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16 • February 15-28, 2021 Perspective b Rhythm from page 12 b Rather than guitar, Kirchen’s first instrument was the trombone, but when a counselor at music camp introduced him to folk music, Kirchen’s future changed. He became interested in all types of music, ranging from gospel to the blues and bluegrass. In high school, he formed his first band — The Who Knows Pickers. But it wasn’t until college that Kirchen was introduced to the sound most synonymous with his name. In the late 1960s, Bakersfield, California, was quickly becoming country music’s alternative to Nashville. Led by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, the “Bakersfield Sound” featured a harddriving electric guitar — the Telecaster. Over the next few decades, playing in both Europe and the U.S., Kirchen earned the nickname “Titan of the Telecaster” for his work with the instrument. After becoming a solo artist, Kirchen’s first album was “Tombstone Every Mile,” a nod to the “Baron of Country Music” Dick Curless’ song about driving the icy roads of northern Maine and the dangers truckers experienced. Kirchen soon fell into what was known as the “neo-traditional country” movement of the early 1990s, an alternative form of country inspired for the same reasons Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings pioneered the “outlaw country” of the 1970s. Both movements believed true country music had been watered down by executives attempting to appeal to the almighty dollar rather than what the artists wanted to perform. While neo-traditional country never had the commercial success outlaw country eventually achieved, it continues to be played in the dance halls and similar venues of central and south Texas. Austin is arguably the home of the neo-traditional country movement, and Bill Kirchen just so happens to live there today. In terms of “Dieselbilly,” Kirchen has written and recorded some original songs related to truck driving, and he has covered a number of others made famous before him. “Looking at the World through a Windshield,” “Truck Stop at the End of the World,” “Hillbilly Truck Driving Man,” “Tied to the Wheel,” “Poultry in Motion,” “Semi-Truck” and “Mama Hated Diesels” are just a few of the songs Kirchen has quietly THETRUCKER.COM recorded over the years. And while those recordings didn’t rake in millions in sales or gain gold or platinum status, they all combined to allow Kirchen to live a comfortable life in the music business. He once said of his career, “It’s my vocation, my avocation, and my social life. … It’s just been there. It’s been my whole thing.” So, if you’re like me and kept yourself isolated from music that doesn’t fit into your idea of classic country, take a listen to some of Bill Kirchen’s neo-traditional country “Dieselbilly.” There’s actually a whole other musical world out there beyond the mainstream truck-driving genre. Until next time, remember that while musical exploration might turn up good things you never knew about, it is fraught with dangers as well. Just because a song mentions “truck,” that doesn’t mean it’s a truck-driving song. 8 b Attorney from page 13 b To subscribe: Visit thetrucker.com/subscribe, or 22 • January 1-14, 2021 EquipmEnt THETRUCKER.COM Email your name, address, phone number and driver type to publisher@thetrucker.com. A true zoo story The live streaming feature allows safety managers to view real-time video — roadfacing, inward-facing or both — for coaching and training that would normally be done in person. As a privacy feature, in-cab alerts notify drivers when a live stream starts and ends. Driver video share Safety managers can share event videos directly with drivers, enabling remote and self-guided coaching. When a video is sent, drivers will receive a text alert with a link to the event details and video; the driver can then follow the link when he or she i safely stopped. This allows evidence-based, self-guided coaching. 8 Aim your cAmerA At the code for more news! Navigating the news Truckers kidnapped, ki led .3 Oregon’s transportation plan .....6 The Trucker Trainer ................8 Rhythm of the Road.............12 Ask the Attorney ..................13 At the Truck Stop .................14 Chaplain’s Corner ................... 16 Truck sales end on high note .17 Safety Series ..............................18 Charitable giving ...................... 23 Dash cams for ‘new normal’ ....21 Courtesy: Bi l McNamee Bi l McNamee uses a “menagerie” of stuffed animals with elaborate backstories as a strategy for engaging schoolchildren through the Trucker Buddy Program. Page 23 Survey shows truck parking remains top concern The FHWA has released an updated version of its Jason’s Law truck parking survey that revealed new statistics but no real solutions. Page 4 iStock Photo Dwain HebDa SPECIAL TO THE TRUCKER Features January 1-14, 2021 • 23 A true zoo story: Driver keeps Trucker Buddy classrooms engaged by sharing the fun adventures of his ‘menagerie’ of ‘mascots’ Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee to be transportation secretary reacts to his nomination during a news conference at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Delaware, Dec. 16, 2020. In three decades on the road, Bill McNamee has piled up enough adventures to fill several volumes — but he hasn’t done it alone. For the past 27 years he’s brought along a “menagerie” of companions including mice, a lizard, a hedgehog, a duck and the occasional bulldog, all of whom have come along for the ride. Along the way, his “mascots,” as he ca ls them have accumulated their own share of experiences and go ten into the occasional mischief, notwithstanding the fac that each is stuffed. “I started out with a mouse ca led Seatbelt Sam in ’99. I saw this mouse at Cracker Barrel and I thought, ‘You know, this would be a good mascot,’” he said. “I got another mouse; that was Mario, Mario Provolone. And then, I found this girl mouse and I named her Cheddar Mouse. “Cheddar married Seatbelt Sam,” McNamee continued his story. “Two years later, we went out and got three little mice — three little catnip toys — named Colby and Pepper and Jack. So, they had three kids.” Told out of context, this backstory about McNamee’s collection of stuffed animals with elaborate backstories might suggest a guy who’s been out on the road just a little bit too long. In fact, however, his furry pals are all part of McNamee’s strategy for engaging schoolchildren through the Trucker Buddy Program, McNamee said he is also able to share lessons about seatbelt safety and distracted drivrooms of Christopher Elementary second-grad- how importan the trucking industry is,” he said. Currently he’s currently assigned to three class- and while we’re doing that, we teach them about and it’s an effective strategy. “The concept of that program is to show ing that children can share with their parents. ers in Christopher, I linois. That’s 62 kids in “This thing just grows and grows. It seems kids what we have in our beautiful country. “We throw in anti-bullying messages, sharing the road messages, how to be good friends postcard or send a photo of the mascots; while at a l. While on the road, he’ l drop the classes a like every couple of months, I can think of a new It’s also to show the necessity of the trucking lesson for them about something,” he continued. industry in everybody’s life,” he said. “We to their classmates. We’re doing all of that and home, he’ l pay the students an in-person visit. promote a positive image and show them that making it all fun,” he said. “You know, a lot of kids never leave their In fact, the stories have become elaborate (truckers are) normal people, just like their McNamee, who drives for Carbon Express, hometown. Some kids never go coast to coast. enough to qualify as their own daytime dramas. McNamee staged a wedding for Seatbelt moms and dads. We just don’t get to come has been assigned to various classrooms during his time in the Trucker Buddy program. see New York City. So, we share that with them See MaScotS on p24 m They’ l never see the Rocky Mountains; never home every day.” the holidays a little brighter for those in need. From WASHINGTON — Trucking Moves America donating food, toys and transportation, to delivering Forward (TMAF), an industry-wide education and food, medicine and supplies on the frontlines of the image movement, shared stories of the unique ways pandemic, trucking has helped keep our communitie strong all year.” that the trucking industry has continued to give back to their communities over the holiday season. The following are a few of the trucking companies and organizations that gave back to their com- Trucking companies and organizations submitted their stories of charitable works to TMAF after a munities during the 2020 holiday season. call for submissions through email and social media. Advantage Truck Group (ATG), based in “During one of the most difficult years in our nation’s history, the trucking industry not only stepped lin’ 4 Hunger initiative to provide meals to those in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, hosted its annual Hau- up to deliver the essential goods we have relied on need. With an increased need for food assistance because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ATG increased throughout the pandemic; but also gave back to their community through charitable acts and giving,” said its efforts this year and provided 6,000 meals and Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF and president suppor to 12 local food pantries. of Jet Express Inc. “Trucking companies and organizations of all sizes and from states across the Employees of Fort Worth, Texas-based Apex Capital hosted a Virtual Walk for Breast Cancer country stepped up once again year to help make Courtesy: Bi l McNamee Bi l McNamee uses a co lection of stu fed animals with elaborate backstories as a strategy for engaging schoolchildren through the Trucker Buddy Program. His “menagerie” includes Seatbelt Sam and a mouse named Mario Provolone, among others. Courtesy: Trucking Moves America Forward Left: Rachel Lewis, who organized the Apex Capital office gift drive, is pictured with some of the gifts donated by employees. Right: CRST partnered with Central Furniture Rescue to help deliver furniture donations to the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area after a straight-line wind storm devastated the community. Kendal George, left, and Chris Landwehr picked up the donated furniture. THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES Charitable works: Organizations continue to give back during year of unprecedented challenges ‘No greater honor’: Truckers play vital role in distribution of long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines Linda Garner-Bunch lindag@thetruckermedia.com Kevin Lamarque via AP THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden on Dec. 15 formally announced Pete Buttigieg as his pick for the secretary of transportation. Buttigieg, 38, served as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020. During a Dec. 16 event in Delaware, Biden introduced Buttigieg, hailing him as “a new voice with new ideas determined to move past old politics.” “We need someone who knows how to work with state, local and federal agencies,” Biden said, noting that the nation’s highways are in disrepair and that some bridges “are on the verge of collapse.” Buttigieg, who would be the first openly gay person confirmed by the Senate to a Cabinet Vol. 34, No. 1 | JaNuary 1-14, 2021 | www.thetrucker.com For most of the world’s population, 2020 brought never-before-seen challenges, beginning with a global pandemic caused by a new coronavirus first discovered in China in late 2019. As 2020 came to a close, the number of COVID-19 cases — along with deaths related to the disease — continued to climb. The year also brought the trucking industry into the international spotlight, as professional drivers put in countless hours on the road, working to provide hospitals and pharmacies with medical supplies, and grocery stores stocked with essentials (who could ever forget the great toilet-paper shortage?). For most truck drivers, those hours spent on the road were “all in a day’s work.” Many were surprised when they were greeted with cheers as they made their deliveries. As the year progressed, some of that appreciation faded — but drivers continued to work behind the scenes, making sure vital supplies, as well as little luxuries, reached their destinations in a safe and timely manner. On Sunday, Dec. 13, truck drivers and other members of the transportation industry once history, an effort that health officials are encouraging the public to embrace, even as many expected to skyrocket during the following weeks. a new milestone of 300,000 with those numbers again found themselves in the spotlight as the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine approved people expressed skepticism or worry about the Because Pfizer’s vaccine must be stored at an for emergency use in the U.S. by the Food and drug’s safety and effectiveness. extremely low temperature — about minus 94 Drug Administration (FDA) departed Pfizer’s As the first of many freezer-packed COVID-19 degrees Fahrenheit — quick transport is vital to Portage, Michigan, facility. The day was the vaccine vials made their way to distribution sites the success of the immunization effort. On the start of the biggest vaccination effort in U.S. that day, the nation’s pandemic deaths approached See VaccineS on p10 m A truck loaded with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine leaves the Pfizer Global Supply Kalamazoo manufacturing plant in Portage, Michigan on Dec. 13, 2020. In addition to FedEx and UPS, Massachusetts-based Boyle Transportation was part of the Dec. 13 vaccine ro lout, with two teams of drivers participating in the first convoy to leave Pfizer’s Michigan facility. Buttigieg officially announced as Biden’s nomination for secretary of transportation post, was virtually unknown nationally when he launched a longshot bid for president, but he became a formidable political force in the early primary states, finishing well ahead of Biden in Iowa and New Hampshire. Buttigieg eventually endorsed Biden’s presidential bid. Beyond standard transportation fixes, which are easier to promise than for administrations to get through Congress, Biden says he wants to rejuvenate the post-coronavirus pandemic economy and create thousands of green jobs by making environmentally friendly retrofits and public works improvements. “At its best, transportation makes the American dream possible, getting people and goods to See Buttigieg on p9 m AP Photo/Mo ry Gash See GivinG on p25 m cannot always control the violations that may be discovered. What you CAN control is your attitude and demeanor when dealing with the officer. In closing, please remember this: Sometimes it is best not to be remembered. Brad Klepper is president of Interstate Trucker Ltd., a law firm entirely dedicated to the legal defense of the nation’s commercial drivers. Interstate Trucker represents truck drivers throughout the 48 states on both moving and nonmoving violations. Klepper, a lawyer who has focused on transportation law and the trucking industry in particular, is also president of Driver’s Legal Plan, which allows member drivers access to his firm’s services at discounted rates. He works to answer drivers’ and carriers’ legal questions about trucking and life over the road. For more information, visit interstatetrucker.com or driverslegalplan.com. 8 b Banking from page 13 b be able to help people who struggle with upward mobility,” she said. “I went to this program, ‘Connections to Success,’ and I’d like to get involved with them when I can.” She added, “They help a lot of people who are unemployed and discouraged.” Noel’s faith is another important value. “My faith is more important than ever, now that I’m driving,” she explained. “If I didn’t pray so much, I probably wouldn’t make it.” Until she began trucking, Noel attended services at her church on Sundays and Wednesdays. That’s not possible while on the road, but she does what she can. “We visit the Trucker Chapels at truck stops when we’re on the road,” she said. “My husband is a faithful man.” She reads a lot when she’s not driving, and she hopes to resume knitting and crocheting one day, when time permits. “I’d also like to learn to play a musical instrument,” she added. “I played the French horn in high school.” Whether she’s taking on a hobby or a new career, it’s a good bet Noel will find a way to succeed. “Believe in yourself and be determined,” she said. “Turn ‘I can’t’ into ‘I WILL.’” 8 T S T f
Business February 15-28, 2021 • 17 Both freight rates and volumes could falter if economy does Cliff Abbott cliffa@thetruckermedia.com Freight numbers rose in December as rates continued their upward climb. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 7.4% in December following a 3.2% increase in November. The index came in at 120 for the month, meaning reported freight volumes in December were 20% higher than they were in the baseline year of 2015. After a similar gain in September, the index fell in October before rallying for the final two months of the year. “Tonnage ended last year on a high note,” said Bob Costello, chief economist for ATA. “The index not only registered the largest monthly gain since June, but it also had the first year-over-year increase since March.” The index was 2.3% higher than in December 2019. The year-over-year comparison, however, wasn’t as positive. For all of 2020, the index was 3.3% lower than the full year 2019. Considering the dismal second quarter of 2020, a 3.3% decline is smaller than most of the analysts predicted. “Because of the pandemic, 2020 was obviously a very challenging year for the economy overall, and that is reflecting in the tonnage index’s dip from the previous year,” Costello said. “Despite that, truck tonnage clearly outperformed the broader economy as freight continued to move in the face of a myriad of COVIDrelated challenges faced by the country.” Costello noted that consumer consumption, inventory restocking by retailers and singlefamily home construction helped keep shipment volumes high. He also credited the recent stimulus checks and the possibility of another iStock Photo Van rates ended 2020 with an average $2.46 per mile for December 2020, while refrigerated rates fell by three cents to $2.67. Flatbed rates averaged $2.48 on DAT load boards. payout for helping keep freight levels high during December and into 2021. ACT Research also publishes For-Hire Trucking Indexes that measure both volume and freight rates reported in surveys of their customers. Index scores above 50 indicate the market grew, while scores below 50 show a contracting market. ACT’s Volume Index came in at 55.5 in December, down from 60.4 in November. In the prior six months, the index averaged 67.4, so freight volumes, though slowing, were positive for a total of eight consecutive months. On the rate side, the Pricing Index for December was 64.2, down 3.6 points from November but still well into positive territory. Lack of capacity continued to buoy rates, although the rate has been slowing for three months now. The ACT report credits driver hiring and pay increases with helping the industry seat more trucks, creating more capacity and slowing rate increases. The release notes, however, that additional rounds of stimulus and increased unemployment benefits could reduce the number of available drivers, tightening capacity and pushing rates upward again. ACT also issues a Driver Availability Index, which reached its lowest point ever in December at 28.1. It was the sixth consecutive month of deteriorating driver availability. Rising driver pay and vaccinations may help alleviate the shortage of drivers in 2021, but likely will not be enough. Cass Information Systems publishes an index too, and like ACT, the breakouts report by volume, rates and other factors. A key difference is that the Cass Freight Index incorporates shipments from different modes of transportation, including rail, ship, barge, air and even pipeline. In December, the Cass Freight Index for shipments was 1.12, 6.7% better than December 2019 and 1.1% better than November on a seasonally adjusted basis. Cass also measures freight rates calculated by customer spending and shipping volumes. In December, rates grew faster, 6.0% better than in December 2019. November numbers also bested last year’s November, by 3.0% Economists at ACT Research, a partner of Cass Information, are predicting a 3.9% growth in GDP for 2021. See Falter on p18 m Tax liability may differ this year for both owner-operators and company drivers iStock Photo Some trucking business received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Those loans contained provisions that allowed the borrower to forego repayment if the funds were used for specific purposes, such as employee pay. Cliff Abbott cliffa@thetruckermedia.com As if 2020 didn’t bring enough problems, your tax bill for the year could be impacted. Consulting a professional tax preparer — one that is familiar with trucking — is always a good idea. It’s an even better idea between now and April 15. Whether you operate your own trucking business or drive for someone else, your tax liability could be different this year. Since many drivers suffered a reduction in income for 2020, a tax surprise when filing could be devastating. First, the good news. Any economic impact payments you received aren’t taxable unless your total income was more than $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (married). That includes both the $1,200 per person payments sent out in April and the second payment of $600 that was distributed in December. You’ll see spaces for those payments on your tax return, but also spaces where they’re listed as credits. In fact, if you qualified for the payments but did not receive them, you may be able to claim them on your return. There’s more good news for those who pay self-employment tax. This combination of employer and employee contributions for Social Security and Medicare taxes represents 15.3% of the payer’s income. Under the CARES Act, up to 50% of the amount earned between March 27,2020, and Dec. 31, 2020, can be deferred. Because so many people worked from home during the pandemic, you may also be able to claim a deduction for using a part of your residence for work. There’s a potential catch, however — and it could be a big one — if you claim residence in another state. Each state has its own laws about establishing residence, such as occupation for a certain number of days or months. If you record the number of days you worked at “home,” and that home is in a state other than your usual state of residence, the state you worked in could claim you are now See Liability on p19 m
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