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The way expediters live and work on the road varies as much as the expediters themselves. Diane and I recently spent a week in the western states. I wrote a story about it that illustrates our way. Topics include worries about slow freight, deadhead decisions, attitude management, truck...

The introduction to this forum says, "The Layover Lounge is where you can share the best places and activities to do while you're on a layover. Got a favorite place? Post it for all to see." We found a great one in the Seattle/Tacoma area; Point Defiance Park. You can't overnight there but it...

A couple nights ago, we were in the bobtail lot at Jubitz truck stop in Portland, OR. I counted 27 bobtail trucks parked there. Only two were idling. A couple more had generators. The rest were turned off. The weather was perfect for no-idle sleep. But what was different was even just a year or...

In the topic "200k Gross?" RichM and DaveKC both made the point that that net income is more important than gross income. The logic of that is irrefutable. I recently read an article about truck financing. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with the point made, but am tossing it out here for...

If you look at the Open Forum conference list, you will see the History of Expediting Workgroup has been added. For those who were concerned that the history of expediting project would not be done under the EO banner, I trust this will relieve your concerns. As stated elsewhere, copyright...

As Open Forum readers know, a history of expediting book project has been launched, with me as the editor and project leader. Below is a letter I am sending to people who have volunteered to help. I share it here as a way of recruiting additional volunteers and to inform interested readers...

In a recent post, David Mayfield (DavidWMayfield) spoke of creating an expediting Hall of Fame. That post led to talk of people who should be included and to talk of the history of expediting. See...

Many Open Forum members know Glen and Janice Rice or know of them. If you don't, their story is worth reading and taking to heart. See: http://www.expeditersonline.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=3318&forum=DCForumID1 Glen was recently deemed by the Social Secuity...

This is from a press release recently issued by the Louisville Truck Show organizers. Seems they had a highly successful event. MATS 2006: A Record Breaking Event Louisville, KY - March 30, 2006: Exhibit Management Associates, Inc. is proud to announce that the 2006 edition of the Mid-America...

If you are researching the industry and will be attending the Mid America Trucking Show (MATS) for the first time, I offer the following: 1. The show is huge! You cannot see it all in the three days the show goes on. To use the show to maximum advantage, plan your time. 2. If you are coming to...

Some expediters sometimes refer to themselves as paid tourists. Today and tomorrow, Diane and I are "forced tourists." I share this for people researching the industry. If seeing the country is one of your reasons for entering the business, pick a carrier that has a national reach and you will...

Pictured below is the fourth truck stop accident Diane and I have seen in less than three years of expediting, and with us avoiding truck stop stays as much as possible. Moral of this one; dont' park on the end of a parking line. Picture does not show it but radiator in the hit truck was...

It is not uncommon in the Open Forum for someone to say that writing letters to elected officials makes no difference. Having seen an number of mail-room operations run by state and federal elected officials, I beg to differ. Every phone call, fax, e-mail, and letter makes a difference...

I read in the February 15-28 edition of The Trucker that FMCSA head, Anette Sandberg, has resigned, effective March 1. While she is now crowing about her accomplishments in that spot, it is also the case that the split sleeper berth provision disappeared under her watch and other so-called steps...

In late November or early December I posted a piece that talked about how Diane and I enjoyed a stay and Thanksgiving dinner at a ski resort in Jackson Hole Wyoming after delivering a load there. The item included a photo of the truck we drive taken with the mountains as a backdrop. That truck...

My recent "Introduction to Expediting" post prompted a request from Greg334 to make it available as a download in .pdf format. I revised the piece to be carrier neutral and ran it by Lawrence. He read and approved it, and posted the .pdf document at...

Put yourself in this truck driver’s place. If something like this happens to you, are you prepared? This is a true story. We found ourselves in the middle of it today, as witnesses. Rural Kentucky. I-71. Light traffic. 10:30 AM. Dry roads. Moderate cross winds. Mostly cloudy skies. Road...

We recently had a liftgate failure in Dallas such that the truck could not be driven and stranded us on the road. A call to the Leyman HQ for help produced a referral to a Dallas dealer, W & B Service Company. A human being answered the phone when I called. The service manager there, Scott...

Introduction To Expediting by Phil Madsen, Expediter[/b] Expediting, also known as critical-shipment freight transport, is a wonderful business opportunity for people who are up to the challenge. If you possess basic business skills, are able to spend weeks at a time away from home and can live...

On December 2, Jeff Jensen published an informative piece about biodiesel in the EO Truck Topics section. Story link: http://www.expeditersonline.com/artman/publish/biodiesel-trucking-fuel.html Minnesota has mandated a biodiesel fuel blend. Yesterday, state officials suspended the mandate...