With the launch of a new program, the ATA is engaging young executives holding trucking jobs.

LEAD ATA is a new program created to groom them to be the industry’s next great generation of leaders.

The LEAD ATA program, sponsored by PeopleNet, will provide exclusive educational opportunities designed to highlight how the regulatory and legislative process affects the trucking industry and the important role ATA plays in shaping both, as well as demonstrating the many tools available to industry executives through ATA. Each year, a new class will be accepted into LEAD ATA to cultivate the federation’s future ATA leaders.

“PeopleNet is honored to be a part of LEAD ATA. Building strong leaders for the future will ensure that our industry remains healthy, vibrant and forward-thinking,” said PeopleNet President Brian McLaughlin of the Minnetonka, Minn., company’s three-year commitment to LEAD ATA. “This program is a unique opportunity for individuals to advance their skills and networks with an eye on taking transportation to the next level. We look forward to collaborating with ATA on the program moving forward.”

“In the 80 years since ATA was founded, we have always relied on industry leaders to be our spokesmen and our examples of what trucking means to the country,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “LEAD ATA will help us nurture and cultivate our next generation of leaders and ensure that the legacy those giants have left us is entrusted to sure, steady hands.”

“This industry and ATA have given me many opportunities to demonstrate leadership,” said Kevin Burch, ATA vice chairman and president of Jet Express, Dayton, Ohio. “Participants in LEAD ATA will be given important leadership tools that they can use to guide this association and industry into a promising and prosperous future.”

Truck tonnage and the number of available truck driver jobs increased in March, recent statistics show.

The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index gained 0.9% in March after decreasing 0.7% in February. (The 0.7% loss in February was revised down from a 0.6% increase ATA reported on March 19, 2013.) Tonnage has now increased in four of the last five months.

Specifically, since November 2012, the index is up 7.6%. In March, the SA index equaled 123.5 (2000=100) versus 122.3 in February. The highest level on record was December 2011 at 124.3. Compared with March 2012, the SA index was up a solid 3.8%, beating February’s 3.1% year-over-year gain. Year-to-date, compared with the same period in 2012, the tonnage index is up 3.9%.

Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 67% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 9.2 billion tons of freight in 2011. Motor carriers collected $603.9 billion, or 80.9% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.

“Fitting with the expectation for solid gross domestic product growth in the first quarter, tonnage was strong in March and the quarter overall,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. “At 3.9% year-over-year growth, the first quarter increase was the best since the final quarter 2011.

“Expect freight tonnage will slow in the months ahead as the federal government sequester continues and households finish spending their tax returns,” he said. “The good news for tonnage is housing starts are growing and energy production is good – both of which generates heavy freight. However, these two sectors alone won’t be enough to keep the overall index growing at a 3.9% clip in the second quarter.”

The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 125.2 in March, which was 11.5% above the previous month

The turnover rate for drivers in the trucking industry took a small dive in the fourth quarter, according to the American Trucking Associations’ Trucking Activity Report, the likely result of a weakened economy and overall freight volumes.

Turnover at large truckload carriers dropped from an annualized rate of 104% in the third quarter to 90%, its lowest point since the first quarter of the year. For all of 2012, turnover averaged 98%, the highest since 2007 when the churn rate averaged 117%.

At smaller truckload fleets, the turnover rate dipped to 76% from 94% in the previous quarter. Small fleet turnover averaged 82% in 2012 – the highest since 2007’s average of 90%.

“As freight volumes slid a bit at the end of 2012, we saw turnover follow suit,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. “However, this is just a respite from the long-term trend and driver shortage storm that’s coming when the freight economy accelerates; and even then, these relaxed levels are still quite high relative to recent years.”

Costello said as it stands now, the industry is still short between 20,000 and 25,000 drivers in the truckload sector – a figure that a healthier economy will only force to grow.

“Once we see steadier, more robust economic growth, we could see an industry that is short by as many as 239,000 drivers by 2022,” Costello said. “Hard as it may to believe, we may someday soon look back on turnover rates of just 90% as the good old days as increased demand, an aging workforce and regulatory constraints combine to push the shortage higher.”

Miller Transporters, a Jackson, MS–based bulk tank truck operator, has honored twenty-four drivers who achieved safe driving milestones at the conclusion of 2012. Drivers qualified by traveling over One Million Miles accident-free.

“We take great pride in recognizing the accomplishments of these fine drivers who have served many years for Miller Transporters,” says Brent Cobb, Vice-President of Safety and Quality.

Two exceptional drivers, Allen Rivers Jr. and Rick Owsley, reached Two Million Safe Driving Miles. Rivers Jr. and Owsley are based at the tank truck carrier’s Mobile, AL location.

Twenty-two Miller Transporters’ drivers reached One Million Safe Driving Miles. They are: Michael Staley from Charleston, SC; Jeffery Lyons and John Martin from Memphis, TN; Charles Jagers, Marvin Lee, William Perkins and Terry Perkins from Baton Rouge, LA; Dextral Adams, Glenn Brand and David Hamlett from Channelview, TX; Jim Madewell and David Miller from Savannah, GA; Jackie Camp, Glyston Coates, Despain Anthony, John Hamilton and Rod Jones from El Dorado, AR; Charles Rowe from Lansing, IL; Ken Campbell from E St Louis, IL; Thomas Caldwell from Orangeburg, SC; and Bobby Hitt and Gary Myers from Mobile, AL.

About Miller Transporters
Founded in 1942, Miller Transporters, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Jackson, MS. and is a third generation, family-owned company specializing in the hauling of bulk liquid chemicals. Miller Transporters is recognized as an industry leader in safety and service year after year. Visit www.millerdriving.com.

National Carriers, a diversified motor carrier servicing all 48 states, has named Phil Nix as Driver of the Month for April, 2013. Nix, a Kansas resident, has been involved in the cattle industry all of his adult life. A driver for NCI since 1990, Nix continues to be a leader in the livestock division. Nix received several recognitions as NCI DOM including a $500 bonus and is now entered into the NCI Driver of the Year competition. The NCI DOY award includes a $5000 bonus.

About National Carriers

National Carriers is a diversified carrier with transportation offerings which include refrigerated, livestock, and logistics services. At National Carriers, our mission is “to be the safest, most customer-focused, and successful motor carrier in our class.” Visit www.drivenci.com.

Being part of the Elite Fleet® means enjoying a career worthy of your skills and commitment to excellence. We believe long-term success is waiting for you at National Carriers®, one of the nation’s oldest, most respected and largest carriers.

Learn about our exciting opportunities for owner operators as well as company drivers. If you are interested in leasing a truck, National Carriers® Leasing Division is the ideal partner to help you get started.

National Carriers, a diversified motor carrier servicing all 48 states, has announced Randy Barnett as Driver of the Year for 2012. Barnett has driven over 1.6 million miles for NCI without a chargeable accident, late pickup, or late delivery. Barnett resides in Grovetown, Ga. with his wife, Wanda, and has been involved in the trucking industry all of his life. Along with the honor of being named Driver of the Year, Barnett received a $5,000 bonus.

National Carriers is a diversified carrier with transportation offerings which include refrigerated, livestock, and logistics services. At National Carriers, our mission is “to be the safest, most customer-focused, and successful motor carrier in our class.” Visit www.drivenci.com.

Being part of the Elite Fleet means enjoying a career worthy of your skills and commitment to excellence. We believe long-term success is waiting for you at National Carriers, one of the nation’s oldest, most respected and largest carriers.

Learn about our exciting opportunities for owner operators as well as company drivers. If you are interested in leasing a truck, NCI Leasing is the ideal partner to help you get started.

National Carriers, a diversified motor carrier servicing all 48 states, has named Randy Sprague as Driver of the Month for January, 2013.

Mr. Sprague has been a driver for NCI since 2009 and continues to be a leader in dedicated customer service. Missouri resident, Sprague, operates a company truck transporting hides for NCI. Mr. Sprague received several recognitions as NCI DOM including a $500 bonus and is now entered into the NCI Driver of the Year competition. The NCI DOY award includes a $5000 bonus.

About National Carriers

National Carriers is a diversified carrier with transportation offerings which include refrigerated, livestock, and logistics services. At National Carriers, our mission is “to be the safest, most customer-focused, and successful motor carrier in our class.” Visit www.drivenci.com.

Being part of the Elite Fleet® means enjoying a career worthy of your skills and commitment to excellence. We believe long-term success is waiting for you at National Carriers®, one of the nation’s oldest, most respected and largest carriers.

Learn about our exciting opportunities for owner operators as well as company drivers. If you are interested in leasing a truck, National Carriers® Leasing Division is the ideal partner to help you get started.

The American Trucking Associations and NATSO, representing America’s travel plazas and truckstops, praised the Virginia General Assembly for taking a stand against tolling of existing interstates, which affects truck driver jobs.

Tolls are costly and can dip into truck driver’s profits. A driver that passes through several tolls a day may pay a lot of money out of pocket.

“By looking at, then rejecting tolls in favor of more efficient revenue sources, Virginia lawmakers have provided a solid example for states looking to finance needed transportation infrastructure,” ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said.

The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that requires legislative approval of tolls on I-95 South of Fredericksburg. While not an outright ban on tolling, the Virginia General Assembly has made it clear that they do not support tolling and will not move forward with any plans to toll I-95 South of Fredericksburg.

ATA and NATSO joined forces about a year ago to fight tolling proposals in Virginia and North Carolina. Both states sought the authority to toll I-95 under the Interstate Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Program, a Federal Highway Administration pilot program created by Congress in 1998 that allows the conversion of an existing interstate to a toll facility. Since the program was created, numerous states have spent millions of dollars seeking FHWA approval. But due to public opposition, among other reasons, not one state has implemented tolling under the program.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said that it is launching a safety crackdown using specially trained investigator teams that will focus on high-risk motorcoach companies to improve truck driver jobs.

FMCSA currently oversees the safety and compliance of 525,000 motor carriers, such as interstate buses, tractor trailers and household goods movers. These include more than 4,000 motorcoach companies responsible for over 700 million passenger trips annually.

With this large universe of carriers and only approximately 400 investigators, inspectors and auditors, FMCSA employs a combination of methods to identify safety risks and remove unsafe carriers from the road, including partnering with state and local law enforcement on inspections and conducting paperwork audits.

The first wave of a national safety sweep will be carried out over the next two months by FMCSA safety personnel who will coordinate with state law enforcement partners on targeted bus company and vehicle inspections.

FMCSA inspectors and auditors will undergo specialized training aimed at investigating key areas of operations at motorcoach companies deemed to be high risk carriers.

“Our fundamental goal is to ensure the safety of passengers on our roadways and save lives,” said Secretary LaHood. “We’ve seen the tragic consequences when motorcoach companies cut corners and do not make safety a top priority. With this goal at the top of our priorities, we can continue to raise the safety bar for the entire industry.”

According to the American Trucking Association, truck tonnage increased 2.8% in December after surging 3.9% in November.

ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 10th day of the month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.

The back-to-back increases in November and December were by far the best of gains of 2012. As a result, the SA index equaled 121.6 (2000=100) in December versus 118.3 in November. Despite the solid monthly increase, compared with December 2011, the SA index was off 2.3%, the worst year-over-year result since November 2009. For all of 2012, tonnage was up 2.3%. In 2011, the index increased 5.8%.

The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 110.3 in December, which was 4.9% below the previous month.

“December was better than anticipated in light of the very difficult year-over-year comparison,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. In December 2011, the index surged 6.4% from the previous month. Costello anticipates more sluggishness in the index this year, especially early in the year, as the economy continues to face several headwinds.

“As paychecks shrink for all households due to higher taxes, I’m expecting a weak first quarter for tonnage and the broader economy” Costello said. “Since trucks account for the vast majority of deliveries in the retail supply chain, any reduction in consumer spending will have ramifications on truck tonnage levels.”