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,
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
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
Follow good safety practices to avoid injury while loading or unloading a trailer
Safety is important for every driver. Most learn early in their CDL careers how to stay safe on the road, and many receive periodic training
Backlogs continue: Truck manufacturers still plagued by shortages of semiconductors, other parts
Production of new Class 8 trucks is still constrained by a lack of parts, inventories are all but gone, and used truck prices are so
Those Who Deliver with Decker Truck Line
Successful companies are often called to be flexible enough to change with the business climate while holding on to their core values. Decker Truck Line,
TCA Owner-Operator of the Year: Bryan Smith employs perseverance, knowledge to succeed in trucking
Perseverance is an important quality for any business owner, especially when dealing with the unique challenges of the trucking industry. Perseverance certainly helped owner-operator Bryan
Wise investment: When spec’ing a trailer, it’s best to consider various options
Carriers typically carefully spec the trucks they purchase in order to obtain enough power to meet customer needs while conserving as much fuel and operating
Electric vehicles almost ready but supporting infrastructure lags behind
The Urban Planning Conference was a bust. Leaders from cities across the U.S. gathered in New York City to discuss ideas for dealing with leading
Make sure the used truck you buy is the right one for your business
Purchasing a used tractor for your business is a difficult task any time. Purchasing one today is even tougher. High prices and low inventories have