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You are close. A driver -- especially an employee driver -- may be in no condition to drive but because the real-time device shows a dispathcer that he or she is, the go-back-go-work call may indeed come. It can work the other way too. A driver has time to spare and again is in no condition to...

Alright. Scratch the word civil. I could have chosen my words more carefully. Workplace rules, contract law, whatever; the devices hold the potential for abuse against which certain laws are on the books now to prevent. Trucking companies are more known for abusing drivers than looking out for...

If all that was going on was the monitoring of a marginal driver, harassment would not come in. The concern is that the drvices will be used in ways that will harass drivers.

I know of no rule that prevents now a large carrier from putting EOBRs in all fleet trucks. If that is a choice they wish to make on their own, they are free to do so. However, the abuse of such devices to harass drivers or violate their civil rights could be grounds for civil action against the...

If FMCSA ignored the court ruling, OOIDA would go back to court to seek a contempt of court ruling. In the end, the courts have more power than FMCSA.

OOIDA represents drivers. OOIDA wins in court. Score one for drivers. Granted, some drivers want EOBRs but this driver does not. So, sitting on the side of the field I sit on, it's one point for my team. Technology always wins in the end, no matter who opposes it (birth control, stem cell...

OOIDA scores another one for drivers. This will not be the end of the story but it is an encouraging development, methinks. Report here

In eight years with FDCC, Diane and I never heard of skid pad training either. They told us about it at Landstar Express America orientation and encouraged us to attend. I do not recall the particulars but Landstar either pays for the training or helps with the cost. We plan to attend when we...

I am viewing now a live cam from Long Beach, NY and listening to the fire department feed that goes along with it. Google Maps and street view provides a good sense of the neighborhoods they talk about. A fire was reported at an address. I could look at a photo of the street and building. Minor...

Excellent comment. Let's hope she was stunned because you helped her focus on the true stakes of the game.

That is a fantastic idea! You can write about yourself and others. Anytime you need new material you don't have to do anything more than start a conversation with people at the lunch counter or parking spot next to you. Every driver has a story. Really, that is a great idea.

Let me add that a quick Google search on "How to blog" will produce numerous articles about getting started. I noticed that some are helpful but many talk more about the blog platform and templates and such. Content trumps cosmetics always. Don't worry too much about how the blog looks and...

It is the thoughts and experiences of a rookie team that are especially valuable to expediter wannabee readers. You won't be a rookie for long, and then you will not think to write about the things that most interest new people. I love reading rookie posts. They see the industry through new...

To do a blog you need to write it, of course, and post your entries (and photos if you wish) somewhere on the World Wide Web where people can see them. Google's Blogger is one of the easiest resources for doing both; free too! As far as promoting it, techniques range from doing nothing and...

For expediter wannabees researching the industry, blogs written by expediters can be a good source of information; especially those that describe day-to-day experiences and observations on the road. This post was prompted by a new blog, written by Jim and Judy Beck, that I stumbled upon today...

Thank you, KYoung. We did not jump in until after we talked to BCOs who made that kind of money. When choosing carriers, Diane and I have never worried about how the typical or average expediter was doing. We focused on the top producers. We looked not just at the money they made but how they...

DoD business is not solicited like commercial business is. All approved carriers access it the same way. If there is more to be had, it is available equally to all carriers. If FDCC is preparing to do more of it, they can get it but only by bidding prices below all others. The last time Diane...

If you are asked to stage your truck ahead of the storm, it may be a good opportunity, but let me invite Layoutshooter to chime in here and share his story about that.

Maybe yes, maybe no. Some trucks may be put on a regular route where multiple trips are made into an area, back out to pick up another load, and back in to deliver. Other trucks may be staged in the area to hold supplies until needed. They are paid a daily rate to sit. Still others may do runs...

Good points, Moose. Landstar also offers skid pad training, paid for business classes, free accounting software (but no free tax prep services that I know of). Comapnies that do that demonstrate true respect for owner operators and a true understanding that a contractor is a business person...