November 2008 Volume 28, Issue 11 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
Reality check
Truckers answer the call
Economic experts at ATA deliver dire warnings, some glimmers of hope
Truckers in four provinces raise nearly $100K in World’s Largest Truck Convoy
By Lou Smyrlis NEW ORLEANS, La. – US trucking executives attending the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) popular All Eyes on the Economy session here recently received sober news but did leave with at least some glimmers of hope. While all three experts on the panel – Bob Costello, chief economist and vice-president of the ATA, Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist with Wachovia Corp, and Dr. Peter Ruane, president and CEO of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association – all share dire views of the economic picture, they did point to new opportunities to finally get politicians to address the long-standing issue of infrastructure neglect while also being positive about the future of energy pricing and rates. Vitner confirmed executives’ worst fears from the start when he told them “I clearly think we are already in a recession.” Vitner said that while the export busi-
CARING CONVOY: Truckers in Saskatchewan take part in the World’s Largest Truck Convoy Sept. 20. Saskatchewan truckers raised over $12,000 for Special Olympics and participants in three other provinces contributed to a national total of nearly $100,000. Photo by Ken Dumont
By Jan Westell WINNIPEG, Man. – Despite the high price of fuel, Canadian truck drivers in four provinces stuck to a commitment to seek financial pledges, clean up their rigs, and travel in the World’s Largest Truck Convoy, an annual charitable event to raise money for Special Olympics. In Winnipeg, 43 truck drivers participated in the event, which had the support of the Manitoba trucking industry, as well as local and regional police. The Manitoba convoy was scheduled one week before the national event of Saturday, Sept. 20, in order to coincide with National Trucking Week, according to the event organizer. Terry Hopkinson serves as the director of special projects for Special Olympics Manitoba, and was pleased with the financial results. “We raised just over $17,000 Continued on page 12 ■
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Keeping warm What to consider when choosing a cab heater.
Inside This Issue... • Back on track: The second EnergoTest is held in Quebec with a new slate of fuel-saving devices put to the test.
Page 16
• New challenges: Environmental challenges create opportuni-
See our ad page 66
ties for fleets and shippers, according to speakers at the Same Roads…New Challenges conference. Pages 42-46
• Keeping your cool: A look at cab comfort systems. What’s new and more importantly, what solution is best for you? We pose the question. Page 50
• Playing Favourites:
See page 50
A chance arrival by Bud puts an interesting spin on a conversation. Page 64
Industry Opportunities 47 PM40069240
Career Pages 50-61
Ad Index 67
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