the AOPA are very active at representing legislative change for their members. More pilots also seem to get involved in these types of organizations. Pilots are more active then truck drivers in protecting their rights. I my opinion we should look to change this as truckers. I am not sure if this is because of the cost of earning the pilots certification is so much more then a CDL so many be they feel its worth fighting to protect or what.

Just look at the AOPA. That is the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. They are basically the OOIDA of pilots. With 600,000 pilots in the USA and 900,000 in the world. They have active membership of 384,915 pilots. You have to be a pilot or engaged in the aviation field to join. The EAA The Experimental Aircraft Association has 180,000 members. I am a life time member of OOIDA for trucking. Yet, it seem we struggle to keep 180,000 members there and anyone can join. This seem sad to me. Think about that. 42% of pilots belong to the AOPA who represents pilots in protecting their rights and privileges of flying. Yet, only 2% of truck drivers are members of OOIDA.

Now do I agree with everything the AOPA and OOIDA do. Nope, not at all. I do agree with more then I don’t. I also call and let them know when I do not agree with something they are doing. There is power in numbers when it comes to lobbying for any industry or group. Its really easy to just sit back and complain about things . Its also really easy to be involved in an organization that lobby’s. For the general welfare of a group. Please take some time and consider if joining OOIDA maybe beneficial to you and your driving career.

Now, back to the subject at hand. The Pilots Bill of Rights. This was signed into law by President Obama in 2012. Its basically a contract with the FAA and the pilots. I would be interested in what others would think about a Truckers Bill of Rights similar to this model.

Here are some of the very simple highlights of the Pilot Bill Of Rights.

So if the FAA is going to investigate a pilot. They have to notify the Pilot in writing that they are investigating them, what they are investigating them for. They have to do this 30 days in advance. The Pilot also has the right to get ALL evidence the FAA has on the investigation. Everything from complaints from an employer, other pilots, even all air traffic control recordings, documents and so forth. Before any enforcement decisions are made. The Pilot then has the right to present any evidence they have to a court to make a ruling. It even changed the way the Medical Certification is done across the board for the Airman’s Medical Certificate.

Why do we not have this as truckers? Under Map-21 the FMCSA was given the ability to not only investigate you, but also suspend your commercial driving ability. They can deem you a hazard. With out you even knowing they have investigated you. You get no chance to review the information and no chance to prove your innocence in front of a court. The FMCSA can basically take you license, income and career with little to no ability to stop them. Not to mention the DOT medical evaluation process. Each DOT doctor seems to have their own idea of what is good and what is not.

The Pilots Bill of Rights 2 that is now in the works and looking to get a lot of support and expected to pass under this congress. Will correct some of the issues that pilots bill of rights 1 missed. Like allowing an airmen to work with their private physician to correct any medical issue BEFORE losing their airmen medical certificate. When you lose your airman’s medical certification. You basically lose your Pilots Certificate as they are liked together.

“AOPA praised yesterday’s action, saying the committee’s approval brings the third-class medical reform one step closer. “Bringing the legislation this far has required persistence and compromise in order to get the very best possible deal for pilots while winning the support needed to keep medical reform on the table,” said AOPA president Mark Baker. “This legislation moves the responsibility for managing many health issues out of the FAA’s bureaucracy and puts it in the hands of pilots where it belongs. The Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 frees pilots to work with their personal physicians to manage their own health, wellness and fitness to fly.”

To me a Truckers Bill of Rights covering these types of situations would get good support from the general trucking community. Verses the Truckers Bill of Rights that some have tried to float that includes removing the competition in rates. Violating personal property rights by requiring a customer to allow parking and so many other crazy ideas.

I would love to hear your comments and ideas. I am sure trucking organizations would as well.

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-12-10/pilots-bill-rights-2-wins-senate-commerce-approval

Testamonial

Chris Huckleberry
September 23 at 5:15pm
I drive for Kennesaw Transportation out of Rydal Georgia and had my elderly mother riding with me for several trips in the summer. I want to thank Trucker Charity and Mark for helping me when my mother had a massive stroke in the Chicago area. She was unconscious and unresponsive. Mark came in the Trucker Charity bus and took myself and my mother back to Georgia. Sadly, a few weeks after returning to Georgia, my mother passed away. When I called, needing help to get my mother home, Trucker Charity immediately jumped in to help and asked for nothing in return.. what a wonderful bunch of people. I would like to ask everyone for their prayers and donations to Trucker Charity. Thanks for everything Mark and everyone, for your help and your compassion.

Lance's Thoughts

With the Independence holiday coming fast on us. I would like to thank each of those who serve this great country each and every day. The military and their family’s are number one on this list. Yet, all those that serve are thanked as well. The waitresses that work all the shifts to feed hungry truckers, police, emergency workers and traveling families. The railroad workers working no matter what the conditions to deliver the hundreds of loads. The parking lot sweeper driver that sucks up the nails, screws and bolts that can damage our truck tires. The farmers for growing all the great food we eat. The line workers for working in blizzards to provide us power to not only pump our fuel, but so fuel can be made. Lets not forget the emergency room workers. Not just the doctors, all those that support the system. The police, fire and tow truck operators that show up in the worst weather to help. The truck stop workers that even on Christmas Day come to work to serve their customers. The list is long. We all offer something to the overall sprocket that drives this chain called a country.

While some will be spending time with the family or friends this holiday. Many will not. I would like to stress the importance for us truck drivers to take; me time. Its really easy to go trucking for weeks or months straight. If you have a family at home you normally want to provide and that is understand Yet, even if you are a single person. You really need to consider me time. Spending a month at time out on the road living pay check to paycheck. Is not a life. It may seem like one, but where are you going? Many forget that we work to live not live to work. We go to work. Do our jobs safe and well so we can get paid to have a life out side of work. Maybe its have a home with the family, maybe its having a nice fishing boat, a gold mine, flying, having a show car or truck. Anything that is rewarding.

Its so easy to get wrapped up in the drive to earn money and just sped that money and basically eating it that many truckers will put 20 years over the road and have literally nothing. No paid for home, no retirement, no actually close friends, no prizes or relaxation for their hard work and dedication.

Many are shocked when they start taking a few days a year for them self or their family how much their mood changes. It very much can be the difference between happiness or depression and anger.

I recently had a client that I was life coaching that was the stereo-typical trucker. He was single, living pay check to paycheck, yet earning $62k a year as a company driver. The only friends he had were the folks he knew that drive trucks. No girlfriend. Parents are gone. His sister and he talked 2 times a year.
We talked for about a month. 1-2 times a week. He mentioned how he had to slow down as he was going to take his vacation pay and if he ran hard and got the pay it would mostly go to taxes. This got us to talking. He has been in a crappy and kind of doom and gloom mood in the month of talking to him. I asked why he dosnt just take a vacation and relax. I got the normal. Where would I go, I live in the truck, I have no money, I cant afford the week off and all the EXCUSES people make to not take me time. I explained that he would not lose any money as its a paid week off. He then pointed out that he has really no one to enjoy it with. That is a reason he used to live as a hermit and do nothing but work. I asked him what he enjoys doing. He had no real interests. He did say he was interested in leaving the country. Turns out he even had a passport. He was going to go visit some mail order bride in Russia, but that fell threw. This guys attitude was one that you could tell he wanted to talk about this and needed to get out of that truck soon. If not for his sanity, for the public’s safety.

To make a very long story short. He called me this am. He just got back home to his sisters house where he planned to spend 2 days after taking a 5 day 4 night singles cruise to the Bahamas. He sounded GREAT! (Think Tony The Tiger). He was very happy and full of life. He was also thankful. He said he spent more then he had planned. He had $800 set aside after the cruise cost of $400.00. He spent an extra $500 on his credit cards getting himself a tatoo, buying gifts for his sister and her son and extras with his new friend. His sister gave him a ride the 80 miles to the port and also let him park. his bobtail at her house. He saved $250.00 as he choose to bunk with a single straight man. This guy and he turned out to be a lot alike. They basically built a kinship. He said the first day was odd, but after that night they both found them self seeking the same thing and both kind of lost. They basically went lady hunting together and he said they hung out the entire time and helped each other back them selves up. They would go to meals together and would go sit at tables with two other ladies. Remember this is a singles cruise.

It felt great to hear the relaxation in his voice and the plans he has for the future. He is already planning to go on more singles tours and vacations with his new friend. He also got to spend time with his sister and she seemed to support his me time.

Do you take me time? I typically do a few times a year. Normally with my wife and friends. A few times a year my wife and I take mini vacations. I also take me time with my best friends out camping. No cell phones and no trucks. It sure is relaxing. Nothing but, ATV’s, coolers, fishing poles and firewood.

Life is much shorter then many think. It sneaks up on you fast. Work hard, save and play. It will keep you happy and young.vir

Desk of Lance Wood, President

It looks like the Pilot Bill of Rights 2 is going to pass and needs to in my opinion. I never knew much about his stuff until I got my FAA certification. The Pilots Bill of Rights 1is probably one of the only things Obama has signed into law I agree with. I have been against most of the “Truckers Bill of Rights” that some have pushed because they do not seem to really represent a change in government enforcement but seek change in normal competitive practice and parking. Two things I do not want the government involved in.

There are very few Pilots in the USA compared to Truck drivers. 600,000 pilots counting all types from students to commercial pilots in the USA and 900,000 in the world. Compared to 3.5-8.7 million CDL drivers in the USA. The membership based organizations that represent pilots like the EAA and the AOPA are very active at representing legislative change for their members. More pilots also seem to get involved in these types of organizations. Pilots are more active then truck drivers in protecting their rights. I my opinion we should look to change this as truckers. I am not sure if this is because of the cost of earning the pilots certification is so much more then a CDL so many be they feel its worth fighting to protect or what.

Just look at the AOPA. That is the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. They are basically the OOIDA of pilots. With 600,000 pilots in the USA and 900,000 in the world. They have active membership of 384,915 pilots. You have to be a pilot or engaged in the aviation field to join. The EAA The Experimental Aircraft Association has 180,000 members. I am a life time member of OOIDA for trucking. Yet, it seem we struggle to keep 180,000 members there and anyone can join. This seem sad to me. Think about that. 42% of pilots belong to the AOPA who represents pilots in protecting their rights and privileges of flying. Yet, only 2% of truck drivers are members of OOIDA.

Now do I agree with everything the AOPA and OOIDA do. Nope, not at all. I do agree with more then I don’t. I also call and let them know when I do not agree with something they are doing. There is power in numbers when it comes to lobbying for any industry or group. Its really easy to just sit back and complain about things . Its also really easy to be involved in an organization that lobby’s. For the general welfare of a group. Please take some time and consider if joining OOIDA maybe beneficial to you and your driving career.

Now, back to the subject at hand. The Pilots Bill of Rights. This was signed into law by President Obama in 2012. Its basically a contract with the FAA and the pilots. I would be interested in what others would think about a Truckers Bill of Rights similar to this model.

Here are some of the very simple highlights of the Pilot Bill Of Rights.

So if the FAA is going to investigate a pilot. They have to notify the Pilot in writing that they are investigating them, what they are investigating them for. They have to do this 30 days in advance. The Pilot also has the right to get ALL evidence the FAA has on the investigation. Everything from complaints from an employer, other pilots, even all air traffic control recordings, documents and so forth. Before any enforcement decisions are made. The Pilot then has the right to present any evidence they have to a court to make a ruling. It even changed the way the Medical Certification is done across the board for the Airman’s Medical Certificate.

Why do we not have this as truckers? Under Map-21 the FMCSA was given the ability to not only investigate you, but also suspend your commercial driving ability. They can deem you a hazard. With out you even knowing they have investigated you. You get no chance to review the information and no chance to prove your innocence in front of a court. The FMCSA can basically take you license, income and career with little to no ability to stop them. Not to mention the DOT medical evaluation process. Each DOT doctor seems to have their own idea of what is good and what is not.

The Pilots Bill of Rights 2 that is now in the works and looking to get a lot of support and expected to pass under this congress. Will correct some of the issues that pilots bill of rights 1 missed. Like allowing an airmen to work with their private physician to correct any medical issue BEFORE losing their airmen medical certificate. When you lose your airman’s medical certification. You basically lose your Pilots Certificate as they are liked together.

“AOPA praised yesterday’s action, saying the committee’s approval brings the third-class medical reform one step closer. “Bringing the legislation this far has required persistence and compromise in order to get the very best possible deal for pilots while winning the support needed to keep medical reform on the table,” said AOPA president Mark Baker. “This legislation moves the responsibility for managing many health issues out of the FAA’s bureaucracy and puts it in the hands of pilots where it belongs. The Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 frees pilots to work with their personal physicians to manage their own health, wellness and fitness to fly.”

To me a Truckers Bill of Rights covering these types of situations would get good support from the general trucking community. Verses the Truckers Bill of Rights that some have tried to float that includes removing the competition in rates. Violating personal property rights by requiring a customer to allow parking and so many other crazy ideas.

I would love to hear your comments and ideas. I am sure trucking organizations would as well.

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-12-10/pilots-bill-rights-2-wins-senate-commerce-approval

Testamonial

Chris Huckleberry
September 23 at 5:15pm
I drive for Kennesaw Transportation out of Rydal Georgia and had my elderly mother riding with me for several trips in the summer. I want to thank Trucker Charity and Mark for helping me when my mother had a massive stroke in the Chicago area. She was unconscious and unresponsive. Mark came in the Trucker Charity bus and took myself and my mother back to Georgia. Sadly, a few weeks after returning to Georgia, my mother passed away. When I called, needing help to get my mother home, Trucker Charity immediately jumped in to help and asked for nothing in return.. what a wonderful bunch of people. I would like to ask everyone for their prayers and donations to Trucker Charity. Thanks for everything Mark and everyone, for your help and your compassion.

Lance's Thoughts

With the Independence holiday coming fast on us. I would like to thank each of those who serve this great country each and every day. The military and their family’s are number one on this list. Yet, all those that serve are thanked as well. The waitresses that work all the shifts to feed hungry truckers, police, emergency workers and traveling families. The railroad workers working no matter what the conditions to deliver the hundreds of loads. The parking lot sweeper driver that sucks up the nails, screws and bolts that can damage our truck tires. The farmers for growing all the great food we eat. The line workers for working in blizzards to provide us power to not only pump our fuel, but so fuel can be made. Lets not forget the emergency room workers. Not just the doctors, all those that support the system. The police, fire and tow truck operators that show up in the worst weather to help. The truck stop workers that even on Christmas Day come to work to serve their customers. The list is long. We all offer something to the overall sprocket that drives this chain called a country.

While some will be spending time with the family or friends this holiday. Many will not. I would like to stress the importance for us truck drivers to take; me time. Its really easy to go trucking for weeks or months straight. If you have a family at home you normally want to provide and that is understand Yet, even if you are a single person. You really need to consider me time. Spending a month at time out on the road living pay check to paycheck. Is not a life. It may seem like one, but where are you going? Many forget that we work to live not live to work. We go to work. Do our jobs safe and well so we can get paid to have a life out side of work. Maybe its have a home with the family, maybe its having a nice fishing boat, a gold mine, flying, having a show car or truck. Anything that is rewarding.

Its so easy to get wrapped up in the drive to earn money and just sped that money and basically eating it that many truckers will put 20 years over the road and have literally nothing. No paid for home, no retirement, no actually close friends, no prizes or relaxation for their hard work and dedication.

Many are shocked when they start taking a few days a year for them self or their family how much their mood changes. It very much can be the difference between happiness or depression and anger.

I recently had a client that I was life coaching that was the stereo-typical trucker. He was single, living pay check to paycheck, yet earning $62k a year as a company driver. The only friends he had were the folks he knew that drive trucks. No girlfriend. Parents are gone. His sister and he talked 2 times a year.
We talked for about a month. 1-2 times a week. He mentioned how he had to slow down as he was going to take his vacation pay and if he ran hard and got the pay it would mostly go to taxes. This got us to talking. He has been in a crappy and kind of doom and gloom mood in the month of talking to him. I asked why he dosnt just take a vacation and relax. I got the normal. Where would I go, I live in the truck, I have no money, I cant afford the week off and all the EXCUSES people make to not take me time. I explained that he would not lose any money as its a paid week off. He then pointed out that he has really no one to enjoy it with. That is a reason he used to live as a hermit and do nothing but work. I asked him what he enjoys doing. He had no real interests. He did say he was interested in leaving the country. Turns out he even had a passport. He was going to go visit some mail order bride in Russia, but that fell threw. This guys attitude was one that you could tell he wanted to talk about this and needed to get out of that truck soon. If not for his sanity, for the public’s safety.

To make a very long story short. He called me this am. He just got back home to his sisters house where he planned to spend 2 days after taking a 5 day 4 night singles cruise to the Bahamas. He sounded GREAT! (Think Tony The Tiger). He was very happy and full of life. He was also thankful. He said he spent more then he had planned. He had $800 set aside after the cruise cost of $400.00. He spent an extra $500 on his credit cards getting himself a tatoo, buying gifts for his sister and her son and extras with his new friend. His sister gave him a ride the 80 miles to the port and also let him park. his bobtail at her house. He saved $250.00 as he choose to bunk with a single straight man. This guy and he turned out to be a lot alike. They basically built a kinship. He said the first day was odd, but after that night they both found them self seeking the same thing and both kind of lost. They basically went lady hunting together and he said they hung out the entire time and helped each other back them selves up. They would go to meals together and would go sit at tables with two other ladies. Remember this is a singles cruise.

It felt great to hear the relaxation in his voice and the plans he has for the future. He is already planning to go on more singles tours and vacations with his new friend. He also got to spend time with his sister and she seemed to support his me time.

Do you take me time? I typically do a few times a year. Normally with my wife and friends. A few times a year my wife and I take mini vacations. I also take me time with my best friends out camping. No cell phones and no trucks. It sure is relaxing. Nothing but, ATV’s, coolers, fishing poles and firewood.

Life is much shorter then many think. It sneaks up on you fast. Work hard, save and play. It will keep you happy and young.vir