Perspective

With apologies to Charles Erwin Wilson of General Motors in 1919, “What is good for trucking is good for America.” The responsible development of North America’s shale oil and gas reserves has been very good for trucking — especially for the tank truck segment — and represents our nations’ best chance to achieve energy independence.

We’ve all suffered through computer downtime, usually at the worst possible moment. That was certainly the case with a number of freight carriers that experienced it during the hurricane that intensified to become Superstorm Sandy.

At a recent White House forum, we were asked for our “insights on best practices for educating, recruiting, retaining and developing leadership among a diverse cadre of women throughout the U.S. transportation sector and to evolve strategies for overcoming barriers.”

An ever-increasing legal risk faced by interstate motor carriers, transportation intermediaries and private fleets involves disciplined or discharged drivers lodging whistle-blower claims against their employers.

By now, most of us have seen those TV commercials shown during the buildup to April 15 in which consumers realize their tax “professional” is actually a store clerk or a plumber.

Most have heard the outcome of MAP-21, the current highway funding law, for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which has said repeatedly that MAP-21 requires it to complete 29 new safety regulations within 27 months.

A slow economic recovery, volatile diesel fuel prices, more stringent environmental controls and increased focus on food safety and load security put enormous pressure on every link in the “cold chain.”

In today’s America, money wins out over sound judgment, and politics are used by powerful lobbies to secure laws and regulations favorable to them and their interests.   Take, for example, the $75,000 property broker bond, commonly referred to as the “freight broker” bond.

Carriers that seek the ability to “rebroker” freight without separate broker authority and bond will keep the door open to marketplace fraud and nonpayment. Worse still, the practice will expose carriers to the ever-increasing risk of liability for accidents they did not cause.

The following is a letter sent to the motor carrier members of American Trucking Associations by ATA President and CEO Bill Graves on May 2, 2013, regarding the ongoing investigation of alleged discrepancies in a fuel purchasing rebate program by federal authorities into Pilot Flying J.