Tread Safely: Maximum speeds, inflation play roles in tire performance

by John G Smith

When it comes to vehicle safety, a lot of attention is being focused on the one truck component that actually touches the road. The Rubber Manufacturers Association proclaims the first week of June as Tire Safety Week. Days after this concludes, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance begins a special focus on tires as part of the annual Roadcheck inspection blitz.

• Transportation

So, how do I – an Energy Analyst – predict petroleum prices?

by Roger McKnight

 It is a rarity indeed when I feel the need to plead guilty to an over-exertion of negative enthusiasm (which is really a long definition of criticism) when I…

• Health & Safety

Step up and break the stereotype

by Lou Smyrlis

You know the stereotype: Truckers eat too much, don’t exercise enough and die too young. A quick look around your business and you likely see…

Demographic Demands: The business case for diversity

by John G Smith

Recruiters in Canada's trucking industry appear to be overlooking massive labor pools, and a recent report from Trucking HR Canada is making the business case to connect with several under-represented demographic groups. "We just want the industry to be aware of the demographics; that these are the labor pools we need to tap into," says CEO Angela Splinter, whose trucking-focused organization promotes best practices in human resources.

• Transportation

Why I don’t have great expectations when it comes to market analysts’ predictions of crude oil

by Roger McKnight

During my 30 years in the oil industry’s downstream operations, I have learned but one thing, and that is not to have great expectations of the market…

• Transportation

How the Fort Mac fires may impact the cost of gasoline at the pumps

by Roger McKnight

I’m sure you’ll all be pleased to learn that I have my first blister of the almost summer. This is thanks, once again, to my ‘easy-start-feather-lite, no-problems-whatsoever-with-this-puppy’… lawn mower,…

Prepare to be Schooled

by John G Smith

A Class 1/A licence falls well short of proving that someone is ready to work as a truck driver. Ask any industry recruiter. Hang around a busy loading dock long enough, and you'll likely have the chance to pick up a few extra dollars from frustrated newbies, all eager to hand the keys to someone who can actually reverse into tight spaces. This is especially true for people who, with a minimal amount of training, managed to learn just enough to earn the licence itself.

• Transportation

Dealing with the escalating cost of cross-border transport

by Charles Sheppard

Despite efforts to harmonize laws and integrate processes, there remain costly barriers to cross-border freight movement. Carriers require a financial strategy to manage the ongoing and escalating costs.

• Transportation

Unsung heroes

by Ray Haight

I wonder sometimes how difficult it is for the person who is just about to make the leap into this industry to get a good start. When I…

• Transportation

Where are crude oil prices heading?

by Roger McKnight

Last week, this scribe lashed out at the speculative commune who gathered to talk about their month-end manipulation of crude prices. I also pondered, ever so pondifferously, on the…

• Transportation

OPEC meeting freeze-a-thon ends up a fizzle-flop

by Roger McKnight

The OPEC-o-pods and Putinoids certainly huffed and puffed and had the Wall Street speculators reacting in confused anticipation of the outcome of the freeze-a-thon that ended up being fizzle-flop. When…

• Health & Safety

Spring into fitness with this challenge

by Lou Smyrlis

With the return of longer days and warmer weather, it’s usually not long before thoughts turn to barbecues, beer and lazy days in the summer sun doing pretty much…

Runaway and Repeat

by John G Smith

I'm experiencing a new day and new job at Today's Trucking, but there is no escaping the sense of déjà vu. Yes, I still lean on my GPS to find the office, and I think it will be several months before I remember the phone number, but something feels oddly familiar. Too familiar.

• Transportation

Distractions? What distractions?

by Earl Galavan

Have you ever argued over the difference between hands free and hands on cell phone use? How about the difference between talking to a passenger and using a cell? There…

• Transportation

We need a clearer direction and explanation for the Liberal’s carbon tax policy

by Roger McKnight

Out of frustration, I find myself visualizing the current carbon kerfuffle in the personification of my favourite Peanuts character, Pig Pen. Pig Pen, of course, was always sketched by Charles…