USA Patriot Act restricts some felons from trucking jobs

[Nambe]

SUSAN GALLAGHER of the Associated Press

HELENA - A federal anti-terrorism requirement for greater scrutiny of truck drivers could affect Montana's effort to train felons for work behind the wheel.

The requirement under the Patriot Act also has state officials trying to determine how Montana will proceed with mandatory fingerprinting of all drivers seeking permission to haul hazardous goods. ..

Crimes that disqualify a driver include murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, firearms and drug offenses, extortion, fraud, explosives crimes and arson. ..

Montana and other states have been struggling with how to comply but got some traction after government fingerprint specifications were released Aug. 6. Lingering questions in Montana include which agency will do the fingerprinting and how the cost will be met. Roberts said the price could top $100 per applicant. ..

Stang said the federal requirements may further tighten an already short supply of truck drivers, and not just because felons will be disqualified. If the drivers themselves must cover the cost of screening, some may opt out, he said.

Ride Don’t Drive * * It’s Global Cool

[LauraK]

1. There are advantages for ex-cons driving truck.

That is why the prisons offer training. It gets them away from trigger environments and gives them a fair income. I guess a good patriot doesn't believe they've paid their debt.

[truthisfreedom]

2. the lucky thing for these guys is that they may still be able to drive but

not hazardous goods. i don't think that's such a bad thing. i would rather have responsible people driving hazardous goods around me anyway... even an unfairly convicted felon still has a chance to drive non-hazardous goods.

[jeff5]

3. It's Not That Simple

Most companies that haul HazMat, or might haul HazMat, will not hire drivers without the HazMat endorsement on their CDL.

[nolabels]

4. Which is mostly entry level jobs of the interstate long haul type

Them kind of jobs mostly suck and pay low wages but it is where most have to start. This type of action closes the door for entry level persons with this sort of issue.

One of the problems with these Hazmat laws is the giant blanket it places on everything. Explosives and household paint are under the same laws, with just minor amount of extra ones for the explosives. When they do this stupid crap of messing with entry level drivers instead regulating sources better. It shows me they are more interested in screwing with people than with the publics safety

[gatlingforme]

5. What is the correlation between felons in the US and terrorists?

This is rediculous. The Patriot Act is a complete joke and should be abolished !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think felons have a propencity to become terrorists and this is another example of how compassionate the Bush and Co. is not. Which I never did believe and I choke when I hear it.

[Tiberius]

6. didn't you get the memo?

Felons are potential terrorists and should not be allowed to have jobs or vote!! </vomitus sarcasticus>

[rocktivity]

7. And the harder it is for felons to get jobs

the easier it is for them to become felons AGAIN!!!

:headbang:
rocknation

[gatlingforme]

8. LOL