Sunday, April 28, 2013

Driverless Class 8 Trucks??

Google has rolled out a driverless automobile as most of us know and there is talk about driverless big rigs in Europe on the road in our lifetime. Trains have had this technology in use for awhile as well as subways and some metro buses. Higher end cars can paralell park, slow itself down if over the speed limit, avoid something in the road ahead if it isn't another vehicle or a vehicle going too slow or dead stopped in a drive lane, keep itself from following too close and there are probably some features I am not aware of and now inovators like Google have invested in driverless technology and to my knowledge Google is the only inovator who actually has one in road testing.

Folks the driverless future for personal and commercial vehicles is happening right now and the question many in transportation is asking, will this technology eventually replace truck drivers?

While it certainly may provide safer driving and the fact that humans don't need to thump the tires, do the walk-around, check the air lines, etc. (the computer takes care of most of that) I agree that 4 wheel drivers will never accept that an 80,000 lb monster vehicle has no driver. Take other vehicles off the road and put'em in the air or on their own highways would help solve that issue but airborn civilians could create a ton of new safety issues. Trains and subways have no other vehicles to be concerned about so a driverless train is very acceptable to the public but cars and small trucks are a huge risk for any driverless big rig considering their potential to do a lot of damage should something go wrong.

As we all know, no technology comes without potential problems and gliches, and is a breeding ground for cyber attacks, etc. NASA, the most high level technology corporation on the planet, can testify to that. And yes, humans are definitely not perfect and Google is counting on that for pushing their technology forward, however, a computerized Class 8 truck will not have the ability to fuel itself and won't spend money in truck stop stores, eat food in the restaurants, tip the waitresses, need groceries while on the road, use the laundramats, buy cell phones and airtime, etc. The services drivers use will be jobs lost for thousands across America and the world.

Yes, we will still need drivers and with new technology, computer technology trained drivers which could potentially create a more severe demand for qualified drivers than we've ever had to deal with now or in the past.

Marge Bailey/Admin

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Having a Problem Finding Mechanics?

The answer is most likely yes and you're not alone. I created and launched www.DieselMechanicJobs.com in the year 2002. I had researched and found that the world was changing with the advent of the Internet that not only changed the way people were doing business but dramatically affected young people in their career choices. Turning wrenches is a talent few are born with and a great number of even those who are born with said talent and desire, working as a computer tech and/or a program developer pays much better and is a 'cleaner' job. You work your mind, not so much your body.

Excerpt taken from www.TransortTopics.com:

"Today’s shops are staffed by service technicians who are a mixture of baby boomers (1946 through 1964), Generation X’ers (early 1960s to early 1980s) and Generation Y’ers (early 1980s through early 2000s) — a complex palette of diversity."

Awakening to the reality that diesel and automotive mechanics are harder and harder to find and retain is a rude awakening for us all. Employers must watch their bottomline and in the economic hard times in which we live, all employers who need the services of mechanic techs are playing a game of Russian roulette if they do not hire and keep dependable, well experienced, engine and trailer mechanics.

Some say the answer is clear; pay better wages and retirement. That, I agree, is a good practice but only part of the solution. Generation Y and future generations must be introduced to the profession at an early age. High schools have long ago, for the most part, abandoned shop classes due to downsizing budgets, therefore removing the opportunity from young people's grasp in the early development of their lives. Once graduated high school, if one lives near a vocational school, or community college, that offers diesel or auto engine repair, then the opportunity may be available to those who have a desire to get sweaty and dirty, work long hours on their back or knees rather than a nice cushy computer and/or Internet programming job which will earn them 200% more money.

I don't know the solution (and no one seems to know) but I do know the diminishing pool of experienced and student diesel technicians is a far greater concern to everyone than even the on-going shortage of qualified truck drivers. Without enough mechanics there will be no need for drivers. When more and more repair shops go out of business due to a mechanic shortage, we will all suffer the consequences. All transportation, land, air and sea, will be affected.

The military produces quite a few mechanics and upon leaving the military, smart employers welcome them with open arms but as more and more foot soldiers are replaced with drones and other alternatives we may be impacted in a very negative way as our military source for hiring heavy duty equipment mechanics will need to train fewer and fewer mechanic specialists.

If anyone reading this article can offer up ideas or programs that are in place that are making headway with this devastating issue please leave your comments!

Marge Bailey/Admin