This is the e-mail I sent to Larry Green of OOIDA re: the FL "agricultural" inspection "stations" on I-75 and I-10. His first response was to ask whether or not I was charged a fee. This is my response. I am awaiting a reply.Larry, The New York Times had a great saying awhile back "It is not in Americans DNA to have their government tell them what to do." No I was not charged any fee. What bothers me is having to pull into one of these "stations", wait on line, only to get up to the "hut" to see one, two or three "agents" watching tv, playing cards or eating completely ignoring the backup of trucks. These "stations" are a boondoggle. If their purpose has some correlation to "homeland security" then rental trucks and RV's with agricultural, horticultural or aqua-cultural items should also be required to pull in for inspection. When these "agents" are actually on duty they typically pull over a private carrier with horses. The trucks waiting on line are waived through. I drive a flatbed, usually with steel or pipe. It is not tarped. The loads have no relation to agriculture. Why then, do I have to stop to be asked by an agent "what ya got?" This is absurd. Any terrorist could be driving by with God knows what in his Ryder rental. Why is the focus not on them. In order for me to bypass these "stations", I am required to purchase a separate from Prepass, bypass transponder. I refuse to pay the fee and do the paperwork to support this (what I consider) harassment of truckers by the FL Dept. of Agriculture. And, 1 mile from the ag inspection station is the FL DOT weigh station which I am almost always given the green light to pass. It is the principal that angers me. Is their any way we can fight this? Your input is greatly appreciated.
