From the Editor
Editor’s Page – February 2020
Managing Editor Jami Jones runs down what you can find in the February 2020 issue of Land Line, including comprehensive coverage of Celadon's bankruptcy and Land Line's annual Grassroots Guide.
News
Shutting down
In December, one of the nation’s largest truckload carriers announced it was declaring bankruptcy and ceasing operations.
Laid off Celadon workers seek assurance for class action suit
Lawyers for former Celadon employees pursuing a WARN Act lawsuit say the company’s bankruptcy plan could leave little to no compensation for jilted workers.
Ex-Celadon brass implicated in SEC fraud scheme
Indictments filed just days before Celadon shut its doors accuses former COO and CFO of roles in alleged multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.
Celadon Group – a timeline
Celadon Group began its high-flying and fabled history in 1985, and NAFTA trade carried it to the big time before things fell apart in 2019
A brief history of trucking bankruptcies
The Celadon shutdown will be remembered as the largest truckload carrier bankruptcy in history – at least until the next one, writes John Bendel.
Lawmaker asks FMCSA to address driver coercion
Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, called out FMCSA for not effectively investigating reports of drivers being coerced into violating safety rules.
Drug testing rate increased to 50% in 2020
A slight increase in the number of positive drug tests in 2018 means that twice as many truck drivers are likely to be selected for a random drug test in 2020.
Driver training rule put on hold until 2022
Rather than roll out the entry-level driver training rule in phases, as proposed in 2019, FMCSA has opted to delay the entire rule until 2022.
EPA audit says glider repeal rule ‘lacked transparency’
The EPA’s Inspector General says the agency’s actions regarding a proposed glider repeal rule “lacked transparency,” according to a December report.
USMCA goes to Senate after House passes bill
With only days left in session, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 5430, which will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.
FMCSA setting stage for Beyond Compliance program
FMCSA is issuing an information collection request so that it can begin to implement the Beyond Compliance program.
Ohio ‘misguided’ in driver shortage bill efforts, OOIDA says
An Ohio bill touted to aid motor carriers looking to hire drivers moves forward, but OOIDA says it is intended to address a “nonexistent” driver shortage.
Transportation revenue a statehouse topic from coast to coast
Talks about how to pay for needed bridge and road work is certain to once again be prevalent at statehouses. Here's a sampling of some notable efforts.
Transportation and Climate Initiative takes a step forward
Governors from the Northeast to the Mid-Atlantic are moving ahead with transportation funding plan with a “cap-and-trade” program. One governor says “no.”
Up in the air
Several states and the nation’s capital pledge efforts toward all-electric vehicle fleet.
State Watch – February 2020
Land Line delivers a roundup of state legislation news happening in several states, including Florida, Missouri, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The Parking Zone – February 2020
Looking back at the end of 2019, truckers should feel optimistic about the parking situation this year. Perhaps 202 will the “Year of Parking.”
Supreme Court petitioned to hear OOIDA’s Pennsylvania toll lawsuit
OOIDA's fight against Pennsylvania’s tolls is not over. The Association asked the Supreme Court to hear its lawsuit over tolls it finds unconstitutional.
OOIDA conducts first formal meeting with new FMCSA leader
OOIDA President Todd Spencer and Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh traveled to Washington, D.C., in November to meet with FMCSA Acting Administrator Jim Mullen.
2019 Truckers for Troops brings in more than $32,000
Thanks to the generous contributions of drivers, OOIDA’s 2019 Truckers for Troops raised $32,574 to help U.S. military personnel at home and abroad.
Cleaner Trucks Initiative needs input from truckers
The EPA announced in January that it was publishing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking aimed at shaping a proposal to reduce NOx emissions.
Making your voice heard
Many lawmakers know little about trucking. If you play your cards right, you could become a lawmaker’s go-to person for trucking-related issues.
Make connections in D.C.
Would you like to contact lawmakers in Washington, D.C., about a trucking issue but not sure where to start? OOIDA has the contact info you need.
Basic tips for effective grassroots advocacy
Grassroots advocacy is critical to the success of any campaign. Elected officials need to hear your voice and need to be held accountable to constituents.
Commenting on proposed regulations: It is your right
Disagree with a proposed regulation? You can make your comments online, and Land Line will walk you through the process.
OOIDA’s Call to Action
OOIDA issues a Call to Action to its members when lawmakers need to hear from the nation’s truck drivers about how a law will affect them.
Take charge
When elected officials are not doing enough to address important issues, the public typically can pursue ballot measures to get issues before voters.
Primary elections season approaches
In the coming weeks, primaries will be used by political parties to determine which candidates will go on the general election ballot on Nov. 3.
2020 State legislative directory
A list of the best phone numbers in each state to contact your lawmakers about the status of bills and issues of interest to trucking and truck drivers.
Controversy sparked as easy as A-B-C
California and New Jersey have enshrined the ABC test in legislation. Years of litigation are ahead, and leased owner-operator could be affected.
Military veteran earns award, wins new Kenworth
Joseph H. Campbell Jr., a military veteran serving 24 years in the U.S. Marines and U.S. Army, won a Kenworth truck in the 2019 Transition Trucking contest.
Idaho to remain tough on hemp haulers
Stick to the exact letter of the law if you’re crossing Idaho with a cargo of hemp and you might be OK, according to an executive order from the governor.
$135M Navistar MaxxForce lawsuit settlement gets federal court approval
After several years of litigation, owners of certain Navistar trucks with a defective MaxxForce engine are closer to being compensated.
Federal report lists trucking among most fatal occupations
More than 800 truckers were killed on the job in 2018, the most among all jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ occupation deaths report.
In This Issue:
News
- Shutting down
- Laid off Celadon workers seek assurance for class action suit
- Ex-Celadon brass implicated in SEC fraud scheme
- Celadon Group – a timeline
- A brief history of trucking bankruptcies
- Lawmaker asks FMCSA to address driver coercion
- Drug testing rate increased to 50% in 2020
- Driver training rule put on hold until 2022
- EPA audit says glider repeal rule ‘lacked transparency’
- USMCA goes to Senate after House passes bill
- FMCSA setting stage for Beyond Compliance program
- Ohio ‘misguided’ in driver shortage bill efforts, OOIDA says
- Transportation revenue a statehouse topic from coast to coast
- Transportation and Climate Initiative takes a step forward
- Up in the air
- State Watch – February 2020
- The Parking Zone – February 2020
- Supreme Court petitioned to hear OOIDA’s Pennsylvania toll lawsuit
- OOIDA conducts first formal meeting with new FMCSA leader
- 2019 Truckers for Troops brings in more than $32,000
- Cleaner Trucks Initiative needs input from truckers
- Making your voice heard
- Make connections in D.C.
- Basic tips for effective grassroots advocacy
- Commenting on proposed regulations: It is your right
- OOIDA’s Call to Action
- Take charge
- Primary elections season approaches
- 2020 State legislative directory
- Controversy sparked as easy as A-B-C
- Military veteran earns award, wins new Kenworth
- Idaho to remain tough on hemp haulers
- $135M Navistar MaxxForce lawsuit settlement gets federal court approval
- Federal report lists trucking among most fatal occupations
Opinion
Features
Business
Opinion
Why don’t more truckers drive at night? Great question.
Paula from Denver asks why more truckers aren’t encouraged to drive at night. Land Line’s Wendy Parker says it’s a great question.
Virginia GPS bill can get lost
Technology can be the problem more often than the solution, as a new GPS bill in Virginia would show.
This Month in Trucking History – February 2020
Johnny Cash, fuel surcharges following the Arab oil embargo, and A SCOTUS case involving a trucker and arbitration. This month in Trucking History.
Features
Educate others about realities of trucking
OOIDA Board Member Tilden Curl believes educating others about the realities of trucking can only improve the future of it.
What you need to know about MATS 2020
Are you considering attending the 2020 edition of the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.? Find out everything you need to know.
The Spirit swings through Texas in February
Jon Osburn and the OOIDA tour truck will be making stops in Texas in February before heading to Louisville for MATS in March.
Dashboard Confidential – February 2020
Land Line columnist Dave Sweetman looks back on the good ol’ days of trucking and recalls his need for speeding, and tools like "The Fuzzbuster."
Strange Things & Filthy Lies – February 2020
Someone found a way to screw up an extended poop-break by designing a “downward facing toilet” and other Strange Things & Filthy Lies from Wendy Parker.
Roses & Razzberries – February 2020
Land Line hands out roses and razzberries to the nice and naughty ones in the trucking industry. Check out and see how FMCSA, Kenworth and others faired.
Business
Mutts4Trucks pairs truckers with canine co-pilots
Mobil Delvac and Pedigree have teamed up to improve the well-being of truckers through their Mutts4Trucks dog adoption campaign.
What happens to drivers in the future of trucking?
Noёl Perry, the chief economist for Truckstop.com, gives his thoughts on automation and the future of the trucking industry.
Off the rails
The railroad industry fired a fresh volley in its war on trucking, at a Congressional hearing, claiming rail is a better way to haul freight than trucks.
Hot Stuff and Cool Services – February 2020
From portable coffee makers, freshening up on the road and quilts, we feature some new truck products to make the cab feel like home.
Advice
Road Law – February 2020
Today is the day and your case is set for trial. Do you want to appear? Must you appear? Will you appear?
Mafia Secrets – February 2020
In this edition of Mafia Secrets, Bryan Martin shows us a glimpse of 'Lucky 13,' Roadworks Manufacturing’s striking Peterbilt 389.
Maintenance Q&A – February 2020
Land Line’s Paul Abelson walks you step-by-step through proper wiring maintenance in this month’s edition of Maintenance Q&A.
Tax Tips – February 2020
Questions regarding worker classification, QBI, and tax-related scams are answered in this edition of Tax Tips from the February 2020 Land Line Magazine.