On Air with AirFreight.com

Trucking has plenty of trailers. They're just in the wrong place.

Todd Waldron, Chief Commercial Officer at REPOWR, joins host Kevin Carpenter to break down the trailer sharing marketplace that has moved more than 60,000 trailers across 10,000+ carriers and 275 suppliers. A dry van now runs about $50,000 and a reefer up to $90,000, yet the average trailer spends 30 to 40 percent of its life empty or idle. REPOWR lets fleets relocate trailers by renting them out instead of paying a driver to go out of route, and gives carriers and shippers access to equipment right where they need it.

Kevin asks the expedite question: how fast can you actually reposition a trailer? Todd walks through short run pricing, the new loadaway product and a realistic five to seven day window. They also get into trailer tracking, fraud and the guardrails owners set over who hauls their equipment, when owning still beats renting, and how REPOWR's trailer optimization platform balances trailer pools automatically. Then Todd takes on the On Air Gauntlet, and pickles do not fare well.

Todd has 19 years in transportation, including CH Robinson, JB Hunt (where he helped build JB Hunt 360), CEO of Q Carriers, and VP of Carrier Experience at Truckstop.

Learn more about REPOWR: https://www.repowr.com
Need something moved today? https://www.airfreight.com

On Air with AirFreight.com explores every corner of the transportation world with the people who keep it moving.

The Supreme Court removed the federal preemption defense freight brokers relied on for decades. Brian Dreher, Vice President of Transportation at Brown & Brown, joins Kevin Carpenter to explain what actually changed and what it means for anyone who hires a carrier.

They get into the practical stuff: why "any auto" policies have mostly given way to scheduled auto and scheduled driver policies, why verifying that the specific van and driver on your load appear on the carrier's policy is now the highest-value check a broker can run, and how to get that written onto the certificate in the first place.

Brian also explains why the bigger near-term cost is not the nuclear verdict everyone fears. It is the price of defending the suits that are now worth filing. Old cases are being pulled back into play. Reasonable care will mean something different in every state. And all of it points the same direction on premiums, which points the same direction on freight rates.

Chapters
0:00 The subject nobody wants to talk about
1:46 Why carriers cut corners on insurance
3:56 The red flag to check on every certificate
5:57 What "scheduled" actually means
7:03 Reading the COI and asking for VIN numbers
8:15 The Supreme Court ruling, explained
9:17 What counts as a nuclear verdict
11:20 Reasonable care and who carries the burden
13:15 How deep does carrier vetting have to go
14:42 Put it in writing, and the shipper's share
17:19 Old suits coming back, and the cost of defense
20:16 Why freight rates are going up
22:59 The On Air Gauntlet

A note on the case: it comes up in conversation as "Caribe versus C.H. Robinson." The full name is Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, decided May 14, 2026 in a unanimous 9-0 opinion written by Justice Barrett. The Court held that the FAAAA does not preempt state negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers, because those claims fall within the statute's safety exception.

Guest: Brian Dreher, Vice President of Transportation, Brown & Brown

On Air with AirFreight.com is hosted by Kevin Carpenter, who has spent nearly 20 years in expedited freight operations. New episodes cover the people, decisions, and pressure behind time-critical shipping.

Listen wherever you get podcasts:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-air-with-airfreight-com/id1896897939
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033v3HrCwuSWhoy0rLv3Qx

AirFreight.com moves time-critical freight by air and ground across North America. https://www.airfreight.com

#expeditedfreight #freightbroker #logistics #truckinginsurance #supplychain

Todd Anderson came to AirFreight.com after nearly ten years at one of the largest expeditors in the country, first leading an operations team on the 3PL side, then in corporate project management. He and Kevin work through the mode hierarchy, from air charter down to ground expedite, and why an NFO handled front and back is a different product from handing a shipment to an airline and hoping. The part worth the listen is his standard for judging a carrier: anyone can run a clean shipment, so he watches what happens when one goes wrong. He tells it through a carrier who dropped freight at the wrong address on a first shipment with a new customer. The communication was honest and immediate, they tracked the freight down, and that customer is now his biggest.

00:00 Intro
00:52 Ten years at one of the largest expeditors in the country
01:41 What makes freight "expedite": speed and care
02:51 Why a dedicated truck removes the failure points
03:52 The mode hierarchy, starting with air charter
05:45 NFO, hand carry, and who actually touches your freight
09:43 Why "hotshot" means something different in Texas
10:35 What a top-tier carrier network really means
10:51 How Todd judges a carrier when something goes wrong
12:10 The wrong address delivery that created his biggest customer
13:33 The vetting process, and going deeper than the surface
16:17 Coast to coast coverage on one-off, time-critical freight
19:02 Two customers: the one paying us and the one we pay
20:17 "A diamond in the rough"
20:53 The On Air Gauntlet

John Mark Peterson, one of AirFreight.com's top expediting agents, joins Kevin Carpenter to talk about what it's really like inside a traditional truckload brokerage, and why he left it behind. From "boiler room" sales culture to carrier accountability to what happens when a shipment is actually time critical, John Mark breaks down the differences most customers never see.

They cover the vetting process behind AirFreight.com's carrier pool, why "somewhat time critical" doesn't mean the same thing everywhere, and how a company built for the most urgent loads operates differently from a volume-driven brokerage. The episode closes with a fast round of personal questions on the On Air Gauntlet.

Chapter Markers

00:00 Welcome and introducing John Mark Peterson
 00:41 Life before AirFreight.com: the truckload brokerage world
 02:22 The "boiler room" sales culture
 05:22 Broker liability and why the vetting process matters
 06:40 Fighting on two fronts: customer and carrier
 06:57 Why almost nobody is accountable in that market
 09:47 Culture shock moving to AirFreight.com
 10:32 How AirFreight.com's leads actually work
 11:25 The AI chatbot story
 12:20 How shipment updates really happen (or don't)
 13:52 What "time critical" means at a volume brokerage
 14:23 "You can pick up in 3 to 4 hours?"
 15:36 Why some customers accept the risk anyway
 16:15 30 hours late and nobody called
 19:00 Telling customers when we're not the right fit
 21:02 Company mindset vs. solo mindset
 23:09 The On Air Gauntlet

On this episode of On Air with AirFreight.com, host Kevin Carpenter sits down with Mike Pettrey, CEO of C&M Transport out of Painesville, Ohio — one of AirFreight.com's most trusted carrier partners and one of the oldest expedite companies in the country, now in its 35th year.

Mike shares how his father founded C&M around fair treatment of drivers and owner-operators, why straight trucks and sprinter vans became the backbone of the expedite industry, and how dedicated capacity mitigates cargo risk that traditional LTL can't. The conversation covers freight rate compression since 1991, the industry's price-driven race to the bottom, why regulatory crackdowns are (in their view) good for carriers who play it straight, and how technology — real-time tracking, proactive delay alerts — is raising the bar for customer transparency without replacing the human judgment calls that keep freight moving safely.

It closes out with the On Air Gauntlet: Mike's top vacation spot, favorite Browns QB of all time, and what he wants C&M's legacy to be.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & introducing Mike Pettrey, CEO of C&M Transport
 01:11 – How C&M started: a family business built on a straight truck
 02:45 – What straight trucks are and their role on the road
 03:31 – Automotive lean manufacturing and the birth of expedite
 04:45 – Dedicated trucks vs. multi-stop freight: mitigating cargo risk
 06:05 – Dispatching at 12 years old: why Mike's dad started C&M
 08:17 – Fair treatment of carriers and owner-operators
 09:43 – Transparency with customers, taking care of drivers on the road
 10:09 – Finding freight nationwide: the Cleveland market and beyond
 10:57 – Freight rates then vs. now: testifying before Congress
 12:43 – A price-driven industry and the race to the bottom
 13:28 – Regulatory changes and cleaning up the industry
 14:02 – Ethics as a "house of cards": why cutting corners catches up
 15:28 – The fair trade food analogy: vetting carriers like sourcing
 17:42 – Avoiding worst-case outcomes on time-critical freight
 18:11 – The recent Supreme Court decision and industry accountability
 18:34 – Held to a higher standard: fraud in transportation
 20:47 – C&M's pricing philosophy: not cheapest, not priciest
 21:13 – A customer's costly lesson in choosing price over quality
 22:56 – Technology and transparency: live tracking and dash cam links
 23:16 – Proactive delay alerts before problems happen
 24:43 – From cork boards and payphones to real-time tech
 25:26 – Why the human element isn't going anywhere
 25:53 – Humans vs. AI agents on the phone
 26:51 – The On Air Gauntlet: vacation spot, favorite Browns QB, legacy
 28:41 – Closing thanks

Beyond Insurance: Navigating Final Mile Challenges in Expedited Logistics

In this episode, Kevin Carpenter interviews Bryan Ice, a seasoned insurance broker specializing in final mile logistics, to uncover the nuances of risk management, industry evolution, and emerging legal challenges in expedited shipping. They discuss the intricacies of vetting carriers, recent court rulings, and how companies are adapting to a rapidly changing landscape.

In this episode:

• Bryan's background and the origin story of B3 insurance program

• The evolution of the final mile industry and its impact on insurance practices

• How recent Supreme Court rulings (Montgomery v. Carib Transport) influence carrier vetting

• Differences between traditional freight insurance and niche final mile coverage

• Challenges and opportunities with gig economy and app-based delivery operations

• The importance of detailed risk assessments and customized coverage formulas

• Industry trends accelerated by COVID-19 and consumer expectations for same-day delivery

• The importance of strict vetting processes amid legal and regulatory changes

• How businesses are staying agile in the face of legal, technological, and workforce shifts

• Bryan's personal reflections on fatherhood and professional legacy

Discover the behind-the-scenes of expedited freight logistics, how technology has transformed the industry, and why personalized service remains crucial. Join Kevin and Steve as they share 15 years of experience navigating high-stakes shipping, tech innovations, and customer relationships.

In this episode:

• The significant technological advancements in expediting since 2011
• How a personal touch is maintained amid automation
• The importance of honest communication about service capabilities
• Real-life stories of handling high-pressure shipments, including air charters
• The evolving landscape post-COVID and its impact on reliable service
• The benefits of a single point of contact model for customer experience
• The strategic choice of air charter versus scheduled air and ground expedite
• How automation can sometimes misrepresent service capabilities
• The critical role of honesty and transparency with customers about potential delays

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Steve Jansen

00:32 - Starting with Airfreight.com in 2011: How it all began

01:25 - Transition from paper to electronic systems over 15 years

02:20 - Technological advancements and staying on the cutting edge

03:25 - The impact of company leadership on embracing technology

04:22 - Continuous improvement through weekly meetings and innovation

05:13 - Balancing automation with personal customer service

06:06 - Why customers need direct human interaction for critical shipments

06:56 - The single point of contact model and its benefits

08:03 - Managing emergency calls after hours and customer relationships

09:11 - Handling rare urgent shipments like air charters

10:14 - The high stakes and logistics of air charters

11:41 - The fun and challenge of coordinating time-critical flights

12:34 - Comparing scheduled air versus charter for reliability

14:39 - Post-COVID changes and the acceptance of service failures

15:09 - The importance of acknowledging service failures to build trust

16:09 - Current success rates and managing customer expectations

17:01 - Offering honest advice on the best transportation mode

18:13 - Common automation pitfalls in freight booking

19:04 - The risks of improper automation and capacity misrepresentation

20:22 - How business decisions at large companies affect service quality

21:11 - Final thoughts: continuous improvement and customer trust

In this episode of OnAir with Airfreight.com, host Kevin Carpenter sits down with John Elliott, founder and executive chairman of Load One, to talk about building one of the country’s leading expedited freight carriers and what it takes to stay competitive in a fast-changing industry.

John walks through his unusual path into trucking, starting with a family legacy in transportation, a college degree in aviation management, and an early career that eventually brought him back to freight. He shares how Load One began as a regional truckload carrier before a series of decisions — including one persistent employee bringing him an expedite opportunity — pushed the company into the expedited freight space.

The conversation covers:

• John’s family history in trucking and how it shaped his career
• Why Load One initially focused on regional freight and low-hanging opportunities
• How a hands-on leadership style helped the company grow
• The role of technology in improving driver experience, operations, and customer service
• Why Load One built its own software instead of relying on standard industry platforms
• How AI and automation are changing trucking operations
• A hard-earned lesson about cargo insurance and subrogation
• John’s perspective on the current state of trucking, freight cycles, and carrier failures
• What it looks like to transition leadership while still staying involved

John also reflects on what matters most after decades in the industry: building the right team, giving back, and helping shape trucking for the long term.

Key takeaways

• Staying close to drivers and staff builds trust and culture.
• Technology can be a major differentiator when service levels are similar.
• Trucking remains cyclical, and strong operators win by managing costs and cash flow.
• Leadership transitions work best when they are intentional and gradual.
• Long-term industry impact includes service, advocacy, and giving back.

Notable moments

• The story of how Load One entered expedited freight
• Why John believes owning software and data creates a strategic advantage
• The insurance lesson that became an expensive but important wake-up call
• John’s view that trucking affects the whole economy

About the guest

John Elliott is the founder and executive chairman of Load One, a major expedited freight carrier based in Taylor, Michigan. He is also a former vice president of the American Trucking Associations and former chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association.

Unlock the complexities behind urgent logistics and how expert providers like airfreight.com support industries that can't afford delays. This episode features real-world examples from Mauser Packaging Solutions and deep dives into the critical decisions that keep production lines moving smoothly.

Main Topics:

• The role of expedited freight in manufacturing and industrial sectors
• Strategies for handling urgent shipments and overcoming supply chain disruptions
• The importance of dedicated single-point contact service in high-pressure logistics
• How machinery breakdowns and part shortages are managed efficiently
• Cost considerations: Expediting versus regular shipping methods
• Real-world logistics challenges and successful problem-solving stories

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to high-stakes expedited shipping and episode guests
00:32 - Overview of Mouser Packaging Solutions and their product lines
01:15 - Logistics challenges at Mauser's Mason, Ohio plants
01:47 - Industries served by Mauser: industrial, medical, and food grade
02:08 - Kim Hardwick discusses Mouser's shipping and freight patterns
02:40 - Handling urgent customer requests and last-minute production needs
03:27 - The role of expedited services when contracted carriers can't meet deadlines
04:23 - The process of pulling in emergency orders to fulfill customer demands
05:01 - Managing short-notice shipments and the importance of quick decision-making
05:45 - The complexity of LTL shipping and its transfer points
06:35 - The peace of mind offered by dedicated expedited shipping services
07:21 - The impact of logistics on production schedules and reputation
08:24 - The advantages of a single point of contact in logistics management
09:53 - Kim’s experience with communication breakdowns in past shipments
10:35 - Transition to Dan Palmer’s role in emergency situations
11:01 - The scale of Mouser’s manufacturing capacity and cost considerations
12:37 - The critical decision-making process during machine failures and urgent parts needs
13:38 - Managing machine downtime and the costs of delays
14:05 - Charter air freight as a solution for urgent equipment needs
15:03 - Real-world examples of using air charter for critical machinery parts
16:40 - The importance of Real-time updates and transparency in logistics
17:04 - The significance of precise timing and handling during crises
19:34 - The challenges when shipments get stuck in logistics limbo and how to recover
20:35 - High-pressure situations and the value of committed service providers
22:29 - The story of managing a shipment stuck in Indianapolis
24:02 - The importance of knowledge and decisive action in overcoming logistics hurdles
25:42 - Wrap-up emphasizing partnership and ongoing support in high-stakes environments

In this episode, Kevin Carpenter hosts Daniel Perry, a private equity expert from Court Square Capital Partners, to explore how investors evaluate transportation companies for scalability and growth. We delve into what makes a transportation business attractive to private equity, the role of sales and marketing, and how AI is transforming sales processes in logistics.

Main Insights:

• Private equity firms like Court Square raise billions to acquire and improve companies, aiming for a 2.4x return over 4–6 years
• Evans Network exemplifies a value-driven, service-based transportation company focusing on owner-operators and small markets
• Key factors for investment include company culture, business model, customer concentration, and contractual relationships
• Evans employs dual sales forces: one for agent partnerships, another for direct customers, utilizing AI to enhance targeting and lead qualification
• The company’s core expertise is in drayage, providing backend support for port-to-warehouse freight, mainly short hauls
• AI tools assist in sales efficiency, lead qualification, and proactive account management, including early warning indicators for agent attrition
• Private equity evaluates potential acquisitions systematically, emphasizing scalability, contract stability, and service-based assets

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to private equity's role in transportation 00:19 - What private equity firms like Court Square do 01:20 - How investments generate returns 02:42 - Notable investors and global reach 03:14 - Private equity exit strategies and company improvements 04:11 - What makes Evans’ model attractive for investment 05:01 - Evans’ focus on small markets and owner-operators 05:27 - Providing backend support as a service business 06:07 - Sales strategies for Evans, including agent and direct sales 07:43 - Explaining Evans' official classification as a 3PL 08:03 - Drayage operations and local freight hauling 09:15 - The agent network and customer base 10:25 - Use of AI in sales prospecting and lead qualification 11:37 - Efficiency improvements with AI and human collaboration 12:10 - Setting sales targets and organization structure 13:14 - Sales process automation and account management 14:02 - Early warning systems for agent retention 15:11 - How AI enhances sales and operations 16:30 - The importance of human touch in customer service 17:08 - Handling non-emergency freight customers 18:36 - Analyzing sales calls with AI for performance insights 19:14 - Key metrics distinguishing top salespeople 20:34 - Providing industry insights to customers as a sales advantage 21:34 - The value of operational expertise in customer interactions 22:26 - Active market assessment and quality criteria for acquisitions 23:50 - Customer concentration and contractual relationships 24:36 - Assets versus services in transportation acquisitions 25:00 - Closing remarks and promotion for airfreight.com