Jun 09, 2020 • Carriers

Industry Update - June 9, 2020

Industry Update - June 9, 2020

101 New Parking Spaces Added in Kentucky

Truckers traveling the I24 through Kentucky now have a new place to refuel, eat, and park.Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new store in Oak Grove, Kentucky last June 4. The new truck stop is located near the border with Tennessee and near Fort Campbell Amry base. In addition to 101 truck parking spaces, the new Love’s has the following amenities:

Hardee’s
Eight diesel bays
Nine showers
Love’s Truck Care with on-site Speedco
Laundry facilities
Fresh Kitchen concept
Mobile to Go Zone for electronics
CAT scale
Two dog parks

Diesel Cost Goes Up by a Penny

The nationwide average price of a gallon of diesel increased by one cent to $2.396, according to the weekly report from the government’s Energy Information Administration on June 8.

Compared to last year, the diesel price is still 70.9 cents lower. Diesel increased in all 10 of the regions surveyed by EIA, with it increasing only 0.1 cent in the Gulf Coast region to $2.172.

Bandit Truck Racing Series Returns to Racing this Month

The Bandit Big Rig Series is making a comeback to the track this month for the first time in 2020. Opening in Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, fans wont be allowed to watch due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A virtual event pass is available for $9.99 for fans to watch the race live online. Purchase your event passes here.

By Aldous Aldwin

TagsTruckloads drivers Truck truck drivers Trucker Path Trucking Industry truck stops Owner Operators Technology Trucking Tips Covid19

Industry Update - March 15, 2019 <h3>Trucking Industry Update March 15, 2019</h3> <h5>By Jeremy Feucht</h5> <h3><strong><u>Did you Know?</u></strong></h3> One of the world’s first, and at the time the worst, oil tanker spill occurred this week in history. On March 16, 1978, the Supertanker Amoco Cadiz, wrecked off the coast of France. The spill released 68 million gallons of oil into the Ocean and covered roughly 240 miles of French coastline in oil. <h3><strong><u>Trucking tip of the Week</u></strong></h3> We are about a week away from Spring Break for most of the US. This means more cars on the road traveling to both big cities and remote areas. Make sure you allow yourself additional time on your trips. Be vigilant as this time of year also begins to see an increase in freight thefts. Be careful and be safe. <h3><strong><u>Declarations of Emergency</u></strong></h3> With another massive storm hitting the US, make sure you are checking the road and weather reports for the areas you are traveling to and through. This time, a good portion of the <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/bomb-cyclone-slams-plains-midwest-with-heavy-winds-snow/ar-BBUMs06?ocid=spartandhp">Mid-West and Plain States</a> were hit with what is being called a “Bomb Cyclone.” This weather pattern hit states from Colorado to Iowa and as far south as Missouri. Many states have already declared a State of Emergency. Make sure you know if your loads are cleared for hours of service exemptions before trying to run in an exempt status. <h3><strong><u>Pay</u></strong></h3> In what should come as little surprise, and good news to owner-operators, large fleets saw a reduction in turnover rates in 2018. This is because <a href="https://www.joc.com/trucking-logistics/labor/pay-hikes-cut-truckload-driver-turnover-big-fleets_20190314.html">large trucking companies increased pay</a> across the board for their drivers. As rates drove up, companies were desperate to keep their seasoned drivers from going off on their own and increased pay. By doing this, they allowed owner-operators to operate at higher rates in the spot-market for a bit longer than normal. As rates begin to fall again, we will see if large fleets retain their high pay rates through the summer or not. <h3><strong><u>Danger on the Road</u></strong></h3> This piece of news has several dangerous aspects to it. A driver, just outside of Spokane, WA was uninjured when he navigated the rest stop exit improperly and wrecked his truck into a snow bank. Normally, a wreck that is off the freeway/highway would not shut down an interstate for two hours. This one however did as the trucker had <a href="https://www.khq.com/news/isp-confirms-semi-truck-carrying-missiles-was-headed-for-indiana/article_e96df9ae-443a-11e9-8fb5-430d6df36d84.html">16, 2000-pound US Military missiles</a> on board. Military crews from Fairchild Air Force Base were called to clean up and secure the scene.

Mar 15, 2019 • Carriers

Industry Update - October 29, 2019 <h4>By Paul DeCoste</h4> <h3><strong>Did you know?</strong></h3> The classic trucking movie, Black Top was released twenty years ago this month. <h3></h3> Starring Meat Loaf, this trucking thriller was released October 20, 2000. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Trucking Tip of the Week:</strong></h3> With summer being long behind us now, watch out for dangerous, icy road conditions in the northern US. In North Dakota, they are experiencing winds <a href="https://www.weather.gov/unr/WinterStorm-170124">that range from 15 to 25 mph</a> with gusts that are getting up to 40 mph. Temperatures are getting into the negatives and are expected to fall below -10 by tonight. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Industry Update:</strong></h3> More than 3600 Mack workers on strike. For the first time in 35 years, Mack employees have walked out of their jobs and are protesting. The bulk of the protests are centered around the company failing to renegotiate contract terms with the union. Terms that include wage increases, job security, holiday/vacation, workplace health/safety, healthcare, and retirement options. <h3></h3> <a href="https://www.thedrive.com/news/30402/nearly-3600-uaw-affiliated-mack-truck-workers-strike-against-low-wages-benefits">The last Mack strike happened in 1984</a>, when roughly 9,200 workers walked off the job while contract negotiations took place. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Laws and Regulation:</strong></h3> Michigan State Police officers are <a href="https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2019/10/01/michigan-state-police-to-begin-roadside-drug-testing-program-that-includes-mouth-swabs-for-oral-screenings">now allowed to administer roadside saliva tests for drivers</a>. These tests are made to detect the presence of amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamines, and opiates. More specifically, the cannabis portion of the test is only looking for delta 9 THC, the well-known and psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Hours of Service Update:</strong></h3> <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/federal-motor-carrier-safety-administration-publishes-hours-service-proposal-improve-safety">Did you submit your comments to the FMSCSA</a> about the new ELD regulations? To date, they have received over 7,000 comments on the proposed changes. Although the due date was October 21<sup>st</sup>, you can get more information on submissions here: <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/08/22/2019-17810/hours-of-service-of-drivers">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/08/22/2019-17810/hours-of-service-of-drivers</a>. <h3></h3>

Oct 29, 2019 • Carriers

Trucker Spotlight - Carolina Ortega <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em> <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/65456837_2341965182724336_3750110940285108224_n.png" alt=""] <h2></h2> Working as a truck driver at a logistics company, <strong>Carolina</strong> started a Youtube channel "Loira na Estrada" which means "Blondie on the Road", where she gives us a glimpse of her day to day trucking life. She drives an 18 wheeler (VOLVO VNL 860) across United States. We're honored to have a chance to interview her and get a glimpse of her trucking lifestyle. <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> The freedom and the lifestyle that this job offers amazes me, plus driving a big machine like that is a honor for me. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How many years have you been driving? What are the significant changes that you've noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3> I've been driving for around 2 years now. With the current crisis we are all experiencing, I felt a decrease on the number of the loads and a decrease of load prices on the market. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b12.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Are there any times of loneliness while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3> I never feel lonely, because the freedom makes me happy and I have everything I always wanted. It’s peaceful, I love seeing new places, waking up in one place and go to sleep in another. Traveling every day really makes me fulfilled. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>As a trucker, what are the current struggles in this COVID-19 pandemic?</strong></h3> In the beginning of the situation with COVID-19 was hard to find masks and hand sanitizer in the truck stops. But being in the truck actually makes me feel more comfortable because I can keep doing what I am doing and it’s easy to avoid crowds. I'd say quarantine in the truck is the best quarantine you could ever have. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b14.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your usual routes? Favorite scenic truck route?</strong></h3> Definitely my favorite route is to drive on the historic Route 66, I love to take the original stretch of the Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona. I also love I-80 in Wyoming, I-15 from St George, Utah to Las Vegas is an amazing scenery, I-90 in Montana is mind blowing too, there are so many roads I love to take - mainly the ones in the west side of the country. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Weirdest or most unusual haul?</strong></h3> Definitely live bees was the craziest load I ever took. It was in a flat bed truck when I used to work as a team. It was very crazy, adventurous and kinda funny sometimes. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How often do you use rest stops / truck stops? What are the things that you look for in a truck stop? Favorite truck stop meal?</strong></h3> I use rest stops and truck stops every day either for spend the night, or to put fuel, to eat, to take shower, to use scales, etc. I’m not a fast-food fan so I prefer to find hot meals, more homemade kind food and soups at the truck stops. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What Trucker Path features do you often use when you drive?</strong></h3> I use <a href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/">Trucker Path</a> for everything I need about trucking during my work day. Like I can see where are the truck stops and accurate distances, I check the parking availability before I stop anywhere and this is very helpful because it is well updated. I can check if the truck stop I’m going has a shower, how many fuel pumps, scale, mechanic shop, facilities. The app also shows the stores phone number, address and reviews. Also i can see where the truck friendly Walmart’s are and the reviews made by other truckers. It’s perfect to find also authorized truck shop, diesel prices, weight stations (if they are closed or open). Well this app is so complete that I don’t see me working efficiency without it. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Where can people watch your trucking videos on Youtube?</strong></h3> I currently have two Youtube channels: <h2></h2> 1. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/lindacarolvibe/featured">Loira na Estrada</a> - This is my primary channel. I mostly speak Portuguese here. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZcwOZmFboyI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <h3></h3> 2. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqhudMXrchSUSkn3Tls83mg/featured">Blondie on the Road</a> - A lot of people requested me to do english videos and so here it is. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wchXA3YtS2I" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <h2></h2> Hope you guys enjoy! <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

May 27, 2020 • Carriers