OTA Dispatch Issue 3, 2020

Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch LET ’ S BE HONEST —trucking has never been considered a glamorous profession. It is typically defined by long hours and hard, often dirty, work. On the plus side, it doesn’t usually require a suit and tie. Even those of us who spend the bulk of our time behind a desk these days likely got our start in a more hands-on position. For me, it was crawling around under a truck with a grease gun in my hands at the age of 15. Trucking is a team sport, whether it’s a team of one as an owner-operator or a large carrier coordinating hundreds of trucks around the country. We all rely on others to get us where we need to go. Taking away the back-office tasks of scheduling, logistics, safety and more—which are all important—it comes down to the trucks and the men and women who drive them. No matter the type of load, if you don’t have a truck and a driver, you won’t get very far. For several years now we’ve heard about the growing driver shortage. Our veteran drivers are reaching retirement age, and the younger generation just hasn’t flocked to our industry. Granted, this may have something to do with the battle over our industry’s image that we continue to fight. The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake- up call for a lot of Americans who finally realized that toilet paper and every product they rely on don’t just magically appear on store shelves. Almost exclusively, trucks—and consequently truck drivers—bring the goods that final mile, if not all the way from the manufacturer or distribution center. As a result, our industry finally got a shot of positive press coverage which we need to capitalize on to attract a new crop of drivers—and technicians. Without our service technicians, those trucks we count on would be a lot more costly to run, if we could even keep them running at all. If you’ve ever looked under the hood or slid under a truck, you’ve seen the complicated systems that technicians must be thoroughly familiar with. The knowledge is vast and the application of that knowledge is precise. Drivers count on these trucks to see them through their deliveries and keep them safe on the road. It’s a lot of pressure to keep up-to-date with new technology that is consistently finding its way onto and into our vehicles. The days of popping the hood and banging around with a crescent wrench and a flat blade screwdriver are long gone. All of this new truck tech and the promise of autonomous and electric vehicles may in fact be the hook needed to get the next generation interested in our industry. I know the smaller pool to recruit from has led me to think outside the box and approach hiring differently. But, no matter how advanced trucks become, the best foundation for successful recruitment and retention is recognizing and respecting the hard work and dedication of our drivers and technicians. They literally keep our industry moving. This year more than ever, I encourage you to plan something for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which takes place Sept. 13– 19. Let’s keep the momentum going in showing the public why truck drivers should be appreciated all the time and not just during a pandemic. Even a small gesture of appreciation can have a big impact in our drivers realizing we value their contributions. For the first time ever, we’ll also be celebrating a National Technician Appreciation Week, Sept. 21–25. Earlier this year, ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) announced the launch of the week-long event that focuses on the individuals who the trucking industry could not survive without. As luck would have it, OTA’s TMC Maintenance & Education Fair falls on the final day of the celebratory week, Sept. 25. I hope you encourage your technicians and service managers to attend the event where they can learn from experts, interact with their counterparts, and find out about the latest developments in their field. Beyond that, I hope you take the opportunity to show your appreciation that week—and every week—for the technicians that keep your vehicles in peak condition. Trucking may never bring us fame and fortune, but it is absolutely essential to our economy. If we expect the general public to respect and appreciate our commitment to delivering the goods they need, the very least we can do is recognize and celebrate the contributions of all our team members, but especially our drivers and technicians. Make the effort to do something special for them this September. Stay well. 2 2 Andy Owens OTA Chair Trucking is a team sport, whether it’s a team of one as an owner- operator or a large carrier coordinating hundreds of trucks around the country.