Up Front

Rolling with the punches

In the best of times, truckers have to deal with a wide world of obstacles, from stop-and-go traffic and absent- minded four-wheelers to waiting hours to get unloaded at warehouses and trying to decipher directions from a geographically challenged dispatcher.
     In the worst of times – which the trucking industry, along with the rest of the U.S. economy, is hopefully pulling out of as we write these words – it no doubt seems like the weight of the world is pushing truckers to-ward the brink of disaster.
     As the late, great Gilda Radner used to say through her character Roseanne Roseanna-danna on “Saturday Night Live,” “It’s always something.” If the economy isn’t throwing curveballs at truckers, chances are some governmental agency is tossing screwballs in terms of new rules and regulations.
     For example, the hours-of-service rules are always a bone of contention – not to mention confusion – for many drivers. Now we hear that President Obama recently signed a presidential memorandum calling for the first-ever fuel-economy standards for heavy trucks.
     While just about everyone is in favor of safe, well-rested drivers and more fuel-efficient big rigs (especially in light of the recent oil disaster in the Gulf), it can be difficult and/or expensive to comply. So here’s to all of you over-the-road true professionals who get the job done – regardless of the economy, the rules, the regulations or the aggravation.