Newsletter Archive

Will Trump's EPA pick bring pro-trucking policies?

Plus: Recruiting tips for trucking | Industry responds to Calif. fires

The grass is always greener ... where you water it. Finding great drivers is tough, and keeping them can be even tougher. We spoke with the VP of recruiting at one of the nation’s largest privately owned transportation fleets to find out how they’re not just tackling this challenge but thriving — and now, we’re sharing their strategies with you. Plus, will Trump's head of EPA pick help the trucking industry?

Today's Lineup

🔷 How trucking groups are mobilizing to aid in California wildfires
🔷 Industry sheds thousands of jobs over two years
🔷 The human conversation around autonomous trucks
🔷 Trucking could incur millions in costs during bridge repair
🔷 Daimler hits the brakes on diesel truck sales

Q&A

Building driver partnerships that last

Recruiting in the trucking industry is more than a job for Robert Pierson, VP of driver recruiting at Mesilla Valley Transportation, it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact. Since 2006 Pierson has worked to develop a process that ensures drivers and carriers form partnerships aimed at long-term success. The Inside Lane caught up with Pierson to explore the key strategies and insights that have turned recruitment into a powerful tool for growth and stability in the industry.

What should SMB trucking companies look for when hiring drivers to make sure they stay long-term?

Does a prospective driver present themselves as a professional? Do they have enthusiasm for their chosen profession? Top-tier drivers show passion through their appearance, work history and how they speak about their work. These traits allow you to offer stronger service and target growth as they represent your company. Drivers come from all walks of life — there’s no stereotypical driver. The Smokey & the Bandit era ended 30 years ago. Targeting professionalism reduces turnover, improves on-time rates and drives growth. Recognizing and rewarding these traits must be a priority, as competitors will constantly market to them.

How can small trucking companies reduce turnover by improving their recruitment process from the start?

Hire individuals with a stable work history, provide recruiters/hiring personnel with incentives for retention and hold dispatchers accountable for the success of their drivers who report to them. Filling the truck isn't a win. Building a long-term relationship is the goal.

What are some simple ways to train recruiters so they can hire better drivers?

There is often a major disconnect at carriers of all sizes between sales, operations and driver recruitment. These three functions should be in constant communication. Recruiters should know exactly which drivers succeed and fail within your company. They should know which drivers are profitable for your organization and which drivers simply fill a truck, but don't add value because the role doesn't. Be it location, experience, endorsements or strategic goals, recruiters do better when they understand the "why."

How can small trucking companies use data to improve their hiring decisions and streamline recruitment?

We’re all guilty of bias or relying on emotions to guide decisions. Managing with a "squeaky wheels get the grease" mindset wastes time on one-off issues. Instead, document hires, terms and driver performance, then evaluate regularly. Identify actions driving desired results and the metrics supporting them. Beyond basic hiring criteria, use these insights to predict who will succeed and where to focus development efforts for future all-stars. Finally, be humble — admitting when you’re at fault can save valuable time and effort.

What key points should be included in job ads to attract the right drivers for smaller trucking companies?

Understand the purpose of most forms of advertising. You spend advertising dollars to generate lead volume, not to filter or DQ candidates in advance. Drivers with excellent backgrounds are often bombarded by constant ads telling them the grass is greener. They simply don't have time to read paragraphs of hiring standards or long drawn-out presentations. Most ads are to give a quick and compelling reason for them to provide you with their undivided attention and to then allow a recruiter to do what they should be doing best, attracting the best candidates to your company. Additionally, on more generic or soft sells such as "family culture" or "open door policy," utilize your social media presence to provide the opportunity to feature subjects that aren't best sold as a bullet-point item.

⬆️ $3.602

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 01/13, UP 0.041¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

INSIDE LOOK

New Congress, new president: Industry battles for pro-trucking policies

With a clean slate in Washington, the American Trucking Associations is pushing hard on its industry priorities.

ATA expressed support for Donald Trump's selection of Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. ATA believes Zeldin "can restore common sense to environmental policies."

The trucking group also wants to see truck parking addressed and the federal excise tax repealed.

Why this matters: EV mandates and truck taxes have created tension in the trucking industry. Lobbying groups see today as a fresh start to get their priorities on the legislative agenda.

Get more details at American Trucking Associations.

FAST LANE

SEEN & HEARD

"You've got to make it human ... that's really important for us, to always humanize the aspects of a vehicle with no human in it." -Andrew Culhane, Torc Robotics

Getting the trucking industry — and the broader public — on board with autonomous vehicles is a tough sell. Perception ranges from what we see in sci-fi movies to unsafe, out-of-control trucks putting drivers out of work. On a recent Laughing Matters podcast, Andrew Culhane of Torc Robotics, an autonomous truck company, shared the important conversations around AV technology. Listen to the podcast here.

NEWS

Among trucking's biggest challenges this year: cybersecurity

A new report from the National Motor Traffic Freight Association expects cybersecurity to be a hot-button issue for trucking in 2025. Cyber-enabled cargo theft and phishing attacks are predicted to increase.

Why this matters: As fleets have adopted more technology, the benefits have also come with risks, making it essential to keep systems updated and secure. (The Trucker)

Daimler pauses diesel truck sales in Oregon

Daimler Truck North America is halting sales of internal combustion engine trucks in Oregon. The reason: uncertainty around Oregon's Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which calls for OEMs to increase the number of zero-emission trucks they sell.

Why this matters: OEMs are moving ahead with EV development and ensuring they comply with state regulations. A prolonged sales pause, or other OEMs following suit, could start to raise supply concerns. (Trucks, Parts, Service)