Episode 51: Old School to High-Tech: How Trucking Loads Have Evolved

In this episode of Keep Trucking Personal, host Tyler Kivi sits down with Derek Kivi to take a deep dive into the evolution of securing freight in the trucking industry. From the days of green-screen load boards, pay phones, and faxed contracts to today’s digital load tracking, automated negotiations, and fraud prevention tactics, they explore how technology has reshaped the industry. Derek shares stories of the early days, when dispatchers relied on Rolodexes, handwritten rate confirmations, and blind trust, to the modern-day challenges of dealing with spot market rates, load boards, and increasing fraud. They discuss the role of brokers, the art of negotiation, and the importance of reputation in an industry built on relationships. Whether you're a driver, dispatcher, or industry enthusiast, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to keep trucks loaded and moving. Plus, hear about the unexpected struggles of springtime trucking, from muddy lots to the great beard debate of when (or if) to shave for the warmer months ahead!