Wheels of Justice

Industry insights from Pat Quinn, Chairman of the ATA

Pat Quinn began his reign as chairman of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) at the annual conference in Boston last October by starting his speech with Dickens’ classic quote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Eleven days before this last Christmas, I had the opportunity to sit down with Pat and discuss the future of trucking in America.

On driver quality: “Like Dickens said, these are the best of times and the worst of times. The best because anyone who is qualified under the DOT rules can probably get a job driving a truck somewhere. There is a huge driver shortage, and carriers are working to recruit and retain drivers for all the freight they have. The carriers have a lot of freight due to the healthy economy, and they are looking for good drivers to deliver that freight.”

On job security: “There will always be a need for truck drivers, because there is no other way to get freight to all the stores as quickly and cheaply as with trucks. You will not see truck driving jobs being sent to India or Mexico…the driver really does need to be in the U.S. to deliver your products. You want job security, and truck driving meets that demand.”

On hours-of-service: “The ATA is currently working on scientific studies they will submit to the DOT that address the HOS and the split sleeper berth. It is difficult under the current HOS for any city or state to implement any ‘off-peak’ tolls or incentives for drivers to avoid the most congested highways and drive times if the driver is unable to take advantage of the incentive. The HOS issue is still being considered, and future court challenges are expected. All a driver or carrier can do at this point is follow the rules as they currently exist or risk some form of punishment. If you, the driver, want the courts and the government to hear your stories and examples of why the rules should be changed, then you need to contact your home state trucking as-sociation or the ATA. Both the state and na-tional trucking associations strive to represent the trucking industry, but they cannot do that in a vacuum—they need your input.”

Some of Pat’s summary thoughts: “These are the best of times and the worst of times for drivers. These are the best of times, be-cause the opportunity for advancement in the trucking industry is limitless. They are the worst of times, because society is just now waking up to the fact that truck drivers are professionals, they are skilled, they have secure jobs and, truck driving is open to all ages, genders and races. Good drivers are worth a fortune to a carrier.”

Indeed, for trucking today it is truly the best of times and the worst of times.