Say What?

Question: What concerns you the most about the trucking industry?

Robert Hinman, 33, Afton, NY

Professional driving experience: 15 years

“Fuel prices. I deal with them by trying to get the best rate I can. I can set my own price, and if the freight doesn’t pay it, I won’t run it.”

Michael Cimbalo, 34, Louisville, KY

Professional driving experience: 4 years

“Like everyone, I’m concerned about fuel prices. The world won’t survive without trucking, so I’m not concerned that the trucking industry itself will survive. Things will change, though. Prices will go up and some drivers won’t make it. Right now, the fuel prices are outrageous, so it sometimes doesn’t pay for us to even fire up the truck.”

Bob Burkey, 42, Shelby, IA

Professional driving experience: 22 years

“Right now, fuel prices are hurting us all pretty bad and cutting into profits.

You just gotta add a fuel surcharge on to it and go from there. You know the shipper will gripe, but you also know they’re going to pass it on, too.”

Doug Vanatta, 55, Findlay, OH

Professional driving experience: 30 years

“I’m an owner-operator, so you know the cost of fuel is always on my mind. Fuel prices and freight rates. It’s always one of those two things, and right now it’s both at the same time.”

Herschell “Hershey Bar” Gordon, 47, Atwood, TN

Professional driving experience: 20 years

“The drivers themselves. Fuel is a great issue, freight rates are a great issue, but all of those things don’t mean a thing if the drivers we have out here are not the best that they can be. Pride, compassion and serving America is the attitude that we need from our drivers. We have a lot that feel that way and a lot that don’t. My answer is simple: a better attitude among the drivers.”