Using your downtime effectively is an important key to both managing and maximizing your ability to stay ready when that next load offer comes from your favorite dispatcher. Like most of us, it's probably very easy to slip into an old habit or routine that can be time-killing and counterproductive. So, here are some suggestions of what can be done with your time as you prepare for the next trip. Meal PrepIn today's society, especially in a greater health-conscious setting, mo...

A budding partnership took root on March 1st, when the U.S. Department of Labor combined forces with American Trucking Associations (ATA) to usher in an apprenticeship program that could alter the course of the ongoing driver shortage in America. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh formally established and introduced ATA as an officially registered apprenticeship sponsor on the first day of the month. Such a move signifies the country's int...

Understand, most drivers prefer the solitude of the open road. Who wouldn't? You get to take your work with you and make money wherever you go. No one to answer to (other than perhaps dispatch and the Department of Transportation), and you're touring the countryside over the wide-open road. What's not to like about that? As appealing as driving solo can be, it's often accompanied by the risk of losing out on extra cash by limiting oneself in earning capability. It's especiall...

In transportation, honesty goes both ways. Not only do drivers seeking employment expect a straight-up recruiter to give them the scoop on what to anticipate with a potential company. But to be fair, there is a certain level of honesty and forthright-ness that recruiters require out of potential driver placement candidates. And if we're all being honest here, both sides could learn a thing or two from the other. What Do You Want to Hear?A recruiter telling a driver what they ...

Still mired in the COVID-19 pandemic, two years and counting, the transportation industry has undoubtedly seen its fair share of twists, turns, complaints and controversy. Just like the rest of us. However, one thing has remained the same: the on-going and perceived shortage of qualified drivers. Driver shortage: Is there an answer? Unlike Captain America, who was frozen and preserved in ice for almost 70 years, it's highly unlikely that we're going to find any long-forgotten...

Making the decision to lease your truck on with a company that will help provide the freight needed to turn a profit can be quite an undertaking. How do you know you're making the right choice when deciding who provides you with the best opportunities? Perhaps the most important question you should be asking yourself is, what is best for me and my situation? The following considerations should be made as you're process of choosing a carrier unfolds. Know Your Role The first t...

Cargo vans are an integral part of the expedite industry. And if you're one of the thousands of cargo van owner operators providing ground transportation across the North American landscape, you'll want to make sure you're up to speed on what's new for 2022. Or perhaps you're looking into purchasing your own cargo van to start hauling freight in an expeditious fashion. If so, you'll also want to explore what's on the horizon for 2022. 2022 Ford Transit Cargo Van The 2022 Ford...

Recently, about 50,000 Canadian truckers made their way to Ottawa in solidarity and protest of COVID-19 vaccine mandates for drivers. Now, U.S. truck drivers are planning to stage a similar convoy of their own, originating from California and ending in Washington D.C., to show lawmakers that they do not care for vaccine mandates in the states. What's the Situation?A Facebook group, created to organize the American trucker protest, boasts over 110,000 members to the page. The ...

If you're looking to become an expedite owner-operator, one of the most important decisions you'll make is the vehicle you'll drive. That's because your vehicle-whether it's a cargo van, straight truck, or tractor-trailer-determines which trucking carriers you can sign with, what size and types of loads you can take on, and ultimately how much money you'll be able to make (and keep). But bigger isn't always better and cheaper isn't always more profitable. So, how do you deci...

You want to become an expedite owner-operator to launch a new career, see the country, and take charge of your financial future. But if you overlook significant start-up expenses, you'll put yourself (and your health) under a lot of stress as you struggle to pay the bills and keep your dream alive. So, avoid unpleasant surprises by making sure you can cover all your startup costs before diving into the expedite lifestyle. 1. Carrier Costs When you're planning your startup cos...