I read in the February 15-28 edition of The Trucker that FMCSA head, Anette Sandberg, has resigned, effective March 1. While she is now crowing about her accomplishments in that spot, it is also the case that the split sleeper berth provision disappeared under her watch and other so-called steps ahead are being challenged in court.
Her successor can be appointed temporarily but must eventually be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. It is entirely possible that Bush administration insiders, working with Sandberg, long ago pre-ordained who Sandberg's successor will be. On the other hand, it is also possible that Sandberg's resignation took the Bush administration by surprise and the seat is genuinely open.
In another thread, a forum member asked about the value of OOIDA membership. I believe this is a case where OOIDA membership can be of vital importance. With over 100,000 owner/operator members, OOIDA's lobbyist(s) can enter the confirmation process with some influence, since 100,000 members are also (potentially, at least) 100,000 voting constituents.
OOIDA's influence is directly porportional to its ability to mobilize its members on this matter and translate member energy into into input to the U.S Senate from the grass-roots citizen/truck-driver level. OOIDA member or not, if you do not like the current sleeper-berth regs, now is the time to rise in support of an appointee who is more sympathetic to the truck driver's circumstances.
I've already started my letters to my state senators. I'll send a letter to my U.S. Representative as well (these guys often chat when at the same meetings or when flying in the same plane on their way home for House and Senate recesses).
Some drivers feel one person's voice does not matter and stay uninvolved for that reason. Other drivers believe their voice and vote do indeed matter. I'm in the latter group.
To the drivers in the former group, I ask you to get involved in this issue when OOIDA issues it's call to action and publishes the information (I'm presuming OOIDA will do just that). I'm not asking you to get involved as a way of changing public policy. Since you don't believe your involement will change public policy, that would be a futile request.
I'm asking you to get involved as a favor to your fellow truck drivers; those who believe they can make a difference. Lend your voice and vote not to influence the public debate, but to help your truck driving buddies who are engaged in the public debate.
The way to do that is to simply take the time (a few minutes for most people) to draft a hand-written letter (or typed if that's easier for you) to your U.S. Senators saying you support the return of the split-sleeper berth provisions and the FMCSA nominee. I presume OOIDA will be issuing more specific info in the near future. You might want to wait til then to write your letters. Either way, please consider doing your fellow drivers a favor and lend your voice and vote to them as they work to restore the split sleeper berth rules.
Her successor can be appointed temporarily but must eventually be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. It is entirely possible that Bush administration insiders, working with Sandberg, long ago pre-ordained who Sandberg's successor will be. On the other hand, it is also possible that Sandberg's resignation took the Bush administration by surprise and the seat is genuinely open.
In another thread, a forum member asked about the value of OOIDA membership. I believe this is a case where OOIDA membership can be of vital importance. With over 100,000 owner/operator members, OOIDA's lobbyist(s) can enter the confirmation process with some influence, since 100,000 members are also (potentially, at least) 100,000 voting constituents.
OOIDA's influence is directly porportional to its ability to mobilize its members on this matter and translate member energy into into input to the U.S Senate from the grass-roots citizen/truck-driver level. OOIDA member or not, if you do not like the current sleeper-berth regs, now is the time to rise in support of an appointee who is more sympathetic to the truck driver's circumstances.
I've already started my letters to my state senators. I'll send a letter to my U.S. Representative as well (these guys often chat when at the same meetings or when flying in the same plane on their way home for House and Senate recesses).
Some drivers feel one person's voice does not matter and stay uninvolved for that reason. Other drivers believe their voice and vote do indeed matter. I'm in the latter group.
To the drivers in the former group, I ask you to get involved in this issue when OOIDA issues it's call to action and publishes the information (I'm presuming OOIDA will do just that). I'm not asking you to get involved as a way of changing public policy. Since you don't believe your involement will change public policy, that would be a futile request.
I'm asking you to get involved as a favor to your fellow truck drivers; those who believe they can make a difference. Lend your voice and vote not to influence the public debate, but to help your truck driving buddies who are engaged in the public debate.
The way to do that is to simply take the time (a few minutes for most people) to draft a hand-written letter (or typed if that's easier for you) to your U.S. Senators saying you support the return of the split-sleeper berth provisions and the FMCSA nominee. I presume OOIDA will be issuing more specific info in the near future. You might want to wait til then to write your letters. Either way, please consider doing your fellow drivers a favor and lend your voice and vote to them as they work to restore the split sleeper berth rules.