As of this writing, the COVID-19 (also known as the coronavirus) pandemic has ground much of the U.S.-and global-economy to a halt. Several states have issued full lock-down orders, causing most businesses to close except those deemed as essential services, such as healthcare facilities, grocery stores, pharmacies, and transportation companies. Many restaurants are still open but only for take-out or delivery. And last week, most automakers announced plant shutdowns for the f...

Where do you want to take your business this year? In what areas do you want to improve in your personal and professional life? Whether you're a driver, owner-operator, or fleet owner, you have specific things in mind you'd love to achieve in 2020. The question is: Will you follow through? After all, most of us abandon our New Year's resolutions by February. So, how can you defy the odds and maintain the discipline you need to keep working toward your goals throughout the nex...

A common misconception, especially among newbie expedite owner-operators, is that it's the carrier's job to market them effectively and keep them busy. These owner-operators see themselves strictly as drivers, not salespeople or marketers. So, they don't consider the image they project to customers. But when freight begins to slow, these owner-operators don't understand why they're sitting while other trucks seem to be moving and getting good loads. They point the finger at t...

Will battery-electric vans take the expedited trucking world by storm any time soon? Perhaps not in the near term-say, the next three to five years or so. After all, the current vehicle range (between charges) in most of today's electric van models is about 150 miles, which is still too short for most expedite applications. But as battery technology continues to advance, offering longer range capabilities at lower costs, we could start seeing the economic advantage tilt towar...

The expedited trucking business can be lucrative for owner-operators. But it takes a lot of hard work, discipline, and knowledge of the business to succeed for the long haul as a truck owner. How can you tell if you're ready for truck ownership before you take the plunge? Use the 3 "M's" as your guide. #1. MissionWhy do you want to purchase a truck for expediting? Is it because you've driven for a fleet owner for a while, learned the business, gotten advice from successful ow...

The trucking industry, including the expedite market, has endured a tumultuous several months as several high-profile and smaller carriers have shut their doors. So, if you're an owner-operator or fleet owner, it's more important than ever to align yourself with a carrier that best fits your business-and is built to weather the storms. What should you look for in a carrier? Here is a seven-point checklist to help you cover your bases. 1. Does the carrier accept the type of ve...

For many in the expedited trucking industry, 2019 brought strong headwinds and a lot of economic pain and uncertainty, despite continued records highs in the stock market. So, can we expect the headwinds to die down any time soon? Or, are there still storms ahead that we need to watch for? EO spoke with John Elliott, chief executive officer for Load One LLC, and Jeff Curry, chief executive officer for Premium Transportation Logistics, asking them to peer into their crystal ba...

As an expedite owner-operator or fleet owner who runs straight trucks or tractors for your business, you might be looking into purchasing new vehicles this year. So, what's new in heavy-duty trucks for 2020? What will you see in terms of new technologies, available options, and standard offerings that could impact your fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and safety? Here are the trucks with notable changes for 2020 to give you an idea of what to expect. FreightlinerFreightlin...

You've decided to drive for a fleet owner to help you explore whether you want to become an owner-operator or fleet owner down the road eventually. But, in the meantime, you want to make as much money as possible in your role as a driver. And typically, that means joining forces with a top-notch fleet owner who has the business savvy to keep you busy earning income. So, how do you become the type of driver that the best fleet owners want to have driving their trucks-and set y...

Better late than never... We at ExpeditersOnline.com wish all of you a very happy and prosperous 2020....