Mexican trucking pilot program

[Bob Cochran]

Moderators if is not the correct place or there is a better place for more exposure please move. Thanks.



I am not sure this is the right place to post but this is something that is of importance to us all!!!! It is happning soon the Mexican trucking pilot program is going to be started even though it is not ready. There was a list of things that was necessary to be done prior to letting this pilot program start. And very few of those items are ready. Example, there was supposed to be a way to track the Mexican truckers should they be in an accident. Guess what as it is if one of them hits a van with our wife and kids in it and kills them all there is no way for LEO to find out who the driver is and track him down!!!!#@$%!



For this and others I urge every one to notify their congress people of the following soon as it is coming up for a vote. All help is needed. I urge you if you agree to send the following to your congressmen. The following bill would force all items proposed be in place prior to implementing the pilot program. I am not nieve enough to think we can stop NAFTA ultimately but for sure we can make sure it is done in as safe and responsible manner as possible.



"I am from (city, state) and I am adamantly opposed to the Mexican trucking pilot program. As my elected representative, I ask that the Congressman/Congresswoman vote in support of HR1773.



Thanks

 

[MMeier]

Thought that BS was currently on hold??!!

 

[Bob Cochran]

Thought that BS was currently on hold??!!

That is the problem a lot of us did too. Fact they intend on implementing the pilot program on schedule even though they don't have even 25% of the things required to cross the border. The bill I suggest you try to get our wonderful goverment officals to vote for would make it mandatory to have all necessary checks in place before the pilot program to start. If you want more information you can go to OOIDA home page and read a lot about it. The Teamsters I understand is going to support and they are trying to get MAD hopefully but the time is short!!!

Oh I guess I should explain for those that don't know what OOIDA is OWNER-OPERATOR INDEPENDENT DRIVERS ASSOCIATION - REPRESENTING TRUCKERS

 

[Bob Cochran]

Here is a special report right of OOIDA home page you will be interested in.



SPECIAL REPORT: House to vote on bill limiting cross-border program







Monday, May 14, 2007 - A bill designed to shine a bright light on the impending cross-border program is set for a vote in the U. S. House of Representatives Tuesday.



The “Safe American Roads Act of 2007,” originally introduced by Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-KS, seeks to implement several “sensible steps” to rein in the U. S. Department of Transportation.



“If the DOT pilot program proceeds as planned, drivers in Kansas and across the United States will soon share their roads with unsafe Mexican trucks,” Boyda said in a prepared statement at a press conference she held Monday in Topeka, KS.



“The flood of foreign traffic will inevitably result in collisions, injuries and even fatalities. ”



Boyda said she introduced the bill to implement “several sensible steps to rein in the Department of Transportation. ”



For example, the bill - HR 1773 - calls for an independent review panel to oversee the program. If at any time during the program the panel determined the program was having an adverse effect on motor carrier safety, the panel could recommend modifications or termination of the program. The DOT would have only five days to take action on the recommendations or end the program.



There would also be a limit on how many trucks will be allowed in from Mexico if HR1773 passes. The cross-border program would still be open to 100 Mexican motor carriers. Those motor carriers just wouldn't be able to operate more than 1,000 trucks in the U. S.



The bill also looks to take the guesswork out of whether the Department of Transportation has complied with all of Section 350 of the 2002 transportation appropriations legislation.



Section 350 outlined 22 conditions that the DOT had to meet before allowing Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate in the U. S. It required independent verification by the Office of Inspector General of only eight of those conditions. The remaining 14 required certification from the DOT that the conditions had been met.



If HR1773 passes, the OIG would have to independently verify the remaining 14 conditions.



The bill passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously with “prudent amendments” submitted by Chairman James L. Oberstar, D-MN, and Rep. Peter DeFazio, D, OR. Boyda thanked both for their leadership and guidance on crafting this legislation.



The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association supports HR1773. The Association recently sent out a national Call to Action encouraging its more than 153,000 members and other interested in promoting safety to call their representatives. To read the Call to Action, click here.



“This is no less than a crap shoot. There is no way this can be done and assure the safety and security of Americans within our own borders,” Todd Spencer, OOIDA executive vice president, told reporters Monday at Boyda's press conference.



“Mexico is a third-world country. That's just plain and true. It's not our fault, but it will be that way for a long time. Until they can assure U. S. citizens that their trucks and safety systems are as comparable in terms of safety and security as ours, the border shouldn't be opened. ”



“We're thrilled Congresswoman Boyda has stood up on this issue … we're hoping lawmakers will see it for what it is and inject some sanity into the pilot program. ”



The bill, HR1773, is scheduled to be considered by the House of Representatives on Tuesday.



- By Jami Jones, senior editor

 

[dpuckett]

Yeah, let the Mexicans drive their trucks up here. You think we have illegal alien problems now... ... . How many can be piled into a 45 or 48ft box trailer? They'd have them stuffed in there like sheep- 4-6 levels of plywood floors. Not to mention every bambino born here would automatically become a citizen.



Proud to be WHITE... ... .



Daniel

 

[azpete]

I have to work down in Nogales along I-19 alot and it is getting to be a pain in the butt coming back up everyday. First you have the border patrol check point all backed up. Then afew miles up the road the DOT has set up an almost permenent commercial check point at a rest area. Then more miles up the road Highway Patrol has started wolfpacks of 12 or more staged at a on ramp. Last time I went by there were 8 pulled over in a 1/4 mile section.



My feeling is that they are doing this much so that when the Mexican trucks start rolling and complain of so much enforcement the state can say "well, we've always done this much.

 

[hotram03]

Thanks Bob!! Everyone should be aware of this, my brother is a linehaul driver for Yellow Freight and has been informing me on the negative impact this WILL have on us, it will begin to give Mexican motor carriers the ability to under Bid American companies, just like in the construction field on the worker level except this will be corporate level and everyone looks at the lower price, then this lowers the standard of living by means of undercutting, it will have many negative impacts, H#$L they can't even read the signs, EVERYONE email your Congressman or woman, let them know this is B. S, and while your there let'em know we need my legislation on ILLEGALS, alright alright, my tops boiling over, out of here... ... ... .

 

[Whiskey]

I agree

I have to work down in Nogales along I-19 alot and it is getting to be a pain in the butt coming back up everyday. First you have the border patrol check point all backed up. Then afew miles up the road the DOT has set up an almost permenent commercial check point at a rest area. Then more miles up the road Highway Patrol has started wolfpacks of 12 or more staged at a on ramp. Last time I went by there were 8 pulled over in a 1/4 mile section.



My feeling is that they are doing this much so that when the Mexican trucks start rolling and complain of so much enforcement the state can say "well, we've always done this much.

With Pete, I too often travel I-19 and latley it has been bombaried with all kinds of law enfocement . Last Mon. it was Highway patrol along with the usual agencys... .



I personaly don't see why we need all the extra headaches. Just to mention one, I-19 will not handle all the extra traffic!!!



whiskey

 

[Bob Cochran]

Okay the house passed the bill now next the Senate. THe following is another update from OOIDA.



SPECIAL REPORT: House passes bill slowing cross-border program Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - By an overwhelming margin, the U. S. House of Representatives passed a bill seeking to harness the Department of Transportation's cross-border program.



The “Safe American Roads Act of 2007” passed the house Tuesday, May 15, with House members voting 411-3 to suspend the rules and pass as amended.



If signed into the law the bill initially introduced by Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-KS, seeks to implement “several sensible steps to rein in the Department of Transportation. ”



“This passage of this bill goes a long way toward injecting some sanity into a program that still has too many questions that have not been resolved,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President, Todd Spencer. “The DOT has provided nothing but rhetoric when asked exactly how it will effectively implement this program. ”



The lack of detail prompted staunch support of Boyda's bill from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and its more than 153,000 members.



“This vote is a result of lawmakers listening to our members who have written or called expressing concern about safety and security,” Spencer said.



The Association has been leading a campaign to make sure its members, the media and the public are aware of the risks to safety and security.



“Truckers are largely responsible for the successful passage of HR1773,” Spencer said.



For example, the bill - HR1773 - calls for an independent review panel to oversee the program. If at any time during the program the panel determined the program was having an adverse effect on motor carrier safety, the panel could recommend modifications or termination of the program. The DOT would have only five days to take action on the recommendations or end the program.



The bill also mandates a limit on how many trucks will be allowed in from Mexico if HR1773 passes into law. The cross-border program would still be open to 100 Mexican motor carriers. Those motor carriers just wouldn't be able to operate more than 1,000 trucks in the U. S.



The bill also would take the guesswork out of whether the Department of Transportation has complied with all of Section 350 of the 2002 transportation appropriations legislation.



Section 350 outlined 22 conditions that the DOT had to meet before allowing Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate in the U. S. It required independent verification by the Office of Inspector General of only eight of those conditions. The remaining 14 required certification from the DOT that the conditions had been met.



If HR1773 passes into law, the OIG would have to independently verify the remaining 14 conditions.



The bill passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously with “prudent amendments” submitted by Chairman James L. Oberstar, D-MN, and Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR. Boyda thanked both for their leadership and guidance on crafting this legislation.



With the passage of the “Safe American Roads Act of 2007,” attention now turns to the Senate.



“We've been talking with Republicans and Democrats in the Senate about legislation such as this,” Rod Nofziger, OOIDA director of government affairs. “The strong vote in the House will make it much easier to move a similar bill through the Senate expeditiously. ”



- By Jami Jones, senior editor

 

[Bob Cochran]

I participate in RV.net Good Sam Forum and enjoy but a little disappointed. I really don't make statments like I have here very often infact seldom. I posted the above as I did here and it was removed by the Administration. Now there rules say no politics and these posts is I suppose political but it is of importance not only to us but all RVers as well for all the safety reasons disccused. Now there rules say they can remove any post without explaination. What really disappoints me I emailed them several days ago explaining I understand this was probably removed as political but would they verify that was the reason. They did not even so much as tell me to go to H*ll!!!! I was not planning on arguing the point at all but it was disappointed by the lack on any response. Okay vent over!!! I feel better now.

 

[dpuckett]

I agree with you, Bob Cochran, this is beyond the political scope, though just about any "contorversial" issue can be politicized anymore. This is the safety of us and our children we are talking about here. You think they'd let US into their country to run freely? (Oh wait, there really is no reason for US trucks to go into that dump of a country). They want a double standard for trucking and everything else. I say if Jose cant provide papers proving he is supposed to be here, make him walk back home, along with all his illegal brethren. Get a Muslim/ Arab to shave his beard and wear normal clothing, and what does he look like? A Mexican.



What gets me is the president calls them our amigos. More like enamigos (enemies).



DP

 

[DJW]

Bob I see no reason why foreign trucks need to run in this country, or ours to run in a foreign country. Also why should the public of any country have to put up with the bother of foreigners. This country is being sold down the road by our polititions, I firmly believe you were right trying to post on the RV site, it's a concern to all citizens of this country, wether one drives or not,it's a National concern, and Safety to all. It's people like you who strive against all odds to keep this country Free, Safe and American. Thanks

 

[Bob Cochran]

Thanks all for the support!!! Each and everyone needs to support these kinds of issues for our loved ones safety.

 

[hotram03]

After I posted on here last week I went straight to Congressman Jim Coopers Web site and emailed him an ear full, the thing is most people don't think its going to affect them, they couldn't be any further from the truth, it affects us all, no matter what it is, this is just one of many, everyone needs to listen and take just a moment, emails are easy, just my 2c... .....