Land Line Now

The Department of Transportation has a nine-point plan to improve truckers’ lives – and two hours-of-service reforms are a key part of it. Also, an ad campaign for a bread company eventually led to trucking’s best-known song – “Convoy” by C.W. McCall. We’ll tell you how it happened. And Land Line Now’s Mark Reddig, Scott Thompson and Ashley Blackford gather in studio A to discuss some high points from the program’s two decades on the air. 0:00 – Hours-of-service reforms are on the table – what’s next? 09:55 – How the trucking anthem “Convoy” came to be 38:43 – A final look back at 20 years of Land Line Now

DataQ is designed to correct mistakes in safety reporting – but truckers see a need for reform. Also, a small group of soldiers drove some specially modified vehicles during the Vietnam War. Then, a trucker driving to a delivery suddenly found himself on truck-restricted routes – and it cost him big. And the spot market has seen a big jump in reefer freight during week 25. 0:00 – DataQ reforms could make a big difference for truckers 09:55 – Gun Trucks and their drivers play key role in Vietnam 24:15 – Town’s missing signs cost trucker a big fine 38:43 – Reefer freight a bright spot in freight market this week

OOIDA has long called for hours-of-service flexibility. The DOT has a plan for two pilot programs to test changes to the hours-of-service regulations. But will they do the job? Also, those programs are part of a DOT plan to improve truckers’ lives. We’ll get into the details. Then, in 2011, we discovered electronic highway signs warning of “zombies ahead.” We’ll explain what really happened. And in 2010, the maker of the steel used in the World Trade Center brought back some of it for a memorial – and 28 truckers carried it home. 0:00 – Hours of service: What does the DOT want to change? 09:55 – A deeper look at the DOT’s trucking plan 24:15 – Zombies ahead? Signs say yes 38:43 – A look back: Convoy brings World Trade Center steel home

The Texas Supreme Court just tossed out a $100 million nuclear verdict against Werner. Also, perhaps the most famous role soldier-truckers ever played was the “Red Ball Express.” Then, the “Code Talkers Flag,” which honors Navajos who used their language to help the U.S. in World War II, was lost until a trucker found it. And in 13 states this year, fuel taxes will change, and most will go up. 0:00 – Nuclear verdict tossed out by Texas Supreme Court 09:55 – Truckers of the Red Ball Express played key role in WWII victory 24:15 – Trucker’s action saved flag that honors the Code Talkers 38:43 – Fuel taxes to increase in 13 states today

CVSA wants the federal government to require electronic trackers on all trucks and has made it their top priority for the new highway bill. Also, two truckers who witnessed the fall of Saigon first-hand tell the story of that day – and the outsized role one tiny Navy vessel played. And FMCSA’s announcement Friday was like an OOIDA wish list, hitting issues like truck parking, split sleeper berth, speed limiters and more. 0:00 – CVSA wants trackers on all trucks 10:12 – A look back: The fall of Saigon through the eyes of two truckers 39:16 – FMCSA action plan hits some very big trucking issues

The DOT will act on several OOIDA priorities, including speed limiters, hours of service, truck parking and more. Also, we’ll bring you a 2008 story about motorcyclists who travel every year to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Then, a good place to eat is a must for truckers – and a Louisiana restaurant fits the bill. It was the first entry in our “Semi Supper Club.” And Andy McCulloch of Michelin explains special considerations needed for tires on electric-powered trucks. 0:00 – DOT to make OOIDA wish list a reality 10:12 – A look back: Run for the Wall 24:48 – A Cajun joint that caters to truckers 39:16 – Special considerations for tires on electric trucks

A bill would free overtime pay from taxes. However, truckers – who don’t get overtime – are not included. Another bill would change that. Also, a man survived one of the worst shipwrecks on the Great Lakes – and a trucker told his tale. We’ll tell you about the S.S. Daniel J. Morrell. And late in 2024, two Iowa DOT workers stepped up to help a trucker in a bad situation. If they had not, the trucker might not have made it. 0:00 – Effort would give truckers overtime pay – and qualify them for more 10:12 – Trucker tells the story of sole survivor of shipwreck 39:16 – Iowa DOT workers step up to help trucker in need

Nearly six decades ago, a trucker set world records by ballooning into the stratosphere. Also, Truckstop.com says that market pressure, rates, load availability and truck availability are all down. Then, low bridges can cause problems for truckers. But a pair of bridges in Iowa have developed a special reputation. And when a truck driver found himself in a jam, a local deputy and a group of inmates in Kentucky came to his aid. 0:00 – Rates are down in Week 24 of 2025 10:12 – Trucker sets world records during a ‘Magnificent Failure’ 24:48 – The Truck-Eating Bridge of Davenport, Iowa 39:16 – Officer, inmates step up to help a trucker in need

We continue our countdown to our final episode with more of our best work from the past 20 years. First, we’ll bring you an encore of our 2009 story about a Minnesota effort to establish a fatigue test, which ended with a federal court decision. Also, in 2010, a young woman ran across the entire United States to raise awareness for the St. Christopher Fund. And show trucks are a longtime part of trucking, but few live up to Bob and Shelly Brinker’s rig, “The Curse of the Black Pearl.” 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – A look back: Minnesota’s attempt to create a fatigue test 24:48 – A teenager’s run across the country to support truckers 39:16 – Avast! It’s a show truck to shiver me timbers

Just weeks after resolutions passed striking down California’s emission standards, the U.S. Supreme Court added its voice to the debate. Also, as part of our countdown to our final episode, we’ll bring you a 2005 debate over broker issues between OOIDA’s Jim Johnston and TIA’s Bob Voltman. And the reconciliation bill – or the one big, beautiful bill – has run into some problems. We’ll go over the holdups. 0:00 – Court gives fuel producers a win in California 10:12 – A look back: The Johnston-Voltman debate 39:16 – A few hiccups for the big, beautiful bill

An Oregon man who’s concerned about the potential ill effects of LED headlights is on a crusade to get them out of our vehicles. Also, from truckers stuck on a rural road to a man and his dog, we’ll tell you who in recent news has been good and who’s been bad with some Roses and Razzberries. Then, many in trucking have been searching for an alternative to diesel, and now Volvo Trucks North America thinks it may have a solution. 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – Roses and Razzberries 24:48 – Volvo may have a line on an alternative to diesel 39:16 – Oregon man wants to alleviate harm from LED headlights

What’s required to get started with enforcement of English proficiency in trucking, and when will it happen? We’ll get deep into the details. Also, what are all the current emergency declarations? What kind of regulatory relief do they offer? And to which truckers do they apply? Finally, two states are taking action regarding slow traffic in the left lane of interstate highways and other multilane highways. 0:00 – Fixing the chaos in emergency declarations 10:12 – How will FMCSA enforce English proficiency – and when? 39:16 – Fixing the problem of slowpokes in the left lane

FMCSA will renew an exemption for oversize and overweight loads, in part because those rigs realistically have no place to park. Also, many truckers have tried CBD, but a doctor says it could cause truckers to fail a drug test. Then, court case delays, appearing in court and case dismissals – all three are things you need to know about if you’re going to court. And the spot market is moving along according to seasonal expectations. Brent Hutto of Truckstop joins the show to break down all the numbers. 0:00 – Truck parking plays big role in oversize load exemption 10:12 – Doctor says that CBD is never safe for truck drivers 24:48 – Truckers need to know how things work in court 39:16 – Summer is here, and the spot market is acting appropriately

NHTSA is planning for autonomous vehicles and working to ease the transition, even for those that don’t currently meet safety standards. Also, scams are nothing new, but the internet makes it easier to take advantage of others. We’ll go over some common tax-related scams. 0:00 – NHTSA greasing the skids for autonomous vehicles 10:12 – Some of the most common tax-related scams

Emergency declarations are causing problems, but some in Congress want FMCSA to clean up the situation. Also, insurance questions can pop up when you lease on to a motor carrier. Then, truckers and enforcement have had an ongoing disagreement about the use of personal conveyance. And now enforcement wants changes. And Congress has stepped in to put a stop to some of CARB’s emission regulations. 0:00 – Lawmakers to FMCSA: Fix emergency declarations 10:12 – Insurance considerations when you lease on 24:48 – What is the right way to handle personal conveyance? 39:16 – Congressional action halts CARB rule – for now, at least

Plenty of truck drivers have had the itch to do something to spruce up their rig, but understandably don’t want to break the bank doing it. Bryan Martin of Chrome Shop Mafia has more than a few ideas. Then, we hear about a product that seeks to make the “trucker tan” a thing of the past. And finally, cybersecurity advice to keep the crooks at bay. 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – Customize your truck without breaking the bank 24:48 – “Trucker tan” product 39:16 – Password protection advice

President Trump just put a final nail in California’s emission standards coffin. We break down what that could mean for the future of electric vehicle mandates. Plus, how is the administration’s rollback of regulations going? We break out the grade sheet. Then, a look at crash preventability and its effect on truckers’ safety scores. And finally, an infamous truck-eating bridge in Kansas City, Mo., gets a makeover. 0:00 – Final nail in California’s emission standards coffin 10:12 – Regulatory rollback roundup 24:48 – Crash preventability and safety scores 39:16 – Truck-eating bridge gets a makeover

One of the most common and easily recognized images in trucking and other freight-moving industries is the shipping container. But how did it come to be? For many years, one name has come up – that of Malcolm McLean, credited in numerous places as the inventor. However, the real story, as is so often the case, is a little more complex. We explore McLean’s story and his role in history. 0:00 – Newscast 10:12 – Trucker’s ingenuity brings us the shipping containers we have today

Freight activity tends to slow down a bit as the months get warmer, so what’s behind the recent increase in freight entering the market? Plus, you’ve heard the complaint from members of the public or an elected official – that truckers don’t pay their “fair share” of the cost of our highways. But what do the cold, hard numbers tell us? Then, breaking down the merits of a traffic ticket service. And finally, how a love of driving led a bus driver to a career in trucking. 0:00 – Signs of strength in the freight market 10:12 – Are truckers paying their “fair share” of highway costs? 24:48 – Traffic ticket services 39:16 – Bus driver-turned-trucker shares her story

A proposal that would have amounted to an extra fee for motor carriers just got thrown on the scrap heap by a U.S. Senate committee. What are the chances it pops back up? Plus, having an interest in lease-purchase agreements is understandable – but the horror stories should be enough to make you think twice. Then, if you want to save money while your truck is parked, don’t pause your insurance – but do try this. And finally, some cybersecurity advice for truckers on the road and at home. 0:00 – Senate punts proposed new fee for truckers 10:12 – Just say no to lease-purchase agreements 24:48 – Save money while your truck is parked 39:16 – Cybersecurity 101