Freight expenditures surged with another step higher in volumes, according to March data released by Cass Information Systems on Friday. The Cass Freight Index posted cycle highs with the expenditures’ subindex displaying a new record.
At a recent hearing, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee heard loud and clear that the trucking industry should not serve as the guinea pig for any seismic change in how the United States funds infrastructure, including a vehicle miles traveled tax.
For nearly 50 years, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) Scholarship Fund has been helping students with connections to the truckload industry. Applications for this year’s scholarship fund are being accepted until May 1, 2021.
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named Nick Still a Highway Angel. Still, from Monmouth, Illinois, stopped to help a couple after their pickup truck spun out during a winter storm.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is keeping pressure on regulators to require speed limiters on trucks as well as performance standards for automatic emergency braking (AEB) and other crash-avoidance technology.
A recent ruling in the Tenth Circuit found that an employee need not be adversely affected to be able to sue under the Americans with Disabilities Act, meaning employers should continue to engage in good faith in the ADA-interactive process.
The decision in a suit brought against drayage company East Coast Transport affirms a finding in the earlier Cal Cartage case
It should come as no surprise to anyone in the trucking industry that the lack of adequate truck parking has reached crisis levels. That is finally getting recognized in Washington.
Crete Carrier and Shaffer Trucking has announced a pay increase for drivers in its regional and national over-the-road fleets starting May 1.
Largely spared the automotive industry impact from semiconductor shortages, truck manufacturers are starting to take downtime.
Two prominent labor unions want the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reject the Trump administration’s automated vehicle (AV) strategy for relying too much on the viewpoint from industry without enough attention paid to potential damage to worker safety and jobs.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that plaintiffs can’t sue and issue notice to potential class members early on in a case based merely on allegations, and must prove that others in the potential class are similarly affected.
A top transportation lawmaker is pressuring the Biden administration to reconsider a proposal that trucking advocates say could hinder the deployment of truck platooning and other connected-vehicle automation.
If you’re looking for a method of reducing turnover by outsourcing it to another company, you will never get it under control. If you own it, you can change it.
The email came in stating we were under attack. All 30 servers were taken down and encrypted. Admin lost access to their Microsoft 365 accounts.
During the period of transition between any two presidential administrations of differing parties, there is often a flurry of regulatory activity. This one was no different.
TCA Profitability Program (TPP) Retention Coach Ray Haight delves into all the costs associated with bringing on a new driver and estimates the total price each and every time a carrier does this in this masterclass.
How the move toward driverless trucks will affect the truck driver workforce is a challenge that must be addressed whether the timeline toward full automation ends up short or long, according to the nation’s top truck safety regulator.
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois recently denied class certification to a group of bus drivers who claimed they faced stiffer penalties because of their race, finding that the group did not have enough in common to certify them as a class.
Stockholm-based electric trucking company Einride conducted a survey to gain insights into women’s views on a career in the trucking industry and how technology and autonomy impact interest.
Upcoming TCA workshops to explore technology considerations for independent contractors, transportation technology procurement, and data use in litigation.
The country is rejoicing at the recent news that the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has been approved. Yet, concern remains over that how and when will the mobile workforce of American professional truck drivers receive the vaccine?
The expected rebound for truckload markets did not disappoint.
A court case that could have implications for trucking has been decided in the Ninth Circuit. In it, the court ruled that employers could pay employees per diem in their regular pay.
Regulators give Wilson Logistics more flexibility for CLP holders participating in revenue-generating freight.
Various diesel prices moved higher on Tuesday and into Wednesday as the scope of diesel outages in Texas and other parts of the Gulf Coast came more into focus.
TCA advocates for an increase to the federal fuel tax to make up for funding shortfalls, but also recognizes that a vehicle miles tax is inevitable. The question is how do we get there?
Federal regulators issued a fourth extension of a rare 50-state exemption of hours-of-service rules due to ongoing health risks caused by COVID-19.
Truck drivers need to go into the job search understanding what they need in a position, and the fleet needs to understand how to deliver.
The Truckload Carriers Association will host a webinar on Tuesday to help truckload fleets understand current and potential regulations and other industry issues under the Biden administration.
While an Executive Order requiring federal contractors comply with diversity training compliance has been rescinded, employers should stay aware of potential upcoming changes under the Biden administration.
Shippers spent 12% more per mile for dry van truckloads on average through most of the fourth quarter of 2020 than they did in 2019.
The Truckload Carriers Association has named Demetrius Fields a Highway Angel for Fields’ actions in helping a family after their vehicle spun out in the middle of a busy highway during a severe winter storm.
As the Biden Administration and the Democrat-controlled 117th Congress lay out their progressive policy objectives, labor policy remains the big issue for the trucking industry.
International Roadcheck Week in North America is moving back to the spring this year, with May 4-6 set as the dates, according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
Trucking markets headed back in the right direction
If an employer chooses to mandate that their employees get vaccinated, a carefully written COVID-19 vaccination policy should describe the process for requesting accommodations, so employees know how to make such a request.
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently honored professional driver Morgan Kirkland for his skill and quick thinking in preventing a potentially deadly head-on collision.
Revenue generated could help fund infrastructure investments, DOT Secretary nominee says in confirmation hearing.
Fresh from its takeover of Uber ATG in December, autonomous vehicle company Aurora has signed an agreement with heavy-duty truck manufacturer PACCAR (NASDAQ: PCAR) to commercialize autonomous Peterbilt and Kenworth […]
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has upheld a determination by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that California cannot enforce state meal and rest break rules that conflict with federal hours-of-service regulations.
FMCSA recently announced its intent to establish a pilot program to study the implications of adding 6/4 and 5/5 sleeper berth splits into the hours-of-service regulations.
Even when a case seems clear cut, like an employee being under the influence of drugs on the job, the outcome may not be the anticipated outcome, and can often times be tied to actions (or inactions) by the employer.
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse penalties of up to $5,833 issued by FMCSA are more than double what had been used as guidance over the past two years
The U.S. Department of Transportation released on Monday a strategy for integrating automated driving systems into the commercial trucking and passenger vehicle sectors.
We know we can’t hire our way out of the current driver situation and standing still will make you a target. Time is a wasting, and now is the time to address driver retention.
Fraley & Schilling has acquired the assets of KBT Enterprises, an Indiana-based carrier specializing in dry bulk material transportation.
Sixteen repeat fleets have been named to the TCA and CarriersEdge 2021 Best Fleets to Drive For list, which honors for-hire trucking fleets identified as offering the best workplace experiences for drivers.
Congress has repeatedly been criticized for taking too many vacations and leaving work unfinished, with the American public often left wondering what their elected officials are actually paid to do. However, that criticism does not hold true for the last month of 2020.
Federal excise tax waiver could help Volvo’s VNR Electric truck reach price parity, says electric vehicles director
Daimler AG is planning an initial public offering (IPO) of Daimler Trucks in late 2021, the German newspaper Handelsblatt reported Tuesday.
While new trailer orders are booming to meet capacity demands, 20% of the nation’s fleet could be sitting idle on any given day. Why?
WorkHound collects anonymous driver feedback. Its CEO recently sat down with Truckload Indexes to discuss 2020 from the driver perspective.
Unable to continue its tradition of providing hot meals to the truck drivers who deliver wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America, TCA and Pilot Flying J have come up with another way to honor this year’s 75 drivers.
Several analysts have published transportation outlook reports for 2021 that are calling for continued strength in the trucking markets.
As vaccine distribution becomes more widespread and the country reaches herd immunity to the virus, TCA looks forward to seeing the lasting essentiality of trucking make its mark in the minds of the American people.
It is difficult to predict how courts will rule on mandatory coronavirus vaccinations under both Title VII and the ADA. In addition to legal considerations, employers should also consider whether such a policy is necessary and the effect it may have on company culture.
Any idea that cargo theft may have waned because of the COVID pandemic is unfounded, as data shows reported thefts have increased throughout 2020.
Interested in learning more about the TCA Profitability Program (TPP) and how benchmarking and data can help with your trucking operations in 2021 and beyond? TCA and FreightWaves will be hosting an informative, complimentary webinar at 1 p.m. ET, December 16.
In today’s edition of The Daily Dash, it’s been one year since the collapse of Celadon, and FreightWaves talks to some former drivers. Plus, Estes has been hit with a COVID-related lawsuit and Covenant is bumping up driver pay.
Are you a leader or a boss? The difference between the two is the difference between a highly efficient organization with engaged employees and one with constant turnover.
Joseph Brown on helping fellow trucker: “He was standing there wet. I offered to have him come and sit in my truck.”
Preliminary Class 8 truck orders posted their third-highest number in history in November, continuing a stunning comeback from pandemic-depressed bookings earlier in the year.
TCA and our truckload carrier members remain committed to hair testing as a viable method for determining long-term drug use by individuals in safety-sensitive functions. Recently, though, the Department of Health and Human Services threw the industry a curveball regarding these efforts.
A Ninth Circuit court decision can be considered a win for employers facing wage and hour class actions based on alleged technical violations of California’s rest break laws, but it doesn’t mean employers should let their guard down.
The average dry van carrier operating ratio for Truckload Carriers Association members dipped to a multiyear low in September, falling below 94% for the first time since late 2015.
Elevated demand and tight capacity have highlighted the trucking market for a few months now. Recent data points and commentary suggest this dynamic may not abate anytime soon.
The national reefer rejection index (ROTRI) topped 48% for the first time since the index’s creation this week, which could move even higher once the vaccine for COVID-19 begins being distributed in the coming months.
Valuing the accumulation of a single lesson learned every day is the secret to success. It is that small accumulation of ideas and experiences that add up to a person’s principles or standards of behavior and enhances conversations.
Management from some of the nation’s largest truckload (TL) carriers are having a tough time distinguishing between peak season and the new normal in a COVID world.
In today’s edition of The Daily Dash, the CEO of U.S. Xpress says that demand for services has plateaued. Plus, trucking could see a fundamental shift in policy and regulation, and a push to ban internal combustion engines could harm the ag sector.
TCA is hosting its 4th Annual Bridging Border Barriers, which is an informative half day session for trucking executives focused on key issues and topics affecting the trucking industry on both sides of the U.S./Canada border.
A federal order issued by President Donald Trump late in September creates new requirements for federal contractors with regards to race and sex stereotyping in workplace training.
Companies in the supply chain targeted in successful ransomware attacks face a dilemma: pay to regain access to their encrypted data and systems, or refuse, which carries its own cost.
In today’s edition of The Daily Dash, some carriers believe a proposed rule that would allow hair testing could weaken the effectiveness of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Plus, the U.S. Postal Service cuts a deal to ensure parcel delivery and Workhorse Group blames COVID-19 for not hitting production targets.
A legal decision in favor of an employer puts additional burden on an employee to show whether they worked overtime without compensation.
TCA recently filed comments in support of a proposed pilot program from FMCSA to study adding a 3-hour pause to the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. TCA is hopeful that this is a positive sign for the revival of the sleeper berth pilot.
I was on a webinar last week where one of my colleagues was accused of “sensationalizing” the freight market dynamics in favor of the carrier world. These are the numbers in the current market, and we all know this cycle will come to an end.
In an online listening session Wednesday, FMCSA leaders heard views about possible changes in current broker transparency regulations. One question came up repeatedly: what about the shippers?
For the fourth consecutive year, a shortage of drivers topped the Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry survey conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute.
The lack of participation in a program meant to address a shortfall of drivers entering the trucking industry is forcing regulators to adjust.
All stakeholders are experiencing used truck momentum despite and because of the lingering pandemic.
The Truckload Carriers Association member company and TCA Profitability Program Retention Project member, Steve’s Livestock Transport was honored during this year’s Top Fleet Employer awards gala.
Drop in stocks relative to demand was the biggest ever in the latest report; demand figures finally seem to be reflecting strong trucking market
Detention time has been a perennial thorn in the side of the truckload industry. Now, with capacity as tight as it is, shippers will feel the pinch if they make drivers wait unnecessarily for their appointments. But will a new FMCSA pilot program accurately determine the impact of the problem?
Federal regulators have denied a request by the Small Business in Transportation Coalition to ease regulations for drivers traveling with their pets.
A federal district court has found that the Department of Labor’s final rule that narrowed the definition of joint employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act violated the Administrative Procedure Act has struck down portions of the rule.
Data and commentary point to an earnings blowout for trucking companies in the third quarter with the likelihood of similar results in the fourth quarter. However, headwinds surrounding driver recruitment and retention present a hurdle to the rally.
The expectation for truckload (TL) contractual rates to increase by double digits in 2021 is growing. In a Wednesday note to clients, UBS transportation equities analyst Tom Wadewitz outlined the fundamentals supporting this projection.
While federal or state law may allow an employer to mandate specific medial procedures or drugs, the employer should still conduct a thorough analysis of the specific facts presented and the applicable controlling federal and/or state law in the jurisdiction before proceeding.
Company redrawing the peak landscape, and is expected to dominate it, Convey says.
With the first presidential debate of 2020 in the books, I am reminded of our most basic right that we enjoy as free citizens of this country.: The right to vote.
The Department of Labor’s attempt to clarify and save the independent contractor model should be applauded.
Latest NHTSA data show truck occupant fatalities increased 0.2% in 2019.
TruckPark, whose mobile app allows truck drivers to reserve truck parking, has now introduced a fleet version for dispatchers to manage reservations.
Truckload giant appears to be out ahead of others as driver market tightens
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday that aims to end the sale of new gasoline- and diesel-powered passenger cars in the state by 2035, but while it also addresses trucks, it is unclear whether it also bans truck sales.
It is not an unusual event for an employee to leave their employment to pursue new opportunities. Unfortunately, sometimes these departing employees choose to use their experience against their former employer by working for that employer’s competitor.
The peak will be “bigger, faster, will come quicker and stay longer,” said Greg Ritter, chief customer officer of transport and logistics giant XPO Logistics Inc.
Every driver that stays with their current carrier is one less that has to go home and tell their families that they don’t have a job. Driver turnover is fixable, if we all start to take it more personally.
