Optimism is on the horizon; some trucking industry leaders believe 2010 will be a year of long overdue recovery. In fact, Kevin Knight, Chief Executive of Knight Transportation Inc., described the freight market as “in the early stages of a turnaround,” reports Reuters. Can I get a “Woot!”?

But seriously, things are looking up. No doubt the trucking industry still faces challenges in twenty-ten. Even though Reuters said three of the biggest carriers in the U.S. ¾ J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., Werner Enterprises, and Knight ¾ all posted lower profits for the final quarter of 2009, that can’t dampen the brighter outlook. To wit: the American Trucking Associations reports that tonnage levels increased the last two months of 2009, and is at its highest level since February 2008.

Our eyes will be peeled for the next ATA monthly truck tonnage report, but in the meantime, tell us what the sentiment is like out there on the road! How do you feel about the economy and the prospects of a turnaround?