Voices: Page 54

Overdrive Radio

‘Autonomy’ for whom? The independent owner-operator and tech skeptic featured in new film

In this Overdrive Radio edition, count Debbie Desiderato among technology skeptics when it comes to the choice our society is likely to be presented eventually in some form — whether to fully accept high-speed vehicles on public roads without an operator capable of reason and judgment behind the wheel.

January 7, 2020

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POLL: Have you taken steps to get ready for the drug/alcohol database (now live)?

Update: Whether you’re an independent/small fleet needing to designate your consortium/testing provider or a leased or company driver advised to double-check your information associated with the newly-live database of test results, have you done so as of today?

January 6, 2020

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Overdrive Radio

Countdown through a parking shortage, tech surge, truck boot … 2019’s Top 10 podcast episodes

Listen: A year-in-review on the Overdrive Radio podcast this week, covering a boatload of ground all told: From trucking history to shutdowns and slow rolls, parking and booting, the ELD mandate and hours of service, small fleet business and the limits to quick growth, working the spot market and so much more …

December 27, 2019

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POLL: What’s your business’ income outlook for 2020?

Do you expect income earned in 2020 to exceed your business’ 2019 performance? The opposite? Weigh in with your prognosis via this poll.

December 26, 2019

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Overdrive Radio

How to get more time for a malfunctioning ELD, training rule redux, more

Find in this week’s podcast a reminder of just how to get that grace-period extension. Also: More on the Entry Level Training Rule and its likely delay with operator Scott Hainline, who was trained twice, in entirely different trucking eras, bookended by a career in law enforcement.

December 20, 2019

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Overdrive Radio

The methodical tour, by ‘Choice,’ from corporate America to a small flatbed fleet

Fredrick “Choice M.A.S.” Claxton caught the trucking bug following a two-wheeled cross-country tour on a Suzuki street bike. In this Overdrive Radio edition, he details his methodical approach building a young second career in flatbed after an office job with one of most recognizable names in apparel.

December 13, 2019

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More Celadon fallout: Next steps for two operators

(UPDATED: 12/11/2019 with detail from former Celadon lease-partner TEL.) Who’s more important in the trucking-business mix — the drivers or the customers? Given it seems drivers were among some of the last to know of the trucking company’s impending closure, formerly Celadon-employed trucker Bo Wells’ story suggests the question is well appropriate.

December 10, 2019

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Overdrive Radio

With training rule delay in the offing, operator Scott Hainline compares own ’70s, 2010s training

The Entry Level Driver Training Rule’s delay by as much as two years’ time is set to be made official any day now. Along the way in this edition of Overdrive Radio, views on perhaps misplaced federal priorities — or dropped balls — when it comes to this particular delay.

December 6, 2019

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POLL: Have you taken steps to get ready for the drug/alcohol clearinghouse going live in Jan.?

How far have you gotten with steps necessary to set up with the new drug and alcohol clearinghouse database, whether you’re a company driver, leased or an independent or small fleet owner with authority? Weigh in here.

December 4, 2019

Pro drivers clear air on the practice of flashing brights to signal space to merge, and a highway-speed-cutoff PSA

A West Coast newspaper columnist corrects the record on signaling with truckers leading the way, and: A PSA of sorts for motorists with a tip from pro Gary Buchs — use your turn signal early and often when passing a combination truck to combat impatient traffic behind you and the “highway-speed cutoff.”

December 3, 2019

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Overdrive Radio

Listen: Talent Search winner Taylor Barker’s new musical bonds; Brumbach Stephens hauls one giant tree

Listen: Owner-operator and Trucker Talent Search winner on trucking, music and life in general in-studio from Nashville, likewise former small fleet owner now with Wilbanks Trucking, Brumbach Stephens, on the haul of a lifetime with this year’s Capitol Christmas tree.

November 29, 2019

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POLL: Has your truck ever been towed or booted?

Has a truck under your ownership ever experienced the unfortunate circumstance of needing a tow, whether after an accident or mechanical failure — or another reason? Have you experienced the perhaps even more unfortunate application of a wheel or windshield boot in a no-parking area? Weigh in here.

November 28, 2019

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We’re thankful for you, drivah! … And Wyo.-based Martin Herman’s 1970 narrow-nose KW

If you’re like Wyo.-based owner-operator Martin Herman and home for the holiday tomorrow, enjoy the time off. We’re thankful for what you do, likewise for Herman’s special rig. Dba HNH Trucking, he hauls tank doubles with the restored, working KW mostly for a dedicated customer.

November 27, 2019

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POLL: Plans for Thanksgiving this year?

What’s your plan for Thursday, whether another day in the life on the road as an OTR hauler, back home with the family or friends, or otherwise traveling? … What are you up to?

November 26, 2019

Overdrive Radio

Occupied vehicle booting: ‘No, it does not happen to cars’; More 10-4 voices

In this Overdrive Radio edition, readers offer some obvious-seeming advice: If you’re at an open location with any no-parking sign within eyesight –- do the reasonable thing and get out and ask a question in-store before you make a $300 or more costly mistake.That only works to an extent, of course. … Some cases here, also, from readers where it most definitely didn’t.

November 21, 2019

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POLL: What is your business’ structure — LLC, sole proprietor, corporation…?

Owner-ops, how is your business set up, whether you’re leased or independent? Do you run as a sole proprietor or a partnership, or in a structure that limits personal liability to an extent, such as an LLC or corporation? Weigh in via this poll.

November 18, 2019

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POLL: Will California’s A.B. 5 contractor law directly affect your business?

California-based leased owner-operators, or those who haul into California, do you know at this point how the state’s A.B. 5 independent contractor law is going to affect your operation? Too early to say? Still mulling options? Weigh in here.

November 13, 2019

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Overdrive Radio

The truck booting trap, and one small fleet owner’s ongoing crusade for a solution

Local and/or state regs around booting and towing vary considerably, as small fleet owner Leander Richmond has most certainly found in his efforts to raise awareness among truckers and law enforcement about the more predatory boots in that business. Here in this week’s Overdrive Radio podcast, what he sees as a possible solution to the problem.

November 8, 2019

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Page 54 of 122

MRL Transport owner Mark Ledford today hauls direct freight outbound for customers in part built from his years of ownership of another fleet, since sold after years of growth. MRL in some ways is Ledford's effort to right-size a business for his life today.

Right-sizing for management: MRL Transport owner Mark Ledford hits five trucks

Ledford 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.

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Small-biz trucking success, with family assist: The woman behind owner-operator Jason Shelly

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FMCSA, other agencies update timelines for bevy of in-progress regs

The Small Fleet Championship's title belts are on the line for this year's competition, both to be delivered to a final winner in two categories after the final round October 23 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Meet Overdrive's 2025 Small Fleet Champ semi-finalists

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Small-biz trucking success, with family assist: The woman behind owner-operator Jason Shelly

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