Mary O'Connell

Former pricing analyst, supply chain planner, and broker/dispatcher turned creator of the newsletter and podcast Check Call. Which gives insights into the world around 3PLs and Freight brokers. She will talk your ear off about anything and everything if you let her. Expertise in operations, LTL pricing and procurement, flatbed operations, dry van, tracking and tracing, reality tv shows and how to turn a stranger into your new best friend.
Jan - 2024 -
16 January
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: A first for the FMCSA

In this edition: The FMCSA has a first; Mexico holds the top spot; and freight audit and payment hits center stage.

Read More »
12 January
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Hearts across the country 

In this edition: Major success in organ transplants, new capacity from insurers, and frozen snacks expand.

Read More »
09 January
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Broker liability still remains questionable 

In this edition: The Supreme Court rejected hearing another case on broker liability; spot rates on the decline in Phoenix; and the settlement heard round the world.

Read More »
05 January
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Big changes for middle-mile food supply chains

In this edition: More states take advantage of food-resiliency grants; thermal energy storage as a service hits the market; and KFC has a wrap for everyone.

Read More »
02 January
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: New year, new schemes 

In this edition: Stopping freight fraud in 2024 and all eyes on Mexico in the new year.

Read More »
Dec - 2023 -
28 December
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: International developments for the cold chain

In this edition: There are some big advancements across the pond in rail and carbon emissions reduction, and Oklahoma invests in supply chain reliability.

Read More »
26 December
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Gather round the crystal ball

In this edition: 2024 predictions coming in hot; new TRAC Market Dashboard debuts; and TFI is on the prowl again.

Read More »
21 December
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Freezers hit the desert

In this edition: Reno gets a new cold storage facility, communities recognize the importance of cold storage and more food options come to the grocery stores.

Read More »
19 December
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Might have missed the 2023 mark a little

In this edition: looking back at 2023 predictions and one more labor dispute to close out the year.

Read More »
15 December
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: The government meets supply chain

In this edition: The Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act makes it to the next phase and Blue Apron gets in the prepared food game.

Read More »
12 December
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: The brink of broker-carrier relationships

In this edition: Carriers are left with empty promises of payment; Yellow passes on a lifeline; and putting a book into action.

Read More »
08 December
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Cold acquisitions to close out the year

In this edition: RealCold makes acquisition moves; Lineage commits to slightly warmer frozen food; and McDonald’s tries something new.

Read More »
05 December
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: It’s all coming together

In this edition: Three intermodal companies form an alliance; DAT has zero tolerance; and Yellow’s legacy lives on.

Read More »
01 December
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Big cold storage moves for 2024

In this edition: Lineage seeks an impressive IPO offering, pharma packaging gets a new present, and slightly less frozen may help frozen food.

Read More »
Nov - 2023 -
28 November
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: The Supreme Court and broker liability 

In this edition: The Supreme Court is petitioned to rule on freight brokers and F4A, and it’s been a rough year for brokerages.

Read More »
21 November
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Hackers hunt for brokers

In this edition: Fraud takes no breaks for the holidays, it takes a lot of semi-trucks to move Thanksgiving, and lots of businesses can profit from the parcel rate wars.

Read More »
20 November
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Gobble gobble, it’s turkey time  

In this edition: Hosting Thanksgiving gets a lil cheaper, the importance of thawing turkeys and the home of the best frozen rolls.

Read More »
17 November
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Finishing the year cold 

In this edition: New cold storage facilities across the country and needleless vaccine technology takes off

Read More »
14 November
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: November steals

In this edition: Cargo theft is on the rise; the Panama Canal is out, Suez is in; and Congress is a fan of the truck driver.

Read More »
10 November
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: When cold is slightly less cold

In this edition: A new cold storage warehouse is on the horizon, ice cream gets warmer and plant-based frozen food options expand.

Read More »
Loading Posts