As rookie owner-operators flock to the market to fill the demand gap, many have been caught off-guard. How do you protect your small business? Because of a slight dip in consumer demand, capacity is loosening up. Less freight means fewer opportunities for carriers, shifting the pricing power to shippers. Naturally, contract rates rise as carriers seek… Read more »
In the growing marketplace of bad news, inflation is an especially hot commodity in the trucking industry. Wherever inflation is discussed in trends for carriers, it’s usually married up with prophecies of demise, fire, and the robot truck takeover. But as headlines undercut the trucking world, it’s important to ask this crucial question: How bad… Read more »
It’s confirmed: According to a recent, front page article from Transport Topics, carrier-broker relationships are more important than ever. To combat the unique challenges of our present market, here’s a few things to look to help you find a broker: 1. Find a broker with a suite of lanes, preferably in essential services. When… Read more »
It’s official: Regarding hurricane season 2022, the NOAA suspects that a storm’s coming. With an anticipated 14-21 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, 3-6 major hurricanes and a 65% chance of above-average conditions, you can expect to have a few of your routes get rained on this year. To prevent an inconvenient or even dangerous situation, we’ve… Read more »
When you hear the hatch release on the swing doors from your cabin, you’ll know then that the time to prepare for freight theft is over. Every year, CargoNet and SensiGuard report a giant spike in freight theft around Independence Day (July 1-7). As freight volume ramps up, crooks see an opportunity to make a… Read more »
Even if you’re belted in, you may still be experiencing whiplash from the slew of opinions surrounding the transportation industry. With a whirlwind of fuel price fluctuations, changes in asset values, and post COVID-19 conditions dictating the market, it can be intimidating to consider updating your fleet. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the most… Read more »
One minute you’re living the dream, and the next fuel rises to $5 a gallon. Many carriers are struggling to know how to save on fuel. As fuel prices continue to break records in their climb, owner-operators are left with staggering expenses, even reaching $2,000-$2,500 a week. With such unprecedented overhead wreaking havoc for small… Read more »
As spot rates continue to drop, many carriers may be tempted to ‘ride out’ the market until they return—but this could be fatal to your hard-earned business. To understand why, it helps to consider why rates are dropping at all. With inflation putting a halt on spending, there is less freight to move. Couple that… Read more »
It’s official: The FMCSA has announced that COVID-emergency hours extended for another 90 days… with most of the same qualifications as previous extensions. This extended period begins on June 1 and will continue through the end of August. The FMCSA passed the extension because of a large, ongoing dependency from carriers on such hours. As… Read more »
From over-stacked loads to trucks on fire, this year’s CVSA Roadcheck saw some wild violations. Even if your rig isn’t an inferno, it’s still good to know what caused the most violations this year. Here’s what drivers saw as a Roadcheck Report: There was no shortage of FMCSA staff. At the Deerfield, Massachusetts stop, FMSCA reps outnumbered… Read more »
