We’re back with Part 2 of the interview with Zach Smacher, about what it’s like for a new trucker in their first 6 months. We left off with a cliffhanger, so that’s where we’ll pick it back up.

But first we’re going to talk about the FMCSA’s new rules about COVID extensions and how they’re bending over backwards to get new truckers into the industry. We’ll also talk about President Biden’s vaccine mandate and how that’s going to affect the trucking industry. And in related news, how to get your own authority if you want to sidestep the mandate. LOL

What else? The pros and cons of working for a union shop, no government money for truck parking, higher per diem rates starting soon, lower Social Security benefits expected in the future, a naughty fuel card company, changes to an age-old technology – the CB, and with winter coming up, I’ll point you to a great resource for chain laws state-by-state.

In the listener feedback segment, we’ll congratulate a new CDL holder, help another potential new trucker, and a couple of drivers want to discuss hazardous materials handling.

This episode of Trucker Dump is sponsored by:

• Porter Freight Funding – So many services to offer, including Factoring, Dispatching, Freight Brokering, Fuel Cards, Insurance, and Compliance. Call 205-576-8257 to learn more.
• Volvo Trucks – Check out the new D13TC engine in the Volvo VNL series.
• Pilot Flying J app#ThankaTrucker challenge.

Links mentioned in the news segment:

Chains required in Colorado beginning Sept. 1 from OverdriveOnline.com

Chain laws state-by-state from TheTruckersReport.com

More COVID emergency waivers extended from OverdriveOnline.com

FMCSA adds reporting requirement with extension of COVID HOS waiver from OverdriveOnline.com

FMCSA Shows CDL Flexibility to Get Newly-Minted Drivers On Road from TheTruckersReport.com

IRS per diem rate going up by $3 next month from FreightWaves.com

FTC Takes Fuel Card Company To Court Over ‘Hidden Fees’ from TheTruckersReport.com

Pros & Cons of Working For a Truck Driver Union Shop from TheTruckersReport.com

What would happen if employers forced truckers to get vaccinated? from OverdriveOnline.com

Biden vaccine mandate may worsen low driver retention rates from FreightWaves.com

How Biden’s vaccine mandate could impact owner-ops, independents from OverdriveOnline.com

Get your own authority: How to tackle the basics of filing, insurance, more from OverdriveOnline.com

$3.5 trillion spending bill — and not one penny for truck parking from FreightWaves.com

Social Security to become unable to pay full benefits sooner than previously estimatedfrom MarketWatch.com

Biggest change for CBs in four decades as FM mode gets approved by FCC from OverdriveOnline.com

Links mentioned in the interview:

TD129: 4 Ways To Become A More Efficient Trucker from AboutTruckDriving.com

TD149: Job-Hopping In Trucking from AboutTruckDriving.com

TD152: When Should You Look For A New Trucking Job? from AboutTruckDriving.com

TD97: A Trucker’s Worst Nemesis – Complacency from AboutTruckDriving.com

TD104: Complacency Strikes from AboutTruckDriving.com

TD66: Truckers Go Turtle Racing from AboutTruckDriving.com

Zachary can be reached at ZacharySmacher@aol.com, or you can find him on the Trucker Dump Slack group and Facebook page as @smackerman.

Links mentioned in the listener feedback segment:

Congratulations to Angela Peters, who just her Class A CDL with tanker and hazmat endorsements!

Steven Burnham joins the Trucker Dump Slack group and is looking to get his CDL through a company.

Scott Lucas joined the Trucker Dump Slack group. Where are you, Scott?

Billy Loving asked for the Trace tablet, but I already gave it to Christian Cooper. Sorry, Billy!

Zach Smacher, a.k.a. @smackerman, shares a hazmat situation he had recently.

Brett B takes me to task after listening to TD27: Hauling Hazardous Materials.

Show info:

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