FIRST QUARTER 2022 • VOL. 10, NO. 1 NY MARIJUANA LAW: IMPACT ON THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Truck Safety & Education Symposium Preview Truckers Against Trafficking Implementing an Effective Training and Education Program
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Published by 1430 Spring Hill Road, 6th Floor McLean, VA 22102 Phone: (800) 369-6220 www.naylor.com Account Manager Claire Brimmer Editor Leslee Masters Project Manager Carlos Santana Advertising Sales Director Adam Firestone Advertising Sales Jason Zawada Marketing Shelby Pate Project Administrator Paige Durban Design & Layout Mahender Veer ©2022 Naylor, LLC. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher. PUBLISHED MARCH 2022/ NYT-Q0122/7604 For inquiries regarding editorial content, please contact David Carnevale, Communications & Marketing Manager, [email protected], (518) 458-9696, ext. 107. Published for Trucking Association of New York 7 Corporate Drive Clifton Park, NY 12065 Phone: (518) 458-9696 Fax: (518) 458-2525 www.nytrucks.org FIRST QUARTER 2022 • VOL. 10, NO. 1 7 12 President’s Message.............................................6 Truck Safety & Education Symposium Preview.............................................7 TANY members meet back in person April 5-6. In the Fight Against Human Trafficking, Why Truckers?........................................................8 How Will New York’s Marijuana Law Impact Trucking...................................................10 Implementing an Effective Training and Education Program ............................................12 Wadhams Enterprises, Inc...............................14 Commercial Driver Training, Inc....................15 Index of Advertisers...........................................17 FIRST QUARTER 2022 • milepost | 5
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Chairman Barry Panicola Sprague Operating Resources LLC Vice Chairman Mark Giuffre United Parcel Service Secretary Terry Borwegen Borwegen Trucking, Inc. Treasurer Chris Mix Mr. Bult’s, Inc. Immediate Past Chair Chris Mix Mr. Bult’s, Inc. REGIONAL VICE CHAIRS Western Region Joe Berti Speed Global Services Genesee Region Sean Dubman Wegmans Food Market Central Region Stephen Erwin Clinton’s Ditch Co-Op., Inc. Eastern Region Andy Laing DeCrescente Distributing Co., Inc. Metro Region Zach Miller NYTruckStop.com REGIONAL SECRETARY Western Region John Stewart HazMat Environmental Group, Inc. Genesee Region Robert Peckham Vnomics Corp. Central Region Colleen Rejman Venice Enterprise, Inc. Eastern Region Becky Derway GilDer Transport Solutions, Inc. Metro Region Kenneth Tirone Hub Truck Rental Corporation COUNCIL CHAIRS Maintenance Council Swede Oun O & K Truck Repairs, Ltd. Safety Council Joseph Peplinski Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc. Safety Group John Simon Grand Island Sales & Service, Inc. AT-LARGE MEMBERS Helen Brooks FedEx Corporation Joe Fitzpatrick Lightning Express Delivery Service, Inc. JoAnn Hayes George Hildebrandt, Inc. Penny Husted Charles J. Husted, Inc. ATA STATE VICE PRESIDENT Stephen Wadhams Wadhams Enterprises, Inc. STAFF President Kendra Hems Vice President Kate Kennett Director of Membership Relations Jon Sherman Communications & Marketing Manager David Carnevale Metro Region Operations Manager René R. Luciano Office Manager Rebecca Ackner Program and Events Manager Francesca Pardi Workforce Development Coordinator Rusty Stetzel Executive Assistant Jennifer Andrelos DEAR MEMBER, “We are very excited for what the future holds for TANY and for the membership.” Those were the words I wrote to close out my message in the 1st quarter Milepost published in 2020. It’s hard to believe that just a few short months later the world as we knew it would change seemingly overnight. TANY shifted priorities immediately to ensure we were providing real-time information and guidance as we navigated through the early days of shutdowns, quarantines, regulatory waivers and more. Update meetings were held via Zoom every Monday morning to make sure that the newest information related to the pandemic was being communicated to members. Eventually, those meetings shifted to educational webinars designed to provide members with guidance and clarification on a wide variety of topics including small business relief programs, COVID related human resource issues, mandates and regulatory issues. The importance of training and education, even during a global pandemic, cannot be understated. The way in which these programs are provided may have changed – for two years we’ve been conducting most of our training virtually – but the need to ensure that everyone has the best tools and information at their disposal to do their jobs and run their businesses will always be a priority for TANY. In truth, I think it’s one of the most valuable benefits of membership with the association. As 2022 begins, we’re optimistic that the majority of our training and educational programs will once again be held in person. While the ability to provide training virtually bridged the gap during the pandemic, and in some cases we will still offer a virtual option, nothing can replace the interaction and networking that comes with face-to-face events. We are so excited to be hosting the Truck Safety and Education Symposium in person for the first time in two years! Regional events and workshops are returning. A one-day workshop providing the most up-to-date information on the movement toward zero emission vehicles will be held this summer. And this June we can’t wait to see all of our drivers and technicians again at the Truck Driving Championships and SuperTech Competition, both of which provide valuable training as competitors test their skills during the events. So, am I still excited for what the future holds, you ask? Absolutely! I look forward to seeing you at one of our many events in 2022! Be safe, Kendra Hems, TANY President PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE …nothing can replace the interaction and networking that comes with face-to-face events. We are so excited to be hosting the Truck Safety and Education Symposium in person for the first time in two years! 6 | milepost • FIRST QUARTER 2022
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 3:00–7:00 pm Early Registration 3:00–8:00 pm YOU: The Inspector (additional registration fee, discounted for symposium attendees) 5:00–7:00 pm Welcome Mixer at Spa City Tap and Barrel TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 7:00–8:00 am Registration Open/Continental Breakfast 8:00–8:30 am Welcoming Remarks – Marie Dominguez, Commissioner, NYSDOT; Mark Schroeder, Commissioner, NYSDMV (invited) 8:30–10:00 am Keynote: Human Trafficking & Smuggling – Lon Ziankoski, Resident Agent in Charge – HIS Massena, DHS – Homeland Security Investigations 10:00–10:45 am Safety Exhibition & Agency Resource Fair 10:45–11:45 am Addressing Issues Found During a DOT Physical – Dr. Warren Silverman, Access Compliance, LLC 11:45–1:15 pm Lunch and TANY Safety Council Awards 1:15–2:15 pm Safety for Drivers – Andy Laing, Fleet & Facilities Manager, DeCrescente Distributing Co., Inc.; Joe Peplinski, Vice President – Transportation, Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc. 2:15–3:00 pm Safety Exhibition & Agency Resource Fair 3:00–4:00 pm Cashless Tolling – Eric Christensen, Deputy Director of Operations, NYS Thruway Authority; NYS Department of Taxation and Finance (invited) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 7:00–8:00 am Registration Open/Continental Breakfast 8:00–8:45 am Keynote: FMCSA Update – Jack Van Steenburg, Executive Director and Chief Safety Officer, FMCSA 8:45–9:45 am Cybersecurity – Steve Stasiukonis, Managing Partner, Secure Network 9:45–10:45 am Agency Resource Fair/Safety Exhibition 10:45–11:45 am Entry Level Driver Training – Laura Dillon, State Program Specialist, USDOT/FMCSA; Tracey Wheaton, Motor Vehicle Program Manager, NYSDMV 11:45 am–1:00 pm Lunch 1:00–2:00 pm NYSDOT Oversize/Overweight Permits & IFV Requirements – John Vannie, Supervisor of Divisible Load Overweight Permits, NYSDOT 2:00–3:00 pm Marijuana Update – Chris Harrigan, Partner, Barclay Damon 3:00–4:00 pm Hazmat 101: Back to Basics – Tom Fuller, Hazmat Specialist, Elite Training and Consulting FEATURE TRUCK SAFETY & EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM April 5-6 Saratoga Springs City Center Attendees at a TSES 2019 education session. The event is live and in person again this year. The NYS Truck Safety and Education Symposium and Safety Exhibition is a two-day event that provides attendees with the latest information on safety issues and compliance initiatives facing the trucking industry. It’s a collaborative effort organized by transportation experts from both the public and private sectors including the Trucking Association of New York, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Police, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Symposium attracts professionals from across the Northeast whose primary interest is the safety of their fleet, company, organization or municipality. Attendees are comprised of presidents, vice presidents, general managers, fleet and safety managers, logistics and human resources personnel, law enforcement and municipal administrators. As valuable as the educational sessions, the Safety Exhibition offers an opportunity for companies to showcase products and services that promote or enhance safety or education in the trucking industry. Company representatives are available throughout the duration of the symposium, including during dedicated times between educational sessions, to answer questions and demo products. Attendees are also afforded the opportunity to meet with law enforcement representatives from the federal, state and local levels to ask questions regarding current enforcement issues. Private one-on-one meetings with NYS Department of Transportation representatives are also available by appointment. By coming together in one venue, safety advocates from all over will both congregate and collaborate on ways to work together to keep the roadways as safe as can be. For more information about the event visit www.nytrucks.org. mp FIRST QUARTER 2022 • milepost | 7
hen working on a strategy to fight human trafficking, one of the first steps is determining which groups of people have the greatest opportunity to spot human trafficking as it’s happening. In other words: who could serve as the primary surveillance? With this crime, those front-line people include such groups as medical personnel, who treat victims in medical clinics; service personnel in local neighborhoods (such as postal workers and cable, electrical and water providers) who come by homes on a regular basis and would notice if something unusual was going on; restaurant and hotel personnel, who might see trafficking taking place in their establishments; and members of all segments of the transportation industry, FEATURE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING, WHY TRUCKERS? by Lyn Leeburg including airport employees, because traffickers are continually transporting victims to sell them in a variety of places. In 2009, Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) began working with the trucking industry, both in-country and internationally, because they recognized truckers as critical frontline people. They knew truckers are trained to be extremely observant. The trucking industry is composed of people already entrusted with caring for other people’s goods, which speaks to the character of the industry when it comes to caring for others – especially when the interest of others might be in trouble. Members of the trucking industry are everywhere, covering the roadways of entire countries. Lastly, research shows that traffickers wanting to make fast money often target truckers at truck stops and rest areas (because they’re everywhere and easy to reach right along highways) to sell their victims. TAT believed that if the trucking industry were empowered with education and equipped with tools to fight human trafficking, they would be quick to mobilize against this crime. They could do their part to see victims recovered and perpetrators arrested. Members of the trucking industry could be everyday heroes in the course of their jobs and make a significant impact against the criminal activity of human trafficking. Perhaps they might even have a greater impact than the average person because of their mobility and training. Using tools such as an informational website, on-demand webinars, a trucking-industryspecific training DVD, wallet cards with signs to look for and questions to ask, and social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), TAT began making contacts throughout the trucking industry to build relationships and state the case for trucking members to join the abolitionist movement. TAT also began having a presence at major trucking shows, as well as providing free presentations wherever requested by members of the trucking industry. The trucking industry responded positively, and TAT grew substantially. To date, more than 1,285,000 drivers have been registered as TAT-trained. These men and women, who had witnessed the prostitution of women and minors at various places throughout W 8 | milepost • FIRST QUARTER 2022
the United States for years but hadn’t known what it was – forced prostitution and modern-day slavery – began calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) to report what they were seeing. Polaris Project, which runs the hotline, reported that calls from truckers rose substantially starting in 2009 when TAT began. Major travel plaza and truck stop organizations also support TAT by making a commitment to train their employees with TAT materials and make those materials available for trucking customers across the United States. Truck-driving schools, national and state trucking organizations (all 50 state trucking associations now partner with TAT), carriers – both large and small – individual truckers, trucking organizations of all types, and trucking media outlets have also joined forces with TAT over the years. TAT continually works to foster relationships between state and federal law enforcement and members of the trucking industry through half-day events called “Coalition Builds.” These events provide a more effective and localized response to human trafficking by gathering law enforcement agencies (state, federal and local) and local anti-trafficking resources (task forces and local non-governmental organizations) in the same room with key industry stakeholders, including general managers of truck stops and representatives of state trucking associations and carriers. In 2014, TAT also launched its Freedom Drivers Project (FDP), a 48-foot mobile exhibit that travels the United States to raise awareness and teach the public about domestic sex trafficking, as well as what the trucking industry is doing to combat it. The FDP is in high demand across the nation by legislators, anti-trafficking groups and trucking leaders. TAT also works with the Motor Vehicle Enforcement division of the Iowa Department of Transportation, which has created a model to utilize/mobilize weigh stations, rest stops and state patrol in helping get the word out about human trafficking, train law enforcement and gain entry points into the trucking industry. Forty-eight states, and DC, have now adopted the model in whole or in part. In addition, 12 states have adopted TAT training for their CDL holders, with additional states considering following suit. Why truckers? Watching the TAT training DVD readily answers that question. With one phone call, a trucker who saw some under-aged girls working a truck stop not only facilitated the recovery of those girls, but also that of seven other minors. In total, 31 offenders were arrested and a 13-state child sex trafficking ring was broken. Working with front-line responders in the United States in the fight against human trafficking is a strategy that can, and does, yield big results, and members of the trucking industry are some of the leading front-line responders. Once you have trained your drivers and employees, be sure to visit the TAT website and register them as TAT trained. It takes five minutes or less to complete the registration process. In addition to trucking companies, TAT is also working with shippers, asking them to talk to trucking companies they’re considering hiring about human trafficking and training their employees. Many of them are even changing their RFPs to include being TAT trained as a condition for hiring. When they ask us how to know which companies are trained, we direct them to the TAT website, which provides the WHY THE PROGRAM MATTERS Larry was a truck driver who stopped for the night at a busy truck stop. Before going to bed, Larry saw two females he believed to be minors knocking on the cab doors of various trucks parked around him. Larry had learned about human trafficking happening at truck stops from Truckers Against Trafficking and knew he immediately needed to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH). The NHTH immediately responded by calling local police dispatch and filing a report with the human trafficking task force in that city. Law enforcement found both females that night and took them into protective custody. A few months later, a second truck driver reported that he had also seen minors soliciting commercial sex at the same truck stop and was able to provide more detailed information about the potential controllers. The NHTH sent this report to the same human trafficking task force who used the information as part of an ongoing investigation at this location. Get Trained, Get Certified, Make a Difference: www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org growing list of companies that have registered as trained. Continue to talk to everyone in your sphere of influence about human trafficking and what the trucking industry is doing to fight it…your neighbors, church, community and family. You are making a difference, helping to keep vulnerable children from becoming victims of human trafficking, while influencing others across the country to join the fight. mp FIRST QUARTER 2022 • milepost | 9
New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law March 31, 2021. Broadly, the law permits adults over 21 years of age to purchase marijuana for recreational use. New York had previously legalized the use of medicinal marijuana in 2014. As of this writing, 18 states across the country have legalized both the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana, creating regulatory, administrative and legal challenges for the trucking industry. The first thing employers should know is that there is a federal exception in the MRTA. Drivers who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and operate a commercial motor vehicle are still subject to 49 CFR Part 382, which covers controlled substances and alcohol use and testing requirements. In response to state initiatives to legalize marijuana, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a notice reiterating that state laws have no bearing on the department’s drug testing program. So, what about employees who do not fall under the federal exception? These employees may include forklift operators, warehouse workers and non-CDL drivers, to name a few. Given the safety sensitive nature of these jobs, marijuana use is a significant concern. The MRTA now makes it illegal to discipline or terminate an employee for testing positive on a drug test (unless they fall under the federal exception noted), due in part for the length of time that marijuana stays FEATURE HOW WILL NEW YORK’S MARIJUANA LAW IMPACT TRUCKING in the system. However, the law does provide an impairment exception. The law still prohibits the use of marijuana immediately before or during a work shift. Think of it in terms of alcohol. While it is legal to consume, it is still illegal to come to work impaired or to consume alcohol while on the job. If an employee exhibits specific articulable symptoms while working that decrease or lessen the employee’s performance of the duties or tasks of the employee’s job position, or interfere with an employer’s obligation to provide a safe and healthy workplace, then disciplinary measures may be implemented. The MRTA does not define specific articulable symptoms. Absent clear guidance from the state, motor carriers are encouraged to utilize the USDOT Reasonable Suspicion Supervisor Training to recognize signs of impairment and to justify any actions taken on impaired employees. Only those supervisors who have been trained should make decisions regarding impairment. Documentation of completion of training is important. Employers should review and update any drug related policies and make sure employees sign off that they have read and understand the policy. Disciplinary measures for on-the-job impairment can still be put in place, but documentation that employees were made aware of drug related policies and procedures is critical. Aside from legal considerations, the legalization of marijuana may have ramifications as the industry tries to recruit new drivers. Consider the growth in the use of medicinal marijuana as an indication of the impact of recreational use of the drug. Following enactment of New York’s medical marijuana law in 2014, 12,247 patients had been certified by their health care professionals to use medicinal marijuana by 2017. That number grew to 151,644 by 2021. It is important to educate your current workforce to ensure they understand that they can still be disciplined, and even terminated, for marijuana use. As New York continues to roll out the MRTA, employers should continue to consult with legal counsel to ensure their policies are updated and are not in violation of the new law. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. mp A Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) is defined as a vehicle: • with a gross vehicle weight rating/gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight rating/gross combination weight of 26,001 or more lbs, or • designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or • of any size that is used to transport hazardous materials which require the vehicle to be placarded 10 | milepost • FIRST QUARTER 2022
DOT OFFICE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY AND COMPLIANCE NOTICE Recently, some states passed initiatives to permit use of marijuana for so-called “recreational” purposes. We have had several inquiries about whether these state initiatives will have an impact upon the Department of Transportation’s longstanding regulation about the use of marijuana by safetysensitive transportation employees – pilots, school bus drivers, truck drivers, train engineers, subway operators, aircraft maintenance personnel, transit fire-armed security personnel, ship captains, and pipeline emergency response personnel, among others. We want to make it perfectly clear that the state initiatives will have no bearing on the Department of Transportation’s regulated drug testing program. The Department of Transportation’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40 – does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason. Therefore, Medical Review Officers (MROs) will not verify a drug test as negative based upon learning that the employee used “recreational marijuana” when states have passed “recreational marijuana” initiatives. We also firmly reiterate that an MRO will not verify a drug test negative based upon information that a physician recommended that the employee use “medical marijuana” when states have passed “medical marijuana” initiatives. It is important to note that marijuana remains a drug listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. It remains unacceptable for any safety-sensitive employee subject to drug testing under the Department of Transportation’s drug testing regulations to use marijuana. We want to assure the traveling public that our transportation system is the safest it can possibly be. Jim L. Swart Director Office of the Secretary of Transportation Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance Department of Transportation December 3, 2012 FIRST QUARTER 2022 • milepost | 11
Expecting that drivers know how to: safely operate their truck; spot and identify equipment defects; use an ELD device; maximize fuel use; and understand the rules and regulations that govern their actions can be a recipe for disaster. The only way to avoid disaster is through training. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expects you to do so as part of your safety management controls. The relevant FMCSA regulation can be found at FMCSR 390.3(e): Knowledge of and compliance with the regulations (1) Every employer shall be knowledgeable of and comply with all regulations contained in this subchapter that are applicable to that motor carrier’s operations. (2) Every driver and employee involved in motor carrier operations shall be instructed regarding, and shall comply with, all applicable regulations contained in this subchapter. FEATURE by Jim Drackley, Safety Specialist, Penske The amount of time and energy you spend on driver training has a measurable impact on drivers’ overall performance and your bottom line. Training makes a driver safer and more knowledgeable, while minimizing the potential harm to your equipment. In this way, the cost of extra training and education will more than pay for itself. Review these driver training tips for more ways to keep your drivers safer on the road and you out of trouble with regulatory authorities. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRAINING AND EDUCATION Truck driver training programs become less helpful if they’re overly complex or disorganized. Mixing the two processes of training and education can muddle both and leave drivers more confused than they were when their training program began. Furthermore, a disorganized training program may put your company at risk for greater liability if an under-trained employee is responsible for a crash or collision. Gaining a clearer understanding of how training and education differs will make it easier to plan your driver training accordingly. What can you train drivers on? Backing, parking, lane merges, accident procedures, better fuel economy, how to properly hook up a tractor and trailer and more. What can you educate drivers on? ELD malfunctions, hours of service duty time limits, drug and alcohol rules and requirements, your own fleet policies and more. Driver education communicates the information (such as company policies and local traffic laws) that drivers need to know to do their jobs properly. Alternatively, driver training explains how employees actually go about performing their daily responsibilities. Both are critical building blocks to preparing your employees for their jobs on the road. However, getting drivers into the thick of their hands-on training without a bit of context will just lead to wasted hours. Strategically organizing the presentation of GK-6MT/ISTOCK.COM IMPLEMENTING AN EFFECTIVE TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAM 12 | milepost • FIRST QUARTER 2022
training and education is an important part of creating an effective training program. TAKE YOUR TIME IN IMPLEMENTING NEW TRAINING MATERIALS First, create benchmarks that can be used to measure progress toward the company’s training goals. Next, consider how employees receive and internalize information most effectively and design your training program to accommodate their learning styles. Think about incorporating pictures, video and other forms of multimedia into your training program if possible – shifting gears in the middle of an education section will help employees to better retain important information. Want to minimize your cost training materials? Turn to your insurance provider, leasing partner, TANY or even the FMCSA’s own website for training content and materials. When it comes to planning education sessions for drivers, reach out to professional trainers and presenters. After all, drivers are far more likely to take away the presentations point if they are engaged and entertained. EMPHASIZE SAFETY WITH EXTRA TRAINING AND REVIEW It’s impossible to overtrain or over-educate employees on safety and regulatory compliance. Avoiding crashes and collisions has much more to do with decision-making, focus and alertness than simply passing a traffic safety course. Safety is best emphasized in the culture of the workforce or via company policy than through driver training, but it is still important to go over performance expectations with drivers so they can be held accountable for their mistakes. There are multiple approaches your fleet can take to train drivers, from behind-the-wheel performance reviews to the use of remote driving simulators. Simulators give new employees a chance to get their feet wet before they get behind the wheel of a vehicle they could possibly damage. On the other hand, old fashioned behind-the-wheel training may be the best way to communicate some of the nuances of the job to drivers. Evaluate the experience and talents of your new employees to get a better idea of what kind of education materials you’ll need to lead the class. IF YOUR TRAINING RESULTS ARE NOT SATISFACTORY, CHANGE! Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. If you’re not getting results, then change your process, people or equipment until your results are in line with your goals. mp 1063625_Rock.indd 1 FIRST QUARTER 2022 • milep01/02/22 1:19 PM ost | 13
adhams Enterprises, Inc. is a family-owned and -operated transportation company with corporate headquarters in Phelps, NY. The company combines the flexibility and capacity of a large business with the personal, friendly and service-oriented approach of a family-run business. Earl T. Wadhams, affectionately known as “Red,” started the company when he purchased his first milk hauling truck in 1949. Today, his sons Rick and Steve are proud to work with more than 750 employees, maintaining a fleet of 400+ trucks and 600+ trailers. Over the past six decades, Wadhams has expanded into three distinct divisions: Earl T. Wadhams, Inc., a growing bulk milk hauler and food grade tank carrier; ARG Trucking Corp., regional transporter of choice for bulk petroleum products and liquified petroleum gas; and RIST Transport, Ltd., a general commodities carrier providing quality truckload service and LTL throughout the Northeast. Milepost recently spoke with Wadams about driver recruitment and training. COMPANY PROFILE WADHAMS ENTERPRISES, INC. What is the impact of the driver shortage? Like everyone in the industry we continue to struggle with a lack of CDL A drivers. Our overall network in the Northeast is short about 85 drivers. On a good note, we have an in-house new driver training program which has seen an uptick in interest in recent months. The new younger driver legislation signed by the governor has us very optimistic for the future. Attracting 18- to 20-year-old men and women to start a rewarding career as a CDL A driver is a huge step in improving the shortage. How have you prepared for the implementation of the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations, and what are the challenges/opportunities it presents? As we prepared to implement our driving academy, we first wanted to understand the scope of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations and the Training Provider Registry (TPR) so we could determine what we’re doing well with our academy and what additions or adjustments may be needed for compliance. Our Wadhams Corporate safety department umbrella houses three ELDT academy locations: Western and Central New York and Pennsylvania. When considering these new challenges, we must consider all three locations, as each location needs an instructor, curriculum, proper facilities and vehicles that meet the standards set forth under 49 CFR 380.703. After all criteria were met at all facilities, we could then apply for an active status within the TPR. After approval (we were approved within a few hours) we registered each location separately. The largest challenge for us was limiting activity within our training facilities as each of our academy’s function in active terminals during operating hours. The solution was designing “no go” zones segregated by painted lines and cones. Each facility’s operation is instructed to stay clear of the zone while the academy range is in progress. Also, each student and instructor is outfitted with high-visibility clothing while training on the range. Overall, I would say this experience has offered the opportunity to self-audit our curriculum, as well as a fresh way of steering new recruits to our company via the TPR. Any extra onboarding resource is welcome during this driver shortage. mp From left: Director of Safety Zach Jacob, Carey Armstrong, Bradley Stone, Brandon Stone and Tom Virts, instructor. W 527 Townline Road, Suite 201 Hauppauge, NY 11788 Phone: 631.876.5160 • Cell: 516.972.9475 Fax: 631.876.5163 Vincent A. Berretta, C.P.A. | [email protected] 1038506_Berretta.indd 1 14 21/04/21 12:56 PM | milepost • FIRST QUARTER 2022
Commercial Driver Training, Inc. (CDT) is a private vocational school founded in 1961 to offer programs in professional tractor trailer, truck and bus driving. Commercial Driver Training’s curricula was developed to fill the trucking industry’s need for well trained, highly skilled drivers. The trucking industry in the USA is vast and employs millions of people. Although, the industry is so vast it has few training programs of its own. This brings the need for schools such as ours into focus. The curriculum at Commercial Driver Training provides the student with a broad base of knowledge through class sessions and practical experience to take their place in this necessary and rewarding field as a professional tractor trailer, truck or bus driver. The new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulation is a necessary component to create a safer driver. Commercial Driver Training offers a variety of career programs that envelope the scope of the ELDT requirements. We have added online theory to help those individuals who cannot spend 30-40 hours in a classroom setting and can do from the comfort of their homes with CDT online support. Our mission is to help develop our professional drivers to have a strong outlook on life, emphasis on driver safety, and development of a sense of pride in this very necessary and rewarding career. We are proud to help our veterans obtain a CDL License through the GI Bill and have seen an uptick in enrollment of female drivers as well. We feel it is important to focus on our younger generations, to change the face of the trucking industry and put it in a more positive light. Salaries, benefits and sign on bonuses are on the rise for this very reason. COMPANY PROFILE COMMERCIAL DRIVER TRAINING, INC. Our reputation stands for itself with more than 60 years of experience. Our quality instruction and state-of-the-art equipment will help develop and mold our CDL Drivers of the future. Milepost recently spoke with CDT about driver recruitment and training. What is the impact of the driver shortage? The impact of the driver shortage is felt nationwide. It’s not just a trucking industry issue, it affects each and every one of us. We have seen over the past decade a decline in qualified professional CDL drivers. We may be able to revive this profession with an increase in pay, benefits, and home time. The driver shortage has affected Commercial Driver Training as well. Given a pandemic and a shortage of drivers, it has become increasingly difficult to hire CDL Instructors. Without your CDL instructors, who will train our up and coming new CDL drivers? How have you prepared for the implementation of the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations, and what are the challenges/opportunities it presents? As for the implementation of ELDT regulations, this is a work in progress. Our CDL Career Programs are ready. My concern is for the working group who may find it difficult to commit to the time and money for a large career program. It’s possible that with the implementation of ELDT, some prospective student drivers may shy away from the extensive theory portion of the training. Only time will tell. There are many unknowns, so until we all get a chance to navigate the new training, the new reporting on the Training Provider Registry and how the state agencies will play a role in receiving the data and thereby allowing a road test without causing further delays is yet to be seen. All in all, we support the FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training Regulation and look forward to training a safer, more knowledgeable CDL driver. mp FIRST QUARTER 2022 • milepost | 15
115 Farrell Rd. Syracuse, NY • 315-451-8663 • tritank.com • 20 Bay Repair Facility • Full Service Wash Bay • 2-Story Parts Room • Tank Testing • Stainless & Aluminum Welding • New & Used Tanks • Custom Fuel Trucks • 5th Wheel Couplers • Alum. Fuel Tank Repair • We Purchase Used Equipment The Northeast’s Premier Tank Truck & Trailer Facility IN STOCK NOW! NYS DEALER TM Now Offering Propane Trucks & Transports 1055961_Tri.indd 1 08/10/21 12:53 PM Representing the construction industry in Metropolitan New York. Committed to expanding construction job opportunities for the trucking industry and growing the New York economy. Dedicated staff working with elected officials and policy makers to improve working conditions. The New York Metropolitan Trucking Association works hard for its members to provide good paying jobs while also providing safe working conditions. Proud member of the Trucking Association of New York! Please visit our web-site WWW.NYMETROTRUCK.COM Or call us at 718.720.6737 if you are doing business in the Metropolitan Region and would like more information. P.O. BOX 41262, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10304 898770_NYMetropolitan.indd 1 12/28/17 7:55 PM EPIC Transportation and Logistics offers a range of coverage types to clients in the Trucking industry: Trucker’s Liability Physical Damage Motor Truck Cargo Workers Comp We also offer programs that include guaranteed cost and loss sensitive options. Our relationships in the global insurance marketplace, strengthened by our collaborative business structure enable us to deliver the right coverage at the right value for our clients, who include: General Commodities Hazardous & NonHazardous Haulers LP Gas Transporters Waste and Recycling Truckers Specialty Carriers Contact us today to experience the expertise, personal service and attention to detail you deserve. COMPETITIVE COVERAGE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY MICHAEL REILLY Managing Principal 518.479.7244 [email protected] Members of TANY, ATA, NYPGA, PGANE, ESEA. 1008364_Epic.indd 1 16 5/12/20 1:05 PM | milepost • FIRST QUARTER 2022
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 1057576_Advanced.indd 1 10/01/22 2:10 PM • Fully Licensed Repair and Inspection Shop - Repair vessels, Test and Certify - VIKs, Pressure and Thickness Tests - Welding and Fabrication - National Board R Certification • Build Frames & Replace Suspensions • NYSIs • All Types of Mechanical Repairs • Over 30 years of Excellence Hazmat Environmental Group, 60 Commerce Drive, Buffalo, NY 14218 716-748-8267 | www.hazmatinc.com/equipment-service-maintenance TANKER MAINTENANCE Buffalo, NY 966882_HazMat.indd 1 2019-07-16 11:22 AM ACCOUNTING SERVICES Berretta & Costigliola, LLP ............................. 14 www.vabcpa.com COMPLIANCE SERVICES Access Compliance, LLC ................................ 18 www.accesscompliance.net DOT PHYSICALS Access Compliance, LLC ................................ 18 www.accesscompliance.net DRUG & ALCOHOL AWARENESS TRAINING Access Compliance, LLC ................................ 18 www.accesscompliance.net DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING Access Compliance, LLC ................................ 18 www.accesscompliance.net FUEL ADDITIVES Advanced Fuel Solutions .................................................... 17 www.yourfuelsolution.com HEAVY HAUL SPECIALISTS Rock Tech Inc. ................................................ 13 www.rtihauling.com INSURANCE CDL Associates Insurance Agency LLC ................................................ 18 www.cdlassociates.org EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants ............................................. 16 www.epicbrokers.com INTERMODAL & BROKERAGE SERVICES Leonard’s Express ............................................ 3 www.leonardsexpress.com OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Access Compliance, LLC ................................ 18 www.accesscompliance.net TANKER MAINTENANCE HazMat Environmental Group, Inc. .................................................. 17 www.hazmatinc.com FIRST QUARTER 2022 • milepost | 17
Thank You to the advertisers who helped make this publication possible. New York State Woman Owned Business Enterprise, NYSWOBE #53310 National Women’s Business Enterprise, WBENC #2005121673 Women Owned Small Business, WOSB #180165 www.accesscompliance.net | 518-782-2200 | [email protected] At Access Compliance, we have many services to keep you in compliance: DOT Medical Testing • DOT Examinations performed by DOT Certified Providers • HAZMAT Medical Clearances • HAZMAT training for drivers handling hazardous materials • Customized written program for your Drug and Alcohol Testing Program • Drug and Alcohol random pool for your random testing needs • Drug and Alcohol testing is done by trained collectors • Medical Review Officer (MRO) Services • After-hours Drug and Alcohol collections • Designated Employee Representatives (DER) training in what they need to know • Reasonable Suspicion Training Drug and Alcohol Testing DOT rules state that any motor carrier, interstate or intrastate operating a vehicle over 26,001 lbs, or transporting 16 or more passengers including the driver, or any vehicle transporting hazardous materials, must participate in a compliant Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, regardless of size. Program must include: Pre-employment, random and post-accident testing 1029612_Access.indd 1 11/01/21 6:57 PM 1055661_CDL.indd 1 06/10/21 2:01 PM TRADE ASSOCIATIONS NY Metropolitan Trucking Association, Inc. ......................................... 16 www.nymetrotruck.com TRAILER DEALERS/ MANUFACTURERS North Jersey Trailer & Truck Service ............................................... 3 www.njtts.com Tri Tank Corp................................................... 16 www.tritank.com TRAILER REPAIR North Jersey Trailer & Truck Service ............................................ 3 www.njtts.com TRAINING SERVICES Access Compliance, LLC ................................ 18 www.accesscompliance.net TRUCK DEALERS/ MANUFACTURERS Regional International Corporation .................................................. 4 www.regionaltruckandtrailer.com TRUCK LEASING/EQUIPMENT LEASING/RENTALS Hub Truck Rental Corporation .................................................. 3 www.hubtruck.com TRUCK REFRIGERATION DEALERS North Jersey Trailer & Truck Service ............................................... 3 www.njtts.com TRUCK REPAIR Hub Truck Rental Corporation .................................................. 3 www.hubtruck.com WASTE & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Modern Disposal Services, Inc. ......................Inside Front Cover www.moderncorporation.com 18 | milepost • FIRST QUARTER 2022
The distinguished Golden Wrench Award is presented by the TANY Safety Council to honor the best heavy vehicle technicians in New York State. It was established to recognize the outstanding efforts, achievements and contributions of those who work behind-the-scenes to ensure commercial motor vehicles are safe on the road. Member companies may nominate technicians they feel exemplify professionalism, a commitment to safety, and who set an example for others both within and outside of the industry. Every year, the Trucking Association of New York accepts nominations from member companies for the New York State Driver of the Year Award. Drivers with outstanding driving records, who display their professionalism both on and off the road, are considered for this prestigious award. Winners are often very involved in their communities, typically through safety education, civic engagement, or charitable pursuits. The Statewide Driver of the Year is eligible to be nominated for the American Trucking Associations’ National Driver of the Year Award. 2021 DRIVER OF THE YEAR AWARD Submission deadline: April 15, 2022 To apply, please visit: www.nytrucks.org/training-events/member-awards 2021 GOLDEN WRENCH AWARD 1065764_Editorial.indd 1 23/02/22 8:24 PM
NYS Truck Driving Championships & Step Van Competition & SuperTech Competition Back in person! June 10-11, 2022 Syracuse, NY Registration opens April 15 2022 Calendar of events March 14-15 Call on Albany April 5-6 2022 NYS Truck Safety & Education Symposium & Safety Exhibition April 12 Call on New York City May 16-20 Call on Washington June 10-11 NYS Truck Driving Championships & Step Van Competition & SuperTech Competition June 11 TANY Safety Council Awards Banquet June 22 Western Region Golf Outing July 27 Environmental Conference July 20 TANY Clambake September 18-21 2022 TANY Annual Management Conference & Membership Meeting October 17 Metro Region Golf Outing 1068035_Editorial.indd 1 18/02/22 1:05 PM