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From my daily blog, Sunday, February 5, 2012: I learned today the phrase "courage and passion for lives well-lived." Learned by reading it in a book that was co-authored by a college classmate of mine. Diane and I woke up this morning in our Florida vacation house where we plan to stay...

The Sylectus Annual Conference 2012 is being held near Orlando, Fla., Feb. 10-12. I know that some Open Forum members are involved with Sylectus. If you will be attending, I'd love to meet with you there. I'll be covering the event for EO and Expedite NOW. The agenda lists some interesting...

I'm working on a piece about the EO Form topping 15,000 members and am seeking comments from members about what the Open Forum means for you. For what do you use the Open Forum? Why do you "regulars" come back again and again, sometimes for years? What prompts you newbies to become members...

Diane and I have read a little but have not yet put a lot of thought or study into the new hours of service regulations. We will be attending a meeting about them later this month at Landstar HQ when we are there for BCO Days (an annual event Landstar holds for its contractors a/k/a BCOs). After...

At any given time in the expediting industry -- be it slow times or busy -- there are trucks that seem able to get more and better freight than others. Why is that? What are the busy drivers doing that the less-busy drivers are not?

NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving. CNN story here I like that the proposed ban applies to ALL drivers, not just truckers. Many truckers have suggested that the phone use rules that apply to them should apply to four-wheelers too. Well, now we have a proposal on the...

I came across this interesting article today that explains how NJ tolls (due to increase over 50 percent in January, 2012), are affecting and will affect truckers who drive in and through that state. Tolls in other states are rising too, to levels that are beyond reason (my opinion). I'd like...

FedEx Custom Critical contractors are known for the pride with which they wear the company uniform and the religious fervor they feel for the brand. Here's the ideal gift for them ... purple pope socks! "From their little shop in Rome, the Gammarelli family has been outfitting popes, as well...

Full story here. It's hard to say what impact if any this will have on those of us who cross the border from time to time. The Canadian Trucking Alliance seems to be enthused about it.

An interesting report appeared on the Land Line web site today regarding EOBRs and the recent court ruling that vacated the FMCSA's EOBR regulation. In letters written to officials on the topic, OOIDA President Jim Johnston said, "“There is no longer any provision in the rules for the adoption...

Situation: You deliver a load on Friday afternoon in a slow freight area. If you stay put and wait for freight, it is not likely that you will get a load out until sometime next week. It may be Monday. It may be Wednesday. You do not know. You do know: - You have fixed costs to pay...

Linda, I tried several times to post a reply comment to your October 31 blog entry (Title: "Disheartened") but it would not take. Since it is an especially important topic you raise, I am posting my reply here. My comment: Diane and I left FedEx Custom Critical in June, not for perceived...

Diane and I entered the expediting business in 2003, ran eight years with a large carrier that had centralized dispatch, and then moved to a smaller one where dispatch is not centralized. That move has broadened our view of the expediting industry. Before, there was our carrier and everyone...

Diane and I have never had to hunt for a parking place in the front lot of the Ontario, CA, TA before but we did on Wednesday (10/19/11). I was surprised to see every space full when we arrived. (Straight trucks and vans are allowed there. Semis and bobtail tractors are run off by security)...

Land Line story here; the story includes a link to a related story in the Christian Science Monitor. Map below shows the Rio Grand Valley where these incidients are on the rise.

I-10 in Arizona is closed now, 18:00 local time, due to two pileups between Eloy and Phoenix. A dust storm suddenly reduced visibility to zero (or minimial, depending on the report) and crashes followed. Serious injuries and at least one fatality are reported. Road closed westbound at MM 176...

Regular readers know Diane and I left FedEx Custom Critical for Landstar a couple of months ago. The longer we are gone, the less often we think about our former carrier, and the less things matter that motivated us to leave. Those issues were resolved by leaving and as time passes the emotions...

Interesting news about OnStar. Echoes some of the talk here in the Open Forum about Qualcomm use and abuse. Technology marches on.

Excerpt from my blog today: Drivers in a truck stop TV lounge generally chat about the game and cheer the exciting plays, but you have to be careful about what you say. Most if not all of the people in the room drive for a living. Until the game is well underway and people have tipped their...

My truck is my man cave. And because it's on wheels, I get to take it with me wherever I go. :)