March 2014 Volume 34, Issue 3
TRUCK NEWS Buyers looking for used trucks are having a hard time finding them due to a dearth in production from 08-09.
Delivering daily news at trucknews.com
Power brokers
Leading freight brokers discuss the state of the industry and their evolving role in finding freight.
Page 50
Is tenure-based driver pay coming to an end? One US fleet exec thinks so.
Used trucks scarce
Page 34
Pay for performance
Page 24
Page 14
Canada’s Trucking Newspaper Since 1981
A 15L letdown
Canadian carriers using natural gas will have to do without a 15L option for the foreseeable future.
Smoke rises from railway cars that were carrying crude oil after derailing in downtown Lac-Megantic, Que. Photo by The Canadian Press/Paul Chaisson
The Lac-Megantic Effect What does If you thought the Lac-Megantic tragedy was a rail issue, think again. The feds see it as a transportation issue and trucking won’t escape their scrutiny. Careers: 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52
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By James Menzies
W
hen an unmanned 74-car freight train carrying crude oil careened into the small Quebec town of Lac-Megantic July 6, burning much of it to the ground and killing 47 people, it was easy to dismiss it as a rail issue. After all, though transport trucks are often used to carry crude, the conditions normally don’t exist to create a Lac-Megantic-type disaster. Trucks are generally used to carry crude shorter distances and in much smaller volumes than freight trains. Still, federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt has indicated she views the Lac-Megantic tragedy not as a rail issue, but a transportation issue. She has directed the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to undertake a review of the current Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regime for “all modes” and to make recommendations on further areas for improvement. David Bradley, chief executive officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), says of the hearings scheduled for this month, at least two days will focus on truck transportation. “It’s not surprising that would be the case,” Bradley said. “The situation is obviously quite different in rail than it is in trucking – particularly as it pertains to crude – but Continued on page 16
the Loonie’s swan dive mean to truckers? By James Menzies The Loonie has been under attack in recent months, falling to a four-year low of 89.09 cents compared to the US dollar on Jan. 31 and bringing back memories – both good and bad – about how the Canadian trucking business is impacted by something completely out of its control: the value of our currency. Canadian drivers who haul stateside and carriers who serve the US market both feel the impact of a rapidly rising or depreciating Loonie. We spoke to experts to find out how everyone – from Continued on page 20
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