Eric Schmidt

With 27 years OTR, now-retired owner-operator Eric Schmidt developed a pretty "serious" trip planning methodology. In fact, his trip-planning routine became so serious it just about ruined his home life. The former drill sergeant and owner-operator stays busy today mostly around his house in North Carolina with small construction projects and gardening. Schmidt hails originally from the suburbs of Detroit.

Overdrive Extra

Throw out your GPS: Trucking trip planning the old-school way

Eric Schmidt is convinced that GPS kills brain cells and recommends an old-school but practical way to meticulously plan trips: An atlas, a truck stop book, a few notebooks and the old CB radio.

September 17, 2025

Page 1 of 1

Truck Highway Night Hos Adobe Stock 652349873

FMCSA offers details on proposed HOS-flexibility pilot programs

Following DOT Secretary Sean Duffy's announcement of the launch of the pilot programs Monday, FMCSA released proposals showing one pilot would add more split-sleeper berth options, while the other would allow drivers to pause their 14-hour clock for up to 3 hours per duty cycle.

Eric Schmidt

Throw out your GPS: Trucking trip planning the old-school way

FMCSA offers details on proposed HOS-flexibility pilot programs

Mission Complete: Veteran small fleet owner's legion of local support

Regulators, industry celebrate appreciation week with HOS flexibility emphasis, events, deals

Small Fleet Champ semi-finalists not afraid to get their hands dirty

Garmin Dash Cams - Powerful & Discreet - Capture every detail with Garmin Clarity HDR optics, premium HD, and wide 140 degree view.