The Department of Transportation has a nine-point plan to improve truckers’ lives – and two hours-of-service reforms are a key part of it. Also, an ad campaign for a bread company eventually led to trucking’s best-known song – “Convoy” by C.W. McCall. We’ll tell you how it happened. And Land Line Now’s Mark Reddig, Scott Thompson and Ashley Blackford gather in studio A to discuss some high points from the program’s two decades on the air. 0:00 – Hours-of-service reforms are on the table – what’s...
Jul 04, 2025•49 min
DataQ is designed to correct mistakes in safety reporting – but truckers see a need for reform. Also, a small group of soldiers drove some specially modified vehicles during the Vietnam War. Then, a trucker driving to a delivery suddenly found himself on truck-restricted routes – and it cost him big. And the spot market has seen a big jump in reefer freight during week 25. 0:00 – DataQ reforms could make a big difference for truckers 09:55 – Gun Trucks and their drivers play key role in Vietnam ...
Jul 03, 2025•49 min
OOIDA has long called for hours-of-service flexibility. The DOT has a plan for two pilot programs to test changes to the hours-of-service regulations. But will they do the job? Also, those programs are part of a DOT plan to improve truckers’ lives. We’ll get into the details. Then, in 2011, we discovered electronic highway signs warning of “zombies ahead.” We’ll explain what really happened. And in 2010, the maker of the steel used in the World Trade Center brought back some of it for a memorial...
Jul 02, 2025•49 min
The Texas Supreme Court just tossed out a $100 million nuclear verdict against Werner. Also, perhaps the most famous role soldier-truckers ever played was the “Red Ball Express.” Then, the “Code Talkers Flag,” which honors Navajos who used their language to help the U.S. in World War II, was lost until a trucker found it. And in 13 states this year, fuel taxes will change, and most will go up. 0:00 – Nuclear verdict tossed out by Texas Supreme Court 09:55 – Truckers of the Red Ball Express playe...
Jul 01, 2025•49 min
CVSA wants the federal government to require electronic trackers on all trucks and has made it their top priority for the new highway bill. Also, two truckers who witnessed the fall of Saigon first-hand tell the story of that day – and the outsized role one tiny Navy vessel played. And FMCSA’s announcement Friday was like an OOIDA wish list, hitting issues like truck parking, split sleeper berth, speed limiters and more. 0:00 – CVSA wants trackers on all trucks 10:12 – A look back: The fall of S...
Jun 30, 2025•50 min
The DOT will act on several OOIDA priorities, including speed limiters, hours of service, truck parking and more. Also, we’ll bring you a 2008 story about motorcyclists who travel every year to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Then, a good place to eat is a must for truckers – and a Louisiana restaurant fits the bill. It was the first entry in our “Semi Supper Club.” And Andy McCulloch of Michelin explains special considerations needed for tires on electric-powered trucks. 0:00 – DOT to make OOIDA...
Jun 27, 2025•50 min
A bill would free overtime pay from taxes. However, truckers – who don’t get overtime – are not included. Another bill would change that. Also, a man survived one of the worst shipwrecks on the Great Lakes – and a trucker told his tale. We’ll tell you about the S.S. Daniel J. Morrell. And late in 2024, two Iowa DOT workers stepped up to help a trucker in a bad situation. If they had not, the trucker might not have made it. 0:00 – Effort would give truckers overtime pay – and qualify them for mor...
Jun 26, 2025•50 min
Nearly six decades ago, a trucker set world records by ballooning into the stratosphere. Also, Truckstop.com says that market pressure, rates, load availability and truck availability are all down. Then, low bridges can cause problems for truckers. But a pair of bridges in Iowa have developed a special reputation. And when a truck driver found himself in a jam, a local deputy and a group of inmates in Kentucky came to his aid. 0:00 – Rates are down in Week 24 of 2025 10:12 – Trucker sets world r...
Jun 25, 2025•50 min
We continue our countdown to our final episode with more of our best work from the past 20 years. First, we’ll bring you an encore of our 2009 story about a Minnesota effort to establish a fatigue test, which ended with a federal court decision. Also, in 2010, a young woman ran across the entire United States to raise awareness for the St. Christopher Fund. And show trucks are a longtime part of trucking, but few live up to Bob and Shelly Brinker’s rig, “The Curse of the Black Pearl.” 0:00 – New...
Jun 24, 2025•50 min
Just weeks after resolutions passed striking down California’s emission standards, the U.S. Supreme Court added its voice to the debate. Also, as part of our countdown to our final episode, we’ll bring you a 2005 debate over broker issues between OOIDA’s Jim Johnston and TIA’s Bob Voltman. And the reconciliation bill – or the one big, beautiful bill – has run into some problems. We’ll go over the holdups. 0:00 – Court gives fuel producers a win in California 10:12 – A look back: The Johnston-Vol...
Jun 23, 2025•50 min
An Oregon man who’s concerned about the potential ill effects of LED headlights is on a crusade to get them out of our vehicles. Also, from truckers stuck on a rural road to a man and his dog, we’ll tell you who in recent news has been good and who’s been bad with some Roses and Razzberries. Then, many in trucking have been searching for an alternative to diesel, and now Volvo Trucks North America thinks it may have a solution. 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – Roses and Razzberries 24:48 – Volvo may have...
Jun 20, 2025•50 min
What’s required to get started with enforcement of English proficiency in trucking, and when will it happen? We’ll get deep into the details. Also, what are all the current emergency declarations? What kind of regulatory relief do they offer? And to which truckers do they apply? Finally, two states are taking action regarding slow traffic in the left lane of interstate highways and other multilane highways. 0:00 – Fixing the chaos in emergency declarations 10:12 – How will FMCSA enforce English ...
Jun 19, 2025•50 min
FMCSA will renew an exemption for oversize and overweight loads, in part because those rigs realistically have no place to park. Also, many truckers have tried CBD, but a doctor says it could cause truckers to fail a drug test. Then, court case delays, appearing in court and case dismissals – all three are things you need to know about if you’re going to court. And the spot market is moving along according to seasonal expectations. Brent Hutto of Truckstop joins the show to break down all the nu...
Jun 18, 2025•50 min
NHTSA is planning for autonomous vehicles and working to ease the transition, even for those that don’t currently meet safety standards. Also, scams are nothing new, but the internet makes it easier to take advantage of others. We’ll go over some common tax-related scams. 0:00 – NHTSA greasing the skids for autonomous vehicles 10:12 – Some of the most common tax-related scams
Jun 17, 2025•50 min
Emergency declarations are causing problems, but some in Congress want FMCSA to clean up the situation. Also, insurance questions can pop up when you lease on to a motor carrier. Then, truckers and enforcement have had an ongoing disagreement about the use of personal conveyance. And now enforcement wants changes. And Congress has stepped in to put a stop to some of CARB’s emission regulations. 0:00 – Lawmakers to FMCSA: Fix emergency declarations 10:12 – Insurance considerations when you lease ...
Jun 16, 2025•50 min
Plenty of truck drivers have had the itch to do something to spruce up their rig, but understandably don’t want to break the bank doing it. Bryan Martin of Chrome Shop Mafia has more than a few ideas. Then, we hear about a product that seeks to make the “trucker tan” a thing of the past. And finally, cybersecurity advice to keep the crooks at bay. 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – Customize your truck without breaking the bank 24:48 – “Trucker tan” product 39:16 – Password protection advice...
Jun 13, 2025•50 min
President Trump just put a final nail in California’s emission standards coffin. We break down what that could mean for the future of electric vehicle mandates. Plus, how is the administration’s rollback of regulations going? We break out the grade sheet. Then, a look at crash preventability and its effect on truckers’ safety scores. And finally, an infamous truck-eating bridge in Kansas City, Mo., gets a makeover. 0:00 – Final nail in California’s emission standards coffin 10:12 – Regulatory ro...
Jun 12, 2025•50 min
One of the most common and easily recognized images in trucking and other freight-moving industries is the shipping container. But how did it come to be? For many years, one name has come up – that of Malcolm McLean, credited in numerous places as the inventor. However, the real story, as is so often the case, is a little more complex. We explore McLean’s story and his role in history. 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – Trucker’s ingenuity brings us the shipping containers we have today...
Jun 11, 2025•50 min
Freight activity tends to slow down a bit as the months get warmer, so what’s behind the recent increase in freight entering the market? Plus, you’ve heard the complaint from members of the public or an elected official – that truckers don’t pay their “fair share” of the cost of our highways. But what do the cold, hard numbers tell us? Then, breaking down the merits of a traffic ticket service. And finally, how a love of driving led a bus driver to a career in trucking. 0:00 – Signs of strength ...
Jun 10, 2025•50 min
A proposal that would have amounted to an extra fee for motor carriers just got thrown on the scrap heap by a U.S. Senate committee. What are the chances it pops back up? Plus, having an interest in lease-purchase agreements is understandable – but the horror stories should be enough to make you think twice. Then, if you want to save money while your truck is parked, don’t pause your insurance – but do try this. And finally, some cybersecurity advice for truckers on the road and at home. 0:00 – ...
Jun 09, 2025•50 min
Troopers in Louisiana say they just busted up another staged crash scheme targeting truckers – and Congress has a plan to stop future criminals from trying something similar. Then, on the 20th anniversary of Land Line Now’s very first episode, we take a deep dive on another debut – “Convoy” by C.W. McCall, which hit the airwaves on June 6, 1975, and spurred a decade-long trucker craze. And the latest data on the freight market foretells more rough days ahead. 0:00 – Another staged crash scheme? ...
Jun 06, 2025•50 min
Some of America’s bridges are in need of help, and the Federal Highway Administration is stepping up with some money to set things right. Also, Canadian and OOIDA board member Johanne Couture chats about life on the road and what it's like trucking from up North to the Lower 48. And what kind of person drives an older, long-nosed conventional truck? OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis wonders what truckers think when they see them on the road. 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – Feds send big money to help ...
Jun 05, 2025•50 min
A Nevada trucking group is threatening a $500 delivery surcharge in Clark County if officials do not address truck parking. Also, time spent sitting can lead to many health problems, including “dead butt syndrome.” Then, a bridge called the Can Opener in the town of Delaware, Ohio, has been named a historic site. And market demand, loads and truck availability were all down last week, but compared to last year, things are looking good. 0:00 – Truck parking problem may lead to delivery surcharge ...
Jun 04, 2025•50 min
The biennial update is something every trucker on his or her own authority has to do – but it’s not that hard, and you can do it yourself. Also, the easy way isn’t always the best way. That’s why leased-on truckers should have their own insurance coverage. And Washington state’s governor has OK’d a $15.5-billion, two-year transportation budget – one that includes new and increased taxes and fees. 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – Biennial update is an easy do-it-yourself item for truckers 24:48 – Why it’s...
Jun 03, 2025•50 min
Instead of pointing to new technology or regulations, an NTSB report linked a recent collision to the need for more truck parking. Also, OOIDA board member Ken Becker recently met with the Texas Freight Advisory Committee to discuss important issues such as truck parking. And from tornados to heavy trucks, June's Land Line Magazine explores some of the biggest dangers you need to be aware of out on the road. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – Truck parking on the agenda at Texas freight panel 24:32 – Big t...
Jun 02, 2025•50 min
One court struck down the Trump tariff plan – and another put it back in place. We’ll offer some analysis about the effect on trucking. Also, truckers love coffee. But for one woman from Puerto Rico, an interest in coffee led her to begin her path into the trucking industry. And OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis says we used to share the road, but now we fight on the road. He’ll offer his thoughts on the state of road rage and more. 0:00 – Tariff back-and-forth – how will it affect trucking? 1...
May 30, 2025•50 min
FMCSA’s effort to cut a number of regulations is targeting rules that could be eliminated with little to no impact on highway safety. Also, the annual American Truck Historical Society National Convention and Antique Truck Show kicks off next week in Wisconsin’s state capital. And several states are working on bills that would affect the move toward autonomous trucks, while Oregon debates two versions of road funding. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – Regulatory rollback targets rules that don’t affect sa...
May 29, 2025•50 min
The Trump administration promised to strip transportation regulations if it doesn’t hurt safety – and that effort appears to have begun. Also, SuperRigs kicks off Thursday, May 29 in Atlanta. Then, many people don’t know what cabotage is, but it’s an important issue that can affect the rates you get. And fewer loads and more trucks are being seen on the spot market for week 20. 0:00 – Effort to cut regulations is underway, in a big way 10:05 – SuperRigs is this weekend – here’s what you can expe...
May 28, 2025•50 min
From the company driver per diem to overtime pay for truckers and more, OOIDA has some real concerns about the contents of the budget reconciliation bill. Also, because of all the ways it’s tracked, your history in previous jobs could give you some real problems when you’re searching for a new one. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – The ghost of jobs past could haunt your future 39:32 – Provisions in reconciliation bill could hit truckers
May 27, 2025•50 min
One of the biggest things that can mess up your truck is hitting a large animal. Now, the Oregon DOT thinks it has a solution. 0:00 – Newscast 10:05 – Helping Bambi avoid hitting your truck
May 26, 2025•50 min
