Recently I helped sell a top-of-the-line truck seat to an owner operator. Our green program offers a monetary trade-in allowance on any truck seat. The owner operator did not take advantage of the trade-in program. As part of our customer satisfaction follow-up, I inquired as to what happened to the old seat. A green use would have been to refurbish it and reuse it in another truck. At a minimum, it could be stripped of all usable parts and the leftovers properly recycled.... Read More

Calling those involved in the business of driving for a living as a commercial truck driver, “professional drivers” has led to much of the disrespect people have for the trucking industry and it’s in my opinion, the single most detriment to the way trucking companies view them.... Read More

Budgeting is one of the most important things any Owner-Operator can do to ensure financial stability. Operating without a budget is like driving your 80,000-pound rig down the highway at night with no lights on. It might be a straight shot to your destination, but what about unforeseen obstacles, speed bumps, and construction zones? It’s the exact same idea when handling your business and personal cash flows. It’s time to get out of the “I’m living paycheck to paycheck” mentality and start planning for the future and the unexpected with a financial road map—your budget.... Read More

I've talked about this many times but can't seem to get any consensus other than the usual griping from the usual suspects. But I still haven't gotten a satisfactory answer to my question. The question is this and it's simple - why do carriers require small business owner operators to build up a hold back? After all, the small business owner operator has more capital tied up in the relationship with the carrier than the carrier. Shouldn't it be the other way around?... Read More

It's not the Sign On, Sign Off, Sign Here Bonus. It's not the referral and we will pay you in six months if he stays bonus. It is not the “we will pay if you can put up with us and last 90 days bonus” It’s not the bonus, nor money that makes people happy and content with their work, it's the personal relationships. ... Read More

Smartphones are extremely useful for Owner-Operators, who spend a lot of time on the road and away from an office. Your smartphone enables you to have access to a wide range of useful tools and information. Utilize these tools to make your life easier while on the go:

1. Access the Internet:
• Access your settlement information at your carrier’s website ... Read More

In 1998, I changed careers. I left the practice of law after many years and started a career in trucking. I was trained and experienced to “think like a lawyer.” It took a couple of years to temper that and learn to also think like a leader and businessman. Lawyers generally do not understand business. You see lawyers think differently than the rest of us. One can only acquire the ability to “think like a lawyer” by surviving three brutal years of law school and a tortuous bar examination. Practicing law develops this trait further.... Read More

Owner-Operators know that Preventative Maintenance (PM) on your truck pays off in the long run. Industry estimates say PM can cut your breakdown costs in half. Maintaining the health of your truck is important, but taking care of yourself is an invaluable part of being a successful Owner-Operator. ... Read More

Two things happened recently and almost simultaneously that have a profound affect on our lives as truckers. Now maybe you won’t see the immediate significance of either of these events or even conclude they are not related in any way but they are inextricably related and as small business owner operators and drivers you will see how.... Read More

There are two separate issues before the courts presently regarding questionable practices at Swift Transportation Inc of Phoenix, Arizona.