Polite protesting truckers get results in Washington
WASHINGTON — Naysayers had been at it since before the start of the May 1 “mayday” protest by small trucking business owner-operators. It seemed that
Cliff Abbott
- About Cliff Abbott
- Cliff Abbott is an experienced commercial vehicle driver and owner-operator who still holds a CDL in his home state of Alabama. In nearly 40 years in trucking, he’s been an instructor and trainer and has managed safety and recruiting operations for several carriers. Having never lost his love of the road, Cliff has written a book and hundreds of songs and has been writing for The Trucker for more than a decade.
Posts by Cliff Abbott
White House meeting produces ‘sort of a victory’ for jubilant protesters
WASHINGTON — On the 20th day of protest along Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C., more than 100 small business truckers got what they’ve been waiting
End in sight as protesters prepare for White House meeting
WASHINGTON — As protesting truckers wind down Day 19 of their Washington D.C. protest on May 19, they are on the cusp of realizing their
United States Transportation Alliance joins DC protest; aims to help provide a common voice
The problem with a grass-roots movement is often determining which blade of “grass” will speak for the group. That’s been a visible issue with the
Truckers disrupt Trump press conference with air horn symphony on Day 15 of protest
WASHINGTON — Air horns could clearly be heard in the background as President Donald Trump spoke to the nation about the Administration’s latest work on
In conjunction with protests in Washington, OOIDA steps up its efforts to enact change
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) continued a busy week on Wednesday (May 13) with a message to the majority and minority leaders of both
Truckers see escalation, results during 13th day of Washington protest
WASHINGTON — After an eventful day in Washington May 13, small trucking businesses protesters came a very large step closer to achieving the goals of
Protesters jubilant as Trump says truckers are price gouged
Social-media websites lit up this morning (May 8) with the news that President Donald Trump had discussed the protest in a call-in appearance on the
Exclusive interview with D.C. protesters reveals group’s desire to present case, avoid ‘three-ring circus’
Day 5 of the owner-operator protest dawned in Washington on May 5, with rain on the way. That won’t be enough to deter protesters, who
‘Mayday’ protesters garner presidential attention but end result of truckers’ efforts remains to be seen
On a news-filled day when protests erupted across the country to protest COVID-19 “shelter in place” restrictions, about 100 independent owner-operators accomplished something that other
‘Mayday’ protests begin; exploring the issues and looking at what can be done
Today’s the day. May Day. Or “mayday,” as protest organizers who have adopted the well-known international radio distress signal, have labeled May 1, 2020. Demonstrations
Drivers, other industry insiders weigh in on issue of dropping freight rates
The stories from owner-operators about low freight rates abound. Tony Filla commented on The Trucker’s Facebook page, “The bottom dropped out. They’re (carrier customers) not
Owner-operators plan ‘mayday’ protests to bring awareness to drastic decline in rates, broker operations
Truck drivers have received a lot of media attention in recent weeks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are realizing how essential drivers are to
Owner-operators feel pain of rate decline due to pandemic; protest blocks freeway in Houston
In the past month, there has been a plethora of efforts to show appreciation for the nation’s drivers. Free lunches are great, but some of
Susie De Ridder chosen as WIT’s first Female Driver of the Year
Driving a truck for a living isn’t an easy job. Driving for a living AND making time to promote the industry and its drivers while
Spot rates peak, then plummet as COVID-19 impacts trucking industry
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has reached trucking rates, too. What the total impact will be is anyone’s guess, but it’s improbable that so
Team drivers haul across the country to keep store shelves stocked with vital products
VILLA RICA, Ga. — “We’re on the way to Rancho Cucamonga with a load of chicken,” said East-West Express team driver Bob Hamilton. That’s nothing
Su Schmerheim combines love for animals, trucking as professional horse hauler
“Whoever said, ‘Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life’ was talking about me,” said Su Schmerheim, paraphrasing a
Lower diesel-fuel prices offer temporary ‘bright’ spot in the midst of a pandemic
With the exception of temporary price hikes around major holidays, summer usually isn’t a time to worry about diesel fuel. Unlike wintertime, in warmer weather,
APUs add comfort to life on the road, reduce fuel costs
Idling your truck’s engine is expensive and can burn a gallon of fuel per hour or more. At $2.85 per gallon, the national average diesel