Mafia to stabilize our industry

[High Gear]

Our US government let our industry down back in the 70's by deregulating. Back then it would cost a shipper the same price to use any carrier, and what sold a customer on a carrier was service. Now a days everyone is discounting freight just to get a full trailer. The government won't step up to the plate and re regulate the industry and the carriers are to much into fighting with each other, to get together and set standards across the board, so what else could be done? Legal regulation or not legal regulation is what this industry needs to put it back where it belongs. When companies are not making money they tend to cut cost in other places. Drivers suffer with lower wages, less benefits, longer hours, and that develops poor work ethnics and attitudes. Equipment maintenance suffers and that makes the equipment less safe, for the operator and everyone around that unit, weather it's a truck, trailer or even a fork lift. I don't know if the Mafia is the answer but I hope this would get some attention and open some eyes. We have been heading in the wrong direction and should all be working together instead of trying to screw each other for nickels and dimes.

[Cerberus_Kelpie]

Certainly the mafia (BLACK HAND?) can help HOWEVER with their well known strong arm tactics (like the government) there would be increased negativity as only the mafia (like the government) is adept at offering and Trucking would not be any better or worse from their (mafia) involvement.
The government IS IN TRUCKING ENOUGH what with all the pointless and aggravating requirements of Truck Drivers.
WE the Truckers are supposed to be honest and forthcoming in a system created through deception and lies. Works well for the mafia.

Organized CRIME does not appear very organized other than being successful at intimidation, extortion and murder like the government.

The BLACK HAND thanks and salutes your efforts!! Seig Heil.

[Comftblynumb]

Cerberus Kelpie got it right.

1. Mafia will strongarm you to get what they want.
Government will strongarm you to get what they want.
result: tie

2. Mafia will kill or ruin those in their way.
Government will kill or ruin those in thier way.
result: tie

3. Mafia has codes and priciples they live by.
Governement say they do too.
result: mafia +1

4. Mafia will go to war occasionally and only those involved will be at risk.
Government will go to war occasionally and only those not involved in the organization will be put at risk.
result: Mafia +2

On the next election, vote the Mafia ticket or we will find you.

[RickyRicardo]

Originally Posted by High Gear

Back then it would cost a shipper the same price to use any carrier, The government won't step up to the plate and re regulate the industry and the carriers are to much into fighting with each other Legal regulation or not legal regulation is what this industry needs to put it back where it belongs.

If you are`against capiltalism, does that mean you are a socialist?
During the heavily regulated days you long for, the large government approved carriers benefitted the most. They could afford to wade through the miles of red tape necessary to obtain authority to haul each individual commodity on certain routes in certain states.

In Texas for instance, intrastate authority granted to an out of state carrier was a rarity. For instance, it would be illegal to haul a load from Houston to Dallas, but you could haul a load that delivered in another state. There was a lot of bootleg loads of course. Why deadhead way out of Laredo or Brownsville if you could find a cash paying load north. The free market always finds a way, even if it's illegal.

Private carriers were not allowed to haul outside freight to get their trucks home, forcing a lot of costly deadheading. Don't want to take freight from the mega regulated carriers.

It also severely hindered the little guy trying to start up a new company. You had to first find a shipper to request your services and "demonstrate a need" for your company to even exist. Good luck on that.

I knew of a company that had authority to haul building materials in seven states. They found a company in real bad financial shape on the way under(I was driving for them) and bought them simply because they had 48 state authority. It was easier to do that than go through the government BS to get it.

No way bringing back all that regulation is going to do anything but further tie the hands of the trucking industry and make it even more costly to operate. If you present your idea to our new President, he would probably find it appealing, for it would surely increase the size of our already bloated government.

[RickyRicardo]

Originally Posted by High Gear

Equipment maintenance suffers and that makes the equipment less safe, for the operator and everyone around that unit, weather it's a truck, trailer or even a fork lift. .

I want address this outlandish statement separately.
Can you even begin to qualify that?
I suppose you think we all forgot about that old CF equipment running around. Not to mention Bowman. Don't mean to pick on them in particular, but I feel to see any corelation between freight regulation and equipment maintainance. The same safety regulations still apply, maybe even more so now.
I was a non-regulated one man outfit and didn't cut any corners on my rig.
Some of the finest well maintained rigs can be found among todays small fleets.
Just how do you figure strapping the companies with more red tape is going to give them more time to work on their trucks?

[ranger309]

Originally Posted by Comftblynumb

Cerberus Kelpie got it right.

1. Mafia will strongarm you to get what they want.
Government will strongarm you to get what they want.
result: tie

2. Mafia will kill or ruin those in their way.
Government will kill or ruin those in thier way.
result: tie

3. Mafia has codes and priciples they live by.
Governement say they do too.
result: mafia +1

4. Mafia will go to war occasionally and only those involved will be at risk.
Government will go to war occasionally and only those not involved in the organization will be put at risk.
result: Mafia +2

On the next election, vote the Mafia ticket or we will find you.

And make us an offer we cant refuse ?