LLN (7/6/22) – A Supreme Court decision means California’s AB5 is likely to survive – so which shoes are about to drop? What can carriers can do to reduce the cost of insurance? And breaking down what a federal regulator is doing with regard to new underride provisions. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:21 – Land Line Roundtable: AB5, Amtrak crash and UCR. 25:15 – Market Update: Reducing cost of insurance. 40:03 – Underride protections: new provisions being discussed....
Jul 07, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/5/22) – A quick-thinking OOIDA life member was recently named a Highway Angel for jumping into action after a crash. How leaving the scene of an accident, even a minor one, can affect your CDL. And California is trying to take some of the sting out of sky-high fuel prices, while Pennsylvania is tip-toeing into the future of autonomous vehicles. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:21 – OOIDA life member named Highway Angel. 25:15 – How leaving a crash scene can affect your CDL. 40:03 – California rebates ...
Jul 06, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/4/22) – OOIDA is doing a series of videos to salute the military and veterans. It’s all in an effort to honor our nation’s heroes in the lead-up to the Truckers for Troops campaign coming up in November. Also, an idea for a domestic source of natural rubber is picking up traction. Goodyear recently announced a partnership to develop a source of natural rubber from a specific species of dandelion. And Congress is taking a solid interest in several trucking issues, starting with one of the ...
Jul 05, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/1/22) – Tyson Fisher of Land Line Magazine talks about the I-81 Corridor Coalition sessions on truck parking; Congress putting some pressure on the U.S. DOT to address it nationwide; and more support for the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Plan. Also, to date, much of the focus on improving the diets of truck drivers is on changing their habits. But what if the focus was on making sure truckers had more and healthier options? And by now, we’re all familiar with the cry on the part of som...
Jul 02, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/30/22) – Congress is in the process of passing its regular, annual spending bills. But part of that effort involves instructions to various federal agencies – including some important trucking issues, such as hours of service, hair testing and more. Also, you might see more traffic over the long weekend compared with last year. According to AAA, 47.9 million people are expected to travel. We’ll hear from a travel expert. And Pennsylvania lawmakers are trying to make it easier for truckers...
Jul 01, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/29/22) – Congress is taking a solid interest in several trucking issues, starting with one of the most urgent – truck parking – as part of a regular spending bill. Also, guaranteeing overtime pay for truckers doesn’t seem like a big ask, but a bill that would do just that is getting a lot of pushback from certain organizations. They have been using talking points to express their concerns, but Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation explains why some of their arguments don’t quite hold up. An...
Jun 30, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/28/22) – States across the country are trying different ways of giving consumers – including truckers – a break on fuel taxes. That includes fuel tax holidays and avoiding automatic fuel tax increases. Also, is there or is there not a shortage of diesel exhaust fluid? That’s the scuttlebutt going around right now. We’ll separate truth from fiction on that – and discuss DataQ challenges. And the halfway point in the year is a good time to take a look at where you are financially, with an e...
Jun 29, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/27/22) – The results are in after a six-month-long survey into supply chain issues in Missouri. OOIDA President Todd Spencer talks about the supply chain task force, and the report that takes a look at potential improvements and solutions. Also, it’s important to be proactive when it comes to insurance. The experts from OOIDA’s Truck Insurance Department discuss the importance of protecting yourself before and after a claim. And every year, Congress has one duty called for by the Constitu...
Jun 28, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/24/22) – It’s no surprise that Marty Ellis hears a lot of complaints about brokers. And he’s the first one to note that all brokers aren’t bad. But some of the situations he’s heard about recently from visitors to The Spirit are enough to make you wonder – including changing the rate for a load when the trucker is at the loading dock. Also, this is National Take Your Pet to Work Week, but for many in the trucking industry, taking your pet to work is a common occurrence. And there’s a part...
Jun 25, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/23/22) – The supply chain crisis isn’t going away anytime soon. From new challenges stemming from China and the conflict in Ukraine to other odds and ends in between, stressors remain. Shipping expert Sal Mercogliano gives us some perspective. Also, the Biden administration has released its regulatory agenda – and some hot button trucking issues are on the list, including underride guards. And a new Ohio law authorizes the use of nearly $700 million dollars for transportation purposes, wh...
Jun 24, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/22/22) – The FMCSA is one step closer to having a Senate-confirmed leader. We’ll discuss that – plus a call by OOIDA for more flexibility from a federal agency that rarely interacts with truckers – with Bryce Mongeon of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office. Also, before Marty Ellis took the wheel of the OOIDA tour trailer, he worked in the bee industry. Marty joins us to discuss his time as a bee keeper and hauler. And another supply chain shortage due to extreme weather to tell you about, an...
Jun 23, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/21/22) – Some Pennsylvania lawmakers want to give motorists some relief at the fuel pump with a fuel tax holiday, while others want to open the state’s roads to autonomous vehicles. Also, the June issue of Land Line Magazine is out. Managing Editor Jami Jones and Senior Editor Mark Schremmer discuss some of the issues that truck drivers are facing, including overtime pay and proposal to mandate speed limiters. And you take good care of your truck – but you might be neglecting its most imp...
Jun 22, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/20/22) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released information about automated vehicles and crashes. And what they’ve revealed is concerning, at best. Also, a nurse turned singer-songwriter is singing the praises of truck drivers. John Perkins recently wrote a song dedicated to the hard-working men and women on the road. He’ll explain how the song came about, and why he wants to show support for truckers. And an OOIDA member is taking her support for the Special Olym...
Jun 21, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/17/22) – The comment period is open for Unified Carrier Registration fees. OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh discusses how the association thinks the fees should be set and used. Also, from the continued spread of a trucking myth to federal officials who are pressing for action on truck parking, we’ll tell you who in recent news has been good and who’s been bad with some Roses and Razzberries. And Marty Ellis is running into a problem some truckers are having with the hours of ser...
Jun 18, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/16/22) – The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse has cause considerable confusion among truckers. We’ll try to clear up some of that confusion with some help from FaLisa McCannon of CMCI, OOIDA’s drug testing consortium. Also, the FMCSA is asking for truckers’ help deciding who is, and who is not a broker. We’ll discuss that – plus controversy over UCR fees and Canada dropping some vaccine requirements. And Atlanta voters recently approved $750 million dollars for infrastructure improvements t...
Jun 17, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/15/22) – Solving the truck parking crisis is going to take a concerted effort on all fronts. The executive director of the I-81 Corridor Coalition talks about an upcoming round table discussion focusing on truck parking there. Andy Alden tells us what he’s hoping to get out of the discussions – and what success would look like. Also, containerized imports are showing no sign of slowing down. Dean Croke of DAT discusses imports from overseas and what’s happening in the overall spot market ...
Jun 16, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/14/22) – Maryland lawmakers are working to stop an automatic fuel tax increase, while several other states are considering various tax rebates to help consumers deal with rising prices. Also, a trucking couple found themselves in financial strain after an accident they thought they were covered for. But their situation points to a solution that could save many other truckers difficulties. And most people are annoyed by calls asking about their car warranty. But for your truck, an extended...
Jun 15, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/13/22) – Truck-eating bridges may sound like something out of a Disney Pixar movie, but a quick Google search will bring up several across the U.S. that have gobbled up 18 wheelers. One in Missouri is making headlines again after a trash truck became its latest victim. Also, making sure you have adequate insurance coverage when you're leased on to a motor carrier is vital to your success. We’ll hear from the experts with OOIDA’s Truck Insurance Department about secondary liability insuran...
Jun 14, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/10/22) – Marty Ellis is talking about some creative ways to get the message across to the feds on speed limiters, and fielding complaints about a truck driving school that doesn’t want to follow the new driver training rules. Also, OOIDA is already talking about Truckers for Troops, a fundraising effort to send care packages to troops overseas and help veterans here at home. A series of videos is being done leading up to Veterans Day. And thinking about your health may not be at the top o...
Jun 11, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/9/22) – We go into greater detail on Robin Hutcheson’s nomination hearing for FMCSA administrator, where there was a lot of chatter about a perceived “driver shortage.” Meanwhile, in the House, a separate hearing on roadway safety delved into the truck parking crisis. Also, while Hutcheson’s comments about the so-called driver shortage grabbed headlines, she also was asked about a number of other important issues. And a new law in Colorado would give owner-operators access to occupational...
Jun 10, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/8/22) – Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away, so we’re going to take some of the current ones head-on with the help of Jim Jefferson and Aron Lynch of OOIDA’s Business Services Department. We talk high diesel prices, low freight rates and DEF shortages. Also, as the price of fuel continues to rise, many may wonder how this impacts the spot market. Stephen Petit with DAT discusses this concern, and what to look out for when diesel prices spike. And the acting administrator and nomine...
Jun 09, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/7/22) – New York has made it official, becoming the fifth state to cut its fuel tax in response to high fuel prices. Meanwhile, Michigan is taking extra steps to protect workers in highway construction zones. Also, oxygen is essential to life as we know it, but when it comes to your engine oxygen can cause problems. Nick Rivera of Mobil Delvac tells us all about oxidation and how to prevent its worst effects starting with routine oil analysis checks. And when it comes to technology, truck...
Jun 08, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/6/22) – Two top trucking issues – speed limiters and truck parking – will be front and center in our nation’s capital this week. We’ll explain what we’re likely to see and why it matters. Also, it’s been called the Cadillac of show truck competitions: Shell Rotella SuperRigs will take place this year in Branson, Mo., to choose the best of the best and the trucks for the next SuperRigs calendar. And we pull in the heavy hitters from Land Line Magazine to go over the talk surrounding speed ...
Jun 07, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/3/22) – Cargo theft is on the rise. We’re joined by Keith Lewis, V.P. of operations for CargoNet, to talk about what thieves are targeting, how they’re going about it, and how to protect yourself and your haul. Also, we’ve established that there’s federal money out there that could be used for truck parking – so what’s the holdup? Tyson Fisher of Land Line Magazine stops by to clear up some confusion about federal grants and why states aren’t jumping at the chance to use them. And one thi...
Jun 04, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/2/22) – FMCSA is one step closer to finally having a confirmed chief. Meanwhile, the agency once again extends its COVID-19 emergency declaration. Also, one week from now, hundreds of trucks will gather for the American Truck Historical Society’s National Convention and Truck Show. We’ll hear from some of the show’s organizers about what’s planned. And a bill close to passage in Ohio would authorize nearly $700 million dollars for transportation, including funding for the Brent Spence Bri...
Jun 03, 2022•51 min
LLN (6/1/22) – Parking is a problem across the nation for truckers, but in the Eastern states, it’s intense. And officials are looking for solutions along I-81. The winner has been announced for the OOIDA Mary Johnston scholarship. Andrew King with the OOIDA Foundation discusses this long-standing tradition. Also, a truck driver who’s been behind the wheel for more than three decades is sharing her thoughts about life on the road, and the changes she’s seen over the years. And expect the unexpec...
Jun 02, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/31/22) – Truckers always seem to have plenty of complaints about California. But lately an old situation is leading to new problems for truckers who haul in that state. Also, making sure you're getting the right insurance after you get your own authority – it’s not easy. The experts from OOIDA’s truck insurance department discuss what questions you should be asking and what coverage you should have. And Georgia’s governor has extended that state’s fuel tax holiday, lawmakers in Michigan w...
Jun 01, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/26/22) – Wondering how to contest incorrect violations on a driver vehicle inspection report? We’ll find out from attorneys Jeff McConnell and James Mennella of Road Law. Also, actual cash value or stated limit? Trista Roby and Trina Skywalker of OOIDA’s Truck Insurance Department talk physical damage policies and explain which is best depending on what you own. And OOIDA has been supporting a bill that would eliminate truckers’ exemption from the Fair Labor Standards Act. But now, a very...
May 31, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/27/22) – When we think about truck shows, it’s obvious to think about show trucks. And a lot of those trucks had their start in one place – the Chrome Shop Mafia in Joplin, Mo. We’ll go over some highlights of the truck show season now underway with the Chrome Shop Mafia’s bossman, Bryan Martin. Also, a nurse turned singer-songwriter is singing the praises of truck drivers. John Perkins recently wrote a song dedicated to the hard-working men and women on the road. And Marty Ellis is runni...
May 28, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/26/22) – Any truck driver who hauls hazardous chemicals will tell you that the job requires the highest levels of responsibility and safety. But a class action lawsuit claims that a North American hazmat carrier has been wildly irresponsible and dangerously unsafe, putting employees directly in harm’s way. Also, FMCSA has extended the time you have to speak out on the proposed speed limiter mandate. We’ll discuss FMCSA action to help truckers do their part to tackle the shortage of baby f...
May 27, 2022•51 min
