Nicknames don't have to be technically accurate, sorry if that hurts your little feelings to have an inaccurate nickname.
So, the problem seems to be that there are a mix of both commercial and non-commercial drivers in this thread, attempting to make sense of it all, when not all applies to each of them the same, and on top of that, the laws that do apply, well, each state has their own laws.
So maybe it could shorten the thread some to just say to each . . . to be diligent in your pusuit of the laws as they apply to you in YOUR state. Other states will follow the rules that apply according to the state of your liscense plate and registration, yet might have additional laws to comply with.
Most of us are aware (at least the commercial operators) that all states adopted the FMSCA, but you fail to mention that they all have the right to add additional laws and/or restrictions, as long as it still complies with or doesn't alter the FMCSA.
This is off topic somewhat, but here it is.
Let me tell you about how the "higher than mighty" way folks can talk down to truckers on occasion, with either an alpha male, macho attitude, or a condescending/belittling tone. That goes for LEOs and shipping and recieving warehouse clerks.
First, I don't stand for it. I quickly add as polite as I can that I expect them to speak to me in as professional and courtious manner, as they want me to address them as I always walk in with a smile and "How do you do."
Second, I'm likley higher educated than most of them, can build their computer from scratch, install and operate most any program, have spent years at cost accounting and departmental budgeting, with two computers running different OS's upon my desk, commanding people better than most of them will ever be, and then CHOSE to buy a truck and hit the road . . . truck is paid for and I net three times more earnings than just about any of them, including the Troopers, DOT, any other LEO. What do they own? A gun and a badge and an attitude. Or if in a warehouse somewhere, maybe a pen, a name-tag, and sometimes a friggin uniform. Not all are rotten, as I have met some really nice ones too. They talk to me in the same tone, with respect and courtesy, just as they expect me to speak to them. Some Leo's are just like a little pit bull just itching to chew your leg off. Makes them feel like a real man. Wadcutter is obviosly one of those, as he insists upon the accuracy of certain names he has for truckers. There are very accurate names that truckers and others have for SOME LEOs as well.
Third, as badly as some seem to hate truckers, think about if all trucks in the US just stopped. In very short order, gas pumps would dry up, grocery stores would be empty in less than a week, people couldn't get to work without gas, businesses would be closed as no one would come spend money, no gas to get there and they are all hunting for food. Hoards of armed people would eventually take over the grocery warehouses, blocking all other out for fear the food would run out. Highways would be empty. Fuel depots with pipelines into them would have lines so long, no one could get fuel before running out. There are not enough trasport planes in other countries to drop in enough food to feed the masses. Total nightmare! And this barely starts to describe it. Trucks are the blood through the viens of our nation and no one cares that they spend days, weeks, sometimes a month out away from family, friends, our homes, so that everything, EVERYTHING gets to where it needs to go. Tires, colthes, food, gasoline, construction material, coal for many electrical power plants, and anything else you can think of, and what kind of respect so they get? Sure, some drivers bring the attitude on themselves. That doesn't justify what once was a noble profession becoming so scoured upon. Additionally, I cannot begin to explain in one paragraph, the amazing amount of coordination, and amazing level of complex networking that keeps everything coming out of factories, manufacturers, producers, or from other countries and off of ships, planes and trains and on to trucks and how that networking maintains the even spreading of all items to all corners of the country, to warehouses, distribution centers, and retailers in a manner that has any and all products almost always available to anyone. Park all trucks and absolutely EVERYTHING comes to a screeching hault, yet because everything is amost always there . . . the work done by all persons involved are rarely given a thought, and are taken for granted.
Fourth, I also NEED LEO's!!!! They make sure drivers are not chasing that extra dollar or getting pushed so hard that they run way over there logs hours allow, getting so tired that it ends with a tragic loss of lives of your family or mine, because a driver went to sleep. I don't want unsafe trucks with bad tires or brakes causing an equally tragic ending. We all need one another to doing our jobs . . . to keep the nation functioning.
My apologies to evertone for getting off topic. I will respond no more to this thread. It has become ridden with rudeness and negativety. Truckers who talk hatefull on the CB to another trucker are commonly referred to as a "CB Rambo" because if they were standing toe to toe they'd be the friendliest guy ever. In fact, it's funny to see a bunch of drivers in polite conversation in a truck stop or warehouse, when they don't even know if some of the same drivers there, might be the same driver they had a cursing match with over the CB radio earlier that same day. The same applies here. Sitting around a campfire in some RV campgrounds, everyone here would likely discuss all of this in a much friendlier tone, rather than playing "PC Rambo."
Go ahead now Wadcutter, look down your nose at me again, and go ahead and let me know which name you have for me.
