In this Thanksgiving edition of Third & Long, Adam Wingfield and co-driver Kaylee Nix break down one of the biggest stories shaking the trucking world: California’s CDL compliance battle with the FMCSA, the threat of losing $158 million in federal funding, and the lawsuits claiming civil rights violations.

This episode goes deep into the political tension between state and federal authority, how these policies affect small carriers and owner-operators, and what the fallout could mean for the industry moving forward.

We cover:

FMCSA vs. California — federal funding, compliance failures, and courts stepping in

Civil rights lawsuit — why non-domiciled CDL holders say the rules are unfair

Public perception of drivers — including the viral “low-skilled job” debate

Real-world industry impact — hiring, safety, insurance, and the future of driver qualifications

The massive training gap — 63,000 CDL schools but only 3,000 federally compliant

What shippers must do next — and whether this opens a door for small carriers

Along the way, Adam shares real stories from the road, what it really takes to safely operate 80,000 lbs of equipment, and why the idea that trucking is “low-skilled” couldn’t be further from the truth.

Whether you're a small carrier, an industry insider, or someone who wants to understand what’s really happening behind the headlines, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.

Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new drop.

Sign up for the newsletter for deeper insights

Follow The Long Haul Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices