Apr 05, 2019 • Carriers

Industry Update - April 5, 2019

Industry Update - April 5, 2019

By Jeremy Feucht

Did you Know?

On April 3, 1974, the worst series of tornadoes ever recorded hit the US and southern Canada. With over 50,000 people affected in total and six states declaring a State of Emergency, many big rigs were sent in to do the cleanup. Xenia, Ohio was the first hit and it would need three months and over 200 trucks to finally cleanup the disaster.

Trucking tip of the Week

Its that time of the year again. Spring is here which means warmer weather and concern about your tires needs to be at the front of your mind. As the weather warms, the amount of air pressure in your tires and the tread remaining on them will really start to show. Lower air pressure means more friction on your tires. More friction that your tires create, the more stress that is placed on them. Be careful out there.

Toll Road Fight

OOIDA and the National Motorist Association, for now, have lost its bid against the state of Pennsylvania to remove the tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. On April 4, 2019, US District Judge Yvette Kane approved a motion by lawyers for the turnpike and the state of Pennsylvania to dismiss the charges that claimed over $6 billion in tolls had been collected illegally since 2007.

Truckers to the Rescue

As I have long stated, this country would fold without the work of truckers. Here is some more proof of that. With the flooding and devastation that has occurred across the Midwest, farmers and ranchers are having a difficult time keeping their heads above water, let alone that of their cattle. Knowing their plight, truckers have come to their rescue with hay to help get them through. Where would we be without the American trucker?

Regulations

With so many regulations, and general vagueness that the personal conveyance rule is written, it is no wonder FMCSA’s Joe DeLorenzo had to field so many questions at MATS surrounding the issue. His message was simple: “Don’t over think it.” He basically stated that if what you are doing is for personal reasons, looking for food, parking, etc. then it is personal. If it is not personal, then it falls under hours of service. It does not matter if you are hooked to your trailer or not.

TagsFMCSA Did you Know Trucking Tips tires OOIDA tolls Pennsylvania Joe DeLorenzo spring Xenia Ohio Tornado Rescue Regulations personal conveyance

Industry Update - May 19, 2020 <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3> <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b1.jpeg" alt="Truck Stops" /> <h3><strong>Truck Stops to Remain Open</strong></h3> As the nation endures the Covid-19 pandemic, <a href="https://www.ttnews.com/articles/truck-stops-remain-open-pandemic-despite-hit-bottom-line">truck stops have been working to ensure that drivers have a helping hand</a>. Some truck stops like Iowa 80 have enforced measures to limit the Covid-19 spread while keeping the showers and restrooms open. Loves installed plexiglass at all its stores, restaurants, and truck registers. Petro has remained open and has packaged their convenience store foods in a way that prioritizes customer safety. <h2></h2> <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b2.jpeg" alt="FMCSA" /> <h3><strong>FMCSA HOS Rule Updates</strong></h3> The <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/hours-service-drivers-final-rule">Final Rule</a> features four key changes to existing Hours of Service requirements. <ul> <li>The Agency will increase safety and flexibility for the 30-minute break rule by requiring a break after 8 hours of consecutive driving and allowing the break to be satisfied by a driver using on-duty, not driving status, rather than off-duty status.</li> <li>The Agency will modify the sleeper-berth exception to allow drivers to split their required 10 hours off duty into two periods: an 8/2 split, or a 7/3 split—with neither period counting against the driver’s 14‑hour driving window.</li> <li>The Agency will modify the adverse driving conditions exception by extending by two hours the maximum window during which driving is permitted.</li> <li>The Agency will change the short-haul exception available to certain commercial drivers by lengthening the drivers’ maximum on‑duty period from 12 to 14 hours and extending the distance limit within which the driver may operate from 100 air miles to 150 air miles.</li> </ul> <h3></h3> <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b3.jpeg" alt="Jobs" /> <h3><strong>More than 80,000 Jobs Lost Last April</strong></h3> According to the<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t17.htm"> Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, 88,300 jobs were lost in the trucking industry, a 6.2% year-over-year decline, as the entire economy continues to suffer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is estimated that around 60% of the jobs mentioned are drivers.

May 19, 2020 • Carriers

Valentines Day for Truckers [p]The 14th of February has long been celebrated as the day of love. Its history can be traced back to ancient Rome when Christianity was still in its adolescence. The day was used to commemorate St. Valentine’s death/burial, but there are doubts on the authenticity of this claim. Some believe that the special day was put in place to downplay the pagan Roman festival of Lupercalia. We don’t know anything for sure, but what we do know is that there should be a day to honor your loved ones. If 14th February is that day, then so be it![/p] [p]After all, who can reject candies, gifts, and flowers? If you are a trucker, both receiving and giving presents has a lot more meaning. It shows that you are thinking about your dearest and they are thinking about you.[/p] [p]What are some ways you can show your love as a trucker? Let’s find out! [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Send Flowers[/b][/p] [p]One of the best ways to make someone's day is by sending them a bouquet. There are plenty of resources online that allow you to send flowers right to someone's doorstep. If you want, you can add some chocolates and even balloons to make things interesting. The good thing is flowers are gender-neutral, you can send them to your man or your woman and they would make an impact.[/p] [p]Sending flowers might be a cliché, but you can never go wrong with it, especially on Valentine's Day.[/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-Valentines-1.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> [p][b]Personalized Note[/b][/p] [p]Nothing beats a hand-written letter where you pour your heart out to your significant other. It adds a personal touch, and it shows that even though you are busy, you have your dearest in mind. If your partner is out there trucking, send them an emotion-filled letter. If you are a trucker, then try sending one back home. It is the little things that make the most impact. [/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-Valentines-2.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> [p][b]Video-call Your Lover[/b][/p] [p]Modern technology has made possible many things that were previously thought to be impossible. One such thing is having a conversation with another person who is not present at your location. You can now talk to your significant other on Valentine’s Day using video call applications, like Skype or FaceTime. No one deserves to feel lonely on a day that celebrates love, which is why you should make extra efforts to schedule a video call. Perhaps, make it an online date where you have dinner together and talk about your feelings for each other. [/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-Valentines-3.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> [p][b]Celebrate When You Can[/b][/p] [p]As a trucker, it can be hard for you to skip work on special occasions like Valentine's Day. Therefore, you can celebrate before or after you are done with your work. Loving someone involves putting in constant effort, meaning you can't restrict all your feelings for one day. Show your appreciation on other days as well, so that 14th February feels like any other day of the year.[/p] [p]How will you celebrate Valentines Day? Let us know in the comments below. [/p] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> [p][b]By Aldous Aldwin[/b][/p]

Feb 13, 2021 • Carriers

Industry Update March 22, 2019 <h3>Trucking Industry Update March 22, 2019</h3> <h5>By Jeremy Feucht</h5> <h3><strong><u>Did you Know?</u></strong></h3> March 22, 1933, President Roosevelt signed the Beer and Wine Revenue act, which basically killed Prohibition. This started the shipment of alcohol again in earnest and culminated in the signing of the 21<sup>st</sup> Amendment in December of 1933, officially ending Prohibition. <h3><strong><u>Trucking tip of the Week</u></strong></h3> Getting loads to the final destination on time is key to getting paid the full rate. During the Spring, especially this Spring, wind has been a major factor. Trucks, being top heavy, are easily tipped over. Pay attention to wind speeds in the area you are going through, in particularly through the Plains. Being late is better than not getting there at all. <h3><strong><u>Declarations of Emergency</u></strong></h3> This section has been a constant for the last several weeks. This week is no different. Nebraska is having massive flooding issues and are in desperate need of water, fuel and many other items. Make sure you are planning accordingly if your route takes you through Nebraska. <h3><strong><u>Toll Road Fight</u></strong></h3> The ATA sued the state of Rhode Island on their implementation of toll roads. The suit was initially brought up in July of 2018 but is just now being ruled on. Unfortunately, the suit has been dismissed but not due to the legality of the law. The presiding judge felt that the <a href="https://www.ttnews.com/articles/court-dismisses-atas-lawsuit-against-rhode-island-truck-tolls">suit should be brought up in state</a> court first. The ATA has declared that they will continue the fight. <h3><strong><u>Legislation</u></strong></h3> If you drive in the agriculture business, a new piece of legislation has been introduced that you need to keep an eye out on. HR 1673, The Agricultural Trucking Relief Act, has been introduced by Representative Austin Scott (R-GA),is set to further clarify what is classified as an agricultural commodity. While the full bill has yet to be released, you will be able to read the bill in its entirety <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1673/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR+1673%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=2">here</a> when its released.

Mar 22, 2019 • Carriers