Comments By Andy F.

I agree with both you Brett, on your premise, and with Persian Conversion on his premise. In my company, I never had an immigrant worker tell me that he won't be in to work this Thursday because deer hunting season is starting then. And it's true, I've seen them go up the ladder with enough enchilada in hand painting all the way up. But also, in the industry I was in, the fact that 15 or 20 people contributing to one household, allowed them to "cut our throats" in cost. I couldn't possibly afford to compete. Not many Americans, supporting households, have that many people contributing. I will never say that all of anyone is doing anything. But statistically, the people who come here legally, tend to be more self sufficient and not reliant on the system. A system that the "other group which is large" contributes nothing to other than sales tax. Having worked in a n industry that is completely saturated with immigrant workers, I got to see first hand and learn some things about this. They are hard workers though. And it was quite hard to find American boys to do the work. Also, I served alongside some damn fine South Americans in the Marine Corps. And in my opinion, they deserve citizenship far more than a lot of native born Americans I've met. Again, my 2 cents.

Actually, that was a point I intended to make. I might have gotten a little sidetracked. I really gotta remember to start watching those mirrors!!!!

I think the operable word here is "illegals". Now you can make fun of people who are against ILLEGAL immigrants and mock them by quoting the old Southpark episode about them "terkin our jerbs", but whether you want to admit it or not, it's happening. I don't know many, though there are some, who are against LEGAL immigration. But having just been basically run out of my 25 year business because I couldn't compete In price with people who live 12 families in one house, I can say without a doubt that this is a problem. Those guys could work for 3 dollars an hour, and all the money going in to one house, and make bank. I only had one family living in my mini van, so I couldn't work for that. Before the crash in 2008, I had many immigrants working for me. I required proof that they were legal. As best I could. But we know that fake documents are being produced, so all we can do is all we can do to ensure legality. I was hoping that this particular career would be one that was relatively safe from saturation of illegals. Again, I have no problems with anyone coming here legally, by the rules, with the same requirements that I have to earn a living. Illegals and those who knowingly employ them, are indeed Terkin our jerbs. And ruining this great country. My 2 cents

I totally agree with the boot camp analogy. I showed up at Parris Island in 1977 weighing in at 117 lbs. soaking wet. I k ew exactly what was going to happen, and it happened. Full Metal jacket is one of my favorite movies by the way, be a use it is exactly like my boot camp experience. I expected what I got, and like Persian Conversion , (Oorah by the way) it was a psychological experience that I had prepared myself for. I approached this career the same way. TT helped with those expectations. As well as growing up in a time when we worked for what we got, for a boss man, and I have always tried to step up to their expectations not the other way around. Love the whole Modern Worker analogy too. So true.

Jeez. With spelling like that you know I'm no attorney

Spend. Couple of hundred dollars for an attorney. He' get it reduced probably to improper equipment. Pay a small fine and get that CDL.

Well, just thought the whole down time, no driving time, crappy vehicle time, way do do with this time thing might be relatable to this thread. Sorry if it seemed off subject.

As you all might know from my previous posts, had a little bump up in a truck stop lot on my 2nd week solo and unfortunately was terminated. I went to work last week with a very small, 9 truck fleet out of Siler city NC just down the road from me. Figured if it wasn't enough, at least a few months would put distance between me and the bump up. And would serve to fill some experience time much needed for better positions. So, last Saturday I went to pick up my first load for them. Chicken. Frozen. No problem. Well, this guy does his own maintenance, which is no problem for me. I know about being a small business. I was one for 25 years. Well, the 2005 Freightliner Columbia(light purple...yuck) had obviously been rode hard and put up wet. I found that with the empty 48 ft. trailer, I could barely reach 55 mph on level ground. Tractor had no power. And loaded with 43000 lbs of frozen yard buzzard, forget it. And the thing steered like grandpa's old 41 ford pickup. Well, I posted earlier about the problem with the reefer. So, when I took it back to the yard for the reefer service, I informed the owner that there was no way I could drive this thing front NC to NY. Informed him of the no power thing and the steering thing. Informed him that this truck is itself a road hazard and it isn't safe. Well, he had me take it to freightliner and have it hooked up to coputer. 2 bad sensors. I brought the parts back to the shop and he proceeded to replace them. Said I could roll out. 10 the next morning. We'll I went down the next morning. He test drove it bobtail. Seems alright except the steering. Then we hooked up the trailer and he tried it iut. Still no power. Had to give another driver my load to deliver. Chicken is time sensitive. I agreed. No OK problem. I was to pick up and deliver that drivers load that evening. Went home and got rest Was informed that evening the load was cancelled and they would get me a load the next day. Well, next day came and no load. No truck yet either. Next day I went to the yard, turned in my last weekend logs, and a daily diary of my service theee, my fuel card, and told them thanks for the opportunity but this looks like a part time job at best. And that I'm resuming my search for full time employment. To call me if they need me but I'm looking. The owner really didn't want me to go, or look elsewhere for a job. Said if I'll stick around until my truck was finished, he'd pay me weekly for just being on call. He then had me take the truck to freightliner and leave it there to fix all problems with the truck. By professionals. I agreed to these terms because I feel like if I do this, and wait it out, I'll gain some credibility with this owner, and possibly some leverage down the road. I've been on my but for a week now, but I am told the truck will be completed in a day or so. So I'm gonna wait it out and make myself available to do whatever. Shop work, service work or whatever. Who knows, this might work out to everybody's advantage. Meanwhile, I'm listed as an OTR driver so this time counts as experience to a perspective employer in the future. And I think I can learn about the business from this guy meanwhile.

Makes no sense. I can go home on Friday and drink a gallon of Vodka, drink all day Saturday and Saturday night, sober up on Sunday and jump in an 80000 lb killing machine on Monday and as long as I don't smell like liquor, no problem. But if I go home on Friday night, smoke a bowl, and sit and pick my guitar, and even on saturday, then I'm not fit to drive on monday? Ridiculous. But it's the rules so it's what we have to live by. By the way.....I can't drink a gallon of vodka. Not much of a drinker at all. And I also know this isn't a forum for this, so I'll also stop now.

Way to go Sunshine. Congrats. And remember.....watch those mirrors. LOL