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We don’t know what day it is half the time – The Trucking Review Channel

November 18, 2019

We love sharing The Trucking Review Channel with our audience. Here is the latest adventures of Christopher and Tammy. As you can see from this clip, they are trucking in style with their bikes in tow. Adventure trucking! Courtesy: The Trucking Review Channel

Global brands partner with GMA Trucking to drive faster adoption of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles

December 26, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Center for Green Market Activation (GMA) is partnering with Smart Freight Centre to release a request for proposal (RFP) for zero-emission trucking service attributes through its zero-emissions trucking program, GMA Trucking. According to a media release, the RFP targets the deployment of approximately 250 Class 8 battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell trucks representing up to 14 million miles traveled per year. For context, only 760 new Class 8 zero-emission trucks were put on US roads in 2023. This pilot initiative represents a first-of-its-kind procurement leveraging a book and claim system to scale adoption of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks and increase access to zero-emission trucking services for companies with ambitious climate targets. The RFP seeks to overcome utilization, infrastructure and market challenges associated with Class 8 zero-emission truck deployment by connecting US carriers with corporate customers ready to take meaningful action to address their road freight emissions. “This is a very clear, very loud demand signal for any carrier paying attention,” said Kim Carnahan, GMA CEO. “Companies want zero-emission trucking services and are willing to make the investments needed to access them. This pilot procurement is just the beginning. As with similar buys in aviation and maritime, we expect the second round to eclipse this one many times over.” Zero-emission trucks make up less than 1% of the new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles on the road today. Without demonstrated demand from the market, the trucking industry is likely to remain off track in reducing emissions at the rate needed to meet climate targets, according to the release. Launched in 2023, GMA Trucking works with trucking customers interested in advancing decarbonization within heavy-duty road transportation through a buyers alliance and book and claim model similar to that used by the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) and the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA). Over the course of 2024, CarbonLeap, Etsy, Kuehne+Nagel, Netflix, Reckitt, and others have joined previously announced founding members eBay, Green Worldwide Shipping, Meta, PepsiCo, and REI Co-op. Procurement through GMA helps members achieve their “Scope 3,” or value chain climate targets, according to the release. The release noted that selected carriers will “gain a new source of revenue to recapture the higher costs of deploying and operating zero-emission trucks compared to traditional internal combustion vehicles. They will also be able to expand zero-emission trucks to regions and routes where uptake is currently slow or nonexistent.” “Book and claim systems drive greater investment into low carbon transport solutions, and its implementation for zero-emission trucks can channel aggregated demand to innovative road freight carriers” said Christoph Wolff, CEO of Smart Freight Centre. “As with book and claim systems for all transport modes, Smart Freight Centre will ensure that emissions attributes can be calculated, accounted for, and reported in the most robust and transparent way.” Following the proposal review process, GMA Trucking will facilitate multi-year, bi-lateral contracts between participating members and carriers. Based on the robust projected demand and findings from the RFI conducted earlier in 2024, GMA Trucking anticipates awarding contracts to multiple carriers. Following the pilot procurement, GMA Trucking plans to run recurring RFP processes to help its members purchase zero-emission trucking service attributes on an ongoing basis and accelerate the decarbonization of the heavy-duty trucking sector, which accounts for more than 3% of global carbon emissions. By demonstrating the demand for these services among corporate buyers, the program seeks to jumpstart the adoption of zero-emission trucks in underserved regions, helping reduce costs as additional supply enters the market, the release noted. Carriers interested in reviewing and responding to the RFP may access it on GMA’s website at this link. GMA Trucking will host a webinar for potential RFP respondents on Jan. 17, 2025, at 12 p.m. EST. Those interested in participating in the webinar can register here.

Tight trucking capacity likely for June as overall market shows some improvement

May 25, 2022

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Although some data suggests that one major cause of supply chain issues in the United States — a shortage of available trucking — may be easing overall, June stands to see a tight market for truck capacity, just as in previous years, according to an industry expert. “From the first wave of summer’s produce season in Georgia to the transport of farming equipment and construction machinery around the nation, not a single trailer is left unused, and many are overbooked,” wrote Eric Metso, a sales manager with ATS Transportation, in a recent blog posting on the coming challenges in the trucking industry. “June creates the perfect accumulation of demand that, without exception, tests the trucking industry’s ability to keep up. Frost laws have ended, a lot of produce is in season and it’s finally time to fix that pothole at the end of your street.” Metso wrote that at ATS, the company typically sees a 15% uptick in volume compared to May. However, a recent Harvard Business Review report suggests that the overall tight market for trucking capacity is showing some signs of relief. “Spot market data indicates that the acute shortage of U.S. trucking capacity is just about over,” according to Harvard. “Prices began to decline in January, after the holiday season and they have continued to do so. Shortages of drivers also appear to be diminishing. Recent reports about the time it is taking to unload ocean shipments provide similar signals.” June dry van and reefer capacities When it comes to the ability to find dry van and reefer capacity during the 30 days in June, the two main constraints are produce harvesting in the south and household goods nationwide, according to Metso. He wrote that “each of these events plays a role in tightening dry van and reefer capacities across our nation in June.” June marks the initial wave of produce harvest, and distribution, throughout the southern U.S. in many coastal states as farmers along the eastern section of coastline need to move their products from the fields and onto the shelves of grocery stores and produce markets across the nation. “This influx of demand makes the month of June in states spanning the south to south-eastern portions of our nation, an absolute hotbed for reefer and dry van capacities,” Metso wrote. “The transportation of high-liability, perishable freight fetches a pretty penny for the truckers fortunate enough to be located in these regions.” Finding a trucking solution out of these areas will cost more in June as carriers are highly motivated to stick around these locations, according to Metso. June equals ‘household goods season’ “On the flip side, if you’re a shipper looking to move reefer or dry van freight into these areas, finding the capacity to do so will likely come easily,” according to Metso. “Drivers love to maximize their time and if your freight will help them get to the cornucopia of harvest-based demand in these regions, name your price, you’ll find plenty of takers.” For an eight-week window of time beginning in June, the movement of household goods across the United States ramps up substantially. This time of year marks the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, making it the perfect time for families who are looking for a change of scenery, to find one. And thus begins household goods season. “As individuals, couples and families uproot their lives and move to a nearby town, state or faraway place, the moving companies — tasked with helping them do so — need to find dry van capacity,” Metso wrote. “These companies begin their work by reaching out to their carrier partners to find the capacity they need to move their client’s furniture, appliances and other household items.” June, more than any other time of year, is the month where this process is at its peak, people are moving and they’re taking a lot with them, according to Metso. “In turn, this uptick in dry van demand tightens transportation capacity around the nation as people relocate during June,” he wrote. “This makes it harder to find a truck at the price points of other months.” How are open-deck capacities impacted in June? The hustle and bustle of America’s highways, prompted by good weather and the promise of a long fruitful summer is thanks, in no small part, to the frequent transportation of open-deck freight. according to Metso. “In the northern U.S., the snow has gone away, the trees are dense with their newfound leaves and the children are gearing up for what promises to be a long, hot summer,” he wrote. “This also means that the frost laws —dictating gross weight limits on the fragile interstate highways in this region — no longer apply. And what perfect timing. The fields are ready for plowing and that 4th-street overpass can finally be reconstructed. Luckily, in June, the machinery needed to churn up the earth and hoist construction materials can finally be moved.” As such, the large equipment that couldn’t be transported in previous months, line the interstates of northern states in June, according to Metso. “Drivers should expect larger freight like farm equipment, construction equipment and other oversized machinery to soak up a large portion of open-deck capacities as the seasons change in this region,” he wrote. “The southern U.S. also transitions into an open-deck hotbed in June. With a lot of similarities to the northern states, the southern portion of our nation also transports a large quantity of open-deck freight as we steadily approach the solstice.” How do national events impact capacity in June? June, unlike any other month of the calendar year, is both capped by national holidays and features the end of a quarter. Each of these events impacts capacity in separate, but equally disruptive, ways, Metso wrote. How do national holidays impact Capacity? From Memorial Day on the final Monday of May — impacting the ability to find capacity over that weekend — to the fourth of July the following month, national holidays should be noted and planned for in this industry. “Just like you and I, truck drivers also like to spend holiday breaks at home with their family and friends,” Metso wrote. “As such, the demand for their services especially following Memorial Day — will spill into June. This increased demand for capacity — in anticipation of the congestion of the 4th of July and avoidance of Memorial Day — will increase prices as demand shifts into the weeks of June. As such, you’ll want to make sure that you plan for these national holidays, and wherever possible, schedule your shipments around these periods.” How does the end of quarter two impact capacity? As the nation edges toward the end of the second quarter, halfway through the calendar year, businesses across the U.S. will be distributing their inventories and fulfilling their supply chain commitments. This is done in anticipation of quarterly reporting and analysis as these businesses strategize for the upcoming quarter. “These companies will increase their demand for capacity as they move commodities in anticipation of quarter end, tightening the market even further,” according to Metso. How should you prepare for June in the trucking industry? “Even though June is an incredibly busy time in the trucking industry, your budget is still important and we’re here to help you through it,” Metso wrote. “The most important thing that you can do to maximize your budget this June is to provide your transportation partner an adequate amount of lead time. Although it varies by equipment type, region and commodity, a good time frame for notice falls between 48 and 72 hours before the time your shipment needs to load. Given this amount of lead time, a great transportation partner will be able to secure your truck at a reasonable price and get it to your facility when and where you need it.”

Upcoming webinar from Expediter Services to focus on why now is the time to start a trucking business

February 17, 2021

Are you a professional driver or an aspiring entrepreneur who has considered starting your own trucking business? Are you a current owner-operator, fleet owner or independent contractor looking to strengthen and grow your business? Is there knowledge, experience and support available that understands what’s needed in today’s trucking market? If you are looking for answers to any of these questions Expediter Services (ES), a leader in capacity solutions and ownership opportunities within the trucking industry, is pleased to announce the company will be providing useful insights on these topics through the initial webinar in the IN-SITE 2021 Online Series. The free webinar, “Start Your Own Trucking Business: Why Now Is The Time & This Is The Place,” will focus on the opportunities and challenges within today’s landscape of the industry. The session will also offer a path forward for professional drivers who are aspiring to become entrepreneurs. Additionally, the webinar will speak to the needs of fleet owners seeking to grow established trucking businesses. The live webinar event will take place on Wednesday, February 24, from 2-3 p.m. EST. Replays of the webinar will be available for all who register for the event. The discussion by an industry expert panel assembled by ES will include an examination of current market conditions in trucking, and it will place an emphasis on the key questions asked by owner-operators, independent contractors, fleet owners and those considering entering into truck-ownership during the next year. The webinar will also discuss access to capital and the availability of equipment in today’s market. Free registrations for the live event and access to the replay of the webinar are available through the following link: https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1427774&tp_key=da2517d486 “Over the past year, the entire trucking industry has shown both an incredible resiliency and strength throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we believe the country now has a better understanding of trucking’s can-do spirit that is seen every day in the professionals behind the wheel,” said Jason Williams, president of ES. “This new position of respect for the importance of trucking has inspired some in the industry to want to take the next step in their trucking careers. And while some industries have been stalled and economic headwinds from COVID still exist, there are tremendous opportunities in trucking for aspiring entrepreneurs and existing trucking businesses. “With our ‘Start Your Own Trucking Business’ webinar, we will be working to provide information, perspective and a path forward for those interested in truck ownership, business operations and growth within a vital industry,” Williams added. “During the webinar, you’ll learn why our team at ES believes that now is time to start a business in trucking. We’ll also share why ES has the programs and support available that can pave the road toward enjoying success in trucking.” Williams will serve as one of the panelists for the “Start Your Own Trucking Business” webinar presented by ES. He will be joined on the panel by Jeff Tacker, chief operating officer of ES, and by Nate Meyer, who is part of the equipment sales team at Stoops Freightliner. The webinar discussion will be moderated by Leah Shaver, president and CEO of the National Transportation Institute. Shaver, who also serves as a host on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Radio Channel 146, will lead the webinar in the style of a fireside chat. In addition to perspectives from industry experts, the “Start Your Own Trucking Business” webinar will feature the viewpoint of trucking business owners who are currently behind the wheel. Ken and Jessica Horn, who each have more than 20 years of experience as professional drivers, will share their experience of becoming owner-operators and starting their own business through the programs and support offered by ES. “Ken and Jessica came into our program in January of 2020, and we’re looking forward to hearing them share their story during the webinar. They are a great example of what’s possible for professional drivers who want to become owner-operators and grow a business in the trucking industry,” Williams said. “The IN-SITE 2021 series is not about selling a truck or a program. Like the webinars we held last year, IN-SITE 2021 will be focused on what’s happening in our industry and what can be possible. We hope that all those professional drivers, owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners interested in the business of trucking will consider attending the live webinar or watching the on-demand replay.” ES has planned IN-SITE 2021 free webinar events for March and April as part of the overall program. The upcoming events in the series will also have topics of interest for owner-operators, independent contract drivers, fleet owners and any aspiring entrepreneurs within trucking. The topics and panelists will be announced in the near future. To stay up to date on the latest with IN-SITE 2021, visit https://essuccessintrucking.com/insite2021/. To hear more about what to expect during the “Start Your Own Trucking Business” webinar, click on the audio player below to hear the Success In Trucking Podcast interview with webinar moderator Leah Shaver.

The Trucker News Channel — Moving America Forward?

July 7, 2020

In this episode we cover: House passes infrastructure bill |Record marijuana bust at border |CAT Scale Rig of the Week | DOT examiner sentenced Tucker: Hey truckers, I’m Tucker. The democrat-controlled house passed the Moving America Forward Act, which includes a hefty increase in liability insurance premiums for commercial vehicles. Border patrol agents made a record high marijuana seizure at the US northern border, and a Florida DOD medical examiner is sentenced for falsifying records. That’s just a quick look at the stories we covering, as well as our Cat Scale Rig of the Week on this edition of The Trucker News Channel. Tucker: The democratic-controlled house approved the Moving America Forward Act on July 1st, and it includes a $1.5 trillion plan to rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure, pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into projects to fix roads, bridges, and other transportation-related needs. That’s a lot of asphalt. Tucker: The Invest in America Act, which was folded into the Moving America Forward Act, carries major implications for truckers if it’s passed through the republican-controlled Senate. An amendment to the Invest Act increases minimum financial liability premiums from 750,000 to two million. Tucker: Truckers had an ally, though, as representative Mike Bost, a republican from Illinois, introduced an amendment that would strip the requirement from the act. Unfortunately, the amendment didn’t make the cut and the higher insurance premiums were carried through in the bill. The Moving America Forward Act was approved by a 233 to 188 vote, mostly along party lines, and now moves to the republican-controlled Senate. Tucker: US Customs and Border Protection made a northern border record seizure of 9,472 pounds of marijuana that was discovered in a commercial shipment manifested as storage containers. The truck was driven by a 26 year old male who is a citizen of India and a permanent resident of Canada. The drugs were initially found during a non-intrusive inspection scan of the truck and a physical examination of the rig revealed 55 wooden pallet boxes containing vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana. Tucker: In total, officers seized 9,472 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of more than $20 million. This is the largest narcotic seizure recorded on the northern border and ranks 23rd in the US during the past five years. Between October 2019 and June 2020, ports within the Buffalo Field Office, which covers 16 ports of entry throughout the New York state, have made more than 700 narcotic seizures totaling more than 20,180 pounds. Announcer: Time is money and Cat Scale can help your drivers save time weighing. Drivers know their axle and gross weights before pulling off the scale, and Cat Scale weights are always guaranteed. Drivers get back on the road faster with the Weigh My Truck app from Cat Scale. Tucker: This week’s Cat Scale Rig of the Week goes to Jeremy Ward’s Suzuki green 1995 Peterbilt 379. The truck is equipped with a Caterpillar 3406E engine and an 18 speed transmission. This is a special truck, but more for its history than its make and model. Tucker: Jeremy of Gladwin, Michigan was in high school when he saw this truck going down the road and mentioned it to his dad. To his surprise, his dad bought the truck, but eventually sold it to another company. Later on when Jimmy started his own trucking business, he bought the truck back. That’s why it’s the Cat Scale Rig of the Week. Tucker: Jeremy has put a lot of effort into his Peterbilt, repainting everything except for the distinctive checkered flags that adorn the sides, which he sanded and clear coated. He also added lime green lighting designed by American Super Light in North Hollywood, California. Tucker: Diesel Freaks in Gaylord, Michigan took care of the engine work. The 3406E engine now puts out 800 horsepower, creating enough torque to break the gears and the 13 speed transmission were replaced. In fact, the entire drive train from differentials forward is new. Nice rig. Although the truck is definitely show quality, Ward hasn’t entered it in any truck shows. If you have a rig you would like us to feature here on the Cat Scale Rig of the Week, send us an email at [email protected]. Tucker: A Florida-based certified medical examiner has been sentenced for falsifying US Department of Transportation physical examinations. The US District Court for the Southern District of Florida has sentenced Ronald Sherry to 180 days of home confinement, 60 months of probation, 500 hours of community service and $100 special assessment. Sherry was arrested in November and pled guilty in February to falsification of records and obstruction related to fraudulent medical examinations of CDL holders. Tucker: Working as a physician assistant, Sherry was also serving as a certified medical examiner. According to an FMCSA review, Sherry performed 10 times more DOT physicals in 2016 and 2017 than the national average. The US Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General said Sherry was accused of making false entries on FMCSA medical exam forms and transmitting them to the FMCSA between March 2018 and March 2019. Tucker: Well, that’s it for this edition. If you’re watching us on YouTube, make sure to click that little red subscribe button below. You can also go to thetrucker.com to keep up with the latest news stories just for truckers. On behalf of everyone here at the trucker news channel, I want to thank you for watching, and we’ll see you next time.

The Trucker News Channel – Getting $10 a mile

June 7, 2020

In this show we cover… – Trucker has stash of pipe bombs – Toll workers losing their jobs – Getting $10 a mile the hard way – Iowa 80 joins Hall of Fame David Compton: Hi, I’m David Compton. In a follow-up to last week’s story about a trucker who was killed in a standoff with police, now the FBI finds numerous explosive devices stockpiled at his home. And with all the talk about cheap freight recently, I’m going to show you a trucker getting $10 a mile. Unfortunately, his cargo’s going to cost him some time spent in prison. Tucker Russ: Hey, there truckers. I’m Tucker. Pennsylvania state’s automating employees out of their jobs. Howes Hall of Fame is adding a famous truck stop to their Class of 2020. And in our tech segment, Rand McNally rolls out their new TND Line. That’s just some of the stories we’re covering, along with our Cat Scale Rig of the Week on this edition of The Trucker News Channel. David Compton: Last episode, we covered a story about 58-year-old truck driver, Joshua Blessed, who was killed following a police pursuit and a gun battle in New York. Police were puzzled on why a routine traffic stop turned into a deadly gun battle. Now several days later, they have their answer. FBI and Virginia State Police began searching his Rockingham County, Virginia home and found a stockpile of a dozen pipe bombs. Based on the weapons cache and stockpile, police believe that Blessed was planning a large-scale attack. Authorities looked into Blessed’s social media posts and believe that he had become radicalized. His Facebook feed featured numerous anti-law enforcement posts. Tucker Russ: More job loss in 2020. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has voted to lay off 500 fare collectors and other toll workers, making the entire interstate network a cashless system. The cuts are the latest development in the agency’s multi-year transition from a system that largely relied on workers stationed in toll booths to collect cash to one that uses E-ZPass as well as automated license plate readers that generate mailed bills. The job losses will begin June 18th, and the Commission said some health benefits will remain in place for two years. David Compton: Over the past couple weeks with the trucker protest in Washington, we’ve been hearing a lot about truckers not wanting to haul cheap freight and freight rates plunging below one dollar. Well, here’s a guy that’s getting more than $10 a mile. However, it doesn’t work out very well for him because in the end it cost him his freedom. Truck driver Arne Arvidsson Ewens, 63, is now facing federal charges following a big rig drug bust in Simpson County. The Department of Homeland Security had a tip about a white 2015 Kenworth T600 that was parked at the Key Stop gas station on Nashville Road in Franklin. Authorities tailed the big rig on Interstate 65, where it was stopped at the inspection station at mile marker three. It was there that Ewens gave verbal consent for his tractor and his trailer to be searched. Well, a canine at the scene found 15 bundles of cocaine that were located inside a large metal container under the bunk of the tractor. Ewens confessed to the officials that this was the first time he’d ever transported narcotics, and he was given instructions to transport the drugs from Elsa to Winchester, Kentucky, which is approximately 1,340 miles. Also, further confessed he was paid about $13,608 or put another way, that’s more than $10 a mile. Tucker Russ: A few weeks ago, we did an interview with the founders of Howes and their new virtual online Hall of Fame that celebrates those who have impacted the trucking industry. Well, the company has added another inductee. Iowa 80, the world’s largest truck stop, rounds out the inaugural Class of 2020. Located in Walcott, Iowa, the iconic truck stop has been serving truckers since 1964. Iowa 80 is also the home of the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, which has been going on since 1979. Last year’s attendance hit a record 44,000 attendees. Unfortunately, this year’s event was canceled due the pandemic. Open 24/7 and offering 42 gas islands, 16 diesel lanes, a seven-bay truck service center, a three-bay Truckomat Truck Wash, a certified Cat Scale in a parking lot that can hold 900 trucks, Iowa 80 is the perfect addition to Howes Hall of Fame. Congratulations Iowa 80. Commercial: Time is money and Cat Scale can help your drivers save time weighing. Drivers know their axle and gross weights before pulling off the scale, and Cat Scale weights are always guaranteed. Drivers get back on the road faster with the weighmytruck app from Cat Scale. David Compton: This week’s Cat Scale Rig of the Week goes to David McKinney and his 2016 Peterbilt Pride & Class 389 they call Part-Time. The rig was a white Fitzgerald glider kit when he purchased it and McKinney added accent stripes inside and out. Then he matched it with a Big Bubba aluminum trailer that also had matching accents. The family has participated in quite a few truck shows, winning multiple awards. In fact, in 2019, McKinney offered his wife, Connie a choice between a trip to the beach or a truck show in Virginia. She chose the truck show. The whole McKinney family contributes to the 14 truck business. Connie’s the bookkeeper’s, son Dalton’s the dispatcher and youngest son [inaudible 00:05:26] manages the maintenance. Nice rig McKinney family. If you have a rig you’d like to have profile here on the Cat Scale Rig of the Week, send us an email to [email protected] Tucker Russ: Time for a tech segment. Rand McNally has launched the next generation of its TND line, which includes advanced navigation as well as upgraded features. The TND 750 and the TND 550 trucks-specific GPS devices are available in stores now. Both devices include Rand Navigation 2.0, the company’s proprietary new navigation software that features technologically sophisticated truck routing, a modern clean interface, crowd-sourced POI review, and striking new visuals, such as 3D cities and landmarks. The TND 750 has a high definition, seven-inch screen, and the TND 550 offers a vibrant five-inch screen. The two offerings mark the sixth generation of dedicated truck-specific GPS devices for professional drivers. David Compton: That’s it for this edition. If you’re watching this on YouTube, make sure to click that little red subscribe button below. You can also go to TheTrucker.com to read the latest breaking news. That’s all. So on behalf of Tucker and myself and everybody else here at The Trucker News Channel, thank you for watching.

Adventure trucking in Laredo Texas / Life is good

December 11, 2019

Christopher and Tammy are back out on the road. In this episode, they get some time to take the bikes out for a spin in-between loads. Courtesy: Trucking Review Channel

An odd place to get a free meal in Nevada – Team trucking life

December 2, 2019

Christopher and Tammy are back on the road again in Nevada with some odd advice on where to get free food and coffee if you are willing to take a tour! Courtesy: Trucking Review Channel

Trucking with a Dog – Seattle WA – Trucking Team Driving

November 8, 2019

Here is the latest adventure of Christopher and Tammy! Enjoy. Courtesy: The Trucking Review Channel

A day in the life of a trucking couple – Grow big little roach

October 29, 2019

We are proud to introduce our audience to the Trucking Review Channel. Come along as we follow this trucking couple and their adventures on the road. Courtesy: Trucking Review Channel

The DAT Guys take a look at rates

April 17, 2020

TRC and the DAT Guys take a look at rates and news. Courtesy: Trucking Review Channel

$25,000 hazardous duty pay for truckers. What are your thoughts?

April 8, 2020

Our friends at the Trucking Review Channel discuss the idea that is being floated in Congress regarding hazardous pay for essential workers. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Courtesy: Trucking Review Channel Trucking Review Channel: Okay guys, I was just reading the news and I seen this. Senate Democrats propose a $25,000 Corona virus hazard pay for essential workers. I’ll tell you how I feel about this after I read it and I might have to pause it and go into a little debt. I don’t know. Okay. Senate Democrats are proposing giving hazard pay for up to $25,000 to essential workers including grocers, store employees, transit workers, and truck drivers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. The bonus pay, which would equate to $13 an hour raise for recipients, I don’t know where they get that number they’re doing averages, but go towards workers who are in the line of fire day in and day out. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, said during a Tuesday conference call with reporters, it would extend from the beginning of the virus outbreak through the end of the year. Trucking Review Channel: “It’s the right thing to do. It’s the moral thing to do”, Schumer said. “When America has a crisis, we all pull together. No one has pulled together more than these essential workers who desire hazard pay. We are asking these workers to take a great risk. They should be compensated for it”. The Democrats proposal, the so called pandemic premium pay would offer at $25,000 for workers earning less than $200,000 a year and up to $5,000 for those earning more than $200,000. It would also offer an essential work recruitment incentive of up to $15,000 for medical workers. Schumer did not provide a total cost estimate for the proposal. Many hospital workers and medical providers have expressed concern about the high risk of exposure to the virus, particularly given the inadequate access to personal protective equipment like masks, gowns and gloves that could help to protect them. What is hazard pay? Trucking Review Channel: You was in the army. You know what it was. The Trump administration might be open to a fourth stimulus package, which may include, hazard pay for frontline workers who earn too much to qualify for the one time payment of $1,200 set aside in the CARES Act. We’ll skip that. President Trump also said he’s considering hazard pay for healthcare workers like doctors, nurses, and others grappling with the outbreak of COVID-19 respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus. It’s something we’re discussing in terms of bonuses are bonus pay. Trump said last week during a white house briefing. They’re like warriors. They’re like soldiers. Well, that’s true. The existing $2 trillion relief bill is paying people $1,200 who earn less than $75,000 and $2,400 to couples who earn less than $150,000. Children receive $500. Trucking Review Channel: The payments are tapered for high earners and are phased out completely for individuals earn more than $99,000, or couples who are more than 198,000. You know I’m going to give you my opinion on this also, right? There’s a big fear in my head that as this continues to escalate, a lot of people are going to start going home. I think that I read that about 40% of the workforce in our niche, our trucking niche has already accepted layoffs and went home. Trucking Review Channel: It’s a very big possibility and I’ve talked to you guys about the fact that two weeks ago when this started up, started ramping up, rates were really high, right? And we were socking it to them and I understand that even if I don’t agree with it. But now times have caught up and enough truck drivers have went home that the ones that have switched over from other services have filled the niche rather nicely. Matter of fact to the max capacity. So rates have fallen on that same load that you was hauling two weeks ago, the stimulus load. The rates have fallen substantially, okay? Now we are, we are all of us. It’s not just truck drivers, okay. This is a problem that faces our country and if everyone goes home, the nation’s going to be over. We can’t all go home. That’s why I’ve talked about bravery and some people put their life in the line and they just keep on doing it because there are people that run to fires and people that run from fires. Trucking Review Channel: I’m not going to judge you if you go home. I am sitting at home. In two weeks if the girl isn’t better, I’m going back out. I’m going to go out regardless. It’s not a matter of money for me. It’s a matter of patriotism and I got to do my part to help the country along in this effort to preserve our way of life. Preserving our way of life, it’s a tangible dream. Really, it is. A tangible dream for the next generation. It may not be here for the next generation. If we don’t do something today. The government’s going to get the freight moved one way or the other. Which side would you be on? Will you be on the money grubbing side? Give me a dollar. Give me a dollar. I want my $3. You guys know that movie? All right. Trucking Review Channel: Or, are you going to be on the side that stands up and just does what’s right? Because if we don’t deliver freight, people are going to die. Right now, it’s really great, right? Have you noticed that there’s been a trend in the grocery stores and people aren’t buying the amount of stuff that they was buying because they’re starting to stock in their goods in the stores. You’re going to see in the coming week another glut, and when I say a glut, I mean the DCs are going to be filled up and then you’re going to find another drop in freight rates once these DCs are filled up. And then more truck drivers will go home because you don’t want to sit at a truck stop. I’ll go out and work and I’ll haul freight for practically free. But I’ll tell you, I’m not going to sit at a truck stop all week. If I’ve got to sit, I’ll go home. Trucking Review Channel: I’m not needed, right? And I know you feel the same way. If you’re needed, then that give me a load. There’s no pretty picture to this. There’s no pretty outcome. It’s doom and gloom with a better hope for tomorrow. I hope you guys can stand up where you’re needed to stand up and function. And function as a whole. I know that we’re going to be little disjointed revolutionaries out there, but something’s got to bring this together. I’ve been following OOIDA, oh I just touched my face guys, don’t worry about it I’ve been inside. I’ve been following OOIDA really closely because they’re really staying on top of this really good. If you guys aren’t a member to OOIDA you guys probably should join because they are looking out for your best interest. Trucking Review Channel: But anyway, we’re still at home. I know you guys think that we’re on the road because I had some videos that I needed to put up and I thought, this is a time of doom and gloom. Our videos, I try to make lighthearted and airy and happy, right? So those videos that I’ve had in reserve, I went ahead and started releasing. Trucking Review Channel: The girl won’t be going back to the doctor until the 14th and we’re going to find out what’s going on with her eyes at that point. I don’t know if she’s going to be coming back out anytime soon. I really don’t. If she can’t drive, then what can she do, right? We can think of something, but you know what I’m saying, right? I mean, it’s a matter of work. But I can do it by myself. I’ve done it by myself my whole life mostly so I can do it again. Keep the faith guys. Keep strong. Keep your CBs on, communicate with each other. You’ve got to help bolster your fellow trucker up, okay? If someone needs to talk, please talk to them, and don’t be the negative Nancy that’s out there sowing seeds of descent and disaster, all right? Put a positive face on it. Trucking Review Channel: This is not America’s first disaster. It will not be our last disaster. There will be a brighter tomorrow and we will come through this whole. Hopefully we’ll come through it whole with our integrity intact. You guys have a spectacular day. Be safe out there on the front lines of corona central and be safe wear you mask, wash your hands. Stay in the woods. Stay out of the truck stop as much as you can. I know that truck stops are still giving everybody trouble. Some of them are doing good and some of them are doing bad. It’s a very stressful time on them too. They don’t think very highly of us for reasons that … They got good reasons to not think very highly of us. Trucking Review Channel: So think about that when you’re wanting to choke them out at the truck stop. I mean, Daniel was telling me about an experience he had today and I was like, I know, you just want to choke them, but we can’t do that. We’re better than that. We’re more informed. We’re better educated. We don’t get the props that we desired for the education that we received out here. But anyway, have a spectacular day. Be safe. We’ll see you on the other side.

TRC shares their views on small business loans for truckers in these uncertain times

April 2, 2020

The Trucking Review Channel share some of their thoughts for the times we are in. Have a view on this? Let us know in the comment section below. Courtesy: Trucking Review Channel Transcript: I can’t believe that someone would think that they have some kind of value in the trucking industry. If you have 350 trucks, you are still not worth anything. No, you’re not. The government’s not going to come in and take over your company, but I’ll tell you what, if we don’t truck freight, if we aren’t able to stand back up when this is over and truck freight, then the government will truck freight, and when they truck freight they don’t need you no more. That’s just how it works. And then it’s called nationalized, and you want to be nationalized. I don’t. I don’t support nationalize the oil industry or aircraft industry or anything because that’s the road to socialism guys. But truckers, I am so sad. After hiring and employing so many truckers, I know that you can get into this game, as you people call it. It is not a game. It’s a business. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a living. And if you think that you can get into it and be anything, you have to think of it as more of a game, and you have to think of it as more than what you are able to bring to the table and what you’re going to give up, because if sacrifice is involved, would you or would you not haul freight for free? Would you or would you not go into your pocket to haul freight and deliver it for the betterment of the country? I certainly will. I’ve taken a few weeks off, and we’re going to see where it’s going to go. And I’ve got 40 or $50,000 stocked over here. And that don’t count. No tangible assets. That’s just cash. If I have to go into my pocket and haul medical supplies or food or anything else and not get $1 again out of it, I will do it. I will go into my pocket and do it. And as an American… No, as a person from any country, if you cannot do that in your country, then you are… You’re slag on the… Your country needs you and you do not step forward at your own volition and your own dime, then you are the scum of the Earth. Just totally the scum of the Earth. This is an emergency situation and getting financial gain out of an emergency situation is very sad. Just very sad. Now, I hate to be doing a video like this because I do have things that I want to do in my future, and I’d like to see my channel go to a specific way, but if I can reach five people, just five people who go, “You know what? TRC is right.” Then that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter where the channel goes, doesn’t matter where anything goes, because right is right and wrong is wrong. If you are a soldier on the frontline of life, you give up your life. You don’t sit around going, “Oh, I’m scared.” Or whatever. Yes, you’re scared for your family. I can understand that. I can. But pre planning for your family should have started at day one. If you’re not… I hate to say this. I’ve got to say it. Truck drivers are the dumbest sons of bitches anywhere. Anyone can come up with the money to buy a truck. So they do. Let me give you an example. This really pissed me off and this guy, I’m sure he’s a nice guy. Okay, but he doesn’t know any better. Truckers know no better. He says, “I wouldn’t bother getting an SBA loan. Once you get it, you are under the control and can come in part of it.” Come in part of it? “Your company in stocks. OOIDA is a big union. This is dirty.” All right. Let me explain something. The AMA works for big trucking. OOIDA is here to help you. They have been here to help you as long as I have been a truck driver. OOIDA has been an organization for a good 10 years longer. I support OOIDA. I’ve been a member, excuse me, my whole life. it’s kind of like working with the NRA. I don’t always like the NRA because I don’t believe in any kind of gun registration, but I still support the NRA because it’s a matter of politics and sometimes you have to bend to get. Now, let me explain a little something about this SBA loan. I don’t believe in bailing out anyone. Not any damn one. I believe everyone should sink or swim on their merits just like your race or anything else. It’s all about your merits. But in this situation, I hate to say this, this country could come to a end under this situation if something isn’t done. President Trump, who I did not vote for, I didn’t vote… This is the first election I did not vote in, but president Trump has done a wonderful thing with this thing. He is trying to help you, because when this debacle, when this catastrophe, when this disaster is over, owner operators, if you don’t have 40, 50, 60, $70,000 set aside to survive a problem like this, there will be no owner operators left. There will be big companies that receive bailouts, because believe me, those companies have already filled their paperwork out and if you haven’t filled out your SBA paperwork, there’s a really good chance… Even if you are a lease driver, guys, you still matter. Fill out your SBA paperwork because what is going to feed you during this time when all of a sudden, when the freight dries up? Now don’t go running your mouth and tell and say anything about… Like you did on all of my videos about recession, about, “Oh, recession ain’t going to happen.” If you think that recession ain’t going to happen, if you think that bad things is not going to happen, the end of the world scenarios or whatever is not going to happen, then you’re full, because these things do happen. They may or may not happen in your lifetime, but problems do come eventually. You are now living in the lifetime of 1929 okay? You still may not see that, but you are. A deep depression is coming. We might bounce back from it in a year, but how are you going to survive that year? That’s my point to you. If you think that your trucking company… You’re at some company and you are leasing a truck. If you think that your company has any value, I’m sorry, you have zero value. Now, let me give you an example. When I was running… I’ll just back it up. I will back it up 10 years when I had X amount of trucks and my value was at $5 million. Someone wanted to buy my stuff for $5 million. You know what? The government don’t care about that $5 million. If you need a bailout and you’re worth $5 million, the government’s not going to attach to your stock options. I have bought stock in so many companies, and when I say stock, I mean startups stock. There’s a whole big difference between startup stock and NASDAQ stock. Your company’s worth nothing. If you got 40 trucks and you’re running… You’re not on the NASDAQ, guys. You’re not worth anything. You’re worth something to you and maybe to someone else that may want to buy into your company. Not pre planning for your family, get to it and get to work.