Insider Secrets to Successful Freight Brokering

Government Over-Reach Getting Slapped?

There is a fresh wind blowing through Congress this year in regard to trucking regulations. The Electronic Log mandate (ELD) and proposed speed limiter regulations may not see the light of day. A certain group, the Freedom Caucus, is going right along with the President's desire to eliminate government over reach.

ELDs have been installed in some of the larger trucking companies for some time but it's the small carrier that has been waiting until the last minute to delay the expense as long as possible. And there are so many hitches in regard to the speed limiters that removing these potential regs bring a sigh of relief.

Look for more discussion on these issues and more.

Worried about self-driving trucks?

Self-driving trucks are one of the issues being discussed nowadays. Some people discuss it with interest and curiosity; others harbor some fear to one degree or another. Maybe others outside the logistics and supply chains industries just don't care.

The fact is, some experts say it will take two decades (20 years) before self-driving trucks are fully put into place as a real alternative to moving cargo.

In a recent survey by Inbound Logistics, the majority of respondents felt that self-driving vehicles would have the most clout in the industry as compared to a few other alternatives such as uberized deliveries and drones.

Time will tell, What's YOUR thoughts? Leave us a comment.

Are You Starting a Trucking Company?

Many of my clients have trucking companies or are starting one. Here is a resource you may want to check out:

“Trucking Basics: a New Carrier Guide” by Penni Royston with Evilsizor Process Servers.

https://www.milesoftraining.com/store/p2/Trucking_Basics_-_A_New_Carrier_Guide_ebook.html

If you want to also set up a freight brokerage to supplement your trucking and go directly to shippers for loads, email me - John, at Atex Freight Broker Training, Inc.

John

Truckers: What do they worry about the most?

Truckers have a lot of things to juggle most of which could do them in if they are not careful. According to a survey conducted by TMW and reported in Land Line magazine, here are some issues that impact carriers (and may impact brokers indirectly as well).

There's

• Driver retention,
• Traffic congestion,
• Maintenance costs,
• Regulation, and
• Utilization to mention a few

Of all of these, Utilization concerns them the most in this survey. That means, keeping their trucks rolling. If they're not rolling, they're not making any money. Simple enough.

Here's where brokers come in to play: Simply put, brokers go out there everyday to find loads. It takes hours and hours to do this. Even when good loads are found, the broker and the carrier have to service these accounts with professional service.

Brokers - don't ever think you are not important. You ARE the important link between loads and trucks. So, let's keep these trucks rolling.

Alert! New Food Safety Rule

The new food safety rule addressed by the Owner Operators' Independent Drivers' Assoc, (OOIDA), in a recent article states that the new rule includes "sweeping changes for shippers and carriers".

OOIDA does not mention how freight brokers are impacted in this new rule. At this moment, this writer believes that freight brokers will assume some liability under this new rule.

More to come on this later.

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FMCSA Striving for Highway Safety ....

No doubt, highway safety is a top priority for nearly every one. Yet, when the government gets involved in regulating lives, they don't know when to stop. They just keep going on and on and on and on. Many regulations emanate from people who don't have the slightest clue of what really goes on behind the wheel or with the many professional truck drivers who practically spend the bulk of their lives behind the wheel.

If you are tuned in to some of these issues, you are going to see more and more stuff coming down the pipeline..Many of these regs involve technology. It's here. Why not use it? So, a new device comes to market and the lawmakers get together and ask - "Wow! How can we screw up a driver's life with THIS device"?

Stay tuned for more.

Note: I have been overwhelmed with training individuals to such an extent that it's hard for me to make a post. Most of my clients are either truck drivers, small fleet owners or coming out of the logistics industry. Yes, I'm sorry I can't post more often; but I'm thankful for all the business that comes my way.

Comments are welcome (below this post - somewhere).

This is why you may want to get into freight brokering .....

A recent article presented by the Federal Highway Administration and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics says that freight tonnage will increase 40% over the next three decades.

Friends, let me tell you ..... that's a whole lot of corn flakes being moved on our highways!

This is why you may see a lot of construction going on around the country and in your cities. Here in El Paso, they have Interstate 10 all plastered with spots of major construction. They recently finished the 375 Loop bypass. I don't think too many 18 wheelers take this BUT it diverts a lot of passenger traffic off of the Interstate so trucks can roll.

So, I've learned to be happy when encountering road construction instead of cursing it. Freight moves America - that's a fact.

Proposed Safety Fitness Determination Rule

Safety fitness determinations for the past four and one-half years have been made by a flawed SMS methodology.

Here is what CCJ makes of the impending rule sent to the OMB:

"If CCJ's description of the proposed safety fitness determination rule is correct, the agency may be doubling down on use of SMS data to publish and assign safety ratings without an audit or due process!"

Go here for more info (copy and paste to your address bar):

http://www.ccjdigital.com/our-partners/peak/what-you-can-expect-from-fmcsas-safety-fitness-rules/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=08-13-2015&utm_campaign=CCJ&ust_id=e59c3ff1ea&

If you are ready to take action RIGHT NOW .....

Related to the prior post below, you CAN make a difference. I've never driven a truck (and never will) but my heart goes out to any small business no matter what their niche is.

But, if you are in trucking, go here to find out how YOU can make a difference:: www.FightingforTruckers.com

Are you a trucker? Are you doing anything right now?

Truckers have absorbed the brunt of EPA regulations in prior mandates and there are more down the pike.

My question to you is, if you are a trucker, are you doing anything to voice your opinion one way or the other in regard to these regulations? If not, do you plan to get involved? If yes, what actions are you taking? Make a comment below.

These regulations are directed more to truck equipment manufacturers but the costs get passed on down to the truck. New regulations can add nearly $25K to the cost of a tractor.

The question here is, is the cost worth the benefit? Many think not.

What is YOUR opinion?