Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/293070
BUSINESS 26 | Overdrive | April 2014 TWO CARRIERS SHUT DOWN The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shut down two truck- ing companies, issuing imminent-haz- ard out-of-service orders for various violations to both. GEG Construction Inc. of Indian Orchard, Mass., and its owner, Gil Comes, failed to have in place proper systems for truck inspections, repairs and maintenance, and the fleet oper- ated trucks in "out-of-service condi- tion," FMCSA said. The company also allowed drivers to operate vehi- cles before receiving drug and alcohol test results, the agency said. The other fleet, Allen Quandahl LLC, did not ensure its trucks were inspected, repaired or maintained properly, "resulting in systemic acci- dents," FMCSA said. The company also did not ensure drivers complied with alcohol and drug use and testing policies, the agency said. POLL SHOWS DRIVER ATTITUDES STABLE Despite severe winter weather, increasing regulatory pressures and an uncertain economy, drivers were no more dissatisfied with their jobs in the winter of 2014 than they were two and a half years earlier, says Stay Metrics, a company that helps fleets improve retention. That conclusion is based on driv- er surveys Stay Metrics began with fleet clients in 2012. That research shows driver satisfaction is "some- where between neutral and satisfied, leaning closer to satisfied," says Stay Metrics. OVERDRIVE 'S NEW BUSINESS-MINDED CHANNEL A recent sur- vey shows that LinkedIn, a social network for profession- als, represents the third-most- utilized social network (behind Facebook and youtube) for Overdrive readers. Those readers now have a LinkedIn channel through which to interact with Overdrive editors and network with each other. To join, visit linkedin.com and search for Overdrive's Trucking Pro. The open group allows users to post topics for discussion, as well as invite like-minded others to join. For the moment, it will host news and feature updates from OverdriveOnline.com, as well as various discussion topics in support of stories upcoming in the mag- azine. Help us spread the word about it. DEAL OPENS USHIP OPPORTUNITIES WITH EBAY Delivery options by uShip will be incorporated across eBay cate- gories regularly containing larg- er-than-parcel freight following a new arrangement for uShip to be eBay's global LTP transport supplier. Items weighing more than 150 pounds and needing buyer-arranged shipping are considered LTP. The agreement could mean more opportunities for haulers using uShip. com. "Annually, more than 3 million LTP items are bought and sold on eBay, which translates into more volume into the uShip marketplace," says uShip spokesman Dean Jutilla. TURNOVER FALLS, BUT STILL 'ELEVATED' The turnover rate at large truckload carriers fell six percentage points to 91 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, the second straight decline for the measure of churn in the driver pool, said Bob Costello, chief economist for the American Trucking Associations. Still, Costello said, the level remained above 90 percent for the eighth consecutive quarter. Turnover at small truckload fleets rose five points in the final quarter of the year to 79 percent, but was still below the 82 percent mark the figure hit in the first half of 2012, Costello said. For the year, turnover at small fleets averaged 82 percent. Turnover in the less-than-truckload sector fell two points to 11 percent in the fourth quarter. Economist Bob Costello said he expects stronger economic growth, which will put more pressure on the driver market and the driver shortage. Biz_0414.indd 26 4/1/14 7:23 AM