Word: ata
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...margin was still insufficient as far as the ATA was concerned, but the group had little success in producing further changes until another pre-Christmas legislative rush in 1974. At that time, once again making the very best of a bad situation, it traded the 55 mile per hour speed limit for an increase in weight to 80,000 lbs., an increase in width to 102 inches, and an extension of the length limit to 65 feet--allowing truckers to operate the longer tandem trailers. It was a healthy exchange, but unfortunately for the industry, 14 states with lower limits...
...high weight tandem trailers are particularly discouraging A DOT study done in 1982 demonstrated a disturbing 12.2 fatalities per million miles for tandems, considerably higher than the 5.6 per million miles for single trucks, and dwarfing the 2.96 per million rate for passenger cars. Despite these statistics, the ATA, which vigorously defends the safety record of heavy trucks, can probably remain relatively secure from attack until the results of a definitive DOT study are formulated...
...broad entry, the process of "trip leasing" quickly evaporated, cutting off a large source of revenue for the major trucking firms and allowing the independent truckers full access to previously closed markets. Considered "gypsies," whose organization has been seen as a threat to the Teamsters and to the ATA, the independents have always been on the fringe of the trucking industry. The 1974 and 1979 strikes were viewed with a certain uneasiness by the trucking hierarchy, and despite the independent's occasional effectiveness, it's obvious that the established elements would be quite happy if they simply vanished...
...hard times for truckers, and Reagan's advice concerning "passing on the tax to the customer" has a decidedly hollow ring in the face of the cutthroat competition engendered by the present situation. It is hardly a surprise that the independent truckers chose to strike or that the ATA and the Teamsters were less than effusive in supporting them. From the trucking establishment's point of view, it wouldn't be all that bad if the tax increases could squeeze the independents out of the picture...
...strike also gave Bennet Whitlock Jr.--the head of the ATA--the opportunity to stand piously on the sidelines praising the legislative approach to producing change and blaming Parkhurst for "the actions of a fewill-advised individuals who may adversely affect not only the vast majority of law abiding truckers but also the American public." Whitlock's concern for the populace is touching but also a tad hypocritical. It appears that in the long run, between increased deterioration of the interstate roadbeds, decreased safety, and increased shipping costs, the interests of the American people could have been far better served...