Trucking Tips – Border Trucking Company https://btcgroupep.com Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:17:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.10 https://btcgroupep.com/wp-content/uploads/btc-favicon-web.svg Trucking Tips – Border Trucking Company https://btcgroupep.com 32 32 Transborder Trucking Issues: Exploring Recent News from the Trucking Industry https://btcgroupep.com/transborder-trucking-issues-exploring-recent-news-from-the-trucking-industry/ Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:17:12 +0000 https://btcgroupep.com/?p=1421 There’s been a lot of news revolving around the trucking industry lately. The pandemic has really highlighted the importance of truckers to the stability and functioning of our society. And just like every other industry, the trucking sector has also been profoundly altered by the last couple of years. We thought we’d talk about some recent news that has affected the trucking industry and drivers. 

What’s been happening in the trucking industry? Let’s take a look. 

Rising Gas Prices Affect the Trucking Industry 

On the minds of many Americans in March of 2022 is the rising gas prices at the pump. This not only affects people driving to work or driving to pick up their kids from school, but it also affects the truck driver and the companies transporting goods cross-country who depend on diesel fuel. As the cost of transporting these goods rises, so does the price of goods. Eventually, that means the price hikes are passed on to the consumer. 

Already, trucking companies have struggled because of staff shortages and clogged supply lines. Many trucking companies had to increase wages for truck drivers to attract more drivers as the industry suffered because of the pandemic. The rise in gas prices only makes things more difficult for these drivers and these companies. In March of 2022, many truck drivers are seeing more than $4 dollars per gallon. 

Because of recent developments in Russia and Ukraine, there is no clear end in sight for these spikes in gas prices. The price for crude oil surged above $100 a barrel in February of 2022, just as the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. Some truck drivers are describing being painstakingly strategic about where they stop for gas, avoiding some truck stops to save even 40 cents per gallon. 

The Mexican Avocado Ban of 2022 

Avocados are a big deal in the U.S., especially during Super Bowl weekend. This sports event is considered one of the most popular days for avocados, so the recent news about the avocado ban caught people’s attention. Cross-border truckers transferred thousands of avocados every year across the U.S. Mexico border. News of the ban had many avocado enthusiasts a little concerned about just how much avocado toast would be available this spring. The United States imports a lot of avocados every year. In 2021, the U.S imported $3.0 billion avocados with $2.8 billion of that coming from Mexico. The industry is a 3 billion dollar industry for Mexico, more specifically for the state of Michoacan. 

The harvest for avocados is from January through March and U.S. production runs from April to September. This is a popular season for avocados. 

Why were avocados from Mexico banned?

The ban came after the safety of one U.S. inspector was compromised. According to USA Today, the inspector received a threat against him and his family. The area of Michoacan is known for its cartel violence. The threat allegedly came after the inspector failed to certify a shipment and verify its integrity and safety. This apparently caused a stir. Unfortunately, in this area of Mexico, many of the growers are often subject to the whims of some of the cartels. 

The U.S. only buys avocados from Michoacan state because it is the only state that is U.S certified as pest-free. The avocado industry in Mexico revolves around the state, as it produces 5.5 billion pounds of this tasty fruit every year. About 80% of that production is exported to the U.S. Frequent reports showed that some packers in Mexico were trying to pass off avocados that were not from Michoacan as coming from the state. 

Continued Covid Issues and Restrictions 

The vaccine mandates that prohibit unvaccinated truckers from crossing the U.S-Mexico border have continued to strain the driver market in the area. On January 22, 2022, the U.S placed vaccine requirements on all non-U.S individuals entering the country at the land ports of entry. Companies working in the border area have noticed an effect of these covid restrictions in an already strained sector.

The shortage of drivers, coupled with those refusing the vaccine or others out on sick leave, the industry has had to learn to improvise and adjust in real-time. Mexico does not currently have vaccine mandates to enter or leave their country. 

Need to Work with a Reliable Trucking Compliance Company? Contact Us Today. 

Here at Border Trucking Compliance, we work in the frontlines of some of the changing issues with the trucking industry. There’s been a lot going on in the industry for the past two years: from vaccine mandates to protests, to supply chain clogs. Throughout all this, the industry has pushed through, doing its part to keep the country running. We help companies ensure they are in compliance with industry regulations. 

Need more information? Call Border Trucking Compliance today. 

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Life Hacks for Truckers: 10 Hacks to Try Today! https://btcgroupep.com/life-hacks-for-truckers-10-hacks-to-try-today/ Tue, 02 Feb 2021 15:57:34 +0000 https://btcgroupep.com/?p=1334 For people outside of the trucking industry, being a truck driver may seem like an easy job. After all, all you have to do is drive from point A to point B in an air-conditioned truck. However, those in the industry understand how grueling and stressful the trucking life truly can be. 

In our January blog, we take a look at life hacks to make life on the road easier and more productive! 

Emergency Snacks 

Our first life hack relates to food and drinks on the road. Usually, we have a good bead on how our bodies feel and operate. However, there does come a time when a surprise bout of hunger of thirst hits. Since you won’t always be able to pull over, it’s smart to have a stock of snacks on hand. 

Shoot for 55 MPH

In terms of finding a sweet spot between speed and fuel efficiency, it’s generally accepted that 55 mph is the optimal speed for both. Many truckers don’t adhere to this speed, but it is scientifically verified to maximize speed and efficiency. 

Keep An Eye On Your Posture

Sitting for long periods of time is verifiably bad for our health, and trucking is certainly no exception. Sitting can cause muscular imbalances, reduce blood circulation, and more. In addition, it’s easy for posture to slack, leading to back problems down the line. Every now and again, ensure that you are sitting up straight as you drive. 

Use Toothpaste For Your Headlights 

Toothpaste isn’t exactly a life hack in itself, but it can be used for more than cleaning your pearly whites. Toothpaste is actually great for cleaning your headlights in a pinch or even cleaning parts of the interior of your truck. 

Master Exercise In Tight Places 

Because of the nature of trucking, it’s well known that the opportunity to workout is scarce. As a result, you will need to master the art of exercise in tight places. Luckily, because of the pandemic, there are plenty of small area-optimized exercise routines on the Internet. 

Lighten Up Your Interior

Black interiors may look fantastic when you first buy your truck, but chances are that you’ll end up regretting it when that southern heat pours into your cab and soaks into the upholstery. 

Especially for truckers down south, it’s best to have a lighter interior so you can stay cool and comfortable as you traverse thousands of miles. 

Stay Hydrated

After long hours on the road, it can be easy to let hydration skip your mind. However, being dehydrated can be dangerous both for yourself and for others on the road. In one study, dehydration was found to be nearly as dangerous as drunk driving. 

Often, truckers will try not to drink too much water in fear of having to frequently use the restroom, which can add time to the length of a trip. 

Use Sunscreen

Being inside of a truck, it can feel as though sunscreen is overkill. After all, you’re inside a vehicle that probably has some sort of tint. But don’t be fooled, a life on the road can still lead to skin damage and even skin cancer as the worst-case scenario. 

Before you get ready for a long journey, be sure to put on sunscreen rated SPF 30 and above. It may feel like an annoying step in the moment, but your skin will thank you later! 

Try Adhesive Hooks For Organization 

When you spend weeks or even months on end in a truck, it may be hard to find space for all of your things. As a result, many of our trucks may look as if a tornado formed inside of them. To combat this, try investing in adhesive hooks to place inside your truck. 

These adhesive hooks are strong enough to hold heavy items and withstand the bumps of road life. Investing a few bucks in adhesive hooks could keep your truck from being cluttered. 

Invest In A Handheld Vacuum 

If you’re like most truckers, then you at least snack in the truck. Chances are that you’ve eaten quite a few full meals in there as well. Coupled with dirt and debris from coming our shoes, and the trucks can get rather dirty rather fast. 

To avoid a completely dirty truck that needs a full detail, invest in a $20 to $30 handheld vacuum. With this, you could simply hit problem areas in your truck before they get very dirty. 

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