`off She Went' 
Deployment Day For Area Military Units 
Tears, Hugs Mark Goodbyes For Iraq-bound Troops

Area's Shift To Service Continues 
Manufacturing Jobs Steadily Lose Ground In Northeastern Pennsylvania

By KALEN CHURCHER kchurcher@leader.net
 Sunday, January 04, 2004 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





Though the impact of new federal trucking regulations cannot be quantified
with certainty, the guidelines have already impacted trucking companies. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Beginning today, truck drivers can stay on the road for up to 11
consecutive hours, but will have to rest at least 10 hours before returning to
their rigs. Despite the extra hour of drive time, government officials
maintain the new rules will make roadways safer because truckers will be
required to rest two more hours between shifts. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation estimates deaths associated
with truck driver fatigue will decrease from 440 to 335 a year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I think the drivers will get more rest and (the new guidelines) will
accomplish what the original law set out to do," said Eric Haft, safety
manager for Kane Freight Lines in Scranton. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, he believes the new regulations bring major changes to the
industry. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Currently, the "Hours of Service Enforcement Policy" allows for 10 hours of
driving within a 15-hour on-duty period, after eight hours of off-duty time. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With less hours to work because of more rest time, productivity will be
hampered, Haft said. Shippers and receivers will also have to adjust how they
perform their jobs because they will likely not receive the same help they had
received from truckers, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Haft said more down time could cause a 10 percent decrease in pay for
drivers, though Kane has tried to adjust per-mile rates. A need for additional
drivers is also likely. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Rick Iffert, safety manager at Transcontinental Refrigerated Lines in
Pittston, is careful to not speculate too harshly on the new guidelines. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "First off, I try to look at everything as a positive," he said. "Right
now, nobody has really even used the regulations posed to us." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Iffert said as soon as the start date was announced, TRL began readying a
new computer system to accommodate drivers' log books and entries. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He foresees the biggest impact of the regulations to involve the shorter,
300-400 mile runs and admits more drivers might be needed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Associated Press contributed to this report. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kalen Churcher, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7329. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Firms Await Effects Of New Trucking Law 
Under Federal Law That Takes Effect Today, Drivers Can Drive 11 Straight Hours
But They Must Then Rest At Least 10 Hours Afterward.

Firms Await Effects Of New Trucking Law Under Federal Law That Takes Effect Today, Drivers Can Drive 11 Straight Hours But They Must Then Rest At Least 10 Hours Afterward.