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Business: Page 231

TA-Petro revamps UltraOne loyalty program

Under the new structure, drivers will earn points based on their fuel purchase volume from the previous month, with January as the first qualifying month and February as the first earning month.

January 7, 2019

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POLL: Ever been an employee owner-operator leased to a carrier?

As the independent contractor worker classification typically applied to leased owner-operators attracts scrutiny from a variety of quarters, one way for carriers to avoid allegations of misclassification is to designate O/Os as W-2 employees of the carrier and restructure contracts accordingly. Have you ever operated under such an arrangement?

January 7, 2019

Calculator, change, and a pile of receipts on a check spindle

Overdrive Extra

I imagine it, so it must be so!

“If only our businesses would unfurl in reality like they do in our minds,” notes owner-op Gary Buchs in this story about how easy it is to sabotage your own business by avoiding the mundane tasks necessary to success. He details how he came to a measure of self-discipline around those tasks, particularly the ones he actively dislikes.

January 7, 2019

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Electronic Logging Devices

New York won’t issue ELD citations until state adopts rule

The state of New York has not been issuing citations to carriers or drivers for not using an electronic logging device, the state’s supreme court confirmed in a decision issued on New Year’s Eve. Such citations for non-compliance with the ELD mandate will not be issued until the state adopts the U.S. DOT’s ELD rule into its own regulations.

January 7, 2019

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Kenworth to auction custom T680 to benefit Truckers Against Trafficking

The truck will be auctioned off by Ritchie Bros. on May 17 in Phoenix. Proceeds from the sale of the truck, which has a $162,000 retail value, will go directly to Truckers Against Trafficking. The rig features a 76-inch sleeper, 485-hp Paccar MX-13 and a Paccar 12-speed automated transmission.

January 7, 2019

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Vid: Trucker’s rig slaps a Wyoming trooper’s patroller in snow storm

A Wyoming State Trooper’s dash cam caught a collision between a passing tractor-trailer and his car Monday, Jan. 7. The trooper had stopped on Highway 287 near Rawlins, Wyoming. No one was injured.

January 7, 2019

2019 outlook: More owner-ops cautiously optimistic than not

What’s ahead for your business in 2019? If you’re like about a third of owner-operators responding to recent Overdrive polling, expectations of good things to come abound. This year, though, most movement from last year’s polling is toward a measure of stability expected.

January 4, 2019

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5 ways to prep for the downturn: With the economy cooling, owner-operators must be ready for leaner times

Owner-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, 2019

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Fiery crash involving two trucks on I-75 in Florida claims seven lives

A tractor-trailer and passenger car heading northbound on I-75 in Florida collided and went through the median guardrail into the southbound lanes. They then collided with multiple vehicles and caused a massive fire. See video coverage here.

January 4, 2019

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Volvo earmarks $780M for repairs for emissions system degradation

Volvo 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, 2019

Spot rates rose slightly in final week of the new year

Load posts on the spot truckload freight market declined 21 percent during the week ending Dec. 29, not an unusual figure when you compare a holiday-shortened workweek to a full one. But truck posts were down farther, 47 percent, and that tight capacity helped keep rates firm.

January 4, 2019

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Speed limits lowered on five rural Texas highways

Speed limits on U.S. Highway 285, Highway 302, RM 652 and Highway 18 in two locations will be reduced by 5 miles per hour.

January 4, 2019

Speed Limit 70 Sign

Firestone truck tire prices set to increase Feb. 1

Firestone truck and bus radial tire prices will increase by 4 percent due to “increased business costs and other market dynamics,” the company says.

January 4, 2019

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3 in 4 readers approve of government shutdown over wall funding

Readers feel strongly that the stalemate between a divided Congress and the President over immigration issues is one worth holding out to resolve, no matter how long the federal government will have to undergo its partial shutdown.

January 3, 2019

Immigration Policies bug

Rhode Island begins work on next 10 truck toll locations

Though still facing litigation from ATA and the state’s trucking association, Rhode Island is set to proceed with the construction of 10 more trucks-only toll gantries, scheduled to be completed by May 2020.

January 3, 2019

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Tow truck owner reportedly shoots, kills suspected truck thief

Several truck drivers have recently been involved in highway incidents involving shootings and more, including a tow truck owner who shot and killed a man who allegedly stole his truck and a driver who was shot at in an apparent road rage incident.

January 3, 2019

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Electronic Logging Devices

Downward mobility: Owner-operator income after the ELD mandate

The share of owner-operators expecting to tally more than $70,000 in net income for year 2018 was 27 percent smaller than the share that reported the same for 2017 net income, according to Overdrive’s recent surveys. 65 percent overall reported making generally less money since ELDs came into play.

January 3, 2019

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Facelift and more for Mike Hussey’s 1999 Kenworth W900L

Mike and his wife, Corren, were among the many I met this past year at GBATS. Since purchasing the N14-powered W900L after it sat for 10 years, he’s put plenty into it, from an engine overhaul to rears and the transmission as well as exterior modifications.

January 3, 2019

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Page 231 of 1377

Vintage black semi-truck with chrome details and orange lights displayed at outdoor truck show

The ultimate Christmas present: A.J. Field's 1969 Peterbilt 358

Texas-based A.J. Field isn't a truck driver, but he and his wife, Casey, both love trucks, especially vintage Petes. He was surprised by Casey and a friend at Christmas a few years ago with this 1969 Peterbilt 358, which they've built together since.

Fleet of semi-trucks lined up showing chrome exhaust stacks and cab designs against overcast sky

Truck driver petitions FMCSA for mandatory CO detectors after deaths

Semi-truck driving on highway beneath concrete overpass with mountains and blue sky in background

Diesel marks third week of price cuts, spot freight rates stable

Three officials at a podium during a formal press conference with American flags in the background.

FMCSA seeks emergency action to block 'chameleon' CDL schools

Collage of six personal photographs showing people in outdoor and vehicle settings, including family moments and portrait shots

FMCSA's Motus mess improving, little by little? Weigh in

Make a bill, pay the bill: Owner-ops 'only as good as their word' trucking OTR

More episodes »

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