Ask The Trucker "live" W/allen Smith

Recent fatal accidents involving truck drivers of an older age have been making the headline news. Safety advocates and attorneys are, once again, calling for a mandatory retirement age of 65 for truckers. Should professional truck drivers be required by law to retire at 65? Could this safety matter erupt into an age discrimination issue?

Allen takes the top 40 questions and discusses the 40 answers concerning the FMCSA safety initiative: CSA 2010. Special 2 hour broadcast.

Years ago it was being said that the truck owner operator was a dying breed, yet ... the entrepreneurial spirit of these independent contractors live on. Allen pays tribute to the on-going spirit of the trucking owner operator and the struggles faced by these warriors of the road.

The FMSCA has now decided not to fully implement the new safety initiative, CSA 2010 until 2011. Even though the program is still months away, truck drivers are already feeling the effects of CSA 2010. The question still remains ... what future effect will CSA 2010 have on our professional truckers? Other topics will include the driver shortage issue and drivers classified as unskilled labor. Co-host Barry Szczucki joins Allen for open lines.

Open phone lines for whatever trucking topic is on your mind. Allen looks at the recent Mid America Trucking Show and Jazzy Jordan running across America for truckers, featuring the new Jazzy song performed by Jan McCarter. Surprise call-in from "Jazzy" Jordan!

What is happening in today's world of trucking? CDL training? CSA2010? NAFTA? Cheap freight? What about the good side of trucking? The phone lines are opened for the callers to decide what they want to talk about on this episode of Trucking Topics Open Discussion.

How safe is the truck driver 14 hours of service rule? Truckers can work 70 hour work weeks with trucking companies, shippers and receivers showing little regard to the safety and health of the drivers. With the current HOS rules for drivers, many local truck drivers can easily be up for 20 or more hours at a time. Is the trucking industry really concerned with safety or is it nothing more than greed? Barry Szczucki co-hosts.

Cargo theft is on the rise as truckers find themselves targets of highway robberies. As the global economic crisis worsens, truckloads containing $487 million of goods were stolen in the U.S. in 2009, a 67% increase from the previous year. Allen Smith and Barry Szczucki takes a look at the rising factors of crime against truckers and what measures can be taken to protect yourself from highway hijackers.

Congressman Paul Tonko (D) N.Y., is our special guest as we discuss the importance of passing House Bill H.R.2156. Better known as Jason's Law, this bill will provide safe and secure parking for our nation's truck drivers. Congressman Tonko will bring us up to date on this important issue that is so vital to the safety of all truckers.

Human trafficking is America's modern day slavery. Men, women and children are being bought and sold in the United States and abroad and has become a $32 billion industry worldwide. Kylla Leeburg, of Chapter 61 Ministries is our special guest, as we look at this horrific crime and how truckers are being called to action to help rescue the victims of Human Trafficking in America.

The Florida High Speed Rail proposal, Private Public Partnerships, fiscal irresponsibility and the selling off of America. Former Orange County mayoral candidate and transportation activist, Sally Baptiste returns as our special guest to discuss the Governmental waste of your tax dollars and her role in the September, 2009 Tea Party movement in Washington, D.C. Barry Szczucki co-hosts.

The FMCSA is considering changing the hours of service for truck drivers back to the former 10-8 rule. Good idea, or are truck drivers better off with the current 11-10 hour log book regulation? Allen, along with co-host Barry Szczucki will be taking your calls.

Are you a CDL student, graduate or even experienced truck driver unable to find a truck driving job? Allen welcomes James McCormack to the show. As founder of Trucking Careers of America, they are dedicated to working for you and not for the trucking companies. Never a fee for their services, Mr. McCormack will take your questions and explain how Trucking Careers of America can get you hired and back in the driver seat. You will NOT want to MISS this show!

In 1999, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared Road Rage the most pressing traffic safety problem facing America. Allen looks at this driver behavior, its often deadly consequences and offers tips on preventing, as well as surviving a trucking Road Rage encounter.

Allen opens up 2010 with an open discussion of the hottest trucking topics in the news today: CSA2010, the DAC Report abuse, the closing of Arrow Trucking, upcoming Government Regulations and more. Anything and everything that YOU want to talk about relating to the most important issues facing the trucking industry. Mike Rone of RMR Consultants is scheduled to call in to discuss the csa2010 issue. Open discussion on Truth About Trucking "LIVE."

For the final show of 2009, Allen welcomes special guest, Bobby Flaherty, Jr. Recipient of the Trucking Hero Awards: Knight of the Road and the Highway Angel Award. Bobby shares his story of how he saved the life of a child in July, 2006 during his time as a car hauler, and is still recovering from his injuries. A story of bravery, courage, unselfishness and heroism, join Allen for this special Holiday broadcast.

Does the trucking industry have the morals and ethics it takes to correct the problems with truck driver training? Will the industry step up and stop the harassment and abuse of female CDL trainees? Donna Smith hosts with special guest, Trucker Desiree to discuss solutions to the truck driving training practices. Trucker Desiree had a major role in the first Dan Rather Reports TV show, " Queen of the Road" which sent the trucking industry rocking.

Truth About Trucking "LIVE" opens up the phone lines to discuss the controversy within the trucking industry from the recent Dan Rather Reports interview with lady driver, TruckerDesiree. 32 year trucking veteran, Aubrey Allen Smith fights back to expose the real scams of over the road trucking.

With premium costs spiraling upwards and no end in sight, health care is a big concern for truckers and the trucking industry as well. Join hosts Allen Smith and Barry Szczucki, with special guest Mike Johnston, for an in-depth look into possible solutions to reforming health care.

Opening Mexico's border and allowing their trucks to run through our 48 states could prove disastrous for the American driver. Most companies and organizations write that they are against this plan, but are they really? Or is this a plan that has been secretly building in the background for years? With a combined driving experience of 65 years, Allen and co-host Barry Szczucki takes a look at what opening the Mexican border could do to the American trucker. Special guest: Daniel Audet of http://www.thetruckstar.com