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Our Forum is the all year around meeting place, where drivers and owners come for Information or discuss trucking and expediting related questions. Whether you drive a Tractor/Trailer, Expediter Straight Truck or Van, you are very welcome here in Expediter World. We bring you Expediting and Trucking News on a regular basis. Trucking Professionals as well as Newbie's enjoy our Photo Gallery and NEW Free Classifieds. You can also find the right job with our new website, please visit us at www.expediterjobsonline.com. You can also check diesel fuel prices with our National Truckstop fuel price locator. Join us in relaxing, having fun and playing games.
Morgantown center now offering CDL program |  | 
Aspiring CDL holders in Morgantown, West Virginia can now receive the training they need through Monongalia County Technical Education Center. The center will start driver training classes Sept. 10 with a new four-week class offered each month. “All over the area, I think that’s a big thing we’re looking at. Lots of companies are needing this as the workforce shifts and your baby boomers are getting close to retirement, these people are looking for new employees to hire and new people to take over these jobs,” said Michael Johnston, coordinator for the center’s adult education programs. The center has partnered with Southpointe Energy Resource Group, which will provide the center with instructors and trucks for the course. Tuition for the course is $4,995, with financial assistance available for qualified applicants. The program can accommodate four students per instructor. Prospective students can contact the center at 304-291-9243 for more information on enrollment. Buyer beware: 800 pairs of work boots stolen in Tecumseh | |
The boots are various brands and sizes, police looking for the boots and the carrying them
The truck in this photo is said to be similar to the one reported stolen in Tecumseh on July 24, 2018. (Essex County OPP) A truck loaded with 800 pairs of work boots has been stolen in Tecumseh. Essex County OPP say the "2017 International 32 foot truck" bearing the name "Work Authority" was taken from a commercial property on Tecumseh Road East in the town. The truck is similar to the one in the photo provided by Provincial Police with the Ontario license plate 835 2XB — also identified as truck #677522. The boots are various brands and sizes. New $30 million facility brings more than service to California | |
The service bays at Tec Equipment’s Fontana, Calif. location can hold up to 102 trucks inside at once. FONTANA, Calif. – Drivers travelling through Southern California have a new place to stop for service, parts, and much more. Tec Equipment recently opened a US $30 million sales, service, and parts facility that aims to bring a complete experience for customers. The new 174,000 sq.-ft. shop sits on 14 acres in one of the most heavily travelled areas for commercial trucks in North America – that’s the size of more than two football fields laid end-to-end inside. Part of a network of 26 Tec Equipment locations in five western U.S. states, the new location is just the latest from founder David A. Thompson who started the family business in 1976. Now run with the help of sons David O., Chris, and William, the company partners with Mack Trucks, Volvo Trucks, and Wabash Trailers as a dealer. When it comes to service the new Fontana location has room to service an astounding 102 trucks inside at the same time, with additional quick repair and assessment spots outside as well. Drivers pulling into Tec Equipment will have access to more than 400 parking spots, each distinctly numbered so drivers and technicians know where every truck is at all times. Service greeters meet the drivers and trucks when they enter, using tablets to register trucks and assess the issues immediately so there isn’t any waiting. Parts greeters help those coming in to that department in a similar manner. Thompson says the idea behind the greeters was to help maximize uptime and make sure drivers aren’t left hunting for help. The service bays are separated by the work that needs to be done so the right technician can be paired with the right job. Bay designations include slots for quick in-and-out jobs, jobs less than four hours, longer jobs, transmission bays, and more. Thompson says the organization process has reduced dwell time from a four-day average to a two-day average. While drivers are waiting for service to be completed they have access to a 1000 sq.-ft. lounge complete with couches, internet and computer access, laundry facilities, showers, vending machines, and a flat screen television. Thompson says the lounge will also be getting a pool table in the future. A 2.2-acre parts warehouse is jumping, with 16 dedicated drivers working on two shifts making deliveries every day. The parts department also includes a 4800 sq-ft. parts lobby, to showcase new and commonly purchased items, and welcome customers. The new location will even feature a 4400 sq.-ft. training theatre, with certified Mack trainers dedicated to “training the trainers” says Thompson. Although the training theater is still under construction, it is expected to be open in the next few months. The rest of the facility is open now. Those looking to take advantage of the new Tec Equipment location can find it at 14400 Randall Ave. in Fontana, Calif., about an hour east of Los Angeles. Pilot Flying J Details Key Milestones of 2018's Second Quarter | |
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pilot Flying J continues to soar in the second half of 2018. Today, the travel center operator released highlights from its second quarter, which included nine new store openings, expansion into five states, four new Service Centers and Roadside Assistance trucks, 294 new truck parking spaces, the creation of more than 500 new jobs, 57 new diesel lanes and 32 new showers. During Q2, Pilot Flying J completed five Facility Enhancement projects. As Convenience Store News previously reported, the company kicked off its Facility Enhancement Plan (FEP) in 2017, in which it committed to investing nearly $500 million to renovating existing locations over the next five years. Last year, it completed a total of 50 projects. The five latest project completions occurred at:
Pilot Flying J also made a number of new store openings across the U.S. as part of its commitment to expanding its existing footprint, which is expected to grow by 20 new locations across the U.S. and Canada in 2018, according to Convenience Store News. Eight new Pilot Travel Centers opened on: April 14 in Orla, Texas; April 21 in Kermit, Texas; May 1 in St. Rose, La.; May 5 in Pecos, Texas; June 2 in Bunkie, La.; June 9 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; June 16 in Monument, Colo.; and June 16 in Hempstead, Texas. In addition, a Pilot Dealer opened on May 25 in Emlenton, Pa. Other highlights from Pilot Flying J in Q2 2018 include: Food-FocusedAt the epicenter of FEP reimaged locations and new store openings are Pilot Flying J’s enhanced foodservice and beverage offers. As of Q2, approximately 135 bean-to-cup coffee programs were installed across the company's network, bringing the total number of locations offering the java to 226 across 36 states. Pilot Flying J also installed cold brew coffee machines at approximately 230 locations, bringing the number of states in which the offer is available to 42. The travel center operator also kicked off a Summer Bonus Bundle promotion, whereby guests can add any pizza slice for $2 or any large fountain drink for $1 when they buy any fresh food item. Roadside AssistanceAs part of Pilot Flying J’s commitment to professional drivers, the travel center operator launched Pilot Flying J Truck Care in 2017. Services include mobile emergency roadside assistance, on-site Service Center assistance, tire sales, preventive maintenance, light mechanical assistance and more. As part of the growing Truck Care program, roadside assistance is also available at 44 Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service Center and 34 Boss Shops. In Q2, Pilot Flying J opened new Service Centers in: Raphine, Va. (April 5); Remington, Ind. (April 16); Dunnigan, Calif. (April 25); and Quartzsite, Ariz. (June 30). As of June, the company has more than 150 mobile emergency trucks on the road in 36 states and 17 total Service Centers, with another nine locations planned to open by end of the year. Pilot Flying J also offered free mid-trip inspections, a value of $50, through its Pilot Flying J Truck Care program from May 22 through June 7 to help professional drivers and trucking companies prepare for Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck event, which ran June 5-7.  myPilot App Updates As part of the myPilot mobile app enhancements made in Q2, users can search by zip code, store number, state or any U.S. or Canadian address to find all of the Pilot Flying J locations in the area or in route. To add to that enhancement's functionality, location pin size was increased for better user experience. Mobile app users can also now find parking spots easier with large call-outs for total number of parking spaces and a map filter for General, Live, Prime and RV parking. Drivers can quickly reserve a parking space via the app or the Prime Parking website. Additional new features include:
Additional enhancements are on the runway for the remainder of the year, like:
Mobile Fueling open to non-payment card users, who can purchase diesel via the myPilot mobile fueling feature with credit cards such as Visa and American Express. Headquartered in Knoxville, Pilot Flying J currently operates more than 750 travel centers under the Pilot, Pilot Express and Flying J banners in 44 states. Warrants issued in case of missing truck and dog | |
 Terry Shepard
One suspect in custody. WAVERLY, Iowa – Charges have been filed against two men for a case involving a missing truck and a missing dog. The Bremer County Sheriff’s Office says it got a report of a stolen 2003 Ford F-250 on June 27, then received a report of a missing golden retriever named “Scooby” from a home near where the truck was taken. Video from the dog owner’s home surveillance system showed two men on the property around 10:30 am on June 26, with Scooby following the men down the road. After a social media post about the missing dog produced many tips, the Sheriff’s Office investigation identified two suspects: Terry Shepard, 58 of West Union, and Mark Macinnis, 34 of West Union. Authorities say Shepard reported his vehicle missing and it was found on June 28 along with the stolen truck at an abandoned property near where the truck was taken. That same day, Scooby reappeared at his owner’s home. The Sheriff’s Office says the dog was apparently dropped off sometime overnight, wearing his collar but without his tags. On July 11, warrants for Shepard and Macinnis were issued. Macinnis is currently being held in the Fayette County Jail. He is facing a charged of operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Shepard has not yet been arrested is accused of operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent and making a false report. No charges are expected related to the brief disappearance of Scooby. Court blocks EPA policy against enforcing truck pollution rule | |
 A federal appeals court on Wednesday blocked a Trump administration policy that sought to ignore a regulation limiting sales of trucks that environmental groups called “super-polluting.” The policy memo at issue said EPA wouldn’t enforce a 2016 regulation from the Obama administration that sought to put a cap on sales of “glider trucks,” new heavy trucks with older chassis and engines that do not meet current air pollution rules. Former EPA head Scott Pruitt issued the memo on July 6, the day he resigned from the agency. In granting a Tuesday motion from green groups to stop the policy, a three-judge panel said the stay is intended “to give the court sufficient opportunity to consider the emergency motion and should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits of that motion. Environmental groups had argued that the July 6 “no action assurance” memo is illegal because it essentially overturns a regulation without going through the usual process to do so, including giving public notice and taking comments. The green groups argued further that allowing unlimited sales of glider trucks is a major threat to air quality, citing EPA’s own research findings that found that gliders emit as much as 43 times the nitrogen oxides as new trucks and 55 times the particulate matter. “The D.C. Circuit’s swift action highlights the extreme nature of this lawless attempt to put more ultra-dirty trucks on our roads,” Vera Pardee, senior counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity, said of the court’s decision. The group is one of the organizations that sued over the policy. “[Acting EPA Administrator] Andrew Wheeler didn’t block Pruitt’s putrid final shot at harming the American public, but the court did,” Pardee said. An EPA spokesman said only that the agency is reviewing the decision. The court’s ruling was 2 to 1. Judge Judith Rogers, nominated to the bench by President Clinton, ruled for the stay, along with Judge Robert Wilkins, nominated by President Obama. Judge Thomas Griffith, a President George W. Bush nominee, voted against it. Glider trucks were once rare, seen as a way to reuse engines after trucks were damaged. But they exploded in popularity in recent years as EPA rules on truck emissions became more strict and old engines brought the prices of gliders down about 25 percent below new trucks. EPA’s research found much greater emissions from gliders, though Republicans in Congress are investigating the study and say influence from a lobbyist shows the study may not have met scientific standards. Another study, completed by Tennessee Tech University and sponsored by Fitzgerald Glider Kits, found that gliders have similar or better emissions compared to new trucks. Fitzgerald is one of the nation’s largest glider companies, and the university has asked EPA to stop using its research while it investigates potential scientific integrity issues with it. |
New Love’s opens in Kansas with 74 truck parking spots | |
Love’s today opened a new travel center along Interstate 70 in Kansas. The new store is located at 2322 Fair Road (Interstate 70, Exit 272) in Abilene, and includes 74 truck parking spots. It also has:
“We’re excited to bring another Love’s to the state of Kansas,” said Tom Love, founder and executive chairman of Love’s. “Abilene sits on the busy stretch of Interstate 70 between Salina and Topeka. We aim to bring the level of customer service Love’s is known for to all of our customers traveling through the area.” As part of the grand opening, Loves made a $2,000 donation to The Hope Center. Brightness is key for 3M roadshow | |
MILTON, Ont. – It’s raining, it’s dark, and you’re squinting to see the lines on the road and the signs ahead of you. We’ve all been there, but if you’ve ever cursed your inability to see road markings in the dark or bad weather, you don’t necessarily need to blame advancing age or declining sight, say engineers at 3M. Instead, you should blame the sign technology. A 53-foot trailer containing the best and brightest in sign and paint engineer is touring North America for the 3M Roadshow. The truck was in the GTA this week and will make an appearance at the Transportation Association of Canada Conference Sept. 30 – Oct. 3 in Saskatoon, Sask. The Roadshow is targeting municipal councilors and other government officials to bring attention to the fact that in most areas of the country the signs on the road are using technology that’s nearly 80 years old. “Can you imagine using a TV from 1940?” says Doug Boccabella, marketing for 3M. Three types of signs, road paint, and reflective tape used for construction barrels and other marking are currently being used across the country. Designated either T1, T3/4, or T11, the types are rated by brightness and reflectiveness. The T1 type of sign was invented in about 1940 and is still commonly used by municipalities for road work, street signs and stop signs. Boccabella says some municipalities have begun to adopt the T3/4 type of signs for things like construction barrels, but the brightest technology – T11 – has yet to be adopted by most municipalities. Provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec have a higher uptake than other areas, but provinces like Ontario have yet to see adoption of the brightest signs. To show councilors the difference between the technology currently in use and the newest version of available road paint and signs, the 3M travelling trailer not only displays the two side-by-side but puts visitors in a lab-like setting. In the “lab” guests sit in the driver position in room painted black to look like a dark night. Then, water pours for the ceiling on the road lines ahead, mimicking a dark and stormy night. As your “headlights” shine on the rainy spot in front of you, suddenly many of the freshly painted lines become hard if not impossible to see. With a white core and greater reflectivity, the brightest of the paint and signs return up to 58% of the available light. While 3M didn’t have numbers available for how much light is returned by T1-type signs, it was significantly less. Even on a bright clear day 3M says the signs are important for getting the attention of drivers who may be distracted or suffering from highway hypnosis. That difference in brightness also comes with a cost – something 3M says is the most significant barrier to adoption. T3/4 signs can cost 10 per cent more than the T1 signs, with T11 signs costing 30% more than the T3/4 signs. Municipal contracts are awarded on an RFP bid system with the lowest bids necessarily getting the work. That legal requirement makes it hard for contractors using the more expensive materials to get the work awarded to them. Boccabella says the 3M roadshow is aiming to get those in government to see the safety benefits to adding brighter signs and paint to the roadways and make the technology part of any request for work. The roadshow is also demonstrating how roads of the future will work with autonomous vehicles, showing off “road closed” signs that look like any other sign to the naked eye, but contain an embedded QR code that can be read by an automated vehicle’s infrared sensors. The signs give the basic information necessary to the naked eye, allowing human drivers to read the information they would normally get from the sign. Autonomous vehicles can get much more information, however, because the embedded code is dynamic. Boccabella says the signs could impart weather conditions, GPS coordinates for a detour or much more information to the car, giving it specific instructions for how to operate. Just in the demonstration stage now, there are four of the signs on Michigan Highway I75 for testing. The coded signs are also being demonstrated with the T11 sign technology – something 3M says will play a key role in getting autonomous vehicles on the road, as consistency is key. Autonomous cars learn as they go, adapting to road conditions and learning to become better drivers over time, much like human drivers learn. Learning how to see and read signs is a key part of that process, and for the machine to learn it needs consistency. Consistent signage – including brightness levels – will make the learning process that much easier, says Boccabella. An important step for commercial vehicles which may read signs in several provinces over the course of a single day. After leaving Ontario the roadshow headed to North Carolina for it’s next stop. It will be traversing North America for the rest of the summer and into the fall. 2,000+ pounds of live crayfish seized at U.S.-Canada border; truck stopped in Arkansas | |
 PHOTO BY MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES VIA AP PORT HURON, Mich. — Michigan officials say more than 2,000 pounds of live crayfish have been seized from a truck at the border between the U.S. and Canada. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said conservation officers in St. Clair County were notified in mid-July that the red swamp crayfish were found as a truck tried to cross from the U.S. at Sarnia, Ontario. The agency said the truck originated in Canada and had been in Maryland and Arkansas to pick up its cargo. Border officials helped the DNR seize 55 bags of live crayfish. The Michigan department said it's the agency's largest aquatic invasive species seizure. The agency said red swamp crayfish are prohibited in Michigan and Canada. They burrow and create shoreline erosion and compete with native crayfish. Truck fire causes $35,000 in damages | |
 BOONE COUNTY, Ill. (WIFR) - A truck driver on his way to Michigan is stopped in his tracks by a fire. Investigators say the truck caught fire on Bypass 20 near Town Hall Road causing $35,000 worth of damage. The truck was hauling frozen food none of which was ruined. A passing car informed the truck driver that his truck was on fire. Firefighters believe the fire started in the engine. For E-Truck Revenues, Look To BYD Rather Than Tesla | |
SummaryBYD set to ride high on fast-growing e-truck market. Company already up and running with wide range and contracts mounting. Tesla brand may be better suited to "sexier" world of autos. BYD has the full range while Tesla looks to promote one model and has an indeterminate production date. BYD Auto (OTCPK:BYDDF) has grown rapidly on the back of becoming the world's largest EV (electric vehicle) company. Cars both electric and ICE are what mainly moves the stock price, though batteries are of increasing importance to their revenues. They are building up a potentially strong mono-rail business. Their e-bus business is very substantial and growing worldwide. As I pointed out in an article in November, however, they are also early leaders in e-trucks. These are produced in the same factories as their e-buses. This is becoming an important source of growing revenue for them, and revenue should surge in the next couple of years. Tesla (TSLA) garnered a lot of publicity when they announced their Semi e-truck plans. However, there is little sign it will see the light of day in the near future. Even if it does, the company is not going to have a suite of products to keep on trucking in a meaningful fashion. There is great potential, but in my view, the Tesla Semi is likely to be a niche product only. The BYD OfferingMy November article gave details of the BYD product range. Unlike its competitors, it has a full range up and running. This is key. Much of the talk has been about the big Class 8 trucks. In fact, smaller trucks in huge demand from the growth of e-shopping and consequent urban deliveries are a more important business. Other specialist products have great potential too. In garbage trucks alone, BYD has a range of products for which orders are starting to build up. The contract wins keep piling up for BYD. Recently, the company closed a contract for 500 garbage trucks in Shenzhen (a city to which they have already supplied over 16,000 e-buses). These have a range of 280 kms. One is pictured below: Shippers Caused the Truck Driver Shortage | |
Land O'Lakes Chief Supply Chain Officer, Yone Dewberry, told an audience at eft's 3PL and Supply Chain Summit in Atlanta in on June 6th, "We've created it" (the truck driver shortage). "As an industry" (shippers), "we've done this to ourselves." Land O'Lakes is a member owned cooperative with revenues of $15 billion. The company is best known for dairy products, particularly butter, but the company also has divisions devoted to animal nutrition and seeds/crop protection. When it comes to securing carriage, it is easier if you have predictable demand, use standard trucks, and have long lead times. That does not fit any of their businesses. The animal feed business does not have seasonal peaks, but 40 percent of deliveries are same day or next day. The dairy business has "huge peaks" according to Mr. Dewberry. Forty percent of butter is sold in November and December and needs to be transported in refrigerated trucks. "Getting refrigerated trucks during the busy season is tough." Finally, the Ag service business is "peaky." "When the weather gets warm, farmers want to plant. It is hard to predict these peaks. And when it rains, farmers are apt to ask for fungicides, and they want those fungicides delivered the same day. 80 percent of deliveries from this business are same or next day. The trucker shortage is being driven by: unemployment rates being down, which has created a positive consumer outlook and people buying more goods. It is definitely driven by demographics, "in the past ten percent of drivers were near retirement at any point in time, today it is 25 percent" said Mr. Dewberry. The ELD mandate has had an impact, but perhaps not as big as many argue. But a big reason for the shortage is that "we've forced our carriers to drive their prices down. Trucking companies don't have many levers. There is fuel, carriers can not control that. And there are driver wages. For many years, driver wages were not keeping up with wage growth in other sectors.
So, there is a driver shortage. Companies are having a harder time maintaining existing service levels, much less moving to more demanding business to consumer ecommerce type expectations for quick deliveries. "5:00 to 9:00 bleeds over to 9:00 to 5.00" quipped Mr. Dewberry. By that he means that people go home at the end of the day, order on line, are promised quick deliveries, have choices on when and how goods are shipped, and have visibility to those shipments. Those expectations then carry over to the business environment. So that is the problem, what is the solution? Land O'Lakes is doing several things to deal with a tough freight environment. First of all, the company believes a focus on costs has been overblown. "We don't generally talk about price (with carriers), we talk about how to solve a problem." |
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- Fire damages trucks, truck stop in California
- Brake Safety Day by the numbers; 1,595 placed out of service
- Theft at south Fort Myers truck parts company nets thieves 19 truck tires worth $16,000
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