Jan 11, 2019

Trucking Industry Update January 11, 2019

By Jeremy Feucht
Did you Know?

What is arguably the most popular song about truckers, “Convoy” by CW MCCall reached #1 on the pop charts in the US on January 10, 1976.
Trucking tip of the Week

The beginning of a new year means preparing for tax season. Staying organized should always be a top priority. Make sure to collect your medical expenses, your statements from your brokers and/or factoring company if you do not have them already.
Autonomous Trucking

TuSimple, one of the first autonomous startups in the US has begun its commercial trips. Running mainly in the regulation-lite Arizona, TuSimple is running three to five trips per day with 11 trucks. Their desire is to have 40 trucks by June and to be running into Texas within the next couple of months. While they claim to be fully autonomous, their vehicles always have two people in the cab. The first is behind the wheel and the second is going over the data the truck provides from the trip.
Regulations

The FMCSA ruled that the state of California could no longer require drivers to take a half hour break every five hours on duty. The federal rule is a half hour break after 8 hours on duty. A petition created by the ATA and the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association challenged the California ruling and won a victory however, it may not last long. The Teamsters Union is appealing the decision.
Technology

Daimler announced this week at the big technology conference, CES, that they will be selling semis that have the capability to keep the truck from drifting out of their lane beginning in 2019. Much like passenger cars and SUVs have adopted over the last couple of years, Daimler feels the same technology would be beneficial to truckers as well. Like we have stated several times in the past couple of months, CEO of Daimler Trucks North America Roger Nielsen, states that fully autonomous vehicles are a long way from becoming a reality.

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Nov 23, 2018

Trucking Industry Update January 4, 2019 [p]By Jeremy Feucht [p]This piece is usually meant for current happenings within the industry. But, let’s change it up this week and look at the top 5 possibilities for 2019 [p]<img class="size-medium wp-image-4615 aligncenter" src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2019/01/calendar-clipart-300x236.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="236" /> [p]5. Infrastructural Improvements on the Way? [p]Not this year. Probably not in 2020 either. We are half way through this presidential term and now politicians are eyeing the next general election. We are sitting in a shutdown now and additional spending earmarks will just prolong the shutdown. Do not expect any major decisions on aid to the infrastructure. On a positive note, this should mean no federal push for toll roads. [p]4. Hours of Service Update? [p]This is a long time in the making. By summer of 2019, there will probably be some changes to the current hours of service model. The change with the biggest chance of occurring is the removal of the mandatory half hour break. Another item that has gained some steam is the idea of allowing a driver to go off duty after being in detention for more than 3 hours. The last still has a great deal of ironing out but with the backing of the ATA and OOIDA, has a legitimate chance to be passed. [p]3. Fuel Prices [p]As much as I believe that the current slide diesel prices are on will continue for the foreseeable future, I believe that time ends in June. With container shippers switching off bunker fuel while in international waters due to new regulations, demand for diesel is going to skyrocket. Expect prices to creep up starting in the summer. [p]2. Autonomous Technology [p]No, it will not become widely used in 2019. But we should finally see some government regulations to govern its use. This is a double-edged sword, however. By giving the autonomous technology companies regulations, you effectively give them a goal to shoot for and reach. Right now, they are blindly aiming and hoping they hit their mark. Expect something by the end of the summer. [p]1. Capacity [p]With troops being brought home from Syria and talks of additional troops being brought home from other fronts, this could mean another boom of owner-operators into the industry. Add on the FMCSA and DOT’s push for veterans to become drivers (especially those with driving experience),and you have a perfect storm to cut into that massive driver deficit. Such an influx of drivers could push down rates. Look for the ATA, OOIDA and the DOT to release figures on this increase in September.

Jan 04, 2019

Life after the military: Top reasons why veterans should consider truck driving In honor of Veteran’s Day, we want to take a moment and thank those of you who have served our country in the military. You are the men and women who have made many sacrifices for our freedom and we are so grateful for your service. We know that transitioning to civilian careers isn’t always easy and we are especially thankful to those veterans who have chosen trucking as their next step.[p] If you’re a military veteran starting on a new career path, you might be surprised to learn that many of the skills you learned in the military transition over to the trucking industry seamlessly. Here are some of the top reasons why you should consider a truck driving career as a military veteran:[p] Quick transition. Once you decide to embark on a career in trucking, it won’t take long before you’re able to get behind the wheel of a truck. Programs at many truck driving schools can be completed in only a few months.[p] Get credit for your military driving experience. If you already have a CDL from your time in the military, many companies will factor in your driving experience to give you a higher starting pay rate. For veterans with military driving experience without a CDL, you may be eligible for FMCSA’s military skills test waiver. This program allows veterans with two years of military driving experience to waive the skills test portion of the CDL test.[p] Your G.I. Bill matters. G.I. Bill benefits can help you pay for driving school. It may also provide you with payments as you go through company training.[p] Job security. The trucking industry has a significant shortage of drivers. There are many driving opportunities available - all you have to do is choose a company that’s a good fit for you.[p] It’s a chance to see the country. If your job in the military gave you the opportunity to travel the world, a job in trucking will allow you to continue exploring new places. Many drivers get into trucking because they want the opportunity to visit different places across the United States.[p] Steady pay and great benefits. A trucking job with a reliable company will provide you with a consistent paycheck and an array of benefits, such as health insurance options, retirement planning, paid vacation and bonus pay opportunities.[p] Quality home time available. Truck drivers are known for being away from home for extended periods of time. While this is often true, particularly for over-the-road drivers, you’ll find that many carriers offer several home time options. Some companies can get you home every weekend while others offer regional routes to get you home even more frequently.[p] You already have what it takes. Teamwork. Leadership. Self-discipline. Situational awareness. All of these characteristics are ones you’ve built during your military career and they’re the same qualities that make the best drivers in the trucking industry.[p] As you can see, there are several reasons why many military veterans have chosen truck driving as a second career. Good luck on your journey and we hope to see you out on the road!

Nov 11, 2018