Yellow Corporation’s closure having a ripple effect in trucking industry
KANSAS CITY, Miss. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - The news of major freight and shipping company Yellow Corporation's closure is having a ripple effect on the trucking industry.
"This is not a job, this is a lifestyle," said Anthony Badalamenti, a truck driver.
A lifestyle that's been much harder for truck drivers, like Badalamenti, lately.
"Look up the companies that are going out of business, you're going to be shocked," Badalamenti spoke.
Yellow Corporation is the latest example.
Picking up the slack
With Yellow gone that leaves the rest of the industry to pick up the slack, which could be good or bad news, depending on how these drivers see it. Badalamenti hopes his company helps pick up what Yellow dropped, but it might mean more miles for him.
"We're realizing this is the new normal," Badalamenti remarked.
In the last few years, he's only seen his mileage cut.
Jennifer Lenchworth shared her opinion on the situation saying, "It's been around forever, so I just remember seeing trucks all over the place and...yeah, surprised."
It's made her second guess offers to sign on with a company. Lenchworth's particularly glad she didn't take another driver's advice to sign with Yellow saying, "I actually happened across [the driver] at a truck stop. I was glad I didn't apply."
Drivers aren't going anywhere
Despite a somewhat deflated disposition, the drivers said aren't going anywhere except to the next load.
"I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing as long as there's work for me," Lenchworth remarked.
Yellow's closure is worrying, but someone has to keep on trucking.
"With this job, I freaking love it," Badalamenti expressed.
Yellow worked with major customers like Walmart and Home Depot. Industry experts believe other trucking companies can pick up Yellow's business, with minimal impact on the supply chain.
