WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BROKERS (Jan 23, 2026) An incoming storm system is expected to disrupt transportation across parts of the North and the Southeast, and when weather hits, capacity tightens fast. Fewer trucks are willing or able to run, transit slows down, and carriers get picky about lanes. The result is usually the same: spot rates climb and service becomes less predictable. What this means for you - Tighter truck availability on affected lanes and anything that touches those regions - Rate volatility, especially for last-minute coverage - Longer lead times for booking reliable capacity - Greater risk of delays, reschedules, and missed appointments due to road conditions and safety calls What to do right now 1. Get ahead of it: Start sourcing capacity earlier than normal. Same day coverage gets expensive quickly. 2. Communicate before it hurts: Proactively update customers on likely impacts to rate and service. 3. Ask better questions when booking: 4. Protect your quote: If you are quoting spot, shorten your quote validity, and build in a buffer for volatility. 5. Confirm the details: Verify appointment flexibility, detention policy, and any accessorials that could come into play if weather causes dwell time. 6. Quick customer message template (copy and send) “Heads up, a storm system is expected to impact capacity across parts of the North and Southeast. When weather disrupts lanes, truck availability drops and market rates can move quickly. To protect service, we recommend locking trucks in earlier than usual and allowing flexible pickup and delivery windows where possible. If you have any priority loads, send them over now so we can secure capacity before the market tightens further.” Bottom line This is the week to lead with communication and speed. The brokers who win storms are the ones who update customers early, secure trucks early, and quote with discipline.

Everything good just trying to master the session and get to business

Serious about building a brokerage that lasts? The next 12 months matter more than ever. Starting January 16, 2026, the FMCSA is enforcing new financial security rules that will reshape how brokers handle their BMC-84 bonds and BMC-85 trust funds. This isn’t just bureaucratic noise. It’s a line in the sand between “hobby brokers” (or crooks!) and real operators. 💡 What’s Actually Changing The FMCSA isn’t raising the $75,000 requirement, but it’s tightening what counts as financial security: - Only federally regulated institutions (FDIC banks, trust companies, credit unions) can now act as trustees. - Trust funds (BMC-85) must hold assets that can convert to cash within seven days — only cash, Treasury securities, or irrevocable letters of credit qualify. - The FMCSA gains new enforcement powers. If your financial security dips below the requirement, your operating authority can be suspended immediately. In short: they’re cracking down on under-backed or non-compliant trust fund providers that have caused chaos in the industry. ⚖️ Why This Matters to You For years, some brokers have treated the BMC-85 as a cheaper workaround to the bond. That shortcut is now closing. If you’re using a trust fund, it’s time to double-check: - Is your trustee a federally regulated institution? - Can your assets be liquidated in 7 days? - Are your filings up to date with FMCSA? If any of those answers are “I’m not sure,” that uncertainty could put your authority — and reputation — on the line. 🧠 The Bigger Picture The FMCSA isn’t just setting stricter rules; it’s cleaning up the industry. This is your chance to get ahead of the crowd by tightening your compliance, reviewing your business structure, and ensuring your financial backing is rock solid. Think of it this way: if a shipper is choosing between two brokers, one with verified compliance and one still “sorting things out,” who do you think they’ll trust with their freight? 🚀 Your Next Moves Here’s what I recommend doing right now:

Worth a listen • Why freight fraud is escalating and what makes agents vulnerable. • The most common fraud tactics used against brokers and carriers. • The role of culture, training, and communication in prevention. • What agents should do immediately when they suspect fraud. https://everythingislogistics.com/freight-fraud-action-plan-for-agents/

I built an automation that pulls the latest list of active carriers directly from the FMCSA database — filtered by state, status, and business type. 💡 Want to see how you can: ✅ Extract active carriers in your state ✅ Filter by individual owner-operators or companies ✅ Get real-time, up-to-date data for your logistics needs No more manual searching or outdated lists — all automated and ready to use! Interested in a demo or want to boost your freight business with verified carrier data? Drop a comment or DM me!