Millions of truckers to get background checks; U.S. will focus on those hauling hazardous goods.

Associated Press ^ | 05-03-03

[Brian S]

WASHINGTON

[widowithfoursons]

Wonder if Mexican truckers will be held to the same standard? Oh, once they join the Teamsters no problem.

[templar]

Drivers may appeal and obtain waivers.

AAs long as there is a genuine appeal process and waivers are actualy given to those that can demonstrate their current good character, I don't have a problem with this.

Would these same safeguards be in place for foreign drivers entering from Mexico and carrying a Mexican license? Or are Mexican truckers allowed to haul hazardous materials on US roads at all?

[thepitts]

Welcome to the police state.

[templar]

Turn italics off and use the preview, dummy.

[free from tyranny]

how about we demand that no who votes democrat can work for any of the administrative agencies.

[sausageseller]

Most trucking companies don't pay any more money for hauling hazardous material.

Many truckers will not get the Hazmat endorsement on their CDL license for just that!

[Malsua]

I have a close friend who recently went to truck driving school and is now a full time trucker. He couldn't get an IT job as a CCIE.

He said that the calibre of the people that attempt the school is rock bottom and he said, "You gotta be a real moron to wash out of truck driving school", yet he said that at least half of the people can't cut it.

I'd bet if you ask him(and today he's going to be in this neck of the country so I will) he'd be fine with it. Do you want a felon driving an 80,000 pound bomb? I don't.

You really have to work hard at being caught and convicted of a felony. This generally means that convicted felons are repeat felons even thought they may only have been convicted once.

They also said this goes towards hazmat drivers. I think that you need 2 years experience to drive hazmat. This generally means that hazmat drivers are upper tier, which means they are generally concientious folks, a characteristic often absent in convicted felons. What that means is that this search will impact very few people in my opinion.

This also wouldn't deny those "suspect" truckers from hauling, just from hauling hazmat. Is that so bad?
I'd like the gov't out of our lives entirely, but sometimes there is a greater good served. Is that the case in this situation? I'm not qualified to answer, that's for sure.

[thepitts]

A better idea, how about we demand that anyone who votes for a republican OR a demorat can work for any of the administrative agencies.

[coloradan]

It's pretty easy to become a felon these days. Have you ever dispensed prescription medication into another container than the one your doctor gave it to you in? That's a felony in several states.

[coloradan]

Rob Black, spokesman for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, gave the example of an 18-year-old convicted of a minor drug offense. "He ends up straightening out, gets a job as a truck driver, it's 4 to 5 years later, he's turned himself around, he's got a job, but he's now at risk," Black said.

If anything it will turn even more people against the War On (some) Drugs.

Those who turn their life around could lose their job - but those who are still criminal face no new job risks today.

[Damagro]

It's pretty easy to become a felon these days. Have you ever dispensed prescription medication into another container than the one your doctor gave it to you in? That's a felony in several states.

---

Yeah, our prisons are full of people convicted of this crime

[toddst]

Have you ever dispensed prescription medication into another container than the one your doctor gave it to you in? That's a felony in several states.

Then we have millions of people out there in violation - a majority of senior citizens taking prescription drugs and often those providing care to them.

[meatloaf]

I think most folks would be surprised to find out how many products are considered hazardous. Coca Cola syrup is one.

[hgro]

Anyone that knows the trucking industry knows that there will be a lot of employment opportunities in the truck driving business.

The teamsters unions is loaded with crooks, felons and assorted undesirables that out number common decent truckers that have to live with the situation.

[hgro]

"Welcome to the police state."

When it comes to the teamsters union, its about time. The trucking business attracts felons, drug dealers and various and assorted crooks.

[Beck_isright]

"Wonder if Mexican truckers will be held to the same standard?"

No, they won't. Neither will Canadian truckers. Or Russians on green cards. Or Sudanese. Or Egyptian. As long as you're a foreigner, you don't have to get a background check. Only little old ladies and Americans who might be a threat to their own country apparently.

[Beck_isright]

"The trucking business attracts felons, drug dealers and various and assorted crooks."

No, that's not true. Most of the criminals wash out on the initial background checks performed by the companies. The people who were driving trucks when I was doing consulting work (on security it just so happens) about 3 years ago were by and large farmers who hit hard times and the victims of NAFTA who lost their factory jobs. Don't slam a business you haven't worked in. I won't speak for all drivers because I ran a few off that used stolen SSN's to bypass background checks, but I will vouch for the majority. They are some of the most patriotic people you'll ever meet.

[coloradan]

The fact they're not in prison doesn't mean the crime isn't a felony and that these people could lose their jobs, and their firearms rights for that matter. There are rapists not in prison too ...