Rumblings Increase About Trucking Protest To High Gas Prices

gldstwmn · #1 08-13-2005, 05:14 PM

http://komotv.com/stories/38525.htm

SEATTLE - Trucks drivers are telling KOMO 4 News they are hearing increasing discussion about parking rigs to protest high diesel prices.

Several drivers say the talk is "all over the CB" across the country.

This week, log truck drivers in southwestern Washington parked their rigs to try to force additional fuel allowance from timber companies. In the Miami area, truck drivers formed a 20-mile long protest caravan.

At the North Bend truck stop, diesel hit about $2.91 a gallon and even at a Costco membership gas station, the price of regular gasoline was priced at just under $2.58 a gallon.

At that gas station, Paul Sockwell filled, up saying he expects to pay much more soon: "This is cheaper gas right now." Asked if he thinks it's going to go higher, Sockwell said: "Of course, it's supply and demand."

Right now demand remains high.

And many pay the piper. Neda Nessirian drives a Suburban. Her reaction to $2.58 a gallon: "It's almost like a car payment, like a brand new Mercedes $400-$500 gas."

Neda's upset her gas bill now averages close to $500 a month. P> Pity the truckers, the cost of diesel: $2.90 a gallon. Mike Fox spent $1,700 between Indiana and North Bend. His wife, Caroline, told KOMO 4 news: "Right now we are running in the red. We are putting out more on the trucks that what we are making."

Asked why he continued to drive, Fox said: "Because there's nothing else to it. It's all we do. It's all I've ever done."

The truckers have heard of logging trucks parking in protest in Grays Harbor. Quietly, not openly yet, they are talking of parking their rigs.

Mike said: "I don't know (if) we can bring the price of fuel down by doing that; but, hopefully, it would get the government's attention. Something has to be done about it."

The wife of another long-haul driver, Judy Looney said: "That'd get a message to just about everyone -- when your grocery store start running out of food."

And driver Owen Adams said: "You would be hungry if you didn't get your food, if you didn't eat; and that's what I do, I haul produce."

Adams isn't ready to park just yet, although he got a shock when he checked the pump. His total bill after buying fuel for the truck and the refrigerator was $352.

irishgrl · #2 08-13-2005, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Neda Nessirian drives a Suburban. Her reaction to $2.58 a gallon: "It's almost like a car payment, like a brand new Mercedes $400-$500 gas."

I seem to recall telling Jason that this would be a penalty that those gas guzzling suburban drivers would have to deal with........his response? a drop in the bucket according to him (if they can afford the car, they can afford the gas) Well Im here ta tell ya Jason old bean, that the car payment AND the higher gas payment are maybe the straw that breaks the camel's back and maybe just MAYBE, America will wake up and quit wasting so much resources.

I'd REALLY like to see more of an effort on the part of the car makers to switch to alternative fuel sources, and wean us OFF of our foreign oil habit. We'd be independent from their demands as well, as far as Im concerned, a win-win situation.

BombaySapphire3 · #3 08-13-2005, 07:06 PM

If gas prices continue to climb as they are (they have broken $3 a gallon at some places out here)The people who have purchased these SUVS. monster trucks and Humvees are going to have to feel it.I know that by even driving an Accord I am not guiltless either ,but I can't help but feel these people are getting a bit of their just due.

macfanken · #4 08-13-2005, 07:17 PM

I work for an airline. We'll be in bankruptcy by the end of the month.

DrummerDeanna · #5 08-13-2005, 07:24 PM

Yeah - this fuel thing - I've heard has been really hard on the airlines - BAD news for me - since the only way I can see my family is to fly to see them

And while the weather holds up here - I'm going to bike it instead of driving everywhere. I can't keep contributing to this - though I drive a little car - I am goign to cool it for a whil e- and hopefully riding my bike will have the double benefit of softening my wallet - AND helping me shed a few extra pounds

Nixxxed · #6 08-13-2005, 07:30 PM

Q: The Energy Secretary said he would not tap US strategic petroleum reserves in order to drive down prices saying those reserves are for emergencies. But given the shortages that exist, do you consider this an appropriate time to tap those reserves?

Bush: No, I don’t. I agree with the energy secretary that the strategic petroleum reserve is meant for a national wartime emergency. What I think the president ought to do is get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say we expect you to open your spigots. One reason why the price is so high is because the price of crude oil has been driven up. OPEC has gotten its supply act together and it’s driving the price, like it did in the past. And the president must jawbone OPEC members to lower the price. And if in fact there is collusion amongst big oil, he ought to intercede there as well.

Source: GOP Debate in Manchester NH Jan 26, 2000

--------------------

Wonder how many times he's picked up his Saudi-Hotline and yelled "open your spigots"!!! And how many times has he spewed his favorite talking point, "We're at war!"

Gypsy-Rhiannon · #7 08-14-2005, 03:43 AM

All I can say is you should see what we have to pay for petrol over here! LOL!

Pip

golddustdragon · #8 08-14-2005, 09:59 AM

Man, I've heard people in Ireland and England pay more than $6 for gas, or petrol as they call it. At least those countries have a well kept train system so much of the time, there is no need for a car. But here, public transit funds are being cut, Amtrak will soon fold if Congress votes to cut federal funds and not many people use electric cars as they do not work well on the highways. That's it. I am so going to get on the waiting list for a hybrid now, because I'll only be able to get one in 3-4 years. Everyone wants one of those cars now.

WELSH WITCH · #9 08-14-2005, 11:43 AM

The same story in The Netherlands, prices haven't been this high ever. I have to pay 1,34 euro for a liter of petrol.
People always laugh at the car I drive (a Fiat Panda, small car) but I think in these days I'm the one laughing, If I drive it right it does 25 km on 1 liter.

Jennifer · #10 08-15-2005, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

If gas prices continue to climb as they are (they have broken $3 a gallon at some places out here)The people who have purchased these SUVS. monster trucks and Humvees are going to have to feel it.I know that by even driving an Accord I am not guiltless either ,but I can't help but feel these people are getting a bit of their just due.

Some of us had no choice but to purchase an SUV. I am handicapped and an SUV is the only type of vehicle I can get in and out of. So does this mean I am getting my "just due," as you put it, because of something I can't help?

KarmaContestant · #11 08-15-2005, 09:39 AM

I think it's kind of funny when people complain about gas prices here in the U.S. Our gas prices are kept so artificially low....we pretty much have the cheapest fuel in the world, and people freak out when they have to pay 2$ dollars a gallon. I really believe that our fuel prices should have about a dollar more in taxes added to each gallon for road improvement, and another dollar per gallon for environmental & pollution related issues that go hand in hand with the use of petroleum products. I drive a Nissan Pathfinder - yes it guzzles gas - and I would have no objection to paying four dollars per gallon. I think it's worth it.