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Mechanical abilities vary widely among truck drivers but the more you have, the better off you are. If you are on the low end of the mechanical ability range, a great place to begin your mechanical skills growth is in the area of truck lighting. The ability to quickly replace a defective lamp...

A variation on the theme has already been written. See: CSA Made Easy; You are a Sitting Duck

You are the Zen Master BCO from whom I learned about this rule.

When the carrier SMS scores first became publicly available, I developed a spreadsheet to track the scores of 25 expedite carriers. At the time, I thought about doing an article on the topic. Shocked by the number of alerts the carriers had earned, I decided that the story was too ugly to tell...

I don't think so. Landstar does not accept new drivers with bad driving records. The safety culture, emphasis and training is far more developed at Landstar than at most other carriers. Some violations (like a DOT preventable fender bender) that would be considered minor at some carriers will...

The long story is too long to tell. The short story is the escort at a large shipper facility was leading the way in a car. We were to follow him several miles to the pick up. By running stop signs and breaking speed limits, he outran us, leaving us lost with no way to communicate with him. We...

I'm glad you shared that here. I've not seen or heard of the tow plow before. Had I come up behind one of those at night on the PA Turnpike, I would have been a bit perplexed. At least now I'll know what one is when I see it for the first time.

Diane and I wish you the best as you go through orientation Monday and Tuesday. You have already been talking to several BCOs so you already know how willing to help they are when your questions will come later in the week. You are already off to a good start by virtue of the contacts you have...

I have never been clear about the use of "Not For Hire" signs on the truck when moving the truck for various reasons. There are many opinions offered by drivers, but finding anything official about this is difficult. Your inquiry prompted me to look again and the only reference I find to "Not...

We have five batteries on our big-sleeper truck. Four power the truck engine, lift gate, sleeper and everything else but the reefer. The reefer battery is isolated and powers the reefer only. It gets charged by the reefer alternator. In July, 2009, we installed four Optima YellowTop batteries...

When people have serious grievences against their carrier, I often suggest they get an attorney. Before that can happen, they have to assemble the details of their case and get their story straight so they can explain to the attorney what the problem actually is. Almost always, that activity...

Getting an attorney would be a very good thing. He or she will help you sort through the details to determine the actual nature of your case. If you have a case, you will be well prepared to demand what is rightfully yours. If you do not have a case, you will have figured that out too and know...

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things we are thankful for. The list is long for Diane and me but near the top is EO and the great people of the EO community who, by their work (staff) and participation (members) create a place online, at truck shows and workshops for expediters to feel...

Details remain sketchy in news reports. As best I can tell, the load originated in Ohio. The leak began on an on ramp in Pennsylvania. What happened between those two points remains unreported. It appears that the carrier has insurance. Affected motorists are being directed to call the...

From a news story: "State police intend to charge the truck driver with failing to secure the load, Trooper John Wolff of the Gibsonia barracks said today. The summary offense carries a $300 to $1,000 fine."

That's just plain ugly.

This run looks to be about 330 milles one way. I'd be thinking more about the clock than the route. Deliver the load. Head back as far as traffic allows. Take a nap until Chicago clears and continue on.

Great links, Notanewbie! Thank you.

While the terms have a long history in the tucking industry and the use of them varies with the situation, the notion of backhaul and headhaul freight makes my skin crawl. It irritates me when someone tries to convince me that I should take a lower rate of pay because it is backhaul freight. I...

We typically stay out over Thanksgiving.