LLN (9/28/22) – In an effort to show drivers just how much they're appreciated, Truckstop set a new Guinness World Record during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. It took more than 2,000 toy trucks, 30 employees, and some mathematics to claim the title of the largest toy truck sentence in the world. Also, how should owner-operators be financially preparing for next year? We’ll get some advice on that – plus the latest on freight and rates on the Members Edge load board this week – with De...
Sep 29, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/27/22) – We’ll discuss some specifics about hotshotting and the hours of service, as well as several other topics, with Tom Crowley and Joe Biggs of OOIDA’s Business Services Department. Also, David Stevens, managing director of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau, says it may be time to give retreading another try. He joins us to talk about how technology has improved the process, how retreading can save you money and why it’s just as reliable as any other option out there. ...
Sep 28, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/26/22) – Later this week, the National Coalition on Truck Parking will gather to discuss progress on addressing the national shortage of truck parking spaces. Also, the OOIDA Foundation recently began offering members an update on market conditions. Andrew King, a research analyst at the Foundation, stops by to give us the highlights – and yes, even some lowlights from the most recent report. And Jami Jones and Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine recap and analyze the biggest stories of ...
Sep 27, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/23/22) – This week, a federal judge said OOIDA could serve as an intervenor in the ongoing legal case against California’s AB5. Todd Spencer, president and CEO of OOIDA, drops by to explain what’s happening and what could happen as we look at the uncertainty about the confusing and controversial worker classification law. Also, broker problems are nothing new. But in some cases, the problems have reached an extreme, and truckers can face losing their business over what’s going on. And it’...
Sep 24, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/22/22) – A truck driver in Michigan is being hailed as a hero for rescuing a toddler who was playing on the side of the highway. We’ll talk with him about what happened and how he is being honored for the rescue. Also, OOIDA has told FMCSA that more flexibility in hours of service – in part because of what we’ve learned from the COVID-19 emergency declaration. Also, OOIDA responds to a notice regarding possible changes to the electronic logging device mandate. And West Virginia state lawm...
Sep 23, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/21/22) – FMCSA is asking for comments about ELD regulations – and hinting at possible changes to the pre-2000 engine exemption. We’ll have the details on that, plus recent outreach efforts by FMCSA toward professional truckers. Also, with the potential for a rail strike, load-activity on the MembersEdge load board increased last week. We’ll have the latest on rates, and what’s projected moving forward with DAT’s Stephen Petit in this week’s Market Update. And OOIDA has started offering up...
Sep 22, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/20/22) – For anyone on their own authority, the CSA score is all-important. But it’s also often a mystery, in terms of how it’s figured and how you check it. We’ll demystify just a little of that process. Also, when it comes to maintenance of your truck’s electrical system, the batteries have a starring role. And while battery maintenance has changed as batteries themselves change, some principles are the same as always. And a bill in Ohio would create a regional heavy hauling permit near...
Sep 21, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/19/22) – The federal government is putting money directly into two truck parking projects. We’ll discuss what will be built where and what is yet to come, with Bryce Mongeon of OOIDA. Also, ever been the victim of a predatory tow? The Maryland Motor Truck Association made a push for protections from predatory towing, and now it’s a law. The association’s president and CEO, Louis Campion, tells us how they got it done. And being proactive when it comes to insurance is important to your suc...
Sep 20, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/16/22) – The introduction of a bill that would guarantee overtime pay for truckers has some people concerned, but OOIDA says they are misplaced since the measure would end up benefitting truckers across the board. A beginner’s guide to customizing your truck. And a preview of this weekend’s South Dakota Convoy for Special Olympics. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – GOT Truckers Act concerns. 24:37 – Beginner’s guide to truck customization. 39:23 – South Dakota Convoy for Special Olympics....
Sep 17, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/15/22) – New information and answers to some frequently asked questions about California’s AB5 law. FMCSA grants more time to comment on its new medical examiner handbook – and also hands out tens of millions of dollars in grants for commercial drivers. Plus, transportation questions on the ballot and California tax rebates. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – FAQ about AB5 24:37 – Regulatory roundup. 39:23 – Election Day transportation questions.
Sep 16, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/14/22) – Labor unrest in the rail and ocean transportation sectors could have ripple effects on truckload markets in the coming weeks. A new book lays out how science is revolutionizing our ability to live longer. And thoughts from the road about the GOT Truckers Act and driver-focus cameras at weigh stations. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – “The Great Age Reboot”. 24:37 – Market update. 39:23 – Checking in with Marty Ellis.
Sep 15, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/13/22) – The fight to make sure truckers are compensated for all the hours they work takes a big step forward as the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act is introduced in the Senate. With economic pressures mounting, what to consider if you are considering dropping your authority. Plus, making good decisions after receiving a moving violation. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – Options to consider before dropping authority. 24:37 – Road Law: moving violations 39:23 – GOT Truckers Act....
Sep 14, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/12/22) – A project out West leans on truckers and their trailers in the never-ending mission to bring missing children back home where they belong. We look at the stories behind the stories that run in Land Line Magazine. And Pennsylvania’s got new problems with tolling in the Turnpike, while New York State is looking at ways to make roads safer. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – Homeward Bound. 24:37 – The story behind the stories in Land Line Magazine. 39:23 – PA Turnpike tolling troubles and Ne...
Sep 13, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/9/22) – For nearly two decades, the American Transportation Research Institute has been taking the pulse of the trucking industry through its Top Industry Issues Survey. From a convoy to honor the late president of a trucking company to a major case of NIMBYism in Montana, we hand out some Roses and Razzberries. And touting the benefits of the upcoming Truck to Success seminar, hosted by the OOIDA Foundation. 0:00 – Newscast 10:13 – ATRI’s 2022 Top Industry Issues Survey. 24:37 – Roses an...
Sep 10, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/8/22) – As FMCSA fields comments about the ongoing COVID-19 emergency declaration, could the agency be considering future changes using the relief as a model? Plus, details on the upcoming National Coalition on Truck Parking meeting, the benefits of being an OOIDA member and three ballot questions in Florida related to transportation funding. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – OOIDA: Fighting for your rights for nearly 50 years. 24:37 – Regulatory Roundup: emergency declaration and truck parking. 3...
Sep 09, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/7/22) – The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association has been busy fighting to guarantee better bathroom access for truckers, fighting for more truck parking and fighting against an expansive tolling plan. Flatbed load posts on the MembersEdge load board are on the rise after several weeks of declines. And strong opinions expressed about autonomous trucks and GPS technology. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association. 24:37 – Spot market report from DAT. 39:23 – Technology ...
Sep 08, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/6/22) – If you want to know why your insurance rates seem to go up or down for no apparent reason, it might help to think of insurance as a whole as high stakes gambling. Self-employed truckers don’t have the luxury of waiting until the spring to start on their taxes, because it’s a year-long endeavor. And one state lowers its fuel tax rate while another extends its fuel tax holiday. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – Tax advice. 24:37 – Understanding your insurance rates. 39:23: Fuel tax drops and...
Sep 07, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/5/22) – For more than 40 years now, Todd Spencer has worked at OOIDA. Recently, the Association’s president joined us on the program to talk about his history in the industry and to discuss some of the issues he’s been working on. Also, there are more questions than answers about California’s AB5 law. So California officials are trying to clear up some of the confusion. Bryce Mongeon of OOIDA’s Washington D.C. office explains what we learned from a recent webinar dedicated to the controve...
Sep 06, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/2/22) – Trucking is a notoriously lonely job, and the levels of depression among the workforce reflect that. Dr. Mona Shattell of the University of Central Florida College of Nursing wants to help. Also, the trucking industry is becoming more diverse. We recently spoke with the North American Punjabi Trucking Association about how it got start and how its working to bring awareness to the growing number of Punjabi truck drivers. And Marty Ellis takes safety very seriously. And that’s why ...
Sep 03, 2022•50 min
LLN (9/1/22) – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has named the first 16 members of the Women of Trucking Advisory board. Also, from truck parking and insurance minimums, to AB5 and the freight market, OOIDA is often quoted in the news on major issues affecting the trucking industry. The association’s director of public relations discusses OOIDA in the news. And at least parts of two roads in New Jersey would see new truck restrictions under a proposal from the state’s Department of...
Sep 02, 2022•50 min
LLN (8/31/22) – California officials are trying to clear up some of the confusion about how AB5 will affect the trucking industry. Bryce Mongeon of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office explains what we learned from a recent webinar dedicated to the controversial law. Also, spot market loads into the U.S. from Canada have dropped 20% compared with this time last year. Dean Croke of DAT discusses that and more on the freight trends in the spot market. And it’s well known that truckers are not supposed...
Sep 01, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/30/22) – In trucking, some topics never seem to go away; near the top of that list of “forever topics” sits the hours of service. We’ll discuss some recent questions about that and other topics. Also, there are advantages to going with synthetic oils. Some are related to viscosity. Others are related to fuel economy. Shawn Whitacre of Chevron joins us to break down synthetics and all that comes along with using them. And a new Michigan law is designed to pave the way for autonomous vehicl...
Aug 31, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/29/22) – What does it cost to make progress on truck parking? A federal watchdog agency has an estimate. We’ll explain what it is and why it matters. Also, truck show season is still in full swing around the country. We’ll take a look at some of the shows happening throughout the month of September. And AB5, hair testing and spotted lanternflies – Jami Jones and Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine stop by Studio A for our latest Land Line Media roundtable discussion about the big (and no...
Aug 30, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/226/22) – Marty Ellis is hearing about the high price of fuel. One way truckers can cope is the fuel surcharge. But many truckers who pay for the fuel say they’re not receiving the full surcharge. Also, we welcome back Tania Daniel of the International Factoring Association for part two of our conversation about factoring. Tania will break down UCC filings, how her association provides oversight for the industry, and who factoring is best suited for. And while we’ve had some positive deve...
Aug 27, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/25/22) – If you rely on factoring to keep your business going, you’re not alone. The director of a factoring group joins us to discuss what her organization is doing to make things better. Also, yet another organization is asking FMCSA for an exemption to the entry-level driver training requirements. Meanwhile, a group of carriers is making yet another attempt at getting hair testing results included in FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. And counties in North Carolina, South Carolina...
Aug 26, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/24/22) – The change to the hours-of-service regulations and personal conveyance are just two of the issues OOIDA has been focused on over the years. Recently, we sat down with OOIDA President Todd Spencer to talk about the issues, his history in the industry and to see what he's been working on. Also, loads on the MembersEdge load board are staying steady as August comes to an end. We’ll have a full run down. And Marty Ellis usually hears from truckers about problems, but every once in a ...
Aug 25, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/23/22) – The flu – actual influenza – is an illness that’s potentially severe, but that often doesn’t get the level of attention from people that it should. However, there are ways to treat it if you get it – and more importantly, things you can do to prevent it. Also, every month the OOIDA Foundation puts out a report on the state of the freight market, with an eye toward helping owner-operators and other truckers navigate a turbulent economy. And Massachusetts will soon issue more than ...
Aug 24, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/22/22) – A group of truck drivers in Nebraska came to the rescue of a woman who was suffering from a mental health crisis on an interstate bridge over I-680. We’ll have the story of how first responders called on the truckers to assist. Also, there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to auto liability verses general liability. We’ll find out the differences and some of the unusual requirements that go with them from Trina Skywalker and Trista Roby of OOIDA’s Truck Insurance Departme...
Aug 23, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/19/22) – A new state law offers new protections from predatory towing. Tracking the history and origin of 4 State Trucks in Joplin, Mo. And some carriers seem to be pushing their drivers to test the limits of the new short-haul exemption. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:04 – Maryland law protects truckers from predatory tows. 24:45 – Origin story of 4 State Trucks in Joplin, Mo. 39:51 – Carriers test limits of short-haul exemption.
Aug 20, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/18/22) – A draft of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Medical Examiner Handbook is now available – and truckers have a chance to make their views known about its contents. Also, a couple in Colorado are doing what they can to diversify the trucking industry. We’ll hear from one of the co-founders of Carter's Truck Driving Academy about how they got started and what they’re doing. And another round of tax relief will soon be available to Indiana residents as part of a legis...
Aug 19, 2022•51 min
