Money well spent

With diesel pricing continuing to rise and shippers becoming more reluctant to accept fuel surcharges unless carriers can prove they are doing everything they can to conserve fuel, dealing with this issue is becoming paramount. Whether you are...

Proposed US Hos changes come under fire from all angles

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Proposed changes to US hours-of-service regulations have been given a rough ride in recent weeks, as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has sought public and industry reaction.

The state of freight

TORONTO, Ont. - While the number of trucks and trailers on the road may be what shippers focus on when discussing available capacity for land transportation, it's the shortage of available drivers that will prove to be the real issue in the...

Canada-US leaders call for greater cooperation, coordination at border

No one knows the Canada-US border and the difficulties even the most trusted individuals and companies have had crossing it in the "security trumps trade" post-9/11 world than the trucking industry.

Hours-of-Service rules: Let’s not fix what isn’t broken

Every so often a load comes along that simply has to be looked after. The HoS (hours-of-service) rules must allow the flexibility for us to do that. Tinkering with the present HoS rules that exist south of the border seems to me like 'fixing...

Signs, signs, everywhere signs

As a truck driver there's one sign I dread more than any other. No, it's not the one for a scale, it's the one with a picture of a truck and a big red slash through it.

This is not tongue in cheek

Why does your doctor ask you to stick out your tongue? Because it offers many clues to your overall health.

Sometimes, you’ve just gotta go

By definition, constipation is simply infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools. It is a very common condition, which effects most people at some time during their life.

How good are your information sources?

It's been tough sledding for the past couple of years, and most businesses, including that of trucking, have been in hunker down, belt tightening mode just trying to make it through to better times.

Snow and gravel and freight, oh my!

TORONTO, Ont. - Imagine hauling road salt in one direction and auto fluff on the return trip. Or trash one way and snow on the back haul. Or how about hauling gravel outbound and palletized freight back home?

Cell phone ban is a rule I can live with

So the big clampdown on talking and texting while behind the wheel is in full swing here in Toronto.

Three questions, two answers

It's early March as I write this column. The RRSP deadline is behind us, personal income tax season is straight ahead. It's a busy time full of questions from clients. We get a lot of the same ones every year. But a few new questions came up...

Driver incentive programs can generate valuable dividends

Everyone likes to be rewarded for a job well done. Truck drivers are no exception. It is why fleets invest in bonuses for everything from better fuel economy to improved out-of-service records, or take the time to recognize individual...

Load securement in a CSA world

TORONTO, Ont. - Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) is a robust initiative sponsored by the US Department of Transport's FMSCA to monitor and mitigate high-risk driver and carrier behaviour across America. This, of course, includes...

An eye for an eye: Part 3

THE STORY SO FAR: Mark is heading to Vancouver when he gets a call. One of Bud's drivers was attacked while helping a supposedly stranded motorist on the highway to Prince George. Mark takes the load, but drives to Vancouver first to drop off...