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Company drivers versus owner-operators

When making the choice to be a company driver or owner-operator, drivers should consider financial liability compared to autonomy and control over the loads they haul.

If anyone has a 360-degree view of being an owner-operator or a company driver it’s Scott Miller. In just the past few years, he’s not only held both roles, he’s also now a fleet owner who employs drivers as well as continues to haul loads himself. Miller’s company, SM Miller Enterprises based in Dallas provides contracted linehaul freight transfer services to FedEx Ground by covering unassigned routes all over the U.S.
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Tips to prepare for 2021 International Roadcheck

Set for May 4-6, the 72-hour inspection event will focus on lighting and hours of service compliance. Here’s what truck drivers and fleet managers can do now to plan ahead.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set the date for its 2021 International Roadcheck, the 72-hour blitz of commercial vehicle inspections across North America. From May 4-6, law enforcement officers will focus on lighting and hours of service (HOS).

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Buttigieg sails through hearing; stresses infrastructure

The former mayor was praised by both Republicans and Democrats during his Senate transportation secretary hearing, paving what appears to be a smooth path to confirmation as the youngest DOT leader in history.

Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., appears one step closer to taking over the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) after sailing through a Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 21. Noting a “bipartisan appetite for a generational opportunity to transform and improve America’s infrastructure,” he said that good transportation policy can make the American Dream possible by “getting people and goods to where they need to be, directly and indirectly creating good-paying jobs.”

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Truckers now in third group of COVID-19 vaccine deployment

The Centers for Disease Control has further defined the essential workers category, breaking it down into specific industries and pushing transportation workers and others to the third round of COVID-19 vaccine deployment.

In December 2020, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded its recommendation regarding who will be the first to receive the novel coronavirus vaccine as well as who will subsequently receive it following Phase 1a.  
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Optimistic outlook for 2021, but trucking not ‘out of the woods yet’

The biggest risk as the industry moves ahead in 2021 is what will happen with the pandemic. Trucking is also staying focused on regulatory initiatives to come from the incoming Biden administration.

As trucking kicks off 2021, there is a lot of reason for optimism, according to Avery Vise, vice president of trucking at FTR Transportation Intelligence. A strong rebound in the consumer economy is expected to continue, with more than 5% growth expected among all truck freight segments, Vise projects.

Although FTR’s outlook for 2021 is bullish, Vise told American Trucker there are still looming risks of concern.

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Why nationwide trucker strikes don’t work

Talk of a nationwide driver shutdown has been echoing nationwide for years. Despite drivers’ service, recent public accolades, and personal sacrifice, they often ask: “What do we have to do to get our voices heard?”

“Shut ’em down!”

Talk of a nationwide driver shutdown has been echoing nationwide for years – most notably and recently on social media sites. But these angry words have done little to coalesce truck drivers into a potent force that can bring about the changes they desire.

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Drug Clearinghouse deadline nears for fleets and owner-operators

Employers of CDL drivers and O/O’s who don’t register with the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse by Jan. 6 will be flagged during roadside inspections and other inquires.

With the new year comes the second full year of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations’ Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, the national database of commercial driver substance violations created to remove loopholes that allowed violators to continue operating trucks. According to data from the first 10 months of its existence, thousands of fleets and owner-operators still need to register with the database or face non-compliance repercussions.

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Fast-food joints consider drive-thru only: What it means for truckers

Fast-food restaurants are considering reducing or eliminating in-dining service and focusing instead on the drive-thru service. Where does that leave truck drivers who crave a quick bite?

A recent announcement by Wendy’s CEO Todd Penegor hit truck drivers right in their gut. He said in an earnings call that the company has a “new appetite to look at drive-thru-only restaurants.” In other words, no dining-in for truck drivers or anyone else for that matter.

They’re not the only fast-food restaurant to consider that transition. Quick service restaurants—or QSR in industry lingo—with plans to reduce or eliminate in-dining service and focus instead on drive-thru trade. McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC and others are also moving towards smaller or non-existent dining rooms in the future.

Where does that leave semi drivers who crave a quick burger and fries?

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‘Fantastic’ October trailer orders push into record territory

Chaotic freight environment, carrier profits, production constraints drive backlog well into 2021—at least.

Pandemic-driven economic trends have swung the transportation equipment market pendulum into record positive territory, as industry analysts report an ongoing and massive surge in new trailer orders.

Preliminary information for October from ACT Research indicates that the US trailer industry booked 54,200 net orders for the month, up 6% from September and more than 68% better than the same month last year.

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