A Few Good Drivers
Deborah:
Another untapped resource for drivers (re: HDT editorial August 2005) is the large number of drivers the U.S. Army and Marine Corps train every year at Fort Leonardwood, Mo. I understand the 18-21 year old restrictions, but if industry and the government were to work together to have the military drivers' training courses certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute and by assisting the military drivers with better tracking of their drivers hours/miles, this would make these drivers' transition into the civilian truck driving profession much easier and enticing.
I am a former U.S. Marine Motor Transport Officer and now a defense contractor. I have supported PM Motor Transport at Marine Corps Systems Command, as well as having served at Training and Education Command (TECOM) as the "keeper" of individual training standards for the entire USMC Motor Transport community. In my professional opinion, certification of the current driver curriculum, which includes use of simulators and electronic curriculum, should be an easy thing to accomplish, and the institution of military drivers logs would ensure better tracking of these young drivers' experience.
If anyone on your staff would like to further discuss I can put them in contact with the TECOM, HQMC, or the Commanding Officer at Fort Leonardwood. This idea has been discussed but never actually pursued with any vigilance.
Bob Noxon
Language Barrier
Re: Deb Whistler's Editorial (HDT August), I have worked exclusively with owner-operator companies, for the last 15 years – all in the northern Ohio market and all of them are intermodal/container carriers. I have had the responsibility for recruiting during this time.
I have found several things that have helped in this effort. We have a growing population of Eastern European origin. I have found that these men are excellent workers, and they overcome language problems by working on it and learning the English language. Many of these men have gone on to become fleet owners and have brought along relatives and friends to grow in this business with them.
During this time we have also had occasion to hire owner-operators of Hispanic origin and have found them to be very arrogant, not willing to learn the English language, and all but demanding that someone be present to translate for them. I realize that there is no national language in this country, but every group who has immigrated here over the last two hundred and thirty years has adopted the English language and has learned to read and speak it.
Part of the rules for the issuance of a CDL states that the person must be able to read and understand simple orders and instructions in English. Is this another scandal that will break where someone in Florida or Texas has been selling them CDLs again?
Bring on Hispanic drivers. I'll welcome them as long as they are willing to learn English and communicate in that language.
Charles Algier
Regional Manager
PB Express Inc.
Cleveland, OH
P.S. This is a minority owned company. The owner of this company emigrated here from South Korea. He has had to learn English and uses it well to communicate with everyone.
Political Follies
Deb:
Great article (HDT July). Most of the world needs awakening. Like you say, since we're going to have a huge burden on time and expense for special handling of hazmat loads, let's not group soda pop syrup with Class A explosives.
But such decisions are often made in a vacuum, by legislators or rulemakers who operate with various (political) agendas, who will not feel nor even know the effects of their actions.
I often mimic this sort of scenario as someone, after months of gathering information from studies and hearings, making a quick decision with a shrug of the shoulders, clapping together their hands and saying, "That's that, let's go to lunch."
The world works with this sort of gross inefficiency, but it doesn't have to. You folks in the press have lots of power – expose these bureaucrats for what they are – hold them accountable at least.
If they aren't going to show up to vote nor be informed, then the re-election shouldn't be in their favor.
DRS
Over-regulation
Dear Ms. Whistler,
I liked your editorial entitled "Security's New Age" in the July issue. It's good to know that at least some one can see the forest for the trees. Now if only the lawmakers could be made to see some of the burdens trucking has to bear with regard to government over-regulation.
Joe DeFrancisco
E.T.I. Co.
Allentown, PA
