About half way through the video trucking is said to be one of the first industries to go bye-bye if Iran or any other country targets the USA and perhaps starts WW3. This is scary stuff and I pray never comes true. I am in no way making this a political issue but we must face facts in today's world - almost everything is political.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXj7MF7e0GY
Take care,
Marge@Large
Join the conversation with Marge & Ellen every third Wednesday from 1 to 2 pm on SiriusXM radio, channel 106 as we discuss issues for females in the trucking industry and take listeners calls.
Truck Driver Forum. Where the job meets the road.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
The season of giving is upon us
The Women In Trucking Association’s mission includes the goal to
encourage women to consider a career in trucking while addressing obstacles that
might keep women from entering this industry. For that reason we have
established a scholarship foundation to provide needed funds for our members
seeking additional training.
Scholarships will be provided in four areas: safety professional, technician, leadership,
and driver training. For now, the foundation is focused on raising the needed
funds to offer scholarships beginning in January 2013.
The Women In Trucking Foundation (womenintruckingfoundation.org)
is a separate organization with its own board of directors and has received
501(c) (3) charitable organization status from the Internal Revenue Service.
This means your donations are tax deductible (in the United States).
“As a newly created foundation, we are excited to be able to help
members who choose to work in the trucking industry by obtaining additional
training to further his or her career,” said Jan Hamblin, chairwoman of the
foundation’s board of directors. “We are looking forward to starting the funding
process for tuition and thank our early donors for their support in providing
the scholarship money for us to give.”
The board of directors for the foundation is led by Jan Hamblin, J.
J. Keller & Associates, Inc. and Vice Chairwoman Jeana Hysell, Safety
Compliance Professionals, LLC. Other directors include Joyce Brenny, Brenny
Transportation, Inc., Don Hess, John Wood Community College, Sonya Kivisto,
Marcello & Kivisto, LLC., Les Rozander, Trimac Transportation, Sandra
Sanford, Travel Centers of America, LLC, Kreigh Spahr, Cuyahoga Community
College, and Deborah Whistler, Fleet Owner Magazine.
The nonprofit organization is a volunteer organization with no paid
staff members and is assisted by the Women In Trucking Association. Donations to
the foundation will support the scholarship program and will provide funds for
training for members of the association.
Applications for funding can be made on the website, www.womenintruckingfoundation.org,
and are open to anyone seeking training in one of the four designated career
areas. The scholarships will be reviewed by the board of directors and must be
used for tuition or expenses related to the educational purpose
only.
In addition to being a member in good standing of the Women In
Trucking Association, the recipient of the scholarship must demonstrate
financial need and a desire to further his or her career in a trucking industry
related career.
Please consider making a donation to the Women In Trucking Foundation
for scholarships to members seeking training in one of the following areas: leadership, technical, safety, or as a
professional driver. You may donate online or mail a check made out to Women In
Trucking Foundation at PO Box 400, Plover, WI 54467.
Your check will provide needed funds for individuals who have shown
an interest in furthering his or her career in the trucking industry as a
driver, safety professional, technician, or a leader. Donations will be awarded
to Women In Trucking Association members based on the applicant’s need and
course relationship within the trucking industry.
Please consider supporting this charitable organization
during this season of giving.
Ellen Voie CAE, President/CEO
P O Box 400 Plover, WI 54467-0400
888-464-9482
920-312-1350 Direct
|
Thursday, November 1, 2012
More women behind the wheel
11/1/2012
More women behind the wheel in the U.S.
Source: Volvo Truck
The transport industry is still a male-dominated sector, despite of the shortage of drivers and calls for increased equality. However, in different parts of the world, there are crusaders who are working to bring about change and Ellen Voie is one of them. Her organisation, Women in Trucking, with the support of Volvo Trucks, has helped to ensure that there are more female truck drivers in the United States than in many other countries.
About one per cent of truck drivers in Europe are women. This is a very small number but no fewer than in many other parts of the world. At the same time, the transport industry is crying out for more drivers. In the U.S., the situation is somewhat better, as women account for more than five per cent of the country's 3.2 million truck drivers. In the U.S., the organisation, Women in Trucking, has been working for a number of years to change attitudes and norms in the industry.
Ellen Voie, the founder and president of the organisation, says that the U.S.'s current driver shortage would be adressed by doubling the number of female truck drivers to just over 10 per cent.
"There is an old-fashioned, male-oriented culture in the industry and women aren't appreciated as being capable and available," she says.
For this reason, Women in Trucking has, for example, put together a recruitment guide with tips on the ways haulage companies can attract more women to join them.
"First and foremost, the haulage companies and their male employees need to think again and dispense with their macho culture. The women in this industry are tearing down the barriers and this is a source of irritation to some men. It is still too common for women to be harassed by their male colleagues and for truck stops and transshipment terminals to feel unsafe. We are working to change this," says Ellen Voie.
Ellen Voie started Women in Trucking in 2007, after working as a recruiter for one of the U.S.'s largest transport companies and discovering that very few women even considered working in the industry - as drivers or in other areas. Haulage companies had not fully recognized that women could be a solution to both the shortage of drivers and the poor profitability. Women in Trucking was faced with a difficult challenge, but it has now succeeded in bringing about a positive change in the U.S. As things stand, the organisation has around 2,000 members and three employees, all of whom are working actively on getting information to schools, government agencies, politicians, haulage companies and other transport companies.
"It isn't just the transport industry but also the whole of society that can benefit from more women being employed in the traditional male professions. Female drivers are often safer drivers and incur less damage to their trucks. This is something from which haulage companies can benefit," stresses Ellen Voie.
In the U.S., it is not uncommon to find driving teams in which a married couple, father and daughter or boyfriend and girlfriend undertake long-distance transport assignments together. These teams live in their trucks, which are frequently extended trailers, otherwise known as "sleepers", with a kitchen, bathroom and berths for two people. Ellen Voie believes that this culture could be one of the reasons why more women drive trucks in the U.S. compared with Europe.
"Women have a natural way into the industry and they share the responsibility and the cost of a truck with a partner," she explains.
Volvo Trucks is a member of Women in Trucking and is actively supporting the organisation's work, including sponsorship of the organisation's Salute to Women Behind the Wheel. It is an annual event celebrating female professional truck drivers, many of whom have driven more than a million accident-free miles.
"It's vitally important for female drivers to have a strong network of role models and to understand the many career opportunities within the trucking industry, says Svajone Drabatiene, director of brand development for Volvo Trucks in North America. "We continue to work with Women in Trucking to help raise awareness and support the women already working in the industry."
In Europe, there are organisations similar to Women in Trucking in countries including the UK, France and Sweden. In the largest EU project to date, the haulage industry in Sweden conducted the "Drivers on the road" project. It was designed to increase the number of young people, immigrants and women in the industry and it was so successful that several of the networks that were created within the framework of the project are still active.
Brigitta Paas is vice chairman of the ETF's (European Transport Federation) women's committee and every day she deals with the question of bringing more women into the industry. The ETF's plan of action for 2009-2013 states that all the member organisations must implement the necessary measures before 2013, in order to increase the recruitment of women in the transport industry. However, the work is going slowly and laboriously, even if the projects are successful and the aims are ambitious.
"As long as there is cheap labour available in Eastern Europe, the haulage companies are going to employ those people rather than existing drivers or women who are keen to start driving. I wish the associations would do more in this area," she says.
Since 1999, Volvo Trucks in Sweden has been organising what are known as Ladies' Days. The aim here is to arouse the interest of women and girls in driving as a profession by telling them about the industry, organising meetings with female drivers and giving them the opportunity to drive Volvo's trucks. So far, Ladies' Day has been a success and has attracted more than 100 participants on each occasion.
"The haulage companies that do not employ women risk losing out on valuable skills and know-how, which is neither good nor particularly smart. I am convinced that women have a great deal to offer the industry when it comes to safe, fuel-efficient driving," says Martin Bramsved, global manager Corporate Social Responsibility at Volvo Trucks.
Martin Bramsved feels that it is only natural for manufacturers like Volvo Trucks to take an interest in the people who sit behind the wheel, sell trucks or perform service.
"Even if we don't employ drivers, we are still eventually dependent on truck transport that operates efficiently and effectively. This is why we are involving ourselves in social issues such as recruitment. As we see it, it's reasonable for the industry to extend its recruitment base and regard women as a natural part of it - especially as there is a shortage of drivers."
In the past, the actual truck and its handling represented an obstacle for women. Trucks today, on the other hand, do not require drivers who have exceptionally strong arms or are especially tall.
"Truck cabs are designed for drivers to live and work in, no matter whether they are women or men and independent of the strength of the drivers' arms. For example, the drivers' seats and steering wheels in Volvo trucks are extremely adaptable and are therefore ideal for short and tall drivers alike," Martin Bramsved explains.
Earlier this year, Volvo Trucks was eager for Ellen Voie to share her experience and knowledge outside the U.S. and it therefore brought her to Sweden and the truck fair at Elmia in Jönköping. Support from the industry is contributing to Women in Trucking's success.
"It's incredibly important that manufacturers get involved, just like Volvo Trucks is doing. After all, if there are no drivers, they won't be able to sell trucks," says Ellen Voie.
Watch an interview with Ellen Voie on youtube
1 November 2012
Education: technical draughtswoman, diploma in "Traffic and transport management", master's degree in communication and a truck driving licence
Occupation: president of Women in Trucking
Career: designed equipment for materials handling, traffic manager at a steelworks, transport consultant in her own company, wrote the book Marriage in the long run, Trucker Buddy, head of staff recruitment at Schneider National, founded Women in Trucking in 2007 and is the organisation's president
Family: a son aged 28 and a daughter aged 25
Lives in: Greenbay, Wisconsin, U.S.A
Founder and president: Ellen Voie
Headquarters: Plover, Wisconsin, U.S.A
Number of members 2012: just over 2,000 individuals and companies
Objectives:
To encourage women to apply for jobs in the trucking industry
To make the challenges faced by women in the industry visible
To motivate the transport industry to examine every obstacle that could stand in the way of women considering a career in the transport sector
To act as a network and forum for women in the transport industry
Canada, 3.5 per cent
Sweden, 3 per cent
UK, 1-2 per cent
Australia, 1-2 per cent
Denmark, 1-2 per cent
Europe as a whole, 1 per cent
Lady Truck Drivers, UK
La Route Au Féminin, France
Queen of the Road, Sweden
NaisPark, Finland
Kitty Truckers, Slovenia
Bouna Strada, Italy
International Lady Truck Drivers Association, co-ordinates the European organisations
For more information, please contact: Marie Vassiliadis, Volvo Trucks media relations, phone +46 31 322 41 27, e-mail marie.vassiliadis@volvo.com
About one per cent of truck drivers in Europe are women. This is a very small number but no fewer than in many other parts of the world. At the same time, the transport industry is crying out for more drivers. In the U.S., the situation is somewhat better, as women account for more than five per cent of the country's 3.2 million truck drivers. In the U.S., the organisation, Women in Trucking, has been working for a number of years to change attitudes and norms in the industry.
Ellen Voie, the founder and president of the organisation, says that the U.S.'s current driver shortage would be adressed by doubling the number of female truck drivers to just over 10 per cent.
"There is an old-fashioned, male-oriented culture in the industry and women aren't appreciated as being capable and available," she says.
For this reason, Women in Trucking has, for example, put together a recruitment guide with tips on the ways haulage companies can attract more women to join them.
"First and foremost, the haulage companies and their male employees need to think again and dispense with their macho culture. The women in this industry are tearing down the barriers and this is a source of irritation to some men. It is still too common for women to be harassed by their male colleagues and for truck stops and transshipment terminals to feel unsafe. We are working to change this," says Ellen Voie.
Ellen Voie started Women in Trucking in 2007, after working as a recruiter for one of the U.S.'s largest transport companies and discovering that very few women even considered working in the industry - as drivers or in other areas. Haulage companies had not fully recognized that women could be a solution to both the shortage of drivers and the poor profitability. Women in Trucking was faced with a difficult challenge, but it has now succeeded in bringing about a positive change in the U.S. As things stand, the organisation has around 2,000 members and three employees, all of whom are working actively on getting information to schools, government agencies, politicians, haulage companies and other transport companies.
"It isn't just the transport industry but also the whole of society that can benefit from more women being employed in the traditional male professions. Female drivers are often safer drivers and incur less damage to their trucks. This is something from which haulage companies can benefit," stresses Ellen Voie.
In the U.S., it is not uncommon to find driving teams in which a married couple, father and daughter or boyfriend and girlfriend undertake long-distance transport assignments together. These teams live in their trucks, which are frequently extended trailers, otherwise known as "sleepers", with a kitchen, bathroom and berths for two people. Ellen Voie believes that this culture could be one of the reasons why more women drive trucks in the U.S. compared with Europe.
"Women have a natural way into the industry and they share the responsibility and the cost of a truck with a partner," she explains.
Volvo Trucks is a member of Women in Trucking and is actively supporting the organisation's work, including sponsorship of the organisation's Salute to Women Behind the Wheel. It is an annual event celebrating female professional truck drivers, many of whom have driven more than a million accident-free miles.
"It's vitally important for female drivers to have a strong network of role models and to understand the many career opportunities within the trucking industry, says Svajone Drabatiene, director of brand development for Volvo Trucks in North America. "We continue to work with Women in Trucking to help raise awareness and support the women already working in the industry."
In Europe, there are organisations similar to Women in Trucking in countries including the UK, France and Sweden. In the largest EU project to date, the haulage industry in Sweden conducted the "Drivers on the road" project. It was designed to increase the number of young people, immigrants and women in the industry and it was so successful that several of the networks that were created within the framework of the project are still active.
Brigitta Paas is vice chairman of the ETF's (European Transport Federation) women's committee and every day she deals with the question of bringing more women into the industry. The ETF's plan of action for 2009-2013 states that all the member organisations must implement the necessary measures before 2013, in order to increase the recruitment of women in the transport industry. However, the work is going slowly and laboriously, even if the projects are successful and the aims are ambitious.
"As long as there is cheap labour available in Eastern Europe, the haulage companies are going to employ those people rather than existing drivers or women who are keen to start driving. I wish the associations would do more in this area," she says.
Since 1999, Volvo Trucks in Sweden has been organising what are known as Ladies' Days. The aim here is to arouse the interest of women and girls in driving as a profession by telling them about the industry, organising meetings with female drivers and giving them the opportunity to drive Volvo's trucks. So far, Ladies' Day has been a success and has attracted more than 100 participants on each occasion.
"The haulage companies that do not employ women risk losing out on valuable skills and know-how, which is neither good nor particularly smart. I am convinced that women have a great deal to offer the industry when it comes to safe, fuel-efficient driving," says Martin Bramsved, global manager Corporate Social Responsibility at Volvo Trucks.
Martin Bramsved feels that it is only natural for manufacturers like Volvo Trucks to take an interest in the people who sit behind the wheel, sell trucks or perform service.
"Even if we don't employ drivers, we are still eventually dependent on truck transport that operates efficiently and effectively. This is why we are involving ourselves in social issues such as recruitment. As we see it, it's reasonable for the industry to extend its recruitment base and regard women as a natural part of it - especially as there is a shortage of drivers."
In the past, the actual truck and its handling represented an obstacle for women. Trucks today, on the other hand, do not require drivers who have exceptionally strong arms or are especially tall.
"Truck cabs are designed for drivers to live and work in, no matter whether they are women or men and independent of the strength of the drivers' arms. For example, the drivers' seats and steering wheels in Volvo trucks are extremely adaptable and are therefore ideal for short and tall drivers alike," Martin Bramsved explains.
Earlier this year, Volvo Trucks was eager for Ellen Voie to share her experience and knowledge outside the U.S. and it therefore brought her to Sweden and the truck fair at Elmia in Jönköping. Support from the industry is contributing to Women in Trucking's success.
"It's incredibly important that manufacturers get involved, just like Volvo Trucks is doing. After all, if there are no drivers, they won't be able to sell trucks," says Ellen Voie.
Watch an interview with Ellen Voie on youtube
1 November 2012
Facts Ellen Voie
Age: 54Education: technical draughtswoman, diploma in "Traffic and transport management", master's degree in communication and a truck driving licence
Occupation: president of Women in Trucking
Career: designed equipment for materials handling, traffic manager at a steelworks, transport consultant in her own company, wrote the book Marriage in the long run, Trucker Buddy, head of staff recruitment at Schneider National, founded Women in Trucking in 2007 and is the organisation's president
Family: a son aged 28 and a daughter aged 25
Lives in: Greenbay, Wisconsin, U.S.A
Facts: Women in Trucking
Founded: 2007Founder and president: Ellen Voie
Headquarters: Plover, Wisconsin, U.S.A
Number of members 2012: just over 2,000 individuals and companies
Objectives:
To encourage women to apply for jobs in the trucking industry
To make the challenges faced by women in the industry visible
To motivate the transport industry to examine every obstacle that could stand in the way of women considering a career in the transport sector
To act as a network and forum for women in the transport industry
Facts: women in the truck industry
In global terms, female truck drivers are still very unusual. Statistics are not, however, available in many countries.Number of female truck drivers in some countries where statistics are available
U.S.A, 5.3 per centCanada, 3.5 per cent
Sweden, 3 per cent
UK, 1-2 per cent
Australia, 1-2 per cent
Denmark, 1-2 per cent
Europe as a whole, 1 per cent
Organisations for female truck drivers
Women in Trucking, U.S.ALady Truck Drivers, UK
La Route Au Féminin, France
Queen of the Road, Sweden
NaisPark, Finland
Kitty Truckers, Slovenia
Bouna Strada, Italy
International Lady Truck Drivers Association, co-ordinates the European organisations
For more information, please contact: Marie Vassiliadis, Volvo Trucks media relations, phone +46 31 322 41 27, e-mail marie.vassiliadis@volvo.com
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Stock Market News - Aftermath of Sandy
Stock Market News for October 30, 2012
By Zacks Equity Research | Zacks – 3 hours ago
Hurricane Sandy, one of the biggest storms to hit the U.S., forced the Street to shut operations on Monday. While the storm lashed the eastern coast, many companies had to postpone their earnings releases. Previously, markets were to remain shut only partially as electronic trading activities were to remain open. However, with the advent of a storm potent enough to affect around 60 million lives, markets had to be shut down completely and will remain so on Tuesday as well.
However, Sandy has left its mark in the exchanges’ record books. It was the first time in 27 years that the markets were shut due to weather issues. Also, NYSE’s announcement to shut operation on Tuesday as well will mark the first time since 1888 that the exchange will be closed back-to-back for two days due to weather troubles. Incidentally, this happens on the anniversary of the Wall Street Crash of 1929.
The decision of the exchanges to remain closed came after consultations among the exchanges and ‘market participants’. NYSE’s official press release stated: “We support the consensus of the markets and the regulatory community that the dangerous conditions developing as a result of Hurricane Sandy will make it extremely difficult to ensure the safety of our people and communities, and safety must be our first priority. We will work with the industry to determine the next steps in restoring trading as soon as the situation permits”.
U.S. President Barack Obama declared emergency in some states. Eqecat, a disaster modeling company, projected that the U.S. economy may incur losses between $10 billion and $20 billion. Interestingly, while the storm has the potential to cause severe damage, certain sectors may somewhat get a boost. The chief economist at Moody's Analytics, Mark Zandi, said: “Restaurants will be hurt, but grocery stores will benefit; general merchandise stores will lose business, but online retailing should get a boost”.
The nation’s infrastructure may suffer huge damage, but certain sectors may be benefitted. Forbes has compiled a list of 10 stocks that may gain from the situation. The list includes The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) and Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE:LOW), which can be instrumental in the ‘repair work’. Also, the need to pump out the flood might see the businesses of Xylem Inc. and Pentair Ltd (NYSE:PNR) improve. Construction companies stand the best chance to benefit because of the reconstruction activities to be undertaken following the storm. Construction companies including Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR) and Granite Construction Incorporated (NYSE:GVA) have therefore made it to the Forbes list.
However, looking at the broader landscape, Mark Zandi noted: “Of course, if the storm knocks out major infrastructure like refineries, cell towers, trains, sea and airports, then the economic damage will be more severe and difficult to recover from”. Another major concern is related to the nuclear industry. We had seen last year how natural disasters in Japan had affected nuclear plants, and thereafter the energy sector.
Meanwhile, many companies had to postpone their earnings releases. Among them are Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP), Avon Products Inc. (NYSE:AVP), Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI), Dendreon Corp. (NASDAQ:DNDN), Hess Corporation (NYSE:HES), Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ICON), MDC Holdings Inc. (NYSE:MDC), Office Depot, Inc. (NYSE:ODP), Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL), Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) who have decided to postpone the release of the quarterly results.
Nonetheless, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis came out with personal income and personal spending data. According to the report, personal income was up 0.4% or $48.1 billion in September and personal consumption expenditures (:PCE) gained 0.8% or $87.9 billion. The rise in personal income was in line with consensus estimates, but the rise in personal spending was ahead of the consensus estimate of a 0.6% rise.
Friday, October 26, 2012
The Obama Files
As of this date today I don't know fully that this site (link below) is honestly reporting these as known facts as my own personal research is on-going. Due to the nearness of election day (Nov 6, 2012) I decided to post this particular website's conclusions of their research that they believe is the truth. I, however, neither support it as the truth nor deny that it's true at this time. Each reader must decide for themselves..........
http://www.theobamafile.com/obamaeducation.htm
Below is an excerpt. Click the link above for the entire report.
Obama's Noelani Elementary School Kindergarten records, oddly missing from the State of Hawaii Department of Education -- just one more coincidence in a series of "coincidences."
Kelli Abe Trifonovitch writes, "...the Department of Education has been unable to find his records."
Although Obama has had a first-class education that spanned 25 years, there is only a single document that has ever been released, the application for entrance to the Franciscus Assisi Primary School (next item) -- and that document was discovered by independent investigators.
This is an important feature because Kindergarten records for original school entry would have contained the following:
It also is important for two additional reasons:
This is different. Hawaii should be able to verify he attended their school since he is featured in class photographs. State and federal tax dollars paid for his initial year of education. Why is there no documentation?
This is the beginning of an intentionally erased life of a fraud and conman and it reeks of complicity by officials within the State of Hawaii’s Dept. of Health and Dept. of Education.
Obama joked during the primary campaign that his opponent (Hillary) was even digging into his Kindergarten records. He knows what they would contain and why they must be kept unavailable.
Another interesting report ABOUT WHERE HE WAS BORN can be found HERE.
Again I neither support the claim that author makes about Obama's birthplace nor make the assumption that it is not true. In too many cases what reporters claim depends on their political affiliation, not necessarily the truth.
Posted by ~Marge~
http://www.theobamafile.com/obamaeducation.htm
Below is an excerpt. Click the link above for the entire report.
Obama's Noelani Elementary School Kindergarten records, oddly missing from the State of Hawaii Department of Education -- just one more coincidence in a series of "coincidences."
Kelli Abe Trifonovitch writes, "...the Department of Education has been unable to find his records."
Although Obama has had a first-class education that spanned 25 years, there is only a single document that has ever been released, the application for entrance to the Franciscus Assisi Primary School (next item) -- and that document was discovered by independent investigators.
This is an important feature because Kindergarten records for original school entry would have contained the following:
1. Obama's REAL Birth Certificate.
2. An application with the following:
2. An application with the following:
• His Legal name.
• Parents or Legal Guardians’ names.
• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth
• Vaccination Records (revealing a timeline to the place and DOB.)
• Parents or Legal Guardians’ names.
• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth
• Vaccination Records (revealing a timeline to the place and DOB.)
It also is important for two additional reasons:
A. The Department of Education does not "lose" the records
of one particular student. (So, who paid whom what sum to make this record
disappear?)
B. There would have been NO shameful low-test scores, NO embarrassing Equal Opportunity advancements, and NO trails of fraudulent funding to hide that could possibly "excuse" the quashing of public school Kindergarten entry records. For the rest of his life he attended very expensive private schools and has had his records legally sealed to deny the public his true life story.
B. There would have been NO shameful low-test scores, NO embarrassing Equal Opportunity advancements, and NO trails of fraudulent funding to hide that could possibly "excuse" the quashing of public school Kindergarten entry records. For the rest of his life he attended very expensive private schools and has had his records legally sealed to deny the public his true life story.
This is different. Hawaii should be able to verify he attended their school since he is featured in class photographs. State and federal tax dollars paid for his initial year of education. Why is there no documentation?
This is the beginning of an intentionally erased life of a fraud and conman and it reeks of complicity by officials within the State of Hawaii’s Dept. of Health and Dept. of Education.
Obama joked during the primary campaign that his opponent (Hillary) was even digging into his Kindergarten records. He knows what they would contain and why they must be kept unavailable.
Another interesting report ABOUT WHERE HE WAS BORN can be found HERE.
Again I neither support the claim that author makes about Obama's birthplace nor make the assumption that it is not true. In too many cases what reporters claim depends on their political affiliation, not necessarily the truth.
Posted by ~Marge~
Thursday, September 6, 2012
We the People are Responsible?
A Needy Nation by Design
By MargeI'm not especially politically minded but this year I am personally involved. No, I'm not on anybody's volunteer or paid election worker role but am involved listening to all sides and drawing my own conclusions from what I experience, see, hear and read. Also I have been hurt by the last 5 years in some ways just as many others, too many, in our country have been kicked in the belly It's a lot of work to be 'in tune' and 'aware' of the condition of our country and the 'slight of hand' of our corrupt and failed government officials but with this presidential election I feel as many do that it may be the most important election in our lifetime and WE MUST ALL VOTE! Hopefullly everyone who does so will make a very educated and heartfelt decision no matter their party affiliation.
Let me be clear, I am an Independent. I no longer trust either the Dems or the GOP to be honest, faithful to 'we the people' or to truly care about America and it's well being. So as an independent voter I must make a choice and vote for the lesser of 2 evils. I've heard and read that same awful comment by 1000s of people for the last 2 years! How sad. I do not recognise our country anymore! It seems that hardly anyone does. Several administrations ago the government started handing out food stamps, housing, child care, you name it, and it eventually became a handout. Even people who began their adult life as hard workers fell into soup lines who COULD otherwise find work.
Though I, as everyone else, have my own views and beliefs, I think I speak for millions when I say 'we the people' need to be interactive with what is allowed to happen to us as a people AND take inventory of how we are largely responsible for the end results.
What 'We the People' Don't Need
- A nanny state which enslaves people to government hand outs causing so many millions of Americans and illegals to believe they deserve it therefore getting a job seems pointless
- 51% who pay all the bills
- Hard working tax payers who paid all their working life into social security and medicare to not receive at least what they paid in. I personally have paid in a half million but don't expect I'll get the opportunity to use it all before it's cut 6 ways to Sunday
- Wars that drain our country's bank account that we should not be fighting that kills our soldiers and innocent people for no real purpose and some day ends having no real positive results
- Rigged elections that are so corrupt most voters in both parties are beginning to not vote because they feel their vote won't be counted therefore it doesn't matter
- Banks left to their own devices so they can rip off those who do business with them
- Corrupt government officials and representatives who scam and scheme 'we the people' and other countries just because they can
- $.40 of every dollar the government spends is borrowed even though we print money like it's for a Monopoly game which sends inflation eventually through the roof
- 4 trillion dollar deficit during Bush's 8 years and 5 or 6 trillion during Obama's first 3.5 years is so outragious it's beyond the pale of flat out being wrong and grossly irresponsible and I fear is due to corrupt, greedy leaders
- Billionaires who donate as much as 40% of their income to charities yet are expected to also continue to provide jobs and still pay out more than 50% of their net worth in taxes
- Those who get obese because they don't control their diet choices yet expect 'we the people' to pay for the illnesses they bring on themselves by living an unhealthy lifestyle. We who pay our own medical costs are tapped for their medical bills and we end up rewarding those who are irresponsible by choice
- The DOT's burden that they place on the freight industries with so many regulations that it's hardly profitable to operate and causes the shut down of mid to large companies and small owner operators due to over regulation, higher taxes, run away fuel prices and a multitude of other outrageous requirements like the EPA's air pollution regs that are rediculous in many cases and finally.............
- We don't need a government that writes checks on an empty bank account!
For Whom should 'we the people' vote?
Thats's the 64 billion dollar question! Remember when GW Bush ran for his 2nd term? People said "Aw, poor George W, he's had a ton of problems and immense challenges thrown on his plate the first 4 years so let's give the guy another 4 ears to get us back on track". And we did! He ended up touted as being the worst president in history! Now everybody is saying, "Poor Obama, he walked into a huge mess so let's give the guy 4 more years to get us on track". Really?? Have we not learned anything??????Some say we need new blood in the White House. In fact many people are tired of hiring lawyers for president, congress and the senate and I have to admit I am too. I've never met or heard of an attorney I felt I could trust. Have you?
We as voters need to vote even if it's for whom we feel is the lesser of two evils. I fear that most of us don't know which man running is the lesser of two evils!!
We the People - What is our Part in All of This Mess?
We are too fat and therefore either we are already, have been in the past or in the future will be sick due to our unhealthy, self caused, condition. That's not Uncle Sam's fault or the fault of your fellow man. We MUST learn self control and teach our children self control.We spend money we don't have and about 75% of us can't pay it back. That's not anyone's fault but our own. We MUST learn self control and teach our children self control.
Think about it. If we allow our kids to overeat, smoke, drink, pop pills, squander money, etc., are we not the reason they get sick, go to jail, have mental problems, or don't know the value of money? Oh No some exclaim! Parents can't help what rubs off on their kids and grand kids from society! We both work 2 jobs and can't be there much for our kids. I will address that poor excuse later in this article.
We decide we don't need school at 13, 14, 15, 16 so we drop out just because; in other words for no good reason. That's the parents fault (if there ARE parents), not our fellow man.
Irresponsible parents allow their kids to be on their own too much. No grown up is put in charge. The phrase "It takes a village to raise a child" has not been practiced in 30 years. Now the last 2 generations are filling up the jails and mental institutions and drug rehabs due to bad parenting. Guess who foots those bills? Yep, 'We the People'. That's not anyone's fault but the parents. But yet those parents expect the 51% to pay for their failure to be a good parent. Really??
The children of bad or no parenting should not be blamed and yes I believe 'we the people' should reach out to those misfortunate kids and do all we can to bring them out of their situation and give them a leg up but also reprimand those kids' parents by making them WORK off their debt to society and teach them if possible to be responsible parents and good, contributing fellow citizens. All cases are not the fault of the parent or guardian but too many are!!
Where are 'we the people' headed as a nation?
At the end of the day 'we the people' are faced with a multitude of challenges that for the most part we don't feel responsible. But I say we are by allowing things to get this far for our country. We can't blame anyone else or any government completely because as we point a finger at someone or someting else our thumb, the biggest digit on our hand, points right back at ourself!
I pray we get it right this fall. I pray that whomever wins the most powerful seat in our government does all he can to clean us up and head us down the right path but more than that I pray 'we the people' take a hard look in the mirror and make whatever changes for the better we need to make! In my humble opinion that's the only way America or any country is going to be a happy nation. How about we all grow a backbone and step up to the plate and take care of business from the grass roots up? I know, I'm dreaming, but I've got to believe it can happen or all my hope is lost.
Thanks for your time and please leave us your comments. Everyone's opinion and advice is welcomed!
God bless America!
Marge
How do I stop Scammers from calling?
How do I stop Scammers from calling?
- Ask the unwanted caller to stop calling and put you on their do not call list (they are legally required to comply).
- If your number is registered with the National Do Not Call Registry you can file a complaint with the
FTC. - Block them with a call blocker:
Uniden DECT1288 blocks up to 20 numbers, plus Private and Unknown, with the reject tone, without ringing the phone.
Panasonic KX-TG106 blocks up to 30 numbers, plus all unidentified callers, with a busy tone, after the phone rings once.
JF Teck Caller ID with Ring Controller blocks up to 70 numbers, and can be set to always allow up to 100 to ring through.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
We Will Miss Truckin' Bozo
RIP: Dale ‘Truckin Bozo’ Sommers
08/24/12 at 9:05am
Written by jkiesewetter
Sad news from Florida: Dale “The Truckin’ Bozo” Sommers, host of WLW-AM’s overnight show for truckers (1984-2004), died this morning in a Florida hospice. He was 68.
Born Glen Council on Nov. 26, 1943 in Humboldt, Tenn., he moved to Cincinnati with his family at age 15 and started working in radio a year later, in 1959. He changed his name to Bruce Dale Sommers for radio.
After radio jobs in Indianapolis, Seattle, San Diego, Miami and Kansas City, he returned to Cincinnati in 1984 to do the overnight show for 20 years on WLW-AM. He retired in April 2004 “due to health concerns,” the station announced at the time, and was replaced by his son, Steve.
His retirement in Florida didn’t last long. Soon he was doing afternoons on the XM radio Open Road Channel (now the Road Dog channel on XMSirius. He gave up the satellite radio show earlier this year. CLICK TO CONTINUE
Monday, September 3, 2012
200,000 Truck Driver Jobs Nobody Wants
Source: http://www.CNNMoney.com
In a time when lack of jobs are causing much grief for Americans it's very distressing that the trucking industry can't find enough drivers to fill their empty trucks. Please read the article and come back here to post your comments.
http://www.11alive.com/news/article/249563/40/Tons-of-trucking-jobs----that-nobody-wants
In a time when lack of jobs are causing much grief for Americans it's very distressing that the trucking industry can't find enough drivers to fill their empty trucks. Please read the article and come back here to post your comments.
http://www.11alive.com/news/article/249563/40/Tons-of-trucking-jobs----that-nobody-wants
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Diesel Mechanics Off the Cliff Shortage!
Diesel Mechanic Shortage
The growing shortage of technicians serving the trucking industry is not a problem that's going from bad to worse it's a problem that's going from bad to right off the cliff. First the raw numbers: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the U.S. currently employs 818,211 automotive service technicians and mechanics and 249,230 bus, truck and diesel engine specialists.
Quote: Paul Taylor
Paul Taylor, chief economist for the National Automobile Dealers Assn., says there are currently about 32,000 technician job openings each year. Projections call for an additional 6,000 positions a year over the next five years, bringing demand to 38,000 annually.
BLS projects that by 2012 annual demand for technicians will rise to 101,184, representing growth of 12.4%.
The numbers alone are daunting. But even more worrisome are the demographic trends that underlie the surge in demand: the retirement of baby boomers, coupled with dwindling interest in the vehicle technician as a career path by the much smaller replacement generation, or Gen-Xers.
Click to Source for full details
The growing shortage of technicians serving the trucking industry is not a problem that's going from bad to worse it's a problem that's going from bad to right off the cliff. First the raw numbers: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the U.S. currently employs 818,211 automotive service technicians and mechanics and 249,230 bus, truck and diesel engine specialists.
Quote: Paul Taylor
Paul Taylor, chief economist for the National Automobile Dealers Assn., says there are currently about 32,000 technician job openings each year. Projections call for an additional 6,000 positions a year over the next five years, bringing demand to 38,000 annually.
BLS projects that by 2012 annual demand for technicians will rise to 101,184, representing growth of 12.4%.
The numbers alone are daunting. But even more worrisome are the demographic trends that underlie the surge in demand: the retirement of baby boomers, coupled with dwindling interest in the vehicle technician as a career path by the much smaller replacement generation, or Gen-Xers.
Click to Source for full details
Great Tips for Female Drivers
| Meet Janet Johnson-Bernier, Women In Trucking Association's August Member of
the Month I started driving with my husband in 1967. He died in a truck wreck in 1978 and after that I drove most of the time by myself. I have had a few team partners over the years and only one who lasted very long with me we are still the best of friends. I started hauling cattle, then went on to swinging meat, produce, flatbed, tankers, and dry vans. Now in my 72nd year of life and my 45th year behind the wheel, I would like to let the ladies out here think about what I have seen and give some of the older ladies a chance to remise about the good old days. The first showers for ladies were installed in Kingman, Arizona at the old Shell on what is now Interstate 40. That year, 1968, Little America, Wyoming put in showers and even a few bathtubs. Before we had our own showers, we either got our husbands to guard the men’s shower door or we rented a motel room to get a shower. North American Van Lines would not hire a woman back then, but they would let the wife (only) sign a moral clause so she could ride with her husband. Sam Tanksley was one of the first big companies to hire husband and wife teams; later he expanded it to team male and female. Tanksley paid a top wage at 0.25 split. When we pulled into a fuel island, a live person came out washed our windows, filled our tanks, and check the fluids levels of our oil, water, power steering (if we were lucky enough to have power steering), and if we were eating inside, they would pull our truck forward; if we were too long, they would ask us to park it, and in some cases, they would park it for you. Shippers were barely civil to us and most men back then would rather have had a hot coal dropped in there pocket than to offer assistance. As each of us learned, act like a lady you will be treated like a lady, but act like a tough trucker and look out for all kind of useless information. Ladies did wear jeans back then, but we never wore shorts or skimpy tops; too bad some of our ladies don’t follow that rule today. A lot of ladies smoked, but rarely outside of their trucks. I have seen so much out here. I know I am not the only one, but to my credit, I have logged over eight million miles, and only one real accident in 1973, a very stupid miscalculation. We ladies have faced the same hardships as the men. We left our children, husbands, and families to do a job; and for the most part, we did one hell of a job. We missed the family graduations, the birth of our grandchildren, and watching our children go to the games and just plain growing up. I have traveled end to end and top to bottom in to every state and every province of Canada. I have driven in every type of weather. I was one of 100 tanker trucks who hauled water into the New Orleans area for five months after Hurricane Katrina. Indian River Transport of Winter Haven, Florida sent us into the eye of that storm-ravaged state and we stayed until they got their water systems cleaned up. I did Homestead, Florida and I hauled into Yakima, Washington when Mount St. Helens spit her evil fire and dirt into the air. I have been on the cover of the America Trucking Magazine (December 1989) and even made the Shell Super Rig Calendar (1990) with my favorite truck of all, a custom built Kodak with an 80-inch sleeper, Imron® black and hot pink with pink butterflies on both sides. I plan to retire soon, so this is kind of like the end of the trail letter to all my lady friends and to all the ladies coming on. Remember the old ways and always go out of your way to help the new lady learn what she needs to know to survive out here. My 5 Golden Rules: 1) Take care and watch what is around you. 2) Don’t walk around truck stops after dark; park on fuel islands, get what you need, then lock up and park. 3) If you don’t know the person knocking on your door, do not open the window or door. 4) If you are being stopped on road, be sure you are certain that it is a real law officer. 5) Keep a cell phone handy and use it in real emergency in case you feel you are in jeopardy. Happy Travels, Janice Johnson-Bernier, Winter Haven, Florida Along with a certificate, each recipient receives a $50 gift card from Target Media Partners Trucking Division. Members can submit their story for this feature at mystory@womenintrucking.org Women In Trucking was established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry. Membership is not limited to women, as sixteen percent of its members are men who support the mission. Women In Trucking is funded by its members and the generous support of Gold Level Partners; Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC. Daimler Truck NA, Frito-Lay NA , Great Dane Trailers, Hyundai Translead and Walmart and Silver Level Partner, C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. For more information visit www.WomenInTrucking.org or call 888-464-9482. Ellen Voie CAE, President/CEO Women In Trucking, Inc. P O Box 400 Plover, WI 54467-0400 Ellen@WomenInTrucking.org 888-464-9482 920-312-1350 Direct Blog | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | You tube |
Friday, August 17, 2012
Romney/Ryan Ticket - I Like This Better!
Augsut 19, 2012
Thoughts by Marge
I don't get too involved with politics, at least not usually but just like the last election, this one is extremely important. I wasn't much of a Romney fan until he made Ryan his running mate. NOW I see a little hope for our country's future. No matter if I agree with all of Ryan's bills and his opinions but at least he is courageous, doesn't pander to the extreme right and has written a few bills AND is the leader in killing Obama Care. Democrats have been trying for years to dig up some dirt on Ryan but haven't been successful so maybe we now will have an honest, clean, America loving man in the White House on the ready to be president should something happen to Romney.
Thoughts by Marge
I don't get too involved with politics, at least not usually but just like the last election, this one is extremely important. I wasn't much of a Romney fan until he made Ryan his running mate. NOW I see a little hope for our country's future. No matter if I agree with all of Ryan's bills and his opinions but at least he is courageous, doesn't pander to the extreme right and has written a few bills AND is the leader in killing Obama Care. Democrats have been trying for years to dig up some dirt on Ryan but haven't been successful so maybe we now will have an honest, clean, America loving man in the White House on the ready to be president should something happen to Romney.
Friday, August 10, 2012
If You're Not at the Table, You're On the Menu
If you not at the table, you’re on the menu.
During a recent strategic planning session, the Women In
Trucking Association board of directors directed Ellen Voie, President and CEO,
to work toward the goal of being THE industry resource for carriers, suppliers
and professional drivers. This desired
outcome can only be realized by building relationships and developing a level of
trust with legislators, regulators and carrier executives.
Developing relationships involves trust. According to Inc.
Magazine, “relationships are the fuel that feeds the success of your
business.” Building relationships takes
time, and the partnership must benefit all parties involved. The goal is to focus on what you can provide
to your network, not what you will receive from the exchange.
Women In Trucking Association has had the privilege of
building relationships with influential men and women in the trucking
industry. We have developed a level of
trust with regulators who see our association as a resource. We are often contacted for our opinion or to
provide insight into an industry issue, which gives us the opportunity to direct
the department or legislator to the right resource.
As a resource, we are contacted first for our insight. If we want to promote our cause we have the
opportunity, but in many cases we do not adopt a stance or promote a cause.
For example, during a meeting with the Department of Justice
and the Vice President’s office regarding harassment against women, the issue of
human trafficking was raised. We
directed them to Truckers Against Trafficking, which is now working with Vice
President Biden’s office to stop human trafficking. We will continue to work on our relationship
to advance our issues regarding harassment against women in the trucking
industry.
Whether you agree with the regulations that affect you as a
driver or carrier is not the issue. The
value is in being asked for input when these decisions are being made. Remember, if you’re not at the table, you’re
on the menu. Having a voice in the process is the goal. The outcome might not always reflect your
ideal, but perhaps it could have resulted in more burdensome regulation.
Since Women In Trucking Association represents both drivers
and carriers, we abstain from issues that divide our members. We will not take a stand on EOBRs or hours of
service issues, as these are better left to the organizations that represent
specific populations such as OOIDA (for
drivers) and the American Trucking Associations, Inc. (for carriers) and the National Association for
Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) for smaller
carriers.
Our goal is to be a resource and to have a seat at the table
(and stay off the menu) when discussions about the trucking industry occur, and
especially when the issues affect women.
The Women In Trucking Association has been invited to the US
Department of Transportation’s office numerous times to help Secretary of
Transportation Ray LaHood and his staff better understand the issues that
concern our members.
We have talked about the value of a toll free crisis line for
all drivers who might need assistance on the road. We have asked for the department’s help in
working toward a certification process for driver trainers and we are working on
how we can recognize professional driving as a skilled trade. We discuss ways to ensure the safety of women
who deliver freight and how their work environment can be less threatening.
These are all issues that we can agree on. These are not political and do not divide our
members. We have made progress and as a
young organization (five years old!), we are still working on the momentum we
need to move these initiatives forward.
In order to keep our seat at the table, we must continue to
provide input and develop a level of trust with the Department of
Transportation, the National Transportation Safety Board and our elected
officials who oversee the transportation industry.
We can’t do this alone.
We need your help. The more
members we represent, the louder our voice will be at the table. The greater our numbers, the more power we
bring to Washington, DC. Your support is
valuable and by becoming a member of Women In Trucking Association, you can have
a small part in moving our message forward.
We are often asked for input from our members, so we reach
out to you for your opinion and to understand your needs. We represent our members and the greater our
numbers, the louder our voice.
Remember the famous (anonymous) quote, “If you aren’t at the
table, you’re on the menu.” Women In
Trucking Association seeks a seat at the table.
We hope you’ll join us.
Ellen Voie CAE, President/CEO
P O Box 400 Plover, WI 54467-0400
888-464-9482
920-312-1350 Direct
Saturday, August 4, 2012
USA Truck Anheuser-Busch Commendation
Van Buren, Ark.-based USA Truck transported more than 22,000 loads for Anheuser-Busch in 2011. USA Truck has a strong presence at all 12 Anheuser-Busch brewing locations nationwide and was cited for providing reliable service through strict trailer pool compliance and consistent on-time pickup.
Anheuser-Busch also commended USA Truck for its prompt customer service response and issue resolution, and praised the carrier for providing pop-up fleet capacity on short notice in the Southeast to assist with Anheuser-Busch's spring shipping requirements in 2011.
"USA Truck is always very proud to receive recognition from our customers," said Jaimey Malone, Vice President of Sales for USA Truck. "We appreciate the partnership we have with Anheuser-Busch, and we are thankful for this recognition of the customer service we provide."
USA Truck is a dry van truckload carrier transporting general commodities via our General Freight and Dedicated Freight service offerings. We transport commodities throughout the continental United States and into and out of portions of Canada. We also transport general commodities into and out of Mexico by allowing through-trailer service from our terminal in Laredo, Texas. Our Strategic Capacity Solutions and Intermodal operating segments provide customized transportation solutions using our technology and multiple modes of transportation including our assets and the assets of our partner carriers.
This press release and related information will be available to interested parties at our web site, http://www.usa-truck.com under the "News Releases" tab of the "Investors" menu.
SOURCE: USA Truck
Anheuser-Busch also commended USA Truck for its prompt customer service response and issue resolution, and praised the carrier for providing pop-up fleet capacity on short notice in the Southeast to assist with Anheuser-Busch's spring shipping requirements in 2011.
"USA Truck is always very proud to receive recognition from our customers," said Jaimey Malone, Vice President of Sales for USA Truck. "We appreciate the partnership we have with Anheuser-Busch, and we are thankful for this recognition of the customer service we provide."
USA Truck is a dry van truckload carrier transporting general commodities via our General Freight and Dedicated Freight service offerings. We transport commodities throughout the continental United States and into and out of portions of Canada. We also transport general commodities into and out of Mexico by allowing through-trailer service from our terminal in Laredo, Texas. Our Strategic Capacity Solutions and Intermodal operating segments provide customized transportation solutions using our technology and multiple modes of transportation including our assets and the assets of our partner carriers.
This press release and related information will be available to interested parties at our web site, http://www.usa-truck.com under the "News Releases" tab of the "Investors" menu.
SOURCE: USA Truck
Friday, August 3, 2012
Biz Owners Hit Back at Obama in ‘You Didn't Build It’ Video
Following President Barack Obama’s highly criticized “you didn’t build that”
remark about business owners last week, some owners have submitted photos of their businesses for a two-minute “I built this” video take down of Obama’s comments.
Organized by Bristol Palin, daughter of 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, the video features dozens of photos from a variety of businesses.
“Since the President doesn’t understand how our economy works, let’s take a moment to explain how small businesses are created,” Palin wrote on her blog. “More importantly, let’s show him the businesses we’ve made and who has made them.”
Source: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/business-owners-hit-back-at-obama-in-i-built-this-video/
Driver Turnover Highest its Been Since 2008
Analysts say driver turnover is at its highest rate since early 2008.
Turnover rates among large long haul carriers hit 90% in the first quarter of
this year, according to the American Trucking Association.
Jason Seidl, freight analyst with Dalhman Rose & Co., said carriers will likely face headwinds as the move toward 2013 and the economy sputters at a slower pace than seen earlier this year.
He said there is little room for price gains in freight loads amid tepid demand and more carrier transitioning freight away from truckload to asset-light divisions such as intermodal and brokerage.
In a word, the U.S. freight environment is “sluggish” — not a good word for a sector considered a leading economic indicator.
The American Trucking Associations’ reported Tuesday (May 22) that its seasonally adjusted Truck Tonnage Index fell 1.1% in April after increasing 0.6% in March. The latest drop put the index at 118.7 (2000=100), down from March’s level of 120.
Year-to-date, compared with the same period last year, tonnage was up 3.8%.
Sources: http://www.thecitywire.com/node/22091 & http://www.thecitywire.com/node/22911#.UBvr9bSe6Rk
Jason Seidl, freight analyst with Dalhman Rose & Co., said carriers will likely face headwinds as the move toward 2013 and the economy sputters at a slower pace than seen earlier this year.
He said there is little room for price gains in freight loads amid tepid demand and more carrier transitioning freight away from truckload to asset-light divisions such as intermodal and brokerage.
In a word, the U.S. freight environment is “sluggish” — not a good word for a sector considered a leading economic indicator.
The American Trucking Associations’ reported Tuesday (May 22) that its seasonally adjusted Truck Tonnage Index fell 1.1% in April after increasing 0.6% in March. The latest drop put the index at 118.7 (2000=100), down from March’s level of 120.
Year-to-date, compared with the same period last year, tonnage was up 3.8%.
Sources: http://www.thecitywire.com/node/22091 & http://www.thecitywire.com/node/22911#.UBvr9bSe6Rk
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Driver Retention Will Never be Solved?
When stating what drivers' complaints are you have to also state someof the reasons WHY carriers cannot comply or find it difficult to comply with drivers' demands to be fair.
The median OTR comp. driver solo gross income today is $48,500 for drivers with at least 5 yrs recent long haul experience with a clean record. The #1 complaint I get from almost all Company drivers is money w/ hometime coming in at #2. Now add to that it will soon also be about the benefits. Right now most companies of any real size offer better benefit packages than a lot of other blue collar industries. And the drivers are right, in part as the list of reasons why people are not going into the professional driver pool or not staying or jumping company to company is long. A sure fire way to get drivers stirred up is to talk about the driver shortage. Drivers don't believe there is one but in fact right now according to many researchers who have published their findings claim, there are about 200k long haul jobs available with hardly anyone interested in applying.
There are numerous reasons for this but to name a couple, young people can make more $$ n the computer and internet industry, in the medical field and in communications and in most of those positions you are home everyday. Baby boomers are retiring or dying off. A lot of young people who do want to be a driver find out that that one time they caught with weed or cocaine even tho it was 10 or 15 yrs ago, will keep them out of a driving career. Many have a bad driving record or DUI in their past. So the number of new drivers coming in who do not qualify for most carriers is through the roof.
Seven Reasons why driver retention is so high:
1) Driver pay
2) Hometime
3) Rising cost of health benefit packages
4) Rising cost of living on the road
5) Dispatcher aka Fleet Mgr or Driver Mgr
6) Unsympatethic TM
7) Over regulation
Seven Reasons why many carriers don't pay drivers & mechanics more than they do
1) Rising cost of fuel
2) Rising cost of hiring drivers
3) Rising cost of equipment
4) Rising cost of providing health benefits in part or 100%
5) Rising cost of medical insurance
6) Mismanagement of company funds
7) Over regulation
Driver hiring and driver retention challenges will not be solved overnight and for many, due to things beyond anyone's control, there may never be a solution that pleases both the drivers and carriers. And something we all have to remember...the CUSTOMER always come first!
by Marge Bailey
The DriverFinder Network
The median OTR comp. driver solo gross income today is $48,500 for drivers with at least 5 yrs recent long haul experience with a clean record. The #1 complaint I get from almost all Company drivers is money w/ hometime coming in at #2. Now add to that it will soon also be about the benefits. Right now most companies of any real size offer better benefit packages than a lot of other blue collar industries. And the drivers are right, in part as the list of reasons why people are not going into the professional driver pool or not staying or jumping company to company is long. A sure fire way to get drivers stirred up is to talk about the driver shortage. Drivers don't believe there is one but in fact right now according to many researchers who have published their findings claim, there are about 200k long haul jobs available with hardly anyone interested in applying.
There are numerous reasons for this but to name a couple, young people can make more $$ n the computer and internet industry, in the medical field and in communications and in most of those positions you are home everyday. Baby boomers are retiring or dying off. A lot of young people who do want to be a driver find out that that one time they caught with weed or cocaine even tho it was 10 or 15 yrs ago, will keep them out of a driving career. Many have a bad driving record or DUI in their past. So the number of new drivers coming in who do not qualify for most carriers is through the roof.
Seven Reasons why driver retention is so high:
1) Driver pay
2) Hometime
3) Rising cost of health benefit packages
4) Rising cost of living on the road
5) Dispatcher aka Fleet Mgr or Driver Mgr
6) Unsympatethic TM
7) Over regulation
Seven Reasons why many carriers don't pay drivers & mechanics more than they do
1) Rising cost of fuel
2) Rising cost of hiring drivers
3) Rising cost of equipment
4) Rising cost of providing health benefits in part or 100%
5) Rising cost of medical insurance
6) Mismanagement of company funds
7) Over regulation
Driver hiring and driver retention challenges will not be solved overnight and for many, due to things beyond anyone's control, there may never be a solution that pleases both the drivers and carriers. And something we all have to remember...the CUSTOMER always come first!
by Marge Bailey
The DriverFinder Network
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
HIGHEST Demand for Truck Drivers in 4 Years!!
Rising Gas Prices Haven't Stopped Hiring Demand for Truck Drivers
Even though gas prices average $3.84 per gallon across the US, we noticed
that hiring demand for truck drivers hasn't been deterred. In March, almost
41,000 jobs were advertised online for this occupation, a 33% increase compared
to March of 2011. This also marks a new 4-year high in demand for truck drivers
– far exceeding pre-recession volumes. Recruiters in Chicago placed the highest
volume of job ads for drivers during March, growing more than 30% over the past
year in this one city. Other locations with the highest number of job ads for
truck drivers during March included Dallas, New York, Houston, and
Philadelphia.
Hiring Demand for Truck Drivers – 4 Year
Hiring Trend
Source: WANTED Analytics
Monday, July 9, 2012
Are You Right for Trucking?
If it seems as if more and more big and small rigs fill the highways every year, it's not just your imagination - over 9 million Americans drive tractor trailers (2004 statistic) for a living both long and short haul. If you'd like to be one of them, here's how.
STEP 2: Maintain a clean driving record. Excessive moving violations and/or any Driving Under the Influence (DUI) convictions can disqualify you from trucking.
STEP 3: Obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to drive trucks over 26,000 lbs. or any size truck that transports hazardous materials. Getting a CDL requires applicants to pass both a written and driving exam to prove their ability to operate a commercial truck.
STEP 4: Prepare for and pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) exam of the U.S. Department of Transportation. In addition to a written test, truck drivers must pass a physical exam, including vision and hearing screenings.
STEP 5: Pass the FMCSR physical exam every two years to maintain your qualification as a commercial trucker.
Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles for specific instructions on how to apply for a commercial driver's license where you live.
Keep in mind that the life of a truck driver can be lonely, with countless hours spent on the highway for long stretches of time.
All employers must now conduct pre-employment and periodic drug testing of truck drivers. Failing a drug test can result in immediate termination.
Information provided by: www.e.how.com
Two of expediting is well known owner/operators are Linda and Bob Caffee of Missouri. Linda always rode along with her husband, Bob, while he was employed as an OTR driver for a line haul carrier. Although she held a dormant class A CDL, Linda resisted Bob’s constant encouragement to relinquish her company-authorized passenger status and could join him as a co-driver. She did not feel comfortable behind the wheel of the big truck and dreaded the day she might have to share driving duties in Bob’s class 8 tractor dragging a 53' trailer. During a visit to the Expedite Expo Trucking Show, Linda and Bob were introduced to expediting. The couple spent two days talking with expediters, expedite carriers and looking at a large assortment of expediter trucks. After the truck show Bob had little trouble convincing Linda that they could obtain and drive a smaller straight truck and earn a larger joint income as team expediters than they enjoyed in Bob’s tractor.
Soon thereafter, Linda and Bob, they purchased a 40' class 7 straight truck with a 96" sleeper and, after researching the business on www.expeditersonline.com, they entered into a lease agreement with FedEx Custom Critical. Along with many of their expediting colleagues, Linda and Bob have come to realize that:
Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle;
Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;
Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;
Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.
As owners of their own businesses, expedite owner/operators are independent contractors that set their own financial goals, determine their own work schedules and accept or reject load offers that conform to their personal, as well as their business credos. They generally travel about 100,000 - 150,000 loaded miles and log on-duty about 255 days annually. Unlike line haul truckers, expediters do not have established routes, they do not drive every day, they have no terminal or warehouse. All communication with the carriers’ representatives is via telephone, satellite device such as a Qualcomm unit, the U.S. Mail or TripPak. An expediter’s typical load is a piece of equipment necessary to repair a downed assembly line, or back ordered parts needed to satisfy a customers just-in-time routine. Expediters also carry a large amount of sensitive, expensive or delicate material for which a customer prefers door-to-door service and time specific pickup and delivery.
The most difficult aspect of expediting, that former line haul truckers have trouble accepting, is the usual wait between load offers. Expediters might be pre-assigned on their next load or they might have to wait a day or more for their next offer. They soon realize that the financial rewards justify the wait and they learn to enjoy the downtime during layovers, like the Caffees, by visiting local sights in any of 49 States and all of the Canadian Provinces. Reading, movie watching and visiting with friends and family are also favorite pastimes.
Authored by: Linda Caffee
Instructions
STEP 1: Complete high school or obtain your GED. Although not a formal requirement, most trucking companies (with about one-third of all jobs in this field) strongly prefer to hire high school graduates.STEP 2: Maintain a clean driving record. Excessive moving violations and/or any Driving Under the Influence (DUI) convictions can disqualify you from trucking.
STEP 3: Obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to drive trucks over 26,000 lbs. or any size truck that transports hazardous materials. Getting a CDL requires applicants to pass both a written and driving exam to prove their ability to operate a commercial truck.
STEP 4: Prepare for and pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) exam of the U.S. Department of Transportation. In addition to a written test, truck drivers must pass a physical exam, including vision and hearing screenings.
STEP 5: Pass the FMCSR physical exam every two years to maintain your qualification as a commercial trucker.
Tips & Warnings
Many private schools offer training to prepare potential truckers for the CDL exam, which includes a period of driving under the direction of a licensed truck driver.Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles for specific instructions on how to apply for a commercial driver's license where you live.
Keep in mind that the life of a truck driver can be lonely, with countless hours spent on the highway for long stretches of time.
All employers must now conduct pre-employment and periodic drug testing of truck drivers. Failing a drug test can result in immediate termination.
Information provided by: www.e.how.com
Expediting IS Trucking
Surface transportation encompasses several categories of trucking; one of the fastest growing and most women friendly segments of trucking is Expediting. Carriers that specialize specifically in freight that picks-up and delivers door-to-door, with exclusive use trucks, on a schedule determined by the customers, are known as expedite carriers. There are many dozens of expedite carriers in the United States and nearly all of them use leased owner/operators driving tractor-trailer, large and small straight trucks and cargo vans. Many of the expedite drivers came to expediting from other forms of trucking, but a very large percentage of expediters are second career professionals or empty nest couples seeking a new lifestyle. The option to drive a variety of truck sizes is appealing to many of the women expediters who are lured to the road but don't feel comfortable starting out in a large tractor. Many of them soon learn that women are prevalent in trucking and they are capable of any and all of the job requirements performed by their male counterparts.Two of expediting is well known owner/operators are Linda and Bob Caffee of Missouri. Linda always rode along with her husband, Bob, while he was employed as an OTR driver for a line haul carrier. Although she held a dormant class A CDL, Linda resisted Bob’s constant encouragement to relinquish her company-authorized passenger status and could join him as a co-driver. She did not feel comfortable behind the wheel of the big truck and dreaded the day she might have to share driving duties in Bob’s class 8 tractor dragging a 53' trailer. During a visit to the Expedite Expo Trucking Show, Linda and Bob were introduced to expediting. The couple spent two days talking with expediters, expedite carriers and looking at a large assortment of expediter trucks. After the truck show Bob had little trouble convincing Linda that they could obtain and drive a smaller straight truck and earn a larger joint income as team expediters than they enjoyed in Bob’s tractor.
Soon thereafter, Linda and Bob, they purchased a 40' class 7 straight truck with a 96" sleeper and, after researching the business on www.expeditersonline.com, they entered into a lease agreement with FedEx Custom Critical. Along with many of their expediting colleagues, Linda and Bob have come to realize that:
Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle;
Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;
Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;
Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.
As owners of their own businesses, expedite owner/operators are independent contractors that set their own financial goals, determine their own work schedules and accept or reject load offers that conform to their personal, as well as their business credos. They generally travel about 100,000 - 150,000 loaded miles and log on-duty about 255 days annually. Unlike line haul truckers, expediters do not have established routes, they do not drive every day, they have no terminal or warehouse. All communication with the carriers’ representatives is via telephone, satellite device such as a Qualcomm unit, the U.S. Mail or TripPak. An expediter’s typical load is a piece of equipment necessary to repair a downed assembly line, or back ordered parts needed to satisfy a customers just-in-time routine. Expediters also carry a large amount of sensitive, expensive or delicate material for which a customer prefers door-to-door service and time specific pickup and delivery.
The most difficult aspect of expediting, that former line haul truckers have trouble accepting, is the usual wait between load offers. Expediters might be pre-assigned on their next load or they might have to wait a day or more for their next offer. They soon realize that the financial rewards justify the wait and they learn to enjoy the downtime during layovers, like the Caffees, by visiting local sights in any of 49 States and all of the Canadian Provinces. Reading, movie watching and visiting with friends and family are also favorite pastimes.
Authored by: Linda Caffee
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