The Truckload Carriers Association plans to introduce an "Open Deck" division, a subgroup that would facilitate discussions between member carriers who operate open haul equipment and their peers
. The group would provide a way for these members to share ideas, discuss problems and seek solutions within their specialized area of operations.

The division came out of a recommendation by a task force that was developed by TCA Chairman Kevin Burch to examine the feasibility of establishing such a group. The task force, which is led by Gary Salisbury, president of Fikes Truck Line, is working on developing the division's bylaws and scheduling an official launch date.

"We'll make it official at TCA's next annual convention scheduled for February 28-March 3, 2010, in Las Vegas," said Salisbury. "The division will host a reception to introduce ourselves to other carriers, and we'll also hold a working session to begin planning for our first annual meeting, which will take place in October or November of 2010."

While TCA considered many other names for the division, including the "Flatbed Division," "Flat Trailer Division," and "Specialized Flatbed Division," the task force settled on "Open Deck" because the word "Flatbed" did not encompass carriers who operate other types of open haul equipment, such as step decks, removable goose necks, or wind energy trailers.

"The carriers participating in this division will operate many types of equipment in addition to flatbeds," said Aaron Tennant, vice president of sales for Tennant Truck Lines, and a member of the task force. "But we all face similar challenges, such as load securement issues and worker's comp as it relates to pulling specialized cargo."

The division will maintain the same dues structure as TCA's Refrigerated Division, which is based on a carrier's truckload revenue. It will be TCA's fourth division, in addition to the Refrigerated, Independent Contractor, and Safety & Security divisions.