Posts belonging to Category Gonzo Articles

Truckers always have a lot of things to deal with, but one recent issue has a lot of people up in arms. The story basically happened that a trucker parked his rig in a parking space at a truck stop in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, when he stopped to read a note on the driver’s side window on the truck next to him. He read the note which basically said that there is no overnight parking allowed for trucks in this shopping center, because the city council had passed an ordinance in spring to help prevent trucks from parking there. They thought the trucks were eyesores and didn’t want people in the city to have to see them there.

Obviously being a trucker, this was very insulting and he soon after posted the picture so other truckers could see what had happened. This sparked outrage among truckers, who understand firsthand just how important truckers are, what they supply to cities, including Coon Rapids. The businesses would not be able to run if they did not receive the items they needed, the majority of which are brought on a truck. Truck stops are always full because they are always so busy, making it more difficult than ever for trucks to find a place to stop during the night, or day if they are driving all night.

Truckers all around the United States and even the rest of the world are getting irritated over this, because it seems that every day there is a new place they aren’t allowed to park in, making their job that much more difficult. It is understandably rude and insulting to realize that the people who are taking advantage of what the trucks and truckers are bringing, are the ones who are being the most inconsiderate.

The issue of having no truck parking in this area has sparked outrage, namely among truckers but also many others. They are taking steps to make sure they are not having to deal with such issues. They need a place to park in order to drive places and get their products where they need to go, and people need to be aware of this. People are not being understanding and this particular case shows just how rude they can be.

OOIDA, or Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, will likely be taking them to court if needed, as they have with other cities and companies in the past. In fact, just last month they already dealt with a case in the same area as Coon Rapids, which is only adding more fuel to the fire for most of the truckers out there. They can’t believe that the city would cause another uproar when they just dealt with a case recently.

Truckers deserve to be respected, and if more people were aware of exactly what they rely on truckers for, which many people aren’t aware of, they may change and be more understanding and accepting. There need to be ample room for truckers to pull over and get rest when they need to, instead of making it difficult and frustrating. There are enough issues to worry about when you’re out on the road, and many truckers are actually having to rely on late-night gas stations and other businesses, asking them personally if they are able to spend a few hours there to get some rest. This is absolutely ridiculous and should be not happening, in the United States or anywhere else for that matter. If not for truckers, the businesses would have nothing to offer, so something needs to be done so there can be a stop put to this sort of treatment against truckers everywhere.

The country relies on trucking for most of its stores and shopping centers, and it’s absolutely ludacris that someone would consider the trucks as eyesores and not allow them to stay there as a result. More and more truckers are talking about this issue and it has caused a lot of anger and frustration in the trucking community. Of course there are always two sides of the story and not all truckers are on this side, but the majority feel that this was not right and that something should be done so it doesn’t happen again.

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Especially over the past couple of years in particular, there has been a great debate over the issue of truck driving jobs and a shortage, in America more than anywhere else. Not only are longtime drivers retiring or quitting their job and going elsewhere to find work, but the low pay and long hours are making many people who would otherwise be interested in a position as a truck driver go somewhere else instead.

For the average person who is trying to work as the breadwinner and make money for their family to survive, it only makes sense they would not be interested in a job if it’s not worth their time.

This is an even bigger issue when you take into consideration the amount of time and effort that goes into the training process just to become a licensed truck driver. You need to complete a detailed program and obtain your commercial driving license before you’re able to apply for and obtain a job as a truck driver. You want to make sure you get paid what you’re worth though, and this crisis is making a lot of people turn away.

Companies in the US are more in need of professional truck drivers now than ever before. Because of the low pay and other issues however, there is a disinterest for most people.

Even in the bad economy, where many people are struggling just to make enough money to get by, people aren’t exactly swayed to take truck driving jobs.

Many people have thought this to be a myth instead of a fact, and that the only reason there is any sort of truck driver shortage is because the trucking companies are not willing to pay the workers what they deserve. Truck drivers make more money in other parts of the world than in the United States, which is the main problem.

There are vacancies in truck driving companies all around the United States. The myth issue is that many people think there is simply a lack of people with the ability to drive a truck professionally, when really it has to do with the low pay rate and other issues. There can be something done about this, which would entice these people to go forward and get a job as a truck driver.

Considered to be the biggest myth in the trucking industry, there is not a shortage of drivers but instead a shortage of pay, which is the real issue here. Some companies don’t even offer benefits, which is another big downfall and a reason there are so many qualified workers who who simply aren’t interested in the available jobs.

Besides that, there are usually poor working conditions and long hours, which, considering how little most of these workers are actually paid, doesn’t make it worth it. It’s not hard to see why so many people have a distaste and aren’t interested in the many trucking jobs which are actually available.

The average truck driver spends the majority of his week out on the road, away from his family and friends. Living out of a truck and traveling around, constantly on the go, which isn’t appealing to most people. When you take all of this into consideration, the truck driving myth becomes clear and it all starts to make sense.

As long as there is not much incentive for truck drivers in the present day, it’s only going to continue. That is why there are so many truck driving companies out there who are taking steps in the right direction, to do what it takes to create interest in the available jobs and bring in potential workers. It will take time, but it’s essential in order to fill these positions.

Currently there are changes being made, and hopefully these will only continue. Whether you’ve been working as a professional trucker for years or this is just something you’ve begun to get interested in, it’s good to know there will hopefully be positive changes in the near future.

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occupy wall street phoenix www.gonzotrucker.com

occupy wall street phoenix www.gonzotrucker.com

occupy wall street phoenix www.gonzotrucker.com

Occupy wall street phoenix

This was my trip into the void that is occupy wall street phoenix.  What i seen What i did, and Who i met and talked to.  First i should say that im completely neutral to the protest.  The location of the protest is 3rd Ave and Jefferson street phoenix arizona.  I started my day like any other coffee and a shit then watched the news. On the morning news was a story 8 occupy phoenix protesters arrested overnight. They were arrested for sleeping in the wrong spot. Im now thinking what if something happens while im there? Well that’s all good because i will get some great video of it.  After a long dump and smoke i took a shower got dressed, and started my journey from Maricopa, AZ to phoenix to see what this was all about.  It’s a 1 hour drive into the beast that is a phoenix arizona from my house. But for me it took 30 minutes because my truck has good tires, and  fair brakes, with a 5 speed transmission, and steel balls i drove 95 mph most of the way. I arrived at the occupy phoenix protest around 1 pm well it was a very long dump so i left late.  One of those crap’s that you have to stand up to finish, Anyways back to the story.

Arrival occupy phoenix location

I parked close by and payed the city of phoenix through a parking meter $ 1 dollar an hour to park on a city street that my tax dollars paid for (Double taxation) if you ask me. Then headed up the street to find these people the media calls lazy bums, and find out for myself who or what they are. Because i dont trust the media very much i had to do my own research on whether or not these people were lazy. What i first seen was some tents, and maybe 30 people holding signs. Then there was this guy let’s just call him alex in the street holding a sign, and protesting. His sign reads “Honk if you’re in debt” you can see the video of alex on this website. After speaking with alex i went over to the food tent where they had food donated to them and i met some very interesting people there. Then i cruised on over to the medical station they had set up in a tent or canopy if you will. There i met mary (all of the names have been changed so gonzotrucker cant get sued) mary was an older lady in her late 30s early 40s and she was running the medical station here. We talked for oh about 20 minutes i also met mike a long haired vegan, and Joey a younger guy in his late 20s. All were very nice to me so we talked about occupy phoenix for awhile and why there were there (i forgot why).

Jordan old man occupy phoenix

Jordan

This old man was a trip a real old hippy i want to say but not really. He lives far in the desert by himself but he came to the protest just to see what’s going on.  He bummed a smoke then a light, and we started to chat about oh about

occupy wall street phoenix www.gonzotrucker.com

anything and everything ho ho!!.  He told me about the time he was in las vegas having dinner with the former owner of the Sahara, and he said they spent all night having orgy’s on the strip back in the 60s.  Then he told about a porn he did with his wife back in the 70s. This old guy was out there. I had fun talking to him he sounds like a party. I dont know why he was there either i forgot to ask.

Occupy Phoenix Police

All around me was phoenix police more of them than protesters it seemed. I even saw some detectives there just watching. It all seemed like a big mess to me with not much really going on when i was there. So after talking to jordan i was getting bored, and hungry so i left. My trip home was more exciting so to report on what i have seen there (not much my friends). So the morale of this story is like umm  the protest? Shit i dont know what it is. Why was i there? Did they see me? Am i really writing this? or just thinking it? These are some of the questions i now have. Im confused do any of you know what the Occupy Wall Street is about? If so tell me so i can pass it on. But to tell you the truth i dont think anyone knows.

Detectives

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Truck Driver for life

Truck Driver

In Honor of “William Mc anally”  (Mac)

They say when you get diesel in your blood it never leaves. Well im here to say that it’s true it never leaves. When you become a truck driver you will always long for the open road. Over the years many of us have tried to quit but always come back to trucking. Those of us who can’t drive any more due to age or illness will sit for hours and stare out at the road. They will talk about their trucking story from back when they were out here. There is a saying among truckers “Going up to Glory riding 18 Wheels” meaning they’re going to drive a truck until the day they die. There are many truck drivers over the retirement age still trucking. Not due to financial reasons but because they just can’t quit!  When i go on vacation all i think about is getting back to my rig. Johnny Cash said it best in his song about Truck Drivers “I keep my eye on the road, and my mind on my load, i got nothing in common with the steady man who is home every day at five”

Trucking is a lonely life but all of us prefer it that way. Trucking is our love, and we would have it no other way. Even the love of a man or women cannot get between a Trucker and the road. The drive to get back is just too strong it’s like a drug to us. Recently one of our brothers passed away in Nevada “William Mc anally”  I seen this post and i felt i had to write about him.

Reposting this for Janie: Janie Mc Anally Fasching – Freewheelin’ hello, my daddy was a trucker for 35 years and he loved it, he always told us his trucker stories and he is 87 and he still says he is going to buy his on the rig and start driving again…. Well he passed away 12/21/2011 ….. Do you know how can I get the word out that my dad’s funeral is about 01/06 in boulder city nv at the veterans cemetery…. I would love for the street to be lined up with truckers or if they can just drive by. It would mean so much to him, me and my family

It would be a blessing to his family if every trucker in the Boulder City, Nv would swing by and blow your air horns. Or at 12 noon where ever you are blow your air horns in honor of our brother trucker.

 Message from his Daughter

Truck Driver for life

 

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