Truckers plan to protest diesel prices at Chehalis
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 8:40 AM PDT
By The Associated Press
Printable version
E-mail this articleCHEHALIS, Wash. — Some truckers plan to protest the high price of diesel in a demonstration Friday at Chehalis.
Organizer Sherrie Bond of Bond Trucking says fuel costs are hammering independent drivers and leading to increased consumer prices.
She says truckers will gather Friday in Chehalis (at exit 72 off I-5).
The AAA auto club reports the average price of diesel in Washington is a record $4.15 a gallon, more than a dollar higher than a year ago.
ap wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:52 AM:
" GOOD! it's a waste fuel, if it weren't used for this, the companies would have to pay to dispose of it. But because it fuels America, we are dependant on it, they can do what they want!
BS! "
BS! "
Kelso Guy wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:01 AM:
" Hopefully all they do is protest, I've heard talk of a truckers strike in the works, this would cause the shelves at the supermarket to empty... got food storage? "
Protest? wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:16 AM:
" Yeah, a protest at a truckstop at exit 72 in Washington is gonna to do a lot for fuel prices. Until truckers organize across the nation and park their trucks for about a month, fuel prices will remain the same. And why shouldn't they remain the same. Oil companies are in business to make money aren't they, just like every other business. So why is it people only get mad at oil companies for their record profits and not other businesses? "
Good luck guys! wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:18 AM:
" I don't understand how this is going to help with the fuel prices, but something has to be done! "
WHITEY wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:31 AM:
" Sorry all you truckers. your protest will not really do much good. American consumers cannot cause a glut in the market anymore, If you don't buy the diesel theres a thousand chinese who will. "
Trucker's wife wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:55 AM:
" Now we have to raise our prices and the companies he hauls for are throwing fits. What in the hell are we suppose to do. I am so sick of this, these companies don't seem to understand that we have bills to pay too and one of them is our fuel bill..Get a clue people. "
WOW wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:20 AM:
" Hey truckers you need to block I-5 just turn off your rigs and refuse to move. Price gouging is against the law and lets face it you money hungry oil companies you can't take the money with you when you die! Oh yeah I still don't go through 40 plus gallons of milk in a week so don't campare them. "
A lot more could be said! wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:35 AM:
" Excuse me Protest?! For years $1.45 was considered high gas prices and now all of a sudden we're supposed to accept $4.00 a gallon? And then in order for the oil company to keep making profit, we'll be seeing $5.00, then $6.00, then $7.00!!! %*&#@#! How come we're not paying $10.00 for a gallon of milk? I'm paying $4,000 a year more in gas than I was in 2001. At less than $20/hour, how come I'm supposed to pad the oil company's pockets??! "
ITS ABOUT TIME, BOYS wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:40 AM:
" I have been saying it needs to be done for some time now. BUT, lets get it organized across a few states at a time....It will make a greater impact. Blocking the freeways and major commerce zones would also be in order. I'll be there waving a sign and parking my car next to your rig. Hey, you know if a whole bunch of us, even those of us without semitrucks joined in, it might help. "
Oil wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:53 AM:
" GOOD!! Do not stop!!! Time for the working class of America to stand together. There could also be a major oil strike next year. 2009 is the end of the contract. Shell Oil is off to a great start. There hourly work force are not being treated well at all. I have been told if Shell does not stop they will strike for sure!!! "
Trucks are inefficient wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:03 AM:
" Trains are efficient and soon your truck's trailer will be doing the bulk of the distance by train. The benefit is that it will remove the bulk of the obnoxious truckers and their trucks off of I-5. Don't blame the oil companies crude is over $111 a barrel today. 70% of the price of a gallon goes there. The money's going to crude oil producers. Crude oil is that high because the value of the dollar is so low, that's because of fiscal policy (tax cuts), monetary policy (interest rate cuts) and foreign policy (the war in Iraq). "
Quan Duc wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:06 AM:
" Was there some law, rule or code passed that says prices must stay the same despite inflation? Asking for fixed prices sounds like an endorsment for a Socialistic state. "
Protest? wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:41 AM:
" No one answered my question. Why is it that people only get angry when oil companies show record profits and not other businesses? Do you think it's greddy to be in business for money. Isn't that why everyone is in business. Should they try not to make money? By the way, when fuel was $1.45 a barrell of oil was $15. So technically based on the price of a barrell, fuel should be about $10.50 a gallon. Quit whining and get a hybrid. Truckers, if you don't like it, sell you truck or organize nationally and park your truck. A protest at exit 72 probably isn't gonna do it for ya. "
UW PSE wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:07 PM:
" This is so incredibly pointless. The only way the oil companies would consider lowering their prices would be if tens of millions of Americans stopped driving. A few dozen truckers in Chehalis won't accomplish a thing. And Protest? is right, why is it that everyone complains so much about oil companies when there are many industries that make much larger percent profits than they do? "
So wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:07 PM:
" So how many of you truckers are registered Democrats? Yep, that's the party that won't let the US Oil companies drill here in the states. It's also the party that institutes all the rediculous regulations that keep the companies from building or expanding refineries. It's also the party that won't close our borders so that if you will not haul the freight, we will have plenty of illegals here that will. And to go along with all that, they are the party that keeps raising your taxes so you can take home less money no matter how much you earn.
"
"
Energy Prices wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:18 PM:
" The price of diesel fuel is one part of the total energy picture. A lot of people just start pointing fingers at the most convenient enitities, such as gas stations, and oil companies, but the problem goes beyond that. Check out
this website for a discussion on energy
prices: http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/analysis_publications/primer_on_gasoline_prices/html/petbro.html "
this website for a discussion on energy
prices: http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/analysis_publications/primer_on_gasoline_prices/html/petbro.html "
Distribution wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:35 PM:
" Product distribution needs to change in our era of high fuel costs. We need more piggyback, stack trains, boxcars, consolidators for LTL, and less over the road trucking. A train has a small crew for a huge amount of cars filled with freight, while an over the road trucker has (at most) two drivers for
a 40-45 ft box, doubles, or triples.
Local trucking at the distribution points would actually increase, but fall for long-haul. While deliveries would be slower, the fuel savings would be enormous, and truck traffic would be lighter on our highways. Some long-haul truckers would lose their jobs, but if fuel costs keep rising, they will be out of business anyway. We have to face reality - times have changed, and methods of distribution must adapt to be more efficient. "
a 40-45 ft box, doubles, or triples.
Local trucking at the distribution points would actually increase, but fall for long-haul. While deliveries would be slower, the fuel savings would be enormous, and truck traffic would be lighter on our highways. Some long-haul truckers would lose their jobs, but if fuel costs keep rising, they will be out of business anyway. We have to face reality - times have changed, and methods of distribution must adapt to be more efficient. "
Dr. Evil wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:40 PM:
" In response to So and UW PSE. You and people like you are the biggest problem we face in America. Your sheer ignorance is why not much changes in this so-called land of the free. Please inform me which industries make larger percentage profits than oil companies. I need to know so I can be informed. And please tell me why diesel is more expensive than gas even though it requires less refining. And don't give me that lame reason that diesel produces more energy that gas. And please stop picking on what you refer to as illegals. "
Kelso Gal wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:54 PM:
" RE: Protest? I know all businesses have to make a profit, I own a small business. However, if an industry gets special tax breaks AND makes huge profits, then I think it is way beyond time for those tax breaks to disappear. This is the case with the oil industry! You need to realize that businesses with huge profits should NO longer get ANY tax breaks.
Maybe the oil companies won't give us break, when it come to gas prices. But we should have to subsidize them too! "
Maybe the oil companies won't give us break, when it come to gas prices. But we should have to subsidize them too! "
To: Dr. Evil wrote on Apr 9, 2008 2:02 PM:
" Nearly every industry makes a higher percentage profits than oil. Remember when gas was $1.50, a barrell of oil was $15. Now a barrell is $110 so gas should be about $10 a gallon. How about Nike, it costs them about $2 to have a kid in a sweatshop make a pair of Jordans and they sell them for $185. Not a bad profit. And the diesle gas price difference. Refining a barrell of oil produces both gas and diesel. There are two main ways to refine oil. One produces more gas, the other produces more diesel. Because gas is in higher demand than diesel in the U.S. most refineries in this country refine the way that produces more gas. Hence a higher price on diesel because there is less of it. "
To: Kelso Gal From: Protest? wrote on Apr 9, 2008 2:09 PM:
" If you're mad at the government for fuel prices I totally agree. Who I don't agree with is the people who are mad a oil companies for making money. It's like people think they are greedy for profitting. I don't know anyone who is in business to break even. But it is not the oil companies fault, every business tries to make as much money as they can which means charging as much as you can and still your customers will pay for it. "
To: Dr. Evil is right wrote on Apr 9, 2008 2:13 PM:
" Here is a link to wikipedia which explains the refining processes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocracking "
What's the problem? wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:53 PM:
" Does fuel cost more or is the dollar worth less? "
Government, not oil companies wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:55 PM:
" Take away the tax breaks and let oil companies make it on their own. I don't think they'll have a problem. "
Get over it wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:56 PM:
" Either move on from trucking, or find a way to do it. Every business faces hardships. "
Europe prices wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:21 PM:
" gas and diesel cost $8 to $10 in europe. why are we complaining over here? "
Quit Whining wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:38 PM:
" We've got it pretty good over here. In Germany right now gas cost about $2.30 a liter. There are 3.75 liters in a gallon so that makes in $8.60 a gallon. What are we whining about. I think the best thing for us is for gas and diesel to continue climbing abd creating more urgency to develop new technological solutions. Whether that's new fuels or new auto technology, the higher the price the quicker we will get there. "
Hey get over it.. wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:49 PM:
" I happen to know the reason fuel is going up is because of speculation at the stock market and the weak U.S dollar, thus making these protests worthless. However name any other business that has had their costs triple on them, and yet their return is only about 10% more than it was 3yrs ago. And also smart one, tell us who is going to truck when all of us get out of it, at your advice, to make sure YOU have food on the table. In fact, I will made this offer some weeks back to another brilliant person such as yourself. This smart fella told me business was business and you just needed to raise the prices. I offered him $10,000 if he could come in and get my companies revenue to reflect the high cost of fuel. I also told him, he would owe me $2000 if he could not. He declined. Would you like the same offer? "
To: Trucks are inefficient wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:26 PM:
" And just how do you think your products get from the train to the stores? How do you think the food you eat gets off the farm? Not to mention when the rail road wants something fast... they call a truck! trust me.. I drive a step-deck or flat bed. I have hauled rail, ties, electrick combo motors and those huge V-12 engines... You need to get a clue! Trucks move America!! I say the shut down is a good idea.. not just the fuel costs but the freight pay that is so low, most times what they offer to pay doesn't even cover the cost of fuel! I say shut it down for a week... most towns' stores have a three day supply of food... what are you going to do if they do shut down? Hope you have a good store of food and garden. Oh.. One question... do you see rail tracks going by any of the stores? AHA
Lady trucker!!! "
Lady trucker!!! "
Why Highways/Freeways were built wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:34 PM:
" The federal highway and freeway system was built for interstate commerce! This has promoted the trucking industry for as long as the motor vehicle has been in existance. Who do you all think pays the bullk of taxes for road building, repair and maintenance? A: The truckers of American in IFTA tax. If the trucks aren't on the road, the government doesn't make that money. Are you going to be willing to pay more to register your vehicle? more for gasoline? Those trains use more fuel than trucks... they have V-12 motors in them and it takes days/weeks to get products from California to Washington. Recently a rail car was found with brand new cars in it... I believe the cars in it are about 50+ years old. The rail is great, but if you want products in a timely manner (like before it spoils) then it must come by truck. The rail may appear efficient, but reality tells that it is not! Lets shut down boys!!! See how these bleeding hearts and liberals like that slice of rotten meat! "
Trucks Moved America wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:44 PM:
" Key word MOVED! You are no longer viable for longhaul, trucks will be useful for places that don't have rail lines and from rail to store. Truckers are kidding themselves that they are so damned indespensible. Let's not forget the added bonus of ridding our roads of so many OBNOXIOUS TRUCKERS AND THEIR OBNOXIOUS TRUCKS. "
Trucks are inefficient wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:59 PM:
" Saying that makes me a liberal? Well if you don't understand something just call it liberal, you dullard. Of course trains us more fuel than trucks only they carry 100's of times more. This country ran for 150 years just fine on primarily on rail. The only reason trucks were favored was cheap fuel. Do you see that coming back? That IFTA fuel tax doesn't pay for half the damage trucks do to the roads. We can do quite nicely with a lot less trucks, and so much better with less truckers. "
Distribution Mgr. wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:20 AM:
" Trucks are needed because rail can't go everywhere, but the comments by "Distribution" makes sense to me because I was in distribution management for more than 30 years, and I used all modes of transportation to get products to their destinations. Long-haul trucking won't go away, but the concept of long-haul rail, "break-bulk" at destination, and local delivery by truck will be more prominent in the future. Delivery time will be slightly longer in some cases, but there will be big fuel, equipment, and manpower savings. Many companies already are using this means of product distribution and they are saving millions Also, with local product availability from distribution centers, many deliveries are actually faster than before. You MUST PLAN - you cannot just say, "ship it." "
RE:Trucks are inefficient wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:01 AM:
" I'm sorry, your post was just plain ignorant, and I can't believe I'm actually taking the time to reply to your drabble....but, if there are others who think like you, then clearly this country needs to be educated better...first, answer me a few questions...1) How would you get the product off the train and into the stores? by Bicycle? Would you make all the several hundred thousand people all pick up their eggs, milk, bread, fuel, pasta, cereal , etc at the train depot? Who is going to haul the asphalt to pave the roads the trucks drive on? Who is going to ship the timber to build your house? You gonna haul that with your bicycle too? You may want to do some research before you post in the future, because posting with little to no common sense just makes you look silly. "
RE Trucks are inefficient wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:18 AM:
" Do you car driver know what the IFTA tax is?I would strongly suggest to those of you who are so against truckers,to do a ride along and see just how difficult it is for those flatbed drivers....Loading,strapping,chaining,tarping ect....Wife of a trucker! "
So SORRY wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:23 AM:
" I feel that the current high diesel prices are going to be the beginning of the end for the independent trucker (another american icon, lost).
I do hear that there are many mexicans who will be happy to haul everything for pennies on the dollar, though.
Check out what is happening in Texas with the the superhighway there that will allow completely unrestricted truck transport from Mexico thru to Canada.
Who will drive those trucks?? "
I do hear that there are many mexicans who will be happy to haul everything for pennies on the dollar, though.
Check out what is happening in Texas with the the superhighway there that will allow completely unrestricted truck transport from Mexico thru to Canada.
Who will drive those trucks?? "
Trucks are inefficient wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:32 AM:
" I have goods in port in Los Angeles, I need a truck to take them to the railyard which takes them BY TRAIN to Portland Oregon and then a truck to distribute them around the area. That's 920 miles by train, the rest is small change by comparison. Of course trucks split things up and distributes them. I never said that trucks would not have a use, but it's stupid to haul by truck when trains are 100's of times more efficient. It's call economics, you might want to read up on it, instead of whining and bitching about the price of disel. Not one thing your posts have said is either true or convincing. The days of sleeper cabs and long haul trucking are over, as it should be. "
wife of a independent trucker wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:47 AM:
" RE: trucks are inefficient: I agree w/ wife of a trucker, how do think you get your wood to build houses,make your paper, & your toilet paper it takes a log trucker to haul the wood, now can trains do that. I agree that the price of diesel is too high & it breaks the independent trucker when you have a family & have other bills to pay so stop telling us to quit whining & get on w/ Your own LIFE I also agree w/ a protest but some of us can't afford to because we have bills to pay families to feed. "
to: wife of independent trucker wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:07 AM:
" All anyone is saying is that long haul trucking is incredibly inefficient, and there is absolutely no way you can argue agaianst that. A train can do a hundred times the work to get it long haul across the country and then put it on a small truck to take to the store. The amount of fuel saved by using 1 train over 100 trucks to do the same amount of work will translate in prices to the consumer. So let me clarify what "Trucks are inefficient" is saying. Long haul trucks are inefficient. All we need is the truck to take it from the railroad to the store. "
Long Haul Trucks are inefficient wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:35 AM:
" Thanks for the help but I said that four different ways. I think these truckers just can't accept reality. When times get tough and we have to tighten our belts the INEFFICIENT methods are the FIRST TO BE ELIMINATED. "
Just my opinion wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:56 PM:
" For those of you who believe that protesting is a waste of time. Think of it this way; One person in Chehalis is starting this protest and look how many people are already commenting on it? For every one person who comments on this will talk to atleast one other person about the protest and that person will comment about it to someone else and so on and so forth. That is what will make one protest turn into many protests, now if we could just get them all to protest at the same time on the same day or the same week maybe just maybe our voices will be heard on this. For the people that say we should not complain because other countries are paying more..... I believe that in Coasta Rica or some other country in South America they are paying 36 cents per gallon and I am sure there dollar is worth a lot less than ours. "
When railroad needs it now! wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:18 PM:
" I can tell you for sure, when the railroad needs their supplies quickly? they hire a truck. That is a fact. Without trucks the railroad would also stop, trucks take the engines from the manufacturer/rebuilder to the shop at the rail yard. Same goes for the electric combo motors that move the engine and the rail the the engines pull the train on. I believe that ALL trucks, including these subsidised large companies, need to shut down for at least three days, lets see how you non-believers wake up when you can't go to the store and get your needs, whether it be food or household/yard repair. Not to mention how the home you picked out and was delivered in sections to your property, it came BY TRUCK. Just remember, the country still moves by truck, trains are still unable to move it all. Produce would spoil before it got from where it is grown to the town you live. One last thing to mr. trucks are ineffient, just how long did it take your product to get from Los Angeles to Portland (or Kelso)? A truck can do it in 24 hours! at the speed limit with two drivers. And to Trucks moved America: Trucks will always be needed... you are living in a fantasy world... wake up. Quit buying things brought to you buy us awful obnoxious truck drivers (oh by the way... I am one of the most courtious drivers. Lady driver "
High prices wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:49 PM:
" The reason for high oil prices right now is investors,they are hedging their investments with buying commodities.What that means is they are investing in oil futures,that dictates the price of the crude oil market.
There was a nationwide truckers shutdown a couple of weeks ago.Look what that accomplished,another 20 cent increase in diesel prices. "
There was a nationwide truckers shutdown a couple of weeks ago.Look what that accomplished,another 20 cent increase in diesel prices. "
Issue wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:50 PM:
" I beleive everyone issue with the high gas prices is due to the fact that the government is suppossed to help 'regulate' the price of fuel. Here we are paying record prices for fuel and the oil companies are reporting record profits. Most people understand that companies need to make a profit in order to succeed. But raping the little guy in order to line your own pockets causes a ripple effect and hurts everyone in the end. The government chooses not to step in because all our politicians don't pay for fuel-they use our tax dollars to fill up their Mercedes, jets and of course Air Force One. All the running around Bush likes to do BS'ing the people is adding up really quick-but he doesn't have to pay for it so why should he care? Gone are the days of filling up for $25 "
Trucker wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:51 PM:
" I'd love to stop & join in, but I cant afford to stop trucking long enough. Got bills to pay! "
Railroad?? wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:56 PM:
" The railroads have only so many trains, and they are booked solid......there is no way they could accomodate all the loads of the long-haul trucks, period....it would never happen. Sure, shipping from East Coast to West Coast and vice versa by trains is more efficient than trucking it.....but from Spokane to Portland? California to Washington? Eh...Probably not so much....unless you're a big corporation and have a dedicated train to ship multiple cars.....There is just no way Joe Schmoe can call up Union Pacific and say, I got a load of milk I need trained to San Diego, can I have it on the next train out? The railroad companies just can't handle every little load everywhere.....it's just impossible.....as for the people that can't stand obnoxious truck drivers? I say deal with it, trucks arent going anywhere, despite what your opinions are...and I guarantee you there are alot more obnoxious drivers in cars than trucks. "
Middle-Class wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:04 PM:
" Washington State's Gas taxes are one of the highest in the country, and truckers are already paying out the you know what for IFTA taxes and the like....they are taking on about 85 percent of the tax burden for maintaing the roads, yet people complain about the trucks....I say everyone needs to start sending Governor Gregoire e-mails asking her to repeal some of her gas taxes.....I mean, when she initiated that law gas was like, 1.70 per gallon...now it's doubled and everyone is hurting....not just the truck drivers....ask her to give us some relief ....or vote her out of office. "
longview wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:43 PM:
" my dad is a trucker and he has been out there for over 35 years. The problem with most of the newer truck drivers is they think they own the road. THey drive there personal cars/trucks so freaking fast and there attitude goes with it you get them out on the road they are even worse. Not all of the older drivers are friendly either but if you look at the older drivers to the newer drivers they are totally different. Mostly smarta**ed punks in my opinion. As far as the prices of fuel in America is because the govt has there hands so far in there pockets they will never have to worry. The problem is that our oil refineries in the Us are over 20 years old and the govt doesn't want to spend any money to build new ones. If we stand up to them and say look you a**es lets do this for our childern and grandchildren instead of padding your bank accounts things might change. Otherwise I know there have been a few strikes and I'd say you better get to the stores because the shelves will go bare pretty quick. So for you that think it won't be a problem you'll see it soon if this goes through. then those of you who think you can shop at any hour will be sitting at home wondering where your food is. "
As an owner of a 10 truck.. wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:15 PM:
" fleet that also does reload work[railroad transfers] I can first hand tell you these fools who think the railroad is "gonna replace trucks, are just that, FOOLS!!!! "
To High prices wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:20 PM:
" The so called shut down you are talking about... was "independant" drivers. These are the drivers that own their trucks and may have other drivers driving other trucks they own. Also they broker themselves loads through brokers for load or connections they have made over the years. This was not the large companies (such as Swift, Schneider, and other big companies that are subsidized for hiring, training and and paying drivers peanuts) nor was it owner-operators that are committed to brokers and companies. I talked to several of the "independant" drivers that headed home for one or more days in protest. Not this didn't accomplish what they wanted it to because not enough drivers shut down, it needs to me more wide spread all at the same time and instead of going home... go park on your state capitol's road ways into the capitol itself. It will only get worse if something isn't done. "
As the owner of 10 trucks.. wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:11 PM:
" and well aware of why fuel is so high..what exactly is a "fuel protest" going to accomplish? What was supposed to be the point? protest the stations at exit 72? which is three, and only two are set up for commercial trucks? Was that supposed to be the goal? I was at exit 72 today and someone must have forgot to send the memo that there was a protest. "
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