Blue Ribbon Podcast

It’s been eight years since I made the decision that began my journey through being an owner/operator and back again. There has been both success and failure along the way. The lessons were all valuable and all learned the hard way. In this episode I reflect on eight years and talk about what I wish I had known in 2010. It would’ve made all the difference.

Over the years I’ve run on a few dedicated accounts. I’m currently serving a dedicated customer hauling residential windows and doors. Hauling dedicated is perfect for some drivers because it give them a firm schedule they can count on. For others dedicated is boring and monotonous. In this episode I talk about the good and bad of dedicated freight.

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I got an email from Rodney and he wanted to know where to begin when wanting to buy a truck and get started as an Owner/Operator. In this episode I’ll read his email and tell you about my response to him and give my take on when and how to get started.

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This lifestyle is hard on our bodies. Making changes for our health involves behavior modification. In this episode I’m going to talk about what I think leads to behavior modification - identity.

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How hard would you work for someone if you weren’t getting paid? What level of performance and dedication would you offer if you knew you wouldn’t get any money in return? Two stories I’ve run across in the last week have taught me a lesson about effort being tied to compensation.

The first was an interview with Dan Whitney (Larry the Cable Guy). His compensation for his first gig with the Blue Collar Comedy Tour? They paid for his hotel room. No travel. No talent fee. He had just come home off the road when his agent called with the opportunity. One of the greatest shows in comedy history may not have happened if Dan decided his time was too valuable than to go to Nashville and not get paid for it.

The second was about NASCAR Camping World Series and Xfinity Series driver Ross Chastain. Chastain is a eighth generation watermelon farmer from Florida. He’s been racing in NASCAR for a few years, but has never had an opportunity to drive a really good car for a quality team. He scored a three race deal with Champion car owner Chip Ganassi. He won the pole position for the first race at Darlington and got caught up in a wreck while leading. He won the second race at Las Vegas. In the final race at Richmond he finished second. His pay for the three races? $0 He drove that car for free. It should be obvious that showing the skill to nearly win three races in a row should be enough to get him a ride. Maybe not. There is no guarantee. Without sponsorship, he may never get another competitive ride. Do you think he poured all of his effort, talent, and skill into driving that car for which he got no compensation? I’d say yes. In this episode I talk about how we can relate these lessons to trucking and how much we give of ourselves and our skill even if we aren’t getting paid what we think we deserve.

Interview with Larry the Cable Guy

Ross Chastain Driving (and winning) in Chip Ganassi’s NASCAR Xfinity Car For Free

I’ve been there. Your broke, your truck is broke, and you have no clue how you‘re going to make it. I got a text message from an acquaintance asking for help with a broken truck. Our experiences are similar. I talk about what i told him and how we can insulate ourselves from these problems and how to be prepared when that day comes.

I believe that an experienced truck driver of great quality is worth a MINIMUM of $75,000 per year. In this episode I want to talk about our value as drivers as a part of the whole market. Join me and let's talk about how to earn what you're worth.

SHOW NOTES:

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Video: USA Truck driver destroys a truck trying to make a U-Turn.

Parking is a hot topic. With the ELD mandate, drivers are facing additional challenges when trying to find a place to take their mandated rest break. Cities and towns across the nation aren’t helping. New ordnances against truck parking are popping up everywhere. Drivers are facing being booted and charged outrageous fines for parking at Walmart. Let’s talk about some of the real problems and solutions to this growing issue.

Link to the Allstays Truck and Travel App that I use to find truck parking

I got a notification today that Kevin Rutherford had posted on Facebook. I learned that there is a driver's group called United Drivers Association America. One of their "leaders" made a public comment on the regulations.gov website about the proposed changes to the Hours of Service. It's a mess. Bad grammar, incoherent rambling, and no clear and concise point. When Kevin challenged them on the lack of professionalism in their post, he was attacked and blocked. 

Honestly, I really couldn't care less what these people do or believe. It is frustrating that they are going to make a bunch of noise (apparently they plan some sort of rally in DC), but mainly that they will proclaim that they are representing all drivers. I want to be VERY clear that I will not be represented by them. I want absolutely nothing to do with them .

I've included screenshots of the comments made both on the government website and by Kevin. 

After I recorded this episode, Kevin posted screenshots of this idiot defending his bad form by telling everyone that his grammar was so bad because HE WAS TEXTING WHILE DRIVING! 

I don't need the state and neither do you. Your value is based on your experience, your knowledge, your skills, and your work ethic. You don't need to bow on your knees and cry out for relief.

This episode contains the audio from a Facebook Live chat I had with Jared Wall from AnarchoLand. Jared wrote a fascinating essay called Breaking Liberty. It is a libertarian treatment of the television show Breaking Bad. 

Any time I've heard the phrase "Possession with intent to deliver" I think, "That's exactly what I do for a living!" I possess a trailer filled with someone's products and I intend to deliver it. Obviously it isn't the transporting of products that is a problem. The problem is that some people somewhere decided that certain products are "illegal" and so anyone who is involved in the movement of these goods is now a "criminal." Jared and I have a fun discussion about the War on Drugs and its effects on society and human liberty.