Truckload Indexes

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK By TCA Retention Coach Ray Haight Recapping what we have learned so far from this series of articles would have us remember step one, which was creating a firm foundation for change starting with a commitment from the senior leadership. Step 2 was determining where you are in the marketplace for driver compensation […]

Ashley Coker IMAGE: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES Some highlights from this month’s J.D. Power Commercial Truck Guidelines industry update: Volume at auction on the rise The number of trucks sold at auction rose moderately in February, which the report called a “encouraging data point” for a month without many auctions on the calendar. Pricing trended lower, but […]

R. Eddie Wayland, TCA Legal Counsel IMAGE: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued an important decision related to the classification of workers as either employees or independent contractors under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The decision is important because it overrules changes made to the independent contractor analysis under the […]

IMAGE: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES By Steve Hitchcock, COO of Duncan and Son Lines I’ve read a couple of books recently that made me happy: “Factfulness” by Hans Rosling and “Enlightenment Now” by Steven Pinker.  Each book flies in the face of the doom and gloom we see and read every day in our news and other […]

Brian Snell, a professional truck driver for Pottle’s Transportation of Hermon, Maine, has been named the 2018 Highway Angel of the Year by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and its partner EpicVue. Snell was recognized during Tuesday’s general session at TCA’s 81st Annual Convention in Las Vegas. On June 8, 2018 at 2:15 a.m., the Snell […]

The overall winners were announced during TCA’s 81st Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, March 11.

One session at TCA’s 81st Annual Convention, dubbed “Helping Your Independent Contractors When You Can’t ‘Help’ Them,” examined how motor carriers can enhance the experience of the owner-operators they contract without putting the “arm’s length” relationship in jeopardy.

IMAGE: JIM ALLEN / FREIGHTWAVES Central Oregon Truck Company, Inc. of Redmond, Oregon, Searcy Specialized of Harrison, Ohio, and Meritor, Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri were recognized for their contributions to the 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree during Sunday’s Communications & Image Policy Committee meeting at the Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) 81st Annual Convention in Las […]

Ashley Coker IMAGE: JIM ALLEN / FREIGHTWAVES TCA Retention Coach Ray Haight will speak at the National Recruiting and Retention Symposium in Ontario, Canada next month. The symposium, powered by TransRep, will focus on educating transportation industry leaders about recruitment, retention and human resources issues. “Drivers are most carriers’ number one issue,” Haight said. “Education […]

Smaller fleets see best growth in driver capacity, but shippers only tap them once in a while, creating more volatility.

R. Eddie Wayland, TCA Legal Counsel IMAGE: JIM ALLEN / FREIGHTWAVES The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which is based in Philadelphia and has federal jurisdiction over Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, recently issued an important decision related to the classification of drivers as independent contractors. Carriers […]

FMCSA estimates over 11,000 Class B truck drivers will save time and money using the new process.

(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) By Ray Haight, TCA Retention Coach An old saying goes “Silence speaks louder than words” and this can be especially true if your company doesn’t have an effective, robust communication strategy in place. If you aren’t using your words to effective communicate, I would guess that your retention numbers are suffering much by […]

Ashley Coker IMAGE: JIM ALLEN / FREIGHTWAVES It is no secret that truck driving can take a toll on one’s physical wellbeing. From obesity to smoking, drivers consistently experience more risk factors for serious disease than other Americans. However, it is becoming clear that their mental health also takes a hit. On the physical side, […]

IMAGE: JIM ALLEN / FREIGHTWAVES By TCA Vice President of Government Affairs Dave Heller & TCA Manager of Government Affairs Kathryn Sanner February saw the start of Congress’ work on infrastructure reform. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee has held two hearings on the subject so far, with more to come. The Senate Commerce Committee […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES) One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, “What are the best KPIs that we/I should be tracking in my/our business?”. The answer can be dramatically different depending on your operating mode and model. To exacerbate the problem, from a benchmarking (comparison) point […]

Ashley Coker IMAGE: WIKIPEDIA COMMONS About 40,000 pounds of broccoli was scattered across a metro Atlanta freeway after a truck overturned earlier this month. The broccoli was not met with the same zeal from passersby as last month’s frozen chicken spill. After a truck spilled chicken tenders across an Alabama highway, local law enforcement officials […]

Ashley Coker IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed a bill that will allow drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 to operate a commercial vehicle for the purpose of interstate commerce in the state if and when they are permitted to do so by federal law. The impetus to allow younger drivers […]

Ashley Coker IMAGE: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES New York has banned empty tractor trailers from portions of the New York State Thruway and some interstates in the western and central parts of the state due to high winds. Wind gusts as strong as 86 mph howled across the state Sunday, February 24 and Monday, February 25. Winds […]

(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) Guest Authors: Tim Almack – Partner – Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM) & David Roush – President – KSM Transport Advisors (KSMTA) This is the second article in a five-part series related to isolating and understanding the gap which exists between Knowing and Doing in your business.Prior to our recent TCA Profitability Seminar […]

R. Eddie Wayland, TCA Legal Counsel IMAGE: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES The third-party logistics provider (“3PL”) in this case had a clause in its Motor Carriage Services Contract with a non-exclusive trucking company. The clause prevented the trucking company (“carrier”) from hiring or trying to hire any of the 3PL’s employees while the two companies were still […]

The FreightWaves Research Institute, in conjunction with industry partners, universities and technology vendors announces the “War on Detention Pledge” – a promise for companies involved in the freight transportation ecosystem to develop and advance research, initiatives and best practices to mitigate uncompensated asset and driver detention.

The FreightWaves Research Institute, in conjunction with industry partners, universities and technology vendors announces the “War on Detention Pledge” – a promise for companies involved in the freight transportation ecosystem to develop and advance research, initiatives and best practices to mitigate uncompensated asset and driver detention.

Ashley Coker IMAGE: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES Food and beverages were among the top commodities targeted in North American cargo theft incidents last year, according to a recent report from BSI Supply Chain Services and Solutions. BSI is a leading global provider of supply chain intelligence, auditing services, risk management compliance solutions and advisory services. The report […]

PHOTO: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES By TCA Retention Coach Ray Haight So far we have talked about setting your retention and recruiting efforts up for success. We have also discussed the TPP Retention Project platform and the expectations for conduct throughout this effort and the importance of knowing where you are in the marketplace on driver wage. […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (SOURCE: SHUTTERSTOCK) Nothing irritates me more than a poorly designed order / checkout process on a website. The causes of frustration can be numerous, however many of them can fall into one of three categories: Asking for unneeded or information already entered (we’re looking at you American Airlines) […]

(PHOTO: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES) By TCA Vice President of Government Affairs Dave Heller & TCA Manager of Government Affairs Kathryn Sanner By now, you have undoubtedly read the news that a new study by researchers from Northeastern University and the University of Arkansas suggests that electronic logging devices (ELDs) do not directly improve the safety of […]

Driver detention has plagued the trucking industry for years,. Now that the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate is in effect and fleets are decked out with more technology than ever, carriers have a better view of just how much detention is costing them.

Driver detention has plagued the trucking industry for years. Now that the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate is in effect and fleets are decked out with more technology than ever, carriers have a better view of just how much detention is costing them.

(SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS) The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has partnered again this year with the Alliance for Toll Free Interstates (ATFI). ATFI is a national coalition comprised of individuals, businesses, and organizations working to maintain the longstanding policy of protecting existing interstates from new tolls. As a partner, TCA is working with like-minded businesses and […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: TRUCKSTOCKIMAGES.COM) Forbes has named Covenant Transport (NASDAQ: CVTI) one of America’s Best Employers For Diversity in 2019. Coming in at number 463, Covenant was the only truckload carrier to make the list. Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to determine the top 500 employers for diversity. Statista anonymously surveyed 50,000 Americans […]

Fleets participating in the TCA Profitability Program (TPP) gain access to benchmarking data that can help them improve operations.

Ashley Coker CHART: TCA DATA HOUSES INSIDE FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR Average length of haul has been trending up since October 2018, according to TCA data housed inside FreightWaves’ SONAR. The data indicates average length of haul came in at 626 miles in October 2018, then climbed to 638 miles in November 2018. TCA’s average length of […]

R. Eddie Wayland, TCA Legal Counsel (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) The Union in this case sought to represent a unit of drivers at one of the carrier’s facilities.   Under the Union’s petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), only drivers would be represented. The carrier argued that the unit should be a “wall-to-wall” unit of all […]

(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) In Part One, we talked about the delusion of the industry, the sales job to the “inside the walls” personnel, and a little about apathy. The next step, if you were to follow the process of the TCA Retention Program, would be to establish how we as a company conduct ourselves moving forward. […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: YELL COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT) A professional truck driver attempted to cross a wooden bridge in rural Arkansas despite posted weight limit signs last week. Both the truck and the bridge ended up being submerged in the river below. A Yell County Sheriff’s Office issued a ticket to the driver for […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: JOHN WESTON, CHALLENGER MOTOR FREIGHT, 2017 WINNER OF HIGHWAY ANGEL OF THE YEAR, AND NASHVILLE RECORDING ARTIST LINDSAY LAWLER, THE OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON OF THE HIGHWAY ANGEL PROGRAM) The Truckload Carriers Association has been recognizing Highway Angels, or professional truck drivers who demonstrate compassion and courage on the road, since its 1997 inception. […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) After a record-breaking year of nominations , the Truckload Carriers Association announced the 2019 Best Fleets to Drive For. The competition, hosted in conjunction with CarriersEdge, employs a four-pronged approach to identifying the best of the best. The competition is open to all for-hire trucking companies operating 10 trucks or more […]

The more we hear about the detrimental effects of detention time on our industry, the more truckload carrier leaders should be scratching their heads. Even in one of the most lucrative years on record, it is clear that operations could be made so much more profitable if this simple problem of detention time were addressed.

(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) By TCA Vice President of Government Affairs Dave Heller & TCA Manager of Government Affairs Kathryn Sanner The more we hear about the detrimental effects of detention time on our industry, the more truckload carrier leaders should be scratching their heads. Even in one of the most lucrative years on record, it is […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE) Five years ago, I first read a book called The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg. I have since re-read this powerful book three times. The Power of Habit introduces the reader […]

Driver detention has been causing headaches and lost wages for years, but the ELD mandate has shone a spotlight on the issue like never before. For the first time, carriers have the data to back up what they have always known. Spireon hosted a webinar in collaboration with FreightWaves to delve into the issue further […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE) While most fleets along the East Coast are focused on keeping equipment and drivers well-equipped to handle winter weather, there’s another threat looming in the area: spotted lanternflies. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species from Asia that first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2014, according to The […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program Recently, Knight-Swift announced a 28% positive revision on their earnings guidance for Q4 2018. Details will be confirmed on January 29th when they release officially. However, this industry leader appears to have been one of many to report better than expected earnings to the street. With a current […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES) In New Prime v. Oliveira, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that changes the way arbitration agreements will be handled in the trucking industry, especially when leased owner operators are involved. A driver operating as an independent contractor filed a class action lawsuit against New Prime, claiming that the […]

Ashley Coker 2017 DRIVER OF THE YEAR CONTESTS – AWARDS PRESENTATION. PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER AND BIG G EXPRESS, INC.’S STEPHEN RICHARDSON WAS DEEMED THE 2017 COMPANY DRIVER OF THE YEAR. (PHOTO: TCA) The Truckload Carriers Association announced the finalists for the 2018 Driver of the Year contests last week, recognizing both company drivers and owner […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) Recently, during a conversation with a TPP Best Practice Group member, he relayed his initial motivation for applying to the program. After almost a decade of continued growth, and the advantage of a smart operations team, his company’s Operating Ratio hadn’t budged, in fact it was […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES) Some highlights from this month’s J.D. Power Commercial Truck Guidelines industry update: Class 8 auction market showed little change The number of trucks sold at auction decreased mildly in December 2018, and pricing also came in somewhat lower across most models. There appeared to be less tolerance for slightly high […]

(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) By TCA Vice President of Government Affairs Dave Heller & TCA Manager of Government Affairs Kathryn Sanner At this point in time, virtually everyone around the world, even in the most remote places, has undoubtedly heard the news that the United States government is divided and that we are in the midst of […]

Click here to nominate your Shipper of Choice FreightWaves announces the Shipper of Choice Award, which will highlight the top 25 shippers in America as voted on by carrier-members of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA). The winner of the award will be unveiled at Transparency19 in Atlanta this […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) A truck hauling frozen chicken crashed in rural Alabama last week, spilling tenders onto the highway. The local sheriff’s office had to warn people against stopping to pick-up dinner from the scene of the accident. The crash happened on Alabama Highway 35 in Cherokee County, near the Georgia state line. It […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES) The Wyoming Department of Transportation is embarking on a mission to improve safety conditions on a stretch of Interstate 80 that is prone to brutal winter conditions and high crash rates. Plans include creating passing lanes and adding truck parking areas. WYDOT will fund the project, dubbed the I-80 Winter […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: DELDOT) Delaware’s newest toll road, dubbed the U.S. 301 mainline, opened to traffic earlier this week. The existing U.S. 301 has been converted to a local roadway, with truck restrictions in place except local deliveries, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation.   The 14-mile stretch of road took just under three […]

R. Eddie Wayland, TCA Legal Counsel (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) In a recent Legal Comment, we considered a situation in which a driver was not hired by a carrier because he was deaf. The driver sued the carrier under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) claiming he was discriminated against based on his disability. We discussed how […]

(PHOTO: TCA) Eighteen Companies with Outstanding Safety Records Now Eligible for Two Grand Prizes The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has selected 18 companies as division winners in its 43rd Annual Fleet Safety Awards. Sponsored by Great West Casualty Company, the awards recognize trucking companies who have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to safety. The top three […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES) The Trucking Alliance kicked off 2019 by reaffirming its commitment to safety and making its priority objectives known. Steve Williams, president of the Trucking Alliance Board of Directors, released a statement outlining the group’s focus. The Trucking Alliance is made-up of several well-known transportation companies, including Cargo Transporters, Dupré Logistics, […]

(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) Guest Authors: Tim Almack – Partner – Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM) & David Roush – President – KSM Transport Advisors (KSMTA) In life, as well as in business, the key difference between success and failure (or stagnation) is execution. More specifically, simply doing what you already know you need to do always […]

(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) By Jack Porter, Managing Director, TCA Profitability Program 2018 was the best year for carrier profitability in the sixteen years of tracking the data for TCA. The market gave all Carriers an across-the-board increase in rates. Overall rate revenue grew 8-15%. Combined with the opportunity to grow their fleets (despite the tight labor […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: JIM ALLEN/FREIGHTWAVES) Sheriff’s deputies recovered a truckload of stolen Patron Tequila in Hillsborough County, Florida earlier this week. The value of the merchandise totaled over half of a million dollars. The liquor was stolen around 11 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2018, when the truck driver hauling the load stopped for dinner at […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: FREIGHTWAVES STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Riverside Transport is making strides toward helping drivers achieve better health in 2019. The carrier, which prizes itself on its driver first culture, offers drivers access to gym memberships and nutrition education to help them make better food choices. “We’re rolling out a big health initiative here. We have […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: CONTRACT TRANSPORT SERVICES) Contract Transport Services granted a popular Christmas wish for nearly 100 children: a brand new bicycle. The company gave the bikes to Green Bay, Wisconsin-area children in need this month. The effort was part of the CTS’s 4th Annual Holiday Bike Drive. Some of the brand new bikes are […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: ALABAMA MOTOR EXPRESS) Alabama Motor Express is celebrating 30 years in business by performing 30 acts of kindness that touch both the trucking and logistics industry and the wider Alabama community, including raising driver wages and donating time and supplies to a local homeless shelter. “We’re a company that cares about our […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) If you’re in the Flatbed / Open Deck segment, you’re probably very familiar with the Daseke name. In recent years, Daseke has emerged as the de facto gorilla in this fragmented component of the North American transportation industry. Since 2015, they have added industry stalwarts such […]

Ashley Coker SPC. TREY DODDS, A TRUCK DRIVER WITH THE 110TH COMPOSITE TRUCK COMPANY, ATTACHES A TRAILER TO A VEHICLE ON SEPT. 13, 2018, IN PREPARATION FOR DEPLOYMENT IN HURRICANE AFFECTED AREAS ON THE EAST COAST. (PHOTO: ARMY PHOTO BY SGT. LIANE HATCH) Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ: WERN) and CRST International made the list of 2019 […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) Some highlights from this month’s J.D. Power Commercial Truck Guidelines industry update: Volume at auction on the rise The number of trucks sold at auction rose to a more typical level in November, but pricing was unstable. Pricing trended lower with less consistency. The average auction price of 2015 model year […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: MEASURE WHAT MATTERS) Objectives and Key Results: Using OKRs to execute in 2019 Earlier this year, TPP (TCA Profitability Program) member Steve Hitchcock, of Duncan & Son Lines, who is one of the most well-read people I know, enthusiastically recommended a book to me. Side note: If […]

(PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) By R. Eddie Wayland , TCA Legal Counsel The carrier in this case did not hire a deaf driver even though there were apparently many indications that the driver was qualified despite his disability. This case serves as a good example of potential pitfalls to be aware of when considering the employment applications […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: FREIGHTWAVES STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER AT THE 2017 MID AMERICA TRUCKING SHOW) During part one of this two-part series, Omnitracs Senior Data Scientist Emilie Worsham made the case for women drivers using performance and turnover data. In the second installment, P&S Transportation Vice President of Human Resources Kim Daigle will provide carriers with practical […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA) North Carolina’s second toll road, the first in the Charlotte area, opened to traffic late last month. The 18-mile Monroe Expressway has been over three years in the making, and it is the latest in a series of turnpike authority projects projects being planned across the state. The […]

Ashley Coker FreightWaves Founder and CEO Craig Fuller interviewed Chris Henry, program manager of the TCA Profitability Program, about TPP and Truckload Indexes during Henry’s recent visit to FreightWaves’ Chattanooga, Tennessee headquarters. The pair hit on everything from data sharing to editorial collaboration. TPP was created to be a performance improvement solution for the trucking […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: WERNER ENTERPRISES) Ever since Clarence Werner used his car as a down payment to purchase a 1956 Ford F-800 truck, effectively kick-starting his entrepreneurial journey, Werner Enterprises has been one of the de facto yardsticks from which all truckload carriers have measured themselves against. In absence of […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: FREIGHTWAVES STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Analysts agree that freight market improvements are likely to slow in 2019, and carriers need to prepare now in order to weather the slowdown as effectively as possible. KSM Transport Advisors Director of Analytics Kirby McLinn set out to help truckload carriers do just that during his presentation at […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) Between new data surfacing about women’s performance behind the wheel and the driver shortage, there has never been a clearer time for carriers’ to ramp up their efforts to hire more women. Omnitracs Senior Data Scientist Emilie Worsham made the case for women drivers using performance and turnover data during Women […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) Recently, at an industry event, I was asked by a TPP member what my single largest career goal was. Luckily, I had already contemplated this exact question in my head for some time. The answer I provided was to “Increase the average Driver to Non-Driver ratio […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION) Drivers traveling through Birmingham, Alabama should expect to spend extra time getting around the city for the next 14 months. Interstate 59/20 through the downtown area is expected to close for construction in January 2019. The anticipated reopening date is March 2020. Bridges will be rebuilt along I-59/20, […]

Dean Croke, Chief Insight Officer, FreightWaves (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) One of the biggest mistakes the trucking industry makesis assuming that just because a driver had a 10- or 12-hour break, they must therefore have had adequate rest and be fit-for-duty at the start of the next shift. This couldn’t be further from reality, and in part […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) It is not uncommon for trucking business owners to receive unsolicited offers to purchase their businesses. These instances have become more prevalent in the current market, thanks to a combination of factors, including the driver shortage and buyers’ ability to pay. “People are coming now because they need drivers. That is […]

FreightWaves Founder and CEO Craig Fuller interviewed Truckload Carriers Association Vice President of Government Affairs David Heller about some of today’s most relevant issues facing the truckload industry during Heller’s recent visit to FreightWaves’ Chattanooga, Tennessee headquarters. The pair hit on everything from ELDs to autonomous vehicles. Heller said ELDs have changed the face of […]

Dean Croke, Chief Insight Officer, FreightWaves Though the industry debates over driver safety, hours of service, shipper detention times, high driver turnover, and driver shortages, it still misses an important component that drives human performance. FreightWaves Market Expert Dean Croke recently took a look at the subject of sleep in a two-part series published in […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: MARTEN TRANSPORTATION) Since 2014, we’ve been closely following the publicly-traded truckload companies, and in 2015 we started embedding the results from these companies into the inGauge database. In addition, we have created and maintained a workbook of individual and group results for these companies. This has proven […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) Two years ago, I had a very enlightening conversation with Thom Albrecht (now CFO at Celadon). We were talking about why innovation was so rare within trucking companies. Two key items came up during this discussion that rang true to me then, and still do now. […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: TRUCKSTOCKIMAGES.COM) While some truckload carriers tend to treat their brokerage operations as hobbies or support functions, Chattanooga-based Covenant Transport (NASDAQ: CVTI) is committed to fostering a relevant and prosperous brokerage firm with Covenant Transport Solutions. New hire Ben Caplenor, vice president of customer service, plays an integral role in that mission. Caplenor’s […]

Ashley Coker (CHART: DATA FROM TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS ASSOCIATION INSIDE FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR) Despite many truckload carriers reporting record revenues and strong operating ratios in the second and third quarters, TCA data housed inside FreightWaves’ SONAR shows an anomalous jump in insurance expenses, spiking as high as 4.45% of total revenue at the end of October 2018. […]

John Paul Hampstead (CHART: DATA FROM TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS ASSOCIATION INSIDE FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR) Roughly 65% of Truckload Carrier Association member fleets have structured brokerage operations, estimates Chris Henry, program manager of the TCA Truckload Profitability Program (TPP), but very few companies have insight into how their asset-light division stack up against their peers. The TCA is […]

Ashley Coker (CHART: DATA FROM TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS ASSOCIATION AND DAT INSIDE FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR) Whether you call it a driver shortage or a driver squeeze, it’s no secret that the trucking industry is struggling to attract and keep qualified drivers. HealthCheck360 Director of Health Coaching Trent Tangen focused on another issue he considers paramount in the […]

Ashley Coker (CHART: DATA FROM TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS ASSOCIATION AND DAT INSIDE FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR) Brokerage revenues dropped at asset-based carriers as the market deteriorated between June 2018 and August 2018, according to Truckload Carriers Association data and DAT spot rate data housed inside FreightWaves’ SONAR. TCA’s brokerage revenue data is collected from a sample of asset-based […]

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) You’ve done it a thousand times. Walking through operations, you’ve asked yourself, “Why am I paying these smart people to spend half their time doing mindless tasks and data entry? What if I could free up their time to allow them to do what they do […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: KENWORTH) Central Oregon Truck Company will wrap-up its cross-country tour hauling the 49th U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree with one last stop at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland this weekend before the tree is dropped off at its final destination. The Capitol Christmas Tree, dubbed “The People’s Tree,” is a tradition that […]

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: SWIFT TRANSPORTATION) Drivers at Swift Transportation, a subsidiary of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KNX), now have the opportunity to earn college degrees online through Southern New Hampshire University’s College for America program. Swift announced that the company will cover tuition costs for drivers and eligible dependents as part its Drive for […]

Ashley Coker Used Class 8 truck pricing held strong in October and same dealer sales volumes rebounded after a slight dip last month, according to preliminary data from ACT Research. “The average used Class 8 selling price recorded a sixth straight month above the trend reading,” ACT Research Vice President Steve Tam said. “On a […]

Ashley Coker (CART: DATA FROM DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND TCA INGAUGE IN FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR) Even though the Department of Energy’s reported diesel per gallon price has risen 27% since early 2017, carriers have seen their net fuel expense per mile remain largely neutral, actually dropping 12% in that same time frame, according to TCA data […]

Executives from MoLo, Steam, and Arrive gave insight into the complexity of West Coast freight market volatility, which goes beyond tariffs, and talked about how brokerages and shippers are responding.

U.S. Xpress CEO Fuller warns that a lot of companies are still working with 30-year-old technology.

Fresh off strong third quarter earnings, Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ: WERN) President and CEO Derek Leathers was optimistic about the company’s future moving into peak season and beyond.

TCA’s David Heller discusses game-changing ELD data and the ways it may impact driver detention and retention trends.

The TCA and FreightWaves announced “Truckload Indexes”, a benchmark and commentary partnership that will provide near-time benchmarking of major operational and financial KPIs from best-in-class truckload carriers. This exclusive set of data points enable carriers of all sizes to compare how different data points impact the overall profitability and operating efficiency of truckload carriers.

Ontario California has toppled the Atlanta market, the reigning capital of freight volume in the country. Surging volume is to blame. How long will the elevated volume last?