Keep the Shiny Side Up!

Hey you, it’s me. 1099 or W-2: which one actually puts more money in a truck driver’s pocket? In this episode, I break down the real difference, the kinds of expenses W-2 drivers can’t write off (yes, even the security dog), why your home state matters, and the honest downsides of being an independent contractor. I’m not a CPA, so check with your tax pro. Full breakdown at m2gt.com.

Hey you, it’s me. Truckers from across the country voted Indiana’s stretch of I-70 the worst haul route in America, and now the state wants to add tolls to it. In this episode, I roast the bridge joints that feel like ski jumps, share the route we take to dodge it, and celebrate the smoothest state line in the country. Buckle up and hold on to your coffee. More at m2gt.com.

Hey you, it’s me. Who’s really driving that FedEx truck you just passed? In this episode, I explain what FedEx Custom Critical is, who owns the trucks, the difference between local and over-the-road drivers, why expedite moves direct from pickup to delivery, and what life looks like for the two-driver teams that run most of it. Whether you’re a driver or just curious, this one’s for you. More at m2gt.com.

Hey you, it’s me. A Virginia weigh station, a line of trucks backed up onto the highway, twenty officers, and a red light that just wouldn’t turn green, all so someone could give my road dog Thumper a treat. A short, sweet story about life on the road with our four-legged co-pilots. More dog adventures at m2gt.com.

Hey you, it’s me. Two new steer tires failed in under three months, costing us two roadside calls, a broken headlight, and a warranty claim nobody would stand behind.

In this episode, I break down the real cost of budget truck tires, what to document when a tire fails so your claim can’t be dismissed, and where small fleets and owner-operators can get name-brand tires at fleet pricing. Full checklist and fleet program links at m2gt.com.

Hey you, it’s me. For this episode, something lighter: a stop at Dolly Parton’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, off I-65 at Exit 22. Is a travel stop with Dolly’s name on it worth it for truckers? I cover the parking (spoiler: it doesn’t fill up), spa-worthy restrooms, the showers, the ribs, the best mint chocolate chip around, and the Doggy Parton pet area, plus why it’s worth a stop for regular road-trippers too. Photos and the full review at m2gt.com.

Hey you, it’s me. Two weeks, California to Pennsylvania and back, twice, covering our dedicated lane while our drivers celebrated their anniversary in Hawaii. It started smooth, then came a peeled steer tire in Tennessee, a $3,000 headlight, and an all-night standstill on I-81 in Virginia after a crash that took the lives of two truck drivers. A real look at what the miles cost, and what they’re worth. Photos and the full story at m2gt.com.

Hey you, it’s me. How does a corporate buyer for Amazon, Sears, and Walmart end up behind the wheel of a big rig? In this episode, I share the whole story: years of moving for work, the day my husband enrolled in trucking school, Top Gun safety training, a shady dealership and a hurricane-flooded Kenworth, and how we finally found our home with FedEx Custom Critical. Plus, meet our road dogs, Thumper and Rocky, and hear why our company is named after a Robert Frost poem. Photos and the full story at m2gt.com.

Hey you, it’s me. Welcome to Keep the Shiny Side Up! I’m Etien, owner of Miles 2 Go Transport. In this first episode, I explain what “keep the shiny side up” means, share a little about how I traded a corporate career for a big rig, and why I’m turning our trucking blog into a podcast: to share real stories from the road and show the people behind the wheel. Full stories at m2gt.com/blog/.