The push for fleet electrification is running into a massive roadblock: the grid. Thomas Wasson is joined by Tyler Phillipi, CEO of Optigrid, to discuss the immense challenges of infrastructure, grid strain, and the costly delays facing fleets trying to go electric. Tyler dives into the technology behind their new all-in-one charging solution, the Orange Juicer, a battery-integrated DC fast charger that avoids massive construction projects and long waits for utility upgrades. They explore how this "best in a box" approach is helping fleets get the juice they need, stay online, and make the transition to electric a reality.

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In this follow-up episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits back down with Tyler Harden of TTN Fleet Solutions to dig deeper into one of the toughest realities in trucking — what happens when your truck breaks down and the clock’s ticking against you.

Adam also talks to Natasha Sanders, Senior Business Coach for the Amazon Freight Partner Program.

They unpack how Amazon is building opportunities for entrepreneurs and CDL drivers alike — from launching small trucking companies under the AFP umbrella to offering stable, local driving careers with consistent pay and benefits.We’ll talk about what AFP really is, how it works, and what it means for drivers looking for balance, consistency, and a long-term career inside the Amazon network.

This one’s not about hype — it’s about clarity. If you’ve ever seen those blue trucks on the highway and wondered how to be part of that movement, this episode breaks it all down.

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VIB Trans, an Illinois-based carrier with 29 trucks, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amidst the long-running "Great Freight Recession" .

Brokerage giant C.H. Robinson showed robust profitability for the third quarter, which sent its shares soaring 20% right after the earnings release . The company saw income from operations jump 22.6% and adjusted gross profit for its core North American Surface Transport segment rise 5.6% year-over-year .

We examine the tentative agreement reached between UPS and the U.S. Postal Service to resume last-mile parcel delivery for UPS’s low-cost Ground Saver shipping service . This strategic move is part of a multi-pronged effort at UPS to reduce costs, patching up a relationship that had previously dissolved in 2024 over rate hikes on the final mile component .

Stick around for more content later today, including a new episode of The Long Haul featuring Tyler Harden of TTN Solutions and Natasha Sanders of Amazon Freight Partner. Plus, listen to Freightonomics, where Henry Byers and Jared Flinn join the conversation to discuss what's currently happening in the freight market.

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Host Malcolm Harris kicks off this midweek edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with headlines shaking up the logistics and freight world. From Craig Fuller’s fiery critique of the ATA’s backpedal on the “driver shortage” narrative to breaking news of an Amtrak–truck collision in San Antonio, Malcolm dives deep into the week’s hottest topics.

He then welcomes Clayton Griffin, President of OTR Solutions, to discuss how broker-carrier relationships, payment terms, and trust shape long-term stability and growth in the trucking industry. Clayton shares new data showing OTR’s carriers are 20% more likely to survive beyond their first year, and breaks down how transparency and tech-driven vetting can protect freight operations.

Next up is Simon Steadman from Supermove, who spotlights innovation in the moving industry with the upcoming F50 Leadership Summit—a forum bringing top executives together to discuss AI, automation, and digital transformation. Simon explores how traditional operators can embrace modern tools without losing their human touch.

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The freight market is at a "pivotal moment" as shifting industry narratives meet long-overdue regulatory action and the harsh realities of a capacity glut. Hear how the ATA executed a stunning tactical retreat on their decades-long "truck driver shortage" claim, now admitting the problem is a "shortage of quality drivers" rather than quantity.

This retreat coincides with federal regulators moving to fix a self-created crisis: the DOT issued an emergency rule restricting non-domiciled CDLs that were improperly granted to at least 200,000 non-U.S. residents since March 2019. This massive influx of drivers fueled the "Great Freight Recession," yet real inflation-adjusted truck driver wages have only increased minimally since 2010.

We examine the brutal financial impact of overcapacity, including Pamt Corp.’s fourth consecutive quarterly net loss and its unsustainable 106.7% adjusted operating ratio for its truckload unit. Conversely, Landstar System's mixed results showed strong flatbed trends and the first sequential increase in its exclusive carrier base since 2022, potentially signaling a slow market turn as regulatory changes threaten to remove 200,000 owner-operators from the pool.

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Truckload carrier ⁠Pamt Corp. books another loss in Q3⁠, reporting a net loss of $5.6 million for the third quarter, marking its fourth consecutive net loss in a market that continues to hammer the freight industry. The company's consolidated revenue dropped 18% year-over-year, and its truckload unit reported a tough 106.7% operating ratio, exacerbated by its high reliance on the tariff-hampered auto industry.

In contrast, ⁠Flatbed trends buttress Landstar amid dry van slump⁠, as the company reported strong flatbed volumes even though dry van freight demand remains soft. Landstar reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.22, just one cent shy of consensus estimates, and management noted that potential regulation-induced capacity crunch on the owner-operator population may signal a future market flip.

Also covered today, ⁠Port Houston completes ship channel dredging amid environmental scrutiny⁠, finalizing its share of the $1 billion Houston Ship Channel Expansion (Project 11) to widen the waterway to 700 feet through Galveston Bay. Port CEO Charlie Jenkins confirmed the project is already delivering measurable gains, improving safety and reducing vessel emissions by allowing ships to move more efficiently through one of the nation’s busiest waterways.

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In this episode, FreightWaves’ Thomas Wasson sits down with Tio Tom, VP of Safety at Performance Food Group, to explore how one of America’s largest food distributors is transforming fleet safety. From combating distracted driving to detecting fatigue through AI, PFG’s data-driven approach has cut collision risks by more than 50%. Learn how technology, coaching, and compassion are reshaping safety across the industry.

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In this episode, we dive into the world of loardboards. Our guest, Brent Hutto, Senior Advisor for ⁠Truckstop.com⁠, breaks down the evolution of load boards and how they became synonymous with fraud in the industry but they aren’t that bad when used properly. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Check Call the newsletter⁠ or the podcast. 

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DAT, a subsidiary of Roper Technologies, is evolving into an automated, AI-powered freight marketplace, a transformation discussed by executives at the FreightWaves F3 and on the Roper earnings call. This strategic shift is predicated on a series of key acquisitions, including the Convoy tech stack, Trucker Tools, and Outgo, which aim to build capabilities across the entire freight automation workflow, promising savings of $100–$200 per load. 

We dive into the immediate crisis caused by federal attempts to restrict non-domiciled CDLs, a pool that has added over 200,000 licenses since 2019, contributing to the "Great Freight Recession". The U.S. Postal Service’s sudden ban on these drivers led to immediate, severe service disruptions and a rapid reversal, highlighting the supply chain's critical reliance on this driver segment. 

The program features an update on Union Pacific’s aggressive campaign to secure approval for its $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern, a merger that would create the first U.S. transcontinental freight railroad. This campaign includes strategic political maneuvering, such as a donation to President Trump's White House ballroom project and securing job guarantee backing from its largest labor union.

In air cargo news, we cover Kalitta Air's deployment of the first-ever Boeing 777 converted freighters, dubbed the "Big Twin," for dedicated customers like DHL Express and Challenge Group, leveraging their increased volume and fuel efficiency. Finally, we examine Marten Transport's third-quarter earnings, which saw overall profitability maintained despite a loss in the Truckload segment, and discuss how the U.S. reached a trade framework with China even while tensions flared with Canada over a new 10% tariff increase. 

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The US and China have reached a framework for a new trade agreement, potentially averting the threatened 100% tariff on Chinese imports, even as the U.S. has raised tariffs on Canada by 10%.

Accucold has launched a new dual compressor combination refrigerator and freezer designed specifically for the life science, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors. These new models, available in two widths, feature independent temperature control across multiple compartments and include user-focused safety features like audible and visual alarms that alert users to temperature excursions, power loss, or door openings.

The freight industry is closely monitoring the potential for a severe capacity crunch following increased enforcement of non-domiciled CDL issuance nationwide. FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller suggests that the emergency rule addressing the improper granting of at least 200,000 non-domiciled CDLs will lead to a significant tightening of truckload capacity across the United States.

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