The transportation industry in America

Submitted by Emma Tellier 10/03/2020

The transportation industry in America is an important sector in our economy that deals with the movement of people and products across our great nation. The automotive industry touches many aspects of our national and international economy including companies such as airlines, trucking, and shipping as well as those that provide transportation infrastructure. This type automotive industry has been very important throughout my family history and throughout this essay I will describe the impacts it has had on my family and I. We live in a very upbeat and fast pace world and I truly believe that without the groundbreaking innovations throughout the transportation industry, this wouldn’t have been possible. The United States of America grew into one of the most technologically advanced nations in such a small amount of time.

The transportation industry is being forced to keep up with our ever changing society. When I think of my life today, I think of how much I rely on my car during my everyday life. I take this luxury for granted. Ever since I was young, I was always told by parents and grandparents that they “walked uphill to school both ways, eating dirt along the way”. I always took this as a joke, thinking to myself that they were just overreacting and exaggerating. However I would never even dream of actually walking to school, this is because I am spoiled. I am growing up during a time where it is very common for my peers to have cars so I never really think twice about it.

I take the fact that I have a reliable car for granted every time I put the key in the ignition without even thinking twice. From traveling to school, to running errands to visiting friends and family, however, without an automobile I would be restricted as to how far I could walk. Another huge way the auto industry affects me is by making any type of commerce a click away. It is crazy to think that almost two decades ago “one-day shipping” was not even in the picture and now you can get anything from food, to clothes in a matter of minutes. Society doesn't realize how much we rely on this “necessity” in our everyday lives.

We can thank those who drive the trucks that get us our packages in a split second. As we sit at home and press the order button on our screen, there is an entire work force and fleet of trucks that goes into delivering our belongings as fast as possible. To think about the amount of people and vehicles needed to distribute goods and services is amazing. Think about how many delivery trucks you see everyday, now imagine that on a national level. On another important level, think about how the United States Postal service uses the transportation services to deliver mail on an international, and national level.

The postal service allows me to keep in touch with those on a more intimate level than what our modern technology can provide. A Christmas Card always means more when it is hand delivered in person. On an even larger scale, tractor trailers are the lifeblood of our economy nationwide and play an enormous role in the shipping industry. It seems like everything can be sent anywhere in the U.S. by big rigs. Tractor trailers have always had a special place in my heart. My grandfather was a diesel mechanic for over 50 years. He served as a mechanic during the Vietnam War as well. Ever since the age of 15 he has been working on cars, boats, trucks etc.

If it has a motor, he can fix it. Throughout his career he has kept numerous trucks on the road. He has quite literally kept the motors running on a small part of the auto industry. Besides the relationship between my grandfather has had with the transportation industry on a small scale and through the military, it has also had a major impact on my brother and I. My brother and I have been lucky enough to experience many places and cultures through travel. Ever since the age of 6 weeks old, I have been traveling the world. My first world travel experience was to Portugal but that wouldn’t have been possible without the use of air travel. Although it was the airplane that got us there, the automotive industry played a

large part. The fuel truck, the baggage cars and the taxis that brought us to the airport made travel overseas possible for my family. Once overseas I have been able to visit my family and further explore my family history and culture with the use of an automobile. Aside from Portugal, I have had the opportunity to see Spain, Mexico, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, plus many more. Without the availability of an automobile I would have never been able to experience new and exciting cultures. Besides the aforementioned aspects of the auto industry, there is also the economical impact the auto industry brings to the middle class of America.

Car dealerships utilize a wide range of employment opportunities for a vast number of people. The dealership owners, sales managers and sales representatives start the process of auto ownership. They begin what is considered by most to be an agonizing process that buyers never seem to win. Although I have never had to take part in the car buying process, I have witnessed the agony involved and I’m not looking forward to taking part in it myself. Within the auto dealership are mechanics and service personnel. Another important part of the auto industry. As I mentioned earlier I know first hand the importance of mechanics on all levels of the auto industry.

In my opinion, they are as important as the manufacturers who produce the cars. Even the most well built cars will eventually break down and need repair. People across the world use these cars as a status symbol as well so these workers are of the utmost importance in our society. These mechanics keep the industry running smoothly Finally, the automobile manufacturing part of the auto industry brings one of the largest aspects of the industry to the table . Another way that the auto industry affects the economy would be the creation of tax revenue. This may be the most unpopular aspect in the industry.

Taxes are no one's favorite. From sales tax to property tax to sales tax to gasoline tax the amount of revenue created through the automobile industry keeps America running. Auto manufacturing has been pivotal in developing technology and manufacturing techniques that have shaped many aspects of the industrial revolution. How could Henry Ford have known that when he developed the assembly line to make building his cars easier and faster he would be molding a new way to produce almost anything more efficiently. He basically blazed the path for every other manufacturer in a wide variety of industries to produce goods effectively, making them more profitable. That being said, one could presume the auto industry led the way for all other manufacturing companies. It is hard to imagine where American industry would be today without the hard work and dedication that Henry Ford gave to the auto industry.

Submitted by Emma Tellier 10/03/2020