Are you a woman employed in the trucking field? If so, I would like to hear from you. I am interested in your thoughts on the subject of pay. I recently read a survey report that indicated female truck drivers are paid less than male truck drivers.

Over the years that I have worked in this industry I have only known personally two women who have driven truck, and one of them I just met this week. It is a male dominated industry, but it is far from a job only men can do. What opposition do you face? Do you find you get an even pick of loads no matter your gender? Or are you overlooked or passed over more than your share?

Please feel free to comment on this post or join me in the forum to discuss. I would like to know some of what you face so that I can be of better assistance to you.

Do you know what exactly the DOT can use to write a ticket? Or how long you must keep such supporting documentation?

For instance, can the DOT use your personal GPS unit to write a speeding ticket? Can they use your onboard computer system to write you an hours of service violation ticket, or even use that computer information to issue you an out-of-service citation? There is a lot of mis-information on this subject. Take a moment to read the article on Retention of Supporting Documents and be fully informed on what can be used in writing tickets and citations.

Photograph courtesy of Grant Bierman.

On July 1, 2011, UPS announced a general rate increase of 6.9 percent on non-contractual shipments throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. This increase will take effect on August 1, 2011. This increase applies to minimum charge, LTL rates and accessorial charges. A new rate chart will be available on August 1, 2011.

The DOT has awarded $126 million to the Illinois DOT for the Chicago Englewood Flyover project. I-DOT will put in $6.6 million, giving the project a total of $133 million.

This project will ease rail congestion of Chicago's south side. The congestion affects all modes of traffic as it delays rail freight thus putting more trucks on the road.

Englewood Flyer is a grade separation project south of Chicago's Union Stat that is to eliminate one of the most delay prone intersections in Amtrak system, which runs on the Norfolk Southern corridor.