There is little doubt that most of us spend very little time thinking about the impact the trucking industry has on our lives. The only time we think about truckers is when they are right in front of our windshields in traffic.
Well, now that fuel prices are skyrocketing on a weekly basis, the time may not be far off when we are forced to realize that importance and impact the trucking industry has on our lives.
So, assuming the trucking industry's executives were evil, here is a list of 3 things they could do to make your life miserable:
1. In order to reduce their fuel costs, they can require their drivers to never exceed 55 MPH. After all, research shows that 55 MPH is the most efficient speed for fuel economy combined with timeliness. How would you like to be barricaded behind a line of tractor trailers on the freeway EVERY SINGLE DAY? You think traffic is bad now...just wait.
2. In order to reduce their own operating expenses, they can drastically reduce the number of trucks they have in their fleets. Why would they do that? Because anytime they have trucks that aren't hauling freight, they are losing money on that truck. And, since the freight market is weak right now, it is reasonable to think that it is better to just unload the extra trucks. In fact, the industry is currently doing this. They are selling their extra trucks to Russia and other European countries. The affects of this action are two-fold.
a. Freight Pricing Increase - Simple supply and demand will dictate that shippers (Wal-Mart, Target, grocery stores, etc.) pay more to ship their goods. This will increase the price of almost EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT you buy. If the shippers have to pay more to ship the product, they will pass that cost on to you, the consumer.
b. Truck Shortage - Guess what will happen when the economy turns for the better (probably in 2009)? With a bunch of our trucks in Russia, they are gone for good. And the truck manufacturers will not be able to pump out enough trucks to keep up with the demand. So, once again, the price of your iPod, your bananas, your tofu, or whatever it is that you like, will be more. Supply and demand.
3. Although much of the trucking industry is not unionized, they could join forces and effectively go on strike. Imagine how this would impact your day-to-day living. It would cause a quasi-meltdown in our country. There would be a run on the grocery stores as people realize that the shelves will not be restocked anytime soon. It won't matter how wealthy one is, if the food isn't on the shelves to buy, you can't buy it. People from other industries will be out of work - if the truckers aren't shipping the product, there is no reason to produce it. Why would Reef continue to make flip-flops if they are just going to stack up in the warehouse? And, what about the suppliers to Reef? Why would Reef continue to purchase the materials needed to make the flip flops when they aren't even going to make them (DISCLOSURE - for all I know Reefs are made in China, but you still get my point)?
3.5. If trucking executives wanted to save a little cash, they could eliminate the shower allowance they give to their drivers. Just imagine millions of hard working truck drivers rolling across the country having not taken a shower for 2 - 4 weeks! Now that would be evil!