Aim News

The diesel technician shortage continues to challenge fleet operators across the U.S., forcing companies to rethink not only how they attract and retain talent, but also how they structure their maintenance operations.

Industry leaders say the issue is no longer just about filling open roles—it’s about building sustainable systems that can withstand ongoing labor market volatility.

The only people who like winter are the ones who don’t have to drive in it.

For them, winter begins with the first snowflake or when pumpkin spice turns to peppermint. In transportation, winter starts when the jack-o’-lanterns rot — and it doesn’t end until the Easter Bunny shows up.

Few industries deal with winter the way we do. While others can work from home or use PTO during severe weather, our industry doesn’t stop. Drivers, technicians and support staff still have to report, because freight still has to move.

Winter isn’t optional for us.

The truckload market is sending a clear signal: capacity is tightening, and spot rates are trending up rapidly.

According to the latest data from DAT, national spot truckload rates have climbed back into the mid-$2 per mile range, with some equipment types and regions seeing even stronger pricing. At the same time, flatbed load-to-truck ratios (LTR) have surged to levels that indicate a very tight freight environment.

For businesses relying heavily on the spot market, that combination can create volatility, higher costs and operational headaches. For those with a dedicated contract carriage strategy in place, it can mean stability and control while others scramble.

For more than three years, Bob Hite has been an important part of the Aim family, driving routes out of Vienna, OH. However, Bob has been keeping one of Aim’s valued dedicated contract carriage customers, Millwood, Inc., moving for over two decades, bringing experience, reliability, and professionalism to every mile. When Aim partnered with Millwood three years ago, Bob was extremely grateful that, as he was welcomed into the Aim family, his seniority and start date with Millwood were recognized. “I really appreciate that,” he said. “It means a lot to me that they recognized my time and experience.”

Written by Ron Bourque, Aim Senior Vice President of Safety & Risk Management

In the trucking industry, safety performance is meant to follow a carrier for the life of the company. Compliance history, crash records, roadside inspection results, and safety ratings exist to protect the motoring public and to ensure that responsible carriers are not undercut by bad actors. Yet one tactic continues to undermine this system — the rise of chameleon carriers.