Tom Robertson
Veteran Expediter
I have in no uncertain terms, made it known that I, and many other professionals on this forum have a problem with some of the advice given in this and other forums.
Perhaps it is time some terminology regarding our industry...
I cannot and do not respond to questions that I am not qualified to answer, but many do.
I post questions and listen to those qualified to give the information.
For example I posted a thread *** Class 8's - Fuel Economy *** I heard from some real pro’s who own Class 8 trucks, as well as other pro’s owning Class 7 trucks and saw very good arguments for both. How do I know these guys are pro’s? Because they stated what vehicle they owned and stated with authority their experiences. I also heard from someone who does not own a truck...agreeing with one of the posts. This person neither owns a truck at this time nor has ever owned any class of expedited equipment. His post is based on “research”, admits that he has not evaluated a class 7 truck, and NOWHERE does he state that he has no experience with the truck.
If I did not already know these facts, I would assume that he owned a class 8 truck and that he was posting from experience. This post is misleading as many of his other are.
If we could reach an agreement on these terms, each of us would be able to state with only a couple of words, our qualifications to answer anyone’s question, allowing the reader to evaluate and weigh the responses.
There are many Newbies in each catagory who respond honestly and provide insight to the most experienced of all. Likewise there are experienced among us who have had valuable lessons to be passed on. The professionals on this site do not take a elitist attitude and are often the most helpful and knowledgeable of all. The powers of this forum have made it known that all are welcome here and I think we all agree. However, there are also some very well intentioned newbies who post information that is nothing more than speculation. There are others who very simply look for a reason to start an argument. In my opinion both types need to be recognized.
The moderators on this forum do an outstanding job of maintaing civilized conversation, but it our responsibility as members to keep this forum legitimate and honest. We can allow those who intentionally elevate threads to false accusations to continue to post until a thread is locked or removed. And we can contiue to allow those who post irresponsibly to use this forum to inflate thier fragile egos.
Or we the members can call attention to those members and suggest they change their ways.
If this forum is to remain “THE AUTHORITY” of the industry then we as members have an obligation to keep all members in check and to advise those making speculative postings, to be careful. I have done that privately in the past and believe that is the correct process. To those who have failed to follow that advice or to those whose ego’s have the depth and strength of an onion skin, and direct hate campaigns, I have and will continue to expose them for whom they are.
So I am asking your assistance...
The following are terms used on this and other sites frequently... lets see if we can agree on a definition for each... first listed will be the word... then my take...
How does your take differ... what can be added or changed to this definition that we can all agree upon?
I think this may help many on our forum understand who they are talking with and how to weight the advice given.
Driver - anyone engaged in the activity of physically operating any vehicle used in our industry
Owner – anyone who owns any vehicle used in this industry
Owner/Operator – anyone owning and driving the vehicle used in this industry
Fleet Owner – anyone owning a group of vehicles used in this industry.
(in my opinion, a number should be established to define “fleet” or “group”
I have seen others post that they are fleet owners and later have found out that they have only one or two trucks...is that a “fleet”? If not...what number should constitute a fleet? I have 8 trucks and consider myself a truck owner...am I a “fleet owner?” If I had 10 or 12 trucks would I be a fleet owner? )
Professional - a driver/owner/owner operator/ or fleet owner who has a minimum of 5 years in the expedited industry
Experienced - driver/owner/owner operator/ or fleet owner who has a minimum of 2 years in the expedited industry
Newbie - a driver/owner/owner operator/ or fleet owner who has less than 2 years in the expedited industry
Obviously this could aid all of us to know something about the person posting. For example... if someone is posting answers to the forum wouldn’t it be nice to know his credentials?
Those with the best intentions could then post something like ...
“ yada yada yada yada..................................................... “
Joe Blow... experienced driver
Please post your suggestions on the definitions and thoughts regarding the use of these terms.
Perhaps it is time some terminology regarding our industry...
I cannot and do not respond to questions that I am not qualified to answer, but many do.
I post questions and listen to those qualified to give the information.
For example I posted a thread *** Class 8's - Fuel Economy *** I heard from some real pro’s who own Class 8 trucks, as well as other pro’s owning Class 7 trucks and saw very good arguments for both. How do I know these guys are pro’s? Because they stated what vehicle they owned and stated with authority their experiences. I also heard from someone who does not own a truck...agreeing with one of the posts. This person neither owns a truck at this time nor has ever owned any class of expedited equipment. His post is based on “research”, admits that he has not evaluated a class 7 truck, and NOWHERE does he state that he has no experience with the truck.
If I did not already know these facts, I would assume that he owned a class 8 truck and that he was posting from experience. This post is misleading as many of his other are.
If we could reach an agreement on these terms, each of us would be able to state with only a couple of words, our qualifications to answer anyone’s question, allowing the reader to evaluate and weigh the responses.
There are many Newbies in each catagory who respond honestly and provide insight to the most experienced of all. Likewise there are experienced among us who have had valuable lessons to be passed on. The professionals on this site do not take a elitist attitude and are often the most helpful and knowledgeable of all. The powers of this forum have made it known that all are welcome here and I think we all agree. However, there are also some very well intentioned newbies who post information that is nothing more than speculation. There are others who very simply look for a reason to start an argument. In my opinion both types need to be recognized.
The moderators on this forum do an outstanding job of maintaing civilized conversation, but it our responsibility as members to keep this forum legitimate and honest. We can allow those who intentionally elevate threads to false accusations to continue to post until a thread is locked or removed. And we can contiue to allow those who post irresponsibly to use this forum to inflate thier fragile egos.
Or we the members can call attention to those members and suggest they change their ways.
If this forum is to remain “THE AUTHORITY” of the industry then we as members have an obligation to keep all members in check and to advise those making speculative postings, to be careful. I have done that privately in the past and believe that is the correct process. To those who have failed to follow that advice or to those whose ego’s have the depth and strength of an onion skin, and direct hate campaigns, I have and will continue to expose them for whom they are.
So I am asking your assistance...
The following are terms used on this and other sites frequently... lets see if we can agree on a definition for each... first listed will be the word... then my take...
How does your take differ... what can be added or changed to this definition that we can all agree upon?
I think this may help many on our forum understand who they are talking with and how to weight the advice given.
Driver - anyone engaged in the activity of physically operating any vehicle used in our industry
Owner – anyone who owns any vehicle used in this industry
Owner/Operator – anyone owning and driving the vehicle used in this industry
Fleet Owner – anyone owning a group of vehicles used in this industry.
(in my opinion, a number should be established to define “fleet” or “group”
I have seen others post that they are fleet owners and later have found out that they have only one or two trucks...is that a “fleet”? If not...what number should constitute a fleet? I have 8 trucks and consider myself a truck owner...am I a “fleet owner?” If I had 10 or 12 trucks would I be a fleet owner? )
Professional - a driver/owner/owner operator/ or fleet owner who has a minimum of 5 years in the expedited industry
Experienced - driver/owner/owner operator/ or fleet owner who has a minimum of 2 years in the expedited industry
Newbie - a driver/owner/owner operator/ or fleet owner who has less than 2 years in the expedited industry
Obviously this could aid all of us to know something about the person posting. For example... if someone is posting answers to the forum wouldn’t it be nice to know his credentials?
Those with the best intentions could then post something like ...
“ yada yada yada yada..................................................... “
Joe Blow... experienced driver
Please post your suggestions on the definitions and thoughts regarding the use of these terms.
