Freight Expectations

A $104 million nuclear verdict against Mesilla Valley Transportation has the trucking industry asking one question: Could this happen to anyone? Matt and Craig break down the landmark case, explain why jury awards continue to skyrocket, and discuss what it means for carriers, brokers, insurers, and shippers moving forward. The conversation also dives into the EPA's latest emissions rule changes, w...

In this episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller, Max, and transportation attorney Matt Leffler challenge one of the trucking industry's biggest myths. They explain why the issue isn't a lack of drivers, but poor compensation, high turnover, and decades of structural changes that have reshaped the freight industry. The conversation expands into the growing shortage of diesel technicians, why...

In this episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller, Matt Leffler, and Max Fuller dive into one of the biggest shifts the trucking industry has ever faced. From the controversial driver shortage debate to federal regulations, fleet adoption, maintenance challenges, and the future of autonomous trucking, this conversation explores what's coming next for freight. Follow the Freight Expectations Po...

Amazon’s expansion into the LTL market is raising big questions across the transportation industry. In this episode, Craig Fuller, Tom Albrecht, and attorney Matt Leffler examine why Forward Air could be a strategic acquisition target for Amazon and what such a move would mean for carriers, brokers, and shippers. The conversation explores Forward Air’s unique airport-to-airport network, the contro...

What does it actually mean to be a "safe" carrier in today's freight market? In this episode, Craig Fuller sits down with transportation attorney Matt Leffler to discuss the growing legal risks facing brokers, carriers, and shippers as negligent selection lawsuits continue to reshape the industry. They break down the real-world impact of nuclear verdicts, the legal standards brokers are being held...

In this highly anticipated live studio episode of Freight Expectations, hosts Matt and Craig sit down in Chattanooga with a massive figure in the trucking world: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Derek Barrs! Known for his hands-on leadership style and deep respect for the trucking community, Administrator Barrs joins the show to discuss his personal “why” behind co...

Craig and Matt are joined by freight strategist Ken Adamo to break down the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in F4A Montgomery and what it means for brokers, carriers, insurers, and shippers across the country. The conversation dives into the legal and operational fallout of the decision, including broker liability, negligent carrier selection, insurance market reactions, and why many believe the f...

In this breaking news episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller (Founder & CEO of FreightWaves) and Matthew Leffler (The Armchair Attorney) react in real-time to the most pivotal legal moment in the trucking industry since deregulation. The Supreme Court has issued a unanimous ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, effectively killing F4A preemption. Freight brokers are no longer sh...

This week on Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller and Matthew Leffler dive into the hidden forces reshaping the freight industry — from International Roadcheck Week and unsafe equipment on America’s highways to the growing legal exposure facing brokers, carriers, and trailer manufacturers. They break down the FMCSA’s evolving enforcement priorities, the reality behind trailer maintenance and out-of-...

In this episode of Freight Expectations, Craig and Matt debate who belongs to the most hated profession in America: lawyers, journalists, or academics. As a media CEO, Craig takes some heat, but Matt somehow represents all three. Beyond the self-deprecation, they unpack a baffling $81 million nuclear verdict where the jury completely cleared the truck driver of negligence but still hammered the mo...

Did the freight industry establishment intentionally sell out the American truck driver? In this episode of Freight Expectations, FreightWaves Founder & CEO Craig Fuller and "The Armchair Attorney" Matthew Leffler dive into the harsh realities behind Craig’s recent New York Times op-ed. They break down how the "perpetual driver shortage" myth was engineered to lower barriers to entry, ultimately d...

In this episode of Freight Expectations, Matthew Leffler and Craig Fuller dive deep into the "Great Freight Awakening" currently sweeping across the United States. As major media outlets like 60 Minutes turn their spotlight on the industry, the public is finally beginning to see the cracks in the facade of modern supply chains—from the manipulation of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to the tragi...

In this episode, Craig and Matthew connect the dots between energy, AI, and the future of freight—and why it all points to a massive economic shift already underway. Fresh off a high-level energy conference, Craig shares insights from industry leaders on why the real race isn’t just for AI chips—it’s for power. With data centers driving unprecedented demand, natural gas has emerged as the backbone...

In this episode of Freight Expectations, Matthew Leffler and Craig Fuller dive into the "insane" volatility of the current freight market, where spot rates are on fire despite—or perhaps because of—rising global tensions. The duo breaks down the "bleeding edge" data showing a surprising surge in domestic demand and discusses why the U.S. might be the most resilient player in a fragmenting global l...

This episode of Freight Expectations features a deep-dive conversation between Craig Fuller and Matthew Leffler on the volatile state of the 2026 freight market, the geopolitical forces reshaping supply chains, and a call for radical reform in trucking safety and regulation. Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows

In this episode of Freight Expectations, hosts Craig Fuller and Matthew Leffler dive into a mix of viral legal battles and high-stakes global trade disruptions. The show opens with a critique of the Afroman court case, where the hosts highlight the "pathetic" performance of police officers as witnesses following a raid on the rapper’s home that resulted in significant property damage but no crimin...

In this episode of Freight Expectations, hosts Craig Fuller and Matthew Leffler dive deep into the volatile intersection of global conflict and the trucking industry. As tensions rise in the Middle East and fuel prices reach unprecedented daily highs, we break down what this means for everyone from owner-operators to the nation's largest fleets. Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast Other Freigh...

In this episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller and Matthew Leffler break down one of the most important legal battles in the trucking industry: the Supreme Court case involving broker liability and CH Robinson. If the Court rules that freight brokers can be held responsible for accidents caused by carriers they hire, it could fundamentally reshape the logistics industry—impacting brokers, t...

In this episode of Freight Expectations, hosts Matthew Leffler and Craig discuss the transformative potential of "Dalilah’s Law," a proposed piece of legislation aimed at addressing a perceived safety and security crisis in the American trucking industry. Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows

In this episode of Freight Expectations, FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller and “The Armchair Attorney” Matthew Leffler dive into a historic day for the American supply chain. Following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling to overturn the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPA) for revenue generation, the duo analyzes the immediate legal and economic fallout for the tru...

Craig Fuller and Matthew Leffler dig into the most important—and most misunderstood—topics in freight. From market cycles and carrier bankruptcies to regulation, labor, and industry history, Freight Expectations connects today’s headlines with the forces that actually drive transportation. Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows

A massive winter storm shakes up the freight market—and Craig Fuller and Matt Leffler break down why this one matters. Tender rejection rates spike above 12%, signaling tightening capacity and a potential inflection point for carriers. The hosts unpack why weather often acts as the catalyst that finally tips a soft market into a crunch, and whether this disruption could mark the beginning of a mor...

In this high-stakes episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller and Matthew Leffler pull back the curtain on the “incompetent” Forward Air and Omni Logistics merger, a deal so controversial it led to a courtroom showdown at the “Madison Square Garden” of corporate litigation. From exposing the “light audits” that kill M&A deals to debating the federal power grab behind autonomous truck laws, the...

In this post-holiday hangover episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller and Matt Leffler tackle the “dumbest law” in trucking and why a pending Supreme Court ruling could change your wallet forever. The hosts go scorched-earth on the Tesla Semi, revealing why charging just one truck takes as much power as 4,000 American homes, and break down the “Dumbass” Safety Act that could effectively ban...

Is your freight being run by the Sinaloa cartel? In this high-voltage second episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller and Matt Leffler explore why cargo theft has exploded into a $30 billion industry - making it a larger “mode” of traffic than the entire U.S. barge market. The hosts go scorched-earth on the “driver shortage” propaganda, explain why local police won’t help you find your stolen...