Inside the "Phantom Driver" Scam Keeping Unsafe Fleets on the Road

Inside the "Phantom Driver" Scam Keeping Unsafe Fleets on the Road

Welcome to a brand new episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, the award-winning, irreverent supply chain show! Hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent are back to break down the biggest headlines hitting the logistics and transportation sector this week. On This Episode: * HOA Wars & Texas Bound: Co-host Michael Vincent calls in from his brand-new home base in Texas after a grueling 11.5-hour U-Haul drive from Chattanooga. Hear his breakdown of Southern road infrastructure and his final parting words for his former Homeowners Association. * The Closure of Mountain Valley Express: The guys discuss the sudden shutdown of regional LTL player Mountain Valley Express and what it says about current market pressures. * Reinventing the Back Office with Transvor: Alex Dolles, Founder of Transvor, joins the show to discuss how carriers are rethinking overhead costs by leveraging virtual talent and outsourcing administrative, billing, and dispatch roles to the Philippines and Colombia. * The Montgomery Case Deep Dive: National truck crash lawyer and Managing Partner at the Law Firm for Truck Safety, Michael Leizerman, calls in to give an exclusive insider look at the landmark Montgomery lawsuit as it heads back to the Illinois District Court. He clears up major misconceptions about broker liability and negligent selection. Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVi2PdlRdiSqmJsM01U1gwAfc_y75q_PW] Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT [https://gnosisfreight.com/] Subscribe to the WTT newsletter [https://www.freightwaves.com/wtt] Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-truck/id1357715797] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5X1AlbXLIKJAwwwA059sVd?si=bGt9JO4TRaG3aAcyz-UaxA] More FreightWaves Podcasts [https://www.freightwaves.com/podcasts] #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The $2.1M "Laundered" Apparel Heist Spilling Across Pop-Up Cross Docks

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent kick off July with a packed show covering some of the biggest stories shaping transportation and logistics. First, they break down the latest headlines, including the surprising rise in containers lost at sea, the dismissal of C.H. Robinson from a high-profile Florida trucking lawsuit, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ veto of legislation that would have allowed certain nonviolent inmates to receive CDL training before release. The conversation dives into liability, workforce development, public safety, and second chances in the trucking industry. Then, Brett Suma, President and Chief Operating Officer of Bot Auto, joins the show to discuss the future of autonomous trucking. Brett shares why he joined Bot Auto, the state of AI in transportation, why Texas has become the epicenter of autonomous freight operations, and how physical AI could transform the supply chain in the years ahead. He also reflects on leadership, innovation, and building the next generation of logistics companies. Later, Danny Ramon, Subject Matter Expert for Cargo Theft at Overhaul, returns to the show to analyze a massive $2.1 million cargo theft involving women’s apparel in Southern California. Danny breaks down how organized cargo theft operations work, why cross-docking schemes are becoming more common, what criminals are targeting today, and how shippers can better protect their freight during one of the busiest shipping seasons of the year. Topics covered: * Autonomous trucking and AI in logistics * Bot Auto’s vision for the future of freight * Cargo theft trends and prevention strategies * The $2.1 million California cargo heist * C.H. Robinson’s removal from a Florida lawsuit * CDL training programs for inmates * Supply chain and transportation industry headlines Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVi2PdlRdiSqmJsM01U1gwAfc_y75q_PW] Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT [https://gnosisfreight.com/] Subscribe to the WTT newsletter [https://www.freightwaves.com/wtt] Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-truck/id1357715797] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5X1AlbXLIKJAwwwA059sVd?si=bGt9JO4TRaG3aAcyz-UaxA] More FreightWaves Podcasts [https://www.freightwaves.com/podcasts] #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The $1,300 Brake-Check Scam: How Fraud Rings Are Forcing Nuclear Verdicts on Fleets

The final Monday of June is packed with freight news, industry insights, and plenty of laughs on this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Hosts Malcolm Harrison and Michael Vincent kick things off by catching up on weekend adventures—from bourbon tasting and disc golf to a look at what's ahead for the freight industry this summer. In this episode: * The Port of Brownsville completes its $295 million ship channel expansion and what it means for trade, LNG exports, and cross-border freight. * A $500,000 bourbon shipment disappears after thieves pose as a legitimate trucking carrier. How cargo theft scams continue to evolve. * FMCSA announces major enforcement actions, shutting down fraudulent CDL schools, removing non-compliant ELDs, and increasing investigations. Are these meaningful reforms or simply fixing long-standing problems? * Tommy Slaymaker, Director of Fleet Services at The Pete Store, joins the show to discuss fleet maintenance, fuel costs, equipment lifecycle planning, and why proper truck specifications can save fleets thousands over the life of a vehicle. * Plus, Grace Sharkey joins later in the show with more insights on the biggest stories shaping transportation and supply chain. Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVi2PdlRdiSqmJsM01U1gwAfc_y75q_PW] Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS [https://koonerfms.com/] Subscribe to the WTT newsletter [https://www.freightwaves.com/wtt] Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-truck/id1357715797] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5X1AlbXLIKJAwwwA059sVd?si=bGt9JO4TRaG3aAcyz-UaxA] More FreightWaves Podcasts [https://www.freightwaves.com/podcasts] #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Amazon Just Lost to the Teamsters: Inside the NLRB Ruling

Welcome back to What The Truck?! In this Friday edition, Malcolm Harris breaks down the biggest stories shaping freight, transportation, and supply chain. This episode covers the latest headlines, including the Teamsters' legal victory against Amazon, new estimates showing cargo theft now costs U.S. businesses $35 billion annually, FreightTech 100 nominations opening for 2027, and a roundup of recent transportation and warehouse bankruptcies. Then, Malcolm sits down with Chad Lindholm, SVP of Sales at Clean Energy, for an in-depth conversation about renewable natural gas (RNG), the Cummins X15N engine, fuel cost stability, and why more fleets are considering alternative fuels as a practical business decision—not just an environmental one. Later, Netstock's Chief Marketing Officer Jefferson Barr and VP of Product Management Ryan Bavery discuss why companies continue to lose money through inefficient inventory planning and underutilized shipping containers. They explain how AI-driven inventory optimization, smarter container utilization, and better planning tools can help businesses improve margins in an increasingly volatile supply chain environment. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVi2PdlRdiSqmJsM01U1gwAfc_y75q_PW] ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ [https://koonerfms.com/] ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ [https://www.freightwaves.com/wtt] ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-truck/id1357715797] ⁠Spotify⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/5X1AlbXLIKJAwwwA059sVd?si=bGt9JO4TRaG3aAcyz-UaxA] ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ [https://www.freightwaves.com/podcasts] #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Why 20,000 Mexican Truckers Just Lost Their Visas

On this episode, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down some of the biggest stories shaping freight, transportation, and supply chain logistics this week. Topics include: * The growing impact of AI infrastructure on freight markets and why rising demand for copper could create new challenges across supply chains. * A major milestone at the Port of Baltimore as the newly reconstructed Howard Street Tunnel opens for double-stack rail service, unlocking new intermodal opportunities along the East Coast. * UPS invests $48 million into expanding its healthcare and pharmaceutical logistics network with 27 new temperature-controlled facilities to support growing demand for vaccines, advanced therapies, and GLP-1 medications. * The U.S. revokes thousands of visas tied to Mexican truck drivers amid a cabotage enforcement crackdown. What does it mean for capacity, freight rates, and cross-border transportation? * Cargo theft, World Cup logistics, and the risks major global events create for supply chains and freight security. Plus, Chris Bakes, Managing Director of Auto Solutions at Sedgwick, joins the show to discuss how fleets can prepare for the challenges of summer operations. From rising temperatures and increased roadside breakdowns to predictive maintenance, risk management, and AI-powered fleet technologies, Chris shares practical strategies for keeping trucks moving and minimizing costly disruptions. Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVi2PdlRdiSqmJsM01U1gwAfc_y75q_PW] Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS [https://koonerfms.com/] Subscribe to the WTT newsletter [https://www.freightwaves.com/wtt] Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-truck/id1357715797] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5X1AlbXLIKJAwwwA059sVd?si=bGt9JO4TRaG3aAcyz-UaxA] More FreightWaves Podcasts [https://www.freightwaves.com/podcasts] #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]