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A CHAT WITH THE CHAIRMAN It’s been a busy summer for TCA, with the annual Safety & Security Meeting in June and the Refrigerated Meeting in July. Please share a few highlights from the two events. The Safety & Security Meeting in San Antonio was great. The highlight of the meeting for me was the panel of our TCA Professional Drivers of the Year sharing their thoughts and insights on managing safety. They were very candid and had some great feedback for the fleets in the room. The Refrigerated Meeting in Park City was equally good. One of the things we have really been stressing is that every function we present needs to provide highvalue educational content. When you combine that with our trademark networking opportunities, these become “can’t miss” meetings. We are working hard to make sure we provide fresh, relevant takes fleets can benefit from. While I think we can always work to get better, I do believe that we are solidly heading in the right direction. TCA’s Fall Business Meetings, along with the association’s annual Call on Washington, are just around the corner. Addressing each event separately, please explain why membership participation is important. How can companies find out more about these initiatives? I am disappointed that I will miss the Call on Washington this year due to a conflict. This will be the first time I will have missed it. The Call on Washington is so important, as it connects real people in the industry — who are impacted by legislation and regulation — with those who are deciding what the rules should be. So many of our members comment that they are afraid they may not know the right thing to say. First of all, you don’t have to say anything. You can just go and listen. You can also share your thoughts on how the rules and regulations are impacting your business. You don’t have to debate with anyone; you just share your thoughts. I have found that members of Congress listen intently when someone from the industry is sharing their perspective. It is a way for members of Congress to stay connected. Our Fall Business Meeting also brings a lot of value, as members get a chance to take advantage of hearing from Washington, D.C.-based resources including our contracted lobbyists, members of Congress, and leaders of regulatory agencies, among others. With so many important decisions being made in Washington these days, companies need to know what is coming and anticipate what needs to be done in their own businesses to remain successful. One of the stories in this edition of Truckload Authority focuses on automated vehicles, specifically heavy-duty over-the-road tractors. Many — I dare say most — truck drivers are concerned about the adoption of these rigs, fearing that their jobs will ultimately be eliminated in favor of self-driving trucks. Please share your thoughts on this issue. Sponsored by Mcleod software / McLeodSoftware.com / 877.362.5363 TCA Chairman Dave Williams encourages association members to participate in the group’s annual Call on Washington in September, describing the event as an opportunity for lawmakers and industry stakeholders to stay connected. I am not a fan of the phrase “driverless or self-driving trucks.” In fact, I have fought against the use of the phrase since I first heard it. This is not because I am in denial, but because I have stayed close to this technology. I believe we are further away from widespread use of this technology in the truckload industry than people may think. As you may have noticed, the buzz around autonomous trucks has died down over the past year or so. This has come as tech companies realize that applying this technology to heavy-duty truck applications is more challenging than they may have anticipated. Operationalizing an autonomous articulating tractor-trailer combination weighing 80,000 pounds is a different proposition than trying to operationalize an autonomous taxi. And, by the way, that same tractor-trailer combination weighs 60% less as soon as it is unloaded, dramatically changing the center of gravity for the unit. There are technical, economic, and operational challenges that will need to be overcome, which will require substantial funding and a good amount of time. Many of the tech providers in this space are running out of cash as investors grow impatient and the cost to develop the technology continues to grow. Someone will eventually figure it out, but it will likely be limited to a small number of applications until some of these issues are overcome. On top of this, we haven’t even started considering social acceptance, liability questions, and cybersecurity concerns, among others. I am by no means counting this technology out, but the reality is that we will need good men and women to operate trucks in the truckload market for a long time to come. Finding and keeping qualified workers is always top of mind for motor carriers. What basic strategies would you recommend a trucking company undertake to 24 Truckload Authority | www.Truckload.org TCA SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
® ® • Gain profitability & better OR • Make better pricing decisions ® • Retain the best drivers • Fight detention • Get paid faster • Manage your finances & measure costs • Gain better analysis & insight • Achieve new levels of efficiency The best run companies start with McLeod. Let us show you how. ® 877.362.5363 | McLeodSoftware.com TCA SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 www.Truckload.org | Truckload Authority 25
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