Say What?
Question: What are your biggest issues or concerns regarding the trucking industry?
David Noe, 72, Star Valley, AZ
Professional driving experience: 2 years
“Where do you want to start? One example: What’s all this B.S. in Virginia about truck drivers only being allowed to park for two hours at truck stops? The guys have to stop and take their breaks; that’s what truck stops are for. Leave ’em the hell alone.”
Gary Baldwin, 50, Clearfield, PA
Professional driving experience: 25 years
“I guess it would be the economy and how it’s impacting our industry. We haul a lot of stuff at our company, and we can stay in business, but you know it’s going to stall if things don’t start picking up.”
Dustin Link, 25, Boyceville, WI
Professional driving experience: 6 years
“I’m an owner-operator, and when I first got my truck, I was scared to death of rising fuels prices. To be honest, I made more money when it went up to $5 a gallon than I am right now. That’s because of the fuel surcharges. I’ve got a lot of other issues and things to be worried about, but rising fuel prices isn’t one of them, as long as we have those surcharges.”
James Gibson, 52, Louisville, KY
Professional driving experience: 11 years
“You’re always going to have issues in this business: fuel prices, the economy, hours of service, you name it. As far as the economy and the trucking industry is concerned, well, people have to eat, so there will always be work. I think we all just wish the economy would get going.”
Mike Roberts, 49, Oklahoma City, OK
Professional driving experience: 21 years
“I’ve got many issues. A person like me driving under a percentage cannot compete with NAFTA and the foreigners hauling these loads so cheap. They’re killing us. Guys under percentage can’t compete. I think this industry will eventually go by the wayside like the steel industry, to be honest with you. I think foreigners are going to take over the trucking industry in this country and destroy it. I shouldn’t be saying that, but that’s how it looks to me.” |
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