Huey Driver Loc: Texas

The bottle neck is California (simple version)

from an article by Andrea Widberg

The conventional wisdom is that the VIRUS is the reason for stalled container ships off the California coast. (NOT THE COMPLETE STORY)

Problem # 1

California's new laws are NOT mentioned. Trucks with engines built before 2011 are not allowed in the container off load area and drivers must be 21 years of age now, no longer just 18.

To solve the truck problem, California mandated that older trucks be replaced with electric trucks (which don't exist yet).

Half of the nation's truckers are now prohibited from picking up containers in California. You don't hear about that of course.

In an effort to solve the problem, California compliant trucks have been taking shipments to the state border, where the load is transferred to non-compliant trucks. This has just built another bottleneck.

Problem # 2

California's new law AB-5 killed the gig economy. Traditionally ports are served by owner operators. AB-5 BANNED OWNER/OPERATORS WHO ARE NOT UNION. So, there just aren't nearly enough trucks to handle the job. Biden's grandstanding about operating the ports 24/7 won't make a difference.

The unions win and the media punts but the average AMERICAN CITIZEN loses. Does any of this surprise you ?

soba1 Loc: Somewhere In So Ca

Thanks

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Thanks for the info. It doesn't surprise me.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

A true leader might have alleviated this mess simply by activating the National Guard and opened the ports to full capacity. Leadership is something California has not known for many years. On a national level Sloppy Joe has no clue about this, or any other problem. Every democrat president we have endured entered the White House under the hopes that "He can't be any worse than Carter." None have lived up to that.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Democrat Big labor unions supported by Sleepy Joe. It'll be a Merry Christmas.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

The news never mentions the California rules that prohibits the trucking industry to operating in the state in a timely manner. That's ok they are going to regulate their collective dumb asses out of business with all the other businesses leaving the state. They deserve what they get.

btbg

They do deserve what they get. But, unfortunately the rest of us are still paying for their foolish laws and regulations.

Wyantry Loc: SW Colorado

I’d agree Commiefornia deserves the outfall of the legislative decisions the [liberal, socialist, democrat] administration(s) passed into law.

The problem is many of the rest of us will suffer (unnecessarily) for their actions.

And NONE of them will ever be held accountable.

anotherview Loc: California

Thank you for your analysis including the other variables in the cargo ship mess. I read only here of the change in California law to outlaw trucks not electric powered.

Wyantry Loc: SW Colorado

POLITIFACT has a different read on this. Pointing out that AB5 has not affected the drivers to a great extent.

And that the truck engine restriction does NOT require “new electric motors” but rather diesel motors made after a specific date: 2011.
“To meet the current clean air regulations, the state Department of Motor Vehicles blocks new registrations of any oversized vehicles older than 2011 — or those with engines manufactured before 2010. By 2023, nearly all trucks and buses will be required to have 2010 or newer engines.

But this policy has been on the books since 2008.”

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/oct/19/facebook-posts/californias-trucking-regulations-may-have-had-impa/

btbg

How can a policy be on the books since 2008 that mandates engines that are 2011 or newer? It couldn't have gone into effect until after 2011.

But, that isn't even the point. It stops any older truck from picking up cargo at the docks. That is clearly part of the problem. Approximately half of all trucks have older engines. How does the law not impact driver? If a driver is not allowed to pick up cargo at the dock then that driver is impacted, as is the general public.