Up in the air

WHITBY, Ont. – Single-truck owner/operators, particularly those serving niche markets, are finding it more difficult – and much more expensive – to find insurance, thanks to a rapidly changing insurance landscape that’s...

Do you know a special owner/operator?

I knew I was opening a can of worms when I wrote last month that tampering with, or deleting, emissions systems was a short-sighted solution for frustrated fleet owners and owner/operators. I don’t think any one issue has touched the...

The SmartWay to fuel savings

With fuel being such a large and volatile part of every carrier’s costs, can there be any better strategy than striving towards the best fuel efficiency your fleet can reasonably attain? What if pursuing such a strategy also helped your...

Exploring a dynamic Quebec highway map

MONTREAL, Que. – Old maps get some people cross-eyed with excitement, but dynamic maps, like the one Transports Quebec has on its Web site, are where it’s at for jacked-in truckers. Its route map, updated on March 15, is the most...

The importance of having a support network

So you found that deep desire to make a lifestyle change, then you took it one step further and put a plan together to tackle that change. Doing this filled you with energy and motivation for the first month but you’re discovering that...

Trying to maintain a positive outlook

Taking my own advice, I’m going to be positive this month, so I apologize in advance for any disappointment this may cause.First up, a shout-out to Bison Transport, for listening to their drivers. A friend of mine works there and came...

Sequestration could undo years of progress on improving Canada-US border

It was not that long ago that the land border between Canada and the US was viewed as a serious impediment to the secure and efficient movement of goods and people between the world’s largest bilateral trading partners.

Important days for private trucking

One of, if not the most important benefits of membership with the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada is the readily available opportunities that such membership provides to learn from experts in a wide variety of fields and from the...

Too many truckers can’t do basic math

I’ve written in the past that I think driving school practices and commercial driving exams should have a serious overhaul. I think this revamp should include a math test. It seems far too many truck drivers, despite possessing other...

There actually is a free lunch with fuel economy

It’s a mystery to me why saving fuel is still a perplexing prospect for so many folks. It may not be easy, especially after you’ve picked all the low hanging fruit like aerodynamics, limiting speed, and idle-reduction technologies,...

Don’t be caught flat-footed

This month I am going to discuss a common medical condition called pes planus, or flat feet. As I am sure you have noticed, feet come in all shapes and sizes.

Trigger finger a risk for steering wheel grippers

Have you ever bent your finger and then been unable to straighten it? Have you needed to use your other hand to straighten a bent finger? Yes? You may have trigger finger.

Surprise! It’s in the contract

As an accountant, I spend a lot of time looking at fine print. Hey, someone has to do it. Most people are put off by legal gobbledegook on a page (probably the writer’s intent all along).

Becoming a Best Fleet to Drive For

Have you seen this logo? It’s coming to a Facebook page, recruiting ad or trailer wrap near you. On March 5, at the annual Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) convention in Las Vegas, we were very proud to recognize our 2013 Best Fleets...

Human resources practices play a key role in safety programs

Attracting and retaining qualified employees can be a challenge at the best of times, and there is little hope the situation will improve anytime soon. A recent study by the Conference Board of Canada concludes our industry might be short more...