They are Looking for Drivers
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
As originally published in Texas Border Business newsprint edition October 2018
Yida Oropeza is the manager for recruitment and retention at Transport Continental Inc.,(TCI), a company specializing in freight movements with different types of trailers such as dry van, flatbed, and step deck.
Oropeza told Texas Border Business that they do long haul over the road in 48 states.
Why are you here?“We are in the event trying to attract drivers which is one of our main priorities.” She continued,“We’re also looking into expanding and to grow the business over the next five years. I think that this event is good now; it will be even greater in years to come.”
Oropeza went on to say that this first annual Trucking Expo in the Rio Grande Valley went well for them. “The business here is booming,” she stated.
Why is it booming?“Because the competitive advantage here is the location, we’re right next to Mexico, a lot of export and import.” She added, “Actually that’s our main competitive advantage. We have our headquarters here in Pharr, and we have an additional terminal in Laredo, Texas. So, that’s where I would say 90% of our freight is coming from Mexico going up north to different states.”
Do you attribute the boom to the Durango Bridge in Mexico?“Well, that is one reason, of course, with that new infrastructure that brings so much traffic activity. It will also speed the process or the time that freight used to take to arrive at this area. Consequently, it opens the door for more movements, especially in the distribution,” she said.
Jimmy and his son Jim Cowart Jr. started TCI, a flatbed trucking company, in the late 1980’s with three trucks and ten trailers. The trucking company now serves the U.S., Mexico, and Canada markets with its focus on freight to and from Mexico utilizing its fleet of trucks and trailers.
What makes you different than your competition?“What makes us different is that we’re always looking to improve across the board. We have the technology to operate, and 100% of our fleet is tracked by satellite.” She continued, “I believe we have the best equipment, all of our trucks and trailers are new from within the last three years. We do business with Fortune 500 customers, so we’re very well-established, well-known in Mexico and also within the area.”
How difficult is to recruit drivers? “It’s incredibly difficult.”
Why?“Because drivers are in high demand, there’s a scarcity of drivers, and they know it. If a driver quits his job today, the next day he has 10, 15 job offers waiting for him. They’re all offering the best pay, the best benefits, so it’s very challenging. So, whenever a driver doesn’t like a thing, he knows that he can walk out and get a job anywhere else.”
Are drivers paid well?“Yes, drivers are well-compensated financially. Of course, there’s much sacrifice that comes into play, like being over the road five, seven days, not being at home as much they would like to. They sometimes miss family events, but it is financially compensating. We always try to do our best to make them feel valued because they are our most valued asset.”
Oropeza left a message for all Texas Border Business readers; she said, “I think we have to be very attentive to what’s happening in the industry. Supporting the industry, always looking for ways to promote and open doors for such as this expo. It gets to showcase how much business opportunity is in the Valley.”
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