Is OOIDA worth joining?

I would avoid OOIDA like the plague.
OOIDA is a strictly for profit only business that exists only to make as much money as humanly possible and it offers nothing of any substance for any of the average joes that it pretends to represent.

It's all a trick; look at the headlines of every OOIDA publication;
"Changing HOS Rules!", "Sex Trafficking Rampant!", "Driver Pay Substandard!"

And what has changed over the years regarding these issues as a direct, specific and concrete result of OOIDA's influences and efforts? Nothing. And it never will.
Those headlines really get your attention though; that way, you then get to read all those pretty, shiny, staged, and carefully thought out advertisements for goods and services offered in their publications, like 'Landline' magazine, at exhorbitant prices.

You see, OOIDA makes lots and lots of money on both ends; you pay them money up front to become a 'Member', and then the advertisers pay them tons of money for the privilige of advertising to you, the 'Member'.

Sadly, at the moment, there seems to be no other alternative in regards to any organized groups that truly represent us truckers. None that I'm aware of anyway.
But keep you're hard earned money and don't give it to, nor support, any fake representative, strictly for profit only business like OOIDA .

 

OOIDA is an association of all drivers company, owner operator, union, leased on, independent, whatever. It is not an exclusive "owner operator only" association and never has been. They clearly tell this all the time. One of the worst mistakes they ever made was in naming the association. There's no telling how many potential company driver members that name has kept away.

 

Have you ever heard of the corrupt Tennessee Public Service Commission? They used to shake down out of state truckers. OOIDA exposed this and took them down in the courts. That was one of their huge victories. Google it. They're the only organization out there you as a driver have with any kind of voice on any issue.

I don't agree with them on everything. This idea they have about extending the 14 hour window to 17 hours will increase capacity and cause poor shipper/receiver habits of wasting time to continue business as usual IMO. That said, they are the ONLY trucking association out there on top of driver issues for people like you and me. And this BS about them making money, what is the problem with that? This is how we do things in America how else are they going to hang around and represent? Charity?

 

The company I work for just paid for my OOIDA membership. Received my packets yesterday. I have a safety meeting to conduct on Friday and already, the OOIDA site has helped me put it together. They have a lot of information regarding compliance, taxes, rules and regs updates, etc. My job is compliance for our companies drivers and within the first day I am seeing benefits for my work. There is a lot of information on there. In regards to ELD's, they provide you with the information to help you make the best decision for your job. They did not make the rule but they can at least help you find what works best for you. I submitted my first question already in regards to ELD's. (We are a driveaway/towaway operation that does have a few fleet vehicles that I believe are not exempt from ELD's. Trying to get someone to let my boss know whether I am right or wrong although I am almost positive that I am correct.) Let's see how long until they answer. OOIDA also sends a lot of info that is in reference to truck insurance, retirement plans, fuel cards, medical benefits, etc. Trying it out for 1 year wouldn't be that big of a hit.

 

We're members and get their health insurance for it was cheapest in town. Also discount of Trucking software.

If they had all the OO they would get more done. But limited resources means limited help.

 

The above referred to case occured 25 years ago.
What started off as a "Grass Roots" organization years ago, with a goal for the common good, has evolved over the years into the for profit only business that it is today.
It's only goal is to make as much money as possible. Period.
Any services offered by OOIDA can be found at other sources as well, and at competative prices in relation to anything offered anywhere else; including OOIDA.
It certainly pays to shop.
And there is plenty wrong with this 'BS' about them making money; especially when the company makes it's money off just that.... BS.

 

Have you ever looked at their political accomplishments? Did you know they also have a lobbyist on the payroll in Washington DC advocating for drivers? These sort of things don't happen because of charity. I think it's a bogus argument that they run for profit operations and therefore they suck. You do have a choice out here in the marketplace and don't have to buy their services. But name me another association out there that has accomplished what they have politically on drivers' behalf? There is no other voice for drivers. None.

 

The NRA has millions of members. I know of a lot of influential billionaires who would love to grab our guns. But I don't know of a single one of those billionaires who has more influence on 2nd Ammendment issues than the NRA. The NRA is one of the most effective and powerful lobbyist/association in Washington.

They win some cases but they lose a lot more. Courts don't just overturn law willy nilly. This isn't a banana republic. Bills that are comsidered to become law that aren't in a drivers interests also have lobbyist and associations of other groups pushing for them. The ATA comes to mind. And what are you talking about OOIDA doesn't spend any time or resources trying to effect change? They do that every day. The latest one is the push for changing the 14 hour window to 17 hours. I'm not an OOIDA cheerleader but really you folks that bad mouth them can't really come of with a good reason why they are bad for drivers. And none of suggests an alternative either. Because there is none.

 

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I came across a page called AAOO vs OOIDA (you can probably just google that and see it). I had never heard of AAOO before but their benefits are a lot better than OOIDAs! I have been a member for about a month now and I am loving it. only 5/month