Mother-daughter team works to serve trucking industry
There are many people who can describe the difficulty of starting up a business in the trucking industry. Doing so as a woman — and
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
Shortage or not, change must occur to bring more drivers to trucking
Some trucking organizations and carriers claim it’s the most important issue the trucking industry is facing today. Others, such as the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
GPS apps and common sense can help keep drivers out of trouble spots
Every week, it seems, there’s another story about a truck and a bridge. One week, it’s a tractor-trailer damaging a suspension bridge by hitting a
Flat sales continue: Supply chain issues, parts shortages constrain November truck sales
There was little change to the numbers of new Class 8 trucks sold on the U.S. market in November. The “good news/bad news” freight market
What’s the answer? There’s no single solution to the complex driver shortage problem
To some, it’s the most important issue the trucking industry is dealing with today. To others, it’s a red herring that represents the industry’s unwillingness
Those who deliver: With Contract Freighters, Inc.
It all started in 1951 with a truck, a pair of trailers, and a dream, the story goes. At least, one of the stories. That’s
Is it a necessary expense? Trailer ownership brings independence but adds cost and responsibility
If you’re considering the purchase of your own trailer, the first question to ask yourself — and answer with total honesty — is: Why? The
Changing jobs? Know what a background check will show before you apply
If you’re paying attention to the trucking industry, you already know the trucking industry is suffering a driver shortage, according to many sources. In fact,
Driving into the new year: Conditions into 2022 are good, but trucks are expensive and hard to find
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting social and economic turmoil of 2020, 2021 was supposed to be a “normal” year for
Fueling the future: Electric power not the only option for zero-emissions transportation
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been prominent in many recent transportation headlines, due in large part to their prominent role in the recently passed infrastructure act.
Out with the old: Plan any adjustments to your personal tax liability before the end of the year
The final two weeks of the year can be a joyful time filled with Christmas cheer, creating new memories with family, and making plans for
Looking up: Plentiful freight, high rates keep trucking conditions favorable
There was more freight to haul in October and the rates to haul it rose higher, according to industry sources. The American Trucking Associations (ATA)
Making safety a personal value means looking out for others
Sure, safety is a priority. You make safety a priority in everything you do. You aren’t alone. Carriers emblazon the idea across their web pages,
The waiting game: Available trucks — both new and used — are scarce and expensive
The long wait for delivery of a new Class 8 truck rose again in October, reaching 14.6 months if production continues at the same rate.
Consider more than compensation when picking a carrier to lease to
If you’re thinking of buying a truck of your own, you’ve got some important decisions to make. One of the most important of those decisions
Light up the road: LED options make modern truck lighting an art form
Even from a distance, the lights tell you that an approaching vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle. If there’s a hill, even a small one,
Miles to go: Trucker Robert Palm doesn’t let diabetes keep him from the road
Truck drivers have been subjected to DOT physical examinations for decades, but many don’t fully understand the implications of failing an exam. “It will slap
Weathering the storm: September freight rates stayed high as capacity remained constrained
When a month starts off, as September did, with one of the most damaging hurricanes in U.S. history, both freight levels and fuel prices are
Planning, communication offer the best chance of getting home for the holidays
While many truckers are accustomed to being on the road for days, weeks or even months at a time, a lot of them want to
Road less traveled: April Taylor entered trucking industry via real estate law
People come to the trucking industry from all walks of life. Many find that, once they get to the industry, they find a purpose and