One of the facts of life as an expediter is the (often long) wait time between loads. So, if you're going to have to sit for a while, you might as well enjoy and make the most of that layover, right? What should you look for in an ideal layover destination? EO spoke with veteran team expediters Bob and Linda Caffee and Tom and Tina Evans to get their advice and learn about their favorite layover hot spots. As you evaluate prospective layover locations, keep these questions i...

On November 30, 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a final rule, effective January 29, that protects truck drivers from coercion by motor carriers and third-party logistics firms to violate hours-of-service and other commercial vehicle regulations. Said FMCSA acting administrator Scott Darling in the agency's announcement: "Any time a motor carrier, shipper, receiver, freight-forwarder, or broker demands th...

If you're an expediter, you understand that temptation to fight through sleepiness. "I can do this," you think. Drink coffee. Get fresh air. Splash cold water on the face. You run through your list of "quick fixes" to stay awake and on the road. After all, you scold yourself, miles equal money and if your wheels aren't turning, you're not earning. But resist that urge to "tough it out" because it's putting you and the public at risk of a major incident, like what happened on...

Financing a high-ticket commercial truck is not the same thing as getting a loan to purchase your personal vehicle. There is a higher risk involved with truck financing that impacts what traditional lenders look for in prospective borrowers and how they structure their loans. Today we'd like to highlight an alternative to traditional lending. ExpeditersOnline.com spoke with Jeff Tacker, Vice President of Operations for Expediter Services in Southaven, Mississippi, to get his ...

As you shop for a new or used expediter truck, you probably need a loan to purchase that truck (unless, of course, you have a spare six figures stashed in the bank). But financing a high-ticket commercial truck is not the same thing as getting a loan to purchase your personal vehicle. There is a higher risk involved with truck financing that impacts what lenders look for in prospective borrowers and how they structure their loans. So, what should you expect with the truck fin...

When it comes to trucking regulations, June 2015 was a busy month with federal agencies announcing a new finalized rule (electronic stability control), a proposed rule (Phase 2 GHG emissions), and strong recommendation (collision avoidance systems). But as an expedite owner-operator or fleet owner, why should you care? How will these announcements impact your business? Expedite NOW has combed through the government's press releases and hundreds of pages within the rulings and...

Here's how one husband and wife team arrived at that decision. When Tom and Tina Evans stepped out on their own as expedite owner-operators in 2001, they were looking for a business that would give them complete control over their financial future. Both husband and wife were in retail management positions -- Tom worked for a local family-owned furniture; Tina managed a shoe department at a local K-Mart. But, at that time, they both felt their jobs were at risk of layoffs and ...

More potential loads, higher pay rates, less impact from hours of service rules -- these are just a few advantages of team driving compared to going solo. But team driving isn't for anyone. And savvy solo expediters can still do very well for themselves financially. So, before you move forward with a potential driving partner -- whether it's your spouse, relative, friend or acquaintance -- keep these five considerations in mind. 1. Decision-making As a solo driver, you only h...

When it comes to trucking regulations, June 2015 was a busy month with federal agencies announcing a new finalized rule (electronic stability control), a proposed rule (Phase 2 GHG emissions), and strong recommendation (collision avoidance systems). But as an expedite owner-operator or fleet owner, why should you care? How will these announcements impact your business? ExpeditersOnline.com has combed through the government's press releases and hundreds of pages within the rul...