From the Editor
Editor’s Page – March/April 2020
Lewie Pugh's recent performance in D.C. had us thinking about Mel Gibson's iconic performance in 'Braveheart.'
News
Truckers ‘are the solution’
Truckers know the best way to improve highway safety, OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh told lawmakers during a Senate hearing.
OOIDA’s view of the trucking industry
In addition to OOIDA’s oral testimony, the Association also submitted 26 pages’ worth of written testimony regarding the state of the trucking industry.
A different way of seeing things
FMCSA approved an exemption request from Vision Systems North America to allow motor carriers to use the company’s Smart-Vision system instead of rearview mirrors.
Fight continues over auto transporter definition
OOIDA continues its fight to get FHWA to remove regulatory guidance regarding the definition of automobile transporters.
OOIDA: Infrastructure plan shouldn’t single out truckers
OOIDA told lawmakers that federal highway infrastructure plans shouldn’t place a disproportionate burden on professional truckers.
FMCSA officially delays driver training rule
FMCSA’s decision to delay its entry-level driver training implementation appeared in the Federal Register on Feb. 4.
A new deal
President Donald Trump signed "NAFTA 2.0." With Mexico having done so already, all that remains is for Canada to ratify the agreement.
FMCSA axes California break law for bus drivers
Meal and rest breaks for California bus drivers go too far, says the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Bills in seven states would alter speed limits
Attempts to change speed limits are a seemingly constant pursuit at statehouses around the country. This year is no different.
Three states consider tolls, including some for trucks only
Efforts at statehouses around the country would tap tolls to cover costs for road and bridge upkeep.
Left lane law revisions under review coast to coast
Travel in the far left lane of highways is drawing attention at several statehouses.
Virginia lawmaker nixes truck GPS requirement
After hearing the concerns of professional drivers, a Virginia state lawmaker decides to drop his pursuit to require large trucks to be equipped with a truck-specific GPS.
OOIDA hopes to work with Missouri lawmaker on fuel tax
A Missouri bill to raise road revenue via the state’s fuel tax is moving forward. OOIDA has voiced concern about a disproportionate increase for diesel.
California bill to eliminate split speeds gains OOIDA support
One California state lawmaker has introduced a bill to do away with the nation’s largest speed limit differential for cars and trucks.
State Watch – March/April 2020
Legislatures throughout the country are in full swing, and issues that affect truckers’ daily business are on agendas.
Utah tax reform, increased fuel costs rejected
Spurred by a citizen referendum, Utah state lawmakers reverse course on tax reform deal that included a transportation funding boost.
Supreme Court opts not to hear OOIDA’s Pennsylvania toll lawsuit
The Supreme Court has decided not to hear OOIDA's lawsuit that claims Pennsylvania's tolls are unconstitutional, effectively ending the case.
Coordinated coercion?
A Tennessee trucker’s lawsuit against Amazon and one of its freight partners alleges he was coerced into violating hours of service in the lead-up to a crash.
The Parking Zone – March/April 2020
Does Walmart have a nationwide truck parking policy? Land Line reached out to Walmart and received some answers. Also, OOIDA addresses parking to Congress.
United States, Canada end prohibition on insulin-using truckers
An agreement between the U.S. and Canada has been updated to green light insulin-using diabetic truckers to operate cross-border between the two countries.
‘Bridgegate’ defendants await U.S. Supreme Court ruling
Two officials who were found guilty of fraud in the “Bridgegate” scandal could have their convictions overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court after a hearing in January.
The battle over AB5
The fight over California’s worker classification law could eventually make it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Consider all the angles before becoming an owner-operator
OOIDA’s three-day intensive training Truck to Success course is for drivers ready to take their first steps toward becoming an owner-operator.
Mexican driver accuses Pennsylvania trucking company of human trafficking
A Mexican trucker filed a lawsuit against Pennsylvania-based KAH Transportes, alleging the company essentially hired him as an indentured servant.
UCR fees finalized for 2020 registration year
Published in the Federal Register on Feb. 13, the FMCSA finalized the Unified Carrier Registration fees for the 2020 registration year.
Walmart challenges $55 million trucker wage lawsuit ruling
Walmart is asking a federal appeals court to rehear a California case that has awarded truckers nearly $55 million in lost wages.
Want trucking-related stats? Check out the transportation pocket guide
The logistics industry thrives on numbers. Be up to date with the latest transportation-related numbers with the Pocket Guide to Transportation 2020.
In This Issue:
News
- Truckers ‘are the solution’
- OOIDA’s view of the trucking industry
- A different way of seeing things
- Fight continues over auto transporter definition
- OOIDA: Infrastructure plan shouldn’t single out truckers
- FMCSA officially delays driver training rule
- A new deal
- FMCSA axes California break law for bus drivers
- Bills in seven states would alter speed limits
- Three states consider tolls, including some for trucks only
- Left lane law revisions under review coast to coast
- Virginia lawmaker nixes truck GPS requirement
- OOIDA hopes to work with Missouri lawmaker on fuel tax
- California bill to eliminate split speeds gains OOIDA support
- State Watch – March/April 2020
- Utah tax reform, increased fuel costs rejected
- Supreme Court opts not to hear OOIDA’s Pennsylvania toll lawsuit
- Coordinated coercion?
- The Parking Zone – March/April 2020
- United States, Canada end prohibition on insulin-using truckers
- ‘Bridgegate’ defendants await U.S. Supreme Court ruling
- The battle over AB5
- Consider all the angles before becoming an owner-operator
- Mexican driver accuses Pennsylvania trucking company of human trafficking
- UCR fees finalized for 2020 registration year
- Walmart challenges $55 million trucker wage lawsuit ruling
- Want trucking-related stats? Check out the transportation pocket guide
Opinion
Features
- A love for trucking
- ‘Never quit – until the job is done’
- ‘Warpaint’ on the move
- OOIDA member helps motorist who was pinned under his vehicle
- MATS reaches 49th year
- Trucking in 1968: Here are the keys
- OOIDA on the Road – March/April 2020
- Missing ‘mom and pop’ truck stops
- Robots taking over at Consumer Electronics Show
- Strange Things & Filthy Lies – March/April 2020
- Roses and Razzberries – March/April 2020
Business
Features
A love for trucking
If he could only change one thing about trucking, OOIDA board member Chuck Paar says he'd eliminate the know-nothing bureaucrats.
‘Never quit – until the job is done’
A trucker recalls the key role a U.S. ship played in rescuing thousands from South Vietnam. And what they learned: Never give up until the job is done.
‘Warpaint’ on the move
Meet “Warpaint” – a Kansas City Chiefs truck tricked out by diehard fan and OOIDA member Robert Hardwick.
OOIDA member helps motorist who was pinned under his vehicle
OOIDA member Charles Jasewicz helped a motorist who was pinned under his vehicle on Interstate 40 in New Mexico.
MATS reaches 49th year
Annual concert features new location, format
Trucking in 1968: Here are the keys
John Bendel recalls his first day on the job for Friedman’s Express, a New Jersey LTL carrier. Driver training wasn’t on the menu that day.
OOIDA on the Road – March/April 2020
MATS is the destination in sight for The Spirit
Missing ‘mom and pop’ truck stops
Thinking about the good old days when sit-down restaurants were a reality for truck drivers.
Robots taking over at Consumer Electronics Show
The Consumer Electronics Show never fails to spark deep personal concerns about how much control we’re willing to give the robots.
Strange Things & Filthy Lies – March/April 2020
Pointers for when the forecast calls for tornadoes and a chance of tumbleweeds
Roses and Razzberries – March/April 2020
Land Line’s Terry Scruton gives roses to an Illinois state trooper and razzberries to lawmakers in Wyoming.
Business
Used truck glut
A glut of used trucks has lowered prices, but prospective buyers should still make reliability a priority.
How to buy a used truck
In the market for a used truck? Here are some tips and provides some questions you should ask before making a purchase.
Mack is back in the medium-duty business
After exiting the medium-duty market nearly two decades ago, Mack Trucks is back with its new MD series Class 6 and Class 7 trucks.
Hot Stuff and Cool Services – March/April 2020
From keeping your ride clean to protecting your laptop's privacy at restaurants and truck stops, "Hot Stuff & Cool Services" has you covered.
Advice
Mafia Secrets – March/April 2020
Willie Lewis of Cleburne, Texas, admittedly has been diagnosed with “truck fever.” And he has a Peterbilt to match.
Maintenance Q&A – March/April 2020
In this installment of Maintenance Q&A, Paul Abelson touches on new electric and alternative-fuel trucks.
Road Law – March/April 2020
The latest edition of Road Law discusses what steps commercial driver license holders should take after being involved in a crash.
Tax Tips – March/April 2020
Truckers’ questions regarding filing their income taxes this April are answered.