jobs, power drinks, bicycles and planned obsolescence

by Harry Rudolfs

I checked the ads for truck drivers in the Montreal papers last week, and it would seem the good times are back again. Lots of camioneur jobs in the Journal…

Why AEDs should be part of any safety program

by James Menzies

A professional tanker driver unloads at an Ontario plant. He’s from the States and far from home. Unloading can be laborious at times, especially following a long run and all…

Ray’s Rules for Dispatchers

by Ray Haight

July 2010 Ray’s Rules for Dispatchers, part 1 Hello folks hope all is well, I thought I would go right to the group of individuals who are either…

Four fuel-saving tips from Volvo

by James Menzies

On a recent tour of Volvo’s New River Valley truck plant in Dublin, Va., I had the chance to listen to truck expert Frank Bio discuss aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

In Praise of Pristine Fleets: Part Deux

by David Benjatschek

I liked the fact that James took the time to get the discussion rolling on pristine fleets out there. As per a previous blog , my speaking travels gave me the chance to spend a weekend in Winnipeg a couple weeks back. I spent 2 great days on special shoots for Mark Brandt Trucking, Rik Dhaliwal and a visit to the prestigious, mystical "Winnipeg Cabover Club". Here's your chance to take a peek at a couple of those shoots. For photos of the 4 Kenworth Cabovers click on the link below: http://www.windows2thesoul.com.temp.livebooks.com/#mi=1&pt=2&pi=11000&p=-1&a=0&at=0&pw=cabover If you have a Cabover, feel free to leave the year, make and town in which its at in the comments. Tell us your story! Mark Brandt has one of the nicest fleets anywhere. This is a guy who takes pride in what he does. To check out the photo shoot of one of his Petes click on the link below: http://www.windows2thesoul.com.temp.livebooks.com/#mi=1&pt=2&pi=11000&p=-1&a=0&at=0&pw=lasvegas Full stories on Mark Brandt and the Kenworth Cabover Club will be subject of future wowtrucks.com emails. If you'd like to subscribe, send an email from the email you wish to get them at to david@wowtrucks.com with the title "subscribe". I promise I won't bombard you. Usually 1 to 2 emails are sent each month honoring cool things in Canadian Transport. To all you "pristine" fleets out there. Keep doing what you do! David P.S. As Rick Mercer would say.. If you find yourself in Central Alberta this weekend... why don't you check out the Pro-Trucker Alberta Big Rig Weekend at Westerner Park in Red Deer.

Ditch Your Expectations!

by David Benjatschek

A couple weeks ago an experience taught me the value of being flexible around expectations I have. I was flying into Winnipeg and then driving to deliver a couple workshops on Conflict Management in Sioux Lookout Ontario. I speak in Winnipeg usually twice a month and my rental with National Rent a Car on a previous trip was this great Volvo coupe. It had it all I thought: stylish, sunroof, great handling, the most ergonomic seats I'd ever ridden in.. it was just one of those cars that makes you feel good.

Fear may drive markets but solid fundamentals drive economic recovery

by Lou Smyrlis

Last month we held our second annual Profitability Workshop for carriers in partnership with Dan Goodwill and Associates and with the support of Peoplenet Canada. Profitability, of course, has been…

Freight Rates are on the Rise

by Dan Goodwill

With the financial problems in Europe, the world stock markets in freefall and the gulf oil spill, it makes one wonder if we are heading into a double dip recession.

Is it time for a much different approach to infrastructure funding?

by Lou Smyrlis

Over the past decade I’ve chaired or otherwise participated in a number of panels dealing with the considerable and growing gap between what we should be spending on infrastructure every…

Ray’s Rules for Owner Operators

by Ray Haight

Howdy, folks. With the exception of a fellow named Bob many of you seemed to enjoy my Ray’s Rules column from a few months ago, so I thought I would…

the great white whale

by Harry Rudolfs

Although the immensity of the BP oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico isn’t understood yet, and despite recent editorials proclaiming Canada’s tar sands as an attractive alternative to deep…

Don’t break out the bubbly just yet

by Lou Smyrlis

Is your head spinning yet from all the economic volatility and second guessing about what it all means about our industry’s future? After spending the last few days immersing myself…

Intermodal Business Primed for Growth

by Dan Goodwill

The potential benefits of intermodal transportation have been recognized for years. However, for many shippers, intermodal transportation has been viewed as a niche service. It is an attractive option for…

Your chance to get great images of your truck(s): Winnipeg/Area Truck Photo Shoot June 5-6, 2010

by David Benjatschek

I’m excited to get the opportunity to have a weekend free in Winnipeg Saturday June 5 and Sunday June 6. So many of the Wowtrucks Calendar Winners have come from…

Why smaller is better in trucking acquisitions

by Lou Smyrlis

Motor carriers were squeezed by the recession like never before. With a tentative recovery in hand, how will they start to grow again in 2010? In this second part of…