Hammer Lane Legends

In this week's episode, "160: Sandbox Service Truck"; Brian and Shipper are joined by David, a contracted driver in Iraq. David had heard Sam's stories from episode 2: Hauling Fuel In Enemy Territory , and wanted to share his similar stories. David had some incredible stories, and certainly had some similar experiences to Sam. You will definitely enjoy this show! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the...

In this episode, Brian and Brian kick off the show, by diving into an interview with Phil, a seasoned professional in international freight forwarding and power plant logistics. Phil recounts his diverse career, from operating heavy machinery and forklifts to fire suppression at a facility with 16 million metric tons of wood pellets. He also shares his unique experiences working in a florist shop,...

In Episode 104: "Swinging" Through On 18; Brian and Tony have a great conversation with Alan. Driving is something that runs in his blood, since he has many family members who are also drivers. Alan started CDL school in his 30s and has been driving ever since. From being yelled at in his first interview to losing all his gears in the middle of a bridge and many more wild experiences, Alan has had...

In this episode of Hammer Lane Legends, Brian Merkel and Brian Shipper dive into the thrilling world of Denise's driving adventures. Denise recounts her wild cross-country journey in a modified Volkswagen Super Beetle towing a Suzuki dirt bike, her escapades through the desert, and her brushes with the border wall. The conversation spans extreme weather driving, the trucking industry in Pennsylvan...

In episode 131: VOICEMAIL SHOW!; the gang is in studio to go over all the voicemails that YOU, the listeners, have sent in! As always these shows are some of the most fun and entertaining that we do. We know that you'll enjoy this one, there were great stories shared, and a lot of laughter as well! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!! Support The Show KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlan...

In this week's episode, Brian and Shipper welcome back the ever-entertaining "Mr. Toot Toot," Mike Hawes. Mike dives into crucial topics like taking breaks and road safety, punctuated by his gripping tales of harrowing accidents and blown tires. They explore the strange and unique encounters on the road, the quirks of trucking across various states, and Mike's personal adventures in Alabama. From...

In this week's episode, Mike Drey joins the guys to talk all things EV related, and much more! They dive into the perks of owning a Tesla, examining the cost of EVs and the hurdles in building EV infrastructure. They touch on renewable energy and hybrid reliability before discussing Tesla's autopilot feature and the future of EVs. Mike shares about his initial hesitance towards EVs and frustration...

In Episode 103: Delivering the Freshness, the guys have a chat with Kirk, a linen delivery man and an ex-podcaster. If I told you that linen delivery was a crazy experience, would you believe me? Kirk shared with us countless stories to prove that not only is the linen delivery game wild, it's really messy too. Buckle up and enjoy the freshness! Support The Show KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/ha...

In this week's show, Brian and Shipper welcome back Olivia, Karen, and Cheryl for an engaging dive into their compelling stories of Olivia and Cheryl's father, Steve, a dedicated trucker since the 70s who persevered despite battling kidney disease. Karen opens up about her adventures driving alongside her husband and the hurdles of truck ownership. This episode captures the sacrifices, challenges,...

In this week's show, Brian and Shipper are joined by Tony and Jack! For the first time in about a year, Tony joins the show and the guys were thrilled to have him. This episode went from on the rails, to off the rails, to losing the rails completely! However, it was such a good time regardless. They talk about Tony's time down in Tennessee thus far, as well as new industry updates, and AI's loomin...

In this week's episode, Brian and Shipper sit down with veteran truck driver Will to delve into the world of car hauling. Will shares his journey through the industry, highlighting the transition between different types of freight, the intricacies of handling vehicle damages, and the challenges of loading and unloading cars. He offers a fascinating look at the skills required for the job and the r...

In Episode 120: The Third Dud, Shipper and Brian chat with Bob, whose career in driving spans decades and wars. Bob is a Vietnam War veteran, and in fact, that's how he learned to drive. When he entered the military, he was given the station of truck driver, and did he ever have some crazy experiences! The unbelievable things he's seen on the road are incredible to hear, so buckle up and get ready...

In this week's show, Brian and Shipper are joined by John Malva, Vice President of Operations for the supply chain division at Pitt Ohio, who shares insights into his role managing third-party logistics, truckload shipments, and dedicated drivers. John emphasizes the importance of drivers roles, strong leadership, and open communication at Pitt Ohio. He discusses the company's commitment to integr...

In Episode 76: One Wrong Move, Tony and Brian are joined by another of Brian's friends from work, Randy! The guys talk about old school ways, and also what is going on with farm land. Randy spent time growing up on the farm and working with heavy equipment. He shares his thoughts on what's happening now, and what it was like "back in the day." Finally, Randy also shares a story that we couldn't be...

In this week's episode, Brian and Shipper are joined by Nazhir. Nazhir shares his journey into the trucking industry. From thrilling road experiences and heart-stopping close calls to the impact of nighttime driving on family life, Nazhir shares it all. Discover the challenges of managing loads and navigating tough routes, along with personal anecdotes that bring the trucking world to life.  Suppo...

In Episode 61: Mother Trucker, we are joined by the mothers in our lives. Michele, Tony's mom and Brian's wife, and Tony's wife Lindsay hang out with the guys as they listen to a long list of messages from our voicemail line. Thank you to all the mothers out there, and especially to the mothers that are the wives of truckers. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed - Happy (Late) Mother's Day! Support...

In this week's episode, Brian and Shipper are joined by Aaron. Aaron's journey into the trucking industry began during the COVID era, marked by the challenges of training and the critical support of a good trainer. He reflects on the waning camaraderie and professionalism among truck drivers and candidly discusses the strain his career choice put on his relationship with his mother, though he has...

In Episode 121: Cruising Through a Sandstorm, Brian and Shipper have a great time talking with Johnson and Jamie, husband-and-wife team drivers. In their time driving together they have had some unbelievable events happen to them. From tornadoes to sandstorms, to bombs exploding, they've been through so much together. Buckle up and get ready to cruise through a new episode! Support The Show KEEP U...

In this week's episode, Brian and Brian are joined by Mikki a former truck driver turned accountant. Mikki shares harrowing near-misses and eerie encounters to the humbling challenges of life behind the wheel, each story unveils the raw and often humorous realities of the trucking lifestyle. She tells us about the adrenaline of dodging reckless drivers, the oddity of hitting an owl, and the grit r...

In Episode 110: Metaverse Drone Trucks, Tony and Brian are joined by Daryl, a fellow Pitt Ohio Truck driver. In typical fashion when we have a guest from Pitt Ohio, it gets interesting, and this show is no exception. The guys discuss a plethora of topics, and get besides themselves in laughter! This episode also marks Tony's last one as a mainstay host alongside Brian, as he embarks on a journey t...

In this week's special Mother's Day episode, Brian and Patrick Swayze chat with Karen, a seasoned school bus maestro with a decade of steering stories under her belt. Diving into her unexpected love affair with the bus driver's seat, Karen recounts her adventurous shift from trucking to chauffeuring party-goers. Amidst hearty laughs over quirky mishaps, she sheds light on the roadblocks women face...

In Episode 99: Straight From The Pitt | Jake, Brian and Tony are joined in-studio by Jake, Tony's former co-worker. Jake talks all about his time working at Pitt-Ohio, including how he worked his way from a dock worker into being a licensed driver. Truck driving seems to run through his veins, as both Jake's dad and grandfather were truckers too. The guys also chatted about their thoughts on what...

In this week's episode, Brian and Brian are joined by Kyle to finish up the multitude of stories he has. He recounts his epic drive across Canada and his family's historical ties to the Alcan Highway. They swap tales of Canadian bacon, Oregon coast road trips, and quirky trucking escapades, including navigating border bureaucracies and military bases. The trio also debate trucking regulations and...

In Episode 32: I Almost Died, guest Ken, a driver for many years, joins the show to talk about his travels all over the United States. As would be the case with traveling across the country, he has seen some incredible, intense, and unimaginable sights. He recounts a time he was involved in a near-fatal accident, road oddities including an exploding meteor, and even his opportunity to purchase som...

In this week's episode, the guys are joined by a returning guest Kyle, from episode  204: Giant Load Chaos , to share several stories from his trucking experiences. He talks about almost hitting a herd of caribou and the misunderstanding that led to his company thinking he had rolled over. He also discusses the challenges of driving in snowy conditions and encountering avalanches. Kyle also mentio...