Could the start of a new year be a good time to find a new truck driving job?
With the beginning of a new year, many people are looking to make changes in their lives. One of those changes might involve finding a
Cliff Abbott
- About Cliff Abbott
- Cliff Abbott is an experienced commercial vehicle driver and owner-operator who still holds a CDL in his home state of Alabama. In nearly 40 years in trucking, he’s been an instructor and trainer and has managed safety and recruiting operations for several carriers. Having never lost his love of the road, Cliff has written a book and hundreds of songs and has been writing for The Trucker for more than a decade.
Posts by Cliff Abbott
Weather reports are an important part of safe trips
Does your current trip plan include an updated weather report? If it doesn’t, you’re missing out on some crucial information that could impact your safety
Rising freight rates, falling interest rates will impact 2025 sales of new Class 8 trucks
November U.S. sales of new Class 8 tractors declined 5.8% from October, but that’s expected for Thanksgiving month. What was not expected was a gain
Clearinghouse Phase II: Make sure your team understands the latest FMCSA testing requirements
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse has unquestionably achieved much of its intended purpose. The burden of chasing down former employers
Today’s trucking industry is a part of Jimmy Carter’s legacy
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the U.S., will long be remembered for actions taken during his presidency that spanned 1977 through 1980. Among his
Industry looks forward to a positive freight outlook for 2025 but uncertainties remain
November saw declines in truckload volumes, according to information received from DAT Freight and Analytics — but with sound reason. “Shippers moved so much freight
Is this a good time to buy a truck? Consider these factors before putting money down
“Is this a good time to buy a truck?” It’s a question heard often in the industry, and the answer is usually the same: “Maybe
Road detectives: Watch for clues that road surfaces are treacherous this winter
Saturday, Dec. 21, will mark the first official day of winter in the northern hemisphere. It’s also the shortest day of the entire year. Dec.
Is your company ready for Clearinghouse Phase II?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse has unquestionably achieved much of its intended purpose. The burden of chasing down former
So, you want to be a trucker? Make sure you’re up for the challenge
There’s little doubt that driving a truck professionally can be a rewarding career. Compared to other career choices, the training can be less inexpensive and
Alternative fuels: Could they be a good fit for your trucking business?
If you own your own business — and this applies to owner-operators as well as fleets — it’s probably safe to assume you’re concerned about
Is the freight recession finally over? The experts aren’t sure, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel
The title of the press release said it all: “For-hire rate recession is over.” That’s good news for carriers who have been struggling to hold
New truck sales remained solid in October with vocational tractors leading the way
As expected, October was another strong sales month for new Class 8 trucks in the U.S. Manufacturers reported sales of 20,859 trucks, according to data
The cold hard truth about hauling reefers: Is it right for you?
Choosing which segment of trucking to work in is often a matter of personal preference. Pulling refrigerated trailers can be a rewarding experience and it
Does new Lytx product further erode driver independence?
No over–the–road driver that has struggled to find a parking space when it’s time to rest needs to be informed that a parking shortage exists.
Back in the Game: Modern ICEs will play vital role in the future of zero emissions
While much of North America is focused on electric vehicles (EVs) in the push toward zero emissions, another player is back on the field and
Carriers must protect themselves against ever-increasing jury awards
The trucking industry was shocked recently when a jury awarded nearly a half-billion dollars to the plaintiffs in a case involving a 2019 crash. Two
Tim Chelette of Big G Express finds joy in mentoring other drivers
You can often tell a great athlete by the number of awards and accolades they’ve earned during their careers. The same can be said of
Strong new truck sales delay capacity adjustment in the freight market
U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks were stronger than expected in September when 21,813 trucks were reported sold by manufacturers, according to Wards Intelligence.
Analysts say trucking conditions will begin to improve — but slowly
For several months, there have been hints that the freight market is beginning to turn. Unfortunately, spot freight rates have been bouncing along the bottom