This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending October 23, 2021.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding supply chain, ports, and COVID-19:
There is a multi-faceted problem going on in the world right now, including in the USA, and it is going to get worse.
Part of the situation with the supply chain and the ports boils down to the fact that a lot of people have been badly injured or died following being vaxxinated (link 1, link 2).
Another part of the situation is that many people are being “fired” for not getting jabbed (choosing health freedom over tyranny).
Yet another part of the situation is spiritual, in that some people have been blinded to think that the only way to stop pathogens is with man-made substances, instead of natural products and activities that mankind has known for centuries lead to good health.
Remember that your Creator gave every human being unalienable rights and that — according to Galatians 5:1 — we were meant to be free.
Furthermore, before elected officials take public office in the USA, every one of them takes an oath of office to uphold The Constitution of the United States.
We have reached this point in history because many of us do not know what the Constitution says or means — and our elected officials do not uphold their oaths of office.
Remember what the Tenth Amendment says:
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
The Constitution does not give anyone on any level of government the power to inject substances into your body against your will.
Supply chain
- Inexperienced Transportation Secretary Takes Heat as Supply Chains Crash
- OOIDA President Blows CNN Anchor’s Mind Discussing Causes of Supply Chain Woes
- OOIDA President Says Truckers Are NOT to Blame For Supply Chain Crisis
- OOIDA President Todd Spencer talks supply chain with CNN
- Republicans Sound Alarm Over Supply Chains
- Solving supply chain a ‘global game of Whack-A-Mole’
- Supply chain gridlock dominates Sunday talk shows
- Supply chain logjams hobbling smaller shippers
- Supply chain woes start with unfair trucker compensation, OOIDA says
- Supply Chains Dominate Secretary Pete’s Schedule
- TCA Chairman Argues Under-21 Truckers Could Help Solve Supply Chain Slowdown
- Trucking Community Reacts to Biden’s ‘Out of Touch’ View of Truckers Amid Supply Chain Chaos
- Want to fix the supply chain? Start with paying truckers fairly, group says
- What can feds do to aid 24/7 supply chains?
- Your guide to holiday shopping, supply chain disruption style
Ports
There is no problem with the ports in Florida, so the “traffic jam” going on with the California ports has been engineered.
Incompetence needs to be held responsible and dealt with.
- California Governor Takes Steps to Address Port Backlogs
- Containerships Headed for US Poised to Worsen Port Bottlenecks
- Federal panel recommends military drivers help clear ports
- FreightWaves Classics: Lockout at West Coast ports caused economic havoc in 2002
- LA neighborhood becomes temporary storage space for empty shipping containers as the crowded port situation continues
- Port logjams increase biofouling, harming fuel efficiency, marine life — study
- Record cargo volumes flowing through Southern California ports despite congestion
- September Port Numbers Remain Strong as Leaders Address Congestion
- Trucking industry not confident in Biden’s 24/7 port plan
- Union Pacific Receives Cargo 24/7 Near L.A. Ports
- Update: $26B worth of cargo stuck on container ships off California
COVID-19
Please be aware that among the adverse events that have accompanied getting jabbed are breathing problems, heart problems, and blood clots.
I am convinced that some people are having “medical episodes” behind the wheel of a vehicle.
If you are involved in an accident with anyone — motorist or trucker — your first question should be: “Has this person ever been vaxxinated — and if so, with what?” Do not fall for the tyranny of getting jabbed against your common sense and better judgment.
- 7.9% of trucking companies confirm enforcement of vaccine mandates in a recent poll
- ATA cites Canadian rules in push against truck driver vaccine mandate
- ATA Outlines Concerns on How Vaccine Mandate May Affect Trucking (link no longer online)
- REPORT: 38,000 Cross-Border Truckers Will ‘Immediately Exit’ Due to Vaccine Mandate
- The economics of trucking during a pandemic
- Union Pacific, Unions Sue Each Other Over Vaccine Mandate
- Vaccine mandate could see 38,000 truck drivers abandon cross-border work: CTA
2. Regarding chips, technology, and shortage:
Chips
- GM Plants That Closed Due to Chip Shortage to Reopen Nov. 1
- Intel CEO Says Chip Crisis Needs Boost From Congress
- Volvo Warns More Chip Woes Will Curtail Truck Production
Technology
- Clock is ticking as ELD enforcement deadlines loom
- Flock Freight Scores $215 Million for Tech That Finds Available Space on Trucks
- How to Leverage the Data Firehose
- Picture perfect: Smart camera technology to show what really happens in trailers
- Report calls critical infrastructure cybersecurity ‘abysmal’
- The Aftermarket’s Move Toward Data Digitalization
- Weigh in on advanced driver assistance systems, OOIDA says
- Why Augmented Reality is Becoming the Best Technician Tutoring Tool
Shortage
Check out the section below on “Pay” for a better understanding of what is happening.
- Biden mentions deploying National Guard to ease driver shortage woes, White House Officials say otherwise
- Driver shortage? Big media strikes out again
- It’s the Great Pumpkin (shortage); shippers near end of challenging season
- The Driver Shortage: Uniforms as a Solution
- Trucking Economist Claims ‘Truck Driver Shortage’ is Now 80,000; Will Double in Ten Years
- Trucking Industry Now Short 80,000 Drivers
- UK Need for More Truck Drivers Spreads Across Europe
3. Regarding fuel and autonomous vehicles:
Fuel
- 3 reasons RNG is decarbonizing trucking today
- Another jump in DOE/EIA diesel price adds 19.4 cents in 2 weeks
- Cummins announces development of natural gas engine for big trucks
- Cummins expands natural gas offerings with 15-liter engine
- Daily Infographic: MPG and your wallet
- Diesel prices stay on upward trajectory
- Diesel Spikes 8.5¢ to $3.671 a Gallon
- First containers, then dry bulk, now LNG shipping rates are spiking
- National On-Highway Diesel Prices Spike Again
- U.S. Diesel Reserves Dangerously Low Heading Into Winter
- What is renewable fuels’ role in trucking’s future?
Autonomous vehicles
As you may know, I thoroughly oppose driverless, self-driving, or autonomous trucks — especially commercial motor vehicles that share the roads with the motoring public. I am sharing these articles as a courtesy to keep you informed.
- AASHTO: Automated vehicle policy needs federal investment
- Aurora reveals autonomous truck ‘driver-as-a-service’ subscription plan
- BravoTran’s secret sauce for automating freight forwarder pain points
- Coming attractions: 2 autonomous trucking companies begin trading in November
- Embark Announces Reservations for 14,200 Trucks
- Fleet Forward Conference to Feature Autonomous Trucking, Electrification Sessions
- Gatik, Ryder Cooperate on Autonomous MD Fleet
- Not Everyone in Seattle Is Excited About Autonomous Vehicles Coming
- Ryder invests in Gatik, partners on building nationwide autonomous delivery
- Ryder, Gatik form autonomous truck partnership
- Ryder, Gatik Partner on Autonomous Delivery Network for B2B Short-Haul Logistics
- What truck drivers can expect with autonomous trucks
4. Regarding AB5, lawsuit, I-70 accident lawsuit, and accidents:
AB5
Lawsuit
- Cali Port Truckers Win $30 Million Wage Theft Settlement
- Court: CDL does not set ‘higher standard’ for truckers
- Kumho Tire ordered to pay trucker $3M for rollover crash
- Tire company ordered to pay truck driver $3 million for rollover crash
I-70 Accident Lawsuit
This may be simplistic, but the way I see it, this accident could have been prevented had the driver:
- better known the English language,
- been prepared to drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle in the mountains, and
- understood what a truck escape ramp is and how to use it.
Do you agree or disagree? Please comment through the form below.
- Jury finds truck driver guilty on 27 counts for triggering fiery 28 vehicle pileup that killed four
- Truck driver convicted in Colorado pileup that killed 4
- Trucker convicted on numerous counts from 2019’s massive I-70 crash
Accidents
Please review these articles to see what may have led up to them — for the purpose of not getting into those situations yourself.
- Amtrak train collides with semi in Oklahoma
- Chain Reaction Crash Between Car and 3 Big Rigs Leaves One Person Dead, 3 More Injured
- Driver “very shaken” after fatal collision with pedestrian
- Fatal collision in Texas leads to $30M verdict against FedEx Freight
- Semi truck fire takes down multiple rigs, office building
- Truck leaves raised bed behind beneath overpass
- Trucker facing attempted murder after speeding away with trooper still standing on truckThis may have implications regarding the “hitchhiker” situations that have popped up recently.
5. Regarding guarantee, HOS, and predictions:
Guarantee
HOS
Predictions
6. Regarding tolls, taxes, pay, and rates:
Tolls
- New 13 mile section of Pennsylvania Turnpike opens, tolls in place
- Pennsylvania Turnpike opens Southern Beltway section
- Pennsylvania Turnpike’s $800 MILLION ‘Southern Beltway’ Officially Opens
- Southern Beltway toll road opens in Pennsylvania
Taxes
Pay
The calculations in my 2014 article are dated but easy to update. Let’s look at the buying power of the U.S. dollar compared to $500 in May 1977:
- September 2018: $2,093.19 (76.113% decrease);
- September 2021: $2,274.54 (78.0175% decrease).
In other words, it takes more and more money to buy the same things as time goes on. Inflation is a thief and The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 is mostly to blame for this.
- Are driver wait times nullifying carrier pay increases?
- Get paid more on your loads with these 4 tips
- JK Moving raises driver pay to six-figures
- Major car hauler United Road now offers guaranteed pay for drivers
- Major moving company hikes driver pay to $100,000
- United Road Introduces Guaranteed Pay for Drivers
Rates
- Record-setting September for Canada’s spot market
- Shadow inflation: Shipping costs are up way more than you think
- Truckload: Higher rates drive OR improvement despite labor headwinds
- Will current freight and rate trends last through end of 2022?
7. Regarding congestion, roads, DOT, and FMCSA:
Congestion
Roads
- Colorado trucking company takes ‘huge hit’ from I-70 closures
- I-12 widening project underway in Louisiana
- I-285 SB in ATL closed for fiery collision between wood & candle hauling rigs
- I-77 nb in NC closed after semi truck flips
- Illinois Lays Out Timeline for I-80 Project
- Illinois to begin major improvements to I-80
DOT
- DOT Secretary under fire for taking unannounced paternity leave amid supply chain chaos
- New Polls Are Bad News For Embattled USDOT Secretary as White House Deflects Criticism
FMCSA
8. Regarding economy and employment:
Economy
- ATA Records Largest 2021 Sequential Gain in Truck Tonnage
- Budget Deficit Hits $2.77 Trillion in 2021
- Gulf Coast ports see growth in September amid congested supply chains
- Home Construction Declines 1.6% in September
- Industrial Production Falls 1.3%
- Large markets gaining steam ahead of peak season
- Rental/Lease Trailer Inventory Rises in 2021
- September Trailer Orders Clear 28,000; Uncertain Conditions Persist
- Tonnage Jumps in September
- Trailer Orders Improve in September
- Trailer orders spike in September but OEMs remain cautious
- Truck tonnage climbed in September as trucks packed on more freight
- U.S. Trade Deficit Grows Despite Container Port Logjams
- Volvo Trucks orders and deliveries rise in Q3 despite supply constraints
- Walmart Extends Delivery Hours for Orders Coming From Stores
Employment
9. Regarding headlights, speed, and innovation:
Headlights
Speed
- California governor signs speed limit rule revision
- Ontario to extend pilot on increasing 400-series highway speed limits
Innovation
10. Regarding inspections, insurance, and fraud:
Inspections
- 468 citations and out of service orders issued during three day Georgia CMV blitz
- Almost 3,900 trucks in U.S. placed out of service during Brake Week inspections
- Brake problems park 4,300 trucks during Brake Safety Week
- Brake Safety Week results emerge
- CVSA conducted hazmat inspections without forewarning
- Georgia DPS shuts down dozens of truckers during safety sweep
- Georgia Officials Release Results From FMCSA’s Recent CMV Enforcement Blitz
- Georgia troopers find major problems with monster truck haul
- More Than 4,000 CMVs Placed Out-of-Service During Brake Safety Week
- Most Trucks Pass CVSA’s Brake Safety Week Inspection
- Nearly nine of 10 vehicles inspected passed Brake Safety Week
- Thousands of HazMat Violations Cited in 5 Day Blitz
Insurance
- Bobtail insurance’ 101 for owner-operators
- POLL: Owner-operators, what’s your current health insurance situation?
- Why it’s time to cozy up to your insurer
Fraud
- Ex-trucking school director sentenced for role in defrauding VA of $4.1M
- Trucking school director sentenced to 15 months for $4M VA, GI Bill scam
- Trucking School Director Sentenced to Prison in $4 MILLION CDL Scam
- Trucking school owner sentenced in fraud scheme
11. Regarding drivers and smoking:
Drivers
- Colo. trucking school director says this winter may see more inexperienced drivers out on the road than a typical year
- Daily Infographic: What’s in Your Driver Qualification File?
- POLL: What is your time-of-day hauling preference?
Smoking
- Rigs Without Cigs is a program for drivers that worksPlease see our article about quitting smoking.
12. Regarding awards:
Congratulations to all of those who were nominated for a trucking award and to all of those who will win!
- There’s still time to nominate trucker for Company Driver of the Year award
- Transition Trucking Military Vet Award Finalists Announced
My husband Mike and I wish you — and all professional truck drivers — safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.
Return from TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2021.10.23 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
