Trucking: Sleep When You Can, Drive When You Have To (part1)
November 9th, 2009 | 
Author: 
This is a video I made for a social inequality class a few years ago. I apologize for the sound quality.
I also need to mention that the reference to Jamaican farmers is my attempt to highlight the similarities between truck drivers in the United States and small farmers/business owners/ workers all over the world.
Truck drivers were once protected by a regulatory structure that prevented destructive competition (from 1934 to 1980 the Motor Carrier Act did this) and Jamaican farmers were also once protected by regulations that prevented destructive competition (tariffs). Both groups now stand unprotected in the global economy and, unlike Jamaican farmers/workers no documentary has been made about the hardships of truck drivers in the US. Given the economic and cultural significance of truck drivers I find this hard to believe!
Statistical evidence indicates that OTR truck drivers, who were once among the highest paid blue collar workers in the nation, have not had a “real wage” (wages adjusted for inflation) increase since 1974 and that working conditions continue to decline. As the pay structure stagnates or declines, state and corporate interference is on the increase for drivers. More and more transport companies use electronic/satellite surveillance devices in trucks to monitor drivers and DOT enforcement is on the rise.
This occupation, this trade is essential for the security and economic well being of our nation . . . and the global economy too!
This film asks the question: “How can such an important and highly skilled segment of our occupational structure be treated so poorly?”
*the activist in the opening scene is there to highlight a question I often ask, “why are we not working on problems in our own communities?” I think it is much easier and safer to march, yell and give opinions about the injustices on the other side of the world than it is to face local issues.
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVBVWwjFeVA
Duration : 0:9:19
Posted in Quality Of Sleep | 
Tags: 18, big, deregulation, driver, kenworth, peterbilt, rig, semi-truck, sweatshop, Truck, trucker, Trucking, wheeler
Button I ment sorry …
Button I ment sorry for the mispelled word.
It is okay about …
It is okay about the quality; there is an HQ botton on this video.
When I returned 1 1 …
When I returned 1 1/2 years ago I thought that it had changed. There was a shortage of drivers and even though I had been away for 12 years, literally within minutes of me faxing my resume, I would get a call. The equipment being used now is so much nicer to drive (live in) than it used to be, but all in all, it hasn’t changed a bit. We still have our collective @sses run off, working twice as many hrs a week as any other group of workers other than those in the 3rd world.
Great video! The 70 …
Great video! The 70′s was when I got involved in the trucking industry. I was making 13 cents a mile back then. I was an O/O through the 80′s until mid 90′s. I always had the money to pay my bill’s, but I had to live within my means and not spend it as fast as it came in. After a 12 year break, I ‘m back in it again.
To me the solution …
To me the solution is unionization. We need to stand together! All that being said though, I’d say I got it pretty good – God put me in a job that I actually like to do, with plenty of work, and good people to work for.
Also I like all the pics of the old trucks that you use
Merry Christmas to y’all!
“sleep when you can …
“sleep when you can, drive when you have to” I thought that was an original thought of mine!
I agree with you that we should be getting more pay for what we do.
The owner/operator: He could go back to being a company driver. IDK why any driver would wanna own a truck 2day – no better pay + all the headaches a company would normally tend to. Usually I hear “I get ta go home when I want to”. Truth is though, they’re probably out here more than me just to make ends meet. God bless y’all
thank you for …
thank you for posting this id love 2 meet ya n buy ya a cup of coffee ! u show the REAL trucking industry
Good Job! 10+
Good Job! 10+