How 2020 changed the job outlook from the driver’s seat
Anyone who’s followed the trucking industry knows that carriers who complain about a driver shortage are often regarded with the same disdain as the boy
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
Military veteran Ivan Hernandez named top military rookie, drives away in new Kenworth
Leadership. Discipline. Decisiveness. These are three qualities necessary for a successful military career. Those skills translate well to post-military careers, too. Like trucking. Ivan Hernandez
New Class 8 truck sales start weak in 2020 but finish strong
As expected, U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks finished the year with a strong December, making 2020 a better sales year than initially expected.
There are a variety of apps available to help simplify trucking tasks
Back in 1988, a company called Qualcomm began marketing a communications device to motor carriers that revolutionized the trucking industry. With the device, dispatchers could
Freight levels and pricing continue to climb, but hazards exist
November freight levels remained strong as 2020 entered its final month. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) reported that its For-Hire Trucking Index increased 3.7% in
Tax-time tips for maximum deductions
Everyone loves a tax deduction, and billions of dollars are spent each year making sure those deductions are maximized. When you own your own business,
Pete & Wee Pete: Trucker’s son follows in father’s tracks with tiny replica of Peterbilt 379
Family is important to most professional drivers, and children often grow into roles in the family trucking business. Brandon Davis is pretty sure his two
More than a license: Endorsements can expand the possibilities of your driving career
One of the most common mistakes new truck drivers make occurs before they even get their commercial driver’s license (CDL). New drivers often have a
Carrier Profile: Those Who Deliver — Cheema Freightlines
One family, one dream. Those words appear on the website of Sumner, Washington-based Cheema Freightlines. Since the Cheema name appears several times on the executive
Infrastructure Bill 2017 vs. 2021: Where Trump faltered, can Biden succeed?
Standing before a packed U.S. House of Representatives chamber on February 28, 2017, newly sworn-in President Donald J. Trump was delivering his first State of
Predicting 2021: Industry experts optimistic, but driver shortage may cloud outlook
If 2020 proved anything it’s that forecasting the future is far from an exact science. After all, who predicted a worldwide pandemic and the resulting
Truck sales data shows 2020 numbers likely to end on a high note
Sales of new Class 8 trucks and trailers are poised to end 2020 on a strong note, reflecting buyer confidence in a growing economy. For
A little year-end preparation can help to start the new year right
It’s that time of year again: The snow is falling in many parts of the country, and every truck owner’s dreams are filled with new
Trucking and family fulfill the dream for Jason Mayrand
Some drivers own so much equipment worthy of the term “show truck” that it can be difficult to choose which is the best. Jason Mayrand’s
Freight availability outpaces truck capacity, continues to drive rates higher as market balance tightens
Freight levels rose faster than the number of available trucks in October, driving prices higher. That’s the general consensus among several data sources viewed. ACT
Consider carefully before signing a contract
Owning your own truck can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be an exercise in frustration. Like any business, there are tasks involved
Carrier culture: These 7 questions can help determine a potential employer’s values
One of the most important — and most often overlooked — factors in choosing a carrier to work for is the “culture” you’ll find when
When safety is a personal value instead of just a priority, compromise doesn’t happen
There’s a difference between values and priorities. On the surface, they seem similar, but let’s take a closer look. For example, imagine you’re hungry. Maybe
Fleet owners have gone ‘from fear, to hope, to optimism’ as Class 8 sales decline slightly
U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks declined slightly in October, according to figures received from ACT Research. During the month, 19,034 trucks were sold,
As election certification continues, trucking industry awaits impact from likely administration change
More than two weeks after the Nov. 3 election, President Donald Trump has yet to concede the race. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the projected