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OOIDA scores another one for drivers. This will not be the end of the story but it is an encouraging development, methinks. Report here

In eight years with FDCC, Diane and I never heard of skid pad training either. They told us about it at Landstar Express America orientation and encouraged us to attend. I do not recall the particulars but Landstar either pays for the training or helps with the cost. We plan to attend when we...

I am viewing now a live cam from Long Beach, NY and listening to the fire department feed that goes along with it. Google Maps and street view provides a good sense of the neighborhoods they talk about. A fire was reported at an address. I could look at a photo of the street and building. Minor...

Excellent comment. Let's hope she was stunned because you helped her focus on the true stakes of the game.

That is a fantastic idea! You can write about yourself and others. Anytime you need new material you don't have to do anything more than start a conversation with people at the lunch counter or parking spot next to you. Every driver has a story. Really, that is a great idea.

Let me add that a quick Google search on "How to blog" will produce numerous articles about getting started. I noticed that some are helpful but many talk more about the blog platform and templates and such. Content trumps cosmetics always. Don't worry too much about how the blog looks and...

It is the thoughts and experiences of a rookie team that are especially valuable to expediter wannabee readers. You won't be a rookie for long, and then you will not think to write about the things that most interest new people. I love reading rookie posts. They see the industry through new...

To do a blog you need to write it, of course, and post your entries (and photos if you wish) somewhere on the World Wide Web where people can see them. Google's Blogger is one of the easiest resources for doing both; free too! As far as promoting it, techniques range from doing nothing and...

For expediter wannabees researching the industry, blogs written by expediters can be a good source of information; especially those that describe day-to-day experiences and observations on the road. This post was prompted by a new blog, written by Jim and Judy Beck, that I stumbled upon today...

Thank you, KYoung. We did not jump in until after we talked to BCOs who made that kind of money. When choosing carriers, Diane and I have never worried about how the typical or average expediter was doing. We focused on the top producers. We looked not just at the money they made but how they...

DoD business is not solicited like commercial business is. All approved carriers access it the same way. If there is more to be had, it is available equally to all carriers. If FDCC is preparing to do more of it, they can get it but only by bidding prices below all others. The last time Diane...

If you are asked to stage your truck ahead of the storm, it may be a good opportunity, but let me invite Layoutshooter to chime in here and share his story about that.

Maybe yes, maybe no. Some trucks may be put on a regular route where multiple trips are made into an area, back out to pick up another load, and back in to deliver. Other trucks may be staged in the area to hold supplies until needed. They are paid a daily rate to sit. Still others may do runs...

Good points, Moose. Landstar also offers skid pad training, paid for business classes, free accounting software (but no free tax prep services that I know of). Comapnies that do that demonstrate true respect for owner operators and a true understanding that a contractor is a business person...

That's Diane, a/k/a She Who Must be Obeyed.

It depends on the size of the disaster. The tornadoes this spring were terrible but tornado damage tends to be limited to small areas compared to a major hurricane. Damage from Katrina and Rita was widespread and numerous expediter trucks were called upon to provide disaster relief. Even if you...

Looks great. Good choice on the site developer too. If anyone knows how to set up a web site for expediters, On Time Media does.

That's great news, muttly. Thank you for sharing it. Diane and I missed the old weather channel. I'm glad to see Sirius/XM bringing the weather channel back in some form at least.

Bruno, I stopped reading and responding to Greg's posts many months if not years ago and my EO experience improved when I did. You might try doing the same. Try it as an experiment for a week or month to see how it works for you. When you ignore his posts they don't get old, they pleasantly...

I have not questioned your numbers or character.