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Tale Lites Issue 93
SuperEgo Comeback?! - Midterm Elections and Trucking
Michael Lombard
November 02, 2026
đźš› Super Ego Back From The Dead, but With New Rules
After reports that Super Ego had effectively shut down its Elmhurst, Illinois, operation, the company is back with a new set of rules aimed at “cleaning up its reputation.”
Effective on November 1st, Super Ego said all new lease and rental agreements, renewals, and applications for additional equipment will be subject to stricter requirements.
Among the biggest changes: No more non-domiciled CDLs or drivers with English Language Proficiency (ELP) violations.
Customers must now provide their FMCSA safety ratings and driving records. Fleets with a Conditional safety rating won't qualify, and Super Ego says its equipment cannot be operated by drivers with that rating.
O/O with documented English proficiency violations won't be approved until those issues are resolved with regulators. The company is also rejecting applicants with non-domiciled CDLs, along with carriers whose owners hold non-domiciled CDLs or identification documents.
The announcement comes after a rough year for Super Ego. An April 60 Minutes investigation raised allegations of ELD manipulation, driver pay issues, and a network of questionable carrier operations. The company has also faced scrutiny over its connections to carriers accused of serious safety violations.
Adding to the controversy, C.H. Robinson and TQL previously recognized Super Ego as a Carrier of the Year and Elite Carrier, respectively. Both brokers are now named in a federal racketeering lawsuit alleging connections to operations within the Super Ego network.
Super Ego maintains that it is an equipment lessor, not a motor carrier, and does not employ or dispatch drivers. Still, the company says it has a responsibility to establish safety standards for the carriers using its equipment.
There was also some confusion surrounding the company's return. When Overdrive visited its Elmhurst property, the lot was nearly empty, entrances were blocked by trucks, and a security guard claimed the facility had changed ownership. Super Ego later confirmed it still operates from the location, while acknowledging it is exploring other properties.
The company says it continues serving more than 1,200 licensed carrier customers.
Meanwhile, a class-action lawsuit brought by drivers alleging they were underpaid and overworked by Super Ego-affiliated carriers has been allowed to proceed.
What do you think? For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444
đźšš Freight Market Watch
All-in rates (linehaul + fuel surcharge), week of Oct 17–23
Dry Van: ~$3.07/mile, down ~2 cents week over week
Reefer: ~$3.63/mile, down ~3 cents week over week
Flatbed: ~$3.61/mile, down ~3 cents week over week
At the pump: Diesel is climbing. The national average is up almost 8 cents to $6.35/gallon, the second weekly increase in a row. The Midwest rose the most, up 13 cents to $6.48. The West Coast was the only region that fell, and California is still the most expensive at $8.16. Higher diesel should push all-in rates back up a couple of cents next week.
🏛️ What Do the Midterms Mean For Trucking?
The 2026 Midterm elections take place tomorrow, November 3rd. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, but a shift in power could change how and what policies are implemented for carriers, brokers, and shippers.
Under the current Republican controlled Congress, the industry has generally benefited from a “pro business” approach and lighter regulatory pressure. Recent enforcement actions targeting drivers with English proficiency violations and unauthorized CDLs have also tightened available driver capacity, potentially benefiting compliant carriers through improved rates.
The ATA isn't endorsing a political party, but it is pushing lawmakers on several priorities: limiting excessive accident litigation and fraud, expanding truck parking, and creating more favorable rules for carriers and drivers.
ATA Chairman Derek Leathers, CEO of Werner said “decisions in Washington directly affect how trucking companies operate, invest, and serve customers”
So what happens if Republicans lose control?
According to research firm Armstrong & Associates, a continued Republican majority would likely preserve the current regulatory direction and improve the chances of federal broker liability reform. That could benefit large carriers with brokerage divisions, including Knight-Swift, J.B. Hunt, and Schneider, along with established 3PLs such as C.H. Robinson and Landstar.
A divided Congress could mean something a little different. Expect more scrutiny of trade and tariff policy, along with a potentially tougher regulatory environment. Brokers are particularly concerned about liability rules. Without a federal standard, individual states could establish their own requirements, creating a bunch of regulations that would be especially difficult for smaller brokerage operations.
Several Senate races are also on the industry's radar, including Maine, Alaska, and Ohio. Lawmakers in those states have been involved in debates over driver language requirements, HOS flexibility, and EPA emissions rules.
In the House, Republicans Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Ashley Hinson of Iowa, and Mike Collins of Georgia are among those whose reelection could help preserve the industry's current legislative priorities.
đź“© What are your thoughts?
Reply to this email or text (423) 275-2444
🍽️ Recipe of the Week: Buffalo Chicken & Rice Bowl
Protein: 1 bag Tyson Grilled & Ready chicken strips, about 6 oz per bowl. It’s fully cooked, so you only need to heat it.
Carb: 1 Minute Ready to Serve brown rice cup
Veggie: 1 bag fresh broccoli florets (produce section)
Sauce: Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings sauce
Steps:
Put the chicken strips and a big handful of broccoli in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes and shake once halfway through. They’re done when the chicken edges are crispy and the broccoli is browned.
While that cooks, microwave the rice cup for 1 minute. Dump it into a bowl, top with the chicken and broccoli, and drizzle on the buffalo sauce.
Tip: The rest of the chicken and broccoli keeps 3–4 days in the fridge, so the bag covers 3 bowls. If you’re watching sodium, go light on the sauce, because Frank’s is salty.
Per bowl:
Calories: ~480
Protein: ~45g
Carbs: ~50g
Fat: ~8g
Fiber: ~6g
Partner Post of the Week
A Cab view of the Van Wyck Expressway in NYC from our Partner Edify Logistics! Try us out today and use the promo code edify20 for $20 off your next booking!
Long Time Trucker Writes Book on the State of American Trucking Industry
Is there a quiet war being waged against America’s truck drivers?
That’s the argument behind End of the Road: Inside the War on Truckers, a new book by longtime driver and writer Gord Magill. Magill claims the industry that once represented freedom and independence is being attacked on all fronts, from government regulations, in cab surveillance technology, corporate consolidation, and the push toward autonomous trucks.
God Magill has decades of experience including 4 seasons on ice roads in Canada, road trains in Australia, and over the road in the US. He argues that drivers today face tighter control, shrinking margins, and a future where human truckers may be pushed out altogether.
If you drive a truck, have driven, or have a family member who drives then this book is a must read.
You can order the book HERE and use the promo code 4TRUCKERS20 for a discount at checkout!
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