Roses in the snow

Here we go again: ’Tis the season to be jolly – that is, if you are going to make it home for Christmas. The maneuvering, scheming, begging is in full swing. Get me home!Not a big predicament for local and most regional drivers, but it can be a real problem for the long-haul irregular route guys and gals. I’ve been there. On the last business day, things are looking bleak, waiting for that last

Colorado ‘zipper’ a bad option

Travel eastbound along Interstate 70 on Sunday evenings in Colorado can be particularly troublesome for truckers. Throngs of skiers returning from a weekend on the slopes are blamed for slowdowns along a 15-mile portion of the roadway on the Front Range.Possible solutions are plentiful, but funding for a fix is not. A stopgap solution entails the Colorado Department of Transportation getting to

Snowstorm at Snowshoe

Last week, I read where a Chicago truck driver was ticketed for three violations in a five-vehicle collision. The guy was ticketed driving too fast for conditions, improper lane usage, and unlawful possession of a radar detector in a commercial vehicle. No one was hurt, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a mess for some people. Hey, it’s slip-slidin’ icy out there – will you slow it down?As you’ve

Payback time

Some people won’t like this, but let me say that Pittsburgh, PA, is my least favorite destination except for New York City, and I’ve always refused to go there so it don’t count. I have been to Pittsburgh 15 times in my career, and of those I’ve probably been lost more than 20 times.Now, if you have been out there trailer trucking for any time at all, it’s a given that you’ve had it stuck to you

Trash talking and troop challenges

It wouldn’t be the annual OOIDA Truckers for Troops week if the challenges didn’t get tossed around. This year is certainly no exception.One challenge that has escalated over the years is the Troop Challenge. Here’s how that came about. A couple of years ago OOIDA employees fielding calls started a tradition for veterans joining or renewing memberships with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers

December 7

The day that Pearl Harbor was attacked, my dad was a 19-year-old air combat crewman in the U.S. Navy, stationed in San Diego. He had enlisted in May 1941 and was in training as a bombardier. On Dec. 7, 1941, the training ended. The real deal was on.Dad grew up in Independence, MO, a town that has got plenty of national attention, thanks to Harry S. Truman. Harry would, of course, become

Winter driving from a straw hat driver’s point of view

It’s amazing how I’ve looked at trucking in winter conditions the past 10 years or so, as opposed to 30 or 40 years ago. I can remember times when I was home for the weekend and snowstorms moved in and I couldn’t wait till it was time to go. Just so you know, any kind of random testing hadn’t been thought of yet, but I would have passed.One time on a union job with a private carrier, my boss said

Have blizzard bag will travel

Winter time is here and it doesn’t take much – a slick road, a gust of wind or you or someone else doing something stupid like going too fast for conditions – to put you in the ditch. Nobody wants to pay $2,000 to get a $900 load pulled out.Actually, that two grand number could be a best-case scenario. That’s assuming you didn’t tear up your truck, cause property damage, or take someone out with

The gift of warmth

Land Line Now news anchor Reed Black has a neat story for this Thanksgiving week. It will air Nov. 24 and Nov. 28 on Sirius XM, The Road Dog Channel, 6-7 p.m. Central.Reed says it’s the story of an Iowa couple who truck together and participate in the Trucker Buddy program. But here’s a secret, and it’s one the Trucker Buddy class doesn’t know. This husband and wife trucking team go an extra mile

Recollections of JFK

Sometimes in life there seems to be a thread hooking all the twists and turns together that causes a person to end up at a particular place at a given time. Maybe that’s how I ended up in a TV lounge at Naval Air Station in Brunswick, ME, on Oct 22, 1962, and in Dallas on Nov 22, 1963. If I figure it out, I’ll e-mail you.I was about 19, in the Navy and glued to the TV along with everyone else

A salute to Veterans Day

Veterans Day really started for me the day before when Land Line posted their Veterans Salute in the online magazine and featured veteran members on Land Line Now on Sirius XM. Besides an online editorial, they posted a handful of OOIDA members’ experiences in the military – including yours truly. Since I was in the service during peace time, some of their stories about being in harm’s way made

Lorem ipsum?

Unless you are in the publishing business, you have no earthly idea what “lorem ipsum” means.Years ago, editors used to yell “gimme 12 inches of copy for page two” and you’d measure that up by column inch. With the advent of computerized page design, it’s “gimme 540 words.” In order to know that exact number, the designer fills the space with “dummy type.”Lorem ipsum dolar sit amet, consectutur

Trucker Buddy the Cowpoke way

Our chocolate Cocker Spaniel “Dudley” was first. Then the truck, my wife Geri and I were in a three-way tie for second by our Trucker Buddy class on who they wanted to see first when we visited the school.We had a Trucker Buddy class of fifth-graders in Tyler, TX, for two years. Going in we knew nothing about it, but I could see that to do it right it would have to involve a school visit near the

A town called Skidmore

About 20 yellow sticky notes sit crumpled on my desk this afternoon, evidence of my effort to mark interesting sections of a true crime novel about Skidmore, MO.The November edition of Land Line includes a feature story on the farming and trucking town of Skidmore, MO.Skidmore has unfortunately become famous for being the site of several awful crimes, including the 1981 shooting of noted bully

‘It’s worth the drive …’

We’re fortunate here at OOIDA headquarters to be able to visit with some of the folks who drop in to take a building tour or to take advantage of the Association’s many services.Sometimes I feel like I’m part of the OOIDA member building tour, but I enjoy it because I get to hear directly from members. Sometimes we have a lot in common.On a regular basis, our trusted tour guide, Sheri Shepherd,

Texas gubernatorial candidates on transportation

For months the candidates for governor in Texas have been taking their message about critical issues, including transportation, to the people in hopes of winning their support. Only a handful of days remain until voters give the candidates the answers to whether they were successful.The candidates are Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, and Bill White, a Democrat.Perry’s policies on transportation are

New Mexico gubernatorial candidates on transportation-related issues

Candidates for elected offices often have clear-cut differences on issues of significance to voters. The race for governor in New Mexico is an exception to that rule when it comes to noteworthy transportation issues.The victor in the race pitting Susana Martinez, the Republican nominee, and Diane Denish, the Democratic candidate, will be thrust into making decisions on how best to fix and

Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates on transportation

One of the great things about election season is that candidates are compelled to take a stance on many issues of importance to voters. Transportation funding is one of the topics that Wisconsin voters are pressing the gubernatorial candidates on for possible solutions.The Democratic candidate is Tom Barrett. The Republican nominee is Scott Walker.A 2006 report from a bipartisan legislative panel

Florida gubernatorial candidates on transportation

Election Day is only days away and voters are honing in on what candidates for elected offices have to say about key issues to them. Florida voters have a pretty good understanding of where the candidates stand on transportation issues, which include protecting road funds, port issues, and moving more goods by rail.The Republican candidate is Rick Scott. The Democratic nominee is Alex Sink. Both

Maryland gubernatorial candidates on transportation

In the final days before the Nov. 2 election, candidates for elected offices are pulling out all of the stops to distinguish themselves from their competition. Maryland voters who will cast their ballots for governor have a good idea about how the candidates would address transportation issues during the next four years.The candidates are Gov. Tom O’Malley, a Democrat, and former Gov. Bob Ehrlich

Now that was a convoy

Of all the good times we’ve had trucking, participating in the Share America Convoy in ’97 is a standout. The convoy was bookended by the Truckers Jamboree in Waupun, WI, and the Knights of the Road Jamboree in Reno, NV.Held during Trucker Appreciation month, it was to promote Trucker Buddy. It sounded like a fun deal to Geri and me. We had been showing our truck for a couple years, and we couldn

Colorado gubernatorial candidates focus on transportation issues

In about 10 days, Colorado voters will cast their ballots on some significant issues and races. In addition to questions on the statewide ballot that address transportation funding, voters will elect a new governor. The three leading candidates vying to fill the seat being vacated by Gov. Bill Ritter have addressed transportation issues.The candidates are Democratic Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper

California gubernatorial candidates on Prop 23

California is among the 37 states where a race for the governor’s office is on the Nov. 2 ballot. Also on the statewide ballot there is a question about whether to suspend a greenhouse gas emission rule. Fortunately for voters, the candidates for governor have weighed in on this important issue.Approved in 2006, the greenhouse gas law allows the California Air Resources Board to create many new

A deft toast to the Left Coast

This year the Truck Show Latino got a new name: Golden State Trucking Expo. It was a change intended to send an invite to all truckers to attend this annual Southern California event. It worked.The event took place Oct. 16-17 in Pomona at the Fairplex. The Latino truckers, family and friends remained loyal attendees, and a diverse stream of others showed up to enjoyed the event as well.At the

Alabama gubernatorial candidates on transportation

Casting a ballot for a candidate is one of the more powerful ways we can express our views on particular issues, including transportation. A little more than two weeks out from Election Day and Alabama voters have a pretty good idea about what their candidates for governor want to do to address the issue.Republican candidate Robert Bentley and Democratic nominee Ron Sparks have quite a bit to say

Georgia gubernatorial candidates on transportation

Voters who take the time to get as much information as possible on candidates and their positions on issues of importance to them typically have to do quite a bit of digging. In Georgia, truckers have some insight into how the two men who are vying to become governor stand on various transportation issues.Included below is what Democratic candidate Roy Barnes and Republican nominee Nathan Deal

Over-the-road serial killin’ truckers?

The FBI’s highway serial killer initiative has sure resulted in a demonizing of a hard-working segment of Americans.In my opinion, it’s ridiculous and actually rather frantic to finger truckers for hundreds of unsolved murders along our roadways.Sure, the highway system is full of truckers. But they are not the only workers who make a living on our nation’s highways. Our society has an

PA gubernatorial candidates on transportation

In every election, savvy voters want to know what candidates have to say about issues of importance to them. In Pennsylvania, truckers know where the two men who are vying to become governor stand on transportation issues.A thorough comparison between the candidates and their thoughts on how to go about achieving a comprehensive way to meet transportation funding needs has been put together by

CARB back, back, backing it up

The point of this blog entry is mainly to point you to a very interesting article in today’s edition of the San Francisco Chronicle.The article explains that CARB has admitted miscalculating the effects of diesel particulate matter by 340 percent when providing science to back its off-road diesel regulation, which regulates construction equipment.As Land Line reported this week, science behind

Part 5: Know your governors

Election Day is less than one month away. And voters around the country have likely already noticed the increased frequency of ads touting candidates or issues, as well as ads berating those same candidates and issues.With all of the messages that voters must sift through in the lead-up to Nov. 2, it is worthwhile to revisit some noteworthy actions taken by governors who are vying for

Bull haulers’ fifth annual reunion and hog roast

Photo: The bull hauler reunion had plenty of OOIDA members. Left to right, they are L.B. Blanchard, John Snyder, Glenn Hensley, Bryan Treible, Joel Snyder, Ed Snyder, Woody Everly, Tom Snyder, Mike Metzger and Bob Martin.Timing is everything. I was going to start out with “A little rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of this group” true, but I think that line has been pretty well used up.Anyway, I

In Atlanta, the fox guards the henhouse

Who’s guarding the henhouse in Georgia? Evidently, it’s a hungry fox.The people of Atlanta were assured years ago that tolls would be removed from the Georgia 400 once the bonds used to build the roadway were paid off.But the State Road and Tollway Authority voted on Friday, Sept. 24, to keep the tolls in place for an additional 20 years past the original sunset date in June 2011.Why would they

And you thought all the good ideas were taken

About this texting and driving thing – I’ll let the lawyers and lawmakers slug it out, but I would just like to suggest a penalty for anyone convicted of causing injury or worse while texting and driving, assuming they ban it. Personally, I would just as soon meet another driver who was too drunk to fish as one that was texting.Although I've never texted, it’s like Yogi Berra said, “You can

Part 4: Know your governors

The primary season draws to a close this week as states across the nation are finalizing their fall ballots. In the weeks ahead candidates will be ramping up their messages to likely voters in their pursuit of Election Day validation.In the lead-up to Nov. 2 it is worthwhile to take a look back at some noteworthy actions taken by governors who are once again vying for the spot atop their state

CA legislator: Can you hear me now?

One California Air Resources Board critic may have gotten some job protection – albeit temporary – from several state assembly members.California state Assemblyman Dan Logue, R-Marysville, and 20 other Republican lawmakers signed on to a letter to UCLA’s chancellor, asking Gene Block to “assure proper procedures have been followed by UCLA regarding the dismissal of Dr. Enstrom.”As Land Line has

Dodge downtime: Get a flu shot

You’ve probably heard the joke about the guy stranded on his roof by a flood who prays for God to rescue him. A fellow in a rowboat comes along, but the man sends him away, saying, “I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me.” He rows off, and later a speedboat comes by. The man on the roof again refuses, with the same words. Finally, a Coast Guard chopper flies over and gets ready to hoist

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

My only visit to the World Trade Center was June 10, 2001. It was a Sunday, and I dropped a trailer at the Cirque De Soleil site at Liberty National Monument Park in Jersey City, NJ, that morning. Then I stayed over until Monday and picked up a loaded trailer for the Cirque going to Chicago.It was a day off with a great site seeing opportunity, so I took a water taxi over to Manhattan. From there

Part 3: Know your governors

With the calendar flipping to September we are nearing the home stretch for the November election. For the next two months we will hear, see or read so many political ads we’ll be able to recite most of the messages.In some instances, candidates for various offices on your ballot will be complete unknowns. Others you will be quite familiar with.Maryland and Oregon voters are certainly familiar

How is it bad to save a buck?

This is some pretty simple math, but let me walk you through it.Let’s say that you buy a truck for $140,000. If you got a 10 percent savings on that, you’d keep $14,000.OOIDA and a number of other groups have proposed to provide a 10 percent credit on the purchase of new trucks meeting 2010 engine standards for anyone – individuals.Right now, this is just a proposal, so the details aren’t nailed

A powerful solution to the plastic jug?

In a Land Line magazine column I wrote in November 2005, I remarked on efforts to create a small urine-powered battery. In that column, my friend and ace gearjammer Rufus Sideswipe was quoted as follows:That is thinking way too small, says Rufus. “This battery idea could solve two of trucking’s most persistent problems – idling and piddling into those infamous jugs (or onto parking lots, the

Seat belt thwarts carjacker?

When my rant begins with “You gotta be kiddin’ me,” you know you’re going to get an earful.I just finished reading a news story online with such an asinine headline that it has earned my bonehead mainstream reporting award of the year.The story is about a woman who was nearly the victim of a carjacking, except a trucker saw it and came quickly with a ball bat and the would-be carjacker ran

Know your governors – Part 2

With the primary season nearly concluded, the ballots in states are almost finalized. Candidates for various positions are focusing their messages as they seek office or re-election.Many states will be deciding on who will fill their governor’s seat. In the lead-up to Election Day, it seems like a good idea to take a look back at some significant actions taken by governors who are once again

Next year’s lawmakers: Fast and furious

While the summer heat thrives and winter seems a light-year away, it may appear a tad early to look ahead at how much activity is anticipated at statehouses and Congress for the 2011 calendar year.But for people like myself who track state issues there is no time to waste when it comes to keeping up with legislative happenings. And with 83 percent of elected officials on ballots this November,

My britches aren’t made of sugar

There’s been some interesting talk going on around the trucking industry about what is an endearing greeting and what is sexual innuendo.It all started when two truck stop employees won a lawsuit against their employer because of a claim that they were sexually harassed by customers.In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that I’m a little bit thicker skinned to this subject than a lot

‘The Power of One’ still true

A couple of years back Land Line published an article titled “The Power of One.” It attempted to convey the importance of taking the time to get registered, if necessary, and casting a ballot, whether it is by absentee or on Election Day.Throughout the voting section there were examples of numerous occasions when one vote either could have altered – or did alter – an election.One of my favorites

The research is there

One of the first things I learned at Land Line was to avoid preaching sermons to the choir.Yes, our readers are mostly truck drivers, who are prone to being bashed by mass media and understood by some as outlaw characters from “Smokey and the Bandit.”Our readers, however, demand more than articles telling them that they’re good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like them.With that in

TruckVote 2010: Know your governors

In the lead-up to Election Day it makes sense to take a look back at some significant actions taken by governors who are once again vying for the votes of truckers and others.Let’s face it. It can be a chore for voters to recollect even the most notable actions taken by governors during the past four years. While many truckers can recall precisely the actions relative to trucking that have been

Some ‘heavy metal love’ at the Fergus Truck Show

Here’s a quick heads up for the rockers out there, and I know you’re out there.If you can get to the Fergus Truck Show on Friday evening, July 23, make sure to stop by the main stage and show Helix some love.The platinum-selling artists are doing what they do best, this time sporting a reunited lineup straight out of the ’80s. But the best thing about Helix is, they’re riding high on new material

There’s no place like home

What a cool trip this has been. I’m in Grain Valley, MO, at OOIDA’s headquarters. As field editor of Land Line Magazine for the past 10 years or so, I’ve been telecommuting since long before it was trendy. I’ve sent stories by mail, fax, e-mail and maybe filed one or two by carrier pigeon. But in all this time, I’ve never visited the home office.A combination of editorial calendar planning

Giving back to vets

Many of OOIDA’s 154,000-plus members are military veterans. The number is near 40 percent, according to the OOIDA Foundation.We’re reminded of the strong tie between vets and truckers every year when OOIDA’s “Truckers for Troops” program rolls around, combining to gather contributions and distribute care pages to troops overseas. In 2010 alone, Truckers for Troops processed 602 boxes of care

A game of 'kick the can'

Leading into the Fourth of July weekend, USA Today ran an article titled “Gas taxes give us a break at the pump.” In the story, the author insists that Americans have “something extra to celebrate” because today’s vehicles get decent fuel mileage while the federal fuel tax remains stagnant at mid-1990s levels.It is shortsighted to think that this nation should “celebrate” that infrastructure

We’re a work horse, not a parade horse

I recently received a letter from a member who suggested we sex up the magazine a bit with some hot girls posing with big trucks. He thought it would help us not be so boring. He thought it would make the magazine better reading, citing some trucking and motorcycle mags that had done this. Some of those pubs are still alive, some long gone.Member suggestions are always welcome, and what you can

Trucking and art – who knew?

Jerry Nerman and his wife, Margaret, and son, Lewis, are among the Midwest’s most prominent collectors of contemporary art.The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Overland Park, KS, is an elegant building designed by architect Kyu Sung Woo, and it houses a stunning collection revered by art lovers. When the museum opened on the campus of Johnson County Community College in October 2007, it

Idling, Kansas style

Not much notice was given for this workshop – it’s planned for tomorrow – but truckers in the Kansas City area are invited to learn more about the region’s idling restrictions. Plus, truckers can learn about funding opportunities for Kansas truck owners to help purchase diesel emission reduction products.Idling is limited to five minutes in the Missouri counties of Clay, Franklin, Jackson,

Jazzy has done it; now how about you?

The St. Christopher Fund has been commanding a lot of ink lately, thanks mostly to the amazing efforts of Jazzy Jordan, daughter of OOIDA Members Lee and Paulette Jordan. If you aren’t familiar with why Jazzy was running across America, it was actually to raise awareness of efforts of the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund.SCF is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that

Rather reports on trucking world

A recent “Dan Rather Reports” titled “Haul or High Water” gave industry outsiders a glimpse into the trucking world and a broken system that can’t adequately pay its drivers for what they do. In my opinion, this huge dilemma is hard to cram into an hour show. As a reporter who covers the trucking industry, I know how complicated it can be to make others outside the industry understand.The show,

‘It looked like he was speeding’

You gotta be kiddin’ me.By a majority of 5-1, the justices of the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled June 2 that police officers in the Buckeye State can issue speeding tickets based on visual estimates of speed and without any other form of proof such as radar.This is one of the most absurd decisions to come down from the bench in years.One trucker e-mailed me an interesting suggestion that this

Rick’s last ride

Over the Memorial weekend, many truckers were watching Facebook, tracking OOIDA Member Ralph Acocella’s route as he took home the cremated remains of his good friend, OOIDA Member Rick Rogers.Rick did his part to improve the image of trucking as a Trucker Buddy Ambassador and by participating in the World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish convoys. He was also a

Tell my family…

There is little in life more sacred than trying to fulfill the final requests of a dying person – even if that person is a stranger.Military personnel write letters to loved ones in the event they are killed in the line of duty. Many police officers and firefighters do the same. Those letters connect a family in a way words cannot describe.In the aftermath of a tragic accident, many times those

The final stretch

Jasmine Jordan is less than 400 miles from entering Times Square in New York City – her goal in what will be a 10-month journey.That’s about 594,000 strides, and roughly two pairs of pink Saucony running shoes – quite a distance for most people.17-year-old Jasmine, however, has proved she’s cut from rare cloth.Jasmine, who also goes by Jazzy, is running from California to New York to raise

Doc shopping making a comeback?

Improving the health of truck drivers industry-wide is a noble cause – and something that needs to happen. The average life expectancy of truck drivers is age 61. That’s 13 years shorter than for the average adult.The devil is in the details when it comes down to how to go about improving truck driver health.Right now, sleep apnea is the hot button issue drawing all of the attention. No one can

For OOIDA, NAFTA’s still a ‘top drawer’ mission

For many years, one of my reporting “beats” for Land Line was NAFTA. I covered it from the early ’90s until our Senior Editor Jami Jones joined our staff in 2004. In her first week, I handed over an armload of files.Fifteen pounds of files moved from my top drawer to her top drawer, and she officially inherited all things NAFTA. Of all the issues we cover, NAFTA still occupies the most file

Sometimes you’re the windshield …

Ah, springtime. For many, it means long days spent barbecuing or hanging out at the beach. But for truckers hauling in the South, this year’s balmiest season will also include one very unwanted accessory – lovebugs.No, we’re not talking about 1960s Volkswagens here. The lovebug – also known as Plecia nearctica in the entomological community – is a small, black bug that, until recent years, was

California drops the ball on collecting revenue

We are constantly reminded that government at all levels is far from perfect. Officials rarely do what we ask of them and seemingly always find ways to further complicate matters they delve into.This realization can be found anywhere. In California, there is a glaring example of state government “dropping the ball” when it comes to holding everyone who gets behind the wheel accountable for poor

Interesting fella, Bruce Greenquist

If you are driving down the road and see a white 1999 Freightliner FLD with trailer proclaiming “Bruce Greenquist for President” – you may wonder who that is, and what party he’s with.You’ll be surprised to find out that Bruce Greenquist isn’t a member of ANY party and in fact – he’s the guy driving that rig.Bruce is an OOIDA member and owner-operator from Backus, MN. He’s single, with no

4-wheeler cuts in front of you? There’s an app for that

It’s well documented that a significant majority of accidents involving big rigs and smaller vehicles are the fault of the of the small-vehicle drivers. But if a picture is worth 1,000 words, a video should be worth a novel the size of “War and Peace.”Thus, my excitement over the announcement of a free app for Android-based phones that can continuously shoot video – from inside a cab, for

Climbing the coal mountains

As of Wednesday, April 14, Jasmine Jordan has made her way into Knoxville, TN, an estimated 800 miles from her destination of New York City.Jasmine, who also goes by Jazzy, is running from coast to coast to raise awareness of truckers who lack medical insurance and to raise money for the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund.Jasmine is the daughter of OOIDA members Lee and Paulette

In hot pursuit!

Jasmine and Lee Jordan have been welcomed into some towns with police and fire department escorts, bands and cheerleaders and even elaborate presentations that include ceremonial keys to the city.Mayors, civil servants and many crowds of supporters have latched on to the feel-good story of a teenage girl’s commitment to run coast to coast in honor of a fallen friend and to raise cash for the St.

I-Zoom Girl may have to work overtime

Remember I-Zoom Girl? She’s the cartoon mascot of the Indiana Toll Road, created in recent years to help the operator market electronic toll transponders to the public.Well, transponder sales are lagging these days just like everything else, so I-Zoom Girl may be required to put in a little overtime if the roadway operator, ITR Concession Co., is to upgrade to the next era of electronic tolling

Cancer puts trucking family to the test

A rare form of testicular cancer has sidelined OOIDA Member Joe Rini from the road for now. But he and his wife, Connie, have their gloves on and are already battling this disease.And from the determination I heard in Connie’s voice on the phone recently, she and Joe of Grand River, OH, are prepared to go all 12 rounds in the ring if necessary.Back in December 2009, Connie said she drove Joe to

Scaling back on rumors

I’ve spoken with more than a few drivers in the past week who have heard variations of a wild rumor coming out of Ohio.In one version, police officers are walking around a truck stop with a bathroom scale and weighing drivers. In another, scale house means both the truck and the driver are put to the test.Before you discount these as just another rumor of the road, let me point why these stories

Cover your tandem

I suspect this may be an April Fool’s gag, but after getting more southern exposure at the Mid-America Truck Show than I cared to (and ladies, you are as bad as the guys), I’m all for America’s truck stop C-stores plan to stock the Plumber’s T-shirt from Duluth Trading.The company says in a press release that it plans to “hit the streets of Chicago during the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)

Dee Dee’s big adventure

A lot of truckers travel with pets, and understandably so. They’re great companions on long trips. Dogs never criticize your driving, and they rarely complain if the truck stop restrooms are untidy or the buffet is subpar.Unfortunately, sometimes pets get separated from their owners. This happened recently to OOIDA Member Doug Coldiron and his Jack Russell terrier, Dee Dee. Luckily, Doug and Dee

Highway bill should not shortchange highways

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood acknowledges that a multiyear surface transportation bill is on the administration’s radar, but – with an estimated cost of $400 billion to $500 billion – he says funding just does not exist right now.The Highway Trust Fund has been surviving on a series of temporary extensions of the status quo as Congress continues to work on long-term legislation that

Citizen’s arrayest!

In one of my favorite episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show,” Gomer is ticketed by the always overzealous Mayberry Sheriff’s Deputy Barney Fife.Upset about it, Gomer follows Barney around, waiting for him to break the law.Inevitably, the end of the show includes Gomer chasing Barney’s patrol car after an illegal U-turn, with Gomer shouting “Citizen’s arrest!” as only Gomer could.Fortunately, a

Canada – part leader, part guinea pig

My home country of Canada is quite progressive in many ways. Whether that’s a good thing depends on your point of view.For one thing, being progressive helps give Canada its identity in the world as one part leader, one part guinea pig.In the world of trucking, progression has brought about mandatory speed limiters in Ontario and Quebec, sold blindly to the people as being both safe and green.

U.S. Marshals get new wheels

It’s an old but resilient rumor that truckers facing an out-of-service decree from an inspector can summon United States Marshals to spring them. It’s a good wish, as wishful thinking goes, and when Freightliner Trucks announced the United States Marshals Service (USMS) had bought two Freightliner Business Class M2 106 trucks to use as mobile command posts, I couldn’t help but think of them

Mouse’s bucket list

Did you ever see that 2007 movie called “The Bucket List” featuring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman? It was about two terminally ill guys determined to accomplish certain goals or experience simple joys before they kicked the bucket.There’s not a lot of time to chase such things in the life of a hard-working driver. So it’s no surprise that a fellow trucker’s “bucket list” tugs deep on the

‘911: What is your credit card number?’

The trend of cities and states finding unique ways to dig deeper into its residents’ wallets has hit an all-time low in Loma Linda, CA.Now when you call 911 for medical assistance in Loma Linda, you could be saddled with a $300 charge. That is, unless you pay the $48 annual fee to use the service. You can read more about that here.Paying for emergency services really isn’t a new thing. Countless

Some just say it better than others

Truckers always have plenty to say. Some just say it better than others.This week, Senior OOIDA Member Roger Chastain copied me on a letter he wrote to his elected lawmakers. Roger has been a member since 1997 and lives in Woodruff, SC. He’s an independent trucker operating under authority as a contract carrier.With his permission, let me share a really well-written letter. It’s this kind of

Trucking journalism goes gonzo in LR

“I think you’ve got to go,” Sandi said, with the knowing grin of an editor sending a reporter out on an adventure.A few weeks ago, Sandi Soendker, managing editor and my boss here at Land Line, green-lighted an assignment for me to meet Lee, Paulette and Jasmine (also known as Jazzy) Jordan while the trucking family was in Little Rock, AR.Not only would I get to meet and interview the Jordans in

Funny the difference a recession makes

When the Bush administration threw the border open to a select group of Mexico-based domiciled motor carriers in 2008, the screaming commenced.Every argument under the sun against the program was tossed to the side and determined to be irrational, inflammatory or downright wrong.Eventually, cooler heads prevailed and the program was shut down before any damage could be done. Now, the debate is

Run for the border

As Jasmine Jordan completed her 846th mile across Texas and took steps into Texarkana, AR, 200 town residents braved 30-degree temperatures and threats of snow to greet her.“I’ve been mayor for 11 years, but this is the first time I’ve ever welcomed someone to town during a snowstorm,” said Mayor Horace Shipp.Thursday was “Jasmine Jordan Day” in Texarkana – a very public and personal

Truckmageddon is near!

In describing the recent blizzard in DC as “Snowmageddon,” President Obama unwittingly unleashed a new buzzword that could come to rival the “----gate” from the Watergate era. We will soon be hearing “(Blank)-mageddon” to describe anything that seems to overwhelm or threaten to overwhelm the normal order. I can see this happening in trucking, so here are some of tomorrow’s Land Line headlines

Click here to hurt your career

An acquaintance showed me a survey he said was designed to help truck drivers.Following the link, I found a Web site that offered a quick quiz to see whether I was at risk of having obstructive sleep apnea – a condition that temporarily obstructs breathing during sleep. Apnea is more common in people who are obese, and it’s diagnosed after the patient is observed sleeping, usually at a sleep lab

West end of the laundromat

This year Land Line celebrates its 35th year.Remember how things were in 1975? For those of you who need a nudge back in time, there’s some truly interesting stuff to be found in those little “Remember When” booklets you can buy at Bob Evans and other places. In 1975 you could buy a new house for less than $40,000 and the average income in the U.S. was $14,816 a year. Bread was 36 cents a loaf

Got leg pain? Change your undies

I drive a desk while most of you drive 40-ton rigs, but that gives us one thing in common: We sit. A lot. And sitting, as you’ve probably heard someplace, was not what we are designed to do. So we have back and leg pain from doing basically nothing.Recently, I noticed I had this really uncomfortable, almost burning spot beneath my right, um, cheek. Actually, it was where my leg and cheek met, and

Running wild

Jasmine Jordan, also known as Jazzy, completed her run through Dallas Friday morning – her 1,372nd mile completed.Jasmine is completing a nationwide run across America in an effort to raise awareness about the medical expenses truck drivers face.After an injury sidelined Jazzy for more than a month during the fall, she has come roaring back by continuing her 15- to 18-mile daily pace, albeit at a

Good Samaritan not put off by a ‘cockroach in the soup’

One of the most popular people stories to come out of the collapse of Arrow Trucking was a Good Samaritan story aired by Amarillo’s NewsChannel 10, KFDA. The Tulsa-based carrier ceased operations suddenly, leaving 1,400 employees and drivers unemployed two days before Christmas. NewsChannel 10’s Dec. 27 newscast told how a trucker unselfishly volunteered to put 200 gallons of fuel in the tank of

The cost of doing business with Matty

It’s hard to believe that one individual can wield so much power over the busiest border bridge in North America, but that’s the way it is with Matty Moroun and the Ambassador Bridge.Matty owns the bridge and sets the toll rates, and anyone caught suggesting an alternative crossing or threatening his empire feels his wrath. It’s been that way for years.Alternative proposals may come and go, but

Spinning wheels

News reporters are a cynical bunch.Combine those reporters with trucking, and you can imagine Land Line’s newsroom has rolled its eyes at countless politicians, regulators and other power players who have spun reality into a campaign.One recent release from the California Air Resources Board is a textbook example of spin.This week, CARB sent out a news release touting its greenhouse gas emissions

Technologies’ assault on road safety

Unless you’ve not spent one day in our entrepreneurial society, you probably saw this coming. Just as talk about curbing driver distractions has seemingly reached its peak, with officials from state government and the federal government joining in the fray, automakers and high-tech companies are unveiling their newest toys for drivers to play with while at the wheel.Driver distractions have been

True colors

Land Line Now and Land Line Magazine have been covering Jasmine, Lee and Paulette Jordan as the family teams up to support Jazzy’s run across America – available online at www.runwithjazzy.com.Lee and Paulette are members of OOIDA. While Lee drives the family pickup and RV, Paulette is managing the Jordans’ two trucking businesses back home in Minnesota. Jazzy is running as much as 20 miles daily

Jobless in Tulsa

A recent letter from Marshall Stapp from Oklahoma City painted an agonizing scene of shock at Tulsa-based Arrow Trucking as the word was given to cease operations.Stapp was a driver and trainer for Arrow. He witnessed the collapse.Several days before Christmas, he was at the Flying J in Tulsa, headed to pick up a load in Laredo. He tried to fuel up but his fuel card was inactive. The fuel desk

Statehouses back in session: Get in the mix

Happy New Year! With the calendar turning over to 2010, there are a lot of new things happening in states right now. About a half-dozen states are working in new rules that lawmakers endorsed during the past year. The most notable change is probably in Illinois where, with the help of OOIDA and truckers in the state, trucks now are allowed to travel at the same speed as other vehicles on most