Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026:
Overhaul warns of increased theft activity over Labor Day weekend
With Labor Day looming Monday, Sept. 7, shippers and motor carriers across the United States should carefully review shipping schedules surrounding the long weekend, according to supply chain and risk management company Overhaul.
Holidays routinely alter operating hours at receiving facilities -- be sure to confirm hours of operation before departing with loads scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4, and Monday, Sept. 7.
Cargo thieves well know holiday weekends throw a wrench into those schedules, and that freight can sit unattended for extended periods. Trailers staged outside big-box receivers are prime targets for pilferage and straight theft with distribution center and warehouse operations compromised to varying extents -- reduced staffing, scaled back security.
It all gives criminals a larger window to operate, and can also delay discovery of losses, key to getting away the crime in many cases.
At once, it's deceptive tactics conducted over communications networks -- double brokering, fraudulent carrier identities, spoofed communication and falsified paperwork -- that tend to lead the ranking of the primary vectors for stealing freight today.
Extended holiday lead times can make these schemes harder to detect, too, with the gap between theft and discovery stretching across the entire three-day weekend.
As previously reported, industry-wide losses in the second quarter of 2026 more than doubled in value year over year, even as the number of incidents fell.
Overhaul’s recommendations for carriers, drivers, shippers:
- Stop only in well-lit, secured areas with trailer doors backed to a solid surface, if possible.
- Shippers are encouraged to confirm receivers hours of operation -- adjust schedules as needed to avoid unnecessary staging.
- Thoroughly vet all brokers, carriers and drivers, and document all necessary details for each shipment.
- Facilities should also ensure all security systems are functioning properly.
A few more tried-and-true best practices, among others related to operational security to help prevent theft:
- Don't stop after leaving a pickup location for long distances (at least 200 miles) to avoid being followed from a facility by a would-be thief.
- Only drop trailers in a secure, fenced yard, and do not drop trailers overnight.
- Don't unhook a trailer if it isn't necessary.
[Related: Cargo theft losses skyrocketed in Q2]
FleetForce graduates 10,000th truck driver, aims at next 10K
FleetForce Truck Driver Training has launched Next10,000, a national fall recruitment campaign aimed at training the company’s next 10,000 CDL professionals.
The launch celebrated the graduation of FleetForce's first 10,000 graduates and honored its 10,001st student, Drexyl Eitniear, who received an on-the-spot job offer from Swift Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 3).
"Ten thousand graduates means 10,000 new careers and answers to a deficit that touches every American who buys anything delivered by truck," said Tra Williams, president and CEO of FleetForce. "We're not slowing down. Next10,000 is our commitment to find and train the next generation of professional drivers until we've resolved the national driver shortage."
Next10,000 is a new FleetForce campaign that, through its partnership with Swift, guarantees job interviews for every qualified student at any of its locations across the U.S. Calling on other businesses to participate, the campaign comes as federal oversight of CDL licensing and training tightens, increasing demand for qualified truck drivers among carriers and other businesses that depend on them.
The campaign launched at a ceremony at State College of Florida, FleetForce’s office headquarters, which hosts weekly CDL training. Supporters at the event included Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Jesse Elison; Florida Senate President Designate Jim Boyd; Florida Trucking Association President Scott Perry; Heather Cunningham, chief of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' commercial vehicle and driver services bureau; and other local officials.
Drexyl Eitniear, a Sarasota resident, was surprised to be named the 10,001st graduate by FleetForce during the event. He chose to obtain his CDL after feeling defeated by several unreliable gig jobs over the years. Eitner’s new employer, Swift Transportation, offered him an immediate contract to work for the carrier, which he accepted.
“This career path is the best thing to happen to me and my family,” says Eitniear. “My grandfather had a successful truck driving career, so with faith, I believe I can do the same thing.”
Arizona college adds CDL program
Northland Pioneer College (NPC) in Northeast Arizona has invested in a new, innovative workforce training program to prepare local students for high-demand careers in trucking.
A CDL training program is now being offered at the college’s skills center at the Holbrook campus. The program provides students with specialized training to gain the skills, confidence, and credentials they need to enter the workforce and prepare for the road ahead, the school said.
Thanks to a $200,000 grant from the Office of Economic Opportunity, NPC has a new state-of-the-art CDL training simulator, equipment including an International Bus, a late-model Freightliner Cascadia, a Volvo VNR, and two dry vans, along with qualified industry experts to lead the program. Students will train on both standard and automatic vehicles.
The program is approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and ADOT.
Classes meet one day a week in a four-hour block, Monday through Thursday. For additional flexibility, students have the option to attend either morning or afternoon sessions. The campus is located at 2251 E. Navajo Blvd. in Holbrook. Additional training locations are coming soon.
“We are excited to offer this program locally,” said NPC CDL Training Faculty and Chair Brian Jager. “The need for qualified, safe, and dependable employees in the field is evident. We offer training for first-time CDL drivers, Class A and B series credentialing, school bus drivers, and refresher training for those wishing to brush up on skills and re-enter the field. We can also customize training for partnerships in construction, paving, excavation, trucking and other industries.”
Enrollment for upcoming fall sessions is currently open. Prior CDL experience is not required. The cost of the program starts at $4,000. In addition to practical training, students are required to complete a $125 online Entry Level Driving Training (EDLT) theory course. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Discounts are also being offered to companies that enroll employees and provide their own training vehicles.
Before entry, students are also required to show proof of a Commercial Learner’s Permit, a copy of their driving record from the prior three years, a copy of their driver’s license, and a DOT physical, including a DOT drug screen.
