There has been a lot of discussion concerning the logistics chain since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. There is a new appreciation for the role of commercial trucks in keeping store shelves stocked and manufacturers supplied with raw materials.
Cold chain logistics is one vital aspect of the transportation industry that remains somewhat underappreciated by the consuming public. However, any interruption in that operation would immediately impact ready access to a long list of products that includes:
- Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies
- Dairy products and ice cream
- Meat and fish (for consumers, restaurants, and fast-food outlets)
- Produce
- Flowers and plants
These are all items that must be transported at rigorously controlled and maintained temperatures to ensure they arrive safely and at the desired quality. Interestingly, those temperature ranges come in a variety from sub-zero, to freezing, to just above freezing. Each category is critical to maintaining the texture, color, and desired quality of different products.
From Fish to Flowers to Pharmaceuticals
The standards for each step in the cold logistical chain are much more demanding than the earliest days of British ships in the late 1700s hauling their catches of fish with the use of ice. While that was innovative for the day, the next step saw the railroads experimenting with ways to get fresh produce and meat from rural areas to growing city markets.
It was in 1930 that commercial trucks began their now crucial role in the cold chain. A new-fangled air-cooling unit was designed and patented by Frederick Jones with the primary goal of expanding the ability to transport perishable foods. Modern technology and refrigeration have allowed commercial trucks to transport the lifesaving Covid vaccines. More than one health official noted the reality that it was only the existing network of reliable cold chain truckers that allowed that distribution to be possible.
This exacting cold chain process grows more sophisticated every year. It calls for a series of checks, controls, and monitoring steps at each point of the movement from the producer to the consumer. For trucking firms, certain products require the use of teams so the items being shipped arrive in the freshest possible condition. For example, flower shippers are one market niche known for the efficient use of team drivers. The work requires getting fresh-cut flowers from the field to the vendor in mere hours with no time for roadside rest stops.
Many truckers shudder at the idea of anything other than solo operations, but the concept of team drivers has won over many hesitant drivers. Well-managed firms do this by carefully matching up drivers by personality and other traits. They also keep their fleets relatively new, minimizing operational delays. The biggest argument for team drivers is the ability to be at home five to six days out of every eight to nine.
While many firms are facing an ongoing battle to find enough competent drivers and deal with turnover, many team drivers are known for staying put. As other trucking firms are evaluating options, the team driver concept is gaining new attention.
Pros and Cons
While team driving is not for everyone, many drivers who take this path find the advantages outweigh the loss of independence and control. These include:
- The ability to earn more money. The burden of HOS laws requires a full shutdown for the solo driver for at least 10 out of 24 hours. This means most solo drivers will average only 2,400 to 2,800 hours per week. Contrast that with the fact that many team drivers clock as many as 5,000 hours each week if they want them.
- More priority loads. Increasingly, many companies are seeking out more efficient and timely shipping options.
- Increased security. Securing shipments is becoming a higher priority and the idea that a truck and load are never left alone while one driver is eating or seeking out a shower is attractive to more and more shippers, especially for high-value loads.
Expect to see more opportunities for team drivers in both cold chain systems and other trucking niches.
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