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Readers, espeically newbies and people researching the industry, should note that not all carriers, trucks, or drivers or teams are alike; and that will affect one's views of an area and load acceptance strategy. Some trucks, because of their configuation or equipment can carry loads other...

It seems the people reporting from Laredo are at the Pilot there. Has anyone checked out the Flying J across the freeway? Last time we were there, the J was soon to open. Next time we're there, and if we have reason to stay in the area, we'd happily choose the brand new Flying J over that...

Your desire to be sure before jumping in is good. But to be sure, or at least as sure as you can be in the unpredictable world of expediting, you need to be more specific about your priorities and goals. If "good home time" is a high priority for you, treat it as such and make it the starting...

This may not be as clear cut as I first thought. See: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.asp?rule_toc=761&section=392.5&section_toc=1805&guidence=Y

> Ok, I can't resist: if your truck is your home, where do >you have to go, once a year?! Not too far, huh? LOL :+ I know you spoke in good fun but it gives rise to a more serious issue people should know about. For IRS purposes, if you don't have a home in the traitional sense of the word...

Here is an excerpt from "Introduction to Expediting." "Unless they place themselves out of service, expediters are on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Most loads are booked with short notice. When expediters sit and wait for a load, they do not know where their next load will...

FedEx's dock-high spec applies to straight trucks. It is 48" to 52". It refers to the height of the truck body floor from the ground.

James and Rashell, If you have not already done so, you might want to read, "Inroduction to Expediting." http://www.expeditersonline.com/downloads/introduction.pdf I concur with the others. Your "good home time" comment is a red flag. Depending on what you mean by that, expediting may not be...

I'd like to see as much detailed information as possible about my trips and truck, and I'd like the data to be easily downloadable to a spreadsheet and/or database program where I could then analyze it. Our carrier does a good job of providing data but not always in downloadable form, which...

Nice thing about those vans. You can carry your toys on top and still pass easily under bridges.

"ET", meaning Expedited Transportation, I presume? Diane and I ran almost three years without a portable toilet in the fleet-owner trucks we then drove. While we know many drivers who carry portable toilets or other solutions to nature's call in their trucks, we never did. That meant we always...

In Minnesota, the law is the same for CDL holders and ordinary drivers, though the legal limit is different. If you are in the vehicle and the keys can be obtained by you (hiding them on the ground under the car won't work), you are legally in control of the vehicle. If you have alcohol in...

Wow! It took three years, but I finally met another "No TV" in the truck (van) driver. Cool!

When FedEx assembles the distinguished and enthusiastic group of 4-Star winners each year, I'd love to see an informal survey conducted with the results published for all expeditiers to see. Give the winners a 3 x 5 card and ask them to write down the three top things that contributed to their...

I don't know if this helps or not. A fleet-owner friend once told Diane and me, "If you have to think about the load for more than a minute, take the load." That approach works well most of the time.

FedEx calls them decking sheets. In theory, they are used to deck freight. If you have skids that say "Do not stack" and they are not tall, you use your shoring beams (E-Track load bars) and the decking sheets to build a deck. If the non-stackable skids are short, you could potentially double...

For all of our medical and business appointments, including DOT physicals, we've been working to get them scheduled when we know we will be home each year; Christmas. That may mean taking a DOT physical and doing other annual appointments ahead of schedule one time. Then it's every or every...

OOPS!

Checking your permit book when you could be watching TV instead? That's the kind of attention to detail that distinguishes the professionals from the also-rans. Great post.

RichM said, "It has been a good ride and I hope every one stays safe out there." Twenty-plus years of expediting and this grizzled pro says, "It has been a good ride...." May all expediters be so blessed. Best wishes to you, Rich. When one door closes, another opens. May your future lead to...