The Post Kevin Knight Doesn't want you to read.

Yes, the business model is a huge factor. But the idea that drivers are "consumables" rather than "assets" is a huge mistake in the long run. NO trucking company makes money if freight does not move, so without drivers... NO profit. We are definitely an asset. Getting that asset for the least amount of expense makes sense... but taken overall, a good, experienced and safe driver is a better investment than a driver who can just barely find the steering wheel. Efficiency counts somewhere along the line. Treating people like consumables is a big mistake in the long run IMHO.

 

Companies like these have treated people badly for most of their existance and made good profits while doing it. A driver is just "meat in the seat" and treated like a mule who is there to move the frieght. This business model has worked well for them. They do not care about what a driver goes through, only that you get the load you're under delivered. After that you are non-essential until needed again for the next load. This is why the ATA is gung-ho on getting electronic logs in every truck on the road. Take as much of the human element (and thought process) out of the job as possible.

 

Though most of your post was spot on, you get a big fail on this part of the post.

Trust me, electronic logs require more thought process then paper. No well there is no scale house between here and the receiver so I can do what I want. Everything has to be planned out so you stay legal or it is recorded for your next eval or may get you fired.

 

Electronic logs, EOBR's etc are nothing more than big brother babysitting and controlling our lives. Can an e-log tell me when I am tired? No it can't.

The ATA is behind this BS because the ATA is made up of head honchos from the big companies that want to narrow down their competitive field, and nothing more.