No Truckers? Let’s Try Ships (repeal Jones Act)

[endicom]

National Review
Colin Grabow
July 26, 2018

Repeal the Jones Act. It escalates the cost of shipping goods on America’s waterways.


Although the economy continues to ride high, there is growing concern that a dearth of truckers could soon drive it into a ditch. Anecdotes suggest an increasingly frantic scramble for drivers, with $70,000 salaries said to be insufficient to lure new drivers to the field. The trucking industry faces a shortage of 63,000 open positions this year — a number that is only expected to increase — and companies are already said to be turning down loads due to a lack of available trucks.

Some members of Congress have responded by introducing a bill that would allow drivers as young as 18 to transport goods outside the state they’re licensed in, down from the current age of 21. While a welcome step, more-expansive thinking is needed. Additional drivers are one solution, but there is another that should be considered: more ships. Rather than tinkering at the policy margins, Congress should pursue measures that would transfer freight from the nation’s roads onto its waterways.

More... https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/07/repeal-jones-act-to-address-freight-trucking-shortage/

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

 

[endicom]

Yeah, this hasn't worked well so eliminate or revise it.

[berdie]

National Review
Colin Grabow
July 26, 2018

Repeal the Jones Act. It escalates the cost of shipping goods on America’s waterways.


Although the economy continues to ride high, there is growing concern that a dearth of truckers could soon drive it into a ditch. Anecdotes suggest an increasingly frantic scramble for drivers, with $70,000 salaries said to be insufficient to lure new drivers to the field. The trucking industry faces a shortage of 63,000 open positions this year — a number that is only expected to increase — and companies are already said to be turning down loads due to a lack of available trucks.

Some members of Congress have responded by introducing a bill that would allow drivers as young as 18 to transport goods outside the state they’re licensed in, down from the current age of 21. While a welcome step, more-expansive thinking is needed. Additional drivers are one solution, but there is another that should be considered: more ships. Rather than tinkering at the policy margins, Congress should pursue measures that would transfer freight from the nation’s roads onto its waterways.

More... https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/07/repeal-jones-act-to-address-freight-trucking-shortage/

18 year old truck drivers. Great idea./s Anyone on an interstate is gonna die.

[jmyrlefuller]

18 year old truck drivers. Great idea./s Anyone on an interstate is gonna die.

Wait until they get the automated trucks on the road. They'll be able to drive 24/7 without pay.

But seriously... the main bottleneck in regard to trucking jobs is twofold: one, you need a CDL of the highest level, which requires quite a bit of training most drivers don't have. Two, and far more importantly, there are quite a few people who aren't at a point in life where they can drop everything and live their life on the road. Most mothers can't, for example. It's a career that can be very lucrative for the right people, but not many people are right for the job.

[thackney]

Wait until they get the automated trucks on the road. They'll be able to drive 24/7 without pay.

But seriously... the main bottleneck in regard to trucking jobs is twofold: one, you need a CDL of the highest level, which requires quite a bit of training most drivers don't have. Two, and far more importantly, there are quite a few people who aren't at a point in life where they can drop everything and live their life on the road. Most mothers can't, for example. It's a career that can be very lucrative for the right people, but not many people are right for the job.

Most the problems I hear is trucking companies not finding people who can pass a drug test.

[endicom]

Most the problems I hear is trucking companies not finding people who can pass a drug test.

They obviously don't test sailors for drugs so that's another argument in favor of repealing the Jones Act.  ^-^

[Elderberry]

You will still need trucks to move freight to and from the shipping docks.

[jmyrlefuller]

You will still need trucks to move freight to and from the shipping docks.

The railroads used to fill that role, and still can.

[Elderberry]

The railroads used to fill that role, and still can.

Then change that to; To and/or from "loading docks".

No rails to most stores.

[Fishrrman]

Elderberry wrote:
"No rails to most stores."

That's what this is all about:


! No longer available
! No longer available

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Before we go crazy moving to ships, let's remember these are now under UN auspices, such as exposed here.

http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,327023.msg1759036.html#msg1759036

[WarmPotato]

NationalReview, always on point!