LLN (5/12/21) – Many truckers have asked “can I use personal conveyance to drive home?” That’s one of many misconceptions in trucking right now. We’ll separate fact from fiction. Also, last week’s Roadcheck event sent rates soaring to record levels. And the highway bill is one of those things that doesn’t sound all that exciting, but at the same time, may have more effect on you than anything that happens this year. And right now, Congress is debating issues like truck parking and under-21 inter...
May 12, 2021•51 min
LLN (5/11/21) – Waiting at the dock to unload your truck can be one of the most frustrating parts of the job – but there are limits to anyone’s patience. An OOIDA senior member discusses being forced to wait 11 days at a distribution center. Also, the cost of going to court in Illinois could discourage trucker from seeking justice, while a major truck stop offers a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Iowa. Oklahoma is the latest state to target highway protests, while several other states pursue changes ...
May 12, 2021•51 min
LLN (5/10/21) – The Department of Labor has dropped its effort to better define who is an employee vs. who is an independent contractor. However, one bill – the PRO Act – that would go much, much further on the issue remains active in Congress. And it would not be good news for many owner-operators. Also, blood pressure is an important indicator of your health – good or bad. But for truckers, it’s something more. The right numbers can get you a solid two-year medical card, while the wrong number...
May 11, 2021•51 min
LLN (5/7/21) – Unified Carrier Registration has become something of a mystery to people who follow federal trucking policy. The reason for the tax no longer exists, and it seems to function as just another way to get money out of truckers. But an alternative is available. Also, from a truck stop working to ensure truckers can get a COVID vaccination to a court that seems to lack a basic understanding of how trucking works, we’ll tell you who in recent news has been good and who’s been bad with s...
May 08, 2021•51 min
LLN (5/6/21) – Ticket quotas – requiring law enforcement officers to write a certain number of tickets – is something well known to drivers, denied by enforcement agencies, and universally hated by the public. Now, seven states are taking action to end them. Also, the U.S. DOT wants to know if its current regulations do enough to tackle climate change, the FMCSA Medical Review Board prepares to meet, and the Department of Labor drops a worker classification proposal. Do we know enough about the ...
May 07, 2021•51 min
LLN (5/5/21) – The U.S. could be headed for fuel shortages this summer, but not because of a drop in supply. Groups say it’s due to a lack of qualified drivers. We’ll have a roundtable discussion on whether there is a fuel hauler shortfall, and if so, its possible short- and long-term effects and what can be done to reverse the trend. Also, freight and rates are a mixed bag for van and reefer, but flatbed is booming. And several of the largest carriers have pushed for years to increase the allow...
May 06, 2021•51 min
LLN (5/4/21) – For years, decades even, OOIDA and others in trucking have pushed the federal government to require a minimum level of training – including behind-the-wheel time – for truckers just entering the industry. And for years, the federal government has dragged its heels. This year, there’s another chance to finally get it done. Also, getting a traffic ticket is never fun – and even less fun depending on where you get it. And in some places, if you get pulled over, you don’t have many op...
May 05, 2021•51 min
LLN (5/3/21) – The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse continues to generate confusion – and in some cases, trouble – among truckers. So what do you need to know? And how do you separate fact from rumor? We’ll offer some help. Also, the May issue of Land Line Magazine includes a comprehensive look at the issues that are likely going to affect you out on the road for the foreseeable future. And both Greek mythology and a children’s game provided some inspiration for their coverage. Plus, Tuesday marks...
May 04, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/30/21) – Among the many issues truckers are concerned about right now, speed limiters rank high. Those who have pushed to require the devices in all trucks may make another run at it in the upcoming highway bill. But Marty Ellis says other issues are still making some waves as well. Also, all this week we’ve been talking about items covered in the last proposed highway that are likely to end up in this year’s proposed highway bill. However, some concerning issues for truckers were NOT in ...
May 01, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/29/21) – Should FMCSA make truckers take a sleep apnea test? Will the agency actually require brokers to share information with truckers? We’ll explore efforts to make both happen. Also, nonconsensual towing isn’t the most exciting topic. However, it’s an issue where OOIDA has made some progress. We’ll cover those efforts, including developments in Missouri and West Virginia. And every trucker whose ever been stuck for hours at a loading dock knows that detention time is a problem. And fo...
Apr 30, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/28/21) – How do you like it when your truck hits the brakes, even when you didn’t tell it to? Congress is likely to add a requirement for automatic emergency braking systems to the upcoming highway bill – despite the lack of evidence that are effective or improve safety. Also, the container ship that was blocking up the Suez Canal may be free, but it’s still not moving. We’ll find out why the Ever Given is a great example of what’s down the road for carriers, and break down the latest fre...
Apr 29, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/27/21) – A member of the U.S. House of Representatives has signed a letter complaining about difficulties that local commuter railroads have finding and paying for liability insurance. However, at the same time, he’s introduced a bill that would do exactly the same thing to the liability insurance requirements for trucking operations. And owner-operators may pay the price. Land Line Now investigates. Also, all indications are that the highway bill now being assembled in Congress will call...
Apr 28, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/26/21) – The per diem deduction has been in the news a lot the past few years, and often not in a good way. Now, a temporary change may make it that much more valuable – but only in certain cases. Also, a new piece of legislation would greatly increase your minimum insurance requirements, which would greatly affect your bottom line. We’ll explain the snowball effects the change would have on small-business truckers. And in addition to the president’s infrastructure bill, a highway bill wi...
Apr 27, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/23/21) – Marty Ellis has been to his first truck show in The Spirit, and is now guiding OOIDA’s tour truck east. In the meantime, he’s hearing some of truckers’ concerns – including the pandemic exemption to the hours of service and the problems that can result from taking CBD oil. Also, there’s a lot to see out on the road if you just take the time to see it. We’ll take you to two spots recommended by OOIDA members. One involves taking a trip back in time. The other involves shoes made o...
Apr 24, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/22/21) – As the economy and the country start pulling slowly out of the pandemic, enforcement is slowly cranking up – and some of the citations are ridiculous. And we’ll have more about the FMCSA administrator nominee. Also, the FMCSA may delay transmitting your DOT physical information to your state by several years, as well as delaying other parts of the medical examiner regulations. Meanwhile, investigators look into another Tesla crash, and DOT appoints a new “science officer.” And th...
Apr 23, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/21/21) – OOIDA is calling for the Biden administration and Congress to include money to pave more truck parking into the proposed infrastructure bill – and has contacted the secretary of transportation to urge action. Also, it’s not just awards season in Hollywood. The trucking industry is announcing nominees and winners for several awards and honors. We’ll hear from some of the honorees and let you know what common thread connects them all. And shipping containers are stacking up at the ...
Apr 22, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/20/21) – Among the many trucking issues that could crop up in the next highway bill, new technology is among the largest and most controversial. And among them is automatic emergency braking systems. We’ll have an update on that issue. Also, some problems are unique and require good problem-solving skills to overcome. Others seem to repeat themselves over and over – and those are often the most easily solved. CDL Legal sees a lot of those cross their desks. And Idaho is a few short steps ...
Apr 21, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/19/21) – If you’re part of the new truck market – and more specifically brand new trucks – you’ve got a few options. We’ll hear from Tom Berg, contributing editor at Land Line Magazine, to find out about the newest truck models that are rolling out right now. Also, it’s a common insurance decision that many drivers end up facing: Should I go with my own insurance policy? Or do I go with my motor carrier’s coverage? OOIDA’s truck insurance experts say most people go with the latter, but th...
Apr 20, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/16/21) – Depending on where you are, you have a decent chance out on the road of seeing an incredibly beautiful show truck plying their trade – perhaps with some pretty unusual twists in its appearance or design. So, have you ever seen one in pink? Our producer Barry Spillman and I will talk with Bryan Martin of the Chrome Shop Mafia. Also, Jon has made his last stop in the Spirit of the American Trucker, and Marty Ellis takes over this weekend at the Crossroads Truck Meet. I chat with bo...
Apr 17, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/15/21) – President Biden has nominated Meera Joshi to head the FMCSA. We’ll go over what we know about Joshi – and discuss some FMCSA scam warnings and a list of state infrastructure needs. Also, Texas is the site of a battle between those who want more tolls, and those who want to eliminate them; meanwhile, Oklahoma lawmakers consider who should enforce truck size and weight rules. And work continues to distribute COVID-19 vaccines across the country. But when will we see them at truck s...
Apr 16, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/14/21) – Normally, crossing paths with a murder suspect means you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time – but not for one owner-operator in Southern California. We’ll explain why he drove directly into the path of danger – and why he’s now asking for help himself. Also, why you’ll want to think twice before responding to any letters that appear to be from FMCSA. Also, Vidalia onions are on the way and that signals a booming produce season for reefer haulers. And the Department of Labor ...
Apr 15, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/13/21) – OOIDA plans a major push to get money to pave more truck parking into a major piece of legislation. We’ll explain what may be involved in accomplishing that. Also, you’ve no doubt heard the talk in recent months about a vehicle miles traveled, or VMT tax system. The American Transportation Research Institute has done a detailed examination at what the concept would look like in reality. And Connecticut may soon join a regional agreement to reduce emissions from road, rail and air...
Apr 14, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/12/21) – Every year, the CVSA – the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance – conducts its annual Roadcheck safety blitz. So what do you need to do to prepare for the event? Also, Land Line Magazine Managing Editor Jami Jones gets frequently asked what it takes to put out an issue of the magazine? She’s about to tell us with a behind-the-scenes tour of the process. And vehicles miles traveled taxes are getting more notice in our nation’s capital and elsewhere. But more than one version of this...
Apr 13, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/9/21) – From Jon Osburn, a man who has dedicated much of his life to service to his fellow truck drivers, to a state that wants to toll trucks to solve its traffic problems, we’ll tell you who in recent news has been good and who’s been bad with some Roses and Razzberries. Also, Jon Osburn will soon hand the baton over to Marty Ellis, the new driver of The Spirit. Meanwhile, truckers are still talking with him about big issues, be it Wyoming tolls, the PRO Act, or under-21 truckers. And e...
Apr 10, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/8/21) – Through the PRO Act, California’s AB5 and the ABC Test, an assault against the independent contractor model of business has been underway for some time, starting in California. Now it could spread nationwide – and a battle over the filibuster in the Senate could affect how that turns out. Also, the U.S. International Trade Commission is writing rules for investigating problems with cross-border trucking with Mexico, while the NTSB issues its “most wanted” list and the feds conside...
Apr 09, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/7/21) – The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its annual “most wanted” road safety improvements list – and speed limiters are among their goals. So do those devices help, or harm safety? Also, the split between spot and contract freight has been upended by the pandemic and shows no signs of slowing down this year. And truckers and others have long expressed concerns about the failure of electric vehicles to contribute to road funding. Now, 11 states are taking action to fix ...
Apr 08, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/6/21) – Colorado’s Eisenhower Tunnel is one of America’s great engineering marvels. At least, it is for those who can use it. Hazmat haulers are stuck using a treacherous mountain pass instead. Now, a new study takes us one step closer to those trucks using the tunnel. Greg Fulton of the Colorado Motor Carriers Association explains. Also, last week the president unveiled his new infrastructure plan. But that road – like most roads these days – hasn’t been as smooth as expected. We’ll disc...
Apr 07, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/5/21) – An OOIDA member who got scammed out of nearly $30,000 shares his story with the hopes that it prevents other drivers from falling victim. Understanding the different types of physical damage policies is the first step to getting the most out of insurance coverage. Plus, bringing about change starts with you – making the case for reaching out to your state and federal lawmakers. 0:00 – Newscast 10:15 – Scammed out of nearly $30,000 25:09 – Understanding physical damage policies 40:...
Apr 06, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/2/21) - Everyone knows that nothing moves faster than a rumor. In trucking, they can move from coast to coast faster than you can imagine. But the thing about rumors is some are true, some are false. We’ll separate fact from fiction on issues such as medical cards and COVID-19 vaccinations, noncitizen CDL holders, pre-1999 trucks and more. Also, ongoing problems with brokers and lease-purchase plans are nothing new. But it helps occasionally to review what those problems are, and what cou...
Apr 03, 2021•51 min
LLN (4/1/21) – This week, the president announced some of the details of his massive infrastructure plan, which contains $115 billion for highways, while OOIDA made its views know about the federal government’s latest automated vehicle proposal. Also, Jon Osburn is out there on America’s highways, with truckers bending his ear about fuel prices, freight rates, COVID-19 and a bevy of bills in our nation’s capital. And Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to pursue public private partnerships and bridg...
Apr 02, 2021•51 min
