Letters: Driver Productivity, Volvo Bypass

Driver Productivity

A noticeable decline in qualified driver labor has resulted in an inability to haul as much freight as fleet capacity will allow (“Carriers Boost Recruiting Efforts to Find More Qualified Drivers,” 9-20, p. 1; click here for previous story).

The problem is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new Compliance, Safety and Accountability initiative (formerly CSA 2010), plus aging driver demographics and a future concern for reduced driving hours of service.

Increasing resources for driver recruiting is only a small part of an effective solution, yet for many carriers, it is the main, if not only, means of dealing with the problem.

Two other remedies are re-quired. The first is a comprehensive driver retention program that has the depth and understanding to remain competitive in all driver retention requirements — including wages, home time, equipment, seniority-based benefits, new-hire guarantees and consistent communication.

The second is something many in our industry will have to focus on like never before — driver productivity.

Our previous driver shortage (2005 to mid-2007) found many carriers retaining unproductive drivers because of a philosophy that “70% of a driver is better than no driver.” That approach not only is ineffective, it is contagious and can contaminate other drivers, as they realize they too can be unproductive.

The remedy for weak driver performance is to manage drivers. Driver productivity begins with aggressive, yet reasonable, performance metrics that are understood both by the drivers and their driver managers.

Productive performance then must be supported by active monitoring, recognition, reward and, in the case of consistent underperformance, discipline.

Operational strategies for improved performance also must be adopted. Examples include drop-and-swaps, increased customer cooperation regarding pickup-and-delivery windows and driver delays, early starts and night deliveries to avoid traffic congestion, reducing owner-operator load refusals, extended shop hours, and the reduction of unnecessary split loads — to name just a few.

To be effective, goals, monitoring and improved operational strategies all have to be administered in a fair and respectful manner. Truck drivers understand a company’s need to be profitable and to meet performance goals. They also understand that all drivers are held to the same high standards.

Joe White

Chief Executive Officer

CostDown Consulting

Grayson, Ga.

Volvo Bypass

This is regarding the story “Volvo Unveils Inspection Bypass Technology” (TTNews.com, 8-16; click here for previous story).

We already carry transponders in our trucks — PrePass, Norpass (North American Preclearance and Safety System), Oregon’s Green Light system, etc. — for the purpose of bypassing scales if height, weight and registrations check out when we’re passing the scanner on the highway. Can’t this function be added to all that so we don’t have to worry about another electronic device in the cab?

Judy LaFleur

Bookkeeper

Selland Auto Transport

Seattle