It's a weird time for fuel right now. With most of the world's supply under a tightened grip, prices keep rising, which isn't great news for independent contractors and owner-operators.

Fuel prices are everywhere in the news right now, and not exactly for the best reasons. Trucking companies, truck drivers, and regular commuters are all concerned about the increase (and uncertainty) in prices and what it means for their wallets.

When you hear the phrase, balloon payment, what comes to mind? Do you think about a bouquet of balloons and a clown asking for your money? Well, if that’s where your head is going, you’re in the wrong direction, my friend. A balloon payment is not, in fact, payment for balloons. It is the final payment you make at the end of a lease. As this applies to the trucking industry, it’s the final payment you’ll make on your leased truck if you decide to purchase it.

Truck and equipment insurance. Health insurance. Vision. Dental. Life. Retirement planning. Stocks. Bonds. Mutual funds. Where do you start when there’s so much to do?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires every trucking company to send new drivers through orientation. The DOT also requires carriers to cover specific information during orientation, including safety information and hours of service (HOS).

You’ve put in the miles researching trucking companies for CDL drivers and have narrowed your list to a few top contenders. Now comes the part that can make or break your next move: asking the right trucking recruiter questions before you sign on. Too many drivers skip this step or only ask about pay and home time. That’s a fast way to end up in the wrong seat — and back on the job hunt sooner than you’d like.

Over-the-road (OTR) trucking pay at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) is designed to reward drivers when freight rates are strong while protecting them when markets soften. Company drivers earn either cents per mile (CPM) or 26% of the line haul — whichever pays more on every load — creating a pay program that was intentionally built to perform through every freight cycle.