TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.08.12 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending August 12, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
Yellow
Please watch to see what happens with Yellow, because I have a feeling that this isn’t the first major player in the trucking industry who will be in financial trouble.
- Defunct Yellow reports Q2 loss
- Delivery robots vs. Hollywood; Yellow makes it official; and 3PLs get scrappy – WTT
- Sorting out Yellow’s secured debt: Ratings agency doesn’t declare default yet
- Teamsters prioritizing members during Yellow’s bankruptcy
- The real cost of Yellow’s demise
- Trucking giant Yellow Corp. declares bankruptcy after years of financial struggles
- Yellow Corp. files for bankruptcy protection, blames Teamsters
- Yellow employees waiting for paychecks, vacation pay
- Yellow files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Yellow files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Yellow files Chapter 11 bankruptcy; places blame on Teamsters union
- Yellow files for bankruptcy
- Yellow files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Yellow Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
- Yellow Looks to Finalize Bankruptcy Loan by Aug. 15
- Yellow makes it official, files the largest bankruptcy in the history of U.S. trucking
- Yellow Might Get Loan From Fellow Trucking Fleet to Pay Debts
- Yellow searching for better bankruptcy financing terms
- Yellow seeks other bankruptcy loan options
- Yellow stock to be delisted next week
- Yellow’s assets getting more attention
UPS
- UPS Lost More Business Than Expected on Strike Threat
- UPS lowers 2023 revenue outlook citing labor deal with 340,000 unionized workers, falling volume
- UPS suffered larger-than-expected shipment losses due to labor concerns
Proterra
According to the first article in the section just below:
Proterra — a U.S.-headquartered maker of electric buses, as well as battery systems used by several truck manufacturers — has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Based on the problems I am seeing and reading about with electric vehicles, I have a feeling that this will not be the last manufacturer of its kind to have financial trouble.
- Proterra battery maker files for Chapter 11
- Proterra Got Millions in US Aid Before Bankruptcy
- Proterra won’t fight Nasdaq delisting
Associations
Do you as a professional truck driver agree or disagree with this assessment?
Please comment through the form below.
Thanks.
Business
According to the article linked just below:
Getting the equipment and training to haul specialized loads looks like a big up-front expense. But the higher rates that shippers will pay for those loads to be hauled will cover those costs.
Have you found that to be the case?
Please comment through the form below.
Cargo theft
Please be on your guard regarding all kinds of cargo theft and practice protection as your company, shipper, or receiver specify.
According to the article linked just below:
Much of the increase is due to ongoing shipment misdirection attacks, a kind of strategic cargo theft in which actors use stolen motor carrier and logistics broker identities to obtain freight and misdirect it from the intended receiver so they could steal it, according to a news release.
I would like to learn more about how to protect one’s “motor carrier and logistics broker identities.”
If you know how to do this, please comment below.
AEBs
Please contact your elected officials about this important topic.
- CVSA requests more time to comment on AEB proposal
- Loaded and Rolling: Safety officials want brakes on braking mandate
- Safety officials on automatic emergency braking mandate: Not so fast
Politics
Speed limiters
Please contact your elected officials about this important topic, too.
- House appropriations bill blocks FMCSA funding for speed limiters
- Speed limiters would be required for New York City speeders
Economy
- Class 8 Orders in July Beat Expectations
- Economic report: ‘Freight recession’ to continue through end of the year
- Economic Trucking Trends: Spot market carriers reach ‘critical point’ as exits extend to larger fleets
- Expeditors down across the board amid weaker air and ocean markets
- Historic drop in China volumes curbs global parcel growth
- Inflation Rises for First Time in a Year to 3.2% Rate
- July Class 8 Sales Up 2.5% Year-Over-Year
- July import volumes continue to mirror pre-COVID ‘normal’
- Meme stocks are back as investors buy shares of beaten-down companies such as Yellow
- Sustainable freight and logistics vital as capacity correction looms
- Trucking industry forecasts move higher
- Trucking Industry Reports Predictably Weak Q2
- Very noticeable impact’ from down market $6B whammy to Hapag-Lloyd’s profits
- Video explores the struggles truckers are now experiencing coming down off the high of the pandemic
Employment
- Bureau of Labor releases latest transportation jobs numbers
- Searches for UPS Jobs Soar Following Union Deal
- Trucking jobs are down year-to-date as rates decrease
- Tyson Foods to Close Four Chicken Processing Plants
Insurance
Pay
- Are tech bros lining up to take your $170K trucking salary?
- Former contractor says FedEx Ground must address driver wage disparity with UPS
- Truck drivers, construction workers and other manual workers are getting a huge pay raise. Get used to it.
Rates
- Contract rate decline takes pause despite significant spot market discount
- Owner-operators feeling rate sting; trucking in Alaska; and how TSA air cargo security works – WTT
- Truckstop: Total spot rates rise for 1st time since May
Tolls
Electric vehicles
If you are planning on buying an electric commercial motor vehicle, please do your due diligence first.
- Blink Sees Benefit From Shift to Tesla Charging Standard
- CARB Program to Help Small Fleets, Owner-Operators with ZEV Transition
- Charge 32 Electric Trucks Simultaneously? Schneider Found a Way
- Daily Infographic: Tesla seeks $100M to build Semi truck charging stations
- Ecom Logistics vows to electrify delivery fleet
- Electric tractor owners should expect wait before infrastructure meets charging demands
- Electric truck maker Nikola names former General Motors executive Stephen Girsky as CEO
- Electric truck maker Nikola on path to success, CEO says
- Electric Vehicle Tech Maker Proterra Files for Bankruptcy
- EV battery maker Proterra files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
- Flexibility, Scalability Guide OK Produce’s Path to Fleet Electrification
- HDT Series: NACFE’s Electric Fleet Leaders
- J.B. Hunt set to buy 13 electric Nikola tractors
- NY Launches $12 Million EV and Electric Grid Integration Initiative
- PGT Running Dedicated Route with Nikola Electric Truck
- Research center for wireless electric vehicle charging opens in Pennsylvania
- Rivian Will Build 52,000 EVs This Year, More Than Planned
- Schneider expands electric fleet with new terminal tractors
- Starting with smaller ZEVs could prove to be ‘a good plan’
- Tesla Semis Shine on PepsiCo’s Long-Haul Electric Routes
- Volvo, Mack EVs Recalled Over Fire Concerns
- Volvo, Mack replacing batteries on electric trucks
Emissions
- EPA’s Emissions Plan Runs Into Skepticism
- HDT Survey Wants Fleet Input on Alt-Fuels and Zero-Emission Vehicles
- Iowa accepting applications for diesel emission reduction grants
- Trimac testing range of emissions slashing technologies
Fuel
- Congress and California at Odds Over Future of Diesel Truck Engines
- Diesel fuel prices continue to climb
- Diesel Price Posts 11.2¢ Gain in Third Straight Increase
- Fresh leap in DOE/EIA diesel price tacks on 11.2 cents a gallon
- Georgia aims for flagship status in number of CMV hydrogen fueling stations
- Hydrogen ignorance is bliss?
- Hyzon considers sale of fuel cell business to raise capital
- Natural Gas-Fueled Volvo Trucks Set for North American Tests
- ProMiles report shows diesel prices higher in most regions
- Weekly Fuel Report: August 08, 2023
- Weekly NTI Update: August 07, 2023
Oil
- EIA forecasting U.S. crude oil production milestone
- Global Oil Demand Hits Record and Prices May Climb, IEA Says
- IEA spells out supply and demand imbalance driving oil prices higher
Jurisdiction
While I appreciate having “one national standard” for meal and rest breaks, the issue at hand boils down to the Tenth Amendment and states’ rights.
If the states in question want to make things better for their own intrastate truckers, I think they should be allowed.
Law enforcement
I watched the video embedded in the article linked in the section just below.
Like the trucker, I had never heard of a “fog line.”
According to Wikipedia:
The solid white line on the right side is called the ‘fog line’ used to help cars stay in their lane during foggy conditions and help pedestrians stay off the road.
This resource says:
A line painted on a road (usually bright white) that marks the edge of the legally drivable portion.
Huh!
Legal
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- CVSA Inspectors Compiling Driver Personal Conveyance Data
- No Violations on 81% of CMVs in International Roadcheck
Technology
According to the second article in the section just below:
“Waterfall tracking” means that a visibility provider, like Trucker Tools, automatically assigns the best available tracking method to each individual load based on information provided when the track was created and what the company already knows about the carrier.
- Next-gen routing solution promises to boost profitability, service levels
- Waterfall tracking takes automation to new heights
Technology – AI
Please be careful about your use of Artificial Intelligence.
- 3 questions to consider before investing in AI
- AI Helps Fleets Navigate Risk Management
- AI, machine learning centerpieces of Blue Yonder’s supply chain solutions
- Six ways AI is transforming the trucking industry
- Telematics providers improve AI accuracy to combat risky driving behaviors
Weight
Please note where “automated enforcement” of truck weights is being utilized.
Are there any places between where you pick up heavy loads and the nearest truck scale where you could run into trouble?
Or do you need equipment like that linked below this section?
- How 1 city is curbing overweight trucks
- New York begins automated enforcement of overweight trucks
- NY City begins ‘weigh-in-motion’ effort on Brooklyn-Queens Ex’way
- NYC launches ‘nation’s first’ automated enforcement system for overweight trucks on the BQE
Crashes
Please scan through these articles to see if there is anything you can learn to help you prevent being involved in a truck crash.
- Body of dump truck driver lost in river for hours
- Cruising police officer struck from behind by tractor trailer in work zone
- FMCSA to Renew Plan for Carriers to Keep Accident Records
- I-96 west in Michigan closed for ‘serious’ collision involving multiple semis
- Motorist in Toyota soars into second floor of Pennsylvania home in ‘intentional act’
- Motorist pinned beneath pile of logs from wrecked semi truck
- Rig left hanging off bridge after motorist’s poor lane change
- Self-driving taxi involved in crash with turning truck in San Francisco
- SUV using spare tire causes wreck with tractor trailer creating hours-long backups
- Three hurt after turning car sends semi truck crashing into building
- Top cities motorists are likely to get into a car crash
- Truck hauling gear for rock band Metallica involved in major crash
- Video: Big rig strikes porta-potty after being cut off by pickup along North Carolina’s I-26
- VIDEO: Car driver in a hurry to pass a truck rear-ends a Connecticut trooper
- VIDEO: Semi doesn’t clear tracks fast enough, gets trailer smacked by freight train
- Virginia deputy’s cruiser struck by hit-and-run big rig along I-81
- Wreck leaves SUV wedged between big rig, Philadelphia city bus
Drowsy driving
Do not let trucking companies, fleet managers, dispatchers, and the like pressure you into doing what isn’t right.
If you need to, simply refuse to drive if you’re tired.
Fatalities
We express our deep sympathy — and offer our condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died in these crashes.
Can you learn anything from the articles below that would help prevent being involved in a fatal large truck crash?
- 5 killed when RV blows tire, crashes head-on into tractor-trailer in Pennsylvania
- Biker careens downhill causing fatal collision with semi truck
- Feds to investigate deadly Tesla vs. big rig crash near Virginia truck stop
- Ohio cops kill 2 who took big rig driver hostage at truck stop
- POLICE: Crash between RV and semi truck hauling doubles leaves no survivors
- Three dead after motorist slams into back of rig stopped by construction flagger
- Truck driver perishes after crashing off Will Rogers Turnpike into parking lot, striking 2 semis and a pickup
- Trucker and passenger ejected and killed after striking disabled semi on South Carolina interstate
- Two dead in wrong-way semi truck crash on Texas interstate
- Watch as wreckage from major fatal semi vs. RV wreck is hauled away
Parking
- Driver Poll: How often do you encounter issues with parking availability?
- New Sheetz store in Ohio offers dozens of truck parking spaces
- Residents demand to know why local Werner terminal wants to add 185 more truck parking spaces
- Truck Stop Coming to Rural North Carolina Highway
Ports
Postal service
- Postal Service loss widens in fiscal 3rd quarter
- Postal Service Reduces Air Cargo by 90% Over Two Years
- Postal Service shipping has shifted to mostly trucks
Recalls
If your tractor or trailer has a recall, please be sure to have the repair work done as soon as possible.
Statistics
See how badly you’re needed, trucker? 🙂
Tires
If you have the “ultra-wide” tires described in the first article below, please consider writing a product review to let others know what you think.
- Bridgestone introduces new ultra-wide tire for long-haul fleets
- Daily Infographic: Debunking common retread tire myths
Chains
It’s coming up on that time of year again when snow chains will be required to drive in certain parts of the USA.
What you don’t know can stop you cold (pun intended). 🙂
Safety
Please learn what you can from these articles, but also practice discernment.
- CDOT launches new videos to increase trucker safety
- Colorado DOT video teaches truckers about ‘Hot Brakes, Runaway Truck Ramps & Summer Driving’
- Ohio governor announces new safety improvements for state’s roads
- What’s needed to achieve safety operational excellence
Weather
According to the first article listed in the section just below:
Government meteorologists on Thursday revised their outlook for the ongoing 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, now calling for a 60% chance of above-normal activity through Nov. 30, up from 30% originally forecast in May, shortly before the season started.
Truckers who run in areas likely to be affected by hurricanes should monitor the weather (perhaps with a suitable app on their Smartphones) and have provisions with them.
We suggest having an emergency fund, emergency kit, and first aid kit — as well as full tanks of fuel and a fully charged phone.
- Above-normal Atlantic hurricane activity now forecast
- New Hurricane Outlook Sees Above-Average Number of Storms
CBD
This trucker is not the first one we’ve heard of that ran into problems with a drug test falsely picking up THC from a CBD product.
Drugs
Never, ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how big the promised payoff is.
Hostage
I would like to have feedback from truckers about what they would do — and what trucking companies advise their truckers to do — in a potential kidnapping or hostage situation.
- Doubling Down on Parking Safety After Truck Driving Taken Hostage
- Kidnapped Werner Truck Driver Survives After Police Exchange Gunfire with Hijackers
Smuggling
No matter how big the promised payoff is, never, ever haul human beings made in the image of God as if they were cargo or cattle.
- 28 immigrants found stuffed inside semi truck cab
- Laredo, Texas customs agents find 28 undocumented immigrants inside tractor’s cab
Appreciation
Truckers should always appreciate the technicians who help keep their trucks in top working order.
- Fourth annual National Technician Appreciation Week Sept. 24-30
- National Technician Appreciation Week Set for Sept. 24 – 30
- National Technician Appreciation Week set for September
Awards
Congratulations to every trucker who has excellent truck driving skills and will be or has been nominated for an award — or has won a championship.
The video embedded in the second article from the bottom, features “a truck driver backing into a super tight spot” and I commend him.
- Bolduc, Daly Lead Field at National Truck Driving Championships
- FASTPORT reports record number of nominations for driving award
- HDT Opens 2023 Safety & Compliance Award Nominations
- Jadrossich Fine-Tunes Preparation for Nationals
- Know a top-notch trucker? Nominate them for Pilot’s Road Warrior Contest
- Listen for RadioNemo coverage of 2023 National Truck Driving Championships
- Pilot Flying J accepting ‘Road Warrior’ nominations
- Relay Payments’ Haul of Fame Contest seeks 2 outstanding drivers
- Truck driver honored for achieving 5 million safe miles
- Video highlights truck driver’s next-level backing skills
- Werner Enterprises honors Tim Dean, who has driven 5 million miles
Recognition
We recognize those who helped out their fellow human beings in a time of need.
We also recognize others in this section or highlight how others are recognizing truckers.
- CTA wants Recognized Employer Pilot for TFWs to screen out Driver Inc. employers
- How Recognizing Veteran Drivers Helps Leonard’s Express
- Melton trucker honored for aiding victim of Texas motorcycle crash
- Prime driver and Air Force veteran pulls accident victim from vehicle
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: 2023.08.12 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.