Hire Truckers Podcast

00:00 - 00:10
Speaker 1: Welcome to the Hire Truckers podcast where we interview experts in driver recruiting. We provide industry insights, marketing trends, and motivation to help you level up your recruiting game.

00:10 - 00:52
Speaker 2: Welcome to the Hire Truckers podcast. I'm your host, Ginger Kradoch. So how do you go from a family vacation in the Outer Banks to shaping national trucking policy on Capitol Hill? Well, for Hailey Betham, that road was paved with hazmat conversations over dinner and a deep family connection to the trucking industry and a well timed call from the Truckload Carriers Association. Today on the Hire Truckers podcast, we're pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to advocate for truckers in Washington from major legislation and DOT rules to the human stories that fuel the fight.

00:52 - 01:11
Speaker 2: So let's hit the road with today's guest, Haley Betham, manager of government affairs at the Truckload Carriers Association. So, Haley, welcome. How's it going? Great. I I can't wait for everyone to hear your story.

01:12 - 01:21
Speaker 2: And so let's start with how did you end up in the middle of trucking policy at the Truckload Carriers Association?

01:22 - 01:40
Speaker 3: Yeah. You know, I, put an application truck to TCA. And knowing that my husband's side of the family has some deep trucking roots. My father-in-law works in the transportation industry. His grandfather was a manufacturer for motor carriers.

01:41 - 02:04
Speaker 3: And then my mother in law's family had a carrier themselves in Elkridge, Maryland. They sold it in 1986. So randomly enough, you know, I heard of it. I heard trucking in the back, you know you know, when family was over, and I've had a phone call from TCA. And I was I was on at the beach with my husband's side of the family, and I said, hey.

02:04 - 02:38
Speaker 3: I'm interviewing for a trucking association for government affairs, and they just said, okay. When's the interview? I'm like, next Monday. And they outside of my father-in-law, my my husband's aunt, she oversees underwriting for an insurance company, and I had ended up having like a book full of notes from my interview, all provided by my family. And, you know, my boss brings it up sometimes still, this if for those who might know him, mister Dave Heller, he said, you had all of these notes.

02:38 - 03:03
Speaker 3: And I was kinda surprised with your questions because how would you know that? And then, you know, here we are, and, you know, it turns into I actually loved the trucking policy rather that's me talking to my family about trucking or, you know, the members of TCA. We happen to share a great friend, Tracy Rushing. It's always nice being able to talk trucking and yourself, Ginger. So it's just the opportunities keep going, and, you know, it's really fun talking trucking on Capitol Hill.

03:03 - 03:23
Speaker 3: So I really did fall in love with what trucking represents and the importance of it and, you know, connecting with my husband's side, connecting with their members. And you guys are well, mostly the trucking industry, you you yourself are just so welcoming. So it's a it's a great fit, and here I am.

03:24 - 03:36
Speaker 2: I love that story. And so I love that your family that this is the thing that I know about being in trucking. People who are in trucking are passionate about trucking and passionate about what

03:36 - 03:36
Speaker 3: they

03:36 - 03:45
Speaker 2: do. And you also touched on the other piece welcoming. I mean Yes. My background, I've been in education. I've been in banking.

03:45 - 04:10
Speaker 2: I'm an entrepreneur. I came to trucking, and it's like I found my tribe. I found my people. The innovation, the mindset, the service orientation, the welcoming nature, all of those things I found in trucking and just just the most satisfying career path, just builds upon everything I've done in the past. And I hear that in your story as well.

04:10 - 04:23
Speaker 2: So what type of freight did you said your mother-in-law, they actually had a company that they sold, a trucking company they sold in the eighties. Do you happen to know what type of freight they hauled? They were refrigerated. Oh, so they were refrigerated? Wow.

04:23 - 05:07
Speaker 2: And so we know from being in the industry, not all freight is created equal. And just the expertise that our drivers have to know in handling that freight is is just it's mind blowing what a driver has to know, and I'm excited to pull that curtain back a little bit today and help our audience kinda put themselves in the seat of the driver, why the policies and the things that you're working on are so important on Capitol Hill. We can improve things for fleets and for drivers. So, Haley, when you're talking to lawmakers, what's the one thing about trucking that you always try to help them understand?

05:08 - 05:43
Speaker 3: You know, the one thing and I I think we had actually a meeting today, and the one thing that you always want to remind someone is that everything comes off of a truck. You go to the grocery store, it probably came off of a truck. You ordered something from Amazon Prime, it came off of a truck. And, you know, you think about it, you think of COVID, and you think of the need and urgency that people may need for just goods in general. You know, COVID really put the trucking industry up on a pedestal knowing that it's so important.

05:43 - 06:04
Speaker 3: So, you know, for us, it's even if, you know, we go in the meeting with maybe a younger staffer who might be 22, 23 years old. This is their first job or they're an intern. It's everything comes off of a truck. Everything that you buy comes off of a truck. So just making sure that that they know that and they understand it is the easiest connection.

06:05 - 06:13
Speaker 3: You know? They everyone goes to the grocery store. Everyone's going to Target, or everyone's going and using Amazon Prime. So everything comes off of a truck.

06:14 - 06:32
Speaker 2: Yes. And and since COVID, there are so many things that I would go to brick and mortar for Mhmm. That once COVID was over, my shopping patterns had changed. I only do curbside pickup at the grocery store now. Rarely do I go to a brick and mortar store.

06:32 - 06:53
Speaker 2: And so just seeing that from my point of view and how things change for me so I can see that connection point. Everything comes on a truck. I love that. So now let's pivot to policy, Haley. So the transportation reauthorization bill, what's coming down the pipeline with that?

06:53 - 06:58
Speaker 2: Can you break that down for us? What's at stake for carriers and for drivers?

06:59 - 07:19
Speaker 3: So this is you know, each administration will have, their sort of will more so meet new congress. We'll come and have a new set of it's more so like that funding. What's the important topics? What dollars are we utilizing for the industry, whether that be trucking? It's a it goes under such a huge window.

07:19 - 07:51
Speaker 3: So think your infrastructure, think trucking, think rail. All of these things is in one big bill for funding for the next couple of years. So it actually expires next September in 2026, the current one under the Biden administration, also known as the IIJA. So right now, the house representatives early this year were like, hey, industries, trucking industries, rail, you name it. What is the issues that you or what are the issues?

07:51 - 08:17
Speaker 3: Let me say it like that. What are the issues that you would like to see be solved? What dollars would you like to see for what's important to you, essentially, to have in that bill, this lovely bill? Senate, we just had a meeting on the senate side today, and they're asking for our priorities. And, you know, Ginger, I know well, I'll I can go more into depth about these priorities, but think truck parking.

08:17 - 08:41
Speaker 3: Think hair follicle testing for TCA. We're big advocates for keeping those federal weight limits the same at 80,000 pounds. So these are the priorities that we talk about. And for carriers across the country, you know, we're trying to advocate for what's best for their business. I think truck weight being the one on the top of my head is, you know, we don't want increase of weight.

08:42 - 09:00
Speaker 3: We think it's a safety issue. It's also you think if there's increased truck weight, then, insurance rates will go up. Or we already have carriers who already specialize in heavy haul. So, you know, they took the time, money, and effort to sit there and train their drivers. Right?

09:00 - 09:30
Speaker 3: So all of these different priorities will be in this bill or whatever we can with the dollar amount that we see fit, and it's, you know, the dollars that they will spend for transportation infrastructure projects in next couple of years. So right now, it's like we're at the height of it. You know? Just trying to get all these priorities in and see where I think they're saying that the draft will be later this fall. So I can always tune back in and give another update.

09:31 - 09:53
Speaker 2: I like that. So so the time is coming quickly down the pipeline to have all of that finalized and get that approved in the next bill. So you talked about truck weight limits. That makes sense in the way that you unpack that. There's already heavy haul, but we don't want the weight load increased for everybody out there.

09:53 - 10:13
Speaker 2: It just, to your point, is a safety hazard. So walk me through another hot topic that you mentioned was the hair follicle testing that that TCA has been vocal about. Walk us through why that matters to fleets and how it could change hiring practices.

10:14 - 10:37
Speaker 3: Yeah. So going back to the next reauthorization bill, we're heavily talking hair follicle testing. So there is a few carriers out there that hair follicle test instead of urinalysis test. Right? The unfortunate part of hair follicle testing is that carriers cannot submit those positive tests in the drug and alcohol clearinghouse.

10:37 - 11:08
Speaker 3: So I can give you a great example. There's a carrier who hair follicle tests and a driver comes in and they test positive. Right? And, you know, he doesn't get that job at that carrier, but that carrier can walk down the street or go to another company who doesn't hear a follicle test and easily get the job with that carrier because that positive result is not in the clearing house. So no one can track that they tested positive.

11:08 - 11:51
Speaker 3: And now this gentleman or woman is on the road driving a truck and you know, for carriers, it's kind of that safety aspect to it, right? You don't want someone to who's tested positive for whether that be marijuana, cocaine, meth even, opiates, that all comes through the hair follicle testing. It's good to know on a carrier's perspective if that driver that they're hiring passed or failed. Right? So in 2015, there was the FAST Act that would allow HHS and FMCSA to come up and allow driver or carriers to put those tests in, but it's been ten years and it never happened.

11:53 - 12:15
Speaker 3: That's why it's such a you know, we're just waiting. The industry is waiting. Even if the carrier doesn't hair follicle test, knowing that there's a you know, they might have hired someone, hair follicle testing, which is with its efficiency is very, very interesting. Urinalysis test that can see drugs from one to two weeks. Hair follicle testings, three to six months.

12:15 - 12:40
Speaker 3: So it's a longer history, and it's not Wow. Yeah. Yeah. Mind blown. So it's not just everyone, I mean, but I'm here on Capital Zones, marijuana, and I was like, well, you know, think about what is it, cocaine, for example, you could find a hair follicle testing is 23 times more likely to show up for a hair test than an analysis test.

12:40 - 12:57
Speaker 3: We don't want to hire folks who do that on the side. So it's one of those things that we're seeing and carriers, you know, they want to know what their drivers are doing and making sure that they have someone safe from the road and it's a liability as well. Right? So that's really what's at stake when it comes to hair follicle testing.

12:57 - 13:37
Speaker 2: That's incredible. And and each of the things we've talked about so far have significant impact on public safety, driver safety, the bottom line of the fleets because safe fleets increase safe driving habits increase fleet bottom line because they're not having to pay out judgments and higher insurance rates, etcetera, etcetera. So this is key for everybody involved, the community, the driver, and the fleets. Another thing that you touched on, Haley, is truck parking. We know that it continues to be a major pain point.

13:37 - 14:09
Speaker 2: And for those who who don't know, for the number of trucks that are on the road, we have about one to 11 spaces available. One space for 11 drivers. And so 10 of those 11 drivers are not driving at night. So you think about how many drivers need space for safe parking at night. So walk us through are you guys seeing traction in Washington related to truck parking, and what's realistic to expect in this next bill?

14:09 - 14:43
Speaker 3: Yeah. So right now, there's a few things going on on Capitol Hill in terms of truck parking. Truck parking has been such a phenomenon to what talk about on Capitol Hill. You know, everyone in terms of the committees that I talked to, the house committee of transportation infrastructure specifically right now, they are pulling it through with truck parking right now this year. Each congress, they always have a bill called the truck parking safety improvement act, which is introduced by congressman Boss.

14:43 - 15:12
Speaker 3: And he's the, like, truck parking champion. He is advocating for our drivers, you know, and it's a very bipartisan bill, half democrats, half republicans. Everyone wants to get this across the finish line. Even into the point where we were talking about another big bill, which is our tax bill, right, for the twenty year of 2026. I believe it's the house subcommittee for transportation, housing, urban development for $200,000,000 for this year truck parking.

15:12 - 15:43
Speaker 3: Right? Now we have to see what the senate's gonna do, but it's the conversations are going, and we're always gonna keep talking truck parking because drivers with Atri have mentioned that it is the second most important issue for drivers that they face every day. Right? So, you know, we're we're trying to figure all of this out, and we're just trying to make sure that it happens. And carriers from TCA, carrier members are saying, like, we want truck parking for our drivers.

15:43 - 16:21
Speaker 3: Drivers, either they find a unsafe place to park or they have the option to, you know, against their hours of service, right? And you can't really do that, so it's either they find wherever they can or they go against that. And you mentioned something earlier, the trucking industry is so heavily regulated, so you know, thinking about truck parking, and I can talk about all the statistics about truck parking. I believe it's, you know, a truck driver will lose an annual salary about $7,105 each year just looking for adequate adequate truck parking. So, you know, it hits home.

16:21 - 16:51
Speaker 3: Everyone will make sure that their drivers are safe, that people, you know, families on the road are safe, driving on our net on our nation's highways. So, yeah, it's been truck parking is where it's at. I know this year, we're gonna keep hitting it hard with our call in Washington this year. Our folks, you know, get very passionate over it, and so am I. I think the industry deserves to have some safe truck parking, lighting, facilities, and let's see where it goes.

16:51 - 16:53
Speaker 3: I just am very excited to see if something happens.

16:54 - 17:04
Speaker 2: Agreed. Agreed. And you mentioned the TCA's call on Washington. Yes. Tell us a little bit more about that.

17:04 - 17:10
Speaker 2: Is this an annual event? What do you guys do at this event? Walk us through that, please.

17:10 - 17:38
Speaker 3: Yeah. So this is where many of your executives from all over the country, trucking companies, carriers, you know, folks like yourself who have trucking clicks. Right? They all come down and they talk trucking on Capitol Hill. Sometimes, you know, meeting with their legislators and educating them and and their office staff of what is so important about trucking, what topics they would like to see or support and kind of have that opportunity.

17:39 - 17:57
Speaker 3: I like to say that they're telling trucking story. Right? So you have carriers coming in and just telling and telling about legislators that day who they who represent them what's going on in the industry. Right? So Call in Washington is an annual event.

17:57 - 18:27
Speaker 3: This year, it's it go always goes in hand with our fall business meetings, which is another kind of a legislative event. More is like, you know, talking to last year, we had the person who overseen emissions for the EPA. So we're having those conversations of what can carriers expect and what's gonna impact their fleets on for fall business meeting and the call in Washington the next day is, hey. This is what we're hearing, and this is what why we feel so passionate. So, yeah, it's a really great event.

18:27 - 18:28
Speaker 3: You know,

18:28 - 19:03
Speaker 2: we have great representation all over, you know, Midwest, the South, I know, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Canada, even, Seattle, Washington, the Northeast. So we always like to get a big group of people. And the other thing is for folks, if you're from Canada and you're listening, we also do a Canadian embassy meeting so we could talk cross border operations. So everyone's included in getting the talk trucking wherever they may be from. So it's really nice being able to facilitate that and make, make people feel so excited to talk trucking.

19:03 - 19:25
Speaker 2: Right? And I appreciate you including our Canadian audience. I actually talked to a Canadian owned fleet this past week. And so there are some very unique needs there. And so I love that that's part of your annual event and just that collaboration there because we are going back and forth across the border.

19:26 - 19:41
Speaker 2: And I really appreciate that. So as we're looking at specific policies, what's flying under the radar, but it could have big impact on fleet operations?

19:42 - 20:17
Speaker 3: Yeah. So there's a lot of I would say right now, it's actually starting to come to a head on Capitol Hill, but cargo theft and freight fraud. And so I would think one topic right now that really just it's a natural like, it's like a phenomenon of how is this happening and how are folks finding ways to take freight and hiding it and, you know, using it for their own personal business almost. Right? Like, how does that make sense?

20:17 - 20:51
Speaker 3: So, you know, I think cargo theft, you know, started more so after the height of COVID spiking. We actually had a few members come in about a month ago and talk cargo theft and freight fraud. And, you know, that's one that now is finally to get ironically enough, we came and had these meetings to talk about, our priorities, freight fraud. And all of a sudden, you're hearing that there's a senate hearing that day while we're talking about cargo theft and fraud. So it's like it's it feels like it was under the radar for the longest time, and no one wanted to talk about it.

20:52 - 21:28
Speaker 3: You know, if you had a handful of carriers and you said, who is dealing with cargo theft and fraud? No one wants to raise their hand in the room, but everyone's dealing with it. Right? You know, when we had these conversations on Capitol Hill, we were asking I believe the bill from the last congress was called safeguarding our supply chain act, which would allow the Homeland Security and the FBI to have a task force to actually do something about it because cargo theft and fraud, a lot of the time, is on local and state law enforcement to say if that freight was in Florida and now that freight could be in Georgia. So who takes care of that stolen freight?

21:28 - 22:03
Speaker 3: Who's gonna be in charge of that? So the FBI, you know, we're asking for more more local or more federal, I was just say that, more federal involvement because there's not enough people to help figure this out, and it can be another liability issue. It's we have carriers who actually have created their own fraud department within their organization to combat it themselves, and we just want the answers. You know? But that's one of the things that we're trying to really hone down and figure out, but that's one I think such a big impact on operations.

22:03 - 22:21
Speaker 3: No one wants stolen goods or a stolen load. How do you get those back? Right? So that's one of the things that we're really thinking and looking at. And I think it's finally gotten to the point where congress is finally acknowledging it, And, it's been happening with the past couple of years.

22:22 - 22:59
Speaker 2: Well, and I think the cargo theft and fraud is a nice connection point to the human side of policy. So you mentioned that the the freight that your in laws hauled back in the day was refrigerated freight. And I recently I actually saw you at a safety summit, and that was also with the refrigerated carrier. And if I'm remembering correctly, and I need to fact check this, but is the number one freight that's stolen or near the top, is it refrigerated?

23:00 - 23:16
Speaker 3: Food and beverage. Yes. Like, that's one of the that's one of the top items that will be taken, stolen. Think of electronics as well, anything that you can really think of. But I know that's one of the top three items that will be taken pretty quickly.

23:16 - 23:40
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23:41 - 23:47
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23:47 - 24:14
Speaker 2: And so when you think about when we think about the human impact, we've got the driver, we've got the fleet, We've got the end user. We've got the the company that provided the goods and services. But then it's also a picture of what's going on in our culture. What's fueling that since COVID? You know, the changes in the economy, things like that.

24:14 - 24:29
Speaker 2: And so when we think about the human side of trucking, is there a moment or a story from your work that reminds you why this kind of advocacy really matters? You know, something that sticks with you.

24:29 - 25:20
Speaker 3: Yeah. You know, so for those who may not be members of TCA, we actually do an award called the professional drivers of the year, where we honor five drivers for their outstanding achievements within the industry as a truck driver, as a professional truck driver. And we always have them come to Collin Washington to tell their story about what they do. And I have yet to have a professional truck driver in my group for Collin Washington, and I wanna make it happen this year. But I think the one thing that I remember, especially last year, is we had a a few drivers just come up to nice to me directly and say, thank you so much for this opportunity because I feel like I am able to make a connection and feel that I'm being heard of what I am doing.

25:20 - 25:57
Speaker 3: And they just felt so proud of themselves to see that they're being seen, and congress is like, I understand you. And, you know, we could we were talking about truck parking. I know that was one of the issues that our carrier well, our professional drivers really wanted to talk about, and they just it just felt so good for that thank you even for the opportunity. And, you know, they always we saw them a few of them earlier this summer for TCA safety meeting, and they said, we have we're we're planning on coming back. We wanna come back, and we'll pay for it our we'll pay for it ourselves if we just wanna come back.

25:57 - 26:11
Speaker 3: And, Ginger, me and you have a really great friend, Tracy Rushing with Ari Garrison. Right? And with the safety summit. You know. So she actually had a driver, Rose Rojo, who was a professional driver of the year a couple of years ago.

26:11 - 26:52
Speaker 3: I think it was two call in Washington's ago. And, you know, Tracy says it herself, and she'll still talk about She's like, I, as a carrier who represents Rose, I am so proud that she was able to, you know, tell her story, make trucking known, what it's like to be a driver, the long hours, make sure that the supply chain keeps running. And as the carrier, you're just feeling proud. And, you know, I think also on top of that with these experiences, it's as a carrier member, being able to have your driver advocate for themselves also probably just feels so good. It's reflective of your business and, you know, knowing that you're doing good.

26:52 - 27:28
Speaker 3: Right? So it's not like a specific time, but just having those drivers come back to TCA and say, hey. This impacted me and having carriers like Ari Garrison say, hey, we love this program and we love this meeting because of the experiences that they get on Capitol Hill. And we had one one meeting that Rose actually attended was with a congressman Mike Mike Collins. And he actually owns a carrier and is a trucking company as well.

27:28 - 27:42
Speaker 3: So and hearing his support for a driver, you know, he says that he's a trucker himself and he advocates for the industry. And, you know, you see that and the driver sees that and makes you it it all just comes to full circle. Right?

27:42 - 28:42
Speaker 2: I love that. And how the driver of the year award recognizes top tier professional drivers, but not only recognizes them, but amplifies their voice, gives them opportunity to tell their story. And just that authentic one on one conversations about what the best of the best drivers are seeing out there, that's incredibly impactful for those making the decisions on Capitol Hill. But what I also hear is the reciprocal impact back to the drivers that they're feeling seen, heard, understood, and valued. And at the end of the day, no matter what our jobs are in the world, could we say that everyone wants to be seen, heard, and valued for not only the work they do, but for who they are.

28:42 - 29:30
Speaker 2: And this driver of the year award and this opportunity for the drivers to go and do what Rose did and and for fleets to see that full circle, like, there's nothing like amplifying their voice and seeing them recognized for what they're doing. And and for me, it shows the incredible work that our fleets are doing in the nation as well as the incredible work that our drivers and just the support people in the industry. This is an incredible industry filled with people who care and who are making a difference. So when we think about the human element, what's the most surprising reaction that you've gotten from a member of congress or a policymaker when you've been talking about trucking issues?

29:30 - 29:46
Speaker 3: Yeah. You know, this is, like, kind of like a funny story. But my first call in Washington, I had the Tennessee group. Right? And we actually had a member meeting, an in person meeting with congressman Steve Cohen out of Memphis.

29:46 - 30:11
Speaker 3: Right? And we talked to truck parking, we talked talked about hair follicle testing, and he just stops at hair follicle testing and he just comes. So there was a guy from the Mets who was on LSD and and did a no hitter, like or pitched a no hitter. Something so random, not trucking related at all whatsoever. Right?

30:12 - 30:26
Speaker 3: He's been on house TNI for, at the time, like seventeen, fifteen years. Right? And I'm just looking at this guy. I am so new to the industry. I am three months in and I'm just well.

30:28 - 31:11
Speaker 3: And, you know, I we brought it back to truck parking, and he's like, well, what do you want? You know, more so talked about this picture from years ago on this on drugs. I kid you not, the next week, he is a co sponsor for truck parking with, you know, our carrier members in the room. And we talked trucking issues, of course, but I think maybe it was the connection that he had when we talked about that human side. It it was just a surprising way to see the support he had for the industry in not even talking it it was just such a bizarre circumstance.

31:11 - 31:39
Speaker 3: But he, ever since, he's been cosponsoring for this bill for both, you know, the hundred eighteenth congress and the hundred nineteenth congress. So if he's coming back and supporting that bill, he's supporting truck parking. And I had that meeting with his staff, and I tell him the story. I was like, we couldn't even we talked to trucking, but he wanted to talk about this. But at the end of the day, he still supported us, and he understands, and he's hearing it.

31:39 - 32:01
Speaker 3: So, yeah. That was, like, such a surprising time. It was so bizarre, but it was so awesome. So, you know, his his chief of staff, she was like, I have to tell my boss this. He's gonna find this hysterical, and he's always been a ally for the trucking industry.

32:01 - 32:04
Speaker 3: So it's always nice having him in our corner as well.

32:05 - 32:49
Speaker 2: Well, and and that kinda connects back to what we were just talking about with the driver of the year award and the drivers feeling seen and heard and recognized and valued. These conversations that you're having with the congressman on Capitol Hill, they're hearing all kinds of things about many different things in one window of time. And that was in what was in the front of his brain in the moment that you happened to be face to face with him. But the reality is you demonstrated the same thing. You saw, you listened, you empathized, you heard.

32:50 - 33:07
Speaker 2: And also in that moment, he also heard what you were talking about and then became an advocate. And there is just I love technology. I love AI tools. They're valuable. They help us do our work better and faster in many ways.

33:08 - 33:55
Speaker 2: But at the end of the day, it is these human connections that are our superpower. And that's what I hear in the driver of the year award and I hear in just this call on congress and that what was an absurd conversation, but yet you you walked away with an, unexpectedly with an ally and someone that you know, Human to human connection, people who really care making a difference for our drivers, for our communities, improving, safety and improving the driver experience. So I love that. So as we wrap up here, we're gonna make a pivot. This is human connection, but there's a little fun with this human connection.

33:55 - 34:24
Speaker 2: So I work long hours and, you know, most of the people that I know work long hours and and so we have a a special go to beverage or maybe caffeine or something like that. So what is your I would think and empathize that you might too have a favorite coffee beverage. So Mhmm. What's your go to coffee order before a long day of Capitol Hill meetings, Haley? Yeah.

34:25 - 34:50
Speaker 3: You know, I feel like it's, like, a long day in general. So I'm a mom of two. I have a five year old and a two year old, but the go to for work or just recuperate like recuperating as a mom, I am a big lover of, like, the shaken espressos at Starbucks. I like tasting the coffee from time to time, but also getting the little sweet with sweetness, and I add a little oat milk. And that's kind of where I go.

34:50 - 35:15
Speaker 3: Now sometimes I'll, like, kind of pivot and just get, like, something so sweet and doesn't taste like coffee, and you're like, what are you doing? But also that sugar rush or the this is kind of like the pick me up. This is my way of treating myself before work or during work, and it's been fun. And then, you know, there's actually a Dunkin' Donuts under in the underground tunnels on the house side in Capitol Hill. So sometimes it's like, alright.

35:15 - 35:22
Speaker 3: What are we getting now? And so it's good good pickup. I will say that. Quickly iced coffee or something.

35:23 - 35:37
Speaker 2: And I love that you I love that you connected. You're like, hey. Not only do I make these calls on Capitol Hill, but, like, also, I'm a mom of these young children. And what prompted my coffee conversation is my daughter's an RN. She's health care like her dad.

35:37 - 35:59
Speaker 2: And one of my favorite cups that she has I think my daughter-in-law has a version of this coffee cup as well. It's like the coffee is required to just today's objective is to keep the tiny humans alive. Yes. And there's just days like that. And and then on on other days, it's like keeping the mamas and the daddies alive.

35:59 - 36:00
Speaker 2: Yes.

36:00 - 36:02
Speaker 3: Yes. It is so

36:02 - 36:07
Speaker 2: much of caffeine and sugar. Yes. A little comfort from the sugar and cream. I love it.

36:07 - 36:08
Speaker 3: Exactly.

36:10 - 36:31
Speaker 2: If trucking mascots are fun. Mascots are memorable. And so if trucking had a mascot in Washington, what would it be? Would it maybe be a bulldog, a bald eagle, or maybe a Mack truck with a briefcase? What do you think?

36:32 - 37:00
Speaker 3: So my first thought is that I'm originally from the Philadelphia area, and we have the most bizarre looking mascots. If you ever seen them or if you don't know what they look like, you look up the like the Philly fanatic or Gritty from the flyers. And I would love to say that trucking is that. Just but I go back to what does trucking represent. And I would say something strong like a Clydesdale, like a large horse of sorts.

37:00 - 37:14
Speaker 3: Right? And you have the history behind horses and transportation. You know? At one point, they were the only way for goods to be brought over, and, you know, we're just a force to be reckoned with. We are always needed just like how the horse is always needed.

37:14 - 37:25
Speaker 3: Right? So I think trucking can go back to this being a big old Clydesdale, a big horse. You know? That's how I think. But I also am just thinking, oh my gosh.

37:25 - 37:30
Speaker 3: I want something funny like whatever the Philadelphia sports teams have at the same time. So

37:32 - 37:48
Speaker 2: Oh, I love that. And it needs to be animated, and it needs to be fun. And I am passionate about all things transportation. I got a love for cars from my dad. And, and I have two Tennessee walking horses.

37:48 - 38:06
Speaker 2: I love to drive the tractor on the ranch. And so I am voting with you on the horse mascot. That that's way better than the three that I offered to the table. I'm like, yes. So, and just their their storied past in trucking as well.

38:06 - 38:19
Speaker 2: So they're they're my plan. If everything goes crazy, I still have transportation. So but hopefully not. And trucking, everything keeps still coming on a truck. Haley, I wanna thank you for your time today.

38:19 - 38:41
Speaker 2: I'm so happy that you went on that family vacation. You got that notebook full of great information from family trucking professionals that then propelled you to be a voice on Capitol Hill. Thank you for the work that you're doing. Thank you for the work that your team does. And, we appreciate you so much.

38:41 - 38:50
Speaker 2: And I look forward to seeing you and the team and the other influencers in our industry at Call on Washington.

38:50 - 39:22
Speaker 3: Thank you for having me, Ginger. Like, I when, you know, you asked me to do this, I was very act like, first, I was very nervous, very and then I was like but the excitement was still there. So I just wanna thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for letting me talk about trucking and, you know, where my background came from all all all the way from the beginning. But, you know, I just we talked about so much about we're being able to tell a trucking story and, you know, calling Washington.

39:22 - 39:34
Speaker 3: Yeah. That thank you for just letting us, you know, talk about it and see where things go. You know? Hopefully, we get some more people registered. So if you're hearing, please

39:35 - 39:45
Speaker 2: make arrangements. That's exactly where I was going. Where can people connect with you, Hailey, and where can they participate in the work that you guys are doing?

39:46 - 39:59
Speaker 3: Yeah. So you can call me. I can give you my phone number or you can email me at hbetham@truckload.org. I can even find our membership manager. Her name is Erica.

40:00 - 40:23
Speaker 3: Gladly support and give you all of the information. She actually is brand new. But in terms of getting involved in TCA, it's always through our membership. Right? And, you know, if you're already a TCA member, just go on our TCA website and sign on up and have a good day on Capitol Hill and, you know, just talk trucking.

40:23 - 40:31
Speaker 2: That's right. With when and make a difference in the lives of others. Well, thank you so much, Haley, and, we appreciate you so much.

40:31 - 40:33
Speaker 3: Thanks, Ginger. Thank you for the opportunity.

40:33 - 40:46
Speaker 1: Thank you for joining us today. Our goal with the Hire Truckers podcast is to provide industry insights, marketing trends, and motivation to level up your recruiting game. If we added value, take a few seconds to share this with your network. Have a great week.