LLN (1/19/22) – Recent research makes a case for hair testing – but Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation says the study is flawed, and he tells us why. Also, OOIDA life member Carmen Anderson tells us about a recent White House listening session that aims to get more women into trucking. Check those ELDs – some will essentially turn into bricks starting next month as providers phase out 3G service. And Democrats are trying to make changes to how the filibuster is used in the U.S. Senate. However,...
Jan 20, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/18/22) – The Biden administration is pulling out the checkbook, starting work on fixing the nation’s bridges with money from the recent infrastructure bill. Also, there are advantages to going with synthetic oils – some related to viscosity, others to fuel economy. Shawn Whitacre of Chevron breaks down what comes along with using synthetics. And a combination of several trucking organizations – OOIDA, the Washington Trucking Associations and the ATA – are putting their combined weight beh...
Jan 19, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/17/22) – Some small motor carriers are being trapped into factoring deals that can be very financially damaging – and impossible to get out of. Also, Tyson Fisher of Land Line Magazine is optimistic that some big, positive things are coming in 2022 for truck parking. We’ll take a look inside the Parking Zone. And three federal agencies involved in national security have issued a warning that hackers based in Russia are planning to target critical infrastructure. And trucking, along with t...
Jan 18, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/14/22) – A mistaken announcement from Canadian officials about a vaccine mandate has been reversed and corrected, leaving many truckers confused – and upset. We’ll offer some straight facts and clear up some confusion. Also, it’s a stressful time of year, and you have a stressful job. Dawn Harrison of Rolling Strong offers some tips on how to bring your stress levels down, whether you’re out on the road or back at home. And who is an employee, and who is an independent contractor? That’s ...
Jan 15, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/13/22) – Three federal agencies warn that Russian hackers plan to target critical infrastructure – including trucking and other transportation. Also, the FMCSA is asking for information concerning its proposed apprenticeship pilot program for truck drivers under 21 years of age. And OOIDA has given the agency a few thoughts about the effort. And a Washington state lawmaker has filed a bill intended to reduce emissions and safety risks caused by inadequate commercial truck parking. Meanwhi...
Jan 14, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/12/22) – Electric car maker Tesla has a skill at getting publicity, but not always good publicity. The automakers latest move – creating an “assertive mode” for its self-driving feature – is already generating criticism. Also, we’ll cover several of the recent problems truckers are calling about – from the biennial update and chain laws to parking. And we’re less than two weeks into 2022, but trends are already starting to develop. Stephen Petit of DAT tells us why posted van and reefer l...
Jan 13, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/11/22) – Two states have introduced bills that would make left lane rules stricter for trucks. Also, when people are in need and an area is disarray wait a couple days and take a look at the news. What you often see are stories of truckers helping out. We’ll bring you the stories of two truckers who got caught in the traffic jam on I-95 recently – and did some good while they waited for things to get moving again. And the Government Accountability Office is throwing some less than subtle ...
Jan 12, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/10/21) – Two truck drivers recently explained what the current parking situation is like at a National League of Cities meeting. Also, you’re entering into a relationship when you hire a driver. And you’d better be sure you know as much as you can about that person before they run under your authority. Trista Roby and Trina Skywalker of OOIDA’s Truck Insurance Department discuss the insurance implications if something goes wrong. And in the absence of a clear federal effort to solve the t...
Jan 11, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/7/22) – Tyson Fisher of Land Line Magazine is optimistic that some big, positive things are coming in 2022 for truck parking. He’ll talk about the Federal Highway Administration’s upcoming handbook that should give states, counties and cities a guide for addressing the problem; what three states are doing right now; and how the private sector is stepping up. Also, Marty Ellis is ready to talk about the price of oil and tires, the trucker in a Colorado case, and driving in winter weather. ...
Jan 08, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/6/22) – The year 2022 is already shaping up to be a busy one, with driver training, a study of driver pay, efforts to include more women in trucking, and more all getting underway. Also, a Tennessee lawmaker wants to give truckers relief at the pump; a Missouri effort would reverse a recent fuel tax increase; and toll increases are set for seven bridges in the San Francisco area. And the FMCSA wants information from the public and interested organizations about its upcoming pilot program ...
Jan 07, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/5/22) – 2021 was a wild year on the spot freight market. Dean Croke of DAT joins us for a look at how the year went out, while looking ahead to what 2022 may have in store for us. Also, some financial companies are trapping small motor carriers into factoring agreements that can be damaging – and impossible to get out of. And the president’s coordinator for implementing the infrastructure bill has asked the nation’s governors to step up to help decide how to spend the money. We’ll cover t...
Jan 06, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/4/22) – Rogel Aguilera-Mederos’ 110-year prison sentence has been commuted, making him eligible for parole in 2026. Todd Spencer and Lewie Pugh of OOIDA contend the case is indicative of a bigger problem in trucking. They’ll discuss the case, driver training, loopholes in the regulatory system and what happens next. Also, about a dozen states changed their fuel tax for the new year. We’ll have a rundown. And Congress has passed a stopgap spending measure to keep the government running. Ho...
Jan 05, 2022•50 min
LLN (1/3/22) – A new program in California is requiring carriers to enroll their drivers and then shares information about them between the state and carrier. Also, Jami Jones of Land Line Magazine says one of the nation’s largest trucking groups’ narrative of a driver shortage is starting to get flipped on them. And the start of a new year means most state legislatures are about to start their work. And that means issues such as lane restrictions, towing and more are on the front burner. We’ll ...
Jan 04, 2022•50 min
LLN (12/31/21) – We’ve spoken on the program several times about the problems some truckers have with bad brokers. But we’ve always said there are good brokers as well. And finding one of those can be a make-or-break difference for a small carrier. Also, to figure out what trucks need in terms of highway infrastructure, it’s probably a good idea to know which trucks are going to be on the highways. Now, a survey seeks to discover just that – and OOIDA says it could be good news. And a new year m...
Jan 01, 2022•51 min
LLN (12/30/21) – FMCSA has found itself once again without an administrator, or a nominee to become one. We’ll discuss what’s happening at the agency right now, plus what’s next in Congress. Also, 2021 offered hopeful signs of progress on trucking issues and of officials more willing to listen to truckers, as well. We’ll review some of the good and bad from this year on the regulatory front. And Wyoming is looking at several ways it can increase road funding, while Washington state is going the ...
Dec 31, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/29/21) – Winter weather has arrived. Dean Croke of DAT tells us how that’s affecting freight rates before breaking down the latest trends and numbers in the spot market. Also, getting a warning instead of a ticket can, through a kind of back door, affect your CSA, your Pre-employment Screening Program records, and other factors. Alex Clark and David Grimes of CDL Legal will offer some advice. And how to get something done in Congress is, to say the least, a fine art. And in recent years,...
Dec 30, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/28/21) – An effort in New Jersey could slam the brakes on automatic Turnpike Authority toll increases, while Michigan may cut red tape for local road funding. Also, it wasn’t that many years ago that truckers were likely unaware of the term, “after treatment.” But those systems are now an integral part of trucks and as a result can create all kinds of problems if they don’t work properly. And an attempt to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations is headed for the Supreme Court, while several senat...
Dec 29, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/27/21) – The 110-year prison sentence handed down to Rogel Aguilera-Mederos brought out lots of strong feelings in a lot of people. One of those is Lewie Pugh of OOIDA. He stops by to talk about the case and says there’s at least one way to prevent future tragedies like this one. Also, if you’ve had to make an insurance claim on an old piece of equipment, you might be familiar with something called the betterment clause. We’ll explain what you need to know about it. And a new year means ...
Dec 28, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/24/21) – The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is on display thanks to six truck drivers. An elementary school student works as an operations manager for his father’s trucking company. A comic book store, a retail outlet, a group of volunteers, and a very familiar truck joined forces recently to ensure that children spending their holiday season in the hospital will have a Merry Christmas. And in 2021, one of the big issues has been misclassification of workers, and the unintended consequences...
Dec 25, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/23/21) – Meera Joshi is leaving FMCSA. And that could have an effect on issues important to truckers. Also, as the federal government and lawmakers get to the holidays, they face a number of issues, bills not yet passed and actions that need to be taken. But all of that may well depend on a report coming out very soon from federal agencies. And we’ll take a trip down memory lane to compare what issues were hot on the state levels years ago and the issues that are issues right now. Mike M...
Dec 24, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/22/21) – The White House met with trucking stakeholders, and held a listening session in South Carolina. OOIDA’s Todd Spencer explains what happened at the White House meeting; Lewie Pugh discusses the South Carolina event. Also, spot market volumes and rates typically start to settle down this time of year. Stephen Petit of DAT tells us if that’s holding true before telling us which routes are hot, which are not. And a stalemate in the Senate has developed over the president’s Build Bac...
Dec 23, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/21/21) – A plan to toll bridges throughout Pennsylvania will likely continue to move forward, despite opposition from lawmakers. We’ll have an update on that, plus the bill that would stagger apportioned registrations. Also, Christmas time is a special time, and we all have special plans. For truckers who are away so much of the year, family time is all the more valuable. We’ll share some truckers’ plans for the holidays on today’s program. And after a brief tenure running the agency, Me...
Dec 22, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/20/21) – Every year, there seems to be a pattern in terms of what topics come up. And in 2021, one of the big trends has been AB5 and other efforts to end worker misclassification, and those efforts’ unintended consequences. Also, need help picking out new tires? You’re not alone. It’s a daunting task. Buying new tires is an investment, one that could end up saving you money if you make the right choice – and costing you money if you don’t. So how do you choose best? And the supply chain...
Dec 21, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/17/21) – The Spirit of the American Trucker spreads the holiday spirit to children in the hospital with the help of a comic book store, a retail outlet and a group of volunteers. Some late holiday gift ideas for the trucker in your life. And looking at the White House’s Trucking Action Plan with a glass half-full perspective. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:03 – Spirit spreads the holiday spirit. 24:40 – Holiday gift ideas for truckers. 39:33 – Glass half-full perspective on Trucking Action Plan....
Dec 18, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/16/21) – The White House Trucking Action Plan aimed at improving the industry hits a lot of notes, but does it hit the right ones? We also look into how the Biden administration is gearing up to put its Build Back Better agenda into effect. Plus, updates out of Wyoming and Michigan on fuel taxes and reciprocity agreements. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:03 – Build Back Better agenda. 24:40 – Wyoming fuel tax hike and Michigan reciprocity. 39:33 – Details on White House Trucking Action Plan....
Dec 17, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/15/21) – Do you have a trucker to shop for this Christmas? If you do, you probably need to know where you can buy the latest cool toy or chrome add-on. We’ll have some suggestions. Also, there are small signs that the spot market may be coming back down to Earth a bit. We’ll have the latest numbers and trends on the spot market and explain how owner-operators can take advantage of the opportunities that are out there. And part of the plan to expand the number of electric vehicle rechargi...
Dec 16, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/14/21) – A little more than two months after the state of Missouri began collecting more fuel tax, a legislative effort at the statehouse would nix the increase. Meanwhile, Wisconsin lawmakers are considering letting Milwaukee use red light cameras to ticket drivers. Also, sleep is important to good health and to safety in trucking, but how do you make sure you get enough, and the right kind? We’ll have some expert advice. And staged accidents have become enough of a problem to prompt so...
Dec 15, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/13/21) – The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is on display, thanks to six truck drivers. Also, we’ll have an update about an elementary school student who works as an operations manager for his father’s trucking company. Trina McIntyre and Trista Roby of OOIDA’s truck insurance department tell us about the types of cargo that can be excluded in your policy. And if there’s a rule in this universe, it’s that things change. That’s as true in trucking as it is in anything else. We’ll go over how...
Dec 14, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/10/21) – The U.S. DOT is making a plan. Specifically, the department is developing a strategic plan for the next four years regarding safety, economic strength and global competitiveness, but also equity, climate and sustainability. Also, from a reminder that we all need to look out for folks who help us out at roadside to a state that wants to put revenue-generating speed cameras in work zones, we’ll tell you who in recent news has been good and who’s been bad with some Roses and Razzbe...
Dec 11, 2021•51 min
LLN (12/9/21) – The FMCSA is finally listening in a very formal way to truck drivers, as an advisory committee made up of truckers offered a report on driver retention. Also, Pennsylvania lawmakers are taking a stand against a plan to toll numerous bridges across the state, while Florida works on tightening up their left lane rules. And it’s become old hat to say that things are busy in our nation’s capital, but right now, in fact, our nation’s public officials are dealing with constituent conce...
Dec 10, 2021•51 min
