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 - Natasha <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> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/12/ts-natasha-blog-2.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Natasha</strong>, who's a 27 year-old trucker/Youtuber and was born and raised in Hawaii. She's been driving for 1.5 years as a team owner operator together with her husband. She likes to make people laugh and smile through her Youtube videos. She and her husband are team owner operators. Let's get to know more about Natasha and her trucking adventures. <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> From watching other Youtuber truckers on youtube actually! At that time, me and my husband had nothing to lose but sell everything we owned and join the trucking world. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/12/ts-natasha-blog-1.jpg" alt=""] <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> Since I haven't been driving long enough, the one thing I have noticed is that the trucking industry is getting bigger by the day! Theres so many diverse truckers, you have to stay open minded dealing with everyone across the country on a daily basis. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you decide to put up your Youtube channel?</strong></h3> I've always filmed random Youtube videos since I was 16 on old channels. I was bored one day trucking and uploaded one for fun, and slowly more people watched and asked me to post more. So thats how it snowballed into me uploading videos full time now! I wanted to post videos to help other truckers with owner operator questions I had when I first started. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3> Since I'm always with my husband, I'd appreciate some alone time, but I'm always grateful that we have each other. Sometimes, i miss my family and friends since it can be hard to see them. Having my little toy fox terrier dog with me has really made trucking it best! <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/12/ts-natasha-blog-3.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>As a trucker, what are the current struggles in this COVID19 pandemic?</strong></h3> The hardest thing so far for us during COVID is food. Most fast food places did and still are closing the lobby and only opening drive through which we definitely cant go through. Also many restaurants closed all together, in the beginning especially we ended up eating canned soups, ramen, TV dinners, etc a lot. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's your favorite Truck Brand / Model?</strong></h3> I like the newest Freightliner Cascadia's interior features the best, the outside is slick too, but my favorite thing is they made every tiny thing very user friendly and more livable. We had an older Freightliner before. It's WAY different in their new ones. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/12/ts-natasha-blog-4.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Aside from being a trucker, any other things you dream of doing?</strong></h3> I started investing in real estate a few years ago. I only own 1 house so far, but plan on continuing to build my portfolio over the years to come. Also, I dream of being a mom one day to a lot of kids and dogs! <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's the best truck stop for you?</strong></h3> Russells in NM is one of the coolest - it has a car museum inside. We like Quicktrips, and Mavericks, their fuel is usually the lowest in their area, and they're clean and have good food. Many Jack Flashes are brand new and have tons of food options and a shop inside. Of course we found all these stops on Trucker Path! <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are the common troubles or problems you encounter while trucking?</strong></h3> For us it's learning the different trucking seasons of the year and how it affects our rates, each season we have to adjust the routes we do in order to do well. Also, since I drive night shift, finding a place to stop for a break or sleep is the most difficult thing sometimes, it's crowded out here for trucks! The other thing is finding a decent bathroom/shower or any at all, sometimes I have to just toughen up! <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your pet peeves while driving/trucking?</strong></h3> Regular car drivers! They're always chillin in your blind spots not paying attention, and of course they like to cut in front of trucks really fast which is always a dangerous situation. We have to drive and break so differently than regular cars, so driving around a lot of cars can be stressful. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your trucker essentials?</strong></h3> My morning travel bag I found on Amazon, it's big and I need it 2x per day so it has everything I need when I first wake up to right before I go to sleep. Another trucker essential is having everything in the truck as mini sized as possible since our space is limited. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>We're glad that you use the Trucker Path app on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?</strong></h3> As owner ops, we use the <a href="http://www.truckerpath.com">Trucker Path</a>'s fuel prices the most! Secondary to that would be the restaurant tab to see what food is at each stop. Then, the trip planner to find stops along your route is very cool, especially when going cross country twice a week like we usually do, its a long trip to plan! [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/12/ts-natasha-blog-5.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strongWhat are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3> Be patient and stick with it, everything will be 200% harder at first, but eventually even the smallest things will get easier and better almost without trying. You will feel very rewarded after some time, and it all will be worth it! <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3> They can view my videos on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXtbBerWrhRFN7E-aJ-5M7g">Youtube Channel, Natasha Trucking</a>. <h2></h2> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vY6NQ5-x6Qo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <h2></h2> Hope you guys enjoy! <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Dec 11, 2020 • Carriers

HAZMAT Endorsement [p] Here are the steps to get your HAZMAT endorsement and potentially earn more.[/p] [h2] HAZMAT Endorsement [/h2] [p]Hazmat endorsement is required by truck driver's who have a Commercial Driver's License and wish to deliver HAZMAT loads containing hazardous materials. Since the materials you're hauling can have severe health consequences, the Department of Transportation has enlisted specific requirements before a truck driver can haul such loads. There is a risk-reward with hauling hazardous materials as it typically pays more than a typical freight.[/p] [h2]1. How to Get HAZMAT Endorsement on CDL[/h2] [p]A truck driver with a Class A, B or C CDL can apply for DOT HAZMAT endorsement by completing these five procedures.[/p] [ol] [li]Fill out HAZMAT endorsement application through the DMV or TSA[/li] [li]Complete a medical screening[/li] [li]Pass the DMV written exam (varies by state)[/li] [li]Pay fees[/li] [li]Submit a [a href="https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/servicecode/111168"]TSA Background Security Screening[/a] either online or in-person[/li] [/ol] [p]The following states [b]require[/b] an in-person DMV application for TSA Security Assessment.[/p] [ul] [li]Florida[/li] [li]Kentucky[/li] [li]Maryland[/li] [li]Mississippi[/li] [li]New York[/li] [li]Pennsylvania[/li] [li]Texas[/li] [li]Virginia[/li] [li]Wisconsin[/li] [/ul] [h2]2. Carriers HAZMAT Responsibilities[/h2] [p]Truck drivers who have a HAZMAT endorsement typically earn a higher salary than standard drivers with a CDL. When hauling hazardous materials truck drivers are subject to specific responsibilities that go beyond standard requirements set by the DOT.[/p] [ul] [li]Shipping Paper[/li] [li]Placard and Mark Vehicle[/li] [li]Loading and Unloading[/li] [li]Compatibility[/li] [li]Blocking and Bracing[/li] [li]Incident Report[/li] [li]Security Plan[/li] [li]Employee Training[/li] [ul] [img src="/uploads/2017/02/HAZMAT.jpg"] [h2]3. HAZMAT Classifications[/h2] [ul] [li]Class 1 – Explosives[/li] [li]Class 2 – Gases[/li] [li]Class 3 – Flammable Liquid[/li] [li]Class 4 – Flammable Solids[/li] [li]Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances / Organic Peroxides[/li] [li]Class 6 – Poisonous (Toxic) and Infectious Substances[/li] [li]Class 7 – Radioactive Material[/li] [li]Class 8 – Corrosives[/li] [li]Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods: environmentally hazardous substances, elevated temperature material, hazardous wastes, marine pollutants[/li] [/ul] [h2]4. Have a Copy of the HAZMAT Table in Your Truck[/h2] [p]The HAZMAT Table displays the classifications of hazardous materials and breaks them down by division, as well as by specific material. Having the HAZMAT Table with you at all times will allow you to correctly fill out any shipping papers or packages and comply with Hazardous Material Requirements (HMR) and avoid a violation. The [a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/common-hazmat-violations/"]most common DOT HAZMAT violation[/a] is not having a copy of USDOT hazardous materials registration number.[/p] [img src="/uploads/2017/06/Hazmat-table.png"]

Jun 16, 2017 • Carriers

Trucking Industry Update December 7, 2018 [p]By Jeremy Feucht <u><b>[p]Did you Know?</b></u> [p]On December 8, 1993, NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) was signed into law. For more on how NAFTA affects trucking, check out the <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/international-programs/north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta-fact-sheet">FMCSA Fact Sheet</a>. <u><b>[p]Trucking tip of the Week</b></u> [p]Snow has begun to fall more frequently across the US. Make sure to allow yourself plenty of stopping distance. If you haven’t already, store an extra set of warm clothes and plenty of blankets in your truck in case you run into trouble out on the road. <u><b>[p]Diesel Fuel Tax Increase</b></u> [p]Multiple states are considering an increase to their state fuel tax rates. <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/gas-tax-hike-capital-bill-rahms-transportation-commissioner-pitches-rebekah-scheinfeld/">The state that will be the quickest to approve the increase may be Illinois</a>. If Illinois does not do it as a state, the city of Chicago may do it on its own. Citing the need to push ahead with construction jobs that have been tabled, officials say there will not be enough revenue to get it all done without the tax increase. With diesel prices expected to soar by mid-2019 into the <a href="https://www.ttnews.com/articles/will-trucking-be-affected-new-pollution-rules-ocean-shipping">$4 per gallon range</a>, any proposed increase in fuel taxes are worth noting. <u><b>[p]Tariffs and Trucking</b></u> [p]Could we see an earlier peak season than normal in 2019? With the recent pause being placed on tariffs from China, a rush may be placed on orders to arrive in the US before the threat of tariffs comes to fruition. Last year, with tariffs being imminent, peak season shifted from August to July. While it is a plausibility that <a href="https://www.joc.com/trucking-logistics/us-tariff-postponement-may-reshape-early-2019-trucking_20181204.html">the Journal of Commerce entertains</a> (and makes a valid point),due to weather related issues that come with the first quarter of the year, it is highly unlikely that a full-scale shift from late spring/early summer for the peak season will come to pass. The ports will undoubtedly be busier than normal for that time of the year, but a total shift is unlikely to occur. <u><b>[p]General News</b></u> [p]The Federal Highway Administration enacted new regulations that will force all agencies to <a href="https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/national-environmental-policy-act-61701/">investigate environmental impacts of proposed legislation</a> prior to enacting new rules. While the trucking industry will not feel the effects of this rule immediately, this could be the start of a wider range of rules that could make older trucks illegal to drive for commercial purposes.

Dec 07, 2018