Newsletter Archive

Comments on FMCSA broker transparency rule pour in

Plus: Pushing for port negotiation | Worrying trends in violence against truckers

Carriers are calling for change as the FMCSA’s broker transparency rule gathers momentum, with nearly 900 comments so far. For smaller fleets, fair rates are non-negotiable. Will this proposal level the playing field — or add more hurdles? Plus, find out who said "AB5 sucks."

Today's Lineup

🔷 An aesthetically pleasing, colorful lineup of trucks at Love's
🔷 Truck catches on fire, spilling melted chocolate onto the highway
🔷 Remembering trucker Gene England
🔷 “How can we be competitive?" Drivers respond to FMCSA broker rule
🔷 Worrying trends in cargo theft and truck driver violence

Follow Inside Lane on LinkedIn

INSIDE LOOK

Trucking groups call on port to restart bargaining talks

A dozen trucking associations, and another 200 organizations, are urging action on contract talks between the East and Gulf ports and the labor union representing dockworkers.

The trucking groups sent a letter to the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd., asking the two parties to resume negotiations on a labor agreement. They had met following the three-day strike in October, but the union broke off talks over clauses related to automation. If the union and ports don't reach a contract, the union could strike again on Jan. 15.

Why this matters: If a strike occurs, drayage truckers would be unable to pickup or return containers to ports, creating congestion. Shippers may also try to import goods ahead of the possible strike, leading to a surge in freight in the next couple weeks.

Get more details at Truckers News.

ROADSIDE READS

Colorful trucks at Love's. (Courtesy of redrhino606 / Reddit)

What we're admiring: This aesthetically pleasing, colorful lineup of trucks at a Love's travel stop. What does it remind you of? One commenter suggested Power Rangers, another said Skittles.

What we're looking at: Photos and video on Instagram of a truck catching on fire, resulting in melted chocolate spilling all over the highway.

What we're reading: This post from Donald Trump's pick for assistant attorney general. Her hot take: "AB5 sucks."

What's making us smile: A scooter driver who understood the assignment. The driver stopped traffic so a truck could make a wide right turn.

FAST LANE

NEWS

Carriers react to FMCSA's broker transparency rule

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has received nearly 900 comments on a proposed rule that would mandate broker transparency and record-keeping. Carriers are saying, "We need transparency!" and "How can we be competitive when we don’t know what the rate is in the first place?"

Why this matters: Smaller fleets, in particular, often work with brokers, and transparent and fair rates are critical to maintaining healthy business operations. (CDL Life)

Trucking job numbers point to a promising 2025

The trucking industry added 3,000 jobs in November, marking the fifth monthly gain this year. Still, compared to the peak in summer 2022, jobs are down by 40,000.

Why this matters: The job numbers, coupled with slowly increasing spot market rates, indicate that the trucking environment should be better in 2025 than it was this year. (Land Line)

As cargo theft rises, so does violence against truckers

A worrying trend is emerging during cargo thefts. More than 80% of cargo thefts in Mexico during Q3 involved violence against the drivers of the truck.

Why this matters: It's not enough for fleets to just guard their goods. Managers also have to think about safety protections for drivers transporting the freight. (FreightWaves)