Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 O C T O B E R 2 9 , 2 0 1 8 F O C U S T R A N S P O R TAT I O N / I N F R A S T R U C T U R E overall, running 400 tractor-trailers. It also has contracts with 165 independent haulers. Hartt opened a terminal in Auburn four years ago to accommodate expansion of its customer base there, primarily Poland Spring Water. Industry leaders cite factors caus- ing the shortage that include a loom- ing retirement cliff; the industry's median age is 46.5, says the American Transportation Research Institute. Recruiting younger drivers is difficult. Leaders say trucking doesn't have a pos- itive image and regulations are onerous. Some younger drivers reject long hauls in favor of going home each night. "We have more people retiring than are coming in," says Parke. He adds, "It's not a matter of someone deciding to become a truck driver and getting their CDL [commercial driver's license] tomorrow. ere are insurance and oversight requirements." Medical and security qualifications are among those needed to obtain a CDL. e training itself can run as high as $6,500. Trucking companies face factors like drug tests, insurance costs and monitoring. Insurance is a Catch-22. Many insur- ance companies require new drivers to have two years of experience before they'll take on the driver. "You can't get the experience until you're able to be insured," says Parke. "So some people work in-state for a while — hauling dump trucks, working in a yard facility, working in the forest products industry — in order to gain experience." Potholes in the road One obstacle to attracting younger drivers is the federal requirement that interstate CDL holders be 21 or older. "A lot of times, by the time kids who don't go to college have turned 21, they've already chosen another profes- sion, like carpentry or plumbing," says Barry Pottle, Pottle's Transportation president and CEO. e industry also has image problems. Parke says trucking is not a widely accepted career for young people these days, as high schools promote four-year colleges. Also, customers can be disrespectful. "Say I drive all night to deliver prod- uct to the receiver, I take my paperwork in and say, 'Can I use your bathroom?'" Pottle recounts. "He says, 'Go to the 7-Eleven down the street.' Half an hour later, the mailman comes and asks, 'Can I use your bathroom?' e receiver says, 'Yeah, come on in.' Receivers have to treat drivers better." C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Atomic Classroom Maine Youth Rock Orchestra - Rock Project Intersection Palaver Strings City of Hidden Figures Coffee By Design Congratulates the 2018 Rebel Blend Fund Winners The Rebel Blend Fund supports the Maine arts community with seed money. For more information visit coffeebydesign.com A traveling art classroom housed inside a restored 1963 Airstream. Redefines music education for students of all backgrounds and demographics through collaboration with artists to create transformational experiences. Artists Karen Merritt and Don Marietta are working to create photographic and graphic These issues include mental health, substance use, identity and security while raising awareness for support services. Palaver Strings is a musician-led string ensemble and nonprofit founded by young musicians. This project is its Portland, Maine Community School and residency launch. Inaugural Mural: The launch of a national project celebrates female figures throughout history by creating murals with their depictions. Get involved at: atomiclassroom.com Get involved at: rockorchestras.org Get involved at: thinkpunkgirl.com Get involved at: palaverstrings.org Get involved at: cityofhiddenfigures.com Androscoggin Bank is proud to support this effort. androscogginbank.com Rooted in Maine, Reaching Beyond. CES is proud to announce the acquisition of Bean, Whitaker, Lutz & Kareh, Inc., a trusted land surveying, civil engineering, and land planning firm serving Southwest Florida for over 30 years. Sensible Solutions 207.989.4824 www.cesincusa.com

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