I agree wholeheartedly with op-ed writer Ryan McDonald’s opinion on the value of tail-ride checks, when they are performed by safety professionals. These on-the-road driver observations are an integral part of my company’s services to the Canadian transportation industry.

A shroud of insecurity continues to linger on the U.S. economy, with many trucking and logistics providers tending to the wounds of 2008 and preparing for the uncertainty still looming over the rest of 2009.

Logistics firm Expeditors International of Washington’s first-quarter net income fell 11% to $59.3 million, or 27 cents a share, from $66.5 million, or 30 cents, a year ago.

UPS Inc. announced plans Tuesday to boost its global post-sales service options by expanding a field stocking location network in India and enhancing its Asia logistics customer support center in the Philippines.

Wabash National Corp. has told the 790 workers it laid off in January that it does not expect to call them back, the Associated Press reported Saturday.

Kansas City Southern said Thursday it lost $7.5 million, 8 cents a share, in its first quarter, compared with a profit of $32.9 million, or 39 cents, a year ago.

Canadian transportation firm Mullen Group Income Fund said its first-quarter profit dropped 37.8% to C$31 million or 38 cents per unit, from C$49.8 million, or 62 cents per unit, a year ago.

McLeod Software said Wednesday that it had purchased Intergrated Logistics Execution Network Systems, or iLENS, a logistics software company.