Welcome to the WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Newsletter presented by Redwood Logistics. In this issue, did Memorial Day pop spot rates; Lego’s new semitruck; wait times drop; and more.
Back to work in the home of the free, because of the brave
Long weekend — How’d your Memorial Day go? Did you grind through it? Make time for family? Let’s wish American Trucker Taylor Barker a speedy recovery. He spent his holiday laid up with some broken ribs after a bad Harley crash.
SONAR
One positive: We’re ending the month with spot rates 11 cents higher than we started May. Of course, we did just have a holiday and road check week. How’s this week kicking off in the spot market for you? Any post-holiday tightness? Send me your feelers.
Finally: Lego releases a brand new semitruck
Lego
The new set — It’s been nearly 14 years since the Lego Group last released an official Lego delivery truck and years since it has put out a proper semitruck. That’s all about to change on Saturday when set 60440 hits store shelves.
The previous Yellow Delivery Truck (set 3221) now sells for over $220. Back then you got a 278-piece set with two minifigures. This year’s model comes in a 1,061-piece kit with twice as many minifigs. Included in that is a trucker, a couple lumpers and a hot dog stand vendor.
Coming Saturday or right now? — This set releases on Lego.com June 1 for $99.99. However, I just bought myself a set at Costco for $75, where it’s on sale in-store. Costco also has it online, though it is $85.
Entry level — Need a Lego semi but not addicted to bricks yet? This flatbed isn’t a terrible option for $19.99.
Old school — If you really want a blast from interlocking bricks’ past, grab set 6692. This set from 1983 came with 84 pieces and a single minifig. Surprisingly, it can be had for only $40 in great condition on the used market.
Coming soon — Say no to cheap freight because you’re gonna need some big bucks this year if you’re a brickhead. Not only is that semi coming out, but so is a Lord of the Rings Mount Doom set and the first-ever Lego The Legend of Zelda set.
The waiting game
“This was posted from a receiver. The driver had been shooting there 12 hours.Apparently, the driver’s company won’t allow him to say who the receiver is. This is the crap truck drivers deal with on a daily basis.🤬” — Trucker SnapShotFreak on X
Turnover on the field — And people wonder why trucking has near perpetual 100% annual turnover rates. Some shippers make the delivery and unloading experience as miserable as possible. What’s the big deal, though? Drivers get detention pay … right? Ten of those 12 hours paid to do nothing doesn’t sound that horrible. Or does it?
Turns out detention isn’t as straightforward as it would seem. Drivers don’t get paid until the customer pays. However, many times that can be delayed, stolen by a broker, never filed, etc.
If you can control which dock you’re hitting, it pays to look up the Google reviews and Dock411.
SONAR
Improvement — While those wait times above may be some of the more extreme examples encountered by drivers, overall wait times are trending downward. Now that we’re far past the days of pandemic-related congestion, wait times have been on the decline (along with the rest of the freight market.)
ATL Collection — Headed to Future of Supply Chain in Atlanta this June? Rock the most eye-catching look at the event with the new WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Atlanta collection. Flat-brim hats, ultrasoft Bella-Canvas T-shirts and outstanding crop tops are available. Use code WTTFans for 10% off at checkout. WTTGear.com
Need tickets to Future of Supply Chain? Use this link, it has my code with $900 applied.
WTT Wednesday
Hurricane market catalysts; inventory tech; health program for drivers — This Wednesday on WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, I’m taking a deeper look at the case for hurricanes being a spot market catalyst this year.
Tesla tells the trucking industry to step up its electric game while trucking leaders clap back at ACT Expo. Truck Tech host Alan Adler breaks down the latest in the wild world of the advancements that may drive freight into the future.
Right stock, right place, right time. That’s what Netstock’s Barry Kukkuk is trying to solve. Netstock has launched a tool that allows shippers to instantly identify and redistribute excess inventory. We’ll find out how it works.
I started my health journey two weeks ago using Dr. Mark Manera’s Offshift program. Now that I have some experience with it, Manera and I will break down how it actually works and how drivers and fleets can fit it into their lifestyles.
Plus, latest news, weirdness and trends.
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
Now on demand
EVs bad week; Biden’s resurfaced quote; Target’s woes; semi truck buyer demos
Navigating the waters of change: WHAT THE TRUCK?!? LIVE in Miami
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Don’t be a stranger,
Dooner