A carrier that receives their freight pay in a timely manner is a happy carrier. No one knows that better than us! If you’ve ever had a lengthy delay between hauling a load and receiving your freight pay, there may be a simple explanation. To avoid any hang-ups when hauling with Trinity Logistics and to get paid as quickly as possible, always follow these tips.

1. Fill Out the Carrier Registration Packet Completely

When you’re starting out as a newly registered carrier in our network, we require you to fill out our online carrier packet. You’ll receive an invitation from My Carrier Packet, allowing you to quickly fill out all the information we need to start hauling with Trinity. Not completely this will not only hold you up from your freight pay, but from you even being able to haul a shipment in the first place.

2. Meet Our Insurance Requirements

Not having the required insurance coverage will also hold up your setup and ability to be paid on time. To become registered within Trinity’s carrier network, motor carriers must meet these requirements:

3. Provide Accurate Contact Information for Us to Reach You

Make sure the contact information you give us is accurate and up-to-date. Also, be sure to answer when we contact you. If there’s an issue, we’ll want to solve it for you right away, and being able to reach you as soon as possible will speed up the process.

4. Send Us the BOL for All Pickups and Deliveries

Not receiving the proper shipment paperwork or it being sent to the wrong person/Team is something we see very often, holding carrier freight pay up. We can’t process your business and release your freight pay without having your bill-of-lading (BOL) on file for the shipment you’ve hauled. Please send all shipment paperwork [email protected]. You also have the option of uploading your shipment paperwork in the TriumphPay portal if that’s easier for you.

5. Doublecheck and Ensure All BOLs and PODs Are Legible

If we’re not able to clearly read your BOL and proof-of-delivery (POD), we’ll need to reach back out to you. If you’re not able to scan a clear copy, you can mail them to us instead.

6. Register With Trinity Logistics via TriumphPay (and Choose Quick Pay)

Trinity Logistics works with TriumphPay to get carriers paid quickly. As a carrier in our network, you’ll need to register on the TriumphPay website (if you’re not already) and choose your payment terms. We offer two different payment options to suit your needs. You can choose our Quick Pay option to get paid in two business days for a very competitive fee of 1.5 percent. Or you may choose our standard pay option, which is within 24 business days, for no additional cost.

7. Mail Original Shipping Documents if Required

If the rate confirmation states that “originals” are required, please don’t fax or email your documents as your shipping documents must be provided by mail.

8. Did You Receive a T-Check for a Lumper?

We’ll need the receipt of that included with your invoice, otherwise your freight pay might be short.

Wondering what lumper fees are? Click here to learn more about them.

9. Are There Any Scale Tickets?

If scale tickets are stated on your rate confirmation, please send them in when sending in your invoice.

10. Doublecheck That the POD Is Signed by the Receiver

If it’s a stamp, make sure it’s dark enough to be legible for the customer.

11. Send Your Invoice and the POD Together

If they are sent separately, it may appear that pieces are missing, and this can delay your freight pay.

12. Make Sure the Shipment Number Is on the Invoice and POD

Not having this information can hold up the process of filing your shipment documents and releasing your freight pay.

At Trinity, there’s never a question of if you’ll get paid. It’s simply a matter of how quickly you can get us the required documentation so that we can pay you within a reasonable timeframe.

Find Your Next Trinity Shipment

We often will hear from a Freight Agency on how their business has become stagnant while partnered with either small or start-up brokerages. This could be for several reasons. For one, no business will grow unless the main driving force – which is YOU – is 100 percent committed to its success.

In fact, many of the single-person Freight Agents we have seen with great success in the past five years have a focused passion that affords them no “Plan B”. They are so determined to make their small freight agency work that they don’t even consider failure as a potential option. Having that hunger is essential but finding a partner to support your growth is vital. When considering who that partner should be, it’s important to consider several things, such as;

WILL CARRIER PARTNERS EVEN TAKE MY FREIGHT?

The days of only being a point A to point B truckload-only Freight Agency are fading. Customers have unique shipping challenges that need unique shipping solutions. Therefore, it’s important to ensure your Freight Agency’s partner has a vast network of carrier partners.

As important, is their reputation among the carrier community. It must be strong enough to foster relationships that promote carriers consistently working with them versus having to always rely on “one and done” carriers. Find out how often carriers seek repeat business with the partner company you’re considering. If it happens a third of the time or less, that could be a warning sign that carriers may give your company a shot, but the relationship doesn’t progress for whatever reason.

WHAT OPERATIONAL SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO MY FREIGHT AGENCY BUSINESS?

Typically, most Freight Agents are well-versed in truckload operations as that is where most get their start in the industry. But shipping customers have needs that don’t just require a full truckload of a product being moved.

Does your partner company have a strong relationship with less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers that will provide competitive service and rates? Will you have a team of experts to assist you with those non-traditional freight moves, like expedited, drayage, or international? What about a shipper customer with more complex needs, like a transportation management system to help manage their business?

As you look to grow with your shipper customers, the last thing you want to do is tell that customer, “Sorry, we can’t support that type of move.”

WHAT ONGOING EDUCATION IS AVAILABLE TO ME?

People that are successful in any business typically have a thirst for knowledge. It’s not just about learning something new, it’s also about refining and sharpening the saw on things they have known for years. Does the company you’re looking to partner with offer education and training sessions to assist in that endeavor?

And if so, are they just focused on mode education? Or operational or technical education? What about things that are not directly tied to the day-to-day but are important – like succession planning? Find out how the company you consider partnering with will support your Freight Agency and you as a person.

HOW INVOLVED WILL I NEED TO BE IN NON-REVENUE GENERATING ACTIVITIES?

The sale does not end when the shipment delivers. That sale needs to continue all the way through the administrative support side of the freight transaction. But how much of your time will that gobble up?

If the partner company you’re considering indicates they will do those things on your behalf, what are their processes for those support measures? It’s great when they help get a carrier set up, but at the speed at which the freight industry moves, you know how valuable minutes are, let alone hours of waiting.

And not just normal processes, but not every shipping customer or freight move fits neatly in a box. So how will those needs be met when exceptions occur? Let’s face it, giving a partner company a percentage of the gross margin, you make on a shipment should absolutely come with a clear picture of how they will support your Freight Agency, your shipping customers, and those relationship carriers you have worked hard with to gain their trust.

Ask those tough questions about what happens when this occurs or how quickly a dispute or special need be managed. Remember, the company you partner with needs to be an extension of you and the freight agency you have created.

CHOOSE TRINITY LOGISTICS FOR YOUR FREIGHT AGENCY

We realize you have a choice in who you’d like as your freight agency’s partner. However, Trinity Logistics can help your business grow and remain successful regardless of your freight agency size.

Trinity Logistics has over 30 years of experience aiding in the success of our Authorized Freight Agent offices, as well as offering many extras for our Authorized Agent network. So, if you’re looking for a long-term partnership that is supportive of your growth and offers you continued education to stay competitive, we’re more than happy to get connected.

If you’d like to talk more about how Trinity can support your journey in growing a successful business, feel free to contact our Agent Team by phone at 800-846-3400 x 1908 or click the button below.

I’m interest in partnering my Freight Agency with Trinity Logistics.

If you follow any of the transportation or trucking-related publications or are situated on the West Coast, you probably have seen or heard the term “AB5”. The AB5 law, popularly known as the “gig worker bill”, is formerly known as California Assembly Bill 5. Here’s a quick rundown of how it came to be, what it means, and who is affected.

WHAT IS THE AB5 LAW TIMELINE?

  1. Passed by the California Senate and House, and signed into law by the Governor of California in September 2019
  2. A preliminary injunction delayed the enactment of the bill in 2020
  3. In June 2022, the Supreme Court of the U.S. declined to hear the appeal, thus rendering the injunction defunct and AB5 cleared to be enacted

WHAT DOES THE AB5 LAW MEAN?

At its core, the bill was passed to decide if a worker meets the classification of an employee or maintains independent contractor status. The bill uses a three-prong test to determine a worker’s classification. To be identified as an independent contractor, a worker must:

  1. Be free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work, both under the contract for the performance of the work and in fact.
  2. Perform work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business.
  3. Be customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as that involved in the work performed.

WHO GETS AFFECTED?

Like any piece of legislation, there are exceptions. Unfortunately, independent contractor truck drivers, otherwise known as owner-operators are not part of the exception list, and that number is approximately 70,000 in the state of California. Trucking companies that utilize the service of owner-operators to run their business are at risk of being in violation of the law.

IF I WANT TO WORK WITH A motor CARRIER BASED IN CALIFORNIA, DO I NEED TO VERIFY THAT THEY ARE AB5 COMPLIANT?

As with any carrier, whether they are based in California or any other state, they are required to comply with all federal and state regulations. Some states have more regulations than others, with the California CARB regulation being a good example. As with those regulations, the responsibility to comply 100 percent lies with the carrier.

WHAT COULD BE THE IMPACT OF THIS LEGISLATION TAKING EFFECT? 

The estimate is that 70,000 truck drivers in the state of California could be impacted. Certainly, there is the option for companies that utilize these independent truck drivers to hire them as employees. That may be unlikely as these drivers enjoy the benefits of running their own business versus being a company driver. There is also the possibility that owner-operators will look to relocate outside the state of California. Nonetheless, this law will put further pressure on California’s capacity among current activity in ad around California’s ports, creating another disruption to the U.S.’s already stressed supply chains.

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How do truck drivers eat healthy while over the road? Truck drivers can have jam-packed schedules with little time to think about their food choices. While truck stops and fast food joints are often full of food loaded with sugar, sodium, or to-go greasy food. Maintaining a good diet for truck drivers can be hard to do while having fast-paced schedules. It’s easy to get used to these kinds of foods, and with a sedentary work style, it can often add up to an early onset of diseases and poor health. For example, the life expectancy of truck drivers is 16 years less than those of other working professions. And the heavy carbohydrate and sugar load of those convenient favorites can lead to a slower metabolism and insulin spikes – both making you more sluggish behind the wheel and affecting your alertness.

Thanks to advances in technology and consumer changes, maintaining a good diet while over the road (OTR) is becoming easier. While having a good diet for truck drivers might seem difficult, with a little preparation and planning, it can be doable and keep you hauling freight for years to come. There are many ways to improve your diet, and we’re here to help you find what works best for you. Keep reading for tips, food ideas, benefits to healthy eating, and more so you can find a healthy diet convenient.

Listen to our Heart of the Truck podcast episode on Staying Fit Over The Road!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Skip ahead to the sections you want to read most!

STORING & MAKING FOOD OTR

Making your own meals, whether ahead of time or on the go, allows you to control the content and nutritional value of your food while also saving you some money in the long run. Thanks to today’s technology and appliances, you have options to store any temperature-controlled products or pre-made meals in portable coolers or refrigerators. You can even cook some food right from your truck using a microwave, slow cooker, or a hot plate. Just keep the clean-up in mind

You can also make use of some resources at truck stops, such as a microwave to heat up a packed meal or the hot water at the coffee station to use for things like oatmeal or instant soups. Additionally, many foods don’t need any temperature control, such as many fruits (fresh and dried), PB & J sandwiches, tuna packets, summer sausage, applesauce, and even dried or shelf-stable milk!

And if that’s not enough, you can still eat out. You just have to be mindful of where you’re going and what you choose to eat.

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY DIET

Plan Ahead

Planning your meals and snacks ahead of time is the easiest way to have a good diet for truck drivers. Make sure you’re balancing your diet and steering clear of those foods that make you feel bogged down. Whether you’re meal prepping or eating along the way, plan your meals out, so you know exactly what you’re eating and how it will make you feel.

Know Where You’re Going

This goes hand in hand with planning ahead. Know where you’re going for your meals so you can make the best choice of what you eat. You can still keep the convenience of eating out while choosing the places and meals that fuel your body best.

Eat Every Two to Three Hours to Avoid Hunger Surges

Not only does eating often help keep your metabolism active, but it also helps regulate your blood sugars, keeping your hunger at bay. There’s nothing worse than forgetting to eat for a while and then BOOM, hunger strikes, and somehow, you’ve consumed a whole day’s worth of meals, or worse, a bunch of junk you were craving rather than a well-balanced meal. Additionally, eating every few hours will prevent energy crashes and difficulty concentrating.

Prioritize Protein

Prioritizing protein is the best way to beat energy dips and most importantly, keep hunger and cravings at bay throughout your drive. Try adding some peanut butter or yogurt to your snack, having eggs at breakfast, eating lean meats or beans for lunch or dinner, or even adding a protein bar or shake to your day.

Drink More Water

Your body is made up of 60 percent water and you need to help maintain that balance! Water comes with no extra calories while keeping you hydrated and full of energy. And often, it’s common to confuse thirst with hunger. It’s estimated that on average anywhere from 11 to 15 cups of water is needed to keep signs of dehydration and thirst away, so make sure you’re drinking often. If you’re used to keeping a soda or energy drink on hand, you can always add some fresh fruit to your bottle of water to add some flavor and pizzazz.

Stock Your Cab with Healthier Snack Choices

To keep your hunger at bay by eating every few hours, you’re going to need snacks at the ready. Try to keep away from the bags of chips or candy bars. For a good list of healthy snack ideas, see our list of “Snack Ideas” below. 

MAXIMIZE FRUITS AND VEGGIES AT EVERY MEAL

Remember the food pyramid? I think you and I both know we can always eat more fruit and vegetables. According to the Canadian Community Health Survey of Truck Drivers, 70 percent of truck drivers eat less than the suggested five servings of fruit and vegetables per day.

Fruits and veggies are great to fill your plate or snack because they’re full of water, fiber, good carbohydrates, and many other nutrients our bodies need. Fresh fruits are a great treat when you’re craving something sweet, and canned, fresh, or frozen veggies can be good as a crunchy snack or savory side to your meal. Fruits and veggies also contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals which may help in preventing things like cancer and heart disease.

Limit the “Feel Bad” Foods

Do I sometimes love to eat a cheeseburger from McDonald’s or a Crunchwrap with a Baja Blast from Taco Bell? YES. Does it love me? NOPE.

So that’s why I limit them. As much as I love them, I know they make me feel bloated and sluggish, so I aim to steer clear of them. Of course, you don’t have to give those kinds of foods up completely; just reduce your intake of them. Get a salad with your burger or swap the soda with water to better balance it out when you choose to eat those foods.

HEALTHY IDEAS FOR ALL YOUR MEALS

Breakfast

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. That’s for many good reasons! Breakfast essentially “breaks the fast” that your body had overnight while sleeping. It replenishes your supply of glucose to boost your energy and alertness in the short term while also helping with weight management and reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in the long term. So don’t skip this important meal and make sure your breakfast is rich in protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. Also, try to keep sugar at a minimum so you don’t crash soon after eating.

Healthy Lunch

Balanced Dinners

Yes, some of these suggestions may have been in the lunch section too!

Snack Ideas

One of our tips above mentioned having healthy snacks on hand so you can keep your hunger satisfied throughout your drive. So here are a few healthy ideas:

HEALTHY EATING BENEFITS

Adapting to a good diet for truck drivers can seem tough, but once you start, you’re sure to see some of the benefits such as:

Not Feeling as Hungry

Eating often and with foods primed to fuel you properly, you’ll notice your hunger affecting you less, which also helps you make smarter food choices.

More Energy

When your body is getting all the nutrients it needs and less of what it doesn’t, you’ll quickly realize how much more energy you have in your day-to-day.

Better Focus

Eating healthy increases blood flow to the brain, meaning your cognitive skills stay sharp, something every driver needs. It’s also been shown to help prevent dementia and cognitive decline.

Better Health

One of the reasons you’ll be feeling so much better is that you’ll be in better health. Eating healthy improves your health and prevents common heart disease. It also helps to keep your bones and teeth strong, preventing tooth decay and osteoporosis.

Weight Loss

One of the main reasons people seek a healthier diet is to lose weight. In 2018, researchers found that a diet rich in fiber and lean proteins resulted in weight loss without any need for monitoring calories. As mentioned earlier, focus on filling most of your plate with fruits and veggies and prioritizing protein, and you might notice your clothes fitting a bit looser than before.

Saves You Money

Now, this may not be the case if you continue to buy your food at truck stops or fast-food restaurants, but if you choose to make more of your meals ahead of time or on the go in your truck, this is often the case. On average, analyzed data from Priceonomics found that it is almost five times more expensive to eat out than it is to make your own food. And often, you’ll even find yourself with leftovers when making your own food to save and eat at another meal, saving you time, too.

A GOOD DIET FOR TRUCK DRIVERS IS POSSIBLE

A good diet for truck drivers is one of the most important factors for a healthy lifestyle, as I’m sure you’ve heard of the popular phrase “80 percent diet, 20 percent exercise”. It’s true because food is fuel. Our bodies are meant to thrive by fueling them with the proper nutrients, aka eating, which we do almost all day, every day. You wouldn’t fuel your truck with fuel that would make it run sluggish, slow, or eventually cause problems, so make sure you are doing the same with your body.

When starting to build a habit of healthy eating, the most important thing is to get started, no matter how small. While making healthy food choices on the road can seem impossible if you try whenever you can, you’ll quickly notice how much better you feel and ultimately, find that a good diet for truck drivers is possible.

HELP US HELP YOU

At Trinity, we like to connect with our carriers by building relationships. One of the ways we do that is by creating content on the topics you find most interesting. To find more content you might like, check out our Heart of the Truck podcast, YouTube channel, or sign up to receive our monthly newsletter.

Listen to the Heart of the Truck Check out Trinity's YouTube Get the monthly newsletter

Many people think that human trafficking only happens in movies, or in small, impoverished countries. The truth is, it’s a real, modern-day version of slavery, exploiting an estimated 40 million victims worldwide, and occurring in all 50 states across America, according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. Truckers Against Trafficking is one group raising awareness to help reduce those numbers.

Trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his or her will. Trafficking affects people around the world and doesn’t discriminate by age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.

Human trafficking is commonly seen in areas within the sex industry, such as brothels, escort services, illicit massage businesses, strip clubs, and street prostitution. There are now many different communities recognizing that they can help reduce sex trafficking by working alongside service providers, criminal prosecutors, and law enforcement.

We’re proud to have partnered with the efforts of Truckers Against Trafficking, to ensure that the more than 70,000 carriers Trinity Logistics works with are trained on how to spot trafficking and how to report it.

What is Truckers Against Trafficking?

Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) is an organization dedicated to educating, equipping, empowering, and mobilizing members of the trucking, bus, and energy industries to recognize potential trafficking situations and report them to the authorities. TAT’s tagline is “make the call, save lives.”  TAT is working to raise up a mobile army of transportation professionals – the eyes and ears of our nation’s highways – to be a critical resource for law enforcement in fighting this crime, as they are invaluable when it comes to recognizing traffickers who are exploiting the transportation system for their personal gain.

Truckers Against Trafficking’s co-founder, Lyn Leeburg, developed the idea for TAT by accessing memories of her childhood. Her parents owned a motel in El Paso, Texas, where good-natured and hard-working truckers were frequent customers. Once Leeburg realized that the FBI were finding women and children forced into prostitution at places truckers frequent, like motels and truck stops, she realized that it would be important to work with the trucking industry to raise up a transient army, capable of recognizing and reporting human trafficking across the nation.

In March 2009, Leeburg, her four daughters, and one other woman started Truckers Against Trafficking as an initiative of Chapter 61 Ministries, an earlier organization they had founded. Two years later, Leeburg’s daughter, Kendis Paris, took over the leadership of TAT and turned it into a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. From there, Paris built out TAT’s programs, expanded its vision and strategy and developed it into the award-winning organization it is today.

Trinity Logistics’ Partnership with TAT

As a third-party logistics (3PL) company, Trinity Logistics does not directly employ drivers, but we do work with a network of more than 70,000 freight carriers. According to TAT, this partnership could be a game-changer.

Kendis Paris, TAT’s Executive Director, believes our partnership with TAT could have an “exponential effect” on the awareness of human trafficking and the reporting of potential cases.

Trinity plans to encourage all of our carrier base to view the TAT training video and to distribute the TAT materials through our website, email campaigns, and through conversations with our Carrier Relations and Carrier Development departments.

What are TAT’s training initiatives?

TAT has made its training easily accessible. Carriers can obtain the training video and free supplemental materials directly from TAT for inclusion in new driver orientation and/or regular safety meetings. The TAT training course is also available on several major Learning Management System providers that serve the transportation industry, as well as being publicly available directly through TAT’s learning portal, which is a great option for independent owner-operators.

Becoming TAT trained is as simple as watching a training video that equips drivers with the knowledge to recognize and respond to potential trafficking situations. Once trained, drivers will receive a window decal and a wallet card with the National Trafficking Hotline Number and questions to ask if they feel someone may be a victim of human trafficking.

Companies can train their drivers and employees with TAT materials, adopt the internal reporting system so that TAT can identify and honor the Truckers Against Trafficking that drive for a company, partner with TAT to assist law enforcement, share TAT’s newsletter, use influence in the trucking industry to tell others about TAT, become a corporate sponsor, and consider donating a haul of the Freedom Drivers Project to one of TAT’s many events around the country.

Companies can join TAT in the fight against human trafficking – and meet their sustainability goals at the same time – through a variety of ways: train their drivers/employees with TAT materials and then register the number of company employees trained via their TAT-Trained website page; create a company culture that identifies and honors the truckers against trafficking that drive for your company; partner with TAT to assist law enforcement; share the TAT newsletter with employees; tell others in the trucking industry about TAT and why it’s important to train; become a corporate sponsor, and consider donating a haul of the Freedom Drivers Project (TAT’s unique mobile museum) to one of many TAT events across the country.

Even concerned members of the public can join TAT’s efforts, through referrals, fundraisers, or by hosting a screening of TAT’s training video.

Success of Training Initiatives

When the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) began in late December 2007, there were zero calls from truckers. In 2008, there were only three truckers who called in to report a potential situation. With the beginning of TAT in 2009, those numbers began to grow, with the vast majority of calls coming in recent years. Today, more than 2,782 calls have been made to the NHTH by people identifying as truckers, which have generated more than 715 likely cases of human trafficking, involving over 303 victims. And those numbers are only a small slice of the data. TAT knows from surveys and anecdotal evidence that many more cases have been reported to 911 or local sheriffs’ offices around the country. TAT still encourages reporting to the NHTH because they are the only organization in the country geo-tracking this data. There are currently 1,206,596 people registered as TAT trained.

Part of the main focus of the training initiatives is to educate truckers away from thinking “she’s a prostitute” and towards thinking “she’s a potential victim”. In the training video, a woman named Shari shares the story of how she was forced and coerced into sexual slavery along with her cousin. TAT chose to have Shari share her story to help everyone understand how so many victims end up on the lot.

TAT says the number one response TAT gets from drivers who are first finding out about the program is “I have daughters, I have granddaughters. How can I be a trucker against trafficking?”

T-A-T is as easy as 1-2-3

TAT’s core message is a simple one. If you see a minor selling commercial sex, or if you suspect any kind of pimp control, call the national hotline at 1-888-373-7888 and report what you know. The training materials are out there, free of charge. Putting a stop to human trafficking is just a matter of implementation.

“If you are willing to work hard, partner well, and persevere through the challenges, you would be pretty amazed at how many people will come together around this cause. This is dark work and at times it seems like the bad guys are always winning, but then I remember drivers, company executives, and law enforcement people who we’ve worked with over the years and I remember that the good guys outnumber the bad, that progress is being made, that awareness is on the rise, and that this incredible, hard-working, salt-of-the-earth, moving army is truly being mobilized,” said Paris, concluded.

LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP TAT

Originally written 10/26/2016. Updated by Laura Cyrus of TAT on 7/23/2021

We’ve all had those moments on the road where we’ve felt excessive stress. Bumper-to-bumper traffic, delays on our commute, or even bad weather conditions can make driving a taxing task. For most, those stresses are alleviated once we arrive to our destination. However, for truck drivers, these feelings sometimes don’t go away after traveling and their mental health can be compromised because of it.

Mental health is a delicate topic that we don’t take lightly. We understand that loneliness and anxiousness are common issues for truck drivers. We’re here to address this issue and provide you with some tips on how to protect your mental health.

What is Mental Health?

Before we dive into tips, you first need to understand what mental health is and how it affects truck drivers specifically. Mental health is a person’s condition with regards to their emotional, psychological, and social well-being. According to Johns Hopkins, one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. More specifically, more than 17 million American adults experience depression, making it one of the most common mental health disorders in the U.S. For truckers, depression is one of the top conditions along with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Another scary statistic that pertains to truck driving and mental health are suicide rates. According to Transport Topics, suicide is among the top ten leading causes of death for adults in the U.S. The transportation industry has the fourth-highest suicide rate among American working-age adults. To put this even more into perspective, suicide is a major concern in trucking because it is known as a male-dominated industry and nearly 70 percent of suicides that occur in our country are carried out by men.

We’re addressing these topics now so that you can find a resource or outlet to help with your struggles. We want to help prevent you from being a part of that statistic by all costs.

If you feel you need help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Factors that Contribute to your Mental Health

There’s an infinite number of factors that contribute to a person’s mental health. Some may develop depression after losing a loved one while others may develop disorders like bipolar because of genetics. As a truck driver, your experiences on the road play a big role in your mental state.

Isolation is one of the biggest factors to trigger poor mental health. As a trucker, being away from friends and family for an extended period of time can be challenging on your psyche, especially because you often transport the freight alone. Being alone with just your thoughts can be intimidating and sometimes being alone for too long can cause bad thoughts to creep in.

Another factor that causes a lot of drivers to experience PTSD or anxiety is the day-to-day events that happen on the road. The longer you’ve been in the industry, the higher your chances are of experiencing an accident. Whether it be you or some other car on the road, witnessing wrecks can be very traumatic and can result in developing a mental health condition.

Food also impacts your mental health. It’s easy and convenient to stop at a rest stop for a snack or go through the drive-thru for a quick meal, but those aren’t the healthiest options. Your brain needs fuel in order to run properly. If you’re eating bad, you’re going to feel bad. An article published by Harvard Health speaks to this topic. Eva Selhub says that our brain is like an expensive car. It requires premium fuel in order to function properly. If your brain is deprived of good-quality nutrition, consequences are to be expected.  This concept has a lot to do your gastrointestinal tract and the effect it has on your serotonin levels. Serotonin is what mediated your mood and 95% of your serotonin is produced in your GI tract. If there is good bacteria in your GI from the healthy food you are eating, there will be a positive impact on your mental state. Accomplishing this task on the road can seem impossible, but it’s not. Meal prepping before embarking on your journey is a healthier alternative to fast food that’ll make you physically and mentally feel better. Click here to find some healthy meal prep options that you can bring with you on the road.

Some drivers face challenges in their workday from the brokers they work with. Sometimes, brokers may not explain the shipment in enough detail or provide enough information to you before beginning your travels. This frustration of not knowing all the information required to pick up and deliver freight can lead to a lot of unnecessary stress that can snowball into bigger issues.

Other factors such as the intense pressure to deliver on time, inadequate sleep, and driver aggression all play a role in your mental health as a truck driver. The key is to address the things you can prevent and recognize the things you can’t so you can get proper help.

Recognizing That You Need Help

Acknowledging that you struggle with your mental health is a hard realization to overcome. Conditions like mental health diagnoses aren’t normalized as much as they should be in our society, especially when it comes to the trucking industry. There are several reasons why many truck drivers decide not to speak on their mental state.

Health, psychiatric, and sleep issues are often underreported in the trucking industry. Trucking is still a male-dominated profession that shows a level of machismo majority of the time. To a lot of men, admitting to a mental health illness makes them less masculine. Another reason why truckers tend to internalize their health is because they think that they have a lot to lose. If a driver happens to fail their Department of Transportation exams (due to either mental or physical health) there’s a possibility they could lose their jobs and in turn, not be able to provide for their family. Although this idea is scary, you can’t compromise your mental state. Finding proper help could prevent a situation like this from happening.

There’s a stigma that if you struggle with a mental health condition that you’re weak or different from others. Admitting that you need help is a big step, and a positive one. Mental health disorders don’t make you any less of a person. In fact, recognizing that you have one makes you stronger.

How Can you Protect your Mental Health

We know that a lot of different factors contribute to your mental state, and everyone’s triggers are different. A trigger is a reminder of a past experience. Although you can’t wave a magic wand and completely be alleviated from a mental health condition, there are measures you can take to help improve it.

One way to help boost your spirits is to consider a travel companion. Teaming up with other drivers during your travels can help you combat the road isolation you may be feeling. If your spouse happens to work in the industry, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring them along for a ride. If you’re unable to bring a human along with you, there may be another option. Mutts4trucks is an organization that teams up dogs that need a home with truckers in need of company. Studies have shown that owning a dog drastically decreases issues like isolation and depression. Having a loyal companion as your co-pilot can help protect you from not sitting in your own thoughts and help make the ride a bit more enjoyable. A lot of fleets don’t allow pets to travel within their trucks and some shippers don’t allow them on their property due to liability reasons which can make this a difficult choice. Make sure to evaluate your options with the fleet owner and common shippers and receivers you see before following through with it!

If traveling alone, bringing some comforts from home could be beneficial. Items like photos, knick-knacks, and even small decorations can help boost your morale and make you feel comforted while driving.

Maintaining a strong network and routine while traveling could be helpful as well. Take care of your connections with your friends and family at home while you’re on the road. Calling a loved one can help the time go by faster and make you feel less lonely. These strong connections don’t have to stop at family. Stay connected with those that understand what you’re going through. Stay in contact with fellow truck drivers and meet up at truck stops. Maintaining a routine everyday can also be beneficial. Even if it’s something small like sitting down for five minutes to enjoy your morning coffee will help structure your life and start off the day on a positive note.

Keeping your mind active is also important. What better time to learn a new language than when you’re alone in your own truck? Listening to music, audiobooks, or podcasts can help make time fly and make your brain work a bit harder. Trinity Logistics recently launched the Heart of the Truck Podcast that is a recurring series centered around the audience of truck drivers.

As we stated previously, a lot of unnecessary stress that you may be experiencing can be due to the lack of clarity on the shipments you service. One way to alleviate this frustration is to work with a broker of choice that you’ve built a strong relationship with. At Trinity Logistics, we understand that it is our duty to make sure you have access to as much information about the shipment details as we do. We strive to provide as much clarity as possible in order to remove potential inefficiencies so that you don’t have to stress as much when you’re on the road.

How to Seek Help

Admitting that you are struggling is difficult to face. It’s hard to work on improving your mental health alone. Luckily there are resources and help that are specific to truck drivers.

Making appointments for therapy are difficult to make on short notice and the schedule of a truck driver is everchanging. Luckily, there have been recent efforts underway to increase health care access to people like you who have fluctuating schedules. DOT has on-site family clinics located at several distribution centers. You can get an appointment on short notice to address both physical and mental health needs.

If you are unable to schedule an in-person appointment, online therapy is always an option. Resources like Talkspace and Better Help offer virtual last-minute scheduling and chat rooms where you can speak with counselors at any time. Both options offer 24/7 access and flexible plans to meet your unique lifestyle as a trucker. Talking with a professional can be extremely beneficial in bettering your mental health.

Besides these resources, sometimes it’s nice to talk to someone understands what you’re going through. There are Facebook groups dedicated for truck drivers to have open communication with each other and offer support. Truckers for Truckers is just one example of a group on Facebook. It’s important to realize that you are not alone.

As a community, we need to break the stigma surrounded around mental health and start to normalize it. Millions of people struggle with mental health and it is not a flaw. We hope you found some valuable tips that you can apply to your life and can better your mental health as a result. We appreciate the work you do and want you to know that even though you may feel like it, you are not alone. We see the challenges you face in your business, and we will face them together. We are with you.

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Living on the road as a truck driver is a difficult job but living on the road as a broke truck driver is even harder. Having self-discipline to watch your spending isn’t as easy as it sounds. Lucky for you, we’ve gathered five tips on how to save money while on the road.

Plan Ahead

Make life on the road simpler and cheaper by planning ahead. If you are preparing for a longer trip, stock up on supplies that you think you’ll want before hitting the road. Bring non-perishable groceries and pack your toiletries and electronics beforehand to save money. You don’t want to spend unnecessary money, so even packing your own toothbrush and floss rather than purchasing it at the rest stop store will save you something. Truck stop prices can sometimes be high, causing you to spend unnecessary dough. Save money by organizing before you begin your trip and only bring the necessities with you.

When it comes to planning ahead, meal prepping can be another great tip on how to save money while on the road. According to an article in CDL Life, bringing your own food on the road can save you roughly $1,500 a year alone! Even making your coffee at home instead of buying out every day can save you roughly $2,000 a year. Preparing your meals ahead of time will save you from extra spending, plus it’s a healthier alternative to eating fast food for every meal. Below are lists of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack ideas that you can prep before hitting the road.

Breakfast ideas:

Lunch ideas:

Dinner ideas:

Snack ideas:

For more tips, ideas, and recipes on meal prepping, click right here.

Create a Budget

Creating a budget for yourself will help you be more aware of how to save money. Write out a weekly or monthly budget with what you plan to spend on necessities like food, bills, etc. Add a section for unplanned expenses with a fixed amount so that you don’t go over budget. This can be your rainy-day fund for any unexpected expenses that may occur. Utilizing mobile apps can be a great way to budget and stay on top of your expenses. Mint® is a budget management app that tracks user spending. Mint® categorizes your transactions, tracks your bills, alerts you when you’ve exceeded maximum spending, and even provides free credit score monitoring. Many truck drivers utilize this app to keep track of their finances while traveling.

Along with budgeting, it can also be beneficial for you to keep a daily expense log for your finances. Add up how much money you spend every day to help you be more conscious of your spending habits and what you’re spending your money on. You’d be surprised at where your money goes.

Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance!

            Maintaining the safety of your truck can save you so much money. Before you hit the road, check all the nuts and bolts on the vehicle to make sure everything is running properly. Be proactive by getting frequent oil changes or filling up your tires with air. Running into a mechanical problem is frustrating, inconvenient, and can put you behind schedule. If you do happen to run into a problem, contact fellow truckers or other colleagues in the industry to see if they can recommend local mechanics in that area who can help.

CDL Discounts

            You’d be surprised at how many discounts you can receive while on the road. Many hotels and restaurants provide discounted prices and according to Transport Topics, Cracker Barrel offers free coffee and fountain drinks to truck drivers. Drivers can also receive a 25 percent discount at Papa Johns, free coffee at Starbucks, and 15 percent off online orders at Denny’s. Rewards cards and loyalty programs are also offered at select truck stops. Some CDL discounts can even help you save money on fuel, coffee, showering, etc. At Trinity Logistics, we offer a discount program to our carriers that is free to join and gives drivers access to industry-wide fleet savings. Want to learn more about this program? Click here.

            There are several mobile apps on the market that offer ways for you to save money. GasBuddy offers a database of over 150,000 fuel stations that you can utilize to find the cheapest prices. GasBuddy also offers free gas coupons if you use your GasBuddy app or card to pay at Walmart, Amazon, and other big name retailers. Love’s Connect is also a free app used to redeem points and rewards. When you  fuel up at any of Love’s travel stops you will earn points for refueling. These points can be used to redeem free shop items or free showers. Taking advantage of these apps and the rewards systems can help you save money.

Take Advantage of Free WIFI

            Data usage can add up when traveling long distances. While unlimited data is an option, many people still have set data plans that charge you over usage fees when you go over the limit. This is why you as a truck driver need to utilize places with free WIFI any chance they get. Free WIFI is at almost every establishment these days, so simply ask if the place that you’re at has this option. The worst they could do is say no!

            Life on the road can definitely challenge your willpower to spend. Being mindful of your spending and making use of these tips and resources can help. We hope this article gave you some ideas and that you save some money while traveling on the job.

Do you have your own MC/DOT? Looking to see why you should be a part of Trinity’s carrier network?

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No authority of your own? Check out our parent company, Burris Logistics, for available driver positions.

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Editor’s note: This post has been updated to reflect the current weather predictions of the 2019-20 winter season. 

The Postal Service has no official motto, but there’s a phrase that has become a tribute to the job that works through all conditions. It states “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”  This can also be said of those in the trucking industry, since a severe weather day doesn’t necessarily mean a day off from work. While it’s not exactly an episode of “Ice Road Truckers” every time bad weather strikes; fog, rain, wind, snow, and ice can still have major impacts on the way you get the job done.

This Winter’s Outlook

Whether you go by the Farmer’s Almanac, or you look to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s outlook, parts of the United States are expected to experience colder and wetter temperatures for the 2019-20 winter season.

NOAA’s outlook shows an absence of El Niño or La Niña conditions; this is when the Arctic Oscillation drives winter weather and can result in large swings of temperature and precipitation. Overall, this winter looks to have warmer-than-normal conditions, with wetter-than-average conditions predicted in northern and eastern regions of the United States, and drier-than-average conditions in southwestern parts of the country. The Farmer’s Almanac shows an exceptionally cold winter season in the Pacific, Desert Southwest, Pacific Southwest, and Hawaii, but above normal winter temperatures elsewhere. Some parts of the country are predicted to have a long-lasting winter well into spring. It is predicted to have strong storms of rain, sleet, and frequent snow storms. Northwest could see a repeat of record-breaking extremes, while the middle of the country and New England area can look forward to snow and slush, freezing during the overnights.

Drivers: Check Before you Leave

Before we dive into ways that extreme weather can impact transportation, we just want to remind you of the importance of being prepared before you hit the road. Take time to check the weather forecasts along your route, plan for extra transit time if you believe there could be some hazardous conditions, and make sure you have any emergency equipment that you could possibly need.

Always complete your pre-trip inspection before hitting the road, even if you don’t expect any extreme weather.

Severe Weather Impacts

Whether it’s dense fog, rain, thunderstorms, wind, snow, or ice, severe weather can have significant impacts on commercial motor vehicles and the infrastructure they travel on. From the first few drops of rain, to when the mercury dips below 32 degrees, weather can cause decreased visibility, make it harder to handle your truck, or cause a travel time delay.  We’ll go over some of the most common severe weather instances and how they can impact transportation.

Even if you feel that you are skilled in driving in bad weather situations, you could be indirectly affected by passenger cars stopping in breakdown lanes or driving hazardously around your vehicle.

Some of the weather events we will go over include fog, strong winds, snow, and ice.

Fog

There’s a reason many schools decide to delay opening on a foggy morning. Even the slightest bit of fog can reduce visibility distance. With that, you can expect traffic speed to be affected and a higher accident risk.  Expect prolonged travel time when dealing with a foggy day.

Rain

Rain is the most common type of “bad” weather. Just a few rain drops on the road can cause issues with pavement friction, as water mixes with oils already on the roadways. As with fog, heavier rain can impact visibility distance, in turn slowing traffic speeds, and can increase travel time.

Water on the roadway could require increased braking distance. With water under your tires, there’s also an increased likelihood of wheel spinning and hydroplaning. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), wet roads can double stopping distances.

As heavy rains continue, roadways could flood, posing more dangerous driving conditions and detours due to road closures.

Wind

While hurricane-force winds can be a nightmare for big rigs, even the slightest gusts of wind could make it harder to control your truck. After 50 mph winds, maintaining control of your truck is a significant challenge, at 60 mph, it’s nearly impossible. Bridges and overpasses can become especially dangerous, and may even be closed, so take caution.

Mix any of the other weather conditions with wind and you could potentially have a recipe for disaster. Research forecasted wind speeds before you hit the road, or you may find yourself facing wind restrictions, or even waiting for conditions to improve.

Snow

When the temperatures start to drop, that’s when travel concerns begin about freezing rain, snow, and ice. The main impacts of freezing rain and snow are decreased visibility and traction. Further impacts can include delays, road closures, and other driver control problems as bridges and ramps freeze.

When driving in snow, make sure that you have working wipers and a windshield defroster. Use your low beams to help with visibility and increase your driving distance to allow for safe braking.

Ice

With snow, freezing rain, and dropping temperatures, ice becomes a major travel concern. Significant risks associated with ice on the roads include difficult traction and control. You could also run into potential obstructions along your route due to fallen trees, electrical wires, utility poles, or other vehicles. On the weekend of Dec.17 to 18, 2016, icy conditions in Baltimore and Washington D.C. caused huge pile-ups of vehicles, including tractor-trailers. Listen to reports and watch your speed when icy conditions are possible.

Bridges and overpasses tend to freeze before main roadways, so expect significant travel delays due to decreased speed in those areas.

If you must continue your trip in icy conditions, the Federal Highway Administration recommends dropping to a lower gear to improve traction, or slow to 10 or 15 miles per hour. Keep your eyes on the vehicles ahead of you for any potential black ice situations, where you can’t necessarily see the layer of ice on the road.

Recap

While many of you reading this are professional drivers, it’s always important to remember that most of the other drivers on the road along with you don’t have the same training under their belt.

Here are the most important things to remember about weather events and their impacts on transportation:

1. Check the forecast for your route before you leave and make a contingency plan for bad weather.
2. Be prepared to wait out severe storms or high winds.
3.Expect travel delays.
4. Be alert for the actions of other drivers on the road.

Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn so you can stay up-to-date on industry news and trends. Thanks for reading!

AUTHOR: Brittany Siegel

Being confined to a truck for long stretches of time can lead to a less-than-stellar lifestyle in regards to health for truckers. We decided to talk to some truck drivers and get their best tips on what drivers can do to help maintain and improve their physical and mental health while on the road.

1. A sleep routine is key.

We realize that having an exact sleep schedule might not always be doable week to week, or even day to day, depending on the shipments you might be hauling. However, there are still some simple steps you can take to prepare your body for a restful sleep.

Try these time-tested strategies before you get some shut eye:

Stop drinking caffeine at least 6 hours before bed
Stop eating, especially large meals, at least 2 hours before bed
Turn off all electronics and bright lights at least an hour before bed

2. Enjoy the area around you.

Some shipping lanes can bring you to and through some of the most beautiful places the U.S. has to offer. When your breaks come up, plan out some time to enjoy a walk or jog through the local towns or parks. Enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding areas around you can help get you out of the cab and make your shipment feel more like a road trip.

3. Make friends or adopt a furry companion.

As some truck drivers told us, having friends on the road can be really crucial for mental health. If you make new trucker friends, or have friends that live somewhere along your route, schedule a time to meet up for a meal, or to just hang out. This can boost your mood and feel like a break from the long drive ahead of you.

If human friends aren’t your thing, consider adopting a dog or cat, if you are prepared for the responsibility. We’ve talked to plenty of truckers who have pets that ride shotgun with them. They keep them company, give them a reason to get outside, and just make the drive more enjoyable.

4. If you have to dine out, cruise the salad bar.

While preparing food yourself is the best option for healthy meals, it’s not always the most realistic option when you’re driving. Check out restaurants near your route that offer salad bars and fresh options.

Often, salad bars also include cold prepared salads and other sides, so you won’t just be stuck with a plate full of greens. Eating a burger and fries isn’t the obvious choice when trying to be healthier, but if you do have to go that route, try getting the smaller burger and swapping the fries for a salad.

5. Keep in contact with friends and family on a daily basis.

This tip came straight from a truck driver. It makes sense to stay connected to those at home, as it may help to feel like the distance between you is just a little less. This can also be your “something to look forward to” in the day and help you develop a routine.

Don’t forget you can still be involved in events going on at home with Skype and Facetime. Seeing your loved ones’ faces can make the time pass just a bit faster and boost your mood.

While these tips aren’t sure guarantees for healthy bodies and minds, they are a good start. Your physical and mental health should be number one while you’re on the road, especially on long hauls.

To learn more about joining Trinity’s carrier network, click here.

Please note that Trinity Logistics is not authorized to provide medical advice. These tips are suggestions only.

As winter weather sets in for most of the country, you should take precautions to keep not only you and your truck safe, but also others on the road. We’ve put together ten useful tips to help you get your loads delivered safely this winter.

1. Monitor the weather

This one might seem really obvious, but knowing ahead of time that a storm is brewing is key to staying safe.  If a blizzard or wintery mix is predicted in your area, you can set into motion your plan of action for pickups and drop offs. Since weather predictions ahead of time can be faulty, don’t forget to stay tuned to the radio, radar maps, or the Weather Channel for information on real-time road conditions.

2. Plan your trip

Before getting on the road, take the time to plan and map out your route according to the weather. Take into consideration that some roads may be closed or too rough to navigate. If possible, plan the times you will be going over overpasses to be after the snow has melted, or at least, plowed. Calculate your driving speed for heavy snow weather to be about 25 mph and plan safe parking places and pick-up and delivery times accordingly. This way, you won’t be facing possible issues with your Hours of Service (HOS) before making it to a safe resting stop. Make sure to have a few alternate safe stops planned, just in case conditions get too bad in other places.

3. Check equipment pre-trip and mid-trip

It’s always vital to check your equipment before you hit the road, but especially so when winter weather strikes. Check that all lights are working properly, air is drained from the truck’s and trailer’s tanks to avoid frozen brake lines, and tire pressures to prevent a disastrous flat.

After hitting rough patches of snow or ice, make sure to make a safe stop to knock off tire flaps and undercarriages. This could prevent damage to your rig, but also other vehicles when the packed ice eventually comes off.

4. Have extra equipment on board

Be prepared for the iciest conditions by having some of the best snow gear on board. You should make sure to have:

5. Maintain as much space as possible

One of the most common factors in winter accidents is following too closely behind other vehicles. You may not be able to control the cars behind you, but you can do your best to make sure there is enough cushion space between you and the car ahead of you. This leaves you with options if your brakes aren’t working as quickly as they should.

6. Slow down

Put the posted speed limits into context. If roads are covered in snow or ice, it might not be safe or feasible to maintain that 50 mph speed limit. Going faster leaves more room for error with stopping the truck and trailer, as well as reduces your reaction time. Slow down and only go as fast as you are reasonably able to. Keep to the right and let other vehicles pass you if they want – don’t feel pressured to speed up if they are following too close behind. You are driving with everyone’s safety in mind when you go easy on the pedal. 

7. Know what to do if you lose traction

There’s no fool-proof method for not losing traction in bad weather. It’s important that you know what to do if it happens, since this lessens the severity of any possible accidents. The number one thing to remember: never use the clutch or engine brake when traction is lost, as this could make the situation worse. Just gently let your foot off the pedal and steer in the direction that the back end of the vehicle is going, which should allow you to then gain back control.

8. Be careful getting in and out of the truck

Again, this might seem obvious, but just remember that steps will most likely be slippery. It’s not unheard of for a driver to fall and seriously injure themselves by underestimating the condition of truck steps. Make sure to wear boots with good grip and take your time going up and down. Also, always keep in mind your surroundings. Take extra caution getting in and out of the tractor on roads with low visibility. Always wear an orange safety vest.

9. Hold your steeling wheel firmly and with confidence

Winter weather is not the time to be reaching for a snack or answering a text. Always keep your hands firmly on the wheel in case you hit a rough patch of snow, or need to react quickly to unforeseen conditions on the road. At the same time, be confident in your driving skills. Try to remain calm and avoid sporadic driving.

10. Know your and your vehicle’s limitations

There may come a point in which the weather simply makes the roads too unsafe to travel. Don’t push your luck if conditions are bad – yours and others’ lives are at the top of the priority list.  Take this time to make a safe stop and wait the storm out. Catch up on some rest to get back on the road as soon as possible.