Blue Ribbon Podcast

This is a special series on the decade that made me. Each episode will chronicle my journey from 2008-2018 through successes and failures, and ultimately to redemption.

This is a special series on the decade that made me. Each episode will chronicle my journey from 2008-2018 through successes and failures, and ultimately to redemption.

This is a special series on the decade that made me. Each episode will chronicle my journey from 2008-2018 through successes and failures, and ultimately to redemption.

This is a special series on the decade that made me. Each episode will chronicle my journey from 2008-2018 through successes and failures, and ultimately to redemption.

This is a special series on the decade that made me. Each episode will chronicle my journey from 2008-2018 through successes and failures, and ultimately to redemption.

This is a special series on the decade that made me. Each episode will chronicle my journey from 2008-2018 through successes and failures, and ultimately to redemption.

This is a special series on the decade that made me. Each episode will chronicle my journey from 2008-2018 through successes and failures, and ultimately to redemption.

This is a special series on the decade that made me. Each episode will chronicle my journey from 2008-2018 through successes and failures, and ultimately to redemption.

This is a special series on the decade that made me. Each episode will chronicle my journey from 2008-2018 through successes and failures, and ultimately to redemption.

I saw an article today on Business Insider that I need to discuss. The “trucker rights” group Black Smoke Matters is getting attention in the media for the shutdown/strike they have planned in April 2019. This group does not represent me and I will not be associated with them in any way.  Link: Business Insider article on Driver Wages in the 1970’s and the Motor Carrier Act of 1980  Link: Business...

It’s been eight years since I made the decision that began my journey through being an owner/operator and back again. There has been both success and failure along the way. The lessons were all valuable and all learned the hard way. In this episode I reflect on eight years and talk about what I wish I had known in 2010. It would’ve made all the difference.

Over the years I’ve run on a few dedicated accounts. I’m currently serving a dedicated customer hauling residential windows and doors. Hauling dedicated is perfect for some drivers because it give them a firm schedule they can count on. For others dedicated is boring and monotonous. In this episode I talk about the good and bad of dedicated freight. Email: anamericantruckdriver@gmail.com Facebook:...

I got an email from Rodney and he wanted to know where to begin when wanting to buy a truck and get started as an Owner/Operator. In this episode I’ll read his email and tell you about my response to him and give my take on when and how to get started. Email: anamericantruckdriver@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/anamericantruckdriver

This lifestyle is hard on our bodies. Making changes for our health involves behavior modification. In this episode I’m going to talk about what I think leads to behavior modification - identity. Email: anamericantruckdriver@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/amamericantruckdriver

How hard would you work for someone if you weren’t getting paid? What level of performance and dedication would you offer if you knew you wouldn’t get any money in return? Two stories I’ve run across in the last week have taught me a lesson about effort being tied to compensation. The first was an interview with Dan Whitney (Larry the Cable Guy). His compensation for his first gig with the Blue Co...

I’ve been there. Your broke, your truck is broke, and you have no clue how you‘re going to make it. I got a text message from an acquaintance asking for help with a broken truck. Our experiences are similar. I talk about what i told him and how we can insulate ourselves from these problems and how to be prepared when that day comes.

I believe that an experienced truck driver of great quality is worth a MINIMUM of $75,000 per year. In this episode I want to talk about our value as drivers as a part of the whole market. Join me and let's talk about how to earn what you're worth. SHOW NOTES: I have a Patreon Page! I’d love to have your support to make the show the best it can be! Video: USA Truck driver destroys a truck trying t...

Parking is a hot topic. With the ELD mandate, drivers are facing additional challenges when trying to find a place to take their mandated rest break. Cities and towns across the nation aren’t helping. New ordnances against truck parking are popping up everywhere. Drivers are facing being booted and charged outrageous fines for parking at Walmart. Let’s talk about some of the real problems and solu...

I got a notification today that Kevin Rutherford had posted on Facebook. I learned that there is a driver's group called United Drivers Association America. One of their "leaders" made a public comment on the regulations.gov website about the proposed changes to the Hours of Service. It's a mess. Bad grammar, incoherent rambling, and no clear and concise point. When Kevin challenged them on the la...

This episode contains the audio from a Facebook Live chat I had with Jared Wall from AnarchoLand. Jared wrote a fascinating essay called Breaking Liberty. It is a libertarian treatment of the television show Breaking Bad.  Any time I've heard the phrase "Possession with intent to deliver" I think, "That's exactly what I do for a living!" I possess a trailer filled with someone's products and I int...

Every five years, I have to complete the ritual of buying back my rights to travel and enterprise from the Department of Motor Vehicles. In the two decades since I got my CDL, the process has become more burdensome and annoying. This is episode is about my latest experience with the Den of Iniquity, better known as the DMV.

Being an owner operator comes with a lot of freedom. That freedom comes with a lot of responsibility. We have many choices to make, and those decisions need to made with an attitude of service, respect, and courtesy. This episode is about making wise choices and knowing when to not say “No.” 

In this episode I have a chat with Jessica Hillyer of The Patricia Margaret Company. She has just gone out on her own and started her own brokerage. It was a fun conversation. We talked about communication and the attitude we need to have to keep a good and strong relationship between shippers, brokers, and carriers.

For decades, carriers and truck drivers what done what is right instead of what is legal. By that I mean that we have not followed the letter of the law when it came to getting goods delivered. Everyone cheated on their logs. EVERYONE! Now that the Electronic Log Mandate is in effect, we are forced to do what is "legal" instead of what it right, because "legal" and "moral" are rarely the same thin...

In this episode I want to tell you about some lessons I've learned over the last ten months. Also, I have a correction to make about my comments on the ELD mandate.