TD200: The Final Episode

This is the 9.25-hour audiobook version of the Trucking Life ebook. If I did it right (highly improbable), it should have chapter markers so you can skip around or find stuff quicker. The audiobook is also available in a playlist on the AboutTruckDriving YouTube page (audio only): https://www.youtube.com/@AboutTruckDriving/playlists

In this penultimate episode, I talk about my current job driving for Walmart. Yes, I'm well aware I've had a lot of bad things to say about them in the past, but I wouldn't still be working here 1.5 years later if all those complaints were still true, would I? So if you've ever wondered what it's like to be a Walmart driver, click that play button and prepare yourself for a long, rambling chat about the United States' largest employer. Also, I open the show announcing that the 9.25 hour audiobook version of "Trucking Life: An Entertaining, Yet Informative Guide To Becoming And Being A Truck Driver" will soon be available for free both on YouTube and as part of this podcast feed. Stay tuned!

In today's episode, we discuss what happened to my former employer, Yellow, Inc. Why did they go out of business after almost 100 years? Was it the Teamsters fault like the CEO of Yellow said? Or was it Yellow's fault like the President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said. Spoiler alert: I don't have any special inside knowledge, but I do have opinions based on working for both the company as a driver and the Teamsters as an Alternate Union Steward.

So it’s been over a year since the last episode aired, so obviously I start out with a groveling apology, followed by a brief explanation of what happened. I also lay out a plan to wrap up the Trucker Dump Podcast once and for all.  But for now, here are the links to those long overdue Garmin video reviews I’ve been talking about. And I also throw in a link to my older review of the Garmin dēzl™ OTR1000, which goes into all the details of setting up your Garmin GPS.   Garmin dēzl™ Headset 200 review Garmin dēzl™ OTR810 Truck GPS review  Garmin dēzl™ OTR1000 Truck GPS review 

In today’s long-overdue show, we’ve got stories on Teamster fights with Sysco and Yellow, FedEx is heading into a massive reorganization, lots of truck stop news, what’s going on with truck safety; including crash rates for new carriers, new out-of-service criteria, driver-facing cameras, drug testing, E-log violation detection, automatic emergency braking legislation pending, and the safest state for truckers (this one might surprise you). We’ll also talk about trucking’s ongoing battle against environmental standards, how female truckers feel about their job, and much more. In the listener feedback segment, you weigh in on tire recycling, checking your brake lights, and we’ll have some follow-up on whether day cab drivers can utilize the split sleeper berth rule without having a sleeper berth. Introduction Links: Get the Trucking Ebook Combo Pack for 25% off! Only $14.98 for two books (including a 9.25 hour audiobook version of Trucking Life)! Need a list of questions to ask the next time you're looking for your next truck driving job? Well here it is! And it's only $1.99! Please consider using my Amazon Affiliate link for your everyday shopping. Amazon will pay me a small commission for everything you buy. All you have to do is click on the ebook link on this page and then shop as you normally would. Thanks! You can also donate directly by clicking the Donate button on this page. News Links: Teamsters vs. Yellow, a fight neither can afford from LandLine.media Sysco Louisville Teamsters strike ends, 1st deal signed; Indianapolis over also from FreightWaves.com Yellow, Teamsters to hash out operational changes by reopening NMFA early from FreightWaves.com FedEx says air network restructuring to save $700M annually from FreightWaves.com FedEx to combine all but LTL into 1 organization from FreightWaves.com Pilot announces new CEO, CFO, as Berkshire Hathaway takes majority ownership from CDLLife.com Love’s to invest $1 billion upgrading locations from TheTrucker.com Love’s Travel Stops buys EZ GO locations from TheTrucker.com New TA truck stop opens in Oklahoma from CDLLife.com Distracted driving in Ohio now primary offense from LandLine.media Seven states pursue left lane changes from LandLine.media TD66: Truckers Go Turtle Racing from AboutTruckDriving.com FMCSA calls for renewed safety push at forum from LandLine.media FMCSA data shows rise in crash rates among new-entrant carriers from FreightWaves.com Study shows Michigan the safest state for truck drivers from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) CVSA’s 2023 Out-of-Service Criteria now in effect from TheTrucker.com New AI monitoring system showing Groendyke 'a lot of things' prior system did not from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) New research confirms truckers' disdain for driver-facing cameras from OverdriveOnline.com Technology Helps Minimize Tractor-Trailer Pairing Errors from ttnews.com (Transport Topics) Landing and launching terminals for autonomous trucks getting closer from FreightWaves.com White House reviewing proposal to require automatic emergency braking on big rigs from TheTrucker.com EPA approves California rules phasing out diesel trucks from TheTrucker.com Rep. Nehls introduces measure to overturn EPA rule from LandLine.media Trucking orgs tee off on Biden's zero emission plan from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) Most truckers have no interest in electric trucks, survey reveals from LandLine.media Report: Hydrogen will emerge as zero emission solution for long-haul trucking from OverdriveOnline.com ATRI seeks truck driver input on impacts of legalized marijuana from TheTrucker.com Impacts of Marijuana Legalization on Trucking Operations Driver Survey from ATRI (American Transportation Research Institute) Drug Expert Weighs In on Safety of Alcohol Versus Marijuana from ttnews.com (Transport Topics) FMCSA provides updates on driver compensation, detention time studies from LandLine.media Female trucker surveys divide proponents on pay and cab design from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) How carriers can identify log falsification from FreightWaves.com Here are 8 wild Qualcomm messages that truckers need to see from CDLLife.com One million dimes reported stolen from big rig parked at Philly Walmart from LandLine.media - submitted by Steven Gorman Listener Feedback Links: Canadian tire fire video - 48 seconds File petition for rules changes with the FMCSA from FMCSA.DOT.gov Show Info: You can email your comments, suggestions, questions, or insults to [email protected] Join the Trucker Dump Podcast Facebook Group Join the Trucker Dump Slack Group by emailing me at [email protected] Got a second to Rate and/or Review the podcast on iTunes? Download the intro/outro songs for free! courtesy of Walking On Einstein

In today’s show, we’ve got a cheat sheet to prepare for the upcoming largest safety blitz in North America, the Agriculture Hours-of-Service exemption is coming under fire, California’s AB5 law is back in the headlines, we’ll try to figure out if Electronic Logging Devices have improved safety as much as the FMCSA hoped, the Teamsters are having battles on many fronts, we’ll learn about possible new tax breaks for truckers, and we’ll discuss how the new under-21 driver program is coming. All that and more news. In the listener feedback segment, I’ll give you an update on my quest to find out if day cab drivers can legally extend their 14-hour day by using the 14-hour pause aspect of the split sleeper berth rule. Then a listener will explain the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse loophole that baffled me recently. We’ll have more on the AB5 thing and what defines an independent contractor. We’ve got another “law of trucking” submission and we hear from a new listener. So sit back, take your shoes off, put your feet up on the dash, and turn it up. Unless of course, you’re driving right now. Introduction Links: Get the Trucking Ebook Combo Pack for 25% off! Only $14.98 for two books (including a 9.25 hour audiobook version of Trucking Life)! Need a list of questions to ask the next time you're looking for your next truck driving job? Well here it is! And it's only $1.99! Please consider using my Amazon Affiliate link for your everyday shopping. Amazon will pay me a small commission for everything you buy. All you have to do is click on the ebook link on this page and then shop as you normally would. Thanks! You can also donate directly by clicking the Donate button on this page. News Links: The year’s biggest CMV blitz is coming soon — Here’s a ‘cheat sheet’ on CVSA Level I inspections from CDLLife.com Bill seeks to create tax credit up to $7500 for CDL-A truck drivers who drive 1900 hours per year from CDLLife.com Another ELD removed from FMCSA’s approved devices list from OverdriveOnline.com Federal law designed to make trucking safer may have aggravated worst issues from FreightWaves.com Can FMCSA improve ELD regulations from FreightWaves.com FMCSA’s hours-of-service exemption implicated in fatal truck crash from FreightWaves.com Truck Parking Improvement Act introduced in Congress from TheTrucker.com Under-21 pilot program – the party no one is going to from LandLine.media Truck driver age creeping up, retirement plans on the back burner for many from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) Sysco food delivery drivers go on strike in Louisville, Indy from LandLine.media Teamsters Begin Negotiations At ABF Freight from Teamster.org Yellow, union locked in war of words from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) California trucking eyes equal protection argument in AB5 litigation from FreightWaves.com Survey shows that 68% of female truckers feel safe on the job from CDLLife.com Listener Feedback Links: TD110: Jabbering With Jared from AboutTruckDriving.com Show Info: You can email your comments, suggestions, questions, or insults to [email protected] Join the Trucker Dump Podcast Facebook Group Join the Trucker Dump Slack Group by emailing me at [email protected] Got a second to Rate and/or Review the podcast on iTunes? Download the intro/outro songs for free! courtesy of Walking On Einstein

In this week’s news, Knight-Swift buys yet another large carrier, daylight savings time is being debated in Congress for the millionth time, a Congressman calls the Secretary of Labor nominee the “worst choice.” We’ll find out why. We’ll discuss a new technology that could possibly give truckers priority at stop lights, a safety coalition calls for big safety changes, we’ll discuss what happens to a tire when it finally dies, I’ll tell you about lots of new truck stops opening (better get your shot glass out), what possibly might be the world’s tiniest trucker, and it appears that the public want more truck parking (just not anywhere near their house). All that and more news. Plus in the listener feedback segment, you weigh in on truckers wanting praise above all else, we’ll learn more about how these “best fleets” lists work (I knew there was something fishy going on there), and one listener wants to talk about a few things; how stupid parking on a shoulder is, his tolerance level for breakdowns, and of course, he takes a shot at me for making a bad guess as what CBP stands for. And we’ll follow that up with a bummer-of-a-story to end on a rare sad note. But it’s something that needs to be said, so please stay tuned. So without further ado, let’s get this thing rolling. Introduction Links: Get the Trucking Ebook Combo Pack for 25% off! Only $14.98 for two books (including a 9.25 hour audiobook version of Trucking Life)! Need a list of questions to ask the next time you're looking for your next truck driving job? Well here it is! And it's only $1.99! Please consider using my Amazon Affiliate link for your everyday shopping. Amazon will pay me a small commission for everything you buy. All you have to do is click on the ebook link on this page and then shop as you normally would. Thanks! You can also donate directly by clicking the Donate button on this page. News Links: Daylight saving time topic of bills across country from LandLine.media Knight-Swift acquiring U.S. Xpress for more than $800 million from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) U.S. Xpress driver proves you don't have to be big to drive a big rig from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) Decline in truck transportation jobs 3rd biggest in last decade from FreightWaves.com Americans value truck parking facilities — but not in their backyards from FreightWaves.com Highway safety group calls for speed limiters on trucks, rolling back 2020 HOS changes, more from OverdriveOnline.com Drivewyze adds Pennsylvania to weigh station bypass network from OverdriveOnline.com Forward Air, Kodiak Robotics operating ‘consistent autonomous trucking service’ between Dallas, Atlanta from TheTrucker.com UPS, Teamsters expected to ink deal no later than June 30 from FreightWaves.com White House reportedly fast-tracking California’s plans to phase out diesel engines from TheTrucker.com Department of Labor nominee ‘worst choice,’ congressman says from LandLine.media Tire Sustainability Remains Top Priority for Industry from ttnews.com (Transport Topics) Texas-based project would give freight trucks priority at red lights from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) Love’s opens three truck stops in Florida, Texas, and Indiana, reopens store closed by fire from CDLLife.com New TA Express location opens in Tennessee from CDLLife.com Busy Tennessee TA location to close by end of March from CDLLife.com Robotics firm Mujin unveils automated unloader at ProMat from FreightWaves.com Listener Feedback Links: TD95: 4 Reasons That Trucker Might Be Tailgating You from AboutTruckDriving.com Show Info: You can email your comments, suggestions, questions, or insults to [email protected] Join the Trucker Dump Podcast Facebook Group Join the Trucker Dump Slack Group by emailing me at [email protected] Got a second to Rate and/or Review the podcast on iTunes? Download the intro/outro songs for free! courtesy of Walking On Einstein  

In today’s episode, we’ve got a possible new Secretary of Labor, a fight between a Senator and the Teamster’s President, rising pay for diesel mechanics, the Love’s Travel Stop’s founder dies, I’ll tell you about one high tech and one low tech product, Cummins is rebranding it’s emissions-focused division, and apparently, truckers value praise more than anything else. Huh? All that and more. We’ve also got followup in the listener feedback segment concerning hourly trucker pay and how Canada is spending their money to attract new truckers. So in the immortal words of Lynyrd Skynyrd; turn it up. Introduction Links: Get the Trucking Ebook Combo Pack for 25% off! Only $14.98 for two books (including a 9.25 hour audiobook version of Trucking Life)! Need a list of questions to ask the next time you're looking for your next truck driving job? Well here it is! And it's only $1.99! Please consider using my Amazon Affiliate link for your everyday shopping. Amazon will pay me a small commission for everything you buy. All you have to do is click on the ebook link on this page and then shop as you normally would. Thanks! You can also donate directly by clicking the Donate button on this page. News Links: Two Missouri rest areas permanently closing next week, to reopen in fall 2023 as truck parking from CDLLife.com Online renewal for CDL holders is coming to Idaho from LandLine.media Love’s Travel Stops Founder Tom Love Dies at 85 from ttnews.com (Transport Topics) Your batteries are trying to tell you something, and they soon will from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) Simple, low-cost brake check device can result in big savings from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) Cummins brands New Power division as future tech-focused Accelera from FreightWaves.com Bills in multiple states cover use of rumble strips from LandLine.media FMCSA closes reporting loophole in Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse database from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) Repair labor rates climbing, driving technician pay raises from ccjdigital.com (Commercial Carrier Journal) OOIDA opposes Biden’s pick to head up Labor Department from OverdriveOnline.com GOP senator snaps at union boss during heated hearing: 'Shut your mouth' from FoxNews.com - submitted by Gena King Truck Drivers Appreciate Company Praise, Survey Shows from ttnews.com (Transport Topics) Listener Feedback Links: TD187: Worst Traffic In The World, The Legality of Trucker Marijuana, Pay-By-The-Mile Criticized, Ammonia-Powered Truck, & More from AboutTruckDriving.com Show Info: You can email your comments, suggestions, questions, or insults to [email protected] Join the Trucker Dump Podcast Facebook Group Join the Trucker Dump Slack Group by emailing me at [email protected] Got a second to Rate and/or Review the podcast on iTunes? Download the intro/outro songs for free! courtesy of Walking On Einstein

In today’s show, I’ll tell you when the biggest safety blitz of the year will take place, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) asks the FMCSA for a better Big Truck Crash Study this time around, more rules exemptions are being sought from the FMCSA, new “move over” laws are coming in some states, Canada provides funding to get more truckers into the industry, a new loading/unloading system is introduced by a major LTL company, and a truck pulls a semi out of a ditch. Spoiler: it’s not a tow truck. Then for the fun part where we’ve got a Trucker Grub segment from @Wunuvakind, @TruckerSmack has a suggestion how the FMCSA could make the split sleeper berth rule easier for everyone, and once again, my ability to speak coherently is challenged, only this time it’s by @Goose from Australia. Introduction Links: Get the Trucking Ebook Combo Pack for 50% off for a limited time! Only $9.99 for two books (including a 9.25 hour audiobook version of Trucking Life)! Need a list of questions to ask the next time you're looking for your next truck driving job? Well here it is! And it's only $1.99! Please consider using my Amazon Affiliate link for your everyday shopping. Amazon will pay me a small commission for everything you buy. All you have to do is click on the ebook link on this page and then shop as you normally would. Thanks! You can also donate directly by clicking the Donate button on this page. Wyoming I-80: Road crews face nightmare situation from OverdriveOnline.com News Links: Roadcheck 2023 CMV blitz to emphasize ABS violations, cargo securement from CDLLife.com CVSA's new out-of-service criteria: What owner-ops need to know from OverdriveOnline.com Crash study shouldn’t repeat past mistakes, OOIDA says from LandLine.media Hours-of-service waiver sought by trucker who ran under emergency order from LandLine.media Warning devices for stopped trucks to go by wayside? from FreightWaves.com Six states pursue expanded ‘move over’ rules for all road users from LandLine.media New study shows majority of people fear automated vehicle technology from TheTrucker.com Canada devotes millions in federal funding to train, recruit new truckers from FreightWaves.com ArcBest touts system for loading, unloading trailer in one motion from FreightWaves.com VIDEO: Electric pickup yanks out stuck semi in Utah from CDLLife.com Listener Feedback Links: TD191: State Of The Union & Trucking, EV Rollout Not Going As Planned, FMCSA Stays Busy With Exemptions, TA’s New Restaurant, & More from AboutTruckDriving.com is where @TruckerSmack heard me talking about the split sleeper berth rules. TD189: ATA CEO Talks To Congress, Choosing A Truck Driving School, Possible New Speed Limits, Steps To Take Before Applying, & More from AboutTruckDriving.com is where I kept screwing up the word Nevada. Here is the list of Australian cities that @goose has me try to pronounce: Binginwarri Dalyston Tallangatta Woolloomooloo Goondiwindi Canowindra Hervey Bay Kata Tjuta Suggan Buggan Wangkatjungka See? Not so easy, is it? Show Info: You can email your comments, suggestions, questions, or insults to [email protected] Join the Trucker Dump Podcast Facebook Group Join the Trucker Dump Slack Group by emailing me at [email protected] Got a second to Rate and/or Review the podcast on iTunes? Download the intro/outro songs for free! courtesy of Walking On Einstein