Change is constant. Convulsions are equally certain, although more sporadic. Among the many industries to have faced convulsive changes over the past five years is trucking.
Truckers continue to contend with ELDs (electronic logging devices) and HOS (hours of service), and over the last year and a half, have had to face additional obstacles created by the coronavirus.
One recent survey indicated that 43 percent of truckers were worried about catching the virus on the road, observes Aaron Terrazas, director of economic research for Convoy, Inc.
“They’re working on the front lines,” he says.
Covid Resilience
James Lee, vice president of legal affairs for Choptank Transport, Inc. BB #:168125 in Preston, MD, says there have been “mixed responses” to the virus from truckers. He estimates about 65 percent of his firm’s business is with the produce industry.
“Some have been deathly afraid of it, and others question if it actually exists. The majority, however, recognize that it’s something to deal with, and do what is necessary to protect themselves and others they come into contact with,” notes Lee.
Eric Arling, executive director of operations for Cincinnati, OH-based Integrity Express Logistics, LLC, BB #:261579 says, “The carriers and drivers we work with are inherently resilient. That said, the responses have run the gamut from truckers feeling underappreciated to finally seeing national recognition for the important role they play in our country.
“I don’t know that their responses differ greatly from many others during Covid,” Arling adds. “Truckers are people first and foremost; they have the same concerns about the well being of their families, their health, and ability to earn a living as all Americans.”
The ramifications of Covid go beyond the danger of catching the virus.
“Our biggest concern has been that drivers haven’t been allowed on the dock to witness or supervise loading and unloading and cannot verify the quantity and quality of the product being loaded onto their trailers,” says Lee. “Yet many customers are still holding drivers responsible as if they had.”
Difficulties extend to matters of the utmost necessity. “The Covid issue has caused even more customers to refuse drivers access to their buildings,” remarks Jack Sawyer, president of Des Moines Transportation, Inc., BB #:154433 Des Moines, IA. “Some put in Porta Potties, but many have not.” Truckers, he adds, “just want to be treated with some respect.”
This is an excerpt from the Transportation & Logistics Supplement to the July/August 2021 issue of Produce Blueprints Magazine. Click here to read the whole supplement.
