Land Line Now

The Department of Transportation has a nine-point plan to improve truckers’ lives – and two hours-of-service reforms are a key part of it. Also, an ad campaign for a bread company eventually led to trucking’s best-known song – “Convoy” by C.W. McCall. We’ll tell you how it happened. And Land Line Now’s Mark Reddig, Scott Thompson and Ashley Blackford gather in studio A to discuss some high points from the program’s two decades on the air. 0:00 – Hours-of-service reforms are on the table – what’s next? 09:55 – How the trucking anthem “Convoy” came to be 38:43 – A final look back at 20 years of Land Line Now

DataQ is designed to correct mistakes in safety reporting – but truckers see a need for reform. Also, a small group of soldiers drove some specially modified vehicles during the Vietnam War. Then, a trucker driving to a delivery suddenly found himself on truck-restricted routes – and it cost him big. And the spot market has seen a big jump in reefer freight during week 25. 0:00 – DataQ reforms could make a big difference for truckers 09:55 – Gun Trucks and their drivers play key role in Vietnam 24:15 – Town’s missing signs cost trucker a big fine 38:43 – Reefer freight a bright spot in freight market this week

OOIDA has long called for hours-of-service flexibility. The DOT has a plan for two pilot programs to test changes to the hours-of-service regulations. But will they do the job? Also, those programs are part of a DOT plan to improve truckers’ lives. We’ll get into the details. Then, in 2011, we discovered electronic highway signs warning of “zombies ahead.” We’ll explain what really happened. And in 2010, the maker of the steel used in the World Trade Center brought back some of it for a memorial – and 28 truckers carried it home. 0:00 – Hours of service: What does the DOT want to change? 09:55 – A deeper look at the DOT’s trucking plan 24:15 – Zombies ahead? Signs say yes 38:43 – A look back: Convoy brings World Trade Center steel home

The Texas Supreme Court just tossed out a $100 million nuclear verdict against Werner. Also, perhaps the most famous role soldier-truckers ever played was the “Red Ball Express.” Then, the “Code Talkers Flag,” which honors Navajos who used their language to help the U.S. in World War II, was lost until a trucker found it. And in 13 states this year, fuel taxes will change, and most will go up. 0:00 – Nuclear verdict tossed out by Texas Supreme Court 09:55 – Truckers of the Red Ball Express played key role in WWII victory 24:15 – Trucker’s action saved flag that honors the Code Talkers 38:43 – Fuel taxes to increase in 13 states today

CVSA wants the federal government to require electronic trackers on all trucks and has made it their top priority for the new highway bill. Also, two truckers who witnessed the fall of Saigon first-hand tell the story of that day – and the outsized role one tiny Navy vessel played. And FMCSA’s announcement Friday was like an OOIDA wish list, hitting issues like truck parking, split sleeper berth, speed limiters and more. 0:00 – CVSA wants trackers on all trucks 10:12 – A look back: The fall of Saigon through the eyes of two truckers 39:16 – FMCSA action plan hits some very big trucking issues

The DOT will act on several OOIDA priorities, including speed limiters, hours of service, truck parking and more. Also, we’ll bring you a 2008 story about motorcyclists who travel every year to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Then, a good place to eat is a must for truckers – and a Louisiana restaurant fits the bill. It was the first entry in our “Semi Supper Club.” And Andy McCulloch of Michelin explains special considerations needed for tires on electric-powered trucks. 0:00 – DOT to make OOIDA wish list a reality 10:12 – A look back: Run for the Wall 24:48 – A Cajun joint that caters to truckers 39:16 – Special considerations for tires on electric trucks

A bill would free overtime pay from taxes. However, truckers – who don’t get overtime – are not included. Another bill would change that. Also, a man survived one of the worst shipwrecks on the Great Lakes – and a trucker told his tale. We’ll tell you about the S.S. Daniel J. Morrell. And late in 2024, two Iowa DOT workers stepped up to help a trucker in a bad situation. If they had not, the trucker might not have made it. 0:00 – Effort would give truckers overtime pay – and qualify them for more 10:12 – Trucker tells the story of sole survivor of shipwreck 39:16 – Iowa DOT workers step up to help trucker in need

Nearly six decades ago, a trucker set world records by ballooning into the stratosphere. Also, Truckstop.com says that market pressure, rates, load availability and truck availability are all down. Then, low bridges can cause problems for truckers. But a pair of bridges in Iowa have developed a special reputation. And when a truck driver found himself in a jam, a local deputy and a group of inmates in Kentucky came to his aid. 0:00 – Rates are down in Week 24 of 2025 10:12 – Trucker sets world records during a ‘Magnificent Failure’ 24:48 – The Truck-Eating Bridge of Davenport, Iowa 39:16 – Officer, inmates step up to help a trucker in need

We continue our countdown to our final episode with more of our best work from the past 20 years. First, we’ll bring you an encore of our 2009 story about a Minnesota effort to establish a fatigue test, which ended with a federal court decision. Also, in 2010, a young woman ran across the entire United States to raise awareness for the St. Christopher Fund. And show trucks are a longtime part of trucking, but few live up to Bob and Shelly Brinker’s rig, “The Curse of the Black Pearl.” 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – A look back: Minnesota’s attempt to create a fatigue test 24:48 – A teenager’s run across the country to support truckers 39:16 – Avast! It’s a show truck to shiver me timbers

Just weeks after resolutions passed striking down California’s emission standards, the U.S. Supreme Court added its voice to the debate. Also, as part of our countdown to our final episode, we’ll bring you a 2005 debate over broker issues between OOIDA’s Jim Johnston and TIA’s Bob Voltman. And the reconciliation bill – or the one big, beautiful bill – has run into some problems. We’ll go over the holdups. 0:00 – Court gives fuel producers a win in California 10:12 – A look back: The Johnston-Voltman debate 39:16 – A few hiccups for the big, beautiful bill