From the passenger seat to the head of the class

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Amie McLean is all too familiar with the challenges encountered by female drivers in the Canadian trucking industry. Some of her earliest childhood memories involve bouncing around in the passenger seat of a big rig, handing...

Unspectacular growth numbers nothing to panic about, top economists advise

TORONTO, Ont. - The global and Canadian economies are shifting from a period of acceleration to a period of cruise control, according to top economists, and that is certain to create temporary headwinds for carriers looking to aggressively...

Navistar hosts Heavy-Duty Boot Camp for dealers

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - It was billed as a "Heavy-Duty Boot Camp," and saw North American Navistar dealers converge on Salt Lake City, Utah, to learn the ins and outs of their own products while also getting a close-up look at the competition....

Deducting the use of a car, van or pick-up for business

Last month I got a call from a client with questions about a vehicle he planned to lease for his business. We've been his accountant for a long time and know each other well.

Becoming a ‘Best Fleet’ to drive for

TORONTO, Ont. - Having completed its third year, the Best Fleets to Drive For program is beginning to provide real insight into what drivers and owner/operators value from their carriers.

A fundamental market reality: All key operating costs are on the rise

Market fundamentals dictate supply and demand, which ultimately is reflected in prices. Price x Volume (revenue) – Cost = Profit, or if costs exceed revenue, Loss. That’s economics and business 101.

Intention, commitment and knowledge

Last month in this space, I said there were three things I did that led me to a healthier lifestyle on the road. They are: intention, commitment, and knowledge.

Cooking in the cab is a healthier option

I'm a firm believer in practicing what I preach. However, I'm in danger of being a hypocrite when it comes to truck stops. As I said in a previous column, I think we should all spend a little more time in them, do some visiting with our fellow...

The ABCs of summer fruit

At this time of year, the highways are flanked by fields growing a large variety of produce. You may even be delivering a load of it, yourself.

Hemorrhoids

Although not often discussed, hemorrhoids are a very common condition. In fact, it is estimated that half the adults in North America over the age of 50 have suffered from hemorrhoids at some point in their lives.

Sleep apnea screening

The threat of sleep apnea might seem like a safety manager's worst nightmare.

Sweat the small stuff

It doesn't take long these days for any conversation with a truck driver to come around to the price of fuel. It was no different with an owner/operator I had the pleasure of meeting at the Shell SuperRigs competition in Kenly, N.C. last month,...

Super Rigs

KENLY, N.C. - Shell SuperRigs is a truck show unlike any other, and not only because the cash prizes are more generous and the trophies larger and shinier than at most other show-and-shines.

What makes a good show?

I've just returned from the Atlantic Truck Show and once again, it was a great event. What makes a great show you may ask? My boss would tell you the success of any show should be measured by the amount of advertising revenue sold.

Till theft do us part: Part 2

THE STORY SO FARMark is awakened by a mechanic working on a truck in a yard where Mark has parked overnight. He talks to the mechanic but the man is not too friendly. In the morning Mark learns the mechanic wasn't fixing the starter motor, but...