The freight program director of the Eastern Transportation Coalition, Marygrace Parker, joins the program to talk about how it’s tackling the truck parking crisis one city, county and state at a time. Also, the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act is simple enough. But the waters are being muddied by groups with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. And we’ve seen a slight bump of freight in the spot market. We speak with DAT to get the latest numbers in load volume and to talk abou...
Nov 23, 2023•50 min
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has taken a step toward improving broker problems in the trucking industry. But is it enough? Also, many questions surrounding how out-of-state drivers will operate in California if AB5 is enforced were raised by a judge at a recent hearing. And a legislative panel in Wyoming has backed away from a possible diesel tax increase. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is working to create a commercial driver training grant program. 0:00 – Newscast 10:07 – Does new bro...
Nov 22, 2023•50 min
Congress narrowly averted a government shutdown in a recent vote, but a longer-term problem remains. We’ll discuss what’s happening with government funding and how it could affect some important trucking issues. Also, the holiday season is upon us, and for some it can be a difficult time. We recently spoke with a licensed therapist about ways to handle the holidays for both drivers and their families. And alternatives do exist for both testing and treatment of sleep apnea. Dr. Kent Smith, an exp...
Nov 21, 2023•50 min
Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, the House sponsor of the GOT Truckers Act, joins the program to talk about why getting overtime pay for truckers is so important to him. Also, we’ll tell you who in recent news has been good and who’s been bad with this month’s edition of “Roses and Razzberries.” And a state lawmaker in Michigan is asking for the state to take another look at how it sets speed limits. 0:00 – Newscast 10:07 – “They deserve to get paid.” 24:50 – Roses and Razzberries 39:29 – Chang...
Nov 18, 2023•50 min
The government will not shut down after a stopgap spending bill was passed by both houses of Congress. So what does that mean for issues important to truckers? We’ll discuss that – and what OOIDA had to say about the DataQs system – with OOIDA Director of Federal Affairs Jay Grimes. Also, a passion for trucks and a talent behind a camera is what led Christopher E. Fiffie to create Big Rig Videos. We recently spoke with him about how he got started, his experience behind the wheel and how he's fo...
Nov 17, 2023•50 min
We’re seeing positive momentum on the federal level when it comes to awareness of the truck parking problem. But what about action? We’ll discuss a recent Senate subcommittee hearing, during which the parking crisis took center stage. Also, you may have heard about its headline-making tiny homes, but there’s so much more going on at Veterans Community Project’s campuses nationwide. And last week marked the lowest load volume for week 45 in the past seven years. What's behind the dip in the marke...
Nov 16, 2023•50 min
A Pennsylvania House committee has taken the first step toward addressing a shortage of truck parking in the state. And Iowa’s Department of Transportation is trying something new, called “safety corridors,” to tackle an increase in fatal accidents on the state’s roadways. Also, what do you eat while you’re out on the road – home-cooked-style meals or fast food? We’ll discuss a recent survey. And when you lease onto a motor carrier, there's a lot of important information you need to know when it...
Nov 15, 2023•50 min
A bill introduced into both houses of Congress could potentially have a major impact on how drivers are paid. We’ll discuss the GOT Truckers Act and what it means with Bryce Mongeon of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office. Also, the OOIDA Foundation has a new report that refutes claims of a driver shortage. Research Analyst Andrew King and OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh join the show to separate fact from false narrative. And every year, dozens of truckers volunteer to transport a replica...
Nov 14, 2023•50 min
It’s Year 17 for the Truckers For Troops Telethon at OOIDA. Norita Taylor, OOIDA’s director of public relations, discusses the campaign, how it got started and where the money goes. Also, a transport company recently stepped up to help deliver parts for a project to assemble a C47 at Camp Toccoa in Currahee, Ga. We’ll speak with the woman who coordinated the effort. And Jami Jones, Scott Thompson, Ashley Blackford and Norita Taylor will join host Mark Reddig in Studio A to recap this week’s effo...
Nov 11, 2023•50 min
There is a strong bond between those who serve in the military and those who serve our country behind the wheel of a truck. We recently spoke with two drivers who have tribute trucks to honor service members and the fallen. Also, we look at one of the Veterans Community Project’s newest campuses in Longmont, Colo., with the help of Jennifer Seybold, its executive director. Then, we catch up with several OOIDA employees who have a special connection to the military. And across the country, local ...
Nov 10, 2023•50 min
The connection between trucking and the military is not only between drivers and service members but also between drivers and the OOIDA staff who support them. We recently spoke with OOIDA employees who have been in the Army and the National Guard about their time serving and what life is like afterward. Also, one of the first Truckers for Troops care package recipients now has a son serving in the armed forces. We’ll talk with Shane Zeysing about his service, the care package he received and wh...
Nov 09, 2023•50 min
Truckers for Troops started as a program to raise money to send care packages to our troops – which it still does. But as military conflicts have subsided, the project has shifted part of its focus to our veterans through the Veterans Community Project, which is making rapid progress on its expansion plans. We’ll hear from the executive director of one of the new locations. Also, we’re starting to see seasonal changes in the spot market with an increase in load volume. We’ll get the latest detai...
Nov 08, 2023•50 min
Today is Day 1 of the 2023 OOIDA Truckers for Troops Campaign. Many OOIDA members and staff have some connection to the military. We recently sat down with OOIDA’s chief operating officer to talk about his son, who is in the Navy. And the Veterans Community Project provides housing and services to veterans in need. We recently spoke with the community engagement coordinator for VCP about how things are going, plans for the future and how it has assisted veterans in getting back on their feet. 0:...
Nov 07, 2023•50 min
As federal regulators move closer to proposed mandates of speed limiters and automatic emergency braking systems, trucking industry stakeholders are circling the wagons – but do their arguments hold weight? Then, drivers each have their own standard maintenance list for their truck, but some items are frequently overlooked. Plus, details on a new ATRI survey dedicated to female truck drivers. And finally, a preview of our upcoming Truckers for Troops telethon. 0:00 – Newscast 10:09– Land Line Ro...
Nov 04, 2023•50 min
The Director of the FBI recently warned Congress that the attack by Hamas against Israel could inspire attacks here in the United States. That means truckers have to be extra vigilant in the days ahead. Also, the Women of Trucking Advisory Board has wrapped up its final meeting, including a discussion of apprenticeship programs, and is getting ready for its next task. And a country music singer has combined his love for trucking with his talent behind the microphone to write a song dedicated to ...
Nov 03, 2023•50 min
Broker fraud is running rampant in trucking, and it’s creating all sorts of problems for owner-operators. Plus, OOIDA's ongoing mission to fight for the rights of all truckers, including company drivers, is at the center of Land Line Magazine’s November issue. And finally, we break down the latest numbers from the spot market, where capacity is rapidly shrinking. 0:00 – Newscast 10:16– Broker fraud 25:02– OOIDA’s ongoing mission is more relevant than ever 39:33 – Spot market update...
Nov 02, 2023•50 min
A small, family-owned trucking company is suing two state agencies in Pennsylvania over regulations that were put in place by California. Confused? We’ll clear up what’s happening. Also, a license suspension is a serious matter for any truck driver, so it’s important to be aware of how to handle suspensions if they happen. We’ll go over the topic with David Grimes of CDL Legal. And voters in a number of Georgia and Texas counties will decide this fall on transportation funding measures. 0:00 – N...
Nov 01, 2023•50 min
Congress is gearing up once again now that the House has a speaker. This means annual spending bills are on the move, which itself means some issues vital to truckers – such as speed limiters and automatic emergency brakes – are getting their day. Collin Long of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office fills us in. Also, low compensation, the ongoing lack of truck parking and rising fuel prices were the top three concerns truck drivers noted in the American Transportation Research Institute’s 19th annua...
Oct 31, 2023•50 min
Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation stops by to share what its September report says about conditions in the spot market. Also, detention time is a real problem in trucking, and detention pay is one way to address it. But how do you get detention pay? Then, the stage is set for the second meeting of the Advisory Committee on Underride Protection, and the stakes are high. And finally, we’ll recap the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame ceremony for 2023, speaking with honorees from...
Oct 28, 2023•50 min
After weeks of infighting and multiple votes, we finally have a new speaker of the House. So what does that mean for issues important to truckers? Also, winter weather has arrived in North Dakota, and now the state's highway patrol is giving advice to commercial motor vehicle drivers. FMCSA asked for comments concerning detention time – and OOIDA has responded. OOIDA Director of Federal Affairs Jay Grimes discusses that, plus the Association’s message for the most recent meeting of the Women of ...
Oct 27, 2023•50 min
The ongoing United Auto Workers strike against GM, Ford and Stellantis is making headlines – but how is it affecting you? Jason Miller of Michigan State University explains. Also, what’s involved in tracking fuel taxes, and how do you avoid problems reporting them? Tom Crowley and Kristopher Synder of OOIDA’s Business Services Department join the program to discuss that. And the market registered a slight decrease in load volume last week, but a seasonal bump in freight is right around the corne...
Oct 26, 2023•50 min
A new bill has been introduced to Congress to tackle an issue of high importance to many truckers. It’s called the CARS Act. And for most Americans, paying taxes is a once-a-year affair in mid-April, made simpler by changes in tax laws over the past few years. But for those who are self-employed, it’s not all that simple, and it never really has been. Also, voters in Maine soon will decide whether the state will become the second in the nation to implement an automotive “Right to Repair” law. Me...
Oct 25, 2023•50 min
FMCSA is giving truckers more time to comment on safety fitness determination, and OOIDA is ready to speak out about an upcoming detention time study. Also, a truck driver from Virginia is being recognized after he went above and beyond not once, but twice. We speak with this trucker who stopped a drunk driver, then a few weeks later helped a stranded motorist whose car broke down on a foggy interstate. And a passion for fishing turned into a professional career for a New York man who used to dr...
Oct 24, 2023•50 min
A new company is opening a series of health clinics at locations frequented by truck drivers, with an eye toward the health care needs of the trucking population. Also, the future of lease-purchase agreements was the topic of discussion at this week's Truck Leasing Task Force meeting. And we’ll get some history about the Minnesota Fatigue Checklist from Land Line Magazine Managing Editor Jami Jones. 0:00 – Newscast 10:07– Company opening health clinics at truck stops 25:00– The future of lease-p...
Oct 21, 2023•50 min
Some truck drivers in a small town in Texas are getting hefty fines while parked. We’ll speak with OOIDA's advocacy counsel about how law enforcement could be using this to bring in revenue for the town. Also, the battle to choose a new speaker of the House continues. And a task force looking at lease-purchase agreements is a step closer to completing its task. Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration has issued a proposed rule for “mobile driver’s licenses,” and one group is not ha...
Oct 20, 2023•50 min
The federal Truck Leasing Task Force met Tuesday to discuss lease-purchase agreements. We’ll talk about what happened and why it’s important to trucking as an industry. Also, a situation has come up that has serious potential consequences – drivers being stranded by their carriers. Joe Biggs and Aron Lynch of OOIDA’s Business Services Department stop by to discuss that, plus scam text messages and how to pull an MVR. And a decrease in load volume is what we can expect for the next couple of week...
Oct 19, 2023•50 min
Broker problems continue to plague owner-operators. We’ll discuss one case of that – plus information about reasonable suspicion training and more – with Tom Crowley and Joe Biggs of OOIDA’s Business Services Department. Also, it’s harvest season, and for many families, it’s a busy time of year. But what happens if you’re unable to harvest your crops due to illness or injury? An organization called Farm Rescue can help. Wisconsin lawmakers are considering whether to establish a grant program to ...
Oct 18, 2023•50 min
Electric vehicles are creating all kinds of problems not seen with traditionally fueled vehicles. Among these is what happens after one is in a collision. And when it comes to protecting your CDL, the guys at Road Law have a few tips. We’ll get the details from attorneys Jeff McConnell and James Mennella. We’ll also hear from an expert about why a pilot program for heavier trucks is a bad idea. And FMCSA is expected to release a proposal outlining the deployment of commercial motor vehicles with...
Oct 17, 2023•50 min
Chances are you know someone who’s been the victim of fraud. Law enforcement is aware of the rise in cargo theft and fictitious freight cases and is trying to do something about it. Also, from a truck stop helping out an important charity to a federal agency dragging its heels on an important issue, we’ll bring you some Roses and Razzberries. And it's been almost three decades since OOIDA brought to light an extreme case of corruption in Tennessee law enforcement. As part of our coverage of OOID...
Oct 14, 2023•50 min
FMCSA is limiting the amount of regulatory relief granted when a regional emergency is declared. OOIDA’s Jay Grimes joins us to discuss that – and the continuing contest for a new speaker of the U.S. House. Also, a truck driver is using her truck and trailer to bring awareness to missing and murdered indigenous people. We’ll speak with her about her efforts and why this message is an important one to spread. And what sort of advice would you give four-wheelers if you had the chance? One trucker ...
Oct 13, 2023•50 min
