Mar 31, 2019 • Carriers

MATS 2019 Recap

MATS 2019 Recap

By Jeremy Feucht

Another MATS has come and gone. With over one million square feet of booth space, it is hard to describe this year’s show as anything less than a spectacular success. Meeting truckers and seeing the numerous companies that are out there looking to help the trucking industry keep moving forward. Even with the fear mongering regarding the state of the trucking industry, the state of trucking is alive and well.

Howes booth was busy and so was the Trucker Path booth. The number of people that came by the Trucker Path booth was amazing. We heard your concerns regarding the application, and we take that feedback seriously. The number of drivers that told us how our application helps them in their route planning, parking and that use the weigh station feature was amazing. We aim to continue creating features that make you efficient. We know that truckers move our country and we need to help you.

As the trade show and conference season really begins to heat up, our goal is to attend as many as possible. We want to see as many people as possible. Each person has their own take on how to better our application and we need that feedback. We will continue to run new ideas past you at these shows to see what you think before launching products.

On behalf of Trucker Path, I would like to thank those of you that showed your support for us at MATS. Without you, our country does not survive. We are here to serve you.

TagsTrucker Path MATS 2019 Howes trade show

Trucker Spotlight - Jerry McCallister <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> <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Jerry</strong>, who's a driver at FedEx Custom Critical. He also has a Youtube channel called, "Expediter Boogie”, where he talks about the types of things he does in expediting. Let's get to know more about Jerry and his "expeditions". <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How long have you been trucking?</strong></h3> I have been driving for 11 years all with FedEx Custom Critical and the last 4 of those years I’ve been with HyField Trucking who is a fleet owner leased onto FedEx Custom Critical. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jm2.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> My mom influenced that decision, she had been driving for 14 years OTR and i was tired of sitting in a cubicle doing the same thing over and over and needed the change. After researching trucking I landed on expediting and thought this would be way better than doing normal long haul. It seemed more exciting and paid more for less work. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3> I have noticed many changes, rates dropping compared to earlier years, implementation of electronic logs, trucks getting smarter like the Tesla Truck and technology used on the road getting better. I am happy for the technology changes i believe technology is a driving force to help us truckers in our daily jobs. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's the story of you becoming "Expediter Boogie"? Do you also have a name for your truck?</strong></h3> I wanted to start a YouTube channel to talk about the types of things we did in expediting and places we go. Also a lot of people didn’t know what expediting was, so i started the channel. When thinking about what i would call it, I had been called Boogie all my life by my family so i added Expediting to it and came up with The Expediter Boogie. <h2></h2> We just got a brand new truck and haven’t thought of a name yet so we are taking suggestions. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Are there times of loneliness while driving? How do you deal with it? </strong></h3> I don’t get lonely on the road. I drive team with my partner of 10 years so i always have someone to talk to and share my day with. I am also a mentor with the company i drive with HyField Trucking. I am always on the phone with my mentees helping them and teaching them the ways of expediting. So I am rarely ever lonely I just stay busy. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jm4.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>As a trucker, what are the current struggles in this COVID19 pandemic?</strong></h3> Definitely the biggest struggle we are facing right now is dealing with the slower freight which in turn is making the rates lower. The other main struggle I find in dealing with Covid-19 is people not taking it serious enough. Not wearing mask and seeming to not care. It makes our job more difficult and having to be out here risking out health on a daily basis to help keep the country moving I just wished more people had more compassion to try and help do their part. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your usual routes? Favorite scenic truck route?</strong></h3> We don’t have a usual route, being with Fed Ex Custom Critical we run all 48 states and Canada. I would have to say my favorite area to drive through is I-70 in Colorado. that area is absolutely beautiful and I never get tired of seeing it. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jm1.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Weirdest or most unusual haul?</strong></h3> At Fed Ex Custom Critical we haul everything from pharmaceuticals to explosives, we even haul priceless art at times. One of the coolest things we hauled was actual artifacts from the Titanic we transported between museums. Another great trip was when we moved 4 different inventions that were made by Benjamin Franklin. You never know what you are going to haul in expediting, which is what makes it fun it is always something different. <h2></h2> <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> We park at truck stops all the time mostly utilizing Loves because that is where we fuel the majority of the time. I love the rewards we get through Loves and it is nice to see them adding more services to their locations. I don’t have a favorite truck stop meal due to we have a custom sleeper and tend to do all our cooking in the truck. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are the common troubles or problems you encounter while trucking? Pet peeves?</strong></h3> I would say the usual things all us truckers have to deal with like traffic, shippers not being ready on time. <h2></h2> I would say my biggest pet peeve while driving is cars cutting you off. Most of them don’t realize just how close they come to causing an accident. It’s not easy stopping this truck quickly and when we have to it causes more headache for us cause everything in our sleeper goes flying. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>We're glad that you use the Trucker Path on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?</strong></h3> The biggest thing we enjoy about Trucker Path is the ability to see what truck stops are coming up along our route as well as seeing what other drivers are reporting about upcoming weigh stations and whether or not they are closed or open. Reading the reviews from other drivers is also a big help, like if we want to stop at a Wal-Mart. Being able to quickly see if we are allowed to park there or if we need to talk to the manager is a big help. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3> I would say do your best and put forth the effort. Don’t just look at trucking as a job, think of it as a career. Don’t fall into all the typical stereotypes of truckers. Put on decent clean clothes when dealing with a shipper or receiver, don’t litter like a lot of drivers do, and just try to take it to the next level. Be proud of what you do on the roads by being a professional driver and keeping America running. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Where can we watch your videos?</strong></h3> You can find me on my Youtube Channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCksmX2wd6Lzo6zM4pyaB_ew">Expediter Boogie</a>. <h2></h2> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vl1vV2b_1wE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Aug 04, 2020 • Carriers

Trucker Spotlight - Hope Zvara <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different people in the trucking industry 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/2020/07/Lark20200727-210833.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Hope</strong>, who is a Yoga instructor and founder of Mother Trucker Yoga, whose advocacy is to teach yoga and wellness to truckers. She has been featured in a lot of trucking websites, magazines, and also maintains a podcast on Chrome and Steel Radio. Let's get to know more about Hope and how she mixed yoga with trucking. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/Lark20200727-210801.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Tell us a short story about you. Any trivia?</strong></h3> I had no idea what I wanted to be when I was in high school. I knew I wanted to help people but was lost among many other things. At age 20 I decided I wanted to do mission work and began to look into being in the Peace Corps. But as a college drop out, that wasn’t an option. So I found a program and a few short months later I found myself on a plane to Nigeria to live for nearly a year. That trip changed my life in a way that helped me to see that I could do anything. As someone who had struggled with addiction and a slew of other issues, a trip like that gave me a deep dose of perspective. That perspective still drives me today to help others gain perspective on their health, happiness, and life’s direction. Trivia? I am a middle child. I Have been to 7 different countries before the age of 30. I love alternative rock. I love dark chocolate and mojitos. And love love love to travel! <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you decide to delve into the trucking industry?</strong></h3> Well trucking just fell into my lap. For about 5 years prior I knew I was a transition in my career and was ready to do something different, something more. I had owned a yoga studio for more than a decade and knew owning a studio wasn’t my end game. Then at a local business mixer in my hometown of Hartford, Wisconsin, I started chatting it up with someone I had never met before, who is now my former business partner. I was trying to pitch him corporate yoga for his trucking company office employees and he looked at me and said, “do you have anything for drivers, like in the cab of their truck?” Without skipping a beat I looked at him, threw my arms up, and said “Mother Trucker Yoga”. He loved the idea and the next day I and a perfect stranger were building a company from scratch merging yoga and trucking. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/Lark20200727-210808.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are the significant changes that you've noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3> I’ve seen a lot of changes in the last three years. Many drivers I’m sure will comment on the increased regulations. But I want to talk about increasing awareness and action around trucker health. More and more drivers and companies are taking notice of the necessity of taking care of our drivers’ health and well-being. I ask companies all the time are your drivers an asset or a liability? This pertains directly to the health of the driver. Every month I am seeing more and more drivers take an interest in cooking on the truck, drinking more water, trying to exercise or at least for the first time admitting it is something to pay attention to and work to improve. Secondly are mandatory 30-minute breaks and 34-hour resets. Now I am not a truck driver and never claim to be. And as much as these breaks can be a pain in the butt when a load has a deadline. I want to encourage you to see these times outside the driver’s seat as opportunities to take better care of you. Get out and walk, exercise, get to the grocery store or order groceries to be delivered to your truck, or meal prep. See that time as a blessing to help improve your health. You have to take it so you might as well do something positive with it. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What came first, trucks or yoga?</strong></h3> Great question. Yoga came first. As a teen, I struggled with depression, anxiety, and addiction and yoga saved my life. Now I know that might seem heavy, but the reality is that many struggle with mental health and yoga is as much physical fitness as it is about mental and emotional fitness. I went from a young teen practicing yoga as a lifeline to teaching yoga to others, teaching teachers, and then teaching yoga to truck drivers just like you. And I have to say, working with truck drivers has been one of my favorite parts of the road I've been traveling (hehe- get it). <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/Lark20200727-210823.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Ever tried driving a truck?</strong></h3> I've driven a lot of things, a skid steer, a forklift, a truck and trailer backward up a winding driveway- yes; but an eighteen-wheeler, not yet. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/h1.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your trucking industry pet peeves?</strong></h3> Complaining. Now people in every area, every walk of life, every industry complain. And sharing our concerns, or dislikes, and frustrations when done correctly can be an effective way to make a change. But when people leave comments complaining about what they don't like in a negative tone without any suggestions on how to make it better and when people attack and never for a second consider all that the other has done or has to go through to make X happen, is so frustrating. I believe the key is perspective. And when we gain perspective our tone often changes. We see life differently. The second is people saying it is impossible to be healthy or exercise when you are a truck driver. I promise you with 100% confidence that there are things that you can do as a truck driver to improve your health, fitness, and wellness that you can implement today. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/Lark20200727-210828.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are the common habits that a truck driver should change?</strong></h3> #1 thing a truck driver should change today is drinking more water. Our bodies are made up primarily of water and many of our health concerns can often be tied back to dehydration: grogginess, muscle pain, cramps, fatigue, mental fog, and digestive issues. Drinking more water, ideally, 1/2 your body weight in ounces can dramatically change your health. Secondly is to move more. I'm not telling you to exercise, what I'm saying is with all that sitting you need to move more so you don't end up as stiff as a board. Simple things like small movements or stretches while driving. Walking laps around your rig while filling up with fuel. Or a yoga stretch here and there in those moments where you are waiting to load, unload, on your break, on your reset. It all adds up. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/Lark20200727-210818.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are the benefits of yoga for truck drivers?</strong></h3> There are endless benefits to practicing yoga. And being a truck driver you aren't exempt to those benefits. Here are13 of my top benefits to truck drivers practicing yoga: <ul> <li>Improves flexibility and mobility.</li> <li>Strengthens muscles, which can help with arthritis and back pain.</li> <li>Aids in realigning the spine to help distribute weight evenly.</li> <li>Helps keep spinal disks supple.</li> <li>Offers a natural weight-bearing exercise, increasing bone density.</li> <li>Gets your blood flowing, providing more oxygen to your cells and helps boost hemoglobin and red blood cells.l</li> <li>Assists in increasing the drainage of the lymph, helping to destroy and fight cancerous cells.</li> <li>Gets your heart rate up, lowering the risk of heart disease.</li> <li>Gets you breathing.</li> <li>Lowers blood pressure.</li> <li>Lowers cortisol levels, helping with long term memory, and fighting depression.</li> <li>Improves coordination, reaction time, memory.</li> <li>Helps you to relax</li> </ul> <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/Lark20200727-210813.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What is the best truck stop food for truckers?</strong></h3> There are dozens of diets and eating guidelines that people follow-truckers included. And I think the better question to ask is what should drivers look for each day at the truck stop to eat? And the answer to that is simple. Look for foods that are fresh, look for foods that are preservative, additive-free. Look for foods that have some sort of nutritional value. So many drivers (and Americans) are eating empty calories: chips, fast food, candy, soda. And sometimes it is hard and there are minimal options so ask yourself what is “good, better, best” for me to eat today. Dried nuts are good, a container of raw carrots, pretzels and hummus is better, or a burger without the bun and a salad with a hard-boiled egg and tons of veggies on top is probably the best. Sometimes the best option is not available. So what is good or better? When we bucket the foods in front of us this way we take some of the stress out of it and stop thinking in the form of “good diet” or “bad diet” and start thinking along the lines of good, better, best. And remember you don't’ always need to be the best! <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/Lark20200727-210838.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are some wellness tips that you would like to share for truckers?</strong></h3> What we do each day is often dictated by what is sitting between our two ears. Mental health is critical as a truck driver. When you add up being away from family and loved ones for weeks on end coupled with isolation, erratic schedules, and deadlines, you need to take time for you. This does not include mindlessly scrolling Facebook or Instagram. This is you listening to a positive audiobook, or upbeat music, calling a friend, and not complaining but sharing your wins for the day. But don’t be fooled, simple things like drinking more water, and getting your butt moving (sorry to be so blunt) WILL and does positively impact your overall wellness every single day. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/07/h2.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How can truckers subscribe to your yoga classes?</strong></h3> Drivers can easily subscribe and join our Mother Trucker Yoga family as easy as a click of a button. By going to <a href="http://www.MotherTruckerYoga.com">MotherTruckerYoga.com</a> and go to our “Subscribe” page. Don’t worry it’s not $100 a month to join our family and receive our amazing content. Subscribe for just $7.99 a month and get new content dripped to you each month. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Jul 27, 2020 • Carriers

Industry Update March 8, 2019 <h2>Trucking Industry Update March 8, 2019</h2> <h4>By Jeremy Feucht</h4> <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Did you Know?</u></strong></h3> This week in history saw its very first Adopt-A-Highway sign be placed. March 9, 1985, the Tyler Civitan Club committed to picking up trash on Texas Highway 69. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Trucking tip of the Week</u></strong></h3> Tornado season is upon us. Alabama saw 18 strike in a single day earlier this week. Tornado season usually lasts from March to June. Keep an eye out on weather forecasts and the FMCSA Declaration of Emergency page. Remember, you cannot outrun a tornado, so don’t try. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Infrastructure</u></strong></h3> The ATA is stepping up efforts to counterman the increases they are seeing across individual states to place road improvement costs all on the trucking industry. Instead, they are offering up another idea. Called the “Build America Fund,” the ATA’s CEO Chris Spear is calling for a $.20 per gallon increase on fuel tax which would be implemented over the next five years. While any increase in fuel means increases in prices every where else, Mr. Spear makes several <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/trucking-calls-on-congress-to-draft-sustainable-user-funded-infrastructure-plan-1028009576">solid points</a> on why we can no longer ignore the infrastructure crisis in the US. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Legislation</u></strong></h3> Last week, we talked about the ATA pushing the “Drive Safe Act.” This piece of legislation would allow those who are under 21 to drive interstate. This week Mark Allen, President and CEO of the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) also weighed in on the topic. Mr. Allen, like the ATA, believes <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trucking-a-gateway-to-economic-prosperity/ar-BBUlH9m">this is a good idea</a> due to the increasing capacity crunch the industry is seeing. The crunch is finally starting to hit consumer pricing and presidents for associations like the ATA and IFDA are attempting to make the public understand why. Is this the best option? Maybe not, but at least groups are attempting to make sure the issues are seen and understood by those outside of the industry. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Avoiding Toll Roads?</u></strong></h3> If you have <a href="https://cdllife.com/2019/state-police-cracking-truckers-avoiding-new-toll-road/">practiced avoiding toll roads</a> in your big rig, you might need to reconsider doing it in the future. Maryland and Delaware State Police created their own blitz. The crackdown came on February 28-March 1 and focused on drivers avoiding the US 301 toll. 85 drivers in total were stopped with 77 receiving citations and two were forced out of service. More sprees like this are expected to be conducted. Make sure you check out state laws in the jurisdictions you will be traveling in if you plan on attempting to avoid tolls.

Mar 08, 2019 • Carriers