Jean Catudal's Blog on Trucking

Meanwhile in a Civil Servant Office of Quebec…

2009-10-29T09:48:00.001-07:00

We have been polled on new increases of rates, we got some and we will be charged more in the future. The most hypocritical increase was the one of our driver’s permit. Not only the ones with the motorcycle class, I am talking about every driver’s permit.

Like many of us, I got my paiement notice in the mail, I then passed to the internet portal to get my dues paid, almost with my eyes closed. This is a ritual I do every two years and if I look at my little laminated card with my face on it, I had to do it this year. The amount was almost the same as last time since I had caught a speeding ticket with my car at the last renewal. What a surprise when I found out about a change on the bill! Our dear and costly SAAQ had changed the time frame. My permit was valid for one year instead of two! An increase of almost 100%! Is the SAAQ now a highway robber?

Some pressure groups such as “All Against the SAAQ” are making a lot of noise on the outrageous increases for the registrations and permits for motorcycles but, who is putting the pressure on the management of the SAAQ about the other increases? Is this government waiting a rebellion of the population?

Personally, this government has my number and hitting my nail from many directions. Revenue, SAAQ, RAMQ, only to name these.

Taxes, income taxes, hidden taxes, PST on basic services, on public services and service fees, this government has mastered the art of doing it. And us, what are we doing? PAY, PAY, PAY without a word…

I am fed up of working almost half on the year to feed that tax machine and this is without looking at surprise fees that comes along afterwards.

I hope that one day we will get really tired of dying like dummies…

Tolls on Our Roads? Good Idea!

2009-10-04T21:50:00.000-07:00

Mostly that the current political party of opposition did raise it in the early 80’s on the Autoroutes we had at the time and due to unpopularity of the measure, they backed off so much that they removed them totally from the scenery of the highways 10-13-15-40. It wasn’t democratic to double the rate of the toll to help finance the maintenance of the highways. It was not mostly to the people of the greater Montreal area and the Eastern Townships to pay more for roads in Ungava.

What would be the price of the new tolls? If in the early 80’s the “wisemen” of the MTQ had estimated to 0.50$ the price to update the system, if we consider the cost of living increase, inflation, the rise in the price of asphalt products, the higher labour costs, the renewal of the work contracts for the civil servants, the price charged in Europe, they like to compare themselves to them, I think the wisemen of the MTQ are going to establish the rate at about 3.00$ for each 10Km travelled.

Again, it may be a PPP with a foreign partner that will manage this and install plate recognition systems so you will get another monthly bill by the mail. There are chips like the EZ-Pass but again, they may not be compatible to the rest of the systems here, distinct society, and it would make it easier on carriers. They may be compatible to the ones used on the Autobahn or on the Southern France Expressways.

My good friend Jacques Plante tells it to who wants to listen those simple vanity plates could help to refill the accounts of our government. If like our immediate western neighbours, Ontario, if these plates could be available event for small commercial vehicles, here in Quebec, the ones with an “F” plate, I would be asking some for my 3 pilot cars with the following message C-LARGE-1,2,3. But since our 3^rd eastern neighbour, France, has not given any thoughts on it, we may not see this here soon.

Jacques, it’s a very good idea. You should ask the Minister for a grant to study the project but she is already doing every thing possible to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads. If 12M$ of our tax dollars can go to study the possibility of subway extensions, you may only receive a Thank you note…

Back on Air!

2009-09-02T11:36:00.001-07:00

I’m getting ready for a come back with my old patner Jacques Plante. If I talk about it, we had made the path for French Trucking Radio on satellite in 2006. To start we will be modest with format that will evolve as the listeners grow. We have the flexibility to adapt quickly. I still dream of a daily program listener driven with your comments and opinions on topics you care about.

Like in the past, I will comment on the latest news in our industry, follow issues I have followed for the pas months and share with you the highs and lows of trucking. If I have writen less recently, I still am aware of what is going on in Quebec, Canada and the USA.

Email me you topics and I will comment on them to you and share you concerns with others. There is still some equipments to get us started and some more will get on board as we go to make it a lively show with interaction from you.

To use the famous last 3 words of the National anthem at a NASCAR race: Start your engines!

Breaking News on Speed Limiters

2009-07-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

How come Scott Mooney was one of the first Owner Operator to get a Speed Limiter compliance fine?
To know more follow Clik Here to watch the CTV News report

Right on Red, Dangerous

2009-07-05T08:10:00.001-07:00

The original title of Sebastien Menard’s article in the Journal de Montreal of July 3^rd and on Canoe is “Virage à droite dangereux”. The picture is taken from the article and a link to it is at the bottom of the page. For those of you than can’t read French, the caption of the picture says that the lady saw the car closely while the driver was making a right on red. Look at the picture again. The lady wants to cross the street on the red light too!

This came out as a report was issued showing a rise of the accidents involving pedestrians in Quebec at intersections where right on red is permitted. The law that allows the manoeuvre is clear stating that the pedestrian has the right of way when in the cross-walk on the green light. I presume it is the one crossing the path of the driver. The only exception I can understand, with the little common sense my government leaves me, is when there is a pedestrian light to allow priority crossing in the same way I am going. The culture of “Yield to Pedestrians” is not yet part of our driving habits here in Quebec. Are we more stupid then the rest of North America because we were the last ones to adopt the right on red? I hope to believe that Montreal’s administration do not think of their citizens as the dumber of the continent or it was to cut in the cost of posting signs at the thousands of intersections that they banned the right on red on all the island. Surely it was cheaper to put those signs only on the access roads.

Some members of my family are living in Halifax. One day my brother-in-law was telling that a Halifax pedestrian would only live a few minutes in the Montreal traffic. When a pedestrian sets foot in a cross walk, the automobile must yield right of way. Our government has set penalties for the faulty drivers. Can we have proper enforcement of the laws before doing any modifications to them again?

The easy answer from the authorities is that the man-power is not available enough only to do that. Anyway, not too many drivers are going to break the law when a police cruiser is in sight. However, in Montreal, when it comes to cell phone use without a hands free gadget, they are the provincial record holder of citations and there are enough cops available for that.

Mrs, Minister, if you are really so worried on the situation, why not send one of your staffers to contact a staffer of the Minister of Public Safety and make another round table on applying the laws to the drivers.

The link to Sebastien Menard’s article on Canoe

http://fr.canoe.ca/infos/quebeccanada/archives/2009/07/20090703-053800.html

July 1st, Canada Day

2009-07-02T22:11:00.000-07:00

And to mark the event, since Midnight, the United Socialist State of Quebec and the future Socialist State of Ontario are in “Hard Enforcement” mode on speed limiter law for your trucks.

I thought that Canada, even if in Quebec we try to make us believe we are a Nation, individual freedoms are part of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If I think correctly, we are free to do what we want and operate a small business until we have a stick put in our spokes. We are free to do it within the laws and if there is no law yet, there is surely a pressure group to have one written.

Yes I am frustrated today. Not because we have celebrated the 142^nd Anniversary of our country but against the Provincial governments that are closing the vice on the population to restrict the wealth, the well being and common sense.

With another obligation to put up with in trucking, one that is ridiculous, it’s the small business trucker’s wallet that is being emptied again. This limits the possibilities for the owner-operator to make a better income by putting more time to do west coast loads and also provoke less income tax, less road and fuel taxes. In order to compensate, there is now new fines for the outlaw truckers.

The well being is also affected. The small business trucker will have to put more time to make the same income or a better one. This will leave less time for the families. Coming back home is still a priority for most drivers.

Finally, common sense. This is the ultimate weapon for the citizen and it must be banned from our arsenal. A little sarcastic but, with the current rates in trucking, the rising costs of replacing or maintaining the equipments, the roller-coaster fuel prices, I don’t know any small business owner that is going to run over the speed limits or the flow of traffic just for the pleasure of it and increase the cost of operations.

The activation of the speed limiter is a business decision of a trucking company. This choice must stay this way and not be a government mandate. If you still have some courage left to stand for your rights and freedoms, contest these ridiculous laws.

The « Fête Nationale du Québec »

2009-06-23T10:48:00.001-07:00

When a preceding Government of Quebec changed, probably to get rid of some old clergy relic, the name of “Fête de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste” to “Fête Nationale du Québec”, that government didn’t think (does that happen?) that Quebeckers who speaks another mother tongue then French would also like to celebrate their belonging to Quebec’s territory.

To ear on radio and read on news web sites the comments of Gilles Rhéaume on the “Autre Saint-Jean”, a gathering to be held in Montreal on the 23^rd with mostly non-french party music, I kind of hear a tone similar to some KKK’s leaders. If theirs views are towards “White Power”, Rhéaume’s sounds like “French Power”. If the target of the name change was to appropriate June 24^th for the French speaking “Quebecois”, why was it not called “The National Holiday for the French Speaking Quebeckers that have many generations of roots” …

This writer is proud of his French roots but also recognizes that there is an ethnic diversity caused by immigration. People, like our ancestors, that have chosen a better place to live in and that are also “Québécois”. I think I’ll go and listen to some Beau Bommage or baladi music. I prefer that to the loop of the same three bass notes of rap.

By the way, I’m wondering if Loco Locass that wants to be liberated of the liberals, (cheaply translated title of their song “Libérez nous des Liberaux”) are happy to get paid by a liberal government to sing (?) on June 24^th? (I still don’t know if I should call it St-Jean-Baptiste or Fête Nationale du Québec, so I will only state the date)

Drive safely during these times of celebrations

To translate some words from the show “Les Parlementeries”

SAAQ is the agency that allows you to drive

SAQ is the agency that allows you to drink

SQ is the agency that takes your drivers licence if you drink and drive

Turcot Interchange, Quebec Government Taken Hostage

2009-06-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

On that issue, the Quebec Government is taken hostage by many pressure groups. What brought us to this point? The current government is not the only one to blamed but all previous administrations, paid by our taxes. All the Commissions, Public hearings, the weigh of the administration in general when it comes to do road infrastructures.

This interchange may not have been is such a bad shape if a beltway around Montreal, A-30, would have been done when initially planned. It would be outdated today but at least, it would have saved many years of wear on the road infrastructures of Montreal. It took the Natives Crisis in 1990 to have the loop made around the Kanawake Reservation. This is not counting the cost of the law enforcement to protect the perimeter of the reserve, about $30M.

The Turcot interchange is today’s result of the complacency of the Government towards the population. Preferring the citizen that barely uses this infrastructure to the profits, or should I say loses, of the one making the economy go forward. For the trucking and the intermodal industries, the Turcot Interchange is one of the most important road links in the Province. It’s the link to all major container rail yards to the Montreal Harbour and the link between the Atlantic Provinces to the rest of Canada.

Will we have to go trough another tragedy like the overpass of “de la Concorde” to do something? If this happens during the rush hours, it’s by the dozens we will count the fatalities this time. Just like for that overpass that collapsed, an emergency repair plan is going to be made, the work done and nobody will have a say on it.

Other then the A-30, there is many road infrastructure plans that have been put on hold for so long. The day the first vehicle will roll on it, it will be outdated

The Ville Marie Autoroute is another nice example I can comment on with facts. My father was a store owner selling office furniture on Notre Dame Street at the corner of Valois. In early 1972 the business was expropriated to make place for this Autoroute. Today, 37 years later, it is still Notre Dame Street. In 1985, I was a citizen of Laval. We were promised that the A-25 Bridge would be running by the turn of the century. The access roads have been under construction since last year. Nose around and you may find plenty of these.

Let’s all get together and say a big thank you to all these Naysayer groups that opposes anything the government proposes. Issues that can restart the economy here, create jobs and all of that for the sake of their belly buttons or their NIMBY Syndrome (Not In My Back Yard).

Picture LaPresse Archives

Thank You Ministers

2009-06-11T08:28:00.001-07:00

I would like to thank the Ministers of transport and of environement of Québec for the announcement today of a $45M budget aimed towards helping all the transport industry to acquire GHG reducing equipments. All the detail are not currently available on the web site of the ministry, the server is off-line.

I can not comment on the ways the funds are going to be distributed but, what is annexed to the press release a $4M part of these budgets is going to the maritime and rail transportation. This leaves a $41M part for the trucking industry. These allowances can go towards the purchases, installations, modifications or replacements of certain devices that will insure a better energy consumption. Among them, on board generators, climate control units, on board computers or aerodynamics improvement devices. When OBAC did its presentation at the National Assembly of Quebec to the Commission of Transport and Environment, on the speed limiter issue, we had made the suggestion to help the small business trucker to purchase these kind of equipments. I see that the idea didn’t stay on a shelve.

In the current state of the economy, these incentives are welcomed. Looked at it from the small business trucker’s seat, it is a wish that it will be evenly distributed among all trucking companies, big or small. Many large carriers have already invested big sums of money to get these devices but the small businesses are still in a struggle. The one more in need are the 5 trucks and less trucking operators.

This arrives at a good time. The price of a barrel of crude is on the rise. This will help one of the most important aspects of the trucking industry and make the difference in passing through the current crisis and going broke to save on fuel.

Speed Limiter Rescind? Possibly!

2009-05-29T07:38:00.000-07:00

That is what declared MPP Frank Klees to Land Line’s David Tanner. Klees is also running for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party in Ontario. The other good news, he is not alone to have that view. MPP Randy Hillier has it too!

I’ll let my good friend David tell you more about it. Just follow the link below to his fine report on OOIDA’s Land Line Magazine web site

http://www.landlinemag.com/Special_Reports/2009/May09/052809_ll_exclusive.htm

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Looks like someone turned it on!

Class 1, Class 6, Two Different Classes of Citizens in Quebec

2009-05-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

Here in the “Distinct Society” of Quebec, this is the way our drivers licences are rated. A “Class 1” is the equivalent of Ontario’s A-Z or the U.S. CDL. Let’s go back in history to make sense of the title. In the late 1990’s, many owner-operators had started a protest movement in many places around the province. High priced fuel, low rates, no contracts regulations were the main griefs. Bloquing roads, ports, refineries and just plain parking of the rigs had, within a few days some regions with empty store shelves, empty gas tanks and citizens complaining. The answer came from the National Assembly of Quebec very fast.

That answer from the elected Parti Québecois was a modification to the Highway Safety Code (Code de la sécurité routière) with Bill 130 that stopped in it’s tracks any form of roadside demonstrations. After all, we are only making our livings by hauling freight and as long as the freight is there, nobody really cares what happens to the professional driver.

About 20 years ago, the SAAQ modified the driver’s permit to different classes and sub classes. Class 1, as said previously is for commercial drivers, 2 busses, 3 straight trucks, 4 working vehicles, 5 automobiles-campers, 6 motorcycles. There is a few others for snowmobiles, scooters and farm tractors. Trying to balance their budgets and manage the risks, three years ago the SAAQ announced that motorcyclists, being a higher risk of bodily injuries, will pay more for their plates, already overpriced, and drivers permits, if on the permit. For some racer type bike with an engine over 401cc, the total cost of registration with the mandatory insurance is now at $1030.00 for this year.

All bikers, including myself, are outraged by a raise of 300% of the licencing fee. So, there is a few that decided to organise some protests by rolling on the major highways of the province at minimum legal speeds. This creates a line of bikes for kilometres. I agree with the protests, being a motorcyclist. But, being also a trucker, I am wondering when our government is going to slam to them a special law like they did to us in the late 90’s.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not send my complaints to the groups of motorcyclists, I am aiming at the government that is creating, again, two classes of citizens.

LCV’s, Does it ring a bell?

2009-05-05T19:58:00.001-07:00

“LCV” is the short for “Long Combination Vehicle” or as more commonly called Road Trains.

On June 24^th of 2007, if you go and look at the archive of this blog, I was writing about it and leaving you to think about the subject. Last week the Government of Ontario by the voice of the Transportation Minister announced the start of a pilot program. About one hundred special permits to haul LCV’s will be issued to carriers making the demand. The OTA and the PMTC will overlook the distribution of these permits during the pilot program.

To obtain an LCV permit, a carrier must

-Have an exemplary safety record

-Be a member of either association

The permits will be given by lottery and up to fifty carriers can apply for them. A limit of two permits by carrier. Nothing is said if less carriers line up demands how many permits they can get.

The web site of the MTO talks about SPIF for “Safe and Productive Infrastructure Friendly”.

What do I think about it?

Some of my comments I shall keep for myself. The reasons given by all parties involved are an increase of productivity, less fuel and, here again, less GHG’s, fewer trucks on the road, reduced transport costs.

The average Joe Roaduser reading the paper will be happy to read that 2800 trucks are going to be removed from the roadways but, nowhere is it explain to him that the trucks replacing them are going to be over 125 foot or 38 meters long. Me, as a truck driver, I see 2800 less jobs. The carriers could take advantage to increase their profit but again, this may happen on the back of the one driving the rigs.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to LCV’s, I am against the idea to have double responsibility, having a greater fuel expense, if you are an owner operator leased to a carrier, and not getting a fair and equitable rate. Do a simple math. If accordingly to the OTA in the press release (http://ontruck.org/news/releases/2009/prel_2009_04_17_073049_r.php3), a LCV runs at 30% less fuel then two trucks, a fair and equitable rate should be a 70% premium of you r regular rate for hauling an LCV before fuel surcharge. For company drivers I have only one comment, Negotiate a wage worth the extra responsibility.

I’ll leave you on these thoughts…

Unmarked DOT’s Patrol Trucks in Quebec

2009-02-12T14:28:00.001-08:00

The first time I saw that dark grey F250 or 350 with LED lights in the front and rear windows, it was between Cacouna and Riviere du Loup, on A-20. Last week coming back from Port-Cartier, I saw it again getting off the Tadoussac ferry boat.

I don’t know about you, but, I have my concerns stopping my truck, if I was asked by an unmarked pick-up truck with only red flashing lights and tinted windows. With all that is going on in the industry, how many drivers ended up in the bunk, tied-up and some with injuries because thieves had eyes on their loads.

The S.A.A.Q. is part of Quebec Ministry of Transport. Maybe we should let know Minister Boulet about this as a safety issue for drivers. Why does the S.A.A.Q. feels the need to intercept trucks for inspections with unmarked vehicles? That the Society has unmarked vehicles are not an issue for inspectors traveling to companies. Even, it would leave more interceptors available for road side inspections.

I don’t want to give any ideas to nobody but, it would be easy to have a truck stopped by whoever molest the driver and leave with the load. Most professional drivers knows here in Quebec that unmarked police interceptors have red and blue lights, and are Ford Crown Vic’s, Chargers or Impalas.

Why not let know to the Minister what you think about this by using this link

http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/accueil_en/courrier/formulaire_ministre

By regular mail

700, boul. René-Lévesque Est,
29^e étage
Québec (Québec) G1R 5H1

By phone : 418 643-6980

Or by fax 418 643-2033

All together, we can make changes

Miscellaneous Safety Issues

2009-02-10T08:53:00.000-08:00

Recently, pressure has been put on the administration of the State of Ohio by the Ohio Trucking Association to increase at 65mph the speed limit of heavy trucks on the interstate roads of the state. Already the Ohio Turnpike did so to bring back the trucks that had deserted the toll road, mostly because of the increases of the cost to use it. This had showed no significant increase in accidents involving heavy trucks. The OTA, not the one of Ontario but of Ohio, is pushing this issue with safety concerns of reducing rear end collision of trucks by lighter vehicles. This is an argument I have heard of before but not by a trucking association but by two truckers associations.

On the topic of speed limits, this brings me to speed limiters. Accordingly to our politicians north of the border, this is a safety and an environment measure. At a presentation to the Subcommittee on Transport and Transit, Chairman Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, was not in harmony with ATA’s Vice-Chairman Tommy Hodges on the issue. The proposal to return to a federally mandated maximum speed of 65mph across the country and to mandate the use of the speed limiter on all trucks at the same speed was not welcomed. Chairman DeFazio event commented on the ATA’s testimony that it was the weakest leg of the measure they proposed to reduce GHG’s in the U.S. of A. by the ATA.

I’m starting to like democrats more…

Let’s come back closer to home. For the last year or so, I travelled a lot more in the “Belle Province” and I noticed the poor state of the lines on the roadways. I remember in the past a former government of the USSQ* had modified the width and the length of the solid and dotted lines on the roads. This was to save millions of our hard worked tax dollars. In the same piece of legislation, the level of reflective particles was reduced also. This brought to me the thought, and I hope someone at the “Table de la Sécurité Routière” will read this and at least give me the credit for it…

If accident and lost of control happens more in the evening, at night or in poor weather, may the lack of reflection or poor visibility of the line be a factor in these accidents?

I do understand that a coat of grime by calcium can cause a lost of reflection by the lights on the lines, as on the sides or rears of commercial trucks with the reflective tapes, but when it rains, it is almost impossible to see the edge or the center lines. This has no sense. I noticed that more one late evening coming back thru Vermont on I-91. The same vehicle, the same weather, the same headlights and when I told the Customs agent I had nothing to declare, I could barely see where I was going. Either the cycles of repainting or the quality of the paint has to be revised as soon as possible and we could see clearly if our roads would become safer.

*Union of the Socialist State of Quebec

Welcome Mister President Obama!

2009-01-27T08:14:00.001-08:00

I try to keep to a minimum my political comments on this blog. For the last year I am more at home not being an OTR driver no more. At least, I’m not out for weeks at the time. I had my fair share of financial issues with customers that didn’t honour the terms of their billing. This had as a side effect to leave me more time to watch the main stream newscasts on TV and a little less radio because I had to let go my satellite radio momentarily.

In title, I was almost tempted to make a little bit of satire with the writing of the 44^th Presidents name by separating the O and adding an “h”. This is how I feel when I see and hear the comments of news readers and hosts on the main stream. I am very happy for my neighbours and for the entire world after the past eight years of the preceding administration that was more defence oriented then diplomacy inclined. Many analysts have compared G.W. to a warrior. A fact to consider, since September 11^th 2001, there has being no terror attacks on the American soil while in the Clinton years, at least 3 attacks, including the first attack to the WTC. That is not counting two majors plots that have been dismantled before happening.

Yes, I do have a political right incline rather then a left one. However, I also see many ideas for the new administration that are not from the hard core of lefties. What I also like about President Obama, he is issued from the people, not a hare of a long line of politicians that wears out the benches of parliaments or capitols around the world. Yes, this President represents the true American dream, a dream the makes anything possible for everyone willing to make effort in order to achieve this dream.

Well enough of politics, I am deeply happy to see this change but, I still wonder how the main stream will react when President Obama will have to take unpopular decisions. Will they shake the pedestal to a point of tumbling it? The people of America will tell us in 2012.

Happy(?) New Year 2009

2009-01-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

I have not taken the time to write in the past few months. For the ones that have the habit of visiting once in a while, I am happy to see there is still some traffic and I owe you an apologie. I can not rely on the Medias to help to promote this blog, but only on the words that are passed by you and the search engines on the web.

Since this morning, here in Quebec and in Ontario, laws are in effect to mandate the activation of the speed limiter chip of the ECM on heavy trucks built since January 1995. The limitation of the speed has to be set at a speed no greater then 105Km/h (64.5mph). A soft enforcement of six months is planned for all to comply.

Since July 2005 I have been talking about the subject on many tribunes. I have talked about it on XM satellite radio when I was co-hosting with Jacques Plante “Entre les 2 lignes”, on TSQ when this program started up on the web, on this blog since almost 2 years. I have put online a petition, I have asked for your support, your conscience to join the associations that represents the right of truckers, not only owner-operators. What have you done?

When OBAC did call you to meet for discussions and get your ideas, it’s only a handful of persons that showed up. During the eleven months that I had the online petition, it didn’t even go over the 1000 signatures. Many of them where not even from people in the industry but persons that travel with us on the roads of America and that know the industry.

When Ontario revised the highway safety code, there was a proposal to raise the age to get a drivers licence. Within a few weeks, over 150,000 persons joined in to turn around the issue. You can say that we are not that many in the industry across Canada but, these are the ones who benefits of our hard work.

I must also bring up this point, very important in the debate. Never have I encouraged speeding of trucks or did the associations that I represented. We are pushing the “Run Compliant” message to all. Not only speed limits but all regulations we have to live with and obey by.

The laws on speed limiters have passed by many ways and reasons to be sold to the governments and to the motoring public. Safety and environment have been the two most popular. The true reason was to level the playing field as stated in the OTA’a press release http://ontruck.org/news/releases/2005/prel_2005_07_07_143206_r.php3

Ok it’s done, I spilled my marbles out this morning. Can we still do something about it? Yes I do think so but, it’s all together with a strong voice that we can, just like the large carriers do. Why don’t you make yourself a gift to start the year? A gift that is under $60 if you do it this way.

Join with over 160,000 other members of OOIDA to represent you on the US side of the border. It will cost you only $25.00USD if you give my member as a referral 557033. https://www.ooida.com/Secure/membership_form.htm

Then, you can join OBAC to have a representation on the Canadian side of the border http://www.obac.ca/Web/JoinOBAC/fullMembershipPg1.asp and by saying you are an OOIDA member, the membership is waived to $25.00CDN. The power is in the numbers. If the Canadian Trucking Alliance can say they represent the trucking industry, they only represent the interest of companies that have 6 trucks or more. We are more then them and we probably operate more trucks then they do but, our representation is not representative of that. Make your share to have a strong voice too!

Even if the current situation is tough, I wish that 2009 is a year of prosperity for all of you even if that means to restructure the company, streamline the expenses. But most importantly, make it a healthy one. Take care of it no one can do it for you.

At Last, Autoroute 30, and it won’t only profit to trucking

2008-06-25T06:52:00.001-07:00

I was quite joyful when I got the press release from the governments, because the federal is also involved in this project, which announces the selection of the partner chosen for the construction of this mystic road we are awaiting for the past 2 generations if not 3.

Here is how it translates, because most releases from the Quebec government is in French:
“The governments of Canada and Quebec are announcing the choice of Nouvelle Autoroute 30 S.E.N.C., to conclude the partnerships that will last 35 years for the conception, construction, financing, management, maintenance and rehabilitation of the prolongation of Autoroute 30.”

For your information, who is behind this company that is the private partner?

Acciona Concessions Canada Inc.
Iridium Concessions Canada Inc.
Acciona Infrastructures Canada Inc.
Dragados Canada Inc.
S.I.C.E.
Arup Canada Inc.
Construction DJL Inc.
Verreault Inc.

However, don’t be fooled by the names. Here are the real names.

Acciona Concessions S.L. a division of Acciona S.A. from Spain
Iridium Concesiones de Infraestructuras S.A. also from Spain
Acciona Infrastructures S.L. is another division of the first company
Dragados is a branch of Grupo ACS from Spain
S.I.C.E. is headquartered in Madrid
Arup is based in London UK
Construction DJL Inc. is from Boucherville PQ
Verreault Inc just got bought by Dessau also in Québec.

The top four companies are the ones that are going to manage, and finance the project. Arup is a specialist of electronic tolling, systems similar to the ETR407 and requires no manual tolls. The last two, from Quebec, are specialised in engineering and construction.

Who will get the bigger part of the financial pie?

I am not totally opposed to projects with private public partnership for a new infrastructure, even if we have been waiting for that roadway over 30 years now. Either the road passes on the north way along route 132 or in the middle of corn fields, what bothers me is that no company based in North America was chosen. Don’t we have any companies that can finance and manage such a project here, this side of the pond?

Was the proposal made by SNC-Lavalin not interesting enough for our governments?

We are on the edge of a meltdown of our economy and our government’s gives away to overseas interests contracts that the greater financial fallbacks are going to line pocket of strangers.

To take words of a former Prime Minister of Quebec, Master of our destiny (Maître chez nous), well I am not that sure of it.

3 Years, 3 Ministers, One Election Later…

2008-06-17T07:26:00.000-07:00

It took 3 years, 3 Ministers and one election to arrive at a vote on Bill 41 in Queen’s Park, the Ontario legislative assembly yesterday June 16th. What is Bill 41? This is the measures that are going to limit your traveling speed at 105Kh/h across North America if you have to pass in Ontario.

Here in Quebec, last December, Minister Boulet confirmed that the dispositions included in the Quebec Bill 42 on speed limiters, won’t be in effect until all Canadian provinces adopt measures of the same kind for heavy trucks. We should remind her of this and that currently, only Ontario has passed a Bill that the applications are still in the hands of the Lieutenant Governor of the province.

Like if the rising costs of operations alone were not enough to slow down any professional driver that owns a truck. There are still some steps to be taken by the Owner Operators associations even if the assembly has voted.

I would like to apologise on the comments I had last week looking at the results of the online petition. It was the deception of the numbers considering how many professional drivers are going to be impacted across the continent.

Canadian, Ontario and Quebec Truckers are gutless

2008-06-05T19:24:00.000-07:00

Only loud mouths on talk radio, on the CB and in truck-stops.

For the last three years, many papers, myself, on this blog and on XM Radio have tried to rally most of you and inform you about serious topics.

How many times have I warned you about the plans of the CTA and its board?

I had put online a petition on July 8^th 2007 so you could have a place to register your concerns about the proposal of large carriers and the Ministers of Transport in Ontario and Quebec to limit your income way before the oil companies took care of it with overpriced fuel.

For almost 11 months, only 956 persons, many of then Americans and people not even driving trucks, have put their names to this petition. If I consider that only in Quebec there are over 160,000 CDL or Class 1 holders and the majority of them are going to be affected by these measures. I can allow myself to simply say that many have no guts to fight for their rights and still accept submission without doing a thing about it.

I have thrown the towel, I sold my truck. I have resigned myself not to let a third party tell me how to conduct myself just like a preschooler. Yes I am still a Professional Driver, a modern day Cow-boy. The past motto on the Quebec plates was “The Beautiful Province” (La Belle Province) that was way before it became a poutine restaurant chain, now it is “I Remember” (Je me souviens) and I will keep in memory the days I could still operate my small trucking business the way I wanted.

If you wanted to sign the petition, it’s too late, I closed it.

While the Trucking Industry is in Crisis…

2008-05-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

What are doing Minister Julie Boulet in Quebec and Minister Jim Bradley in Ontario to help the trucking industry?

One is passing a bill to mandate speed limiters on all heavy trucks, for safety and reduction of GHG’s, while the other one is announcing that 60M$ of our tax money is granted for intermodal transportation of goods in an effort to also reduce GHG’s and truck traffic on the roads.

Mandatory speed limiters, as described in Bill 41 proposed by Minister Bradley, may have some benefits for carriers based in Ontario by limiting the competition and putting another regulation on carriers using the roadways of the province to get elsewhere. (See link to the Bill). This doesn’t help to get a relief from the cost of fuel. http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/committee-proceedings/committee_business.do?Busin
essType=Bill&BillID=1959&locale=en&CommID=7348.

Across the provincial line, Minister Boulet will, with funds for grants,favour projects from promoters to develop inter or multimodal structures for the transportation of goods helped by Minister Beauchamps in order to reduce the 38% of gases made by the transport of goods. This either doesn’t help to get a fare rate with the rising costs of operations.

With the idling economy, factories closing almost weekly and the limited growth of the population, soon we won’t be carrying anything and we won’t be responsible of 38% of the GHG’s anyways.

I have a few ideas for the Ministers

1- We could make the world biggest network of canals to remote areas of the province and attract new tourism.
2- Ask Canada Post to replace motorised mail distribution in rural areas by pigeons. This may not reduce a lot of GHG but would give some relief to statues and spread out of the squares and parks the droppings.
3- Transform bike paths that are on old railroad tracks in railroad tracks to also help the remote areas and put people back on the trains like in the past.

Can we hope for some help from our governments to pass through this crisis with these kind of announces?
Make your own opinion, mine is made already.

Getting Back on Tracks

2008-05-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

It is hard for someone, and I am only human, to get over the emotional shock of admitting a defeat. Being the winner is more gratifying even if this is an emotional shock too. It’s a long process that only time can heal but, when I decided to look at the snow melt on my truck and the grass grow under, it’s was also the income generator that I parked. Other decision had to be taken and they took time to accept.

One of the decisions was to only look at the grass grow, not under the truck no more. I had to clean the spot. Like many of us, I often said that I would make a lawn ornament with it and plant flowers around. I resign to the idea on 2 simple reasons, first I have no gardening skills, I needed the money to start up another project and I need to eat some square meals once in a while.

The thing that moves me this week other then the rising curve of diesel prices, is the steps forward of the Bill of Ontario’s Transport Minister Jim Bradley to mandate speed limiters as asked by his homonym David Bradley head of the CTA.

I’ll comment later this week on that topic.

I’m getting back on tracks. At least the Bradley Duo will have done something good for me...

April 1st, Not Only April's Fool

2008-04-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

Too many said:"You can't get 2 truckers to agree on the time of day", This is the proof they were wrong. In Illinois, in Georgia, in Florida and in New Jersey, Independant drivers have started to make their point. We are not picking up the tab for every one else no more.

I will not blame anyone for a peaceful but yet powerful action. We are consumers too and we need the abuse taken from us stopped. We need to refuse to be put out of business to please shippers.

If you run on a contract that is leaving you with a profit you can live with, that's great and keep it up. On the other hand, if you are not making a decent profit out of your loads, leave them on the docks.

SAY NO TO CHEAP FREIGHT!

Fuel, Fuel, Fuel, When You Take a Hold at our Cahoonies…

2008-03-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

The hot topic on trucking talk radio these days, everywhere in North America, is the rising cost of fuel and the turn down of many customers to pay a fuel surcharge in order to help the industry with these increases and the ones to come.

The word is out about a strike in the trucking community but, the only ones that can do a strike are the unionized drivers and this is towards an employer that refuses to negotiate a working contract. The correct words to use by owner operators and non-unionized drivers would be a voluntary stopping period by solidarity. It could be a day or more, why not! Many rumours are that this could happen on April 1^st, unless this is an April Fools day joke. I hope we will see a strong solidarity among the industry.

For the ones that don’t get their fare share of compensation for the high priced fuel, many are going to say that they need the income, so little it is. To loose one day of income is nothing compared to the losses you may have in a very short period of time if nothing is done to correct this situation.

It is not to our governments to take action on this matter. They can help us by taking down some taxes they get from the sales of fuels but our Honourable Ministers of Finances are all smiles with these new revenues coming in to the provinces. The higher the price is, the more money comes in from the percentage of the taxes. Personally, I saw this past week my first fuel bill with four digits between the dollar sign and the decimal point. Will we soon have to deal with a credit officer at the fuel desk instead of a cashier?

Before I took the decision of parking my tractor, my fuel costs were over 65% of my gross income. After many talk with the carrier I was leased with to adjust my fuel surcharge, and the same amount of no’s I got, I pulled the tractor beside the house and I decided to look at the snow melt on it. I currently drive as an independent driver for a small carrier I know in my area.

Many won’t be making the line at to renew their plates in Quebec on March 31^st and many are going to park some trucks nose to the fence until the crisis ends. How long is this crisis going to last?

I can’t tell because I don’t have a crystal ball. The one I used to predict the fuel would be at the $4 dollar mark before the end of summer was wrong. It happened before spring has settled in. As long as there are some carriers, small or large, that is going to haul freight at a cut rate, as long as the trucking association and the Owner-operator association won’t do a spectacular thing toward customers that still think that revenues are plentiful, this crisis will last.

Unless, and I am purely speculating, this is economic terrorism?

For the time being, why not do it this Tuesday and use a modified version of a popular racing phrase: “Gentlemen, do not start your engines!”

Speed Limiter in Ontario and The Rest of Canada

2008-03-23T11:10:00.001-07:00

It’s one more step towards making the project of the OTA to make all Professional drivers #3 peas that the Transport Minister Jim Bradley has helped by passing to the legislature the proposal to limit speed of all truck doing business in Ontario. This in the name of safety, even if many studies do prove the opposite, and G.H.G. reductions, this either has not been verified yet.

Many of you reading this blog do know what a speed limiter is but for the others, it’s an electronic chip in the engine control module (ECM) that regulates the speed a truck can operate. This bill, like bill 142 in Quebec, proposes to limit to l05Km/h the speed of all heavy trucks with a GWR of 11,000kg or more. However, the owner can set it up to a lower speed like many large carriers already do. If you are working for a carrier that limits the speed of their fleet to 100Km/h, don’t expect an increase of your traveling speed.

At a time when fuel prices are in excess of $1.25 in Quebec and the national average in the USA is over $4.00, I don’t know any owner operators not doing all they can do to reduce the costs of the fuel they need to operate their business. This is the one item that can take all the profitability out of a small trucking business. At a time when more and more shippers don’t want to pay extra for a decent fuel surcharge in order to limit their costs as much as possible, I still don’t understand why some carriers of any size don’t impose one and accept loads at a lost or with barely any profits in it.

If you are wondering what is OBAC doing on this issue for the speed limiter, I will answer you that all is done but did you do all you can on this issue? Did you write to your member of parliament, faxed or emailed to the Transport Minister of your province? Did you sign up to the association? If your answer is no to any of these questions, you did not do all you can.

I have put on line a petition since July 8^th and up to this morning, less then 900 signatures are listed to it mostly from Canada and the United States. Once again, let the large carriers dictate the ways to do business and mostly, don’t come and cry about YOUR lack of action to protect your rights of a free enterprise.

With both of Canada’s most populated provinces with such a law in the books, the other are going to follow. What is up next? Mandatory Electronic on board recorders for the hours of service? Obligation to haul doubles or triples?

The least you can do is to give yourself a voice that will represent you and don’t let the governments listen to only one association that will do all it can to shutdown the small business trucker. The same associations that have cried to deregulate the territories are now asking the governments to regulate more and more how to do trucking when there is many laws already in place to regulate highway use,

Personally I only have one question to our elected officials and I am still waiting for an honest answer.
Will you one day think to have the highway safety codes respected by all road users before making up new rules?

Climate Change or Global Warming?

2008-03-08T20:10:00.001-08:00

This Saturday evening of March 8^th 2008, if I look outside and at the thermometer, I am wondering if we should still talk of Global Warming. Geographically, I am located 75Km (47mls) north-east of Montreal. According to the statistics from Weather Channel, in March the average temperature is -2c with the warmest day recorded at 28,6c on March 28^th 1945 and the coldest, March 4^th 1950 with -29,4c. The worst snow fall is still in early March 1971 that is still recalled as the storm of the century in Montreal. The Boomers and the Boomex, like me, too young to be a Boomer but to old to be an X, still remember that storm which paralysed southern Quebec for three days.

As I am writing these lines, it’s stormy outside. M wife is stuck in Drummondville and can’t come home from work. The thermometer shows -7c and another 10 to 15cm of that white s*** is on the way overnight. This week, I was in Halifax and even there, some snow is still on the ground. Halifax is south of Montreal and in the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic.

I did notice, doing some research on the speed limiter issue that for every study on Global Warming, there is one conflicting it. However, the scientific community agrees to say that there is a “Climate Change” and I think this term applies better.

Reasonable Accommodation in Ontario

2008-02-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

If you are an Indo-Canadian and mostly speaking Punjabi, you may not be reading this blog but, if you are an English speaking Canadian, this may have some interest to you. A new trucking association now exist in Ontario, the ITA (Indian Trucking Association) and this association has already made many demands to Transport Minister Jim Bradley.

With out being bigot in any ways or xenophobic, only a concerned citizen that is aware of some laws and would like to see them applied or modified, but to read that Minister Bradley has accepted to a demand of the ITA to appoint Punjabi speaking officers at major truck inspections points rose a question to me. The FMCSA law rules that a driver should be able to hold a conversation with an officer for safety reasons. Why is it here in Canada we can’t have a similar law that would require that a driver could at least talk one of the two official language of the country?

Even in air traffic ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation), a UN organisation headquartered in Montreal, stated that English is the air traffic language of communication for the same safety reasons and this worldwide.

OBAC will be asked to put pressure on the federal Minister of Transport to determine a disposition, to speak at least one of both official languages, in the Canadian Transport laws to ensure safety to all road users.

I looked in my crystal ball

2008-02-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

Last week I made a prediction while one of my interventions on Livraison XTRM, a prediction I want to record here for future reference.

What is that prediction?

During a trip to Pennsylvania and seen a price of $3,699 a gallon of that precious liquid we need to do our work or to move ahead with our small business, I predicted on air that we would see a price of $4.00 a gallon before the end of the summer. Not only in some states but on the National average calculated by the EIA (http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_dcus_nus_w.htm).

One more factor in our changing industry. How can we react to these price increases and what kind of impact it may have on our everyday life? To readjust the fuel surcharge is a viable solution but in the current state of competition, some won’t hesitate to take a load at lost only to relocate equipment.

How can we make understand that backhauls are a thing of the past and that all loads are to be moved from point A to point B. Do you know your costs of operations to avoid taking a full load at lost?

The most commonly used way to calculate a FSC is based on a price of $1.25 a gallon. This price is deducted from the current average price and then divided by 6. Why 6? This is an average mpg for heavy trucks.

Ex Current price $3.55
Reference price $1.25
Difference $2.30
Surcharge of $0.38

You can calculate with a different base price however, this is the mostly used price. Also if you take a load from a broker, assure yourself that you are given the full fuel surcharge that the broker gets. After all, you are the one paying the fuel bill.

Nice effort Mrs Minister!

2008-02-11T09:14:00.000-08:00

This morning the Minister of Transport Julie Boulet announced a plan to upgrade the road network of Quebec for the 2008-2009 budgets. A well made plan of 2,7G$ that should change the face of the patchwork our network is currently in. Looking at some numbers in the press release made the few hairs, I have left on my thick skull, rise up.

The envelope of 842M$ that is allowed to fight the aging of the infrastructures is an increase of 88% of last year amount for the same framework. It is a step in the right direction but, if that envelope kept an inflation increase in the previous plans, we shouldn’t be surprised of the poor state of the bridges and viaducts.

Another part is allocated for the roadway surfacing and totalises 736M$ to put up significantly the network. The development of new roads counts for 774M$ and is mostly turned towards Autoroute 50 and provincial roads 175 and 185.

In order to maintain the actual network, 71% of the budget is being allowed to this field, associated with 1G$ for safety and correction of dangerous areas such as, curves, unpaved shoulders, ruts in the pavements, etc.

As a bonus, the projected 1850 construction sites will maintain and create 36,000 jobs for the workforce. This may not include the workers of the orange barrels companies or the sign makers.

The only thing that worries me in the entire plan. Is this budget related to the vote in the National Assembly of the provincial budget? Both opposition parties are only awaiting a chance to turn over the actual government and all this nice effort could be gone.

Professional Driver or Professional Truck Driver?

2008-02-04T14:22:00.001-08:00

We all heard the expression “Freight Relocation Engineer” and had a big smile to have such a title that seem like a lot of school years are behind it. A true Professional Truck Driver is not only a Professional Driver. A coach operator is also a Professional Driver and must use a lot of skill and smoothness in driving.

To be a Professional Truck Driver you must demonstrate a good general attitude. How many times did it happen towards the end of the week that a load is dispatched to you and it will bring you away from home and you may arrive a day later? The true professional won’t let it show to the customers and other road users. The driver will stay courteous, respectful of the laws, safety because if Murphy’s Law kicks in, if something has to happen, it will happen.

The roads are going to be bad, the weather non favourable, the things to slow down are all present and many are going to fall in the temptation to follow to closely, go over the hours of service or cut off as many stops as possible. Others will be noticed by a lack of patience, sarcasms towards the receivers of shippers, mostly if a spot in the docks is not available and if one is, the freight is not ready to be loaded.

I could write pages on the reasons and the causes that make these events, the psychological way to deal with them but, I am not a psychologist or a social worker. Many, I am one, are going to act in an impulsive way and could start singing the famous Johnny Paycheck song “Take this job and shove it”. Easier for a paid company driver to do so then the owner-operator with all the financial impacts to act too quickly.

We all have a story that involves a “4wheeler” that did something really dumb but, we forget easily the hundreds that are showing courtesy, making a sign with their lights when the path is clear to come back. Did you ever think that is also a two way street? What kind of thought they have on the truck driver?

It is by all your actions on the road, on the docks and with the general crowd that you will let your professionalism shine trough even if you are not noticed for it but you will be greatly appreciated in any circumstances.

Only fools don’t change their minds!

2008-01-13T19:56:00.000-08:00

By this blog, I declare that I am not a fool…

Last February, I wrote on my French blog some comments on my past participation on XM 172 with Jacques. We had our differences but today, after many talks, meetings and we have settled many things we had the differences. It is for me today a pleasure to announce that I will join the “Plante Brothers” and put back my 2cents on hot topics of our industry.

Over the months, I have made many contacts among journalists of the trucking industry and I will comment the news when asked to do so. Far from me the idea that I am a journalist, no! Only a commentator like I do here on these blogs since November 2006.

To top it off, Jacques as asked me to look over the news lines and the texts on the web site LeCamionneur.com. It’s a new challenge that I am very happy to take and I hope I will be up to your expectations. If not, let me know!

If I understood of properly, I should become the “Over the Road” collaborator to the program. If you come across my path on the road, gimme a hauler and we can talk about any topics of the industry with a cup-a-joe.

I was recently having a chat with my friend Toto and I was telling him that I missed radio but I had no means to fulfill my passion for the moment. I must say a great Thank You to J-F and Jacques Plante to allow me to be back on air. Together we should have the means of our passion to inform you, entertain you and listen to you.

It’s coming soon!

Stay connected to the web!

Mandatory Speed Limiters and Bill 42

2008-01-10T21:37:00.001-08:00

On December 21^st, Bill 42 got the Royal Sanction to become a law. This means that the Minister, or the successor, can by decree, put the various article in application. I still have hope that one day our ministers will have their nomination based on their qualifications and not only their gender to please some pressure groups.

At my testimony to the Transportation and Environnement Commission in Quebec, I did get for you the confirmation that the Minister would not impose mandatory speed limiters until all Canadian Provinces have the same article of law on the books. It is now to you to inform about the impact such restriction may have to your elected officials in your provinces so your governments don’t kneel down in front of the Canadian Trucking Alliance and their demand. After all, the main reason is to level the playing field to their advantage and repress competition from within Canada and from the outside.

For the rest of Bill 42, one more time we witnessed the lack of backbone at it’s best. When it comes to alcohol levels, other then the fines which are now doubled, it is still left to a judge to give a ridiculous jail time mostly done during weekends or reduced for good behaviour. Nothing really serious for repeat offenders unless, they have killed while driving under the influence. Even the Minister did drop out of the bill the reduction to ,05 of the legal limit of ,08. In my book, this was only a tax in disguise. Putting the rule like the rest of Canada would be a good idea.

Mandatory use of snow tires is a good point. I can not as a Professional Driver oppose to that. If a fatality accident is avoided because a four wheeler lost it in front of a truck, or mine, I agree on the measure. However, I find that keeping these tires on until April 1^st is a little late for Antique or Muscle car owners that would like to take for a spin their prised vehicle on Easter weekend. This only applies to taxis and cars so, I will be able to take my bike for a ride on March 1^st weather permitting.

The ban on hand held phones totally misses the point by not including text messaging devices. If holding and talking on the phone is a distraction and a cause of accident, reading or writing a text message is even more. In other words, if your Blackberry is not used as a phone, you can read or write message while going off the road or rear ending another vehicle. That is if you don’t want to stop in a secure area to do so.

For the new drivers, this will now include drivers over 25 years of age. Even if they have achieved a certain maturity, they still lack the experience of driving. All the reasons are good to ask for a permit at a later age.

Finally the high speed drivers have not been left out. If only the Minister of Public Safety would put on his pants and force to limit any tolerance on speeding and on delinquents like in Ontario, our roads would be safer.

Maybe we should ask the government, because we don’t do anything here any more by ourselves, the construction of drag strips and tracks for street racers?

If we wait after them, and all the studies of the BAPE, the spotted bullfrog protection committees, and, to say like a radio person I know, the one-legged-croatian-lesbian groups, this will not happen in a short term. We are still waiting for completion of A-30 around Montreal for over 30 years…

Happy New Year 2008

2007-12-29T09:51:00.000-08:00

I did not update my English blog recently. The topics were mostly for the French speaking Canadians. I hope you will forgive me this time. In this time of the year, most of us take a step back to look at what happened in the last 365 days and what could be in store for us for the next 366, 2008 is a leap year…

2007 has surprised many with diesel fuel over the $3.25 mark in the USA while in Canada, the price of a litre of the same precious oil has closed over the dollar in Ontario. The manufacturing slow down had a toll on the trucking industry also. Many plants are either moving where the labour costs are cheaper, are cutting back on the shifts if not closing completely. Our governments are saying that every thing is going good. I wonder if they live on the same planet we are, especially in Quebec

Enough pessimism, let’s look at some good things that happened too. There is a rise in the solidarity among Owner-Operators and Professional Drivers. The associations that regroup them are picking up membership to voice their comments. Here in Quebec, we have seen the start of a new activity for drivers and their families with the Convoy for Special Olympics. The true Professionals are taking a stand and leaving their mark by their courtesy, respect and communications, not only within the driver’s community but also with the public and other road users. Many Medias don’t see it this way and are still showing trucks and truckers as nuisances on the roads with biased polls to sell more papers. To communicate our passion of trucks and lifestyle we have, this will help the general public to understand that without trucks, the economy comes to a screeching halt and if we keep on having restrictions and new regulations, the price of consumer goods is only going to go up.

What I see coming up for 2008.

Honestly, I would be a fool to say that fuel prices will go down. I see a little bit of relief with some more stable prices. I may not have a crystal ball but, I have a feeling that 2008 will see some funny merges among carriers, if not some unexpected closings. The battle to stop Mandatory Speed Limiters in Canada will go on and to stop this madness and we will need a strong voice represent us in all Provinces. The governments needs to know that there is more Owner-Operators then carriers in this country and we need to keep all the tools we currently have to keep up with the large fleets.

Since many laws in many jurisdictions are made that we can not stop to protest, I have a suggestion to make in the beginning of the New Year. Why not make it a habit to run compliant? This is the only way to show to every one that the rules and regulations we have to deal with every day are putting a burden on us. If we keep on hiding the facts, how can we show them!

The true secret is to stay informed. All public documents are available online to read. Staying ahead of the ball is more then ever important if we all want to succeed in this industry we love so dearly.

Happy trails and stay safe for 2008

Presentation at the Quebec Parliament

2007-12-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

Friday November 30th, OBAC was at the « Committee on Transport and Environment » to represent you Professional Drivers. Yours truly was asked to do the presentation. I did my best to be as communicative of your concerns to the government of Quebec. OBAC has made some allies at this commission. I invite you to follow the links to make up your mind. I should comment on t shortly. . The links are to the presentation of OBAC, Quebec’s Road Controllers and the QTA. Quebec being a French speaking Province, unfortunately, all presentations are in French. If you are curious, go ahead and look them up

OBAC’s presentation
http://diffusion.assnat.qc.ca/video/cte/cte200711301221.wmv

Quebec Road Controllers
http://diffusion.assnat.qc.ca/video/cte/cte200711291709.wmv

QTA’s presentation
http://diffusion.assnat.qc.ca/video/cte/cte200711291556.wmv

We will talk about it soon!

Calculating Green House Gases (GHG)

2007-12-01T17:52:00.000-08:00

If you go back on my blog in the month of May, I was sharing some apprehensions on the calculation by our Quebec civil servants and their researches on the GHG reductions
See: http://thetruckingblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/mandatory-speed-limiters-is-picking-up.html

I saw today a survey made by Statistics Canada on registered vehicles in Canada. The numbers leave me with event more questions and they should do the same for you.

The Green Plan 2006-2012 in Quebec expects that heavy trucks could reduce 330kt of GHG by a mandated speed limiter. I am still wondering how Ontario comes to 140kt.

It there is in Ontario 7,130,694 vehicles including 211,779 vehicles over 4,5tonnes, how can we in Quebec with 4,471,723 vehicles including 98,320 of these over 4,5tonnes and double the GHG reductions?

I suggest you ask the question to the concerned Ministers…

Source:
http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/53-223-XIE/53-223-XIE2006000.pdf

A Strike! To Do or Not To Do?

2007-12-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

Funny question as an opening title. Personally, I never was in favour of such a movement mostly because international and inter-provincial transportation are ruled by the Canadian labour laws. The only big losers are the drivers and the small business trucker. I am using the topic Jacques Plante talked about last week on his radio program. I wasn’t able to air my comments on his show.

Jacques also pointed out the rules of law in Bill 130 that puts a restriction to pressure tactics that can be used by truck drivers after the road blocks done in the past. Our governments being reactive administrators, they answered to drivers demands against load brokers in their protests by new laws to keep trucks rolling in the late 90’s.

What do we have left?

Many would say: “nothing!”

No, we still have a very powerful weapon and we use it every day. If we apply the proverb “The pen is stronger then the sword” we all have a pen, a ruler and a log book. The best way to beat the system which we are cheating with the lame excuse that we don’t make a profit is to run the system by the book. How can we prove our points if we continue to be creative and sweat at any scale that is slow to give the green light?

If written words meaningful, spoken one are lost in the air. We can complain until the cows come home, if we have nothing to support our sayings, these are only words. By taking action and with some good will, we have the possibility to slow down the economy without putting it to a screeching halt, without breaking any rules or laws and with no fines attached. We must deliver the goods and not use cheating to cover up an extended stop to shoot the breeze in a truck stop or to cover the expected traffic jam. We must assume the consequences of our actions too. This is the basics of professionalism in any field of work. If the demands of the customer are impossible to do, you must advise them from the start.

I once told a dispatcher that my job is to carry a load from point A to Point B in a safe and legal manner. We are not there to repair others mistakes. The road throws at us enough things unexpected already. After all, the first one blamed is the driver in many cases.

Why not take the resolution for 2008 to make things change by running compliant?

Members of the Parliament Commission on Transportation and Environnement

2007-11-22T21:51:00.001-08:00

Now that we know more on the process of the rule making of legislations, we still have some homework to do in order to help our cause. You will find below the list of the Members of the Commission that will overlook Bill 42 that Minister Boulet presented to the National Assembly last Novembre 14^th.

What I suggest is to write to them in your own words, while staying polite and courteous, and let them know the impacts that limiting the speed of your truck at 105Km/h in zones where the limits are greater then the ones in Quebec.

It is your right if your residence or your business place is in their electoral base. Your voice will have a great impact on them. They are politicians and votes are important for them.

Here are a few examples

Your quality of life

The lost of income on your business
The lost time at home between trips with your family and to get proper rest so you can be a safe and alert driver
The extra loads you will have to do in order to keep a similar income

For contractors or small fleet owners

The impact on the tonnage of freight you can move if your trucks are slower in areas where you can have them roll faster, the 2 trips yearly per truck that are going to be required and the financial burden of getting extra trucks, trailers and staff to get the same revenues
Our industry is in a driver’s shortage, the impact you will have to recruit qualified personnel to operate the extra trucks

I see the most impact on carriers moving produces from and to the west coast. An easy calculation gives me about 5 hours more round trip and this adds up to 240 hours a year in extra driving time.

Here is the list of the Members

President

Lawrence S. Bergman PLQ
Deputy of D’Arcy-McGee
Telephone: 514 488-7028
Telecopy: 514 488-1713
lbergman-dmg@assnat.qc.ca

Vice-President
Jean Domingue ADQ
Tel. Toll Free: 1 866 875-0303
Telecopy: 418 895-6351
Deputy of Bellechasse
jdomingue-bell@assnat.qc.ca

Members representing PLQ

Johanne Gonthier
Deputy of Mégantic-Compton
Tel. Toll Free: 1 800 567-3523
Telecopy: 819 583-0926
jgonthier-meco@assnat.qc.ca

François Ouimet
Deputy of Marquette and Parliamentary assistant to Transport Minister
Telephone: 514 634-9720
Telecopy: 514 634-1653
fouimet-marq@assnat.qc.ca

Pierre Reid
Deputy of Orford
Telephone: 819 847-3911
Telecopy: 819 847-4099
preid-orfo@assnat.qc.ca

Gerry Skalavounos
Deputy of Laurier-Dorion
Telephone: 514 273-1412
Telecopy: 514 273-3150
gsklavounos-lado@assnat.qc.ca

Members representing ADQ

Jean Damphousse
Deputy of Maskinongé
Telephone : 819 228-9722
Telecopy : 819 228-0040
jdamphousse-mask@assnat.qc.ca

Simon-Pierre Diamond
Deputy of Marguerite-D’Youville
Telephone : 450 641-2748
Telecopy : 450 641-0689
spdiamond-mayo@assnat.qc.ca

Pierre Gingras
Deputy of Blainville and Transport Critic
Telephone : 450 430-8086
Telecopy : 450 430-9795
pgingras-blai@assnat.qc.ca

Members representing PQ

Camil Bouchard
Deputy of Vachon
Telephone : 450 676-5086
Telecopy : 450 676-0709
camilbouchard-vach@assnat.qc.ca

Serge Deslières
Deputy of Beauharnois and Transport Critic
Telephone : 450 429-3102
Telecopy : 450 225-1505
sdeslieres-beau@assnat.qc.ca

Luc Ferland
Deputy of Ungava
Tel. sans frais : 1 800 463-7122
Telecopy : 418 748-3255
lferland-unga@assnat.qc.ca

A Speed Limiter on the Minister’s Limo?

2007-11-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

In all the debate on the question, the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada had brought up the suggestion of limiting the trucks of repeating speed offenders and their fleets if nothing else was a way to slow them down.

Friday November 16^th, a team of the “Journal de Montreal” followed Minister Boulet limousine after a press conference in Laval, on her way back towards Quebec. The journalist did note not less then 3 major violations to the Highway Code and 1 minor. Maybe the people of Quebec should ask that the Minister’s limo would be equipped with a speed limiting devise. I had talks with some safety directors and some company owners and most of them agree that a driver with bad driving habits will keep them in just about any circumstances. Even the statistics of the SAAQ, brought up by the oppositions critics this week after the deposit of Bill 42, shows that drivers with the worst records are most likely to be the ones with the most violations.

In a meeting at the Minister’s Cabinet, the point was brought up that impatient automobile drivers are not shy to often pass a heavy truck by the right before this one resumes the right lane after a passing manoeuvre. Minister Boulet, wake up! You had a front row seat on what we were explaining to your staffers. You were even lucky that the truck driver didn’t come back to the right lane when your limo was in the blind spot!

With all the violations noted by the journalist of the “Journal de Montreal” , Mister Driver of the Minister, would have his driver’s permit on the brink of a suspension with fines totalizing 715$ and 10 demerit points to his permit. If a Professional Driver has more then 2 moving violations in a year, he or she may have a hard time to find a job.

Minister Boulet declared she was snoozing when the events happened.

Original article from the Journal de Montreal on Canoë(in french)
http://www.canoe.com/infos/quebeccanada/archives/2007/11/20071117-063902.html?14290a715a5b4bdbbf90eb7d1982ac04

November 11th 2007, Lest We Forget

2007-11-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

I had planned to make a nice text with a picture of a WWII vet and a picture of Larry Jesse's truck that is a rolling tribute to the men and women that served the country. Instead, you will have a cut and paste of a press release I got from the Cabinet of Minister Boulet and a picture of her...
All things considered, I'll drop the picture of the Minister.
Sorry for the french text, Transport Quebec is the opposite of the CTA who only puts up releases in english...
I short, this coming Tuesday, Minister Boulet will propose a "Projet de loi" with the 6 priorities for safer roads in Quebec including mandatory speed limiters for all heavy trucks.

La ministre des Transports Julie Boulet annonce le dépôt du Projet de loi modifiant le Code de la sécurité routière et le Règlement sur les points d'inaptitude

MONTRÉAL, le 11 nov. /CNW Telbec/ - La ministre des Transports et ministre responsable de la région de la Mauricie, Mme Julie Boulet, a annoncé aujourd'hui le dépôt du Projet de loi modifiant le Code de la sécurité routière et le Règlement sur les points d'inaptitude.
Les modifications proposées dans ce projet de loi concernent, la vitesse, l'alcool, les radars photos et les caméras aux feux rouges, l'accès graduel à la conduite, le cellulaire au volant et les limiteurs de vitesse pour les véhicules lourds.

Vitesse

En matière de vitesse au volant, des changements législatifs et règlementaires sont proposés afin d'introduire des sanctions plus sévères pour les grands excès de vitesse, notamment en doublant les amendes et le nombre de points d'inaptitude pour les grands excès de vitesse.

Alcool au volant

Malgré les progrès réalisés, près de 30 % des conducteurs décédés à la suite d'un accident de la route, en 2005, avaient une alcoolémie supérieure à la limite légale. Dans ce contexte, des changements législatifs auront comme résultats d'augmenter la sévérité des sanctions existantes et qui en ajoutent de nouvelles. Il est recommandé la mise en place de sanctions plus sévères pour les récidivistes de l'alcool au volant et également, l'introduction de sanctions au Code de la sécurité routière pour les personnes conduisant avec un taux d'alcoolémie se situant entre 0,05 et 0,08.

Radars photos et caméras aux feux rouges

La mise en place de radars photos et de caméras aux feux rouges a été approuvée par le Conseil des ministres en juin 2007. Il est proposé la mise en place d'un projet pilote de radars photographiques et de caméras aux feux rouges. Ce projet pilote sera déployé dans 15 sites d'implantation. Les endroits où seront initiés les projets pilotes seront annoncés au courant des prochaines semaines.
Ces sites d'implantation sont des endroits où les accidents sont attribuables à la vitesse ou au non-respect des feux rouges et que les usagers de la route seront prévenus de l'emplacement des caméras et des radars photographiques. L'objectif n'est pas de piéger les automobilistes, mais de sauver des vies. De plus, tel qu'annoncé cet été, les sommes provenant des contraventions seront réinvesties dans des mesures de sécurité routière et en soutien aux organismes qui aident les victimes de la route.
Les préoccupations des partenaires ont été prises en considération, comme il avait été prévu de le faire. Ces projets pilotes auront une durée de 18 mois et seront révisés par l'Assemblée nationale après 12 mois.

L'accès graduel à la conduite

L'introduction de nouvelles mesures d'accès graduel à la conduite automobile est proposée, notamment par l'instauration de cours de conduite obligatoires pour les nouveaux conducteurs, par l'imposition du permis de conduire probatoire pour les 25 ans et plus, et par un accès graduel aux points d'inaptitude pour les moins de 25 ans.

Le cellulaire au volant

La recherche démontre que l'utilisation du cellulaire au volant est une source importante de distraction qui augmente le risque d'être impliqué dans un accident. Il est donc recommandé d'interdire au conducteur l'usage du téléphone cellulaire combiné pendant qu'il conduit et d'imposer des amendes et des points d'inaptitude dans ces circonstances.

Les limiteurs de vitesse pour les véhicules lourds

Dans le domaine du transport routier des marchandises, le respect des limites de vitesse est plus que crucial. Pour amener les conducteurs de véhicules lourds à réduire leur vitesse, il est proposé de modifier le Code de la sécurité routière pour rendre obligatoire l'activation des limiteurs de vitesse sur tous les véhicules lourds ainsi que le réglage de la vitesse maximale de ces véhicules à 105 km/h.
"Voilà, sommairement, ce que je proposerai mardi à l'Assemblée nationale du Québec lors du dépôt d'un projet de loi. Il appartient maintenant aux élus de faire de ces propositions des actions constructives pour changer le comportement des plusieurs usagers de la route et, ultimement, éviter des drames humains qui sont encore trop nombreux sur les routes du Québec", a conclu la ministre.

-30-

Put the Brakes on Speed Limiters

2007-10-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

“Mettons un frein au limiteur de vitesse”. This is the name of the campaign OBAC and OOIDA have put up in the French speaking Province of Quebec to be a counter-act to the other associations in trucking that are pushing the issue of the mandatory speed limiter on all trucks in Quebec and passing in. This goes the same way as in neighbouring Ontario. At first, Minister Boulet was putting it up to all trucks in Quebec but, the wording is slowly changing to rime more with the Minister of Transport of Ontario and will include all trucks rolling in Quebec.

Current members of OOIDA in Quebec have received a letter with a reply card to the Minister. Other cards will be available in truck stops around the province shortly these coming weeks. Some representatives of OBAC will be on the road to pass them out also. All you will have to do is to fill them out and drop it in a mail box or leave it to the person that handed it out to you. They will gladly expedite them to Minister Boulet.

There is also the letters and the online petition available. Up to now, there is over 705 support signature from drivers of Quebec, Ontario, Canada and the United States. Don’t forget that our southern neighbours, that are trade partners, are going to be forced to comply. Their support is important and not to neglect.

Even if OBAC’s web site doesn’t reflect the new cost of membership, it will be updated shortly and the cost is now of $45.00cdn to be a member. If you are an OOIDA member all ready, it drops to $25.00cdn. To sign up at the new pricing, you can give us a call at 1-866-747-OBAC (6222) or at 1-888-794-9990.

The power is in the numbers. The more we are, the more our representation will weigh.

A Solution for Road Infrastructures in Quebec

2007-10-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

I may be only a blogger but, many ideas have started on this new media and made their way. I am also a citizen with a severe case of paying enough taxes and not getting a fair return on my money.

If I use the simple accounting principle that to spend more I need more income, or if you prefer I can’t spend more then what I earn and I apply it to governments, this often translate in a new tax or a new user fee. Personally, it’s the second option I prefer. This can be applied to the highway network for carriers, that are paying a road tax, and to other road users who are paying taxes on fuels.

My comments won’t get a unanimous support but could put a balm on the open wounds that our road network has in Quebec and this network may find the lost vitality, expand if these founds are totally applied to it.

The first idea is an old one and even my friend Jacques Plante, host on Livraison Speciale, talks about it once in a while. To have personalized licence plates. If I look the amount of these plates on the roads of Ontario and the invoice that follows, $237.30, this could be a new voluntary tax that could help the roadway network. With my caffeine addiction, I could choose LRG KFE if we are limited to 6 characters.

Another idea is to put a single fee to acquire the licence plate on top of the yearly registration fee. Many other administrations are doing it already. This could slow down the plate changing for any reasons, good or bad, and ease on the cost to the government to produce the plates.

Another irregularity I noticed in our registration system is the cost to licence a trailer. This is where a user fee rate could be applied. I ask you this question: Is it normal that licensing a 3’X7’ utility trailer cost is the same as a 53’ four axels, $67.00, and the registration is permanent?

My answer is no. Why? I don’t think nobody will ever load up a utility trailer pulled by an every day car with the same payload. This trailer may never roll in its lifetime the distance a transport trailer does in a year. The idea is the same for a small trailer used for a commercial purpose. If our Ministers of Finance and of Transport take at heart the well being of the roadways, a modulation of the rates would create appreciated new revenues. An option to consider is to stop the permanent licensing on commercial trailers. This includes all types of trailers. If there is a luxury tax and a high engine displacement tax on cars, a RV trailer could have a higher fee depending on the length. Here is the grid I suggest

Private utility trailer 45.00 permanent
Tent trailer 60.00 permanent
27’ or less RV trailer 75.00 permanent
27’ or more RV trailer 100.00 permanent
Commercial utility trailer 25.00 yearly
Transport trailer 2 axels 45.00 yearly
Additional axel 15.00 yearly

Considering that an escape of registration outside of the province is possible, it should be mandatory for a company that the main place of business is in Quebec to have their trailers registered in Quebec. It could be the same for the power units.

For a carrier whose main place of business is in Quebec, it would only be normal to have the fleet tagged in the province. Some exceptions could be considered for assigned units based to drivers in a satellite terminal out of Quebec and for local use trucks at that same place. The same principle can be applied to carriers out of Quebec for their satellite terminals in the province for their power units assigned to Quebec drivers and to local use trucks.

I already ear the FQCC, which I was a long time member, carriers association, lawn care people and others. Are we the main users of the roadways? Don’t forget I have put a very important condition.

These new founds are to be applied to the budgets of the Transport Ministry for roads and infrastructures only.

Jean Catudal

Drivers and Speed Limiter Survey by OOIDA Foundation

2007-10-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

In all the issues surrounding the proposal of Minister Boulet on the speed limiter, for the past few months we have heard arguments for, against and anywhere in between. A study of ATRI, one within the members of the QTA, another from the OTA and more. One survey that has passed under the radars in Canada is the one OOIDA’s Foundation made to get the point of view of the drivers on the issue. I did get a copy and I am sharing these numbers today. With the authorisation of OOIDA, I can reproduce the questions and the answers.

The drivers were selected using the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association data base identifying those drivers who were listed as hired drivers. There were 15,382 drivers identified as hired drivers .A survey was sent to all those drivers with a return envelope. There were a total of 3,422 completed surveys returned and entered into the data base. There were 55 surveys returned with wrong addresses making the total surveyed 15,327. This represents a 22.3% return rate.

1. What trucking company do you drive for?
Number of different trucking companies listed. 2,080

2. Is the truck you drive equipped with a speed limiter?
Yes = 64,6% No = 35,4%

3. What is the maximum speed setting of the speed limiter?
Average setting = 69 mph

4. If the vehicle you drive is limited to a speed that is less than the speed limit on many highways you travel, do you exceed the speed limit on roads or in areas where the speed limit is less than the speed limiter setting to make up for lost time?
Never ` 26.2%
Sometimes 51.8%
Usually 16.7%
Always 5.3%

5. Does the company also speed limit owner-operators’ trucks?
Yes: 9.8% No: 41% Don’t know: 23.3% N/A: 25.9%

6. Please rank what concerns you have about speed limiters. Rank from 1-6; with 1 being the primary concern and 6 being the least concern. If you have no concerns about speed limiters please mark “No concerns” with a 0.
(Ranked by results)
1- Lack of passing speed
2- Increased congestion
3- Being rear-ended
4- Need to drive longer to get miles
5- More frequent passing by automobiles
6- Other; Specify
7- No concerns

7. When looking for a company to drive for, is the fact that a company has speed limiters an important part of your consideration?
Yes: 2,042 No: 621 Not a factor: 739

8. If all things were equal, would you rather drive for a company that has speed limiters or one that does not?
Does 120 Does Not 2,780 Not a factor 500

9. In your opinion what is the best way to enforce speeding regulations by large trucks? Please rank from 1-6; with 1 being the best and 6 being the least effective.
(Ranked by results)
1- Uniform speed limits
2- Increased enforcement
3- More rigid standards for CDL’s
4- Speed limiters
5- Lower speed limits
6- Other; Specify

What do I think? I will comment on questions 4-6-8-9.

Question 4
Many of you on trucking talk radio have made the comments that often the limited trucks don’t slow down in restricted speed areas or in slower speed zones. The drivers confirmed it in the survey saying at 26.2% they always run the posted speed limits when this one is lower then the speed the limiter on the truck allows it.

Question 6
How surprising that the main concern is the lack of passing possibilities with a speed limited truck. I didn’t fall from my chair on that one. Increased congestion behind trucks is a stressful situation while passing on a limited access highway. As a driver, you can’t predict not if but when a four wheeler will jump to pass in the right lane as soon as it is clear to get ahead faster before the big truck can come back to the right lane. Another accident factor.

Question 8
The results speak for them selves. How often, when the financial situation allows a company driver to get his own truck, this driver will lease on with the same carrier? Many carriers will give some incentives based on fuel economy performance to drivers too.

Question 9
It’s interesting to see that uniform speed limits and increased enforcement are way in front of speed limiters when asked about ways to reduce speeding. The speed limiter hits the 4^th rang on this one among drivers that were surveyed.

On the rest, I’ll let you make up your own idea. I would greatly have your comments at
jeancatudal@sympatico.ca

When the news are slow, some creates them!

2007-10-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

What more can I say after reading the news in the “Journal de Montreal”, on a poll of 400 persons, which 52% are non-working, asked about the traffic jams in the Montreal area during rush hours. Luckily, I saw the printed edition a few days later. I don’t know any professional truck driver that loves to drive a big rig in any major city at those times of day. If I take the example given about the city of Boston that bans heavy trucks in the city, there is no by-law of that kind in Montreal or Quebec City, I am not aware of one in Chicago or Los Angeles either, a driver with a lick of common sense will avoid a city if he or she does not have to be there. But, no laws bans from using a highway or an Interstate.

Sadly, if I compare the urban area of Montreal with the majority of cities across North America, no government in the past or present has had enough nerves to stand up and put the roadway resources where they were needed. For the past thirty years we have been waiting for a circle road in the greater Montreal. Each time an opposing group got in the way, the government backed off, waited, made a study, and it adds more cost to the project to pay for these studies, meetings and the inflation cost that climbs too.

I am fed up of paying, from my honest and hard work, thousands of dollars in taxes each year, for every kilometre I run with my truck and be treated this way. I could almost put forward that many carriers, large or small, have similar thoughts when we look at the lack of long term vision of our governments.

Did the journalists compare the way we are paid in North America with the European countries that are took as examples? I didn’t see anything on that in what I read.

What comparison is possible between Switzerland, that is 40 times smaller then the Province of Quebec (41,290 Km2 vs. 1,667,926 Km2) with almost the same population. Traffic jams must be heavier for our European cousins. The use of mass transit is part of their way of life. The car is only a princess there, the train is king. If we have here, like in France, a pilot project that would restrain truck traffic to only the right lane, how would other road users would react to merging in or out of an Autoroute? There is no mention in the article that the speed limits for cars in France is higher then on our roads in Quebec, 4 wheelers are going 15-20-25Km/h over the speed limit on A-20! But this is still under the posted speed in France

The best solution is not to ban delivery trucks; this would only create another parking issue, we are only trying to make an honest living. To favour mass transit with incentives, would be a better solution to ease on rush hour traffic. One last data that is not in the paper, there is an increase of over 60% of cars in Quebec.

How to ask a question

2007-10-08T16:56:00.000-07:00

I know the title is somewhat awkward on a trucking blog but, it’s the best way I found to relate “polling” and “trucking”. What question are you thinking about? The one that has been asked on the speed limiters for heavy trucks. Yes this is almost an obsession and I am not about to let go either. There is also, at the time these lines are written, 642 others that have signed the online petition, are thinking the same way I am on this topic.

If I was to ask decision makers in the trucking industry the following question:
Do you agree that the activation of the speed limiter on heavy trucks registered in Quebec is a good way to reduce speeding trucks?
Personally, I could be giving a positive answer to that. Mostly if I am a fleet owner that wishes to keep a control on my drivers to make sure they respect the company’s policies.

Notice in the question, some data is missing. The word mandatory is not there, 105Km/h either and also missing is the word all. I know a few company owners and it is in their policies to activate the speed limiter on their fleets so they can have a standard on the operations, the fuel consumption and even, for some, save on the insurance cost. This is a business decision these owners took.

A study* from the American Trucking Research Institute (ATRI) released in March 2007 show that on 148 respondents that turned in their answers, 69% of them do use the speed limiter in their fleets. The average speed is 113Km/h (70moh), for the following reasons:

5% for insurance
8% for safety
18% for fuel economy
69% to respect speed limits

The speed cap chosen is often related to the size of the fleet. The larger the fleet, the lower the speed limit is.

This makes me say that the activation of the speed limiter is and should stay a simple business decision from the owner of the company.

However, if I ask you the following questions:
Do you agree that the mandatory activation of the speed limiter at 105Km/h on all heavy trucks registered in Quebec is a good way to reduce speeding trucks?
My answer would now be a negative one with this comment: "It’s up to the Ministry of Public Security to put more radars on the roads and to the Ministry of Transport to uphold the laws on the book before making new ones”.

Talking about radars and questions, this brings one up. Why are certain groups in this industry, pushing the speed limiter at no more then 105 Km/h issue, also opposes photo-radars?

Do I need to remind you to sign the online petition opposing mandatory speed limiter at no more then 105Km/h? The link to it is in the top right corner of this blog. Make your voice heard

Happy trails to all and run compliant
Jean Catudal

*The results of this study is available online at
www.atri-online.org/research/results/speedGovernorSurvey.pdf

Your support is needed now more then ever

2007-10-02T19:01:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 27^th, I had the honours to bring the message to the cabinet of the Minister of Transport for all that are in not in favour of a mandated speed limiter for all heavy trucks licensed in Quebec. Your part of the message is now needed as a follow-up with the Minister Boulet either by downloading the one that is proposed or in your own words. The link for the French letter is on the right side under the link for the petition. You only have to put the date and your name, phone number at the bottom, your signature that’s all.

The fax to the Minister’s office is (514) 873-7886

A first part of the petition has been presented at the meeting. Jacques Plante of Livraison Spécial and Me Patrick Doyon, representing OBAC, were accompanying me that day. Top ranking officers of the Minister and of the Premier’s office are following the progression of the petition. So it is still time to put your name to it and share the link.

OBAC also recommends you to forward the letter to these persons

Mario Dumont, Chief of the opposition Fax: (418) 528-9479
Pauline Marois, Chief of Parti Québécois Fax: (418) 643-2957
Pierre Gingras, ADQ Transport Critic Fax: (418) 646-7809
Your Member of Parliament

The information to you MP is available on the National Assembly's web site
www.assnat.qc.ca/eng/Membres/deputes_lst.html

If you don’t know the name of your MP, or your county, you can find it at
www.electionsquebec.qc.ca/en/find_electoral_division.asp

You have the choice to look up by either your postal code or a map.
All the information are there, address, phone, fax email.

If you can live with this mandate but are against the principle, send you support letter. If your dream is to have your own truck one day, support the message too.

Thank you!

The Break is Over

2007-09-24T16:46:00.001-07:00

Now that the Convoy is over, (see www.qcconvoy.blogspot.com), I have to get back to my press releases and pick up the issues where they were left.

The speed limiter issue is picking up the pace and your participation is required in many ways. You can sign the online petition by using the link in the upper right corner of this blog, by writing to your MP to let him or her know what impact a government mandated speed limiter can impact more then GHG's or road safety or leveling the competition.

There is also all the public meetings that the "Table de Concertation de Securite Routiere". Your voice is needed, so you can go with family and friends. Talk about it with customers where the "Just in Time" is very important. They also have a word on it. To help you find your MP, on the right side of thisblog there is links to the National Assembly of Quebec and with a few clicks you can find your elected official, the email, the phone, the fax and share this with others so they can help too.

No time to loose. Accordinly to some of my sources, the proposed changes to the "Code de la Route" could be up as early as December.

Drivers Appreciation Week in North America

2007-08-31T17:59:00.000-07:00

This past week from August 24^th to 31^st was the Drivers Appreciation Week across North America and mostly in the USA. To thank us of our efforts, the FMCSA pushes full steam ahead the start of the pilot project to allow Mexican based carriers in the southern border starting on September 6^thwhile on the south side of the border they are getting ready for September 1^st. Even I couldn’t think of a better sarcasm to make it happen on Labour Day Weekend.

What kind of reaction will the Canadian Government will have? They will welcome them. This in the name of respect of NAFTA. Who will take advantage of this low cost transportation? Who will be left to buy the goods transported this way if nobody can’t afford it any more at home?

A company has no hearth and must show a profit to the shareholders. It’s having a very short vision to think it is a positive situation. On the long term, if nobody is can afford to buy their products carried at a cheaper rate, what will happen?

I leave you with this thought.

To what standard of living must we lower ourselves so the Mexicans have a standard equal to ours?

Jean Catudal

A little slow down

2007-08-26T18:45:00.001-07:00

During the next coming weeks, I will publish a fewer amount of texts on this blog. Being involved with the organizing committee the first World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics in Trois Rivieres September 22^nd, we are in the last straight before the finish line.

I give you a rendez-vous for what will become the social event for all of our industry. An event where company owners won’t be afraid that their equpement will be abused or over used and that all of us keep a memory of the day all year long.

Like in the W.C. McCall song: “Come on join our convoy, oh what a beautiful sight!”

Distinct Society or Ministries Without a Backbone?

2007-08-26T16:08:00.001-07:00

I was recently reading the July-August issue of “Transport Routier” that informs us on the new hours of service for the intra-provincial drivers in Quebec that took place on June 15^th and that until November 1^st, no fines will be given to erratic drivers. The delay is explained by the elections in March. Initialy the law was to be enforced April 1^st. However some pressure groups made the S.A.A.Q. give until November 1^st to issue the first fines

This brought to me the question on the headliner. Accordingly to the Gazette of Canada of November 16^th 2005 the implementation of the new H.O.S. law has been published. Also the same Gazette shows that the modifications passed by the Parliament in 2001 takes effect on January 1^st 2006. This adds up to a 22 month delay before full enforcement to delinquents that are not still aware that the law has been changed.

The majority of other provinces have given a 90 day grace period to drivers before full enforcement. Ontario has lead the way starting a smooth enforcement on January 1^st2007. We are the last ones to do so and over 135 days of clemency is allowed without counting almost 6 months of delay where the law was implanted elsewhere in the country.

Make your own idea but, mine is made and we are not a so distinct society

Source

http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2005/20051116/html/sor313-e.html

Tragedy on I-35W

2007-08-05T13:07:00.001-07:00

I won’t come back an all the details, in the past few days all medias did it and are still talking about it. I was blown away when I heard it on Fox News via XM Radio when the voice of Shepard Smith replaced Bill O’Reilly. I shared the news with my friend Toto that was following me on I-94 in direction of Detroit.

I have no new information, no scoops but what I ear from all the experts on the radio and TV leaves me questionable remarks. Of we take the time to read or listen in Quebec the reports of the Johnson Commission on the collapse of the De La Concorde viaduct last September, what the American channels are giving us is almost a translation when it comes to the Minneapolis bridge collapse.

Without being able to say exactly when, or what happened to it, a bill was proposed in Minnesota to put in a minimum percentage of the taxes revenues from any taxes relevant to cars and trucks in the state, to the Highway Trust Fund to repair and improve the highway system in that state. This is just to show you that not only in Quebec the revenues are not allocated to the purposes they are collected.

Coincidence that such an event happened in that state, during rush hour traffic? Many Medias have made comparisons with other bridges, not viaducts, which fell over the years. I think only one can be comparable in the cause of a structural defect not a collision from a boat or barge.

In June of 1983, the Mianus River Bridge that collapse in Connecticut after an anchor in the structure broke and took a section down killing 3 persons.

May 1980, The Sunshine Skyway that runs across the Tampa Bay was the site of another tragedy. The main span over the boat canal was brought down after a freighter struck the base of the bridge. A commercial bus with 26 persons and 7 other vehicles dropped with it. One man survived.

Another bridge, in Oklahoma, had a similar story. On I-40 a bridge was taken away by an out of control barge. This time, 3 persons died in the tumble.

Forced to admit that some structures have failed to stand the test of time over the years but, the risk they fall resulting from an accident is greater then an unpredictable collapse like the I-35W Bridge or the Mianus River Bridge. Let’s hope the statistics don’t change in a short term and this will be a wake up call to the authorities.

Jean Catudal

C.R.A.S.H., P.A.T.T. And Other Citizens Groups

2007-07-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Last week a D.C. Court of appeal has leaned towards the lobby pressure groups that think we are working too much. These groups have not seen the light at the end of the tunnel yet. When in the

USA

, we could drive 10 hours without any time limit to do so under the old H.O.S. rule. Today the 11 hour rule has a time limit of 14 hours.

This group of three judges may have not looked at all sides of the issue and this shows how disconnected from our industry some high ranking individuals are.

I am a compassionate person and when fatalities happen in wreckage involving a heavy truck, I get affected and try to look at every factor before I blame either driver. A law suit can never replace the lost of a loved one but on the other hand, the same persons may be the ones whining about the missing goods on the shelves of the supermarket or the retail store. These same groups, judging on an industry that is safer by the mile, also forget that the great majority of accidents involving a professional driver, the responsibility is on the other driver.

Should we demand that manufactures to also work on a 70 hours on 8 days cycle too?
To not start a new week of work after a few days off?
A recent study in Ontario has shown that many automobile drivers did nod off frequently in the last year.

We can not generalise on a group as a whole but, recently a judge has been caught with an alcohol level over .20, so these groups can not generalise on the safest drivers on the road on a few incidents.

It may be time for us to start our own pressure groups.

T.A.T.R.U.: Truckers Against Tired Road Users
S.H.U.T. on Docks: Shippers Holding Up Drivers on Docks
S.H.I.T.: Safer Highways Involving Truckers

We finally had hours of service in both countries that were almost compatible. The ATA and the CTA has every thing to gain by joining in with OOIDA and OBAC to straighten up the issue in an industry that is pressured by the “Just in Time”.

Owner Operators Business Association of Canada, OBAC

2007-07-24T09:15:00.001-07:00

I already know what you will say

-It’s only for O/O’s
-What is there for me?
-What can they do to help me if I have an issue with my employer?

For a long while now, I often hear drivers and owner-operators complain that nothing is done, nobody can represent us, and only large carriers have their way in Canada. I say Canada because transportation is federal and laws are applied by the Provinces.

We need a strong representation across the country and in all Provinces. By looking south of the 49^th, there is over 150,000 active members with OOIDA and there is over 330,000,000 habitants in the USA. Often the 10% proportion is valid to compare and if we are 35,000,000 here in Canada, OBAC should count more then 15,000 members and it is not the case.

Rome wasn’t built in one day and since 2002, this association if fighting for the rights of the Canadian truckers. One thing I can tell you, even if I am an owner-operator, I am still a driver. Over 10% of OOIDA’s members are company drivers that have understood that the power is in the numbers. The more we will be united under one professional association, the more weigh our voices will have with all levels of governments. Currently, after 3 failed referendums (I include Meech), Quebec is still part of Canada. We have a seat waiting for us at the Forum des Intervenants du Transport in Quebec (Transport Representatives Forum) but, if that seat stays empty, our voices won’t be heard.

OBAC, like OOIDA, is a Professional Association that represents the drivers just like the Canadian Trucking Alliance does for the carriers. It is a lobby group that represents Professional Drivers interests. This is not a disguised union local. Even unions have their seat at the Forum and if you are not unionised, nobody can speak up for you.

The cost of the membership is less then most union fees paid in the industry and you will have a voice. Instead of starting a new organisation in our distinct society that will die by lack of vision, like many in the past, why not strengthen a group that is already there and that will keep up the work in progress.

Yes I am a supporter. I am a member of both association and I believe in them.

The power is in the numbers. We, Professional Drivers, need to regroup to get respect from our governments.

Jean Catudal

What is the Tolerance on Limitations?

2007-07-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

Quote from a press release on heavy truck restrictions by the MTQ

« Rappelons que seuls les véhicules lourds dont la charge par essieu et
la masse totale en charge respectent les limites autorisées en vertu du
Règlement sur les normes de charges et de dimensions applicables aux
véhicules routiers et aux ensembles de véhicules routiers peuvent
circuler sur les ponts interdits aux surcharges. »

Free translation by author

« Remind that only heavy trucks with loads by axel and gross weigh respecting the authorised limits accordingly to the weighs and measures regulations applicable to vehicles and combinations can circulate on bridges where overweighs are not allowed.”

Last year a little scandal broke open when the Medias came out with the tolerances allowed by the weigh stations in Quebec. Many though that they could have a tolerance on the tolerance. We see today the results of these tolerances over the years on the state of our roadways.

Why is there nervousness on a scale in the state of Virginia? Simply because over the years the agents of transportation have applied the rules and regulations on weighs and measures.

I know for a fact that there are very few public scales in the province of Quebec and too often we have to rely on gauges that are not to precise or unclear bill of lading to make a decision to run or not with a load. Quebec has one of the highest permitted weighs in North America and over that the inspectors are asked to give a tolerance. Is this one of the reason why our roadways are in really bad shape?

Why is it that in California and in Ohio, just to name these, we are more careful about our speed? Simply because the Troopers and the CHP are watching out for the ones going over the posted limits. Why not do the same thing here!

Speed Limiter Simulation

2007-07-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

I have got from a good source recently the information that the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators has asked Transport Canada to prepare a study based on traffic simulations with heavy trucks limited to 105Km/h based on real time data. The CCMTA counts on the participation of many high ranked civil servants from all ministries of transportation across Canada. Their study should be ready in spring of 2008. Why the Transport Ministers of Quebec and Ontario did came out last week with legislation proposals for this coming fall before the studies come out?

This gave me an idea, a suggestion to make the simulation a reality.

Let’s use our common sense and especially without breaking any laws to do so. In all due respect of the other road users, like we already do but, for one day let’s limit our maximal speed in passing manoeuvres.

When? What about October 5^th! A date that expresses well 105 because if you take the month and the day you get 10-5. This is also a Friday and we also have single though, get home early but, if nothing is done, in a near future we won’t have that ability no more. It is also the preceding Friday to the Thanks Giving weekend. The last long weekend of the year. If together we respect the Safety Highway Code and when needed to pass, we do not exceed 105Km/h on all roadways of Quebec or Ontario, other road users will know what to expect in the future if heavy trucks can’t follow the flow of traffic when needed.

This is just a suggestion I wanted to share with you all.

Jean Catudal

Thank You for Your Support!

2007-07-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

The petition to let know the governments of Ontario and Quebec about our position about mandating speed limiter activation is going really well. I would like to thank the people of Land Line Magazine and Land Line Now, on XM17, in helping to get the word out to you all.

I will ask you to spread the word out too!

Tell a friend, a co-worker, anyone that can be concerned about this issue, as a driver or not. If you know someone that is not connected to internet, tell that person and offer to sign via you connection.

Just like the associations that represent the North American Truckers, OOIDA and OBAC, the power is in the numbers. This petition is intended to go on until the parliaments of the Provinces come back to session after the summer break.

This may be our best way yet to let the Ministers know.

Again, Thank You for your support

Happy trails to all, running compliant!

Jean Catudal

6 Priority Actions of the Minister of Transport, 5 time Bravo!

2007-07-08T13:26:00.000-07:00

You surely all know now, many topics made the news this week for the transportation industry and all road users. Not only our Minister of Transport wants to upgrade the penalties for speeders, DUI's and cell phone users, She also followed the foot steps of the Ontario Minister annoucing the mandatory use of speed limiter for heavy trucks in their Provinces.

Some declarations in the medias made the few hair I have left raise up. I won't repeat them here, because some of them my recollection is not good but you heard them or read them.

I say Bravo for the repeat offenders that still drive while under the influence of alcool. If someone has such a poor judgement to drive when highly intoxicated, more then once, in my book it should be a lifetime suspension of his rights without any conditions. Human stupidity has a price and I don't have to pay of my life for it neither one of my loved ones.

I say Bravo for limiting driving distraction by the use of cell phones without a hands free device. Many may not agree with me but I am using one since many years and I feel better then holding up to my head a receiver.

I say Bravo for higher fines and suspensions for extreme speeders. I admit, I did my share of high speeding in the past. This is a good time to restart the debate on ajusting the speed limits on our highways and enforce them.

I say Bravo for putting back mandatory drivers education for new drivers and less demerit points. The younger generation will complain but they can make their point by arguing the statistics on their case.

Jean Catudal

June 24th, July 1st, The Vacations are Coming!

2007-07-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

In Quebec we have the advantage to be able to rehearse the week before our neighbours of Ontario for Canada Day traffic. On Friday the 29th, I was on my way to Toronto for a delivery and another load to the USA, I saw a few situations of human non-sense I had to take pictures of.

I can say that there is some people in a rush to get to the day off and there is some people in a rush to get to destination to start the vacations. Here is two examples.

If you clic on the picture, you will see in front of the car in the left lane a tent trailer pulled by a minivan. The time it took to get out the camera, it was already far. The tent trailer is nose diving and the van has the rear lowered by the weigh. The kids in the back, the wife and even I think I saw a dog. This is an example of somebody in a rush to get on location for the vacations. At the time of the picture, I was cruising at 108Kmh

You will excuse the bad focus, it's a new camera and I'm still not familiar with all the fonctions.

This is an example of somebody in a ruch to get to the long weekend. Even a three hundred and something fine is not going to get in his way. There again, I was rolling about the same speed as my encounter with the happy camper. Fortunatly there is more professional drivers on the roads then there is careless truckers. Can you imagine what a MPP can think seeing this?
"When we vote for the mandatory speed limiters, I'll vote yes even if this is a situation of lacking enforcement"

With this in mind and on the upcoming vacation season at our front door, we need to act like what we are: Professional Drivers. We all saw in the past terrorist LCV's (I mean tourist), the kind that has a boat hooked to a car that is hooked to a motor home! Or the other version of a pick-up truck pulling a 5th wheel that pulls a boat trailer!

Many of these people don't even drive hauling a trailer the miles we run in a week, a five day week. Let's keep an eye open for them and let them enjoy their vacation.

Jean Catudal

LCV’s, Still Some Controversy!

2007-06-24T21:43:00.001-07:00

There I go again being the devil’s advocate with my ideas. A study requested by the Canadian Trucking Alliance and Energy Mines Resources Canada shows the advantages about letting LCV (Long Combination Vehicles) and how they could reduce the GHG, the fuel needed to move the same tonnage of freight. The study, which is available on the web site of the CTA (www.cantruck.com), also shows that LCV’s are safer on the road then regular single trailer trucks. There are many forms of LCV

Turnpike Doubles that are of two long trailers (48’)
Rocky Mountain Doubles that are one long trailer (48’) and one short (28’)
Triples that are of three short trailers (28’)

The points that I don’t understand in the study, maybe because I’m a driver not a scientist, is the data for the comparison that have been taken. Currently in Quebec, LCV are allowed only in the corridors of Rivière du Loup/Montreal on the south shore and Quebec/Montreal on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence. They are not allowed in the winter months. Considering the slippery roads of winter that would change the accident numbers, the data on safety is not quite accurate.

Another point to look at. The CTA would like to see these LCV’s run in the Halifax/Windsor corridor. Whoever has driven in the Maritime Provinces knows that this is not the flattest place. It’s almost 40% of thT road is in hills between the two furthest points. The data was taken on the actual corridors of Quebec and in the Prairies where most LCV’s are Rocky Mountain Doubles.

Another pilot project is going on in New-Brunswick for LCV’s. The route between Saint John and Dieppe is used there to measure the impact. Again that road is much flatter then the Fredericton/Edmundston on the Trans-Canada where most LCV’s will be running.

A study of the California DOT made in 1984 shows different results then the one requested by the CTA and EMR. That study also considers the infrastructures that are not adapted to these types of trucks such as rest areas, weigh station, shoulders and ramps. The state of California also has many grades. The speed was also measured and compared to regular single trailer trucks.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/trucksize/lcv-op-test.pdf

I’m no scientist, only a driver, but looking at the deterioration of the road network in Quebec, I really don’t know how it could support the extra stress of LCV’s all year round. The ones in favour of them will say that they are not as heavy per axel compared to a 5 axel single trailer truck rolling on the American road network but, to move the weigh, there is more torque put on the wheels and this will cause more wear and tear on upgrades and ramps. Simple physics will explain. If you put a carpet on a wood floor and you try to push a 25Kg load with your feet on the carpet, this one will be slipping under you. Now try it again with a 50Kg load. It will definitely slip and the load won’t move. Under an LCV, there is the same amount of drive wheels then under a single trailer truck. They just have to work harder to move the load.

There are some advantages for the carriers using LCV’s

Reduction of fuel costs to move the same freight
Helps with the driver shortage

There are also some advantages for the governments

GHG reductions

There are also some disadvantages for the governments

Accelerated road deterioration
Less revenues from registrations
Less revenues from fuel taxes
Less revenues from income taxes on drivers
More unemployment

However, even with all the studies available for now, the highway network of Quebec and Ontario is not ready for LCV’s. Autoroute 85 has only 15 of the 100Km required, there is no belt way around Montreal, route 2 in New-Brunswick has some two lanes stretches and the 407 is not completed around the GTA.

Well look at that! One company operating the 407 is also one of the companies retained for the extension of Autoroute 30 in Quebec. Funny coincidence!

Jean Catudal

Too Many Topics on Hold!

2007-06-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

I am not on vacation yet, I am waiting after replies from some offices of our nice government of Quebec. The Commission des Transport and the SAAQ are having a ping-pong game with the demands I made for some informations.

You know I don't like to give you informations I can not verify first. So, I'm waiting and I'm rolling the roads of North America.

If you come across me, call me and if I don't reply on 19, try the 12!
If you are passing me, make me a sign to take the mike!

Happy trails!

Welcome to the Aussies!

2007-06-09T20:33:00.001-07:00

Will it be the Australian flag, the Quebec flag or a sleeping pill maker’s flag that will float on the new bridge of Autoroute 25?

The lease operator of the bridge is the same that operates the Chicago Skyway, the Indiana, Toll Road the 407ETR and is running up for Autoroute 30 on the south shore of Montreal. This bank puts to sleep the governments with lump sums of money in exchange of all the revenues from the tolls. Puts in non competition conditions in the leases to take out of our pockets as much as possible for the use of the roadway. Remember that a private company must pay dividends to the stock holders before pleasing the users.

I don’t usually hold these kinds of socialist comments. I am the first one aiming to make profits out of my small business, but to serve on a silver platter an infrastructure to a foreign entity, NO WAY!!!

We are not talking about the management of a building on a public ground it is a roadway we are talking about. When the construction will be over with, the local contractors paid, where will the profits go? There will be no income tax paid on the salaries of the toll collectors, they use electronic tolling. A picture of your plate is all that is needed. After they will ask the SAAQ to hold the renewal of your plates if you don’t pay the tolls like they did in Ontario. I’d like to remind you that the government of Ontario has tried in court to keep the tolls low on the 407 and never succeeded.

With all the involved Ministers, the Mayor of Laval and many of the elected officials of the area, we got served our first PPP roadway this Saturday morning. As a former citizen of Laval, I wanted that bridge and I had even signed the petition for it but, when I observe the way this company acts elsewhere, it leaves me with questions.

Jean Catudal

Truck Stop 500!

2007-06-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

This is not a list of the best 500 truck stops, it is in the spirit of NASCAR that I gave the title this twist. Being a dog owner, I often park on the side or the back of parking lots. My little Coffette is fussy and takes care of her business on grassy patches instead of blacktop.

Walking around my furry friend, I hear, before I see, a truck here and there passing gears in high revolution and gears are passed, 1^st,2^nd,3^rd,4^th,5^th, the rpm very high and if I judge by my truck, it’s in the 22 to 25 mph that truck is rolling in the aisles of the lot. Frustration from the last call to dispatch, a message on the satellite, waking up late, or any other reason to put the hammer down.

We can almost hear: ”Gentlemen, start you engines!” but, the engine was already idling for long hours and the excess of oil in the cylinders is burning blue in the stack. It happened that another truck stop stressed driver comes along the end of a row and in the path of the first one that is rolling out. We all heard of fender benders, I was even a victim of one in early December (see pictures at the end). How many times in an angled parking lot, we can barely see on the right side what is coming up and all of a sudden, the stressed driver pulls up.

In the debate on speed limiters, should we ask to also put a device as found in IRL and Formula 1 in the pits that limits the speed and turns off the engine brake. I was forgetting these stressed drivers often don’t turn it off. I like them with straight pipes too…

I know, I am a little bit sarcastic but, please, have some considerations for the other ones. Going out of the parking lot a little bit slower may only take a few seconds more in you day of work and may avoid you a fender bender that will hold you up for way longer

Jean Catudal

Mandatory Speed Limiters is Picking up Support

2007-05-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

Since July 2005 when the OTA first started to push this issue, the political supports have been growing. A recent comment from the OPP’s commissioner Julian Fantino shows his support, The Minister of Transportation Donna Canfield also, even Prime Minister Dalton McGivney has fallen under media pressure according to a press release of the Association on its web site. The official opposition in Queen’s Park support to with Laurie Scott and her Private Bill 115 proposed in 2006.

Last year, when the Quebec Government presented the “Plan d’action Québécois 2006-2012 sur les changements climatiques”(Quebec’s plan for Climate Changes 2006-1012), the figures show a reduction of GHG by imposing a government mandate to have all heavy trucks limited to 105Kmh.

I have to say that I don’t have the exact number for the truck count in Quebec but, with the size of the population and the number of carriers, I am leaded to think that the truck fleet is smaller then our neighbour of Ontario. What I am questioning on this issue, unless someone somewhere did a miscalculation, how do we get a greater reduction in Quebec of GHG?

A total of 330kt is what the document forecasts for 2012 while Ontario has a forecast of 140kt. Even if I subtract the 82kt that the PIEVAL Program should cut in GHG, note that Ontario has the “Drive Clean” program since many years, the sum is still over 100kt then our neighbouring province.

Still to this day, nothing is in the plans for light vehicles in Quebec, other then a tax on engines over 4liters, attached to the yearly registration fee, or incentive to get more fuel efficient cars. Nothing to have mandatory yearly C02 inspections on cars like in most jurisdictions in North America, to be able to register it with the government.

When will we have higher fines for speeders? Air pollution tickets for speeders, in general, over the fines for smoking heavy trucks? If I can allow me a comment on speeding, cut the 20Kmh tolerance over the posted speed limit. A tolerance of 5Kmh if enough and a fine scaling to discourage lead foot or repeating offenders. Why is it only to heavy trucks to do the effort? Speeding and fines, this is surely another topic to talk about.

What can we do, professional drivers, to put a stop to the issue or to start up a real debate on mandating speed limiters to regulate the speed of heavy trucks?

A few easy solutions can make a difference. We, Owner-operators and drivers, have to regroup to show our strength. In Canada, there is OBAC and in the USA OOIDA. They are the voices for the professional drivers. The power is in the numbers, the more we will be, the more we will weigh in. Currently, I know that the Canadian Association needs our support more then ever to represent us well at all levels of government.

You must also let you elected officials know about the impacts of these mandates can have on your income, on you business. You can find on the “Useful Links” in the right column, how to access to your MPP or MP, the sites of the Premiers of Canada, Ontario or Quebec.

I invite you to have another look at some previous posting on this blog.

March 2007: “Sharing My Views on Driver Pay and Leases to O-O’s”

January 2007: “Aren’t you tired of dying dummies? It’s enough!”

If some influent members of the trucking industry want to level the playing field by imposing on all to activate the speed limiting chip of the ECM of trucks starting from 1995, like in Europe, it’s all the European plan that has to be setup. This includes the way drivers are paid.

Asking to everyone to operate the same way, by modifying laws, is like asking the governments to step back and regulating the road transportation. This time, it’s not the permitting that is to be regulated, it’s the operations that will be. The deregulation was asked to let the market do its job in the industry, to take away the barriers of territories and the multiplicity of permits.

We need to remember that the economies of Canada and the USA are based on free market. The choice of an entrepreneur to have his truck, or trucks, run in a certain way is and should stay a business decision, not another rule or regulation to comply by. But if my memory is still good, this is why there is a “Highway Safety Code”.

Jean Catudal

A Real Nice Volvo!

2007-05-12T20:49:00.000-07:00

This morning, while doing a fuel stop in Lake Station, I saw this truck. A Volvo with a 120” sleeper is not a common thing in any truck stop. I was wondering if I was the only one to have that idea to take a day-cab and put on a custom sleeper. I got my answer. But to be honest, I had seen one at the MATS in Louisville last year, in the parking a FedEx truck with about the same setup.

Except, this morning, the owner was there and he gladly answered some of my questions. Donald Beukman, a very good guy, even gave me a little bit more. We talked a good 45 minutes while enjoying the nice sunshine.

I couldn’t tour the interior, Ms Dale Beukman, which is also the co-driver, was in her rest period. I can tell you what you can find inside. Refrigerator-freezer, sink, toilet and shower, double bunks, a table and storage, lots of it for the long trips they have to do.

DD Haulit, from Florida, is leased to Clark Transfer and they haul shows. Being out on the road for months at the time and stopped for days, they need a good living area.

About the truck, it’s a day-cab with a 274” wheelbase, powered by a Cummins ISX engine, 18 speed automatic transmission, 8Kw generator, deep cycle marine batteries, topped off by a 120” by 96” custom sleeper by ICT.

2 other questions you may have, the weigh of it is 25,000lbs. You can see Joe Brown of S+S Volvo in Lima Ohio for the specs and you will need a cheque of $186,000 to roll it out with all warranties and prep.

But, it’s a real nice truck!

I must make amends

2007-05-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

A year ago, I was making my debut on Sport Plus 172 with a head full of ideas, subjects with some controversy, mixed with a rebellious temperament and no radio experience. Wanting to inform the professional drivers, I also commented on various hot button topics in our industry. I must admit that I have pushed the envelope many times and I went overboard a few times.

I have never wanted to point toward an individual personally, but on the functions that they occupy and I have had strong comments on topics that I esteem important. These same topics are also some that owner-operators or small fleet owners would like to see a more open debate even if there is lack of organizations to represent them.

I know that I have commented on some points like a hunter and not like a sharp shooter. I put this on the lack of experience. I have learned from my mistakes but I won’t stop defending these issues, which many, in our industry, find unacceptable. I learned to moderate my comments but still want the message passed on. We all have to fight the pressure coming from the outside of our industry. Being able to survive and continue to serve the population that expects the goods to be on the shelves of the store, when they want it, after seeing it on a flyer, which was delivered to a distributing agency by a truck, because another truck brought the paper and the ink to print it.

The slogan of most Canadian trucking associations, “If you got it, a truck brought it”, applies to just everything we consume. Even pressure groups for intermodal transportation can’t deny that rails and rivers don’t go everywhere.

I must make amends to all that I have pointed to previously in my comments. As I have written above, I will put more moderation in my comments while keeping my efforts to inform the women and the men that are the driving force of our economy

Jean Catudal

Seat Belt Laws in North America

2007-05-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

Radio brings up a lot of topics and makes me search some statistics that are sometimes funny and others interesting. Waiting to get for my delivery today at a truck stop that supports my internet connection, I did a little research after a call on the radio about road users that were getting tickets and no seat belts. I didn’t quite understood where it was but here is a stat from Wikipedia.

In January of 2007, all the states of the union except one had a seat belt law. The one being New-Hampshire. That state only requires that passengers under 18 years of age to be buckled up. However, as the road signs in the state say:” Under 18, Common sense for all”

25 states and the D.C. area have primary offence dispositions for the seat belts. In other words, you can be pulled over for that, the other 24 only have it as a secondary offence. You will get an extra ticket if the officer sees it after you have broken another traffic law.

In Canada, all provinces have provisions about seat belts but only in Quebec the law specifies that all passengers must be using the belts. So you can not have more passengers then the number of belts in the car.

Personally, I encourage the use of the seat belt, even if from time to time I need to be remembered.

Jean Catudal

Sources

Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seat_belt_legislation#United_States
Canadian Safety Council
http://www.safety-council.org/news/sc/2006/pres-jan.html
US DOT “Click It or Ticket”
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/airbags/buckleplan/mayplanner2003/clickit.html

Smoking or Non-Smoking?

2007-05-05T21:16:00.000-07:00

When the news came out in May 2006, I had talked about it in the trucking news and thanked David Bradley of the OTA about the clarifying of the impacts of the provincial laws and federal chartered companies.

If you are working for a provincially chartered company in Quebec or Ontario, you cannot smoke in your work environment. If the company is under a federal charter, the description of the smoke-free workspace does not include a motor vehicle and you can still smoke while driving.

Also if you are an owner-operator, you can still enjoy your tobacco addiction.

It’s not specified that a carrier can ban smoking.

Source: Ontario Trucking Association News Releases

http://ontruck.org/news/releases/2006/prel_2006_05_31_171005_rt.php3

Our troops need our support

2007-05-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

Last November, I had prepared an audio clip that was aired on Entre les 2 lignes that I was co-hosting at the time. A few days prior to that, I had my father listen to it. Dad is a WWII vet. He had asked me to burn it on a CD so he could share it with at the Legion with other members. He had a lot of good works on it and told me about them.

Being myself a former army cadet, #2725 of the Fusillers Mont-Royal, I had the ambition to follow in a military career. Unfortunately, the recruiting officers decided otherwise and I stayed in the civilian life.

Since September 2001, on my truck, there is a yellow ribbon on each side to show my support. After the years, they faded out and were hard to see on a white cab. On a fuel stop at the Irving in Cornwall, I saw on the counter red ribbons with a Canadian flag and the mention “Support our troops”. The profits are for care packages for our troops that greatly need them.

I have often said the event if we don’t agree with the decision of our elected officials about where the troops are sent, these men and women deserve our support for the job they do and when they come home.

If you feel like dropping them a good word to help them keep their moral up, here is the web link to do so

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/community/messageboard/message_add_e.asp

Jean Catudal

Mexican Trucks and Driver, Part 2

2007-05-01T06:46:00.000-07:00

While, north of the Mexican border, our neighbours are wondering how to keep a possible flow of uncertainty about trucks coming from the south, we are wondering what can happen if we loose the buffer zone crated by the whole country of the USA. As I have written earlier, my view is more on the financial impact of the outpour then the trucks and the drivers with non verifiable skills and records.

In this whole question of letting Mexican trucks run freely north of the actual buffer zone along the southern border, one concern is coming out from them too. In 2001, the Mexican government has been petitioned by a group called “CANACAR”. This group seems to be about the equivalent of our Canadian Trucking Alliance or of the American Trucking Association. CANACAR, in 2001, had asked the Mexican Senate to cancel the trucking section of NAFTA, as reported in Land Line Magazine. Still today, CANACAR is claiming no real benefits to open the borders.

In the appearance to the Mexican Senate, the president of the group, Tirso Martinez Angheben, expressed the following points to stop the American Pilot Program.

Transportation prices in Mexico are lower than in the USA or Canada;
It will cause transportation prices in Mexico to increase;
It will not accelerate the border crossing process;
It will generate strong pressure on salaries paid to Mexican drivers, which in turn will increase the cost of domestic freight in Mexico; and
The Mexican government lacks the capacity and infrastructure to supervise U.S. carriers entering Mexico and to prevent foreign companies from providing domestic transportation only reserved for Mexican nationals.

Don’t we have the same concerns but the other way around?

Transportation prices in Canada are higher than in Mexico;
It will cause transportation prices in Canada to decrease;
It will not accelerate the border crossing process;
It will generate strong pressure on salaries paid to Canadian drivers; and
Can the Canadian government have the capacity and infrastructure to supervise any carriers entering Canada and to prevent foreign companies from providing domestic transportation only reserved for Canadian citizens?

These are some talking points that the associations representing carriers, owner-operators and drivers could sit down to see the full impact on our industry here in the great white northern.

Jean Catudal

What can I do during the World wide road safety week?

2007-04-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

I was wondering on that question this week and I am asking you to think about it too. I have put as head liner the bumper sticker that OOIDA gives away to promote the “Run Compliant” program. This says a lot and we read beyond the message to see the big picture.

The first thing a professional driver should do, keep a legal log book. I can hear you sitting in front of your keyboards…Please watch you vocabularies…It isn’t nice for the ears…

I am also one that makes a living driving a big truck and I know that when the wheels don’t turn, there are no incoming revenues. Being between two contracts and facing all kinds of twists and turns that are keeping me at home, I will be tempted to bend and stretch the creativity of my log. But guess what? I won’t. I did it before and I am still alive, hate well every day and I faced my financial duties just the same. I will admit that I did cut on some fancy stuff. I still have a laptop that is over 3 years old, I am not on the cutting edge of communication technologies such as Blackberry, satellite internet or TV.

Running compliant is also to drive at posted speed limits. I know some states and provinces do have some tolerance. I do use some of it but, 100Km/h is not 120. Without claiming to be a scientific analyst, I do read local papers and watch newscasts here and there and, on many Mondays, I noticed that most fatal accidents did occur on secondary highways, in towns or cities. When a wreck happens on a limited access highway, it’s a bad one. These are usually caused by driving too fast for the conditions or, simply by following too closely.

In a nut shell, running compliant pays is less stressful and mostly safer!

On these words, you all have a good road safety week and a good road safety year.

Jean Catudal

I was taking a break

2007-04-25T09:20:00.000-07:00

I am leaving this message just to let you know I was taking a short break. The last few weeks were quite busy for me. My participation to the first leg of the World's Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics took a lot of my time.

We, the orginizers, had the support of Newcom Business Media to be part of Expocam in Montreal the 12th to the 14th of April. It did give us a lot of exposure to let the word out about this wonderful event. We are sure this will be a blast!

I invite you to use the link on the sidebar to go look up the latest news on the convoy that will be posted on a special blog I have put up. www.qcconvoy.blogspot.com

I am still doing some updates on the entrance of the Mexican trucks in the USA and Canada. The impact that this will make and the views I can read from all across North America. This should be up in the next few days.

Thanks for your patience.

Jean Catudal

Mexican Trucks and Drivers, The Doors of Canada Are Wide Open!

2007-03-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

Ever since NAFTA has been signed, our American neighbours have tried to stall the outpour of Mexican domiciled trucks out of the buffer zone of 20 miles. The ones of us that do go in that zone have seen the type of trucks the Mexican carriers are using. Anything that American carriers can’t sell on the American or Canadian markets is shipped there. If you want to see old orange C.O.E’s that were on the Schneider fleet, just drive to Laredo or Brownsville. I can tell you that the Green Bay carrier has stopped buying those over eight years ago. I was driving there at the time.

Mexican carriers must meet all safety and compliance rules, just like we do us Canadians, to gain access out of the buffer zone. Currently for us, that zone is 2500Km away from our border and accordingly to my sources, nothing is there to stop them to get on our roads once they gain access to the USA.

The pilot project of USDOT and FMCSA includes 100 Mexican based carriers but, no limits on the number of units of each fleet should start in less then 60 days. Many opposing groups such as Teamsters, OOIDA and the Public Citizen Group have joined forces. At Transport Canada, I was told that if these carriers meet the standards they will be allowed here.

These standards are the same for us and include, drug testing, valid insurance tags, trucks that are compliant with all laws and regulations from the CVSA point. This is not what Jim Hoffa International President of Teamsters declared in a Congressional Hearing.

“There will be no meeting of those requirements,” he said. “I am convinced that neither the U.S. nor the Mexican governments have the resources to carry out an aggressive oversight and enforcement program.”

Just a few American carriers did ask for a permit to run south of the border. I don’t want to speculate but, we know a few names. Some other points are tickling our US neighbours. It is a one way pilot program and no American based carrier can let their truck in Mexico before at least 6 months, and all Mexicans can be allowed in after the program.

What we, as Canadians, have to worry about more, I think, is all the economics of that opening. The large manufacturers that are already exporting to Mexico, to save on production costs, won’t be shy to hire a Mexican carrier that will have a lower cost by paying less their drivers. All that really matter for them is to show the stockholders a profit. Why do you think so many have already moved to Monterrey?

I was reading a few months ago in a trade publication that soon Canadian trucks are going to be made in Mexico. Navistar is looking at the idea and Freightliner as announced the opening of a new assembly plant there at the cost of $300M to assemble the Sterling Trucks there. If I remember well, they had also announced 800 job cuts at the St-Thomas Ontario plant last December. When will that plant close for good?

I ask the CEO’s of the large Canadian carriers and their associations to join in with the small business truckers associations to lobby the governments to stop that insanity. Putting new rules and regulations is not the way to level the paying field for us.

Jean Catudal

World's Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics Quebec

2007-03-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

Being involved in the first leg of the convoy in Quebec as a spokeperson, I am proud to announce that the 20 first truckers to enroll for the convoy before March 31st, will receive a pass to enter Expocam 2007

We will be pleased to see you there from April 12th to 14th at Place Bonaventure. Easy to get them, just drop us an email and we will return the entry forms to you promptly.

convoi.qc.os@sympatico.ca

Be on the lookout for our trailer on the roads of Quebec and North America!

Hoping to see you there!

Jean Catudal Spokeperson and all the Team of the Convoy!

Sharing my views on driver pay and leases to O/O’s

2007-03-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

If private Bill 115 in Ontario passes the third reading and the proposed rule making of the FMCSA on EOBR’s takes place in the next two years, it’s all of the pay system that will need a serious look over and to be updated with these new realities. I always thought that for a same load, to a same place from a same shipper, an equal pay should be handed out. When a company I worked for changed from hub miles to practical computer miles, I was on the band wagon because, if two drivers taking different routes, the one that took the best way should not get a smaller pay then the one that did a detour for personal reasons. Now with all the demands of the large carriers associations, I changed my views. My life and work experience also have motivated my change of thoughts.

If I can quote CTA’s president Mr Claude Robert in his acceptance speech:” It’s time the industry takes seriously the hours of service rules” and he followed in the same speech saying that paper logs are out of control and a joke. I agree that EOBR’s are one good way for carriers to charge the waiting time to the shippers and receivers that will hold equipment to their docks for too long.

You all know the old comment we make that we are the only workers that can get a fine for working overtime. My thinking, well my new thinking doesn’t stop there now with the steps forward on the issues of EOBR’s and speed limiters.

I don’t claim to know the truth but, I will share my thoughts and my views with you, by using a logical approach to the problem.

Which part of our work is the easiest?

On a nice sunny day, cruising down a nice four lane highway, within the speed limits, this is when we rake in the most income. If you run 65mph, multiply that by your mile rate, and you will have your hourly pay.

Which is the hardest part of our work?

In a heavily congested urban area, like Toronto or Chicago, when to travel a distance of 65 miles, you can take two and a half hour at an average of 26mph. In this case you will earn less then half of your income with twice the stress and aggravation.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not in for unions either. I’m a free thinking person that enjoys his freedom of choice in a work field I love. More and more demands and rules in our industry are pushing me in these thoughts I’m sharing with you here.

And then, all the directors of human resources are still wandering why there is such a high turnover in our industry. I will repeat that I don’t know all the truth but when a person comes to our industry from a recycling or a career change, and that person always had an hourly pay, working conditions in agreement with the labour boards or a unionized field, that person quickly jumps to the conclusion that we are highly exploited.

I have learned a long time ago that for the work I do as a Professional Driver, I can not look at the fruit of my labour that way. I have to look at it as a whole, adding all income and extras, then I consider myself to make a more then average pay. If I add up all the advantages that comes with it, seeing a lot of the country, not having a boss looking over my shoulder or making sure I am productive. We are paid by the distance we go or by contract. The main goal is that we get the loads where they need to be in time and safely.

OOIDA accuses feds of pandering to big business by toying with speed limiter idea

2007-01-29T07:52:00.000-08:00

This is a copy of a press release I just got and I wanted to share

For Immediate Release

Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

1 NW OOIDA Drive, Grain Valley, MO E-mail:ooida@ooida.com Web site: www.ooida.com

Phone: (816) 229-5791 Fax: (816) 427-4468

OOIDA accuses feds of pandering to big business by toying with speed limiter idea

January 29, 2007, GRAIN VALLEY, MO – The mere fact that two federal agencies are even considering petitions requesting mandatory speed limiters on trucks is a clear indication that federal agencies are all too willing to appease big business. That is the view expressed by the country’s largest organization representing small-business truckers.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) says the announcement on Jan. 26 that the Department of Transportation will consider requiring speed limiters on large trucks is “just one more example of how big business controls the national agenda to the detriment of many.”

Petitions requesting the government to require speed limiters be set at 68 mph and not tampered with are being considered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

NHTSA and FMCSA are requesting comments on petitions for rulemaking from the American Trucking Association (ATA) and Road Safe America and a group of nine motor carriers. The petitions request devices that would limit the speed of certain trucks and prohibit owners and operators from adjusting the speed limiting devices as a safety measure.

“Since very few highway accidents involving trucks take place at speeds greater than 68 mph, you don’t have to be a highway safety expert to conclude a singular focus on truck speed could hardly produce a safety breakthrough,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer. “But, that’s not how it works in Washington, DC, where

perception is spun to be reality.”

OOIDA points out that support for speed limiters by a handful of large trucking companies and their association under the guise of safety is nothing more than a public relations smoke screen.

“The big companies want government approval to run longer and heavier trucks all over the country. The speed limiter proposal is like putting lipstick on that idea,” Spencer said.

OOIDA points to the fact that nothing stops any of these trucking companies from setting speed limiters on their trucks at any speed they choose. “In fact,” Spencer points out, “many large companies already speed limit their trucks but they don't 'crow' about their safety records because they're nothing to brag about."

“They want a government mandate to do it, however, because they know their drivers, whom they pay only for miles driven, would move to another company with a less restrictive speed policy,” Spencer said. “And they want to deny shippers the option of choosing trucking companies that place a higher priority on on-time service.”

The consideration is even more misguided and outrageous when you really examine the safety data, OOIDA contends.

“There is nothing desirable about turning trucks into rolling roadblocks and obstacles for other drivers,” Spencer said. “Slower isn’t safer. Every year, NHTSA accident data shows that cars are far more likely to run into the backs of trucks than the other way around. Real highway safety experts have always known that highways are safest when all vehicles travel at the same speed.”

Contact: Mike Schermoly (816) 229-5791

Founded in 1973, OOIDA is now comprised of more than 150,000 owner-operators, drivers and small business truckers from all 50 states and Canada. With its national headquarters located just east of Kansas City in Grain Valley, MO. OOIDA represents the interests of the nation's trucking professionals in the legislative and regulatory processes at both federal and state levels.

The roads of North America are up for grabs to the highest bidder

2007-01-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

Since June, the Indiana Toll Road is a great topic of discussion. Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed a 75 year lease for a lump sum of $3.85 Billions in USD, paid ahead with Cintra, of Madrid and Macquarie Bank of Sydney Australia.

These two companies are also the operators of 3 other toll roads in the Unites States and one in Canada the 407ETR. They also have plans for the New Jersey Turnpike, the Delaware Turnpike, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a truck toll road along I-81 in Virginia and the Trans-Texas Corridor. We are lucky in a way that the Parti Quebecois had hiked up the rates on the province’s autoroutes in the early 80’s. I think they would have made a long term lease on them too.

The thing that tickles our southern neighbours, these roads have been paid by their taxes and the tolls are mostly for maintenance and a disguised tax. In the Highway Funding Bill of last year, the US government has planned to lead the way to toll roads for any future expansion of the Interstate System. SAFETY-LU has provisions for some pilot projects to setup tolls on some existing highways.

Back to the consortium, they are also on board for two other projects here in Canada in the province of Quebec. The Bridge on A-25, and the west extension of A-30.

I am not against Private Public Partnerships if they are well structure and do help for the economic development of the area. The only shadow I see is that some of the demands from the leases are going a little bit too far.

Looking back on the lease of the Indiana Toll Road, in the contract there is some conditions that limit the weighs and measures on the neighbouring roads, non-competition clauses so most of the commercial traffic must use the toll road. Macquarie has done it in Sydney for a tunnel in the city.

The increases of the tolls are also in the lease. Three ways are set to do so and it is the highest percentage that is considered. An increased in the cost of living, a fixed minimum percentage or if the economic indicators are on the rise, regardless of any average salary increases for the population.

Like in Ontario, will the use be limited to the users of transponders? Macquarie Cintra Group is specialist in electronic tolling to maximise the profits with a minimum of expenses. A sure thing, the main goal of a company is to do a profit but, when these profits are going out of the country, we have our word on it.

Some questions are to be answered.
Who will pay for the lands?
Who will pay for the construction?
Who will pay for the start-up cost?
Will we the truckers and the carriers have to support a double tax? I see a double tax combination of the toll and the IFTA rate for the distance we travel.

Look what happened in Ontario on the 407ETR. SNC-Lavallin is one of the operators of the lease with Macquarie Cintra. A large 17% of it.

I am asking the following to our governments. If the option of going in a PPP for any new infrastructures in Quebec, is it possible that a Quebec group of investors or a Canadian group would be preferred to a foreign investor?

Another point to bring up. When I look at the four companies that have been kept for the next step of qualifying in the project for A-30, three of them are already partners in the operations of the 407ETR and the other one is another Spanish lead group.

What are the odds that the race to bid will be honest?

Some of our elected will have to answer these questions. I don’t count on the main stream medias to do so. It looks like the opposition parties are just waiting do make some voting gains of the back of the one that will sign this deal.

If only all of the taxes we pay with the licence plates, the drivers permit, and the fuels would go to road works and projects, we would no longer be the champions of pot-hole slalom.

My last request to you is to write to your elected members. They really need to be recalled that they have been voted in by us to serve us and to protect the collective interests. Will we need another Jean Lesage who will say “Maitre chez nous!”(Masters on our land). When I roll down the highway dedicated to him and I see the way it’s maintained, the poor man must be rolling in his grave…

Jean Catudal

Aren’t you tired of dying dummies? It’s enough!

2007-01-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

The title may be shocking but it’s a free translation of an inscription on the walls of the “Grand Théatre de Québec” in Quebec City, at the time it was unveiled, many had protested against the phrase of Claude Péloquin a writer from Quebec. The sculptor Jordi Bonnet had put it in his work to symbolise the idea to stop the imperialism and support the independence of the province. This is as close to politics I will get.

In a way, this phrase is still true today and can be applied in the trucking industry. I may start a scandal myself, but I am more then kicked off with what is going on in the transportation industry and that some big players want us all to do in a not so far future. If the carriers have their associations to speak for them and when we look at the US DOT numbers, they is only 13% of all registered companies with the agency that own more then 6 trucks.

You will think that I take my numbers in the USA. I will tell you that any carrier that needs to roll in Uncle Sam’s country, need to be registered with the US DOT, either there is one truck or 12,984 like Schneider National. Look on the side of your cab! It’s there! US DOT and seven digits that replaced the old ICC numbers.

Now there is many type of fleets. Private ones like Coca-Cola, Pepsi-cola, Wal-Mart, Budweiser, you get the picture. And there is “For Hire” fleets like JB Hunt, Schneider, SGT2000, Challenger Motor Freight, you get the difference!

Even with their size, they only represent a small part of all companies in the trucking industry across North America, doing interstate movements or international movements.

Accordingly to the numbers that are on “SAFESTAT” for carrier’s safety records, all DOT registered companies make up 703,823. Take 87% of them, which equals to 612,326 that have 6 or less trucks, across North America that do roll in the USA. If we put an average of 2 trucks per company, we have over 1.2 million trucks that are small fleet or single truck owner operators. If we do nothing about it, 9 companies that total 40,447 trucks will tell everyone what to do on the roads.

These nine companies have signed with “Road Safe America” to enforce mandatory speed limiters on all truck at no more then 68mph or 109Km/h. They are also supported by the ATA in a petition filed in with the US administration.

This brings to me a question. If we are over 1.2 millions trucks on the road owned by small fleets and single truck o/o’s, why is it that the two associations representing our interests only count barely 150.000 members?

In these estimates, I don’t count the leased owner operator like myself. I run on the carrier’s permits and DOT numbers. This only puts the 1.2 million trucks number even higher.

That’s why the title:" Aren’t you tired of dying dummies? It’s enough!”

Enough of the whining and doing nothing about it, staying on the side lines and watching the parade go by…

Heck! Wake up before it’s too late and that the CTA, and the ATA of this world tell us what to do and how to do it!

Enough of wanting to level the playing field and pushing around the small ones in a free enterprise market. If they can’t stand the heat, they can stay out of the kitchen!

In order to represent us the small business truckers, both North American associations do need our support, our solidarity, our membership and our strength. At time, our independence is good but for us to work the way we want is even better. We need to ban together so we can make a strong and serious counter-weigh to the big boys that want everything their way.

The power is in the numbers, join anyone of the associations or even better join both if you travel across the borders. Have someone who takes you interests.

Jean Catudal

Souces
safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
obac.ca
ooida.com

EOBR's, They are coming!

2007-01-16T06:19:00.000-08:00

The FMCSA announced January 11th the proposed rules making for the EOBR's in trucks and buses. The press conference was the first step on the way to mandate to the worst offenders the use of these devices. Other insentives will be announced for those with good compliance records to adopt this technology and improve their ratings.

This comes after many years of research, talks and surveys in the trucking industry but not the drivers. Forced to admit, the FMCSA did consider the safety of the use and considered the cost/benefit of mandating to all carriers in the USA.

How will this effect the Canadian based companies?

The CTA and the OTA are looking to push Transport Canada in the same direction, another way to level the playing field, but with the hours of service rules that are similar but yet so different, how will these systems ajust. Will it be only another reason for the inspectors at the scales to keep their pads full and their pens handy? Only time will tell.

More comments are to be aired in french on Radio Truck Stop Quebec in the coming weeks and here shortly after air time.

Jean Catudal

Back on air!

2007-01-09T23:42:00.000-08:00

The new technologies are just facinating and new ways to transmit are now a reality. After I was cut from "Entre les 2 lignes", I had no other way to express my comments other then this blog. But this will change.
I have been invited to collaborate with Truck Stop Quebec in the new show transmitted on internet every Friday evenings at 8:00 pm starting this friday January 12th 2007.
Our small, but dynamic, team puts all the knowledge we have to keep you the drivers informed and up to date on the so changing world of trucking.
Personnaly, I will give you editorials and my comments on the regulations in place and the ones to come. Hot button issues, on the northern or southern side of the Canadian-American border for all of you that are driving across North America.
Thanks for your listening and your support!
Jean Catudal

My review of 2006

2006-12-31T13:27:00.000-08:00

For a leased owner operator, a good year is one that the price of fuel stays low, not to many repairs on the tractor, good dispatching and some time to do some work around the house. With all these premises, 2006 was not such a good year for me.

It started on the last days of December 2005, I got blinded by the reflection of the sun on the wet road. As my windshield cleared up, I was too close to a stopped car and, the ABS kicking in to avoid a lock-up, I rolled in the trunk of that 4 wheeler. I blew by about 45,000 miles the mark of 1,000,000 accident free miles. Not to excuse my driving but to set the scene, that car was stopped in the right lane of a boulevard by a %$&%(&%, 3 cars ahead, which wanted to do a left turn from the right lane… Yes, I’ll admit, bad anticipation on my behalf.

Then, in March, the turbo blew. Another week and some couple of thousand bills later, I was back on the road. At that time, my dearly beloved wife was expecting a call from our local hospital to undergo a hip surgery. I wanted to be there the day it was going to be done but, the hospital called to say, maybe this week maybe the next. I stayed home to wait and we finally got the call on Tuesday to tell us it would be the next week. Only glitch Easter was in the middle of the waiting period. Do I have to say I stayed home all that week!

After a few months of soaring fuel prices, we finally saw a little bit of calm but never the prices of the early years at the turn of the decade. Fortunately for us Canadians, the exchange rate stayed low so our purchases south of the border stayed within a reasonable range. I tried to imagine fuel at $3.10 a gallon with an exchange rate of 56% like it was in 2004! It would have made fuel price in Newfoundland a good deal!

Other then some tires, brakes, and all the regular maintenance our trucks need, the rest of the year was almost trouble free.

As of the home time, well as you can read, I was there for a good part but, I was proposed to co-host a new show on satellite radio, the preparation and the research to bring good information, comments supported with facts took most of my spare time and my rest time while on the road. Other then the way it ended, it was a great experience to communicate with drivers across North America and keep them informed on rulemakings, road laws and all the nice stuff we all need to know and take some stands.

Having to deal with my demands for home time, pass-by time, radio time, I can only say a word about the dispatching, great! Even if I did run some lines that are more costly to do, in the Maritimes of Canada, I was there when I wanted to be there.

My forecast for 2007

I hope that most of the operating costs for an owner operator stay in a reasonable bracket. That the incomes will be adjusted to the growing demands from the shippers and receivers. Not to forget the rising prices of replacement of our equipments with the new EPA standards, thanks to some pencil pushers and tree huggers. Only the road transportation has to deal with tighter rules, not the trains, planes or boats for now. This is another debate we can have later.

To all of you reading these lines, I wish you health, happiness and peace. Without these 3 elements, prosperity is not worth living for.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007

Jean Catudal

Is NAFTA such a good deal?

2006-12-27T21:24:00.000-08:00

For us in the transportation industry, it doesn’t look like a bad deal with all the freight to move across North America, mostly between

Canada

and

Mexico

. But now more and more of our jobs are going southbound and this will affect us in a future closer then many can think.

There are a growing number of large companies, some have been the pride of the economy of Quebec, which are expanding in Mexico. Labour laws, environment laws and unions are taken over by the stock holders that want a good return on their investments. Still many components are made here in Canada or in the USA but the final costly assemblies are made in sombrero country.

This past December 20^th, Freightliner was announcing the build in 2007 and the start up of a new production plant in Mexico. The forecasts are showing that in 2009 more sales would come and the company wants to be able to face the demand. In 2009, 30,000 trucks branded Freightliner and Sterling will roll out of that facility. And Sterling has just announced lay-offs in the St-Thomas Ontario plant.

In 2002, the same company had closed the Kelowna plant and moved all of Western Star production in Oregon, and the bus plant of Woodstock Ontario was spread around other facilities. Navistar had pushed the production of their Escobedo plant to face a strike in Chatham. Navistar also found out that is was cheaper to assemble there then in Canada.

Some even say that the Canadian Class 8 are to become Mexican!

I could come out with even more on the automobile industry, but I don’t have the patience of all that research.