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No, but we seem to meet more people who are wind-aware; like engineers at shippers who want to know what the Airtabs are and what they do, and pilots, and people whose hobby is sailing. They approach and ask about Airtabs. That did not happen before.

I invite readers to consider some of the ways drivers and carriers view each other. Us against them Them against us Us for them Them for us Us needing them Them needing us Us with them Them with us When you think of yourself and your carrier, how would you describe your relationship...

No. Be sure to follow the instructions. It is important to have a clean surface.

In 2007, 15% of our loads we hauled were HAZMAT.

Below is a fuel cost per mile chart. With it, you can calculate the difference fuel price and fuel-economy changes make. Say fuel costs $4.50 per gallon and your straight truck averages 9 miles per gallon. On the chart, find where the $4.50 row intersects with the 9 MPG column, and you will...

Understood, Sir. Thank you.

Just to be clear, I trained to be an 05H, Morse Intercept Operator but never did the job. Due to family circumstances, I was transfered closer to home instead of shipping out to Berlin where I would have gone. By the time the family situation cleared up, there was not enough time in my...

You are the most gracious of men. In the midst of negative developments on your personal life, you find it in you to invite others into groups and continue to post useful information. When reference was made to the ASA, it took me down memory lane. My 05H comment was a tip of the hat to...

Wow! Small world. O5H here, once upon a time.

This changes things in a big way. That amount of savings in fuel cost makes a real and significant difference in our cost per mile to run the truck. It means we can haul lower-paying (not cheap) freight at still-profitable levels. If these discounts hold, our load acceptance and run-count...

Without duct tape, America stops. :)

Below is an excerpt from my daily blog. I offer it for newbies to consider as they develop their business strategies and practices. I don't have any freight to talk about today (Sunday, 8/10/08), but it is morning and there is still hope. We have been waiting for a load since Thursday morning...

Interesting reading. A few points if I may: 1. I think changing the name from Contractor Council to something that more accurately describes the body is an outstanding idea. It would relieve members of the heat that comes when other contractors misunderstand the body. It would help contractors...

Swing (barn) doors provide a better seal and insulation than roll-up (overhead) doors on reefer bodies, but a good roll-up door is adequate. I have never seen an R value given for a Skinnybun. But I have not shopped the Skinybun market either. (Why does it feel like I am talking...

Not everything important that affects contractors is presented to the council first. I know that because a council member told me so. From my point of view, the council gets far more attention from drivers than it deserves. Members are hand-picked by management. No one says much about what...

This topic is shifting a bit from the new dispatch system to four star, but about four star, let me say this. The four star contest is not unfair. The same standards apply to every contractor. If Diane and I wanted to be four star winners, we could easily do so. Safety and availability...

Insulation amount is a valid concern. A number of reefer operators address it by over spec'ing their truck body and reefer. Where three inches of insulation would do, they spec four. Where a Carrier 750 would do, they spec an 850 or even a 950. Keep in mind that insualtion effectiveness...

The last I heard, Skinnybuns (flexible bulkheads used in reefer bodies) are not alllowed with TVAL reefer freight with FedEx Custom Critical. That may have changed, but I don't think so. Check to be sure if you run with FedEx and are thinking of buying one. We do not have one in our truck. In a...

New Garmin Nuvi 750's are selling on eBay for $275 - $300.

Never thought of puppy training pads before, but you still have to buy them. Large pieces of cardboard are easily found behind most truck stop buildings. I carry a couple of those in the truck to use when changing generator oil. They make kneeling on the pavement easier. Oil drips on them are...