CNS: Recent Episodes
Luke Kibby
What a weekend! The 2025 PA Truck Driving Championships brought the heat (and rain) to Kalahari Resorts with a high-energy, two-day sporting event-style competition that celebrated the very best of the trucking industry. From a written test and pre-trip inspection challenge to a skills course that demanded precision and focus, drivers showcased what true professionalism […]
With the 38th Annual PA Truck Driving Championship just days away… we talk to Kammi and Anthony of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA) to discuss what it takes to prepare for TDC 2025, what the PMTA does, and what’s on the calendar later in the year. Welcome to the podcast!
Today we are diving into a topic that hits close to home for a lot of growing fleets: how to scale smart — not fast. We’ve all seen it — a small fleet jumps from five trucks to 20 almost overnight, chasing big contracts and new lanes… only to fold within a year. So, what […]
Did you know the GI Bill isn’t just for college degrees or military veterans? It can fully cover the cost of CDL training, helping veterans and their dependents step into high-demand, well-paying jobs in the transportation industry. Joining us today is someone with firsthand experience navigating the GI Bill benefits. Our guest, Matthew Benko, is […]
At Northeastern High School in York County, Pennsylvania, students aren’t just learning to drive—they’re learning how to build a career… from helping students prepare to earn their CDL permits and explore the opportunities in trucking and transportation. The DRIVE elective class gives students many choices on how they can use their Commercial Driver’s license, from […]
If you’re in the trucking industry, you know that safety and compliance reporting and management is critical and is why we at CNS are here – to help you navigate, track, and manage your safety and DOT compliance requirements. Well, now there is a growing push for fleet emissions tracking and reporting. From the […]
Ryan Berardi of CNS Companies discusses Data-Driven CDL Training at the 2025 CNS Proactive Safety and Compliance Conference in Lancaster, PA.
Looking to turn your property into a profitable truck parking location without the hassle of day-to-day management? In this interview, we sit down with Rig Hut, the full-service truck parking management software that helps landlords, leaseholders, and property managers seamlessly run an Industrial Outdoor Storage (IOS) / truck parking lot. Whether you’re a property owner […]
Hey everyone and welcome to the podcast Caution: Wide Right brought to you by Compliance Navigation Specialists. I’m Luke, your host, and with me today is Ryan Good, CEO of RGM Transport. Founded in 2005, @rgmtransport is a fast-growing, asset-based trucking company specializing in hauling building products, steel, aluminum, and high-value equipment across North America. […]
Hey everyone, and welcome to SEASON 3 of our podcast Caution: Wide Right brought to you by Compliance Navigation Specialists. Today we are going to break down all the planned regulatory changes coming in 2025 and if we believe the timelines will stick or be pushed further down the road. 00:00 | Intro 02:57 | […]
Is the Tesla Semi living up to the hype? What about Nikola and Freightliner EVs? I REACT to the EV Semi discussion and look at if and how an electric truck transition makes sense! 00:00 | Why this EV discussion is important 03:06 | Run On Less Event 2021 Takeaway 10:35 | Starting a Trucking […]
Today we are exploring how to grow a safety and compliance team, what this role looks like, and how to generate driver retention and positive engagement. Today, I have Andrea Bird, Safety and Compliance Manager at Denver Cold Storage and Denver Logistics. Andrea has over 20 years in the transportation industry and joined the Denver […]
Today we are chatting with one of the best dry bulk commodities transporters in the US that is also one of the safest on the roads – and they got the awards to prove it! GFI Transport is a family-owned trucking company and a leader for over 30 years in hauling dry bulk commodities such […]
Today we are going to explore the uses of telematics data for fleet safety, insurance underwriting, FMCSA studies, and more. My guest today is Jim Angel, Vice President of Telematics Partners at Speedgauge, a driving analytics and performance company. Jim has 20 plus years of transportation experience, from Director if Transportation at Redman Building Products, […]
Today we want to answer the question – WHEN can your growing fleet JOIN a CAPTIVE and potential SAVE money through Insurance and HOW? You have probably heard about it throughout the years, but now is the time to dive deep into what a Captive is, and why it should be a goal for your […]
If you recall back in our first podcast episode, we chatted with John Irwin, founder and CEO of CNS. What you may not know is that his father-in-law helped found CNS and both grew the business to what it is today. As Vice President of CNS Companies, Dean Weinhold has moved into a role as […]
Tens of thousands of dockworkers have gone on strike indefinitely at ports across much of the US, threatening significant trade and economic disruption ahead of the presidential election and the busy holiday shopping season. Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) walked out on Tuesday at 14 major ports along the east and gulf coasts, […]
Hey everyone and welcome to the podcast Caution: Wide Right brought to you by CNS. We at CNS are constantly listening to our customers and improving our services to small to large fleets as we focus on offering the best customer experience possible. From behind the scenes, employee onboarding, and interacting with you daily, we […]
Today we are going to talk about the $800 million broker and freight fraud problem and how to prevent it from the driver level. My guests today are Mike Fullam and Matt Patterson, Co-Founders of QuikSkope… a tool for transportation partners to engage efficiently while mitigating the risks of re-brokering, identity fraud, and cargo theft. […]
CNS is excited to be the Media Sponsor and will be LIVESTREAMING the PA Truck Driving Championships this year! Thanks to the PMTA, Compliance Navigation Specialists (CNS) is the media sponsor for this year’s competition. We are tasked with creating a fun and exciting livestreaming experience for drivers, companies, and families to watch, and with […]
Are you looking for unique and cost-effective ways to be environment-friendly AND save money? Well, Smash My Trash — aims to be exactly that. Smash Trucks are here helping business in trucking, construction, distribution, manufacturing, and more… from delaying dumpsters being haul away. How? By smashing it down so it can be filled again and […]
The total solar eclipse is coming, affecting 13 states from Texas to Maine… and with that… TRAFFIC! The question comes down to, Will there be Hours-of-Service Exemptions or Oversize/Overweight Permit Restrictions in your state? Let’s get in the loop to find out!
It’s that time of year! State truck driving championships have just kicked off from Louisiana and across 40 states holding competitions this Spring and Summer. In June, Pennsylvania and the PMTA is gearing up for their turn to send the best drivers to Indianapolis for the National Truck Driving Championships in August. This is where […]
Hey everyone and Welcome to our podcast, Caution: Wide Right, Today we are going to talk about getting into trucking, how to prepare for CDL training, learn a bit about flatbed and specialized loads, and more. With me is one of our own CDL instructors here at CNS Driver Training Center, where we offer 1-on-1 […]
Today we are going to talk about trucking companies OVERPAYING TAXES in OREGON, my home state, and the industry is finally standing up and suing the state! That’s tight, the Oregon Trucking Association and some of their members, are in a lawsuit against the state of Oregon because the trucking industry is overpaying taxes by […]
Here we are in 2024… we in the trucking industry are hoping for a freight recovery and reduced recession fees so we can all get back to making money. But while we have been in a freight slowdown, the federal government has not. They have been very vocal about big regulatory changes, no matter the […]
Now listen… we hear it all the time, “I need help fixing a bad ‘score’, what do I need to do?” Basically, “can you wave that magic wand and make things disappear!” The problem is the carrier doesn’t understand that there are different scores, they are based on different factors, and there are different ways […]
Hey everyone and welcome to the podcast, Caution: Wide Right! I’m Luke, your host, and today… shortly after Veteran’s Day, we are going to talk about one vet’s perspective, Ted Danowski, who is on the journey of getting his CDL and starting his owner-operator business. We will discuss his time in the military, why he […]
Today we are going to talk about the race for fully autonomous trucking to become reality with hopes to transform the $4 trillion global freight industry. The aim is Level 4 autonomy, meaning full automation without human intervention. If the technology is nailed, then peak hours of travel can be circumnavigated to provide greater assurance […]
We all know that in 2018, ELDs were pushed across the trucking industry… but, did you know, that the technology goes back to AOBRDs since 1988! Since then, the telematic and vehicle tracking hardware and software has improved dramatically, helping both truckers manage their time and equipment; as well as carriers manage fleet efficiency and […]
With me today is the one and only founder of the Women In Trucking organization, Ellen Voie. Ellen is an internationally recognized speaker and authority on gender diversity and inclusion for women in transportation. She started WIT in 2007 after decades in the transportation industry and saw it grow from hundreds to now over 8,000 […]
Today we are going to talk about how we can disagree about really important things (theology, politics, even moral issues) and still be in relationship, in conversation, and in loving community together. To help me are the authors of their new book ‘Loving Disagreement’: Kathy Khang and Matt Mikalatos… as well as someone who can […]
Today we are going to talk about an old 1992 Freightliner semi-truck turned simulator sitting at an old Oregon museum that need a lot of tender love and care so it can run a truck driving simulation again. To talk about this project, I have Stephen Hodges… not only a friend of mine, but a […]
BREAKING NEWS: In Pennsylvania, there will be no CDL Tests from Aug 24-27 because of upcoming changes. If you take a test and don’t finish before August 24th, you will have to: – Receive a new CDL permit – Pass another driver instruction permit test – Take knowledge theory test again, and – Take the […]
For over 70 years Peters Brothers has been hauling freight from livestock in the 1950s to refrigerated loads hauling food coast to coast. They are a family owned company that started with Brothers George and William Peters in Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania to George’s son Gerald Peters, and now Gerald’s nephew Brian. Today, Brian manages 72 trucks, […]
Welcome to our podcast Caution: Wide Right… it’s just another trucking podcast but not with just another trucking company. With us today we have a trucking company that has been around for 40 years who have been heavily involved with the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, and delivers all sorts of loads from the Mississippi River […]
Now, with me today is not just a local Girl Scout Troop Leader, which my daughter will be excited to hear if a nine-year-old enjoyed listening to her dad talk about trucking regulations! But, even better, with me is Rebecca Oyler, none other than the President and CEO at Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, which has […]
Everyone knows that within the first 12 months of operating as a property carrier within interstate commerce, or 120 days as a passenger carrier, each carrier must undergo a new entrant safety audit. Oh, you didn’t know that? Well, then you must be asking yourself… is it a big deal? Let’s get in the Loop […]
Today, we have James Martin with Keystone Transport and Diamond Fleet Services here with us. James is the owner of Keystone Transport, which started in 2014 delivering high end, blanket wrapped furniture to stores and designers. Shortly after, James started Diamond Fleet Service, a diesel truck repair and maintenance shop for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty […]
For those that follow the ATRI research reports, you will have noticed that last year they conducted a Driver Camera Survey… and the results came in a few weeks ago. While previous ATRI research found that truck drivers have very positive opinions about road-facing cameras, there were numerous concerns over driver-facing cameras. Well, we are […]
With us today we have some exciting guests… Matt Witmer and Andrew Walker from Shipley Energy, a natural gas, propane, and heating oil transport company serving commercial and residential customers across Central Pennsylvania. In this episode we talk about Shipley Energy’s approach to DOT and HAZMAT regulations, why drivers should work at Shipley, discuss the […]
So, what’s better: Urine or Oral Saliva drug testing? While I know many of you listening might not care about how the drug test is handled, that it’s just a part of being a professional trucker or employee, the new rules are critical for your career. So, listen up as we run down the history […]
So, you want to make money in trucking? Well, you found the episode to help you out! One of the most important skills to develop in the transportation industry is learning how to find loads. This is especially true for owner-operators and small fleets that are just starting out. There is a lot to talk […]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is planning to expand the number of crash types considered not preventable in the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP), which would allow carriers to have a broader range of non-preventable accidents leave CSA scores unaffected, according to a Federal Register notice. Join CNS’s Jared Kline and John Irwin as […]
You wanted more Caution: Wide Right — Another Trucking Podcast and we delivered. In this episode, we have RT Specialty coming on and explaining what they look for when writing a trucking insurance plan. Learn hot to fill up your wallet as we fill up your ears. 0:00 | What are Insurance Underwriters? 2:57 | […]
No… Cash is NOT KING… Cashflow is king. Cashflow is simply the amount of money coming in versus coming out of the company. It is your inflow and outflow of cash. If you have positive cashflow, this allows you to pay bills, reinvest into the business, and build a safety net for maintenance issues, low […]
In part 4 of our New Venture Roadmap to successfully start-up your trucking company, we will discuss insurance. Not just what coverages you need, but how you can start building a good safety record to help you keep future rates as low as possible.
I am excited to introduce John Irwin, CEO of CNS… the compliance experts helping trucking companies and professional drivers navigate through all the safety and compliance regulations across US and Canada. We are going to chat about how all of this started, CNS, the growing pains, the people making it happen, and more. If you […]
FMCSA proposes to make seven major changes to Safety Measurement System (SMS). These changes include: Let’s break these down.
Connecticut is implementing a highway use tax similar to NY HUT, KYU, OR, NM. This highway use fee is a monthly filing similar to OR and is in addition to the IFTA requirements. The Highway Use Fee is applicable to calendar months beginning on or after January 1, 2023. The first Highway Use Fee Return […]
Connecticut is implementing a highway use tax similar to NY HUT, KYU, OR, NM. This highway use fee is a monthly filing similar to OR and is in addition to the IFTA requirements. The Highway Use Fee is applicable to calendar months beginning on or after January 1, 2023. The first Highway Use Fee Return […]
There are a lot of things you need to actually start your trucking business. So, lets split this into three compliance sections: business compliance, licensing compliance, and DOT regulation compliance.
Welcome to Part 2 of our 7 Steps Start-up Trucking Roadmap! The choices you make from this point forward greatly impact your startup cashflow, growth timeline, and large future payment dates. A solid business plan will list expenses and revenue expected in your new company. Expenses can be up to $20,000/month as a startup. This […]
We are kicking off the 7 steps roadmap to success series with our very own Luke Kibby! He’ll loop you in with all the details of what it takes to start, and run a new trucking company! If you’ve got the vision to start a trucking company, now is the time to make that vision […]
With talks about a recession coming CNS knows trucking companies need to be ready. We have 8 simple but easily overlooked steps for you to follow so you can keep some extra cash in your wallet!
You ever wondered what it would be like to be a trucker? What do you need to know before getting your CDL or expect at a CDL school? We chat with Jolyn Graham, CDL Trainer and VP of Operations at CNS Driver Training Center.
FMCSA is considering a rulemaking to require all CMVs operating in interstate commerce to have an electronic ID system capable of wirelessly communicating a unique ID number when queried by a Federal or State motor carrier safety enforcement personnel with a goal “to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the roadside inspection program by more […]
Both underwriters and FMCSA have ways to find and measure risky drivers. For FMCSA, they use a tool called SAFER that gives a brief snapshot of information that is pulled from various government databases. Since it is only a snapshot, it does not give the best picture of a carrier’s operations and inspection history. This […]
There have been a lot of strange crashes involving truckers lately… and I think I know what is behind it. Proof? Well, there isn’t proof, but let me tell you a story and you can make up your mind. I have three tales to tell involving crashes across the U.S. in 2022. They might seem […]