Chain Up! By the time you read this, chain laws for many states will be in force. For those of us who spend our days and nights on the road, that means it is time to start paying attention to the weather, the mountain passes, and the signs along the highway. Nobody likes the idea of chaining up. It is cold, dirty, wet, and downright miserable. Winter driving is part of the job. Being prepared can make the difference between getting through a mountain pass safely and sitting o...

Oh No! What Do We Do Now? Have you ever been under a load and then booked one or two more loads to follow it? On paper, the schedule may look like it will work perfectly. But sometimes, one small change can throw everything off. Recently, we were under a load that we had not picked up yet when we were offered another load. The pickup for the second load was going to be very close to the delivery location for the first load, so we thought we could make it work. Once we arrived...

Off Again?! Being self-employed as a truck driver comes with a freedom that many employees don’t have. We can choose when to work, when to stay home, and how much time to take off. But that freedom often leads to an interesting question from family, friends, and other drivers: How can you afford to take that much time off? Before we judge how much time another self-employed driver spends at home, it helps to do some math. A typical employee working 40 hours a week for 52 we...

Whether you’re the owner operator of your own truck or Sprinter van, or perhaps you’re simply wanting to drive as an independent contractor, the following are some general rules to follow for both the novice and the seasoned vet. These are simply suggestions to help jumpstart your business, either as a beginning expediter or as a longtime logistics professional. Owner Operators The first thing to keep in mind is that you are the master of your own truck, so you decide wha...