Profile For Robert B.

Interesting read. I'm new to trucking but it became abundantly clear very quickly how bad the parking situation is for truckers all across this country. I'm actually very surprised this hasn't become a national concern. Of course snowflakes probably think this stuff gets delivered by some form of magic.

You may have heard the U.S. Interstate System referred to as the Eisenhower Interstate System. One would think that it is because Eisenhower was President when the interstate system was envisioned and planned, which is true to a certain extent. But Eisenhower championed the interstate system because of his experience as an Army General in Europe. Specifically, the Autobahn. His experience with transportation logistics, from a military strategy standpoint, influenced his role in promoting the interstate system. The full name of the U.S. Interstate System is the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and DEFENSE Highways. In addition to facilitation of traffic during peacetime, Eisenhower considered the U.S. Interstate System as an integral part of a military strategy in the time of war.

Original Intent and Purpose of the Interstate System

So what does this have to do with truck parking? As everyone is aware, lack of adequate parking is a major problem for drivers. But it also represents the same type of “bottleneck” from a transportation logistics standpoint that the U.S. Interstate System sought to alleviate.

As you are also aware, the narrative with regard to the Coronavirus has referred to this crisis as a time of war. And people have become very aware of the importance of transportation logistics. With the current focus on transportation logistics, IMO, this would be a great time to develop a narrative for expansion of available truck parking. Both Trump and the Democrats have already floated a proposal for infrastructure funding as the next phase of the Coronavirus crisis. While much of the focus has been on rebuilding the current interstate system as it is, among other things, interjection of trucking parking could easily become part of the narrative and any infrastructure plan, if promoted properly. From a transportation logistics standpoint, because truck parking is already a significant bottleneck during normal freight volumes, it will get only worse during a crisis when more trucks fill the interstate. No matter how efficient your supply chain and interstate systems are, your freight volume capacity will be limited by its weakest link—truck parking. So developing a narrative of how important truck parking is with regard to crisis transportation logistics, would help solve the already long standing problem in trucking.

I already have a soundbite for Governor Cuomo. “You decide the people who die, because a truck hauling ventilators has no place to park!”

While I’m not a big fan of politics, let alone sensational politics, you get my point.

I have other ideas as to some specific solutions in addition to simply building more truck parking, but I would like to hear other thoughts on the topic and my perspective first.

A bigger thing I think about are Zombies.

Hi guys I'm wanting to get into one of the company sponsored truck driving programs. I'm an older guy,57 to be exact. How hard is it to get into a company driver program and what do they look for? Are they particular when it comes to prior work experience? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Robert

Thanx for your thoughtful reply. It has been interesting and given me more to think about in trying to foresee any possible obstacles and or set-backs.

When trucking companies hire recent graduates from truck driving schools, which schools are most preferred. Also, which type of CDL training programs do they most often look for, licensed, certified, or accredited.