FreightCasts

Live from Trimble Insight, FreightWaves Trucking Analyst Thomas Wasson sits down with Frances Kilgour, VP of Business Development & Channel Management at Drivewyze / Fleetworthy, at the Barkcast booth.In this episode of Loaded and Rolling, Frances shares insights from her trucking roots and unpacks Fleetworthy’s expanding mission around "fleet readiness"—unifying driver compliance, weigh station bypass, and toll management under a single cohesive ecosystem.

Key Discussion Points:

• Breaking Down Data Silos: Why carriers are tired of disconnected safety and operational reports, and how API-first integration delivers a single source of truth across dispatch and back-office teams.
• Continuous Compliance vs. Checklists: Shifting safety management from an annual review to real-time driver and vehicle readiness, reducing inspection anxiety at the scale house.
• Smarter Tolling Decisions: Balancing time vs. toll expenses, in-cab route advisory, and using automated reconciliation to identify mismatched transponders and dispute bogus toll charges.
• The Future of AI & Automation: How agentic AI pilots are helping fleet managers query their data directly, identify critical cost outliers, and prepare for autonomous inspections.

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Freight markets are tightening, diesel prices are creating new challenges for carriers, and the latest economic indicators suggest stronger freight demand could be on the horizon for 2027.

On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Julie Van de Kamp and Malcolm Harris break down the latest headlines and welcome an impressive lineup of industry experts to discuss what’s happening across transportation, trucking, and the broader supply chain.

In this episode:

Freight Market Outlook with Chris Pickett, Chief Commercial Officer at Flock Freight: How shippers and carriers are adapting to rising truckload rates, constrained capacity, and higher fuel costs. Pickett explains how shared truckload can help shippers reduce transportation costs, improve trailer utilization, and navigate an increasingly challenging freight market. He also shares his outlook for freight rates heading into 2027.

SONAR Market Update with Julie Van de Kamp: A deep dive into the latest ISM Manufacturing PMI and Logistics Managers Index (LMI) reports. Julie examines manufacturing growth, transportation capacity, rising logistics costs, tender rejections, and freight volumes to explain why capacity constraints could persist into 2027.

Trucking Insurance with Peter Niro of Progressive: What motor carriers need to understand about underwriting, managing risk, cargo coverage, refrigerated freight claims, and controlling insurance costs. Niro also discusses how safety technology and accurate operational data can help fleets protect their businesses.

Diesel Market Update with John Kingston, FreightWaves Editor-at Large: An in-depth look at the latest diesel price movements, global oil market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty, declining fuel inventories, and what carriers and consumers could face heading into winter.

Plus, the latest freight headlines:

• Operation Guardian and increased federal and state scrutiny of CDL eligibility.
• P.A.M. Transportation's third-quarter financial results and ongoing truckload cost pressures.
• Manufacturing growth and what improving new orders could mean for future freight demand.

The freight market is changing quickly. Stay informed with the data, analysis, and conversations that matter to trucking and supply chain professionals.

Subscribe to FreightWaves for the latest transportation news, market intelligence, and industry insights.

#FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #FreightMarket #SupplyChain #SONAR #DieselPrices #Logistics #Truckload #FreightIndustry

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Some say the American trucking company is becoming an endangered species. Small carriers are getting squeezed, regulations keep piling up, costs keep climbing, and apparently somebody forgot to tell the American trucker it's time to surrender.

But is American trucking really dying, or are we confusing a tough industry with a dying one?

On this episode of Brake Check on FreightWaves TV, Charles takes the gloves off and goes straight to the people working in the trenches.Joining the conversation are Hunter Owen, VP of Sales, and Hunter Shearer of Truck Parking Club, alongside Alex Idol of NASTC Safety & Compliance, as we separate industry doom and gloom from the realities of running a trucking business in America.

We're talking survival, truck parking, regulations, compliance, the challenges facing small carriers, and why counting the American trucking company out might be the dumbest prediction in freight.

Because here's the thing: The American trucking company isn't dead....but the people keeping it alive deserve a hell of a lot more than another obituary.

No corporate talking points, No participation trophies.... Just real conversations about the people and businesses keeping America moving.

THE BIG QUESTION: Is American trucking actually dying, or is the industry making survival harder than it needs to be?

Sound off in the comments. We want to hear from the drivers, owner-operators, and carriers living it every day.

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#BrakeCheck #FreightWaves #AmericanTrucking #TruckingIndustry #OwnerOperators #SmallCarriers #TruckDrivers #NASTC #TruckParkingClub

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining a massive federal immigration enforcement operation that swept through the trucking industry last month. Federal and state law enforcement agencies ⁠arrested more than 230 undocumented immigrants during a 72-hour crackdown spanning 15 states⁠, with more than 40 commercial driver's license holders detained as part of Operation Guardian. This coordinated enforcement action signals escalating federal and state scrutiny of commercial drivers' immigration status and CDL eligibility nationwide.

Next, we explore the truckload sector where Pamt Corp. is struggling to dig out from under relentless cost pressures. The carrier ⁠reported a net loss of $8.1 million in the third quarter and posted a brutal 109.1% operating ratio⁠, marking twelve straight operating losses for the truckload unit. Elevated driver procurement costs and spiking diesel fuel prices continue to outpace pricing improvements despite the company's efforts to align customer rates with inflationary increases.

Finally, we cover U.S. manufacturing data that is delivering some genuinely encouraging signals for freight demand. Manufacturing supply executives surveyed in October ⁠returned a 55.5 reading for the Institute for Supply Management's Manufacturing PMI, beating analyst expectations⁠ by a full percentage point. U.S. manufacturing activity remained in growth mode for a tenth straight month, with production expanding to the highest level in five years and directly supporting the modestly improving demand trends that public LTL carriers reported last week.

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In today’s episode of FreightWaves Today, Julie and Zach dive into the biggest stories across the supply chain, from record-breaking electric fleet orders to shifting contract rates and Q3 earnings.

First, Cristiano Façanha from the Smart Freight Center joins the show to discuss the Zero Emission Truck Shipper-Carrier Alliance Leading Electrification (ZET-SCALE) program’s massive order of 2,500 Class 8 electric trucks, led by Tesla Semis. He breaks down how demand aggregation is bringing down high vehicle costs, why Tesla stood out, and how regional freight hubs are making widespread truck electrification economically viable.

Then, Zach breaks down his SONAR "Chart of the Week," analyzing 25 years of Cass freight data to explain why predicting the current freight cycle is a fool’s errand, how the market remains historically volatile, and what today's 12.7% tender rejection rate tells us about market tightness heading into the holidays.

Finally, FreightWaves Finance Editor Todd Maiden joins for a deep dive into Q3 earnings. They unpack why LTL carriers like Old Dominion are outpacing margin expectations despite rising diesel prices, how truckload giants like Knight-Swift are capitalizing on spot exposure, and why major carriers expect double-digit contract rate increases in 2027.

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining how artificial intelligence is dramatically reshaping freight forwarding economics. Listen in to learn how ⁠Flexport's freight volumes surged 40% while headcount grew only 5%⁠, driven by AI tools deployed across customs, routing, and engineering. The company's ocean peak started early this year, fueled partly by massive tariff refunds following a Supreme Court ruling, while data center cargo now accounts for around 8% of global air freight capacity and is projected to triple next year.

Next, we explore a sobering look at freight market history that reveals why ⁠each freight cycle over the past 25 years has differed dramatically from the last⁠, making it nearly impossible to forecast when cycles begin and end. The post-Great Recession period set many expectations of what "normal" looks like, but COVID was the freight market's second black-swan event in just three years. Remarkably, rates were up 10% in September while volumes rose only 2%, which is hard to reconcile with weak demand.

Finally, we cover a major truckload carrier's aggressive forecast as ⁠Covenant Logistics CEO David Parker expects double-digit contract rate hikes in 2027⁠, driven by rising operating expenses, tightening driver capacity, and continued federal safety enforcement. Shippers resetting contracts in recent months are paying about 12.8% more than the rates they replaced, up from 4.1% during the same period last year. Parker also predicts regulators will eventually require third-party ELD certification, noting that 30% of trucks may be operating with manipulated hours-of-service records.

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The freight market is showing signs of a shift, and this episode of FreightWaves Today breaks down what the latest carrier earnings reveal about the direction of the industry.

Craig and Julie examine third-quarter earnings from Werner, Landstar, Old Dominion, Saia, Schneider and C.H. Robinson, highlighting improving spot market conditions, stronger truckload pricing and continued strength in the LTL sector.

The show also features an in-depth conversation with executives from Schneider and Norfolk Southern about their expanded intermodal partnership. They discuss the strategy behind the move, opportunities to convert truck freight to rail, investments in network capacity, and what the partnership could mean for customers as intermodal demand continues to grow.

Plus, Premier Trailer Leasing CFO Craig Barth joins the show to explain why trailer utilization is reaching record levels, what's driving demand for newer equipment, and why fleets are increasingly turning to leasing. He also shares an important warning about fraudulent trailer rental listings and how trucking companies can protect themselves from scams.

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining the freight brokerage sector's remarkable turnaround as RXO delivers adjusted EBITDA of $51 million in Q3, crushing its own forecast and marking the second consecutive quarter of profitability after years of spotty net income performance. The Charlotte-based broker's truckload segment shifted heavily toward the spot market, which accounted for 59% of volume in the quarter, as the company prepares for its acquisition by C.H. Robinson.

Next, we explore how the e-commerce giant is navigating a challenging logistics environment as Amazon's third-quarter shipping costs jumped 11% year over year, driven by fuel inflation and higher linehaul rates pressuring its massive delivery network. Despite these headwinds, the Seattle-based company achieved record operating income of $28.1 billion and a remarkable 13.9% operating margin through better inventory placement, shorter shipping distances, and package consolidation across its one-million-robot fulfillment network.

Finally, we break down how a Tennessee-based carrier's strategic pivot toward contracted freight is paying off as Covenant Logistics posted a 68% surge in its Managed Freight segment revenue and delivered net income of $10.7 million in Q3. Despite shrinking its average tractor fleet by nearly 9%, the Chattanooga carrier reported freight revenue per total mile climbed nearly 20% to $3.03, with approximately 80% of its asset-based fleet now operating under long-term contracts.

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Brake Check hits the ground at F3: Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for an inside look at the technology, trends, and relationships shaping the future of freight. Charles Gracie sits down with ⁠Truckstop.com⁠ to discuss AI-powered pricing, rate transparency, and why human oversight still matters as freight companies embrace new technology. Then, trucker and industry advocate Larry Cothran shares his perspective on the innovations, connections, and opportunities drivers need to know about to stay ahead of the curve. From AI and smarter workflows to next-gen trucking technology, this episode explores what it takes to turn industry innovation into real-world results. Because the future of freight isn't just about the technology—it's about the people who put it to work.

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On today’s episode of FreightWaves Today, Malcolm Harris and Zach Strickland break down the latest freight market developments, third-quarter earnings and the supply chain challenges shaping the road to peak season.

The show kicks off with a look at strong earnings from XPO and C.H. Robinson, along with a potential labor strike at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach that could disrupt cargo flows and complicate holiday freight movement.

Then, SAIA President and CEO Fritz Holzgrefe joins the show to discuss record third-quarter revenue, pricing strategies, shipment trends, network expansion, customer service improvements and the company’s $250 million share repurchase announcement. He also explains how strategic investments and a focus on service are positioning the LTL carrier for continued growth.

Next, Zach Boehm, chief automation officer at Hy-Tek Intralogistics, explains how beverage distributors are using automation to manage expanding product assortments, labor turnover and warehouse inefficiencies. He breaks down the company’s High Sync and High Flow solutions and how automation can shorten pick paths, improve productivity and help facilities get trucks out the door on time.

Finally, we revisit an F3: Future of Freight 2026 conversation between Zach Strickland and Beau King on the latest truckload market trends. They discuss contract rate increases, carrier capacity, rejection rates and what brokers and shippers should expect as the holiday peak season approaches.

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining the impressive third-quarter performance from one of the industry's leading less-than-truckload carriers. ⁠XPO delivered a massive earnings beat driven by aggressive pricing and operating efficiency initiatives⁠, reporting adjusted earnings per share of one dollar and seventy cents—thirteen cents ahead of consensus and sixty-three cents higher year over year. The company's LTL revenue surged seventeen percent to one point four seven billion dollars, while its adjusted operating ratio of eighty point one percent defied typical seasonal trends by improving two hundred sixty basis points year over year.

Next, we explore the freight brokerage sector where ⁠C.H. Robinson delivered almost all good news in its third-quarter report⁠, with operating revenues at its North American Surface Transport unit surging twenty-nine point one percent year over year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share climbed twenty-eight point six percent to one dollar and eighty cents, while the NAST segment's adjusted operating margin improved one hundred ten basis points to forty point three percent as the giant 3PL continues automating manual processes and achieving significant productivity gains.

Finally, we cover a serious labor dispute threatening to disrupt the nation's busiest container gateway as ⁠about two hundred fifty union watchmen could strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach⁠ as early as five p.m. Pacific time Sunday, November first. Although the watchmen represent only two percent of ILWU workers at the two ports, they work at terminals handling roughly eighty-five percent of Long Beach's cargo and thirty-three percent of Los Angeles' cargo, and other union members are expected to honor picket lines—potentially halting operations at a time when the complex is already contending with a backlog of containers awaiting inland rail transportation.

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AI agents, workforce solutions, and the future of freight take center stage on this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, recorded live on Day 1 of the F3: Future of Freight Festival!

Host Thomas Wasson sits down with leaders from Evos, Sivas, and Lean Solutions Group to explore how freight companies can leverage AI, automation, and human talent to build smarter, more efficient operations.

In this episode:

• AI agents in freight: How autonomous AI operators can take on dispatching, exception management, load sourcing, and other complex logistics tasks.
• Putting AI to work fast: How Evos deploys AI operators in as little as 24 hours and how one LTL freight audit use case reached 97% autonomy.
• The future of workforce solutions: How Sivas combines outsourced talent, process improvement, and automation to help logistics companies scale.
• Nearshoring and global talent: Why around-the-clock operations and multilingual teams can help carriers and brokers meet growing demands.
• Getting AI-ready: Why clean data, documented standard operating procedures (SOPs), and clear KPIs are essential for successful AI adoption.
• Humans vs. AI: Which tasks are ripe for automation, where human judgment still matters, and how companies can bring the two together.
• What's next for freight tech: How AI agents could transform everything from document collection and payment processing to end-to-end load management.

The big takeaway? Successful AI adoption isn't just about plugging in new technology. It's about understanding your workflows, identifying the right opportunities, and empowering people to focus on the work where their expertise makes the biggest difference.

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BUSY TRUCKS, EMPTY BANK ACCOUNTS, WHERE'S THE MONEY?!

Your trucks are rolling...The loads are delivered....You're working harder than ever....So why does it feel like everybody's getting paid EXCEPT YOU?!

We're taking BRAKE CHECK LIVE to the floor of FreightWaves F3 in Chattanooga, Tennessee! No studio walls, no safety net, and with the freight industry's biggest players walking around us, YOU NEVER KNOW WHO OR WHAT MIGHT INTERRUPT THE SHOW!

Joining me is Jennifer Lance, COO of Apex Capital Corp., and we're digging into the business BEHIND the truck. From unpaid invoices and broker credit risks to cash flow, factoring, back-office disasters, and technology that actually makes sense.

Because here's the reality: Moving freight and making money are TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS!

We're talking real problems, real solutions, and the mistakes that can quietly put good trucking companies out of business.

And of course, Jennifer will face the BRAKE CHECK HARD STOP!

TRUCKERS, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: What's the BIGGEST money killer in your trucking business right now: cheap freight, slow-paying brokers, rising expenses, or the back-office headaches nobody warned you about?

Drop it in the comments!

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BRAKE CHECK — REAL CONVERSATIONS. REAL PEOPLE. REAL TRUCKING. ALL STUFF, NO FLUFF!

#BrakeCheck #FreightWaves #F3 #Trucking #OwnerOperator #FreightBroker #ApexCapital #TruckingBusiness #FreightFactoring

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BUSY TRUCKS, EMPTY BANK ACCOUNTS, WHERE'S THE MONEY?!

Your trucks are rolling...The loads are delivered....You're working harder than ever....So why does it feel like everybody's getting paid EXCEPT YOU?!

We're taking BRAKE CHECK LIVE to the floor of FreightWaves F3 in Chattanooga, Tennessee! No studio walls, no safety net, and with the freight industry's biggest players walking around us, YOU NEVER KNOW WHO OR WHAT MIGHT INTERRUPT THE SHOW!

Joining me is Jennifer Lance, COO of Apex Capital Corp., and we're digging into the business BEHIND the truck. From unpaid invoices and broker credit risks to cash flow, factoring, back-office disasters, and technology that actually makes sense.

Because here's the reality: Moving freight and making money are TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS!

We're talking real problems, real solutions, and the mistakes that can quietly put good trucking companies out of business.

And of course, Jennifer will face the BRAKE CHECK HARD STOP!

TRUCKERS, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: What's the BIGGEST money killer in your trucking business right now: cheap freight, slow-paying brokers, rising expenses, or the back-office headaches nobody warned you about?

Drop it in the comments!

LIKE | COMMENT | SUBSCRIBE

BRAKE CHECK — REAL CONVERSATIONS. REAL PEOPLE. REAL TRUCKING. ALL STUFF, NO FLUFF!

#BrakeCheck #FreightWaves #F3 #Trucking #OwnerOperator #FreightBroker #ApexCapital #TruckingBusiness #FreightFactoring

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In this special report of The Long Haul, host Adam Wingfield takes you inside the 2026 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition to discuss one of the biggest forces shaping the future of trucking: autonomous technology.

Autonomous trucks and artificial intelligence are advancing rapidly, and the industry is moving toward adoption whether everyone agrees with it or not. Adam breaks down what these developments could mean for drivers, owner-operators, and small fleet owners, from potential job displacement to improved driver quality of life and new opportunities to generate revenue.

Rather than focusing on fear and speculation, this episode challenges small carriers to get informed, ask the right questions, and explore how autonomous technology could become an opportunity instead of a setback. From potential partnerships with autonomous technology providers to new ways of monetizing existing trucking assets, Adam explains why preparation and knowledge will be critical to navigating the industry's next chapter.

The future of trucking is changing. The question is whether you'll be ready to adapt, compete, and capitalize on what's coming.

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How much liability can a freight broker face when a truck is involved in a catastrophic accident? And who should be responsible for keeping unsafe carriers off America's roads?

On this episode of Freight Expectations, we break down the legal battles, regulatory shortcomings, and industry changes reshaping freight brokerage and trucking. From the massive C.H. Robinson verdict in the Lupus Superior case to a controversial RICO lawsuit and the growing debate over highway surveillance cameras, we're tackling the issues that could redefine the future of freight.

In this episode:

• FMCSA Under Pressure: Does the agency need more funding, stronger enforcement, and a broader mandate to identify unsafe motor carriers?
• The $700M+ C.H. Robinson Case: We unpack the Lupus Superior verdict, negligent carrier selection, vicarious liability, and what the case could mean for freight brokers nationwide.
• The New Reality of Broker Liability: Why carrier vetting, consistent compliance procedures, and adequate insurance coverage matter more than ever.
• The Freight RICO Lawsuit: Examining TQL's motion to dismiss, the arguments behind the case, and why the dispute has sparked debate across the industry.
• Is Freight Bro Culture Changing? How lawsuits, social media memes, and increased scrutiny are pushing freight brokerage toward a more professional image.
• Highway Cameras & Trucking Surveillance: Exploring the tension between privacy, public safety, technology, and the industry's need for better carrier verification.
• Brokers and Small Carriers Need Each Other: Why the relationship between freight brokers and owner-operators matters to the future of America's trucking industry.

As legal exposure grows and regulators struggle with limited resources, one question looms over the entire supply chain: Who is responsible for ensuring the carriers moving America's freight are safe?

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In this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp break down the latest quarterly earnings across trucking, rail, and logistics, launch three game-changing truckload data sets on SONAR, and dive deep into regulatory and legal challenges shaping the freight industry.

Episode Highlights:

• Earnings Breakdown: Analyzing Knight-Swift’s standout Q3 performance following their U.S. Xpress integration, comparing their operational discipline to JB Hunt, Werner, and Marten Transport. Plus, solid quarters from Ryder, Union Pacific, and Norfolk Southern.
• Multimodal Insights: Paul Pozega (CEO & Founder, Integrated Multimodal Solutions) joins the desk to discuss intermodal volume vs. rate dynamics, rail margins, and how the pending Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger and election politics could impact class-one railroads.
• SONAR Data Launch: Julie Van de Kamp unveils three brand-new truckload data set groups—Routing Guide Premiums (RGP), Routing Guide Acceptance Share (RGA), and Contract Rate Change Direction (CRC)—showing new contract rates resetting 13%+ higher.
• Freight Expectations: Craig and "The Armchair Attorney" Matthew Leffler dissect the FMCSA's role, broker liability post-Montgomery and Lupus Superior ($604M C.H. Robinson verdict in Texas), the TCL motion to dismiss in the RICO lawsuit, and the rising role of highway surveillance cameras (GenLogs & Flock) in freight safety and market self-regulation.

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining the powerful third-quarter performance from logistics giant Ryder, which delivered solid results with improvement across nearly every metric compared to the same period last year. Revenue climbed across all three operating segments, with used vehicle sales proving particularly robust as used tractor prices surged nineteen percent year-over-year. The strong quarter prompted Ryder to raise its full-year earnings forecast, and Wall Street responded enthusiastically by sending the company's stock up nearly six percent in early trading.

Next, we shift over to the rails to discuss how Union Pacific is showcasing impressive profit gains driven by intermodal growth and pricing power. The Omaha-based Class I railroad reported a sixteen percent increase in third-quarter profit to two point zero eight billion dollars, with intermodal traffic leading the railroad's growth as volumes surged eleven percent and intermodal revenue climbed a massive twenty-seven percent. Chief Executive Jim Vena credited the railroad's ability to safely deliver the service sold to customers while efficiently handling six percent volume growth.

Finally, we explore how Norfolk Southern is benefiting from a tighter trucking market, though those volume gains aren't translating into better operating efficiency. The railroad reported higher third-quarter earnings and record revenue, with total revenue rising fourteen percent to three point five billion dollars on a three percent increase in volume. However, the railroad's operating ratio worsened two point eight percentage points to sixty-seven point four percent, underscoring pressure on margins even as revenue reached a quarterly record.

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Housing data disappoints as concerns around energy costs loom this winter. Rising energy costs are not all bad. Knight Swift’s beat explained as they outperform peers.

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FreightWaves Today breaks down a pivotal week for the freight market, with strong earnings from Knight-Swift Transportation, Triumph Financial and Cass Information Systems offering insight into rising rates, higher operating costs and shifting market conditions. Hosts Malcolm Harris and Zach Strickland speak with Triumph Financial CEO Aaron Graft and Cass Information Systems EVP and CFO Mike Normille about their latest results, while the SONAR team examines trucking capacity, diesel prices, refinery constraints and a cooling housing market.

Knight-Swift Delivers a Major Earnings Beat

Knight-Swift Transportation reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of $0.83 per share, beating analyst expectations and its own guidance. Revenue reached $2.2 billion, up 14% year over year, while revenue per loaded mile increased 10%. The company’s truckload adjusted operating ratio improved to 89.2%, excluding fuel, and loaded miles per tractor rose for the eighth consecutive quarter.

Triumph Financial CEO Aaron Graft on Growth, Investment and Freight’s Next Cycle

Aaron Graft joins the show to explain how four years of investment in payments, intelligence and load-pay products are beginning to pay off as the freight market improves. Graft also shares his outlook on freight supply, rates and Triumph’s opportunity to monetize years of platform investment.

Cass Information Systems: Higher Freight Invoices and Interest Rates Lift Results

Cass Information Systems EVP and CFO Mike Normille discusses the company’s third-quarter performance and what could drive results in the months ahead.

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