When hiring drivers, small fleets are at a major disadvantage

As small carriers, we often watch job applicants leave our offices confused as to why, despite seemingly acceptable credentials, they were not hired as drivers. Maybe I can shed some light.

Tail blazers

MONTREAL, Que. – Taking yet another step to reduce fuel consumption, Montreal-based Groupe Trans-West has installed trailer tails on the 120 trailers it uses for US-bound trips. The carrier values the monthly fuel savings at $54,000.

The risk in making safety a competitive battleground

The advent of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program in the US has had a significant impact not only on how carriers manage their equipment and drivers, but also on how they sell their services.

Small fleets, large worries

Large carriers are always in the spotlight – they drive trucking association policy, are usually the first to test new technologies, and get a disproportionate share of the headlines. But the reality of the Canadian trucking market is...

Late for the party

The stunning collapse in the value of many Internet companies near the turn of the century – known as the burst of the “dot-com bubble” – had far-reaching consequences, with many still being felt to this day. The most...

Used truck buyers forced to overcome DPF fears

Used trucks with low kilometres are getting harder to find than hen’s teeth. Because of their dislike of 2008 and newer EPA engines, many truck buyers have been reluctant to commit to diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology. Instead,...

Investments: Always do your homework

In these days of low interest rates, it may be an excellent time to pull the trigger on a new truck. In the all-important world of cash flow, these rates can make such a major capital investment an affordable reality. If you are thinking of...

Like a lamb to slaughter: Part 1

Mark headed west, the collision in Ontario well behind him. While it hadn’t been his fault, and he’d actually helped the insurance company route out an organized fraud ring that had obviously been operating with impunity for years,...

TSQ: Do company drivers or owner/operators have a brighter future?

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Muir’s Cartage delivered a shocking blow to its company drivers to start the new year, as the carrier with over a century in business announced its company drivers would be released and it would operate solely...

Expressway named Volvo Dealer of the Year for second time in three years

WATERLOO, Ont. -- Expressway Trucks has been named Volvo’s 2012 Canadian Dealer of the Year.

CTA warns US spending cuts could cause ‘massive’ disruptions to businesses

OTTAWA, Ont. -- The Canadian Trucking Alliance says that cuts to US federal government spending, set to automatically kick-in tomorrow, could cause “massive” disruptions to Canadian businesses.

ATA slams FMCSA’s rejection of proposed delay to HoS rule

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The American Trucking Associations has criticized the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for rejecting a request to delay implementation of its embattled Hours-of-Service rule. In a letter to the agency, ATA general...

COMPETITION WATCH: Ayr wins Carrier of the Year award from Purolator

WOODSTOCK, N.B. -- Ayr Motor Express has been named Purolator’s 2012 Long-haul Carrier of the Year. The award, established in 1996, is based on a carrier’s on-time performance, peak season performance and customer service. Carriers...

Ground transportation costs for Canadian shippers up in December

TORONTO, Ont. -- The total cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers was up 1.14% in December compared with November results, according to results published today by the Canadian General Freight Index.

Blue Tree’s temperature management system gets Carrier Transicold approval

ROANOKE, Va. -- Blue Tree Systems has announced its R:COM temperature management system has been approved for both one-way and now two-way communication with all DataTrak-equipped Carrier Transicold transport refrigeration units operating in...