Land Line Now

OOIDA recently held a “fireside chat” to educate truckers on broker transparency. We bring you some of what was said at that event. Also, Jay Grimes goes over some of the basics of the broker transparency proposal, as well as what truckers can do. Then, a new year can sometimes bring new mental health challenges. We speak with therapist Buck Black about dealing with those. And truckers across the...

Full coverage of the recent Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee meeting on the truck parking crisis, from the role technology might play in addressing the problem to best practices and more. Then, we offer tips for ensuring your safety amid the rise in cargo theft and for avoiding the claims process. And lastly, things are finally looking up on the spot market as all that cautious optimism tur...

It seems like a day doesn’t go by without some sort of cybersecurity breach. Land Line Now talks with Ben Wilkens and Joe Ohr of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association about what they're seeing and how you can protect yourself. Also, express lanes are growing in popularity, but they aren’t without their problems. The Colorado DOT has hatched an enforcement plan to keep traffic moving and d...

Brokers – some of them are good and helpful, and others are not. We’ll take a look at some of the latest problems. Also, the FTC planned to act on predatory towing fees – but a final rule left the trucking industry in the dark. Then, since 2018, Shell has worked to show truckers how to make their rigs more fuel efficient. We'll learn more about the company's Starship. And brokers have pushed back...

OOIDA’s leadership is taking some time to chat with you about broker transparency, why it’s an issue and what you can do about it. Also, the Federal Trade Commission was set to take action against predatory towing, but somewhere along the way, the agency failed to act. We’ll explain what happened. Then, the back-and-forth on beneficial ownership information and congestion pricing topped the big ne...

We’re expecting new leadership at the U.S. Department of Transportation and big activity regarding regulations over the next few months. Also, the Truck Leasing Task Force recently wrapped up its mission of examining lease-purchase plans. And Truckstop’s Brent Hutto gives an overview of 2024 and a look ahead to the rest of 2025, as well as current market conditions. Then, Texas has just boosted it...

Truckers have many concerns regarding autonomous trucks – among them, cybersecurity. Also, Bryan Martin of Chrome Shop Mafia offers some advice for the owner of a 2003 Peterbilt 379 about trading in one set of keys for another. Then, the claims process can take a long time, but video footage can speed up that process and save you some money. And what sort of advice would you give four wheelers if...

Carrier tracking and harassing phone calls from brokers spur many calls to OOIDA every day. We’ll summarize some of the topics involved. Also, driver pay and driver retention have been recurring themes throughout 2024, because their ripple effects extend throughout the industry. And several states are following California’s lead on emission rules – including Oregon, where efforts are underway to d...

Congress avoided a government shutdown, but now has to elect a new speaker and deal with the debt limit. Also, we’re going to look at worker classification in 2024. Then, staying fit while working as a trucker is difficult. That’s why Truckstop published a blog post dedicated to simple exercises. And whether you run interstate or intrastate can have a big impact in terms of the legal issues you mi...

A new ATRI report says not only is traffic congestion costly – it took $109 billion from trucking in 2022 alone. Also, it’s doubtful we went long this past year without mentioning emission rules or electric vehicles. We’ll review developments that occurred during 2024. Then, the topic of fraud might sound like a broken record, but being on the ball can make all the difference. And electronic messa...

A federal appeals court made a decision that will reinstate a requirement that small businesses report beneficial ownership information. Also, 2024 brought up several big headlines regarding nuclear verdicts against trucking companies. We’ll review what happened. Then, FMCSA is keeping speed limiters and broker transparency on its radar going into 2025. And we’ll tell you about how delays by a shi...

Our rundown of 2024’s top trucking stories focuses on an issue that affects every trucker – bathroom access. Also, we present a trucker’s version of the classic holiday poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Then, what are five things you can do to your truck to get the most bang for your buck? Bryan Martin of Chrome Shop Mafia joins us with some advice. And we bring you our trucking versions of...

Respiratory illness season is here, and a federal program is encouraging prevention. Dr. Donald Dumford of the Cleveland Clinic explains. Also, our countdown of the top trucking stories from 2024 continues with a look at an issue that runs deep – freight rates and, by extension, broker transparency. 0:00 – Freight rates, broker transparency make big headlines in 2024 10:06 – Act now to prevent sic...

Speed limiters in 2024 are less a story about what did happen and more about what didn’t. Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine explains. Also, ELDs and a relatively new technology called geofencing are replacing the CB radio as a way to warn truckers of hazards ahead on the road. And a love of driving is how many truckers start. That certainly holds true for Mary Wilson, whose work in a bus led to...

Rumors are swirling about the number of H-2B visas being issued for truckers, but a look at the facts shows a very different situation. Also, the week’s news was led by a court ruling on beneficial ownership information reporting, as well as emission rules and a junk fee regulation. Then, years ago, longtime trucking writer Bill Hudgins created some trucking versions of classic Christmas carols. W...

A new federal agenda reveals FMCSA’s expected dates to deliver regulations regarding broker transparency, speed limiters and many other issues. Also, truckers live a unique lifestyle, and they have unique Christmas traditions. We’ll talk with several about what they’re doing for the holidays. Then, Michigan is facing a shortfall in money to maintain the state’s roads, and lawmakers are starting to...

Lease-purchase programs have been a target of a federal panel, but meanwhile, truckers still struggle with them. Also, the Biden administration has stated when it expects to have some new regulations out – but will that schedule hold water in 2025? Then, we reach deep into our archives for a look back at truckers’ Christmas traditions. And Truckstop says signs point to better days ahead – but unti...

Sam Graves will remain chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and that has big implications for a number of trucking issues. Also, what are traffic ticket services, how do these membership-style clubs work and how do you make sure they get the job done? Road Law explains. And a so-called truck-eating bridge dubbed the Can Opener that’s located in Delaware, Ohio, is showing...

Every two years, members of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association choose who will fill positions on the Association’s Board of Directors. As part of that process, here on the show, we bring you interviews with each one of those candidates so you have the information you need to vote. Today, we’ll have interviews with Mike Nichols, Grover Nelson, Aaron Treece and Casey Mulder. 0:00 – N...

Rep. Brad Finstad’s bill to force regulators to consider small businesses when crafting new rules passes the U.S. House. Also, A court has granted class-action status to a lawsuit accusing Swift of failing to pay overtime in Washington state. Then, a Shell official discusses its Starship concept truck, designed to demonstrate fuel efficiency. And Marty Ellis has been thinking about the Christmas s...

What does Rep. Sam Graves’ return as chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee mean for major trucking issues? Also, brokers are among the most infuriating problems truckers deal with – and that includes their lack of transparency. Then, from a trucking company that helped a trucker in need to a court that made a bad decision on tolls, we’ll offer up some Roses and Razzberries. A...

Is paid parking going to play a role in solving the truck parking crisis? If new developments are any indication, maybe not. Also, OOIDA’s compliance experts have received a lot of calls about brokers, carrier tracking, harassing phone calls and more – and they have some advice. And this week, there’s good news: Rates are up 2 cents week over week. Brent Hutto from Truckstop explains why he thinks...

A Christmas tradition that dates back more than 50 years continues this year in Boston – and a truck driver is one of many people responsible for making it happen. Then, Land Line Now covers all the bases for securing insurance when getting your own authority. Also, we look at the two candidates vying to lead the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee moving forward. And finally, the ti...

It’s often easier – and less expensive, painful and time-consuming – to do some very simple things to prevent an illness, as opposed to treating it once you have it. That’s a very timely thought right now, with respiratory illness season upon us. And the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a program called “Risk Less, Do More” that encourages preventing illness. Dr. Donald Dumford, th...

Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas talks about his bill to give truckers bathroom access at shippers and receivers, plus other trucking legislation. Also, Jami Jones and Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine offer analysis of a broker transparency proposal and a bill to temper regulations that affect small businesses. And cold weather means that truckers soon will face questions of when to chain up and what...