Fixing CSA Scores & Fighting for Drivers | Scott Conklin on Behind The Wheelhouse

In this episode of Behind the Wheelhouse on Trucker Talk Radio, Scott Conklin, Driver Operations and Safety Manager at Dedicated Systems Incorporated, joins Jon and Justin for a conversation about what it actually means to fight for drivers inside a system that often works against them. Scott grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, served in the Air Force, and found his way into trucking through Schneider National, where he cut his teeth on dispatch, recruiting, and managing the Georgia Pacific account before eventually moving into safety and operations at Dedicated Systems in Green Bay, Wisconsin.Scott walks through the proposal he wrote calling for a fundamental overhaul of how CSA scores work, one that would create individual driver-level scoring, separate equipment failures from driver fault, and apply a decay factor to warnings over time. The concept aligns closely with what Jon and Justin are building at Ready App, including a driver "baseball card" score that rewards safe operators and gives carriers a cleaner picture of their roster when negotiating with insurance companies. Scott also shares that his proposal reached FMCSA leadership directly and sparked real conversations at the federal level.The conversation also dives into the realities of specialized and oversized hauling at Dedicated Systems, including million-dollar equipment moves, steel beams from 9/11, and Daytona 500 signage. Scott breaks down what it takes for a van driver to cross over into flatbed work, why load securement is the most undertrained skill in the industry, and why roughly 75% of drivers who try flatbedding turn back once they feel the physical demands.Scott also opens up about his decade of work with HOOAH Wisconsin, a 501(c) organization focused on veteran mental health, community building, and practical wellness programs, including therapy access, financial education, and the Warrior Wellness Program. He stepped away from the organization in December after ten years of service.Chapters0:00 Intro1:41 Scott's Background and Career Path4:37 The CSA Score Problem6:01 Separating Driver vs. Carrier Fault7:41 The Baseball Card Driver Score Concept10:25 Balancing Safety, Compliance, and Profit12:28 Roadside Inspections: What Drivers Should Do14:28 Recovering From CSA Damage19:24 The Warning vs. Ticket Problem23:01 Specialized and Oversized Hauling25:07 How Drivers Break Into Flatbed and Specialized28:18 Training Program at Dedicated Systems30:07 Every Driver Matters31:10 HOOAH Wisconsin Veterans Program33:23 Where to Find Scott and Dedicated Systems34:16 Sponsor Mentions and OutroFollow Us!X: https://x.com/trucktalkradioIG: https://instagram.com/truckertalkradioTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@truckertalkradioFollow Scott ConklinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-conklin-33308661/email: [email protected]: https://dedsys.comPowered by Ready AppThe driver-verification platform protecting brokers, carriers, and shippers from identity fraud, onboarding risks, and unsafe hires.Learn more at: https://ready-app.comSupport GreyCross.orgA 501(c)(3) supporting families affected by roadway tragedies across America.Donate at: https://greycross.org#truckertalkradio #behindthewheelhouse #trucking #truckingpodcast #csascore #truckingsafety #driveradvocacy #flatbedtrucking #specializedhaul #owneroperator #truckdriver #freightindustry #veteransupport #readyapp #dedicatedsystems #logistics #cdldriver #scottconklin