DOT Told To Assess Skills Of Employees Able To Meet Automation Challenge

In a 38-page report released Friday by the U.S. Government Accountability Office the conclusion was that the U.S. Department of Transportation and its three main administrations do not have the skilled staff necessary to oversee the growing automation technology that is taking place in the trucking industry.

DOT told to assess skills of employees able to meet automation challenge

Not surprising. They don't have staff skilled enough to handle what's already on their plate much less another helping.

Getting your cdl would be a good start for people that make rules for truckers

Getting your cdl would be a good start for people that make rules for truckers

Personally, I think it should be a requirement within the trucking industry as well.

I remember one time having just finished a long unload at the Statler DC in San Bernardino. I was parked at a side road contemplating shutting down for the night because to go anywhere in the LA area at 5 pm on a Friday would result in me running out of hours before getting there.

So, I get a call from dispatch asking me to "run real quick" for a pickup clear on the other side of the LA Basin. By their reckoning it was only about 40 miles, "Less than an hour, right? You can get there on time."

I told him it was impossible to get across LA during rush hour before I'd have to shut down, and I'd miss the appt anyway.

One thing led to another and I ended up getting shunted to the Fleet Manager to try to talk some sense into me. After arguing with him for a bit I finally asked him, "When you were driving how did you handle it when you were told to do something that was physically impossible to do?"

What he told me changed my whole attitude about dealing with the people who were in charge of my driving schedule. He said, "Dave, I have never sat in the cab of a truck in my life."

So yes, in my opinion, having a CDL and spending some time in a truck should be the minimum requirement for anybody with any authority for determining what is best for drivers.

Agreed 1000

Getting your cdl would be a good start for people that make rules for truckers

Personally, I think it should be a requirement within the trucking industry as well.

I remember one time having just finished a long unload at the Statler DC in San Bernardino. I was parked at a side road contemplating shutting down for the night because to go anywhere in the LA area at 5 pm on a Friday would result in me running out of hours before getting there.

So, I get a call from dispatch asking me to "run real quick" for a pickup clear on the other side of the LA Basin. By their reckoning it was only about 40 miles, "Less than an hour, right? You can get there on time."

I told him it was impossible to get across LA during rush hour before I'd have to shut down, and I'd miss the appt anyway.

One thing led to another and I ended up getting shunted to the Fleet Manager to try to talk some sense into me. After arguing with him for a bit I finally asked him, "When you were driving how did you handle it when you were told to do something that was physically impossible to do?"

What he told me changed my whole attitude about dealing with the people who were in charge of my driving schedule. He said, "Dave, I have never sat in the cab of a truck in my life."

So yes, in my opinion, having a CDL and spending some time in a truck should be the minimum requirement for anybody with any authority for determining what is best for drivers.

Amen!!!!

Getting your cdl would be a good start for people that make rules for truckers