This cool new service (release date is June 15th) works like the Google search engine, only more visually appealing.  Simply type in what you need to find in the search box and voila, up pops a screen of images and boxes that can be moved around with your mouse.

The idea is to be more inspired with images, textboxes and excerpts of articles/info.  Try typing in 'iphone 3.0' and see how you like the results!  You might even be surprised what pops up when typing in your own name...

 http://beta.spezify.com/

 Bright and early this morning, one of our most forward-thinking customers, Fikes Truck Line, was featured on Sirius Radio's Road Dog channel on Dave Nemo's program.  Willis Johnston, an agent for FTL was on the show to discuss transportation logistics and where he believes the industry is headed.  The show airs weekly on Thursdays at 7:35AM.

In a business when minutes can make a difference between gaining/losing a load, confirming a pickup/delivery or sending help to a driver who brokedown, technolgies that utilize cell phones and GPS are were it's at. 

Fikes named their logistics company FTL, cleverly also an acronym for "Faster Than Lightning."  I suppose Flipper isn't the only one known for his speed...

My boss, Danny Dever, recently received a Journeyman training program (complete with CD study guides and manual) from the transportation expert and creator of the program, David Dwinell.  It's essentially a how-to manual for understanding the brokerage business and tips to make it a success. 

 We started a weekly lunch session at uFollowit to learn from Mr. Dwinell's vast knowledge from working in the industry for over 25 years.  It was shocking to learn that only 1 in 10 brokers will succeed in their first year!  Whether or not you were good in statistics class, it's clear that these odds are not in favor of a new brokerage business.

The good news is that the transportation industry is enormous ($700 billion/year, in fact) and not going anywhere.  So if you're in need of a job or have some extra time, brokering freight (in an efficient, honest and profit-driven way) could be your golden ticket to serious cash!  

You can read about the new Trucker app at: http://www.askthetrucker.com/trucker-iphone-app/ or you can find it on iTunes in the Lifestyle category: Trucker. I'd be curious to know how you like it. Send me a comment once you have had a chance to play with it for a while. The iTunes feedback so far is mixed (though most of it is positive).

 It's always nice to find great trucking-related blogs written by drivers!

 

Drivers spend long hours in the cab listening to radio, so I assume many caught a lot of Paul's shows. With so much negativity out there on the airwaves, it was probably comforting to catch The Paul Harvey show. Listening meant learning something new - Paul gave you value in your day. And his message was so different from the other news. Paul was upbeat and interesting while most news shows are pessimistic and boring. Paul talked about compelling topics and he treated the story as something that could improve to a person's day.  No doubt he was a welcome friend on a lonely highway.

Mr. Harvey will be sorely missed by me and millions of other listeners. Personally, I'll miss his amazing ability to tell a story and the way he infected us with his generosity and fantastic outlook on life. I always felt better about the world after listening - he changed my perspective. Earl Nightingale said that a person could become wildly successful at something if you are passionate about the work. Paul was living proof of Earl's Strangest Secret.

My condolences go out to his family and especially his son, Paul Harvey Jr., who said goodbye to both his parents in the last year (‘Angel' passed last May). I sincerely hope Paul Jr. takes over for dad and carries on the family tradition with supreme style and enthusiasm, as his father did for seven decades.

We'll miss you, Mr. Harvey!

I finally finished watching the Drive and Deliver documentary from International Trucks. My overall impression is that it is well done and a good window into the lives of the Owner/Operator. These guys are out there every day, hauling freight all over the country so Americans can eat, play, and build communities. Trucks bring it and we should not forget that. In watching the movie I soon realize that these guys (and all truckers) are doing the best they can in not-so-good conditions. Americans are buying fewer durable and non-durable goods, so there are fewer loads to haul. Lower load counts mean fewer trucks and fewer trucking companies.

In every economic downturn we see a lot of industry consolidation, and the trucking industry is no different. The last statistic I saw showed over 2,500 small trucking companies have closed their doors this year. Even some of the larger firms are closing down. Transport Topics reported that Greatwide Logistics Services filed for bankruptcy in the October 27 issue (p2). We have to keep the trucks rolling, though, or nothing gets to the stores. As O/O driver Steve Donaldson states in the movie: "We [Truckers] are the backbone of this nation. People need to realize that without the trucks, nothing at all would move...it's all brought to you by trucks." Well said, Steve.

If you have an interest in trucking, visit the International Truck site and get the documentary. It's worth the watch. The background music on the video is great: Marshall Tucker Band, Merle Haggard, and Lynard Skynard. Good Stuff. Trucks Bring It.

The story follows the three as they work their respective businesses. Steven and Tim each pull a 53' drybox van, while Chris drags a double-drop. Xtra Lease must have contributed to the film costs because their trailers are prominent throughout the film. So is Flying J. With each driver we get a chance to hear about their life, family, business, and challenges. There's several common threads in their stories: they each wanted to drive a truck from a very young age, none of them like having a boss, and they feel lonely most of the time.

Watching these guys work hard far from their families makes me sure appreciate the men and women who bring everything to me. Without truckers and trucks, there would be miles and miles of empty shelves. Something to consider the next time you are at the store, restaurant, and mall. Trucks truly bring it to you.

 

Life on the Road has many contributors, so it's constantly updated with fresh content - good news for active bloggers. Anyway, there's a link on the site for the Drive and Deliver video and ordered it. It's about fifteen bucks with S/H.

The tagline on the site says the film is about truck drivers: "Frequently misunderstood, long-haul truckers are a proud and spirited breed. In "Drive and Deliver", acclaimed director Brett Morgen journeys into their world and over far reaches of open road, where the realities of family, business and brotherhood converge into one unforgettable story." I was hooked. Sign me up! The movie is so popular that it was backordered when I ordered. They probably have more in stock now, so go get a copy, as all proceeds benefit the ATA. I'll comment more once I have watched the movie. Perhaps you'll have your copy by then, also.