Beyond The Road | The ATS Podcast

How recap hours work: https://hubs.la/Q04dzv_40
Recap hours, missed exits, oversized loads, and real-life trucking decisions, this is what the job actually looks like.

ATS driver Justin breaks down how recap hours really work, why they can make or break your week, and shares a moment where one wrong move could’ve ended his career, but didn’t.

From hauling oversized freight across all 48 states to helping other drivers on the road, this is a raw look at trucking experience, safety, and integrity behind the wheel.

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If you’re a truck driver trying to make it through this freight market, you already know how rough it’s been. Freight rates, fuel prices, fuel surcharge, and DOT regulations keep changing, and a lot of drivers are wondering how to stay profitable in trucking right now.

In this video we talk real trucking advice from the road. Owner-operator trucking, specialized trucking, heavy haul trucking, and wind blade hauling. We get into why specialized freight and oversize loads can keep you moving when flatbed trucking, dry van trucking, and reefer freight slow down.

We cover how owner-operators can survive low spot market rates, why fuel mileage matters more than speed, how fuel surcharge helps when rates are down, and why learning your lanes, regions, and freight corridors is key to staying busy as a truck driver.

There’s also a lot of talk about what drivers are dealing with today. DOT inspections, portable scales, weigh stations, permit changes, oversize permits, AI inspection scales, ELDs, logbooks, and constant regulatory changes. We also talk about the future of trucking, including autonomous trucks, self-driving trucks, and where heavy haul, oil field trucking, wind energy trucking, and tanker trucking might be headed.

If you’re new to trucking or thinking about getting your CDL, this is real advice: keep your driving record clean, avoid tickets, DWIs, and reckless driving, because that stuff follows you forever in trucking. It affects insurance, background checks, cross-border trucking to Canada, military base access, and higher-paying trucking jobs.

This isn’t a highlight reel, it’s a truck driver conversation about making trucking a long-term career, staying profitable as an owner-operator, and surviving the ups and downs of the trucking industry.

Learn more about heavy haul trucking and specialized trucking at ATS here: https://hubs.la/Q040Tgk50

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ATS Website
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We sat down with ATS flatbed driver Omar to talk about:
• Winter trucking tips every driver should know
• How to stay calm when stress, traffic, or weather hit hard
• Real road stories and close calls
• Why understanding truck behavior keeps 4-wheelers safer
• Steelers vs. Vikings, SEC vs. Texas, and the sports that keep drivers sane
• Advice for new drivers entering the industry
Apply to Drive for ATS: https://hubs.la/Q02BbsyV0

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Check out the. . .
Trucking Industry Channel (YouTube)
Truck Driving Channel (YouTube)
ATS Website
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EVERY DRIVER NEEDS THIS: https://hubs.la/Q03DD0Zd0
In this episode of Beyond the Road, two real ATS drivers share what life on the road is really like — and why they’re more than just truckers. From gaming in the cab and volunteering as firefighters to balancing family life and running flatbed or van freight, this is an unfiltered look into what modern trucking really means.
Apply to Drive for ATS: https://hubs.la/Q02BbsyV0

Connect with ATS on. . .
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Check out the. . .
Trucking Industry Channel (YouTube)
Truck Driving Channel (YouTube)
ATS Website
Drive4ATS Website

Helpful resources for shippers: https://hubs.li/Q03f6QT70
Expand on your driver knowledge: https://hubs.la/Q03f6KjB0

In this episode of Beyond the Road, we explore the state of the freight market and preview Breakbulk Americas 2025, happening September 30 – October 2 in Houston, Texas.

🔹 Market Trends – From import volume spikes and rail congestion to asset carrier closures and softening rates, we break down what’s happening across open deck, international, and brokerage transportation.
🔹 Breakbulk Americas Preview – What is Breakbulk? Why is it important? And how can attendees make the most of the event? Get tips from experienced ATS reps who’ve attended for years.
🔹 Expert Guests – Josh from ATS Logistics and Carl from ATS International share real-world insight from both the U.S. and global shipping markets.

Whether you're a shipper, logistics professional, or new to the breakbulk space, this episode offers both timely freight updates and a look at one of the industry’s most valuable networking events.

Visit us at Booth F31 at Breakbulk Americas 2025
Enter to win a free Apple Watch Series 10 by stopping by and dropping your business card!

Learn more: https://www.atsinc.com

Subscribe to stay updated on industry trends, trade shows, and logistics insights.

#BreakbulkAmericas #FreightMarketUpdate #TruckingIndustry #OpenDeckFreight #InternationalShipping #ATS #ProjectCargo #LogisticsNetworking #tradeshowtips 

Contact us: https://hubs.li/Q02PvhcZ0

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ATS Website
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EVERY DRIVER NEEDS THIS: HERE
What does it take to drive over 2.5 million safe miles and survive everything from tornadoes to Hurricane Katrina? Army veteran and ATS driver Bill Hodges shares his trucking journey, financial survival tips, and wild stories from the road.

In this episode of Beyond the Road, Bill talks with Holli about:
• Life as a specialized open-deck driver
• Transitioning from the Army to trucking
• Surviving downturns in the freight market (2008 vs today)
• Weathering storms. From blizzards to hurricanes
• Why the driver–fleet manager relationship can make (or break) your career
• Financial and health tips to hit your 1 million safe miles

Connect with ATS on. . .
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Check out the. . .
Trucking Industry Channel (YouTube)
Truck Driving Channel (YouTube)
ATS Website
Drive4ATS Website

For shippers: https://hubs.li/Q03f6QT70
For drivers: https://hubs.la/Q03f6KjB0
In this episode of Beyond the Road, we unpack what’s happening in today’s freight market and take a deep dive into Mexico cross-border shipping — specifically the Laredo gateway and the opportunities and challenges of nearshoring.

🔹 Freight Market Update: Why the pace of recovery is slow, but improving
🔹 Rate Trends: Are contract rates rising? What about capacity and fuel?
🔹 Tariffs & Equipment Spending: How uncertainty and interest rates are impacting behavior
🔹 Open Deck vs. Van Recovery: What's moving and where we're seeing growth
🔹 Mexico Market Focus: Why Laredo remains a powerhouse in cross-border freight
🔹 Through-Trailer vs. Transload: Pros and cons, plus how to pick the right option
🔹 Customs, CTPAT & Delays: What shippers need to know before crossing the border
🔹 Driver & Equipment Challenges: Real stories and solutions
🔹 ATS Capabilities: Our 35 years in Laredo, 300+ trailers in Mexico, and asset + partner support
🔹 Shipper Advice: How to pick the right provider and avoid surprises

Whether you're already moving freight across the southern border or considering it, this episode helps you plan smarter and move faster.

Contact us: https://hubs.li/Q02PvhcZ0

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Check out the. . .
Trucking Industry Channel (YouTube)
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ATS Website
Drive4ATS Website

In this episode of Beyond the Road, we bring together experts from ATS Logistics to talk about what shippers, drivers, and logistics pros can expect for the rest of the summer freight season. From weather delays to Fourth of July capacity crunches and tender rejection trends, we break it all down—plus explain the value a trusted freight brokerage can bring to your operation.

🔹 4th of July Freight Planning: How this holiday impacts shipping schedules, rates, and driver availability
🔹 Weather & Road Construction: What shippers and drivers need to know to avoid costly delays
🔹 Tender Rejections Rising: What that means for capacity and spot market rates
🔹 What Is ATS Logistics? An inside look at our brokerage model and how it connects drivers and shippers
🔹 Driver Benefits: How smaller carriers and owner-operators can stay loaded with the FreightMatch app
🔹 Customer Portal: Real-time tracking, billing access, and better communication tools for shippers
🔹 Common Myths About Brokers: Transparency, claims, pricing, and service concerns—debunked
🔹 Logistics Day at ATS: A behind-the-scenes look at our family-friendly celebration of the logistics industry

Whether you're a shipper managing tight schedules, a driver navigating holiday home time, or a logistics pro evaluating brokers—this episode delivers the clarity and insight you need.

Connect with ATS on. . .
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Check out the. . .
Trucking Industry Channel (YouTube)
Truck Driving Channel (YouTube)
ATS Website
Drive4ATS Website

For drivers: https://hubs.la/Q03f6KjB0
For shippers: https://hubs.li/Q03f6QT70
What’s it really take to move massive freight across the country—on time, safely, and without chaos?

In this episode of Beyond the Road, host Holly sits down with Sam, a 24-year ATS veteran and site liaison, to uncover the logistics secrets behind some of the biggest moves in the trucking industry. From complex site planning to real-time driver coordination and customer education, Sam shares what it takes to keep mega projects running smoothly—and why transportation is often the last thing customers think about (to their own detriment).

🔹 What a site liaison actually does—and why it’s critical
🔹 How ATS plans routes for 72-meter wind blades
🔹 The truth about what customers forget when planning large moves
🔹 Why communication is the backbone of project freight success
🔹 How pilot cars, drone scouts, and bucket trucks fit into the plan
🔹 Real-world stories of tight turns, low wires, and 3 a.m. moves
🔹 What’s changing in wind energy and data center logistics
🔹 How training, tech, and trust keep drivers safe and on schedule

If you’re a driver, shipper, or industry insider looking for the unfiltered truth about what’s happening on the road today, this episode is for you.

Contact us: https://hubs.li/Q02PvhcZ0

Connect with ATS on. . .
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Check out the. . .
Trucking Industry Channel (YouTube)
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ATS Website
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Downloadable tools and articles for shippers: https://hubs.li/Q03f6QT70
All the driver resources and tools you could ever dream of: https://hubs.la/Q03f6KjB0
The Fourth of July can create major disruptions across the supply chain—from driver availability and rate spikes to delivery delays and limited facility hours. In this episode of Beyond the Road, we break down everything shippers and drivers need to know to succeed during one of the busiest times of the summer.

🔹 What 4th of July means for freight capacity and volume surges
🔹 How to keep freight moving despite OD restrictions and tight driver availability
🔹 Best practices for shippers: scheduling flexibility, pre-holiday communication, and cost control
🔹 How dispatchers and drivers can plan smarter to ensure holiday home time
🔹 Real-life examples from ATS experts in flatbed, dry van, and logistics operations
🔹 Why early planning = fewer missed deliveries and lower rates

🎯 Whether you're a customer planning a critical shipment or a driver mapping your route home, this episode offers actionable advice to help everyone in the freight chain stay safe and efficient this Independence Day.

📘 Helpful Links:
Shippers: https://hubs.li/Q03f6QT70
Drivers: https://hubs.la/Q03f6KjB0
Careers: https://hubs.li/Q033MZdw0

Subscribe for more expert-driven trucking content from Anderson Trucking Service.

Connect with ATS on. . .
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Check out the. . .
Trucking Industry Channel (YouTube)
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ATS Website
Drive4ATS Website