What the actual PUC?

Recently, I recalled a talk given by Craig Groeschel at last year’s Global Leadership Conference. He talked about the challenges the pandemic has brought and tried to find a single word to describe it.

There really wasn’t one, in his mind, so he made one up: PUC. Now this guy is a pastor, so hearing him say he liked it because it sounded like other negative words was funny. And, of course, everyone laughed. He claims it reminded him of words like stuck, suck, etc. But… well, I’m laboring too long on that part.

What PUC stands for is “pain, uncertainty and chaos.” I have to think he did a pretty good job of summing up life since the pandemic hit.

There were two very big takeaways for me in his talk. When you find yourself in a PUCy (see what I did there) situation, the only way to grow is to go through it, not tap out of it. And, in doing that, when you face the uncertainty what’s most important becomes clear.

The pain, uncertainty and chaos of the supply chain disruption has done just that. For truckers continuing to slug away, without the hero fanfare of a couple years ago, what is important is not only clear to them, but it’s becoming clearer to those who can actually do something about it.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has capitalized on the eye opening of regulators and lawmakers.

Senior Editor Mark Schremmer breaks down how all of the talk around supply chain disruptions has given OOIDA that much needed platform to call for a number of reforms – reforms desperately needed for decades. His report starts on Page 14.

One of those needed reforms that got a lot of attention in 2021 and is continuing to in 2022 is the need for more truck parking. Again, this is a decades old problem, but the attention and some attempts at action are very new. On Page 20, Staff Writer Tyson Fisher details how the battle for more funding for actual truck parking is a lesson in patience. It’s one where there’s more than one way to move the needle forward – and truckers are doing that.

There was a third takeaway for me in the PUC talk, and that is “the cost of inaction is almost always greater than the cost of a mistake.”

That’s something that regulators, lawmakers – and truckers – need to let sink in.

“The cost of inaction is almost always greater than the cost of a mistake.”

The February issue is our annual “call-to-advocacy issue.” It’s taken a lot of different forms over the years to try to inspire you, dear readers, to get involved in the regulatory and legislative process. To be your own advocates and join in the OOIDA led fight to improve the lives of all truck drivers.

State Legislative Editor Keith Goble puts together an easy-to-follow, comprehensive playbook for getting involved. It starts on Page 44. There are also some words of advice from OOIDA Director of Government Affairs Collin Long. The Association’s D.C. team has its finger on the pulse of Congress. Read his words carefully.

One side note I want to add to this call to action. There are a lot of pages full of opportunities to get involved. Do not let it overwhelm you. Do not feel like you have to be third-down-and-long intense about it.

You can start small. Make a few phone calls and start building a relationship with the trucking legislative aid for your representative and senators. Gain their trust and respect. Start emailing them articles from (shameless plug) Land Line on issues important to you. It’s a matter of minutes not days that can start change. And remember, “the cost of inaction is almost always greater than the cost of a mistake.” Instead of asking what the PUC, take a little action. LL