This is a really helpful comment for me. We run a small business with a good portion of our business in the tractor/trailer owner/operator world. We’ve been hoping transportation would actually get busier due to the need to resupply all the empty stores.
I usually spend about half my day on the phone with various owner/operator customers. Yesterday and today I’ve had radio silence so I figured things are either really good or really bad!
Article on the problem with FMCSA’s recent hours of emergency service waiver for commercial drivers:
https://sports.yahoo.com/trucking-wants-more-clarity-emergency-133727542.html
This is an ivory tower agency with drastic and punitive enforcement powers. Can’t blame motor carriers for hanging back when it’s unclear exactly what they are authorizing. These jokers have the authority to shut trucking companies down.
Emergency food deliveries are covered but not defined. “Routine” commercial deliveries are not covered. What the hell. The entire country is an emergency zone. Our “routine” consists of nothing but grocery deliveries to our stores. Demand has tripled. Having the stores run out will lead to panic and public disorder. Every load that has groceries in it is an emergency delivery for the next 30 days minimum.
The article says they’re going to mull over the confusion they caused and get back to us. That’s reassuring.