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The devil is in the details, complained fleet operators who criticized truck manufacturers for poor quality control in shipping new equipment to buyers. Some said the increased production of Class 8 trucks could be partly to blame.

Shop Talk discussions at the summer meeting of The Maintenance Council covered issues ranging from air compressor replacement to the pros and cons of owning or leasing truck wash racks. Shop Talk encourages individuals to discuss maintenance-related issues and compare experiences with other truck maintenance experts.

Highway robbers are banking on the easy prey of unattended trailers, and the black market distribution network has become so sophisticated that the stolen loot can be on a boat bound overseas before the theft is even reported.

The National Industrial Transportation League, which focused almost single-mindedly on deregulating ocean carriage, is now looking to tackle problems ashore. NITL President Edward M. Emmett is paying greater attention to surface transportation issues, especially trucking.

Electronic credentialing, in which trucking operations connect directly with state agencies by computer, has been slow in developing. It has a long way to go to live up to its full potential, but regulators and the industry see the program as having significant long-term benefits.

A settlement between the Department of Transportation, Georgia transportation officials and environmental groups will cut off funding for 44 of the 61 road improvement projects in the Atlanta area, including work on interchanges of Interstates 20, 75 and 285.

The strike of an Omaha union against LBT, Inc. continues after scheduled talks this week were abruptly canceled by the company Tuesday. LBT, owned by Canada-based Remtec Inc., makes truck trailers. egotiations this week were aimed at ending a strike that has idled the plant since June 12.

Truckers now can pull into one of 220 truck stops and get in-cab access to the Internet thanks to a new service offered by PNV.net. The company - formerly Park ’N View - offers Internet service as part of a plan to “become a comprehensive connectivity and information provider,” said its CEO Robert May.

Damage caused by clogged air brake valves could be prevented using a product designed to flush contaminants and water from trailer air lines, according to AlliedSignal officials. The company hopes to have the Bendix trailer system-guard air dryer on the market in October.

Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads continued to experience service problems in the wake of their joint $10 billion acquisition of Conrail, prompting the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to order them to provide daily information on congestion and the condition of their freight systems.