The recovery is here. Now what?

I've been speaking with many trucking company CEOs over the past few months and what I've been hearing has been consistent, whether they run small companies or large: The focus going forward has to be on smart growth and that means being a lot...

Winter burnout compounded by improving freight environment

Hello Spring! I wasn't sure if you were going to put in an appearance at all this year. As I looked back over the past four or five months, I realized how burned out I was.

Blowing smoke: The hypocrisy of EPA’s emissions mandates

If you asked me to name the one thing to have the biggest impact on the trucking industry ever, you may be surprised by my answer. This one thing has had an impact on every single one of us in some way. Its purpose is to make things better for...

When farmers’ votes count more than yours: Canada’s biodiesel mandate

Between February and March 2011, the average rack price of diesel fuel in Canada, which is a reflection of wholesale prices before taxes, jumped by another 10% and was up by over 37% on a year-over-year basis.

TSQ wields a big stick

In early March of this year, Air Canada quietly announced that it was about to shut down its cargo carrying service to the United States. The announcement was distinctly low-key for something with such inherent ramifications on commerce between...

Choices, choices

TORONTO, Ont. - With so many options for heavy-duty engine oils, including basic, semi-synthetic and full synthetic, it's hard to know what really suits your needs the best. The answer, as usual, has everything to do with what they're...

An eye for an eye: Part 4

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...

#MATS: Michelin expands support program to O/Os, plans Canadian roll-out

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Michelin is expanding its popular Advantage Program to owner/operators and says it will soon offer the program in Canada as well.

Mixed messages

MONTREAL, Que. - Are enforcement officers in Quebec shunning electronic hours-of-service logs?

E-log enforcement inconsistencies punish early adopters

The widespread adoption of electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) as a means of tracking driver hours-of-service has hit a bump in the road, as carriers operating in Quebec have received mixed messages about the acceptance of the devices....

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...