Joseph M. Dagnese, President, Con-way Truckload

https://www.con-way.com
Dec 31, 2014, 12:32 PM EST
Author picture

Joseph M. Dagnese

The biggest challenge facing every long-haul trucking company in 2015 and beyond is recruiting and retaining qualified drivers. One of the keys will be increasing driver pay to help overcome the difficulties of the long-haul driver lifestyle. We’re making progress in this area and, working in partnership with our customers, we will continue to do so. Outside of compensation, perhaps the most important issue is creating a better environment of respect for the driver. We need to get drivers home with more regularity and frequency; equip our trucks with driver-friendly comforts; emphasize safety in all that we ask them to do; and ensure that they are efficient and productive, with consistent regular miles that allow them to earn as much as possible while driving.

Our responsibility as carriers is to eliminate any and all waste associated with the consumption of driver hours for non-driving activity. We can and should partner more closely with our customers to eliminate waste. We can do this through better collaborative planning to ensure loads are ready when the driver arrives, getting drivers in and out quickly, using efficient practices such as drop and hook, and setting up loading docks and trailer staging areas to facilitate the most efficient access.

Longer term, we have to find ways to attract more people to this profession. That starts with education, at an early age, even in grade school and middle school. Not everyone is going to go to college. By doing a better job of educating our young people on the value, importance and solid earnings potential of a skilled trade career such as truck driving, we can make headway in getting the next generation of professionals behind the wheel.

Joseph M. Dagnese, President, Con-way Truckload