TCA's Dunn Says Truckload’s Time is Now for Driver Reform

SAN DIEGO — Truckload carriers have entered into a rare window of opportunity for addressing the long-bedeviling problem of the driver shortage — as long as they can muscle shippers into paying higher rates.

“Shame on us if we don’t use this chance to create fabulous jobs for drivers,” said Shepard Dunn, chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association.

The current truckload climate is exactly opposite of the recession, when there was a glut of hauling capacity. Demand for services is high, Dunn said, and supply is moderate, meaning carriers might have the best chance in many years to raise rates and use the money to pay drivers.

The CEO of dedicated contract carrier Bestway Express of Vincennes, Indiana, Dunn said here that the driver issue dwarfs all others.

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“Drivers are first, drivers are second, drivers are third and drivers are fourth. Shippers are fifth,” he said. That means raising pay to get more and better drivers is not a matter of kindness and goodwill, it’s a necessity if carriers are to provide the services requested of them.

Dunn sat for an interview Oct. 5 at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition. He was joined by Brad Bentley, the new TCA president.

A publishing executive from Alabama, Bentley starts Oct. 13 and replaces Chris Burruss. Bentley’s main job is to implement TCA’s new strategic plan.

Bentley said he will meet with TCA’s 11-member staff and work on shoring up relations with other transportation trade groups.

“I believe in collaboration and cooperation,” he said, adding that he will also try to increase membership.