James JailletJames Jaillet was Randall-Reilly's executive editor of trucking, focusing on coverage of business and regulatory updates and trucking industry trends for the Commercial Carrier Journal and Overdrive, until the Spring of 2021.Business5 ways to prep for the downturn: With the economy cooling, owner-operators must be ready for leaner timesOwner-operators, especially those who’ve recently transitioned from company driver to leased owner-operator, or from leased operator to independent with operating authority, are perhaps most at risk in the next recession. Here are five key areas to help any owner-operator lay the groundwork for survival.January 4, 2019BusinessVolvo earmarks $780M for repairs for emissions system degradationVolvo announced the discovery of the degradation issue in October, saying then that it likely affects engines for both the North American and European markets. Specifics as to the company’s plan for repairs or potential recalls, as well as what truck models are affected, are still being fleshed out.January 4, 2019BusinessFMCSA’s decision to exempt carriers from Calif. break laws challenged by the TeamstersFMCSA asserted on Dec. 21 that carriers do not have to provide drivers with the meal and rest breaks dictated by California’s labor code. The Teamsters Union filed a petition days later asking a federal appellate court to reverse FMCSA’s decision.January 3, 2019BusinessFlatbed, van rates regained footing in December as reefer dipsAfter trending downward through most of the second half of 2018, per-mile spot market rates for flatbed and van ticked upward in December, according to data from Truckstop.com. Reefer rates, however, went the opposite direction.January 2, 2019BusinessFMCSA remains fully operational amid partial government shutdownThe lingering shutdown of certain portions of the federal government has little effect on employees at the two agencies tasked with overseeing trucking and highway operations, according to a document from the U.S. DOT.January 2, 2019Overdrive ExtraTrucking in 2018: Rates boom and settle, the ball rolls on hours reforms, ELD mandate takes holdDigging in to the top trucking trends of 2018: ELDs’ first year spurs rate hikes and operational adjustments; the swirling saga of glider kit emissions; the beginning of potential HOS reforms, booming — and then settling — rates and more.December 31, 2018BusinessCarriers, drivers exempt from California break laws, FMCSA rulesIn a significant decision that rebukes a major 2014 ruling by a federal court, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has said that carriers do not have to comply with California laws requiring employers to provide workers with regular meal breaks and paid rest breaks.December 21, 2018Hours of ServiceFMCSA scraps split-sleeper berth study amid press for hours reformsFMCSA has canceled a study meant to gauge the safety aspects of allowing truck drivers to split their on- and off-duty time into segments. The agency’s new — and pressing — move to propose changes to hours of service regulations has rendered the study moot, sources said.December 20, 2018BusinessEPA to investigate questions surrounding pro-glider kits studyBy opening this investigation, the agency’s inspector general now has two active investigations into studies regarding glider kit emissions. The new probe will investigate the EPA’s use of a maligned study produced by Tennessee Tech that has been deemed flawed by the college.December 12, 2018BusinessCalif. lawmakers could act on ruling that threatens owner-operators — but it may not be positiveOne bill in the California General Assembly would offer relief to fleets and owner-operators by nullifying an April ruling by the California Supreme Court. The other, however, would make the court decision state law — a potentially damaging development for owner-operators in California.December 12, 2018Previous PagePage 19 of 190Next PageTop StoriesSmall Fleet ChampRight-sizing for management: MRL Transport owner Mark Ledford hits five trucksLedford got his start trucking after working a dock where his manager said Ledford would never drive truck. Not only would he drive, he'd grow a fleet well beyond 30 trucks before selling out. MRL Transport is his second turn in the barrel, and Ledford's hit a profitability sweet spot.Overdrive RadioSmall-biz trucking success, with family assist: The woman behind owner-operator Jason ShellyRegulationsFMCSA, other agencies update timelines for bevy of in-progress regsSmall Fleet ChampMeet Overdrive's 2025 Small Fleet Champ semi-finalistsFeatured SponsorGarmin Dash Cams - Powerful & Discreet - Capture every detail with Garmin Clarity HDR optics, premium HD, and wide 140 degree view.
