From the best rigs in the ’90s to today’s mess of audits, emissions rules, carbon credits, and red tape—David Skater pulls no punches in this brutally honest look at the modern trucking circus.

Why are carriers buried in audits from customers who’ve never sat in a cab?
Are insurance audits legit—or just box-checking theater?
And how the hell did we go from “haul freight” to “navigate 40 layers of compliance and pray your truck doesn’t limp mode”?

If you’ve ever driven, dispatched, wrenched, or tried to keep a carrier afloat, this one’s for you.

🚛 The regulations are piling up.
💸 The margins are thinning.
🤯 And yet somehow… we're still smiling.

Hit play. Then share it with a driver who knows the load isn’t the heaviest thing we’re hauling.

In this powerhouse episode of The Most Important Mile, host David Skater dives into the real-world challenges and unintended consequences of setting aggressive idle-time targets for truck drivers—without giving them the tools to succeed.

You’ll hear firsthand stories from the cab, the boardroom, and even the back of a trailer—like the Florida driver who resorted to sleeping in his reefer to hit performance goals, or the time David played “blue-collar Batman” and shut off an idling ghost truck himself.

Learn why investing in tools like APUs, EPUs, or even simple idle management systems not only saves fuel and reduces wear, but also keeps drivers loyal, customers happy, and your fleet operating at its best.

Tune in, whether you're a fleet manager, safety pro, or someone who’s ever hit the road: discover how respect, resources, and reasonable expectations come together to create real results.

🎙️ Let’s talk about driver bonuses—the truth, the myths, and the downright scams.

In this episode, we break down why you should never take a job based on a bonus alone. We cover:

• Why base pay is the only guarantee.

• What makes a bonus clear and obtainable (hint: real policies, reps, and appeals).

• The difference between a safety bonus and a performance trap.

• The funny (and frustrating) stories drivers have shared over the years.

Plus, what does a Sudoku puzzle have to do with bonuses? More than you’d think.

If you’ve ever been promised a bonus that mysteriously disappeared, or just want a no-BS take on the trucking world—this one’s for you.

🔊 Press play, and remember: if you haven’t earned it, it’s not yours. It’s a bonus.