The Daily: April 1, 2022
Good morning, it’s April Fool’s Day. Stay on your toes, folks.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an April Fool’s joke. Owner-operators may need to begin a pivot.
A post-covid world created high spot market rates and owner-operators reaped the benefits with larger annual incomes filling their pockets. But all good things might come to end. Efficiency and income will require a better balance if it’s to continue.
Today’s featured article from Overdrive Online has some pointers. ☕️
“It is far easier to figure out if something is fragile than to predict the occurrence of an event that may harm it.”
– Nassim Taleb
Today’s Featured Article:
Record owner-operator income could be longer-term trucking trend | Overdrive (overdriveonline.com)
“Friday, March 25, at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, Overdrive rebooted its decades-running Partners in Business series, coproduced with owner-operator business services firm ATBS, with this first in-person session since 2019.”
The Latest On…
Trade & Border Issues 🗺
US trade chief says new focus needed as China hasn’t changed | AJOT.COM
“U.S. trade chief Katherine Tai said it’s time to forget about changing China’s behavior and instead focus on rebuilding the U.S. industrial manufacturing base and making domestic investments to counter the Asian nation.”
Why the global supply chain mess is getting so much worse - CNN
“Problems with global supply chains were supposed to be getting better by now. Instead, experts say they are getting worse.”
Potential West Coast Port Strike this Summer; Thieves Stealing Full Amazon Trucks in Dallas; US GDP was Strong in Q4, but could See Q1 Fall; Performance Team Places Big Order for eTrucks | SC Digest
“That is how many dock workers could soon go on strike at 29 ports and terminals on the US West Coast. The contract for the Worldwide Longshore and Warehouse Union with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), which represents port operators, expires at the end of June.”
Compliance 📋
Are You Ready for Wireless Electronic Truck Inspections? [Video] - Safety & Compliance - Trucking Info
“What are Level 8 electronic inspections, and how will they play into the adoption of autonomous trucks? Find out in this interview with Steve Vaughn of the PrePass Safety Alliance.”
Small fleet's 10%-plus violation-correction rate: DataQs reform | Overdrive (overdriveonline.com)
“Once again, the small fleet I own and operate has had a DataQs review/request for a change to a violation that has been granted.”
Delta's health chief thinks the plane mask mandate will soon be lifted (cnbc.com)
“The U.S. has continually extended the requirement that masks be worn on planes and in airports, as well as on buses, trains, and other forms of transportation, amid the pandemic, but it is currently set to expire on April 18.”
Maintenance & Repair 🧰
Fleets move outside traditional channels to find parts | FleetOwner
“Data from the most recent State of Heavy-Duty Repair report shows that fleets are changing their parts purchasing practices amid ongoing supply chain shortages.”
Tiremakers Cautious About Supply Chain Solutions | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“Commercial tiremakers are feeling a different type of March Madness dealing with their supply chains.”
Inside look at Navistar’s new truck assembly plant | Fleet Maintenance
“The OEM's San Antonio manufacturing plant is capable of making electric- and conventional-powertrain Classes 6-8 trucks on the same line.”
Shop efficiency yields big returns for fleet | FleetOwner
“Crum Trucking’s focus on a quality approach to all aspects of its maintenance operation is paying off in efficiency dividends.”
Tech 📟
You Wear it Well: Wearable Technology Hits the Mark - Inbound Logistics
“Advances in technology and increasing adoption mean wearables in the warehouse are here to stay.”
Accelerating sustainability and transparent reporting with digital supply chains - Smarter Business Review (ibm.com)
”Supply chains are the key to reducing Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions which can account for more than 90 percent of an enterprise’s carbon footprint.”
Regulations ⚖️
STB poised to decide reciprocal switching rules as shippers, railroads remain at odds | Supply Chain Dive
“Federal regulators seem inclined to adopt some form of reciprocal switching rules, with Surface Transportation Board Chairman Marty Oberman saying the proposal could be a way to address high rates and service concerns in the rail industry without the need for more ‘granular regulation.’“
Just maybe the FLSA will finally apply to trucking - Land Line
“There it is. Number 40 of 62 policy recommendations in a document of more than 100 pages: ‘Urge Congress to eliminate the Fair Labor Standards Act motor carrier exemption.’”
Shortages 🛒
JLL report highlights the supply and demand imbalance for industrial real estate space - Logistics Management (logisticsmgmt.com)
“The report—entitled “The race for industrial space: Can supply keep up?”—focuses on the challenges that industrial real estate stakeholders are up against, at a time when industrial space availability continues to trend down.”
US consumers still confident, but outlook not as rosy - TheTrucker.com
“U.S. consumer confidence bounced back in March and remains high, though consumers’ short-term outlook is not quite as rosy.”
Ports 🚢
Ocean Carriers' Shift to Owning More Ships Depletes Containership Charter Market (gcaptain.com)
“The shift by some ocean carriers to owning more tonnage rather than chartering-in ships has depleted the containership charter market by 1.6 million teu, according to Alphaliner data.”
Walsh Optimistic About Port Workers’ Contract Talks | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is optimistic that upcoming labor negotiations for workers at West Coast ports will progress smoothly, noting the critical role that dockworkers and port drivers play in keeping supply chains moving.”
Driver Issues 🚚
Yellow Welcomes Labor Secretary Walsh at Driver Training Academy Opening | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“Executives from Yellow Corp. were joined by Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf at a March 29 ribbon-cutting for the motor carrier’s 17th driving academy, a date that also marked the end of the Biden administration’s 90-day challenge to trucking companies to ramp up training and apprenticeship programs to bring drivers to the industry.”
Diversity 🤜🏻🤛🏿
30-year company driver for Yellow named top woman truck driver | Truckers News
“A. veteran company driver with almost 2 million safe miles to her driving credit was named the Driver of the Year by the Women In Trucking Association.”
Human Resources 🙌
Why We’re Losing the Competition for the World’s Best Talent | RealClearPolitics
“As college admission season nears its end, international graduates are anxiously awaiting another decision – except this time, merit has nothing to do with the outcome.”
Inflation 💸
A key inflation gauge sets 40-year high as gas and food soar | AP News
“An inflation gauge that is closely monitored by the Federal Reserve jumped 6.4% in February compared with a year ago, with sharply higher prices for food, gasoline and other necessities squeezing Americans’ finances.”
Fuel Tech ♻️
REG, J.B. Hunt Discuss Renewable Diesel, Biodiesel Strategies - Fuel Smarts - Trucking Info
“Cleaner-burning and lower-emission fuels, such as biodiesel and renewable diesel, are helping transportation industries, including trucking and rail, meet their sustainability targets, explained Cynthia Warner, president, and CEO of Renewable Energy Group, in a March 30 webinar.”
Trucker’s Lounge 🧢
How military veterans can help solve fleet issues | Commercial Carrier Journal (ccjdigital.com)
“Hiring military veterans as truck drivers can do more for a fleet than just fill empty seats.”
Good Samaritan says he “was going to help” a trapped trucker no matter what (cdllife.com)
“A trucker trapped inside of his burning rig was rescued thanks to the help of a Good Samaritan who says he was going to either save the trucker or die trying.”
Shaq delights crowd at the closing keynote for MHI’s Modex show | DC Velocity
“In addition to sharing stories about this youth and basketball career, O’Neal discussed his leadership perspectives.”
May 5-7: Large Cars & Guitars truck show kicks off in Tennessee | Overdrive (overdriveonline.com)
“Trucker-songwriter Tony Justice has been kicking around the idea for what is itself kicking off in May for quite some time.”
Trucking ‘the hard way’: Love for the road keeps Oregon native Ric Pike behind the wheel - TheTrucker.com
“Ric Pike always has to eat a little crow when he tells the story about how he became a professional truck driver.”
Two More Plead Guilty to Staged Accidents in New Orleans | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“Two New Orleans women have pleaded guilty in separate conspiracy schemes to stage accidents — one involving a tractor-trailer and the other a bus.”
Artificial Intelligence 🤖
Deal to Deploy 500 Autonomous Trucks on US Roadways – IoT World Today
“The adage “Keep on Truckin’” will be more relevant than ever following autonomous tech firm Locomation’s confirmation of a new deal with Christenson Transportation.”
Autonomous Planning in Supply Chain: 4 Must-Haves for Next-Generation Platforms - Solvoyo
“I recently moved to Florida. Everything is great but due to high humidity, I needed to upgrade my hair styler, so I went online to order it.”
MHI Industry Report: Supply chain technology, automation set to explode | DC Velocity
“Adoption and investment in automation and technology has reached a tipping point between “evolutionary” and ‘revolutionary”’”
TuSimple CEO pledges to be an 'evangelist' for autonomous driving (cnbc.com)
“Xiaodi Hou co-founded autonomous-driving startup TuSimple a few years ago, but he just took over as CEO and chairman of the board March 3.”
Toronto Streetcars Prove a Challenge to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Software – IoT World Today
“The release of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD beta) software for its vehicles in Canada began as expected on March 26 and has continued to roll out in fits and starts since then to a generally enthusiastic reception. However, one wrinkle has appeared in the launch: Toronto’s streetcars.”
AI can mitigate cyberattacks against trucking companies | Commercial Carrier Journal (ccjdigital.com)
“We conducted a study of mid-sized companies analyzing their cybersecurity preparedness, as well as the volume and nature of cyber risks those companies faced in 2020 through today.”
Fuel ⛽️
Oil: OPEC+ meets as U.S. considers massive release of oil reserves (cnbc.com)
“The influential energy alliance of OPEC and non-OPEC partners swiftly agreed to raise its output targets by 432,000 barrels per day from May 1.”
Electric Vehicles 🔋
Pace of heavy EV sales quickens with two recent deals | FleetOwner
“As California continues as a test bed for fleet operation of all-electric Class 8s, two carriers place larger orders for new Volvo and Kenworth electric trucks for operations in SoCal and around the ports there.”
Of electric vehicles and parity | FleetOwner
“If the trucking industry is going to get to parity, fleets need to start their electrification journeys now.”
Warehousing 🏢
Is the Industrial Warehouse Shortage Temporary? (allthingssupplychain.com)
“Warehouse space has become some of the most competitive real estates in the world over the past couple of years.”
Networking 🤝
FedEx partners with Elroy Air to test pilotless package drone | AJOT.COM
“FedEx plans to begin experimental flights next year using Elroy Air’s Chaparral aircraft to shuttle packages from one sorting hub to another, the companies said.”
Project Cargo 📦
Misconceived Ideas of Project Freight - More Than Shipping
“Many of those employed in logistics understand that the industry has a certain level of complexity with day to day movement of freight.”
Marketing Approach 📱
How to boost your brand awareness online - SmartBrief
“Is your digital brand awareness affecting your sales? If your branding seems to be misaligned or misunderstood, try these tips from Rashan Dixon to give it a refresh.”
Company Culture 🎉
How You Can Fulfill Employee Expectations of Returning to the Office (msn.com)
“You have big decisions to make today as you prepare for how people will want to work tomorrow.”
Small Business 💼
New Scientific Opinion Poll: Small Business Owners Experience Unlevel Playing Field with Large Companies and Big Tech | Small Business Majority
“Poll finds that the majority of small businesses have been negatively impacted by anti-competitive business practices and support updates to current laws that will level the playing field.”
Biden is taking the wrong approach to small businesses, and many may fail | Fox Business
“As is well documented, small business is the engine driving America’s economy today.”
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The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for July 31, 2025, from iLevel Logistics Inc.