The feels, current events, and FreightFest‘s success

Have you been taken aback by the news regarding Israel this past week? Us too. We definitely feel the weight of what is going on throughout the world right now and want to take a second to express our love for the Hustle family.

This whole event has ramped up a feeling of gratefulness.

1️⃣ Grateful to be alive.

2️⃣ Grateful to be able to provide useful resources for new and established entrepreneurs.

3️⃣ Grateful to be your #1 choice as a freight and logistics news outlet.

While this list is not exhaustive, our hope is that you are able to feel our appreciation through the news and information we gather for you each week.

So sit back, relax, and let's get to it.

Newsletter Highlights

Looks like the cat’s out the bag! So many of you LOVED FreightFest we had to make sure we blessed you all with some early bird tickets. Find more…

Ever wonder what it takes to get 350+ trucks on the road each day? Our Hustle Story Spotlight explains all of the dynamics that are involved in this process…

Got skin in the game and are interested in becoming a freight forwarder? Lucky for you we’re delivering research straight to your inbox that will give you actionable steps to…

NEWS

According to the Israeli government, more than 1,000 people were killed by the Hamas invaders crossing from Gaza. As a result of the country declaring war, UPS is maintaining a freeze on flights into Israel because of security concerns.

While air express rival DHL continues to fly to the country’s main airport in Tel Aviv, there are also other numerous Israel airlines still operating. Including Arkia and El Al, who are still flying many routes, plus are adding emergency routes for those who are still stranded.

“UPS is closely monitoring the situation and we have temporarily suspended operations in Israel including all inbound and outbound flights until further notice… Our focus is on safety while we work to minimize disruption to our customers.” — Atlanta logistics integrator

LAW

Four years into Californians are still pushing against it, as they consider it a “trucking disruption,” for entrepreneurs who lack an official LLC. However, California’s attorney general’s office says that, “The disruptions and burdens predicted by [CTA and OOIDA] have not materialized. Drivers are still driving. Ports are functioning. And packages and freight are being delivered across the state.”

California denies any suggestion that AB5 would interfere with the supply of trucks coming in from smaller carriers. However, it admits that a company wishing to hire independent owner-operators as drivers has a tough bar to meet (because they must have established corporations).

In light of these complaints, a hearing is scheduled for November 13, 2023 with Judge Benetiz in San Diego.

TRANSPORTATION

On Tuesday, October 10, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transits Administration (FTA) announced a grant program notice for a funding opportunity, provided by the Biden-Harris Administration. The administration is giving $200 million to replace aging railcars and improve reliability and safety.

The FTA mentioned that one-third of commuter rail vehicles are more than 25 years old! Therefore, the need for newer and better quality transportation is a must safer and more effecient railcars.

Applications for the grant close at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on December 19, 2023 + a free informational webinar will be held on November 2 at 1:30 P.M. - 3 P.M. EST. Click HERE for more details.

FREIGHT

As mentioned in a previously newsletter, the migrant surge is affecting inspection times at the U.S.- Mexico border. Since then the inspection has expanded to the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity Bridge, says U.S. Customs and Border Protection, some other ports of entry are finally halting inspection.

There’s a fine line that the Texas Governor is dancing around, in efforts to find mechanical violations, protect American citizens from drug smuggling, and human trafficking. Despite his measures, Mexico’s president Andrés Manual Lopez Obrador has protested the state inspection program this week.

CANACAR, Mexico’s national trucking organization, said 20,000 U.S.-bound shipments have been stranded in Mexican warehouses or trailers since the enhanced inspections began about four weeks ago, with shipments worth more than $2 billion.

“CANACAR renews its call to the governor of Texas to respect the principles of openness that underpin the USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada Agreement) and reminds him that this measure will undoubtedly result in job losses on both sides of the border and represents a hard blow to supply chains.” — CANACAR

RAILROAD

Over the past six years, Maine’s train traffic has been policing itself, as it has failed to report three derailments (two by trains carrying hazardous material), two accidents and three injured workers.

Since these railroads conduct their own inspections and file their findings to their sole regulator, the Federal Railroad Administration, their secrecy has not been held accountable.

To make matters worse for the people of Maine, the little information on train contents and train accidents that is in circulation is withheld from the public as a result of a law, lobbied for by the railroads, that was passed back in 2015.

After a five month investigation, many are concerned about what the future holds, since there is no oversight for our freight railroads.

WEEKLY RECAP

Oooh man! If you missed episode 203 with Michael Kraus, Chairman and CEO of Expak Logistics, from Los Angeles, California, you’re gonna want to run it back! 💻

Rahmel and Michael tap into the world of third-party logistics (3PL). Discussing all he knowledge Michael has learned from developing partnerships that have allowed him to control and profit off of hundreds of assets + multiple warehouses nationwide, all while not owning NONE of them. 😏

You know what to do next. 👆🏾

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“Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don’t feel like doing them.“

— Julius Irving