Truckload Carriers Association and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) have launched the Careers in Trucking Pilot Project, which seeks to recruit qualified bilingual Latino drivers for jobs at truckload carriers. NCLR affiliate Congreso de Latinos Unidos of Philadelphia, Pa., kicked off the pilot project Jan. 15 with an event featuring truck driving simulators; representatives of Professional Truck Driver Institute-certified driver training schools All State Career, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute; and carrier D.M. Bowman. Funding for training will come from the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corp. If the Philadelphia effort is successful, it will be replicated throughout the country.
Electronic seal technology is maturing and may be applied to container security, according to a study released today by the Cargo Handling Cooperative Program (CHCP). E-seals have been proposed as a way to improve security and track cargo movements worldwide, but CHCP – a partnership between the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration and private industry – did not identify any one type of e-seal that would be suitable as a standard for use on intermodal freight containers.
Schneider National this month is opening a new operating center in Atlanta to support continued growth in the Southeast. The carrier last month was seeking to hire 400 drivers and owner-operators for the operation.
I read that trucking industry executives are quietly optimistic about the outlook for the coming year. When I play poker and get dealt four of a kind, I too am quietly optimistic.
For the next couple of years, carriers that survived the downturn are in for some good turns. Even so, many carriers still will exit the business or realize only mediocre profitability. Whenever the economy makes a major change of direction, the rules of the game change. Smart carriers adjust their game plans while others fail to capitalize on the potential. The following are some steps savvy carriers should take in the coming months to stay healthy and competitive.
Review employee compensation. Surviving the past few years probably meant holding the line on any salary increases in the office. Usually during a recession carriers can get by without any increase in salaries on the basis that things are tough all over. That is going to change. Not only will other carriers be looking to hire good people, particularly dispatchers, but other industries will also be recruiting. Don’t wait until two or three of your best people walk out the door to start making good on overdue increases in compensation.
Evaluate driver and owner-operator compensation. Competition for drivers and owner-operators is heating up, and carriers are already hiking pay to compensate for lost productivity due to new hours-of-service rules. The days of not paying a driver while he is on a dock are quickly coming to an end.
