American Truckers At War

Gov. Linda Lingle, while expressing sympathy for Aloha Airlines workers, announced a plan yesterday to fight the carrier’s intended shutdown of passenger service.

Lingle said the state would ask the federal Bankruptcy Court not to permit the shutdown until the airline has shown it has exhausted all avenues for staying in business. The state will also seek to have Aloha provide financial information to determine if the shutdown is truly necessary.

“We are deeply disappointed that Aloha Airlines has made the decision to cease operations of their interisland and trans-Pacific passenger flights,” Lingle said in a message posted on her Web site. “Our main concerns are threefold: first and foremost the 1,900 employees and their families, the need for continued air service for our residents and visitors, and protection of the state’s long-term fiscal and economic interests.”  More from the Star Bulletin

Perhaps if our representatives had as much concern for the trucking industry, we would not been talking about shutdowns.  Our fellow truckers would not be losing their rigs because the fuel bill is increasing almost daily.  Yes - let’s bail out the airlines so vacationers can spend a few days at the beach, but let’s ignore the truckers that deliver life’s necessities….  Don’t forget to call your Federal and state reps tomorrow and let them know the American trucker needs their attention now - not tomorrow - with realistic, common sense solutions to keeping the trucks rolling.

Reduce fuel taxes, increase domestic drilling to name just a few.  If Washington will keep an airline from shutting down, there is NO EXCUSE why they cannot give the American trucking industry a break!

RTaylor