Life on the Road - Trucking News Blog

This little item just came across my news feed followed by a notice from Melissa at FMCSA, and boys and girls, they done slipped one past us!

FMCSA to Initiate Real-Time Tracking for Mexican and U.S. Trucks Participating in the Cross-Border Trucking Demonstration Project
Tracking system would monitor hours of service, cabotage and vehicle position

Ya’ll know what this means don’t you? They kill two or three canaries with one stone.

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Leaving his terminal in Monterrey Mexico shortly before 6 pm Friday, Luis Gonzalez headed north, unsure what awaited him as he became the first Mexican driver to participate in the Demonstration program.

Arriving at the border about 10 pm, he was met by officials of the Texas DPS and FMCSA, which because of the occasion, took Gonzalez and his rig to the head of the line for a thorough inspection lasting almost 2 hours.

The one thing Gonzalez did not care for were all the cameras and questions awaiting him. He shuns the celebrity as most Mexican drivers would.

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Shortly before members of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco went into recess for the Labor Day weekend, the Court summarily rejected the Motion for an “Emergency” stay.

More on the legal hulabaloo and a copy of the motion can be found HERE!

Everyone have a wonderful and safe Labor Day.

The Secratariat of Transportation (SCT) made the announcement yesterday that the border would be opened today to American carriers who have applied for permission to operate in Mexico.

A set of rules and regulations governing the American carriers has been established which mirror the rules and regs established by FMCSA for the Mexican carriers.
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But who? Which group of “Glory Hounds” is it?
The Teamster’s are taking credit, obviously

OOIDA, on their afternoon propaganda spot Landline Now on XM 171 said, “OOIDA intends to put a stop to the program now” and refers to the Teamster’s as an afterthought. Only saying they were notified of the intent by FMCSA yesterday.

The Houston Chronicle is reporting the story and reactions from various persons and Agencies and soon, the kooks and crackpots will begin leaving their comments on an issue they know nothing about on that website.

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Sounds like a title for a soap opera, or in Spanish, a novella, doesn’t it. But I refer to the fact that we can probably count on the border being open on September 1

With that in mind, it might be the time to review a few things.

1. These drivers participating in this program probably don’t want to be here any more than some of you want them here. Take a moment if the opportunity happens, to get to know these guys, and possibly ladies. You’ll be better off for it.

2. You’ll notice the rigs they’re driving are probably better than yours. That will be a surprise to some.

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In March 2000, the Mexican government amended its regulations to require the use of records of duty status (RODS) or logbooks by all drivers working for motor carriers authorized to operate on Federal roads in Mexico.

Prior to the 2000 amendment, RODS were only required of drivers transporting hazardous materials.

The minimum information that must be recorded in the RODS is as follows:

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After a lull in the subject, it seems a certain so called “truckers organization” is continuing keeping the spin in full force. And I’m certain we’ll be hearing this kicked around on the midnight trucking shows.In their latest “Special Report”, OOIDA is saying that Mexico is planning to send trucks across the border at the end of this month. They quote an article in T21 , a magazine of the Mexican trucking industry. And as usual, they have the story “spun” to reflect their own agenda.
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I’ve been sitting here at home for the past week and a half now taking a well earned unexpected vacation and today, I came across a website that is instantly becoming addictive.

It’s a silly little game called trucks and you can find it atTrukz.com - A Trucking Simulator

It is a turn based game which puts you in control of a virtual truck, hauling freight point to point and encountering all the B.S. and rewards we have on a day to day basis.
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The U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a ruling yesterday on a pair of challenges to the current hours-of-service regulations which eliminates the 11 hour driving rule and the 34 hour restart.

In the short term, there will be no affect for the drivers as this ruling affects only the FMCSA.

According to a statement from FMCSA, agency staffers are “analyzing the decision issued today to understand the court’s findings as well as determine the agency’s next steps to prevent driver fatigue, ensure safe and efficient motor carrier operations and save lives. This decision does not go into effect until Sept.14, unless the court orders otherwise.”

Perhaps it’s time for us all to look for another line of work and allow the know it alls at PATT, CRASH, Public Citizen and the rest, who seem to know better than us, what we need, to operate the U.S. trucking industry