Land Line Now

Robyn Roberts has been behind the wheel of a truck since 2008. But in the past few years, she has pursued a dream she’s long had – getting a college degree on the way toward a law degree. Here is our full interview with Robyn.

Fighting back against broker fraud and broker abuse starts with holding bad actors accountable. OOIDA has a new tool designed to make that a bit easier. Also, later this month, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will launch its Human Trafficking Awareness initiative. So what’s involved? Jake Elovirta of CVSA comes on the show to explain. And 2023 ended on another down note in the spot market. But there are some bright spots to point out as we begin a new year with new hopes. Robert Rouse of DAT breaks down the latest numbers.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:07 – New tool designed to help hold bad brokers accountable

24:49 – CVSA program looks to help combat human trafficking

39:14 – Some bright spots in the market as we start 2024

Annual spending bills now in Congress could block mandates of speed limiters and automatic emergency braking systems. But can those bills make it through the House and Senate? Also, a dream delayed is not a dream denied. Trucker Robyn Roberts says that was her mantra as she pursued her dream inside the cab of a truck. Robyn joins the show to talk about her pursuit of a college degree after two successful careers, one of which was behind the wheel. And what are the most easily avoided tickets out there? We’ll get a rundown on that and more from David Grimes and Alex Clark of CDL Legal.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:07 – Grandmother pursues college degree while hauling freight

24:49 – The most easily avoided tickets

39:14 – Bill that would block speed limiter, AEB mandates held up in Congress

A report from the American Transportation Research Institute sheds some light on just how bad predatory towing practices have become. Also, we’ll look back at last year through the prism of our website, breaking down the five stories that yielded the most clicks in 2023. And when it comes to comfort in the cab, few things matter more than your seat. Manufacturers offer a wide variety of options, which we’ll discuss with Bryan Martin of Chrome Shop Mafia. Then, two state lawmakers in Oregon are pushing for a one-day special session of the Legislature to reassess the state’s tax collection on large trucks.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:07 – Predatory towing has gotten bad

24:49 – The bottom line on seating

39:14 – Oregon may reassess taxes on large trucks

We’ll look back at the year through the prism of our website, breaking down the five stories that yielded the most clicks in 2023. Also, we’ll talk with a trucker whose actions helped save a victim of human trafficking. And a new research paper says the numbers don’t back up the narrative of a driver shortage. We’ll talk with one of the authors about why that narrative continues to be pushed. Then, two state lawmakers in Oregon are pushing for a one-day special session of the Legislature to reassess the state’s tax collection on large trucks.

0:00 – Top stories of 2023 

10:07 – Trucker honored for actions that saved human trafficking victim

24:49 – Turnover vs. shortage: What the numbers say

39:14 – States eye trucking taxes, road funding

As autonomous vehicle and autonomous technology companies race to get their products on the road, plenty of questions remain unanswered. Also, we’ll offer federal lawmakers and regulatory agencies some New Year’s resolutions to help truckers have a better 2024. And speed limiters are one of the hottest issues right now in the trucking industry. We’ll get an update on where the issue stands from OOIDA’s Doug Morris.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:07 – Are autonomous vehicle policies missing the mark?

24:49 – Some New Year’s resolutions for the government

39:14 – How do we stop the speed limiter mandate?

The holidays often come with a lull on the spot market, which often means better rates for those who continue to work. Is that trend holding true this year? Robert Rouse of DAT tells us, and highlights a region of the country where owner-operators can make a little extra dough. Also, a longtime columnist for Land Line Magazine is putting down his pen for good. We sit down with Managing Editor Jami Jones to talk about Dave Sweetman. And for those who start their own trucking businesses, paperwork becomes a very big part of their lives as well – including keeping basic records.

0:00 – Newscast

10:07 – Happy retirement Diesel Dave Sweetman

24:49 – Record-keeping tips for tax time

39:14 – Holiday bump for rates this year

A new analysis from the American Transportation Research Institute lays out just how difficult it will be for California to go electric. Also, lawmakers are calling out the rampant problem of broker fraud in the trucking industry. We’ll cover that and more in our latest Land Line Roundtable. And a passion for trucks paired with a talent behind a camera led Chris Fiffie to create Big Rig Videos. We recently spoke with him about how he got started, his experience behind the wheel and how he's found success doing what he once considered a dream job.

0:00 – Congressman calls out broker fraud 

10:07 – ATRI: Going electric won’t be easy

24:49 – A look inside Big Rig Videos

Federal regulators have big plans in 2024 for new trucking rules. We’ve previewed quite a few of the possible changes. OOIDA Director of Federal Affairs Jay Grimes joins the program to break down a few others. Also, we’ll have our annual tradition – a reading of the truckers’ version of the classic holiday poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Then, a current trucker and a former one have taken to preaching to truckers where they are – on the road. And every year, we bring you trucking versions of classic Christmas carols, most written and all inspired by longtime trucking writer Bill Hudgins. We call it the Hudgins Holiday Singalong.

0:00 – Upcoming regulations in 2024 

10:07 – “A Visit from St. Nicholas” – trucking style

24:49 – Providing a place to worship on the road

39:14 – The Hudgins Holiday Singalong

Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois called out the rampant problem of broker fraud in trucking during a recent hearing in the U.S. House. Also, Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation joins us to look at the third quarter trends in the freight market through the lens of owner-operators, leased-on owner-operators and company drivers. And New Mexico is taking a close look at a large section of Interstate 40 running through the state, determining the problems that exist along that stretch with an eye toward possible solutions.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:07 – Reading the tea leaves in the freight market

24:49 – Congressman calls out broker fraud

39:14 – New Mexico takes a look at problems on I-40