A new reform bill aimed at curbing broker fraud is moving through Congress — and creating controversy throughout the transportation industry.

Sponsored by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-ME, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, the Motor Carrier Protection Act of 2010 proposes critical changes to the ways brokers and freight forwarders are regulated and registered. Currently, the only requirements to become a broker are an authority, $10,000 bond and BOC 3 on file with the Department of Transportation proving you have a Process Agent.

Communication technology surrounds us — at home, on the road, in stores — literally everywhere. But is the ability to connect at all times necessary or is it a necessity that we have created?

Traffic.

Accidents.

Unsafe drivers.

Natural disasters.

Animals in the road.

There are countless distractions, hurdles and annoyances to avoid when trucking freight.  

But what about drunk people who decide climbing on your rig would be funny?

If you were told you could turn a profit from 60-cent per mile freight, you’d think I was crazy, right?

But, listen to this story of how I turned cheap freight from vinegar into fine wine for one small carrier, using nothing more than industry experience, resourcefulness and dedication to finding a solution. Locations and minor details have been changed to protect the carrier’s privacy.

On June 15, 2010, 17-year-old Jasmine (Jazzy) Jordan became the youngest woman to run across the United States and complete the 3,160-mile run from Los Angeles to New York City.

What motivated the quest? Healthcare for truckers.

The daughter of Owner Operator Independent Driver Association life members Lee and Paulette Jordan, Jazzy was inspired to begin the cross-country journey when one of her parents' employees, Sheila Grothe, passed away from cancer in April 2009. Jazzy explained her motivation, saying: