FMCSA to Require Special Safety Permit For Carriers of Highly Hazardous Materials... The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that trucking companies planning to haul certain highly hazardous materials must have a special safety permit, beginning January 1, 2005. FMCSA said it is requiring the special permit because certain highly hazardous materials would be more dangerous in crashes or if used in terrorist attacks. Click here for the complete story.

Trucking Industry Experiencing a Shortage of Experienced Drivers... According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) the trucking industry has been experiencing a shortage of qualified drivers. In recent years, the most significant factor contributing to this shortage is "job-hopping," and its greatest impact may be in the area of safety. The Office of Research and Technology (R & T) published a tech brief which shows a significant relationship between job change rate and crash involvement. Click here for more information.

Deputy Secretary Urges Industry Not to Get Complacent... At the recent National Cargo Security Council Annual Convention, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security James Loy stated, “Despite many successes, there is still plenty of work left to be done.”  He acknowledged that as the private sector controls 85% of the critical infrastructure of the nation, partnerships between the public and private sectors are key in successfully protecting the homeland.

Deputy Secretary James Loy urged the industry not to get complacent, reminding them of the attacks in Madrid, Istanbul, Saudi Arabia, and Baghdad in the last year.  He also said that diligence was the key to winning the war against terrorism.  As an industry Loy said, “You pack, stack, transport and transmit the world’s commerce, and you do it safely, securely, on-time, and on-budget. You use the same roadways, railways, waterways, and skyways – so we must work together to secure these modes of transportation – and, along with them, our vital supply chain from point of origin to point of destination.” Click here for Deputy Secretary James Loy's full presentation.

U.S. Customs Launches Pilot Test of New ACE Technology... Although the new Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) won’t be completed as quickly as originally hoped the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a pilot test of the program on June 14, whose key features are designed to speed trade and combat terrorism.  In order to respond to terrorist threats and aid U.S. economic recovery, the continued progress in ACE development and the expansion of ACE capabilities within government and the trade community are a critical component of CBP anti-terror and pro- trade strategies.  The original deadline had ACE fully operational by 2008; estimates now have it up and running by 2010.  For more information on ACE click here.

AEMCA Member Distribution Solutions International Teams With America West & United Airlines... AEMCA member Distribution Solutions International recently teamed with America West and United Airlines to implement Diversified Services International’s (dsi) innovative Baggage Delivery System.

Created and developed by Distribution Solutions International (DSI), and managed by Diversified Services International (dsi), a wholly owned subsidiary of DSI, the new system of returning baggage to airline passengers has been standardized, simplified, and automated from the previous method.

Prior to implementation of dsi’s standardized system, America West and United relied on independent suppliers in each destination city to deliver baggage to passengers when their baggage was separated due to voluntary or involuntary flight changes, or when accidentally left behind by travelers

DSI, the leading customer-focused business process and distribution management company, performs millions of deliveries annually for airline, pharmaceutical and publishing clients in the United States and all of its territories. DSI’s services include Distribution, Warehousing & Fulfillment, Reverse Logistics and Pickup & Delivery (PU&D). Click here for more information on DSI's partnerships.

FMCSA Gives Motor Carriers an Effective Way to Challenge Ratings... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is offering a new way for motor carriers to challenge their safety ratings through the FMCSA DataQS program.  The DataQS program is an online system for filing concerns about federal and state data released to the public by FMCSA.  It allows motor carriers to monitor the status of a data challenge from submission through resolution, as well as acting as a support tool that assists requestors, FMCSA, and state agencies in filing, responding to, tracking, and managing data challenges. Click here for more information.

TSA Refuses to Delay Fingerprinting Requirement... Even with strong opposition the Transportation Security Administration refused to further delay background check requirements for drivers that transport hazardous materials.The fingerprint requirement, that is a part of the plan to perform background checks, will begin no later than January 31, 2005. Click here for more information.

BTS Releases March Transportation Services Index... The Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported the combined transportation services index and freight index reached a record high in March. Except for January, the TSI rose every month since August 2003. Click here for more information

AEMCA Board Members Attend TSA Forum... Three of your AEMCA board members attended an April forum at the Transportation Security Coordination Center in Herndon, Virginia. Click here for a report from vice chairman Bob Serra.

Truckers Disrupt Cargo on Both Coasts... The AP reports that in addition to the flow of cargo being disrupted at the Port of Oakland, Calif., the Hampton Roads port in Virginia suffered last week when independent truckers began a two-day boycott. The truckers on both coasts are protesting high fuel prices and low pay, according to AP. Independent truckers handle about 80% of the cargo at the Hampton Roads port, which has terminals at Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport News.
They are seeking a fuel surcharge to compensate for rising diesel costs, and a public registry showing how much the shipping lines pay in fuel surcharges to the trucking companies. The protests in California, which began April 30, cut productivity at the Port of Oakland to 25% to 30% of normal.

Protesting Truckers Block Interstate... From the San Diego Union Tribune: Truckers parked their rigs on a busy freeway Friday, snarling rush-hour traffic for miles in a wildcat protest over high diesel prices. At about 7:30 a.m., about five tractor-trailers stopped in the northbound lanes of the Golden State Freeway in Commerce, 17 miles southeast of downtown, according to the California Highway Patrol. "They just sort of slowed traffic down, parked their trucks, and got out," CHP Officer Ricardo Quintero said. "They just took off in a car." Authorities drove some rigs away and two trucks hauled others out of traffic. Less than an hour later, the lanes were clear, Quintero said. Several truckers were arrested, he added. "First and foremost, it's a terrible inconvenience to all the motorists," CHP Officer Jon Samson told KTLA-TV. The American Automobile Association said California diesel prices were as high as $2.41 a gallon, compared with less than $2 a gallon in other states.

Air Cargo Pilots Begin Carrying Guns May 1... The first round of air cargo pilots to carry firearms began training this week, and will be carrying guns aboard their aircraft as early as May 1. In 2002, Congress voted to allow pilots to carry guns as deputized law enforcement officers, but excluded cargo pilots. However, cargo pilots successfully lobbied Congress to allow them to join passenger pilots, who fly the same planes that they do. Click here for the Fox News story.

New Benefit for AEMCA Members!... The Air & Expedited Motor Carriers Association is excited to announce a new membership benefit. To meet your company’s security needs AEMCA has partnered with Transport Security, Inc. to offer AEMCA members a discount on the Enforcer® Roll-up Door lock, the Enforcer® Adjustable Door Lock, and the Enforcer® Air Cuff Lock. Click here for more information. 

New Bill Offers Tax Credit for Idle Reduction Devices... Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger introduced legislation last week that would offer companies a tax credit of up to $3,500 per truck that is outfitted with a "idling reduction device" in order to encourage the industry to reduce engine idling. Click here to read Rep. Granger's statement on the legislation.

States May Implement Background Checks... The Transportation Safety Administration is delaying mandatory background checks--including fingerprinting--of hazmat truck drivers until 2005, but some states will go ahead with pilot programs prior to that time. TSA is working with several states that will be able to implement fingerprinting of hazmat drivers prior to January 31, 2005.

EPA May Delay Oil Spill Plan Deadline... The Environmental Protection Agency is considering delaying the August deadline for trucking companies to detail how they would handle an oil spill on their property. Various industry trade associations have asked for a deadline extension, as has Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Growing Support for Increased Gas Tax... Despite near-record gas prices, many in Congress--Republican and Democrat alike--are pushing for an immediate $.05 increase in the federal gas tax. The measure was not included in the recent $275 billion highway bill passed by the House, and the President does not support the increase.

Air Cargo Up in February... Total air cargo shipments were up in February, more than 9% over February of 2003. Freight and express shipments were up almost 10% from a year earlier, while mail rose only .1% over the same period.

'TSA Takes Another Step to Protect Air Cargo'... The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) implemented another part of its Air Cargo Strategic Plan on April 9 by moving to enhance the Known Shipper Program. Click here to read TSA's press release.

TSA to Perform Background Checks on HazMat Drivers in 2005... The Transportation Safety Administration published its final rule on background checks for drivers transporting hazardous materials, including explosives, on April 5. Background checks will be implemented by January 31, 2005. Click here for more information.

New Regulation on Driver Safety Performance Checks... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a new regulation on background checks for drivers, specifically on records that motor carriers must keep for employee history and safety. Click here to read AEMCA's outline of the regulation.

Hours of Service Modification Sought... Arkansas congressman John Boozman is seeking an amendment to the new hours of service rule for short-haul drivers who make frequent stops. Since the new hours of service eliminate a driver's ability to "clock out" when making meal stops, or for loading and unloading, short haulers are having the most trouble complying. Congressman Boozman's amendment would ensure that these drivers do not use up their allotted time with "non-driving activities." Click here to visit Congressman Boozman's website and read more about the amendment.

AirCargo 2004 a HUGE Success!... AirCargo 2004 had more attendees, more exhibitors, and more chances to network than ever before. The conference was kicked off by the three presidents, AfA's Cathy Langham, ACCA's Jim Hennessey, and AEMCA's Jim Weiland, welcoming everyone to Tampa, Florida, and expressing their pleasure at being given the opportunity to work together for another year.

Click here for a more on AirCargo 2004, the AEMCA board and membership meetings, plus pictures from the ice cream social.

Air Cargo Advance Notification Delayed... Advance cargo notification was scheduled to begin March 5, 2004, but has been delayed as the system continues to develop. Click here for more information.

Stopping Distance Rule Expected in April...The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has said that its long-awaited stopping-distance rule will be issued in April. The regulation could have major implications for trucking, especially if it requires significant design changes such as disc brakes. AEMCA will keep members informed about this rule.

Transportation Services Index Rises... The new economic indicator, the Transportation Services Index, rose about 1% in December. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta says this is a sign the economy would continue to improve. Although this was the first public release of the index, TSI uses statistics dating back to 1990, with 1996 as a benchmark value of 100. The freight measure of the index increased 2.9% the BTS said. This includes for-hire trucking and services, freight railroad services, inland waterway traffic, pipeline movements and air freight. BTS said that the freight measure serves as a leading indicator of economic growth.

Air Cargo Less Secure?... A new study by the Century Foundation found that a year after the Department of Homeland Security was created, some security problems including air cargo are "worse than before DHS was created." However, the study also praised the department for its progress in tracking foreign students, hiring travel checkpoint screeners, adding more air marshals on planes and launching a center which integrates information on critical infrastructure, such as roads and bridges. Visit the Century Foundation's website to learn more.

Safestat Scores Being "Revalidated"... Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Annette Sandberg said that steps would be taken to improve the quality of data used to target motor carriers for safety reviews. The scores on the Safestat website are calculated based on a combination of accident reports, roadside inspection results and on-site compliance reviews. A recent report by the Transportation Department’s Inspector General said data used to compile Safestat scores were, in many cases, incomplete and inaccurate and should not be used except internally.

Hours of Service Enforcement...State officials are being asked to begin enforcement of the new hours-of-service rules starting March 4. Since Jan. 4, 2004, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state officials have led an educational program designed to teach drivers about the new rules and ensure flagrant violations were rigorously enforced. The effort included the distribution of more than a million pieces of literature, countless seminars with the trucking community, and thousands of phone call responses to drivers’ questions. Click here to read more.

Flight Delays Up in January... Flight delays reported by the nation’s largest airlines increased in January, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation. According to information, the 19 carriers reporting on-time performance recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 74.9 percent in January, down from both January 2003’s 83.4 percent and December 2003’s 76.0 percent. See the Bureau of Transportation Statistics for more.

Government Plans New Rules in 2004... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Administrator Annette Sandberg said in an interview that the agency plans to release about 17 new regulations in 2004, making a significant dent in a several-year-long backlog of outstanding rules. AEMCA will keep members informed as new rules are announced.

Safestat Website Data Out-of-Date, Inaccurate... The Department of Transportation's Inspector General said that the online database the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration uses to target fleets for safety reviews has major accuracy problems and should be used only for internal purposes until fixed. “The types and magnitude of data problems . . . argue for immediate and effective action,” the report on FMCSA’s Safestat program said. It fell short of recommending the Safestat Web site be shut down, but did call for immediate corrections and suggested a warning be posted about the inaccuracy of the data. As of Feb. 18, the Web site cautioned visitors against using the data for anything other than “identifying and prioritizing carriers for FMCSA and state safety improvement and enforcement programs.” The report said the data were incomplete, out of date and sometimes misleading if made available for public use. It said the data were, however, adequate for use within the agency.

Shaker Express to Concentrate on Cargo Handling... In a letter to customers, AEMCA member company Shaker Express announced that they are concentrating 100% of their business on cargo handling, and transferring all trucking services to Fastrucking (formerly Davis Trucking LTL). Click here to read more.

East Coast Considing Short Sea Shipping Instead of Trucks... Several localities on the East Coast are making plans to cut truck traffic by initiating short sea cargo deliveries. Click here to read more.

Mineta and Snow Advise Presidential Veto if Highway Taxes are Raised... Transportation secretary Norman Mineta and Treasury secretary John Snow sent a joint letter to Congress warning that any transportation bill that includes an increase in the federal gas tax will be recommended for a Presidential veto. Click here to read more.

News from the States... The Illinois House approved a measure that would roll back $140 million in taxes on trucking companies that were approved last spring. The measure now goes to the Senate... Trucking organizations in Missouri are working to defeat bills that would establish tolls on Interstates 70 and 44 and a stretch of U.S. 71... The Taxation Committee in the South Dakota House for a bill that would eliminate a 4% state tax on cargo picked up in South Dakotas and delivered within state borders. The measure now moves to the full House.

FBI Releases Text, Photo of White House Ricin Threat... The FBI released the text and a photo of the letter sent to the White House that threatens to "turn D.C. into a ghost town" if the trucking hours-of-service rule went into effect on January 4. Click here to read more.

Cargo Pilots Allowed to Carry Guns... The Transportation Safety Administration announced that it would begin recruiting cargo pilots to carry guns in the cockpit for the first time, the AP reported. In 2002, Congress voted to allow pilots to carry guns as deputized law enforcement officers, but excluded cargo pilots. However, cargo pilots successfully lobbied Congress to allow them to join passenger pilots, who fly the same planes that they do, AP said. Click here to read more.

New Economic Index Based on Transportation... The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the Transportation Services Index (TSI), a new economic indicator intended to measure the performance of the economy as reflected in the movement of freight and passengers. The new index will focus on the movement of freight and passenger traffic by land, water and air.  It is expected that the TSI will join the ranks of other monthly indicators in providing a reliable benchmark on the overall strength of the American economy. Click here to read more about TSI.

Update from Washington, D.C... AEMCA Director of Government Affairs Melissa Moskal has been busy representing the industry at many meetings in Washington. Melissa recently attended a hearing on port and container security with the Coast Guard and representatives from the FBI and TSA.  She also attended a cargo security meeting with Department of Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson, and a roundtable on preventing cargo theft, fraud, and bioterrorism.  Melissa represented AEMCA at a Congressional hearing on reducing the paperwork burden on small businesses. 

Further Effects of New Hours of Service... Carriers and shippers are dealing with detention fees in an attempt to offset declines in productivity and drops in driver pay. It has yet to be determined how much carriers should charge in detention fees, or how much of that money is passed on to drivers.

Ricin Probe Continues... In its nationwide hunt for the person who sent ricin through the mail and uses the name "Fallen Angel," federal officials have sought help from trucker talk-radio shows and Web chat sites that have attracted heated debate about the hours of service changes, according to the Washington Post. In addition to the letter left at a mail facility in Greenville, South Carolina, in October, an identical letter with a vial of ricin was recovered at a mail facility that serves the White House.  Ricin was then was discovered in the office of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. At the request of the FBI and the Department of Transportation, Dale Sommers, host of the "Truckin' Bozo" radio show broadcast out of Cincinnati, spent three nights on the air appealing to the person who planted the ricin package in the facility in Greenville.  Click here to read the DOT’s reward offer.

Trucking Industry Gains Strength... In another promising sign of economic recovery, it is reported that fewer trucking companies failed during 2003. Twenty-one percent fewer motor carriers went out of business last year than in 2002.  That marks the smallest failure rate since 1999. In addition to general economic recovery, some of the success is attributed to companies doing a better job of recouping fuel costs and raising freight rates.

Cargo Highlighted as Major 'Blind Spot' in National Security... A January 27 article in the Wall Street Journal highlighted air cargo as a major blind spot in national security.  After September 11, the majority of resources went toward passenger screening, while only a fraction of air cargo is scrutinized.  According to the article, authorities have worried about this vulnerability since the terrorist attacks.  The heightened security level during Christmas was due partly to intelligence linked to air cargo. To read the entire article, click here (free registration required).

BWI Pushes for More Cargo Traffic... MSNBC reports that Baltimore Washington International Airport is beginning aggressive efforts to market the airport as a cargo hub.  In recent years, BWI has made a major push for passenger traffic, but not cargo.  BWI’s campus contains 10 cargo buildings with about 415,000 square feet of warehouse space. One component missing at BWI is a tug road to connect the midfield complex with nearby facilities. For the full story, click here.

Diesel Price Drops... The average retail price of diesel fuel fell 1.3 cents per gallon to $1.568, the second decline in as many weeks, Department of Energy statistics show.The combined 2.3-cent drop over the past two weeks would save a trucker $4.60 on a 200-gallon purchase at retail pumps. For more statistics visit the Energy Information Administration.

Department of Transportation Logs Thousands of Calls from Truckers... The toll-free number set-up to answer truckers' question on the new hours of service has logged thousands of calls from truckers trying to comply. DOT says that most questions are about the 34-hour restart provision and the sleeper berth exemption. See the DOT's press release for more information.

United's Cargo Division Adds New International Routes... United Airlines Cargo Divison announced three new international routes: daily non-stop service between Chicago O'Hare and Osaka, Japan, and between Washington Dulles and Zurich, Switzerland will be effective June 10, and daily non-stop from Chicago to Buenos Aires will be added in October. See United Cargo's website for more information.

Fatal Crash Rate Drops... New statistics from the Department of Transportation show a major improvement in safety for the nation's trucking industries. The new fatal crash rate for large trucks is 1.9 fatal crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, an 11 percent reduction from the previous year. This puts the rate at its lowest point since DOT began keeping large truck safety records in 1975. Visit the DOT for more information.

DOT Offers Reward Regarding Ricin Letter... A reward of up to $100,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for sending a threatening letter to the DOT containing the poison ricin. Click here for more information.

Small Business Administration Announces Regional Meeting Schedule... The SBA holds meetings around the country to provide small business owners with an opportunity to share information concerning the Federal regulatory enforcement and compliance environment. For more information, click here.

Driver Turnover Reaches All-Time High... For the last part of 2003, driver turnover reached 119%. Click here for more information.

Air Cargo Declines in November... According to the American Trucking Association, both truck tonnage and air cargo volume declined in November, while rail freight figures showed mild growth in December for some cargo hauls related to the manufacturing sector. Industry executives report a "good" December and that they are experiencing a post-holiday slump in the beginning of the year.

Survey Shows Increase in Trucking Freight... A five-year government study shows that trucking's share of goods moved increased almost 25% between 1997 and 2002. The gain for trucking, which included private and for-hire fleets, was accompanied by an increase in the value of all freight, which was up 22% ($6.9 trillion in 1997 to $8.4 trillion in 2002).

Promising New Tests in E-Seal Technology... Electronic seal technology is maturing and may be applied to container security, according to a study released by DOT. Electronic seals, or e-seals, have been proposed as a way to improve security and track cargo movements worldwide. Click here for more information.

Statement by Department of Transportation on Phase In of Hours of Service Rule... Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta issued a statement on compliance with the new Hours of Service rule that takes effect January 4. Click here to read the statment.

Department of Transportation Simplifies Drug Testing Reporting Rules... The DOT is streamlining and simplifying the process for employers to report their annual random drug testing results. Click here for the full story.

Department of Transportation and Truckers Team Up to Increase Safety Belt Use... Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta announced a new partnership to increase safety belt use among truck drivers. A recent study showed that only 48% of commercial truckers wear safety belts, as compared to 79% of passenger vehicle drivers. Click here for more information.

Final Cargo Shipping Rules Announced...The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced new shipping rules that will significantly impact AEMCA members and other shippers. Click here for more information.

FMCSA Revised Hours-of-Service Rule Took Effect January 4...The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has finally released its long-awaited revised Hours-of-Service Rule to ensure that truck drivers get adequate rest. This science-based HoS rule is the first substantial change since 1939 to one of trucking's most important safety regulations. Click here to read more and download a guide to the new rules.