Gas prices drain truckers - Independent drivers fight rising fuel costs

www.redding.com Bill Choy Record Searchlight

KEEP ON TRUCKIN'?: Mike Fuller, 58, of Cottonwood, an independent truck driver for about three years and a trucker for more than 30 years, is concerned about the rising cost of diesel. His wife has initiated a letter-writing campaign to legislators to try to curtail the high cost of gas.

February 24, 2003 — 2:17 a.m. When Gerry Hotchkiss stopped to refuel his big rig last week, he was appalled to see the price of diesel 20 cents higher than the previous week.

"It has a tremendous impact," he said about the high cost. "How do they (oil companies) justify it? I'm angry and upset. . . . The little guy is finding it harder to absorb the cost."

An independent trucker since 1968, Hotchkiss, 55, of Cottonwood said the increase is draining his wallet and profits.

People across the country have felt the pinch at the gas pumps in recent months, but trucks drivers are especially hard hit.

On Saturday, the average cost of diesel in Redding was $1.85 a gallon and $1.90 statewide, the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge report said. Last month, diesel averaged $1.62 a gallon in Redding and $1.39 a year ago.

Nationwide, the average cost of diesel was $1.75 on Friday, up from $1.53 a month ago, and $1.22 a year ago, the AAA said.

Patti Fuller is fed up with the high diesel prices truck drivers have to pay. She has initiated a letter-writing campaign to encourage legislation to curtail the cost to truckers like her husband, Mike.

Mike Fuller, 58, an independent trucker for three years and a truck driver for more than 30 years, said he supports his wife's letter-writing campaign.

Since Thursday, Patti Fuller, 45, has called and written to more than 30 truck drivers, urging them to write to their representatives.

"We're trying to get something going," Fuller said. "I'm not hoping for thousands. I'm looking for millions" of people.

While the rising cost of diesel has affected all truckers, the smaller companies and independent truckers are bearing the brunt of the surge in gas prices.

The smaller operators do not have large enough fleets to negotiate a higher freight rate or fuel surcharge, Patti Fuller said.

Mike Fuller, was able to buy his own $150,000 big rig nearly three years ago. He became an independent truck driver delivering produce across the West Coast.

"I'm still busy, but the high fuel price hurts," he said. "Money is a big concern. It's coming out of my pocket," he said.

About 50 percent of his profits now go to his gas bill.

Patti Fuller knows of truckers who retired or sold their trucks as a result of the escalating cost.

"It just breaks my heart to see him sell his truck," she said of a friend who got out of the business. "I'm not going to sit here and do nothing when something needs to be done."

Hotchkiss knows many independent truck drivers who have joined larger truck companies as a way to mitigate the soaring fuel costs.

Hotchkiss, who hauls lumber and gravel, is concerned the annual summer gas price-hike could cripple his business this summer — his busiest time of the year.

He said he travels about 10,000 miles each month during the summer and typically pay between $1,000 and $2,000 per month on fuel.

Hotchkiss said he might consider working less in the summer if gas prices continue to climb.

"It might be cheaper to sit a day," he said. "It's getting to the point where you have to get out your pencil and figure out if you're hauling someone's lumber for nothing."

The high fuel rates have affected some larger truck companies as well.

On Wednesday, Robbie Cattanach Trucking of Anderson went out of business, costing about 160 employees their jobs.

The company said the cost of fuel, soaring worker's compensation, expensive liability insurance and other expenses contributed to its closure.

A factor driving gas rates is the price of crude oil.

The price of Alaskan crude oil is at $36.14 a barrel, compared with $18.22 a year ago, the California Energy Commission reported Friday.

The increase in oil prices is being blamed on fears of an impending conflict with Iraq, an oil strike in Venezuela, fear of an oil strike in Nigeria and cold weather in the East Coast, California Energy Commission spokesman Rob Schlichting said.

"It (gas price hikes) will continue until the price of crude oil falls," Schlichting said. "And that will be dictated by American foreign policy. . . . When there's a resolution, it should stabilize."

The energy commission does not consider the high rates price gouging, Schlichting said.

Despite the high fuel cost, Mike Fuller said he will continue to run his truck routes. He still has mortgage and truck payments.

"I have to try to stick it out as long as I can," he said. "If we don't do it, someone else will."

"We need help now," Patti Fuller said. "Not in a month or two. . . . This is our livelihood. If we don't get this resolved we could lose everything."

Reporter Bill Choy can be reached at 225-8217 or at bchoy@redding.com.

Monday, February 24, 2003