SMS flaws continue to be highlighted in the press   

DC Velocity just published an article titled Coping with CSA: Love it, hate it, or ignore it. I was quoted numerous times and the article does fairly represent my viewpoints. I have responded on-line to dispute the erroneous data quoted by an anonymous FMCSA representative. Does it bother anyone else that a bureaucrat on our payroll does not have the courage to divulge her name when defending official agency policy?  While I did not object on-line to the comments of Jim Angel of PeopleNet, for my blog readers I do want to point out than many companies are trying to make a buck off of CSA/SMS selling products to carriers to help them improve scores and to shippers and brokers to help them utilize scores. I am a staunch capitalist and don’t deny anyone their opportunity to pursue sales, but when someone is pitching a product or service you do have to take their commentary on regulations with a grain of salt. Transplace does not sell products or services related to CSA and does not benefit from the publication of scores, nor would we benefit from their removal other than potentially avoiding erroneous negligent hiring lawsuits. It is carriers, particularly small carriers, that are most unfairly harmed by the publication of SMS scores. I am standing up for carriers’ rights to due process and to be allowed to haul freight. That also benefits shippers. The upcoming capacity shortage will be tough enough without needlessly eliminating many safe carriers based on a flawed mathematical model.