Transportation Livestock safety should be a herd mentality March 1, 2012 There was a time not so long ago when the majority of truck drivers migrated to the highway from the family farm, where handling live animals was as common as tossing around a mud rake.
Transportation The feds got this one wrong March 1, 2012 Just imagine if you will, an almost perfect collaboration between government and industry with a longstanding track record of delivering valuable products, research and information that both parties agree is needed.
Transportation Let’s give thanks to the truck driving Neanderthals March 1, 2012 Last month, I wrote about possible ways of attracting and retaining drivers. But it’s a two-way street, so this month I’ll address the driver. As drivers, we can’t take without giving a little something back, not if we want a...
Transportation Tax Rx: Three tips for deducting medical expenses March 1, 2012 When you’re sick, the last guy you want to see is your accountant (he’s probably the only person who can deliver worse news than your doctor). But as you prepare your income tax return, it’s important to understand how medical...
Transportation Protecting your scalp from the harsh winter elements March 1, 2012 Dandruff – an irritation of the scalp that leads to itching and flaking of the skin of the scalp – is a common condition in North America. The most common cause of dandruff is dry skin.
Transportation Don’t let bacteria get under your skin March 1, 2012 Many skin conditions become worse during the winter months for a variety of reasons: reduced sunlight; fewer fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet; larger temperature fluctuations while getting in and out of your rig; and extra layers of...
Transportation Drivers deserve PM of their own March 1, 2012 Every professional fleet manager will recognize the importance of preventive maintenance programs. The ongoing focus on equipment health can keep trucks running like they should, maximizing performance, reducing defects and ultimately avoiding...
Transportation Paging Dr. Google March 1, 2012 I’ve had a number of calls and e-mails commenting on my last column. For those of you who missed it (hard to believe, but it could happen), I wrote about the senior driver test changes that are hopefully taking place in the not-so-distant...
Business Management buyer beware February 1, 2012 Acquisitions in the Canadian trucking sector picked up momentum in 2011, led by transportation giant TransForce, which continued to collect companies under its umbrella. Some of the other big players…
Business Management getting real on rates February 1, 2012 MT: The Canadian General Freight Index has been showing modest increases in trucking rates over the past year. Our own research shows that shippers believe trucking – truckload in particular…
Health & Safety Is it science or politics that’s driving hours of work legislation? February 1, 2012 How many hours should a truck driver be allowed to be behind the wheel? It’s a question critical to our industry yet one we have been unable to answer satisfactorily for all involved – drivers, the carriers who employ them, the...
Transportation no bad charges February 1, 2012 While in the midst of another Canadian winter, the topic of battery strength is always a recurring theme. In the past, a failing battery would be evident by the battery’s inability to supply sufficient current to crank the engine. In...
Business Management Thinking of selling your transportation company? February 1, 2012 Demographics dictate that as many as 80% of small business owners will either sell or pass on their businesses to heirs over the next 10 to 15 years. There are many ways to free up a significant amount of the wealth tied up in your business,...
Transportation Maximize uptime, minimize risk February 1, 2012 I don’t often use this space to discuss new products, preferring instead to address the many issues that plague the industry. My recent travels, however, brought to my attention a product that addresses an issue that I think will acquire...
Transportation A bridge too far…from the loo February 1, 2012 MONCTON, N.B. – Trucks gathering on the New Brunswick roadside waiting out Confederation Bridge closures are an accident waiting to happen, according to a driver who regularly makes the trip across the bridge. Stirling Provencher, a...