OTA Dispatch Issue 4, 2020

Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch AT THE START OF THIS YEAR, OTA and our members were focused on some familiar trucking topics—political machinations in Salem, the potential for a destructive new carbon policy, the driver shortage, HOS, truck parking, etc.—in addition to our routine business concerns as we look for new and improved ways to operate safely and efficiently. But the universe had other plans. By March, the entire world was asking, “Now what?” Trucking’s answer, as always, was to keep on moving forward. Our industry was finally recognized as “essential” on the national level, as more people kept to their houses, depending on home delivery for food and other necessary goods. Others who did venture into stores were met with empty shelves and not a roll of toilet paper to be found, leaving many to wonder about how all the food, paper products, hand sanitizer, and other supplies actually get there. Short answer, a truck. Whether it’s that final mile from a distribution center to a retail outlet, or when it’s loaded into the back of a delivery van—“If you got it, a truck brought it.” After several months, the economy was finally getting back into gear, with the cautious reopening of other businesses and industries, all of which depend on trucking supplies. It was a somewhat rosy outlook that, unfortunately for those of us who live in Oregon, suddenly had an overlay of smoke from intense wildfires in several areas of the state. Going outside became even more detrimental to our health. Some key freight routes 2 Andy Owens OTA Chair Our industry was finally recognized as “essential” on the national level, as more people kept to their houses, depending on home delivery for food and other necessary goods. were closed and the road to recovery was once again faced with a roadblock. Our state’s much maligned rain brought some relief, but it left thousands without homes and entire towns and businesses destroyed. Still, the trucking industry kept moving forward. With OTA at our backs from the beginning, we transitioned to a virtual world for training, meetings, and pretty much any type of interaction—a bold new step for those of us who have been in this industry a long time. Then again, if we expect our drivers and other employees to venture into the unknown of a global pandemic or other crisis, we could do no less than to embrace technology and seek out resources and information to help clear the way and keep our teams safe. The road ahead may still be a bit bumpy, potentially even more so depending on the outcome of the 2020 election—which I’m anxiously awaiting as I write this on the eve of the election. Of course, the trucking industry is well versed in adapting to new operating procedures, usually dictated by regulations and policies. This is the first time that a global pandemic pushed us into new areas for consideration. Now, as we face 2021 with fingers crossed and breath held for some sign of returning to normal (whatever that may be), we have new items to add to our preparedness checklists and a new appreciation for what we can accomplish when we stick together, share our knowledge and work towards a common goal as an industry and as an organization.