Alabama Trucker, 2nd Quarter 2011

Officers Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Cooper Vice Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bill Ward Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bruce MacDonald Immediate Past Chairman . . . .Skip Williams

ATA Board of Directors Dennis Bailey, Robert Barnett, Aubrey Baugh, Rhonda Bees, Gary Bond, Jack Brim, Ray Brock, Greg Brown, Will Bruser, Mike Callahan, Dan Carmichael, Fenn Church, Harry Clark, Mark Coffman, Jeff Coleman, John Collier, Driscoll Colquett, Brent Cook, Chris Cooper, Al Cox, Jerry Davis, Phil DeSimone, Edmund Doss, Joe Donald, Mack Dove, Russ Elrod, Dean Flint, Jack Fricks, Clay Halla, Terry Kilpatrick, Mark Knotts, Jerry Kocan, Mike Limbaugh, Drew Linn, Alan Love, Barry McGriff, Tom McLeod, Shane McMinn, Buck Moore, E.H. Moore, Jr., Ross Neely, Jr., Tommy Neely, George Overstreet, Butch Owens, Clay Palm, Jim Pickens, Mike Pursley, David Rouse, Kevin Savoy, Bill Scruggs, Harold Sorrells, Ronnie Stephenson, Paul Storey, Wayne Watkins, Bill Watson, Scott White, David Wildbrger, T.J. Willings, Keith Wise.

ATA Staff J. Frank Filgo, CAE, President & CEO Gene Vonderau, CDS, Dir. of Safety & Member Services Jane Nixon, Executive Assistant Lynn Thornton, Bookkeeper Ford Boswell, Communications Manager Brandie Norcross, Administrative Assistant

ATA WCSIF Staff Kimble Coaker, CEO & Fund Administrator Debra Calhoun, Office Manager Kimberly Best, Account Representative Rick Hunter, LSP, CDS, Director of Loss Control Harold Smith, ESQ, Legal Counsel Scott Hunter, MS, CDS, Loss Control Engineer Duane Calhoun, CDS, Loss Control Engineer Kim Sims, Administrative Assistant Kim Campbell, Underwriter Coordinator Published quarterly by the Alabama Trucking Assn., P.O. Box 242337, Montgomery, AL 36124-2337.

ADVERTISING RATES: Quoted upon request.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Alabama Trucking Association, P.O. Box 242337, Montgomery, Alabama 36124-2337.

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Fleet Safety Awards ATA’s annual safety awards ceremony showcases member trucking fleets and their employees for outstanding safety records during the previous calendar year.

Convention Coverage

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More than 325 members of Alabama’s trucking community, representing 117 industry related firms, gathered in Destin, Fla. April 28-30 for the Alabama Trucking Association 73rd Annual Convention & Meeting.

Twice as Nice at TDC

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For a second straight year, Ross Garner, a driver for FedEx Corp., earned the Grand Champion title during the Alabama Trucking Association’s State Truck Driving Championships held May 13 in Bessemer.

Pre-Hire Agility Testing

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Fleet managers must take extra precaution to ensure that the hiring decisions they make result in reliable employees who are mentally and physically capable of performing their jobs. One method fleet managers can use to make the most from the hiring process is pre-hire agility testing.

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E P A R T M E N T S

President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Safety Insights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Trucking News Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 ATA Events and New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Buyers’ Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 The Last Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Alabama Trucking Association

Alabama Trucking Association 334-834-3983 • www.alabamatrucking.org A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

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From the President

Recapping the 2011 Legislative Sesssion Frank Filgo President and CEO Alabama Trucking Association

‘ATA expresses its appreciation to state lawmakers who supported our legislative agenda: better roads, safer highways, improved business climate, and the cost-effective delivery of governmental services.’

The legislative goals of the Alabama Trucking Association are: ● to promote highway safety, ● maintain a competitive state business climate, ● provide for an efficient highway transportation infrastructure, and ● equality in the enforcement of the state laws and regulations.

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hat follows are bills of interests to the industry and this Association as introduced during this 2011 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature: DIVERSION OF HIGHWAY TRUST FUND—Alabama’s Constitution earmarks all highway user fees to the Alabama Highway Trust Fund for the purpose of building and maintaining roads and bridges and for the enforcement of highway safety practices. Two bills (HB207; HB348) were introduced diverting monies from the Trust Fund for other purposes. HB207 would authorized up to 10 percent of the Highway Trust Fund be used to support “public transportation”. HB348 would mandate that the Alabama Dept. of Transportation design and build roads having “equal access” for bicyclists, public transportation vehicles, motorist and pedestrians. ATA testified at its public hearing objecting to the bill due to its additional cost and the diversion of those funds from building\maintaining roads and bridges. Both diversion bills died.

REVISION OF METAL COIL BILL— Under existing law, the operator of a commercial motor vehicle involved in the transport of metal coils must be certified in proper load securement and must carry the

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certification in the vehicle and produce it on demand. SB289 removes the requirements that the operator carry the certification in the vehicle, etc. ATA supports the revision as suggested by the Alabama Dept. of Public Safety. The bill cleared both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Bentley. (See news item on pag 28).

TRANSFER OF PSC ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS—HB185 as introduced, transfers the collection of the UCR fees to the Dept. of Revenue and awards its collections to the Alabama Dept. of Public Safety. Currently, the Alabama Public Service Commission collects the fees and expends those fees in support of its enforcement responsibilities, etc. A compromise has been reached and all parties have verbally agreed that the PSC enforcement officers will be transferred to the Department of Public Safety.

TORT REFORM—The Alabama Civil Justice Reform Committee (ACJRC) - of which the Alabama Trucking Association is a member - backed 4 tort reform bills.

These include: Post-Judgment Interest (SB207/ HB236)—Under current Alabama law, if a defendant loses a lawsuit and chooses to appeal, he must pay 12 percent post-judgment interest on the amount the court or jury awarded the plaintiff, creating a significant financial deterrent to appealing an unjust verdict. This bill reduces post-judgment interest to 7.5 percent, which is slightly below the Southeastern average of 8 percent. This helps prevent the cost of money from dramatically impacting a defendant’s decision whether or not to appeal a verdict.

Continued on page 34

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

Focused on Safety Alabama’s safest drivers, managers and fleets were honored at the Alabama Trucking Association’s annual Fleet Safety Awards.

By Ford Boswell

BESSEMER, Ala. ouie Haynes, a veteran truck driver for Wal-Mart Transportation with more than 35 years behind the wheel and more than 3.1 million safely driven miles, was recently named the Alabama Trucking Association’s Truck Driver of the Year at the group’s annual Fleet Safety Awards banquet held in March.

ATA’s annual fleet safety awards ceremony showcases member trucking fleets and their employees for outstanding safety records during the previous calendar year.

Contestants are nominated by fleet managers and are picked by an independent panel of judges composed of officials from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Haynes was the big winner at the annual event, adding to a long list of industry achievements and accomplishments for the Birmingham-based driver.

ATA Director of Safety and Member Services Gene Vonderau said Haynes was chosen over dozens of other nominees primarily for his years of public service on Thirty-five years and 3.1 million safe miles: Alabama Truck Driver of the Year Louie Haynes behalf of the state’s trucking industry.

“His commitment to this industry is the years,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Every day I’m out second to none,” said Vonderau. “He has competed several times in there on the road I want to show the public just how much the the Alabama Truck Driving Championships, earning the right to trucking industry means to our communities, our state and our narepresent the state of Alabama at the National competition, and is a tion. Without us our nation’s economy stops.” long-time member of Alabama’s Road Team, which presents driver First runner-up for driver of the year was 47-year veteran truck safety programs to high school driver’s education students throughdriver Bill Brewer of AAA Cooper Transportation in Dothan. out Alabama. He is also a fantastic public speaker and a perfect amBrewer has logged more than 4.5 million accident-free miles for bassador for our industry.” three different companies during that time. He has driven for his In addition, Haynes is a presenter for Alabama Operation Lifecurrent employer for 32 years. He has collected numerous safety saver, a railroad crossing safety organization, and was the very first awards through his four decades of driving. During that times he driver to participate in the Alabama Trooper Ride-Along program said, he has seen the industry change for the better in terms of safeknown as TACT, ticketing aggressive cars and trucks. ty.

Haynes says he is very proud of his profession and tries to always “Hours-of-service regulations are much better these days than show professionalism and enthusiasm for the industry no matter if they were prior to 2004, and the equipment we use is much safer he is behind the wheel of his truck or in front of a group of driver’s and more comfortable now,” he said. But he added that the respect ed students. “Trucking has been so good to me and my family over

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he used to receive from the motoring public has declined in recent years. “Most likely due to the actions of just a few truck drivers,” he says.

Safety Professional of the Year ATA’s Safety Professional of the Year, Cecil Harris of WTI Transport in Tuscaloosa, has worked in trucking for 37 years, starting in 1973 as a commercial driver. He drove for Whatley Contract Carriers in Hope Hull, Ala. until 1985 when he moved into the office as a fleet manager. He later assumed the duties of load coordinator followed by operations manager.

From 1990 to 1997 he served as the Director of Transportation and Safety for Quaker Supreme Chemicals in Montgomery, after which he formed Alabama Safety Consultants and served as the chief executive officer. He has worked at his present company for the past eleven years as the vice president of safety. During that time he has been subjected to five FMCSA compliance reviews – all of which resulted in satisfactory safety ratings.

Active in the industry, Harris currently serves several organizations, including the American Trucking Associations Regulation Committee and the Accident Review ATA Chairman Gail Cooper (left) congratulates Safety Professional of the Year Cecil Harris of WTI Transport.

Committee. He served as chairman of the ATA Product Development and Review Committee in 2009-2010 and the ATA Management Advisory Board in 2007 and 2008.

He is a member of the Truckload Carriers Association, and in 2006 he successfully completed all the requirements for the North American Transportation Management Institute and was awarded the Certified Director of Safety Designation. On top of all this, our winner attended Samford University in Birmingham and is an ordained minister.

According to Vonderau, Harris’ nomination exhibit was among the most extensive he’s ever seen. “There was a lot of great information presented, but the things that impressed the judges most of all were 17 logs sheets of his driving days from November 1974,” he said. “They were badly faded and had four rusty paper clips holding them together, but I’m sure if they were audited they would be perfectly legal.”

Harris’ runner up was Boyd Bros. Transportation safety director and three-time state safety professional of the year James Ransom. When Ransom took the reins of the Boyd’s safety program 30 years ago, he was responsible for a fleet of 72 trucks. Today, he’s in charge of more than 700.

Throughout his tenure as safety director, Boyd has been recognized for its safety efforts, positioning the Claytonbased company as one of the safest outfits on the road.

Chairman Cooper with Maintenance Professional of the Year Rick Minor of B&G Supply Co. Ransom is also a familiar presence at SMMC events, having served on the steering committees for the Birmingham and Wiregrass SMMC chapters and as Chairman of the AlMaintenance Professional abama Truck Driving Championships in 2002. of the Year At the national level, he is a member of the American Trucking The Alabama Maintenance Professional of the Year, Rick Minor Associations’ Safety Product and Development and Review Comof B&G Supply Co., Albertville, Ala., oversees the regular and premittee and was recently named to National ATA’s Safety and Loss ventative maintenance schedules of 124 tractors and 191 trailers. He Prevention Management advisory board.

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ATA Safety Contest Winners General Commodities Linehaul Under 1 Million Miles 1st Place: My-Way Transportation, Inc. 2nd Place: J&D Burgess, Inc. 3rd Place: ABC Transportation, Inc.

General Commodities Combined 5 to 10 Million Miles 1st Place: B&G Supply Co., Inc. 2nd Place: P&S Transportation, Inc. 3rd Place: B.R. Williams Trucking, Inc.

General Commodities Linehaul 1 to 3 Million Miles 1st Place: : Tennessee Express, Inc. 2nd Place: Wilson Trucking Corp.

3rd Place: Avondale Trucking

General Commodities Combined over 10 Million Miles 1st Place: Con-Way Freight 2nd Place: Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. 3rd Place: FedEx Freight, Inc.

General Commodities Linehaul 3 to 5 Million Miles 1st Place: B&G Supply Co., Inc. 2nd Place: HB Logistics, LLC 3rd Place: Greenbush Logistics, Inc.

Tank Truck 1st Place: Charles G. Lawson Trucking, Inc. 2nd Place: J&M Tank Lines, Inc.

General Commodities Linehaul 5 to 10 Million Miles 1st Place: P&S Transportation, Inc. 2nd Place: AAA Cooper Transportation 3rd Place: B.R. Williams Trucking, Inc. General Commodities Linehaul over 10 Million Miles 1st Place: Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. 2nd Place: Con-Way Freight 3rd Place: FedEx Freight, Inc.

Chairman Cooper with Fleet Manager of the Year Becky Sayers of P&S Transportation.

earned a degree from Marshall Technical College at Guntersville, and has extensive experience with diesel engines, refrigeration units, ABS brakes and most all other components that make up a commercial motor vehicle.

According to B&G officials, in addition to his maintenance duties, Minor educates new drivers during company orientation, making sure they understand how to operate the equipment, with emphasis on the intricacies of refrigeration units, and what to do in the event of a mechanical malfunction.

Contest judges expressed their admiration for his propensity for both shop safety and productivity, especially with refrigerated trailers. Minor resides in Arab, Ala. and has a son, Cordell.

Fleet Manager of the Year The Alabama Trucking Association’s Fleet Manager of the Year, Becky Sayers of P&S Transportation in Birmingham, has held her post for more than 15 years. She currently manages 59 drivers who last year collectively produced revenue of more than $12.7 million and travelled 7.3 million miles.

She earned her company’s monthly fleet manager bonus, which is based on fleet revenue, safety and driver turnover, an impressive eight times last year. Her supervisors say she has an incredible rapport with every one of her drivers, and it would be very difficult to entice one of them to another fleet. She and husband, Tim, have two children, TJ and Crystal.

General Commodities Local under 1 Million Miles 1st Place: Buddy Moore Trucking, Inc. 2nd Place: B.R. Williams Trucking, Inc. 3rd Place: Eagle Motor Freight, Inc. General Commodities Local 1 to 3 Million Miles 1st Place: ABF Freight System, Inc.

Miscellaneous Category 1st Place: Massey Hauling Co., Inc. Household Goods 1st Place: Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. Private Carrier 0 to 5 Million Miles 1st Place: Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc. 2nd Place: RM Logistics, Inc. 3rd Place: Scott Bridge Co., Inc. Private Carrier Over 5 Million Miles 1st Place: Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC 2nd Place: American Proteins, Inc. President’s Award My-Way Transportation, Inc.

General Commodities Local 3 to 5 Million Miles 1st Place: Thompson Carriers, Inc. 2nd Place: Con-Way Freight 3rd Place: FedEx Freight, Inc.

Driver of the Year 1st Place: Louie Haynes, Wal-Mart Transportation LLC Driver of the Year 2nd Place: William Brewer, AAA Cooper Transportation

General Commodities Local Over 5 Million Miles 1st Place: Billy Barnes Enterprises, Inc. 2nd Place: Birmingham Logistics, LLC General Commodities Combined Under 1 Million Miles 1st Place: JCrawley Transport, LLC 2nd Place: Church Transportation & Logistics, Inc.

Driver of the Year 3rd Place: Emmett Spivey, Birmingham Logistics, LLC Safety Professional of the Year 1st Place: Cecil Harris, WTI Transport Safety Professional of the Year 2nd Place: James Ransom, Boyd Bros.

Transportation, Inc. Maintenance Professional of the Year Rick Minor, B&G Supply Co., Inc.

General Commodities Combined 1 to 3 Million Miles 1st Place: Eagle Motor Freight, Inc. 2nd Place: Wilson Trucking Corp.

3rd Place: Avondale Trucking

Fleet Manager of the Year Becky Sayers, P&S Transportation, Inc.

General Commodities Combined 3 to 5 Million Miles 1st Place: Buddy Moore Trucking, Inc. 2nd Place: ABF Freight System, Inc.

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Hazardous Materials 1st Place: Action Resources, Inc. 2nd Place: Barnett Transportation, Inc.

Gavel Plaques Matt Frazier, American Proteins, Inc. Doug Chamness, Greenbush Logistics, Inc.

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ATA’s annual membership meeting rebounds nicely after two years of recession, scoring high marks with attendees and event sponsors.

By Ford Boswell

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ore than 325 members of Alabama’s trucking community, representing 117 industry related firms, gathered in Destin, Fla. April 28-30 for the Alabama Trucking Association’s 73rd Annual Convention & Meeting.

While this year’s meeting exceeded all expectations for attendance and sponsorship contributions, the event was marred by tragedy for the state of Alabama. Only hours before the opening event, a historic band of deadly and destructive tornadoes ravaged parts of central and north Alabama, killing more than 240 people, injuring thousands, and causing billions of dollars in damages.

Roughly 40 attendees (about 10 percent of all registered guests) had homes or businesses damaged or affected by the storms and were forced to either cancel their trip to the coast or return home to be with family and colleagues.

“The decision to proceed with our meeting was difficult, but we were contractually obligated to the hotel and its services for our event,” explained ATA president Frank Filgo. “We were already on site and cancelling Convention would have been difficult and costly for everyone involved. We had several attendees who were directly affected by the storms, and we made sure that we assisted their needs in any way possible.”

Despite the unusual circumstances, atten8

dance and sponsorships rebounded to prerecession numbers, according to Convention Chairman Bill Ward. “All events were extremely well attended,” he said. “We had favorable reviews from those who attended, and I’m proud to report that we held a crowd at each event.”

Convention sponsors contributed nearly $120,000 this year, which is the most ever for one of our conventions and equals an increase of more than 17 percent over last year’s meeting.”

According to a post-convention survey, attendees stated satisfaction with the location and gave high marks for most events.

“Overall, this was a very successful convention, all things considered,” said Ward. “I want to express my gratitude to the more than 112 firms that sponsored the event. I am also grateful to the dedication and hard work put forth by this year’s convention finance committee.”

That committee was composed of Joe Black of McGriff Tire Co.; Leigh Breal, Ward International Trucks; Jack Brim, B.R. Williams Trucking; Fenn Church, Church Transportation & Logistics; Mark Coffman, Coffman International; Gail Cooper, Boyd Bros. Transportation; Scott Findley, Massey Hauling Co.; Terry Kilpatrick, Billy Barnes Enterprises; and T.J. Willings, Premier Truck Centers. Mike Pursley, Thompson/Caterpillar served as the Committee Chairman.

Meetings & Events The recent run-up in diesel has been a blow for trucking companies as the nation’s economy continues to feel the effects of the worst downturn in a generation. While the past month or so has seen a leveling off of fuel and energy prices, experts say that trucking’s main fuel is nearly a dollar more than this time last year.

For trucking companies, the spike in fuel comes at a time when most would otherwise be gearing up for an economic turnaround.

In addition, many still are recovering from pricey expenditures to meet clean-air rules.

Many companies pass on costs to customers with fuel surcharges, but for others that’s not an option. During the opening session of Friday’s business meeting at convention, representatives from leading truck and engine manufacturers discussed and answered questions about diesel technology, emissions regulation and how fleets can achieve maximum fuel efficiency.

The panel was composed of the following: Al Alcalá of Cummins, Inc.; Brett Grothen, Kenworth Truck Co.; Kirk Gavaghan, Detroit Diesel; David McKenna, Mack Trucks, Inc.; Steve Perkins, Navistar Engine Group; and Ed Saxman, Volvo Trucks North America.

Following that was a question-and-answer session on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) program. The panel, A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

T.J. Willings wins Webb Award

moderated by ATA’s own Gene Vonderau, included fleet safety experts Lane VanIngen, President of Transportation Safety Services, Daphne; and Alan Love, Safety Director for AAA Cooper Transportation, Dothan.

During Saturday morning’s Membership Meeting and Breakfast, American Trucking Associations Chairman Barbara Windsor delivered the keynote address with updates from the national organization.

Windsor is President and CEO of Hahn Transportation, Inc., a specialized regional trucking firm that hauls petroleum, aluminum, cement, and more throughout the Mid-Atlantic corridor. The company has been family owned and operated since 1933.

Windsor identified the top issues facing trucking, including HOS changes, highway reauthorization and the FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program.

She also addressed her organizations stances on other issues of concern for industry, including distracted driving, fuel efficiency standards, labor initiatives, Safe Trucker Act, and Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or “Card Check.”

Chairman’s Dinner, Awards Wrapping this year’s convention was a dinner in honor of outgoing Chairman of the Board Gail Cooper of Boyd Bros. Transportation. As the Association’s first female A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

chairman, Cooper’s term as head of the state’s trucking association was already historic, but it were the many accomplishments this year that made her chairmanship truly special, says ATA’s Filgo.

“Gail has led with grace, conviction and a determined spirit to improve our state’s trucking industry, making it better safer and stronger,” said Convention Chairman and the incoming Chairman of the Board for 201112 Bill Ward. “She showed an exemplary talent for building consensus among the many facets of our membership base. She has been an outstanding representative for our organization and industry. Our Association owes her a great debt of gratitude for her service.”

Also honored Saturday evening was Alabama Truck Driver of the Year Louie Haynes of Wal-Mart Transportation.

Haynes has more than 35 years of experience in trucking, logging more than 3.1 million miles during that time. He has competed several times in the Alabama Truck Driving Championships and represented the state of Alabama at the National competition and is a long-time member of Alabama’s Road Team, which presents driver safety programs to high school driver’s education students throughout Alabama.

The Association then announced this year’s H. Chester Webb Award winner: T.J. Willings president and owner of Premier Truck Centers headquartered in Fultondale, Ala. (see side story at right).

During convention, the Alabama Trucking Association gave Birmingham business owner T.J. Willings the H. Chester Webb Award for Distinguished Service, an honor that recognizes state trucking professionals for outstanding service and leadership to their community and industry. ATA officials gave Willings the award at the group’s 73rd Annual Convention and Meeting held recently in Destin, Fla. Willings, a long-time resident of Mountain Brook, Ala., is the owner of Premier Truck Centers, Inc., which is headquartered in Fultondale and offers locations in Tuscumbia and Madison. He has been an active industry leader for more than 30 years, serving on ATA’s executive board since 1984 and as its Chairman in 2009.

ATA president and CEO Frank Filgo said Willings is a steadfast supporter of the state’s trucking industry, serving on countless committees and fundraisers benefitting the Association and its highway and industry safety efforts.

“T.J. works tirelessly and most of the time anonymously, because that is the way he likes it; self-recognition is not his thing,” Filgo said. “He means so much to our Association for his talents and ability to get things done. We give him this award to show him, his family, his business associates, and all within our industry that he is held in high esteem for what he has accomplished with his life and service.”

Willings is a graduate of the University of Alabama, serving on its President’s Cabinet and the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration’s Board of Visitors. He is also past chairman of Birmingham’s Monday Morning Quarterback Club, which raises money for the Crippled Children’s Foundation and other charities.

The H. Chester Webb Award was established in 1958 to recognize individuals in the state’s trucking industry for service and contributions to the industry and encourage public service by all members of the highway transportation industry. Winners of the Webb Award are those who have given their talents, leadership and dedication to the Alabama trucking industry, the state trucking association, and the communities where they reside.

Mark your calendar for April 26-28, 2012 for the 74th Annual ATA Convention & Meeting at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Miss.

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Two-Timer

FedEx’s Ross Garner does it again at Alabama TDC Article and photos by Ford Boswell

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or a second straight year, FedEx Corp.’s Ross Garner earned the Grand Champion title at the Alabama Trucking Association’s State Truck Driving Championships held May 13 in Bessemer.

Garner scored a tournament-high 372 points to win the 3-Axle class and also

posted the highest overall score on the pretrip vehicle inspection portion of the competition. He edged his closest competitor by 23 points.

Overall, it was a banner day for FedEx Corp, which had eight of its drivers place among the event’s top finishers. FedEx Freight driver Martin McDonald won the Flatbed class; Gary Ramsey captured the

TDC Chairman Lloyd Woods (left) and Grand Champion Ross Garner

top spot in the Step Van class; Cecil Salter earned first place in the 4-Axle class; and Dan Thompson won the Twins class.

Other class winners were 5-Axle champ and former National TDC Grand champion Alphonso Lewis of YRC; Straight Truck champ Stephen Crowe of Con-Way Freight; Sleeper Berth champ Brian Bunt of AAA Cooper; and Tank Truck champ Mark

TDC 2011 TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONS

Twins winner Dan Thompson 12

Flatbed winner Martin McDonald

Tanker winner Mark Knight

Sleeper Berth champ Brian Bunt

4-axle winner Cecil Salter

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

Course judge Clarence Bean dons raingear.

Fed Ex’s Jason Bailey performs a pre-trip inspection.

Knight also of AAA Cooper.

The Alabama Truck Driving Championships gives state truck drivers a chance to show their skills to the industry and their counterparts. More importantly, it gives drivers exposure they might not receive otherwise. Winners will go to the National Truck Driving Championships set for AuContinued on next page

5-axle champ Alphonso Lewis

ATA’s TDC gives state truck drivers a chance to show their skills to the industry and their counterparts.

Straight Truck champ Stephen Crowe

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

Step Van champ Gary Ramsey

TDC’s Woods and top rookie Michael Moore 13

Onlookers discuss the course.

A Step Van class was added this year.

gust 9-13 in Orlando, Fla. The National competition is sponsored by the American Trucking Associations and classes include straight truck, twins, 3-axle van, 4-axle van, 5-axle van, sleeper birth, step van, flatbed and tanks.

In recent years, Alabama contestants have done quite well at the national competition starting in 2005 when Darrell Kimbrell, a FedEx Freight driver from Birmingham, earned the title of National Champion in the Twins class. Since then, there have been others class winners, but the state got its

first grand champion when Alphonso Lewis of YRC (then Roadway) won the national competition in 2007.

This year’s event drew just more than 80 drivers from about a dozen ATA member firms, down slightly from last year, according to organizers, but a decent turnout considering that a few firms were unable to send drivers due to the recent storms that swept through central and north Alabama in April.

Alabama TDC organizers were forced to trim this year’s event from two days down

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A colorful (albeit slightly soggy) pair watches the competition.

to one due to a lack of local hotel accommodations, which were still filled with displaced families and relief workers serving areas devastated by the storms.

According to TDC Chairman Lloyd Woods of Southern Cal Transport, even though the condensed schedule made for a very long day for the many volunteers, contestants and onlookers, the event proceeded smoothly and efficiently with the competition wrapping up in less than 13 hours, including the Ladies SUV competition, an award ceremony, and barbecue dinner.

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Safety Insights

A Legal Matter I

Gene Vonderau, CDS ATA Director of Safety and Member Services

‘Many times it is the skill of a lawyer that determines the verdict.

Make sure you get a good one.’

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used to think that the practice of law was a noble profession; helping those who can’t help themselves. It didn’t take long, once I graduated to the safety department of a trucking company, to change my mind.

I learned very quickly that it wasn’t necessarily whether we were right or wrong, it was who had the best lawyer. And I also discovered very quickly that the plaintiff ’s attorneys, if they were any good, were to be feared. Of course, we try to obey the thousands of rules and regulations contained in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, etc.

These are the very rules and regulations the plaintiff’s attorney knows better than anyone, or if they don’t know them, they will learn them very quickly at such time as they pick up a client who thinks he was the victim of a truck driver.

Case in point: A truck driver (call him driver number one) from Alabama was in Pennsylvania very early one morning, and noticed a problem with his truck as he drove along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. He stopped, found the problem, corrected it all within a few minutes, and got back in the truck to resume his trip.

He activated his left turn signal, checked his mirrors and began merging into the traffic lane. He had nearly reached the speed limit when he was struck in the rear by another truck. The driver of truck number two indicated an injury and was removed from the scene of the accident by an ambulance. His injuries were not life-threatening and he recovered very quickly. From a driving standpoint, the driver of truck number one did absolutely nothing wrong and was in no way at fault for this accident.

Enter the plaintiff’s attorney. Since they work on a contingency, anywhere from 25 to 50 percent, they take a chance that they won’t get paid. However, they know what to look for and do so quickly enough so that, in the event there is nothing worth pursuing, they won’t waste too much time.

It didn’t take long at all for the plaintiff ’s

attorney to begin discovery, and part of that procedure was a demand for driver’s daily logs. Lo and behold, the plaintiff ’s attorney discovered (that’s why they call it discovery) that the driver of truck number one was nowhere near the location of the accident according to his logbook. He was a couple of states away, and should not have been in Pennsylvania at that precise time because he couldn’t have logged it legally.

This one attempt by the driver of truck number one to make a little extra money backfired — big time. The jury found for the plaintiff, even though the accident was one hundred percent the fault of driver number two. Once the facts were on the table, there wasn’t a lot the defense attorney could do to sway the jury.

Here’s another one: Back in 2008 in West Virginia someone stole a truck from a dealership, hit a pickup truck head-on and killed all four occupants of the pickup.

The thief pled guilty to four counts of drunken driving and causing death. He was sentenced to 26 years in prison. However, a lawsuit was filed and the truck dealer was named in the suit. Somehow the plaintiff’s attorney convinced the jury that the dealer was partially responsible for this accident and the dealer was ordered to pay $538,000 to the plaintiffs.

I write all this to emphasize that the first thing you must do is make sure you are in compliance with all the regulations, FMCSA, OSHA, FMVSS, etc. You can’t take anything for granted or assume everything is in order; you need to know for sure.

Every person on your management team needs the information provided by your safety department on a continuing basis. If and when an accident happens, you are then prepared to defend your driver, your operation and your safety program.

Now all you need to do is find a lawyer who knows trucking and is on par with any plaintiff ’s attorney you will ever have to face. He or she will be expensive, but it is an investment that you must make. Like I said in the beginning, many times it is the skill of the lawyer that determines the verdict.

Make sure you have a good one.

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

Fit to be Hired Pre-Hire agility testing preserves your workforce while lowering costs.

By Deborah Lechner

A

s the trucking industry begins to emerge from one of the most severe downturns in a generation, fleets are now seeking to add capacity as markets begin to recover. However, with the pool of qualified driver applicants quickly drying up, fleet managers must take extra precaution to ensure that the hiring decisions they make result in reliable employees who are mentally and physically capable of performing their jobs.

This can be a difficult task, especially in the fast-paced, cyclical trucking industry.

One method fleet managers can use to make the most from the hiring process is pre-hire agility testing.

Agility testing can ensure that when hiring managers do find a suitable driver applicant, he/she possesses not only the intellect but also the physical attributes and abilities needed to safely perform the job.

This practice offers a hiring manager piece of mind, but over time, it can save trucking companies time and money by eliminating some of the guesswork involved in finding and hiring quality long-term employees.

along with other pre-employment tests, the company moves forward in the hiring and training process.

What is agility testing?

Why it’s important

Agility testing is a type of post-offer/preemployment testing, similar to drug screening and background checking, that examines a job applicant’s ability to perform the physical demands of a specific job.

For example, if a job requires a driver to lift an 80 lb. tarp 44 in. from the ground, climb up onto the back of a flatbed that is 31 in. above ground, squat under a truck to perform a pre-trip truck inspection, and push down on a pry bar to tighten straps with 120 lbs. of force, then an agility test would require that the driver demonstrate the ability to perform these functions.

If the applicant cannot perform the job functions, the company can rescind the job offer. If the applicant passes the agility test

Establishing and maintaining a qualified workforce that can perform the physical demands of the job without getting injured is a major challenge that the trucking industry faces. Despite the recent economic downturn and subsequent increase in unemployment rates, turnover remains a serious problem for trucking.

For the long term, industry will have to deal with an environment of low unemployment with all employers scrambling to hire from a relatively small applicant pool.

Beginning in 2010, a further significant dip in the prime working age population began as baby boomers continued to retire without adequate numbers to replace them. Additional statistics show that by

18

2020 there will be 17 million unfilled jobs in the U.S. alone, another 9 million in Japan and 2 million in France, Germany and the UK. Workforce shortage is a global and long term problem.

This applicant shortage makes selecting employees capable of performing the physical demands of work even more critical.1 In addition to the shortage, the available applicants are increasingly older and less fit than their predecessors. Many employees are working more than one job and conditions such as fatigue play a role in performance, particularly with regard to the physical demands of work. These labor market issues make it important to hire the right people now to maintain and protect your workforce. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) makes it even more imperative to hire drivers who can perform the physical demands of work without fatigue.

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

Another major challenge is the continued rise in medical care and workers’ compensation costs. A recent Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) study of 14 states found that double-digit growth in medical costs per claim was the major driver behind the rising costs of workers’ compensation claims between 2001 and 2005.

During that time, the average medical cost per claim with more than seven days of lost time increased 10 percent per year, including 11 percent growth in the most recent year. This picture is not likely to change.2 The CDC states that workers in the transportation, warehousing, and utilities (TWU) sector are exposed to many of the same safety hazards as other sectors; however, there is increased concern with fatigue as a potential contributing factor. The CDC further estimates costs of occupational injuries within the TWU sector for 19922002, to be nearly $900 million annually.

These costs were second only to the construction sector, clearly justifying a need for strong occupational safety and health initiatives within the TWU sector.3 Valuable resources are wasted if employers hire and train new employees only to find out that they do not have the physical ability to perform the job. Agility testing provides an opportunity to serve both the employer and employee through injury prevention. However, there are some important clinical and medico-legal issues to consider when doing agility tests.

How is agility testing different from the DOT physical?

A DOT physical exam focuses more on the health of the applicant, while an agility test focuses on the physical abilities of the applicant as they relate to the job requirements. The applicant may pass his/her DOT physical, but still not be capable of performing the physical demands of the job. Therefore, the agility test is a more stringent measure of the applicant’s ability to perform the work.

Who is qualified to administer agility testing?

Since agility testing involves certain medical risks, it is optimal for health care professionals to conduct the test. More specifically, physical and occupational therapists A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

19

and physical and occupational therapist assistants have the most extensive formal training in biomechanics, lifting techniques and injury prevention. Other health care disciplines that can effectively perform agility tests are athletic trainers, exercise physiologists and nurses.

What are the steps for implementation?

To develop a valid, legally-defensible, and cost-effective agility test, there are several steps that should be followed: Performing job demands analysis: A good analogy of the relationship of job analysis to agility testing is that of a house and its foundation. Identifying the physical demands of work is the foundation on which defensible agility testing is built. If not performed accurately, the results of the job analysis will not reflect the job demands. If screens are built upon inaccurate job descriptions, your company is at risk. While it may be initially difficult to invest in the job demands analysis, the investment to conduct the preliminary job analysis is money well spent in the long run. A thorough job analysis ensures that the screens

developed address the most physically demanding aspects of the job.

Developing the test items and pass/fail criteria: Once an accurate job analysis is performed, selecting the test items and the minimal requirements is the next step. Test items typically include the most difficult aspects of the job and the minimal requirements reflect the job demands. In cases where the materials or equipment create some unusual demands, it may be best for the company to loan this equipment or material to the clinic for a simulation of the work demands. It is extremely important to use agility testing with established reliability and validity 5,6,7, when possible.

Establishing procedures: There are a variety of procedural issues that will have to be addressed. Well-defined procedures help prepare your Human Resource/recruiting staff to implement agility testing and to handle questions about testing when they arise. The following issues are important to address: How will tests be requested?

Where will testing occur? ● How will test results be handled? ● How will test failures be handled? ● What will you do if the applicant’s ● ●

resting blood pressure exceeds safe levels for testing? ● How will you deal with any injuries that might occur during testing?

There are no hard and fast rules for any of these decisions. Each company handles the administrative procedures just a little differently. The important issue is consistency. Once policies are in place, they must be followed for each and every applicant until they are changed.

Training evaluators: Once the test is developed and policies are established, the evaluators are trained in test administration and scoring. Human Resource professionals are trained in the procedures for sending applicants for testing and retrieving reports.

Testing Incumbents: Many employers are reluctant to test incumbent employees, as they fear it will be perceived negatively. Incumbents must be reassured that their test results will not be shared with the employer except as aggregate data (i.e. an individual’s test result are not shared but the employer is told that 9 out of 10 employees passed the screen). This step is not required, but it is extremely beneficial if the validity of the screen is called into quesContinued on page 36

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ATA members respond with help for storm victims

By G. C. Skipper When the worst tornado in 75 years finally lifted off the ground in Alabama on April 27, it left in its wake victims devastated by the loss of life and shocked by a landscape they no longer recognized.

Among the first responders to the disaster were Alabama Trucking Association members who answered urgent e-mails from ATA. The association gave contact information to responding members and they, in turn, took over from there.

Billy Rotton, president of Charles G. Lawson Trucking near Montgomery, received the e-mails and noticed that someone in Tennessee needed a load of potatoes delivered to a University of Alabama fraternity house in Tuscaloosa, a town where thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed.

There was something peculiar about the request, Rotton remembered, because the contact person had requested a refrigerated truck. “I happened to have a truck in Tennessee and offered to pick up the load and bring it to Alabama,” he said. “I thought it was just a load of potatoes.”

When the drivers arrived, however, the reason for the reefer became clear. They learned it was a load of frozen French fries. The refrigerated truck was loaded and the trip made to Tuscaloosa, Rotton said.

There were no blocked roads, downed power lines or bad weather, Rotton said. There was no challenge at all, “except for the French fries,” he added. ”The drivers got to the fraternity house and there were college students waiting to unload. The problem was, they didn’t have enough room for all the fries, only a small cooler,” he said. “I don’t know what they did with them, but they got the truck unloaded. I do know they had enough French fries to feed a lot of folks.”

Closer to home, Rotton found out that Christian Academy students in Montgomery had started soliciting all sorts of items and supplies to help victims in the nearby town of Russelville that was severely damaged by the storm. The goal of the students was to collect as many items as possible, load them into cars, vans and pickups and drive the donated items to the town.

“Their little project grew way beyond what they expected and they found that they needed a 53-foot trailer,” Rotton said. “We dropped off a trailer and the students collected the items and loaded everything. We sent a driver over to pick up the load when it was ready and some of the students followed it to Russellville where they helped unload at a warehouse.”

Rotton said this was the first time he had ever been involved “in something like this,” but in retrospect he was amazed at the number of volunteers and the generosity. “We didn’t do a whole lot, and I’m sure there were others who did more,” he said, “but we did what we could.”

In Birmingham, meanwhile, Tommy Neely, president of Ross Neely Systems, experienced the tornado a little too close for comfort. It touched down in Pratt City, a community inside Birmingham’s city limits, only a couple of blocks from the trucking com24

pany. The business lost only a strip of sheet metal from its roof, but homes near the company were wiped out.

“Even today the area isn’t cleaned up,” he said.

When the storm hit, Neely said his company was without Internet, fax and phone for two weeks, although electrical power was restored within a couple of days. “Our customers were only able to reach us by cell phone. Nobody else knew how—and, even if they had called (the company), they could not have reached us.”

Neely temporarily worked remotely from a friend’s office on the south side of Birmingham, trying to keep things operating.

He eventually saw “four or five e-mails from ATA” asking members to help. One of them, he noticed, needed a rig to haul supplies to UAB (University of Alabama-Birmingham) Hospital from a small town near Mobile. “We had just dropped off a load and had a truck down there,” he said, “so I volunteered to hold the driver over and bring the medical supplies back to Birmingham.”

Neely had gone through a similar experience before when Katrina severely damaged New Orleans and other Louisiana towns. “I was concerned,” he admitted, “because so many things went wrong when we worked with FEMA. Although this wasn’t a FEMA load, I remembered that things never went like FEMA said they would go. With Katrina, we would pick up a load, especially water, and when the driver reached the place it was to be delivered, he’d have to sit there four or five days. It was a mess.”

The Alabama emergency haul proved to be the exact opposite of the Louisiana experience, Neely said. The driver picked up the load and when he arrived in Birmingham, said Neely, “They knew we were coming. UAB had us in and out of there within a half hour or so. The driver didn’t have to do any work. They loaded him up in Mobile and unloaded him when he backed into the delivery dock.”

He added—perhaps echoing the sentiments of the tornado survivors—“This went very, very smoothly. It was just private companies working together and it all worked out as it should have.”

How you can help…

According to state officials, the volunteer and donations response in the wake of the April 27 deadly tornado outbreak in the state has been tremendous. Even nearly two months later, there is still a need for volunteers and donations.

Governor Robert Bentley encourages volunteers to use Alabama’s Statewide 2-1-1 Volunteer Call Center.

The Call Center is a 24/7 volunteer and donations hotline that provides an opportunity for people to connect to available volunteer and donation options. By calling 2-1-1 (in the state of Alabama or toll free 1-888-421-1266) or visiting www.servealabama.gov, individuals can register to volunteer or provide a financial donation to the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund.

Volunteers not affiliated with an organization should register with 2-1-1. Once registered, volunteers will receive notifications of volunteer opportunities across the state.

More News Roundup continued on page 26 A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

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DOT gives state $1.5 million for infrastructure damaged by storms U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced June 7 that the federal government will give Alabama $1.5 million in quick-release money to restore bridges and roads in the state damaged by the April 27 tornadoes.

LaHood, speaking at a press conference in tornado-ravaged Pratt City, Ala., said the money is part of President Barack Obama’s commitment to help repair the state in the tornadoes’ aftermath.

According to the Birmingham News, some of the money will be used for reimbursement of debris removal. It will be up to local officials and the state, LaHood said, to determine how to disperse the money around the state.

Southland International adding Huntsville branch Southland International Trucks, Inc., has acquired 6.58 acres in Huntsville to build a new truck dealership. The site is located off of Exit 3 on I-565, 3 miles east of I-65 and within 4 miles of the Navistar Engine Plant.

According to Southland spokesman

26

Kevin Carlson, Splawn Construction will build the dealership, with completion expected in early 2012.

“Coming on the eve of our 25th Anniversary, this exciting announcement, plus our new Montgomery dealership, underscores our confidence surrounding the trucking industry in Alabama for the next 25 years and beyond,” said Southland president Drew Linn.

Kinedyne offers college scholarship for trucking families Kinedyne has launched its third annual Kinedyne Cares College Scholarship Program, which provides a $2,500 award to an applicant from Alabama Trucking Association.

To enter, applicants must submit an entry form and write an essay of 500 words or less addressing the topic “How the trucking industry has had a positive impact on my life.” To qualify, candidates must be members in good standing of the ATA. Applicants may also be directly related to a member of either association. In addition, candidates must currently be enrolled in, or in the process of, registering to attend, a college or university. Deadline for submission of entries is July 1, 2011.

“We initiated this scholarship program three years ago to assist deserving families within the trucking industry,” says David Callahan, Kinedyne’s Corporate Marketing Manager. “The program was well received and we’re delighted to be in a position to continue providing support to the community and our industry.”

The Kinedyne Cares initiative was launched in 2008 as part of the company’s ongoing effort to give back to the trucking industry and drivers employed in the transportation sector. In the past several years, Kinedyne has awarded college scholarships to members and relatives of members of state trucking associations in Minnesota, Alabama, Virginia, and Ohio.

An online entry form is available at http://tinyurl.c om/3d3mq87.

FMCSA reopens HOS revisions comment period On May 9, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced it is reopening the comment period on proposed commercial driver hours-of-service revisions that if enacted will reduce commercial driver times by one hour and complicate the 34-hour restart rule.

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

Back in January, after taking comments from the public, FMCSA set a July 26, 2011deadline for the issuance of a final rule, with full implementation expected later in the year. However, American Trucking Associations officials say that the agency is now reconsidering that deadline after having placed four additional studies in the rulemaking docket to provide opportunity for public review and comment on them.

As a result, FMCSA will not likely meet its July deadline for publication of a final rule as set forth in the Court settlement agreement the agency signed to “review and reconsider” the current regulations. All indications are that the agency has communicated with the other parties in the case to extend the final rule deadline.

What does this mean? According to National ATA officials because of serious questions about the research and data used by FMCSA to justify its proposed changes to the regulations, the agency may have determined it could not move forward with development of a final rule.

The agency appears to have sought out additional research to support its proposal.

If this is the case, the plaintiffs in the Court proceeding (who support changes to the HOS regulations) would likely be agreeable to extending the deadline for issuance of a

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

final rule, in hopes that the new studies are adequate to justify the agency’s proposal.

National ATA officials say they will carefully review the methodologies, findings and merits of these studies and submit comments to FMCSA accordingly.

Governor waives IRP and IFTA for vehicles involved in emergency effort Following a rash of devastating storms that swept through Alabama on April 27, Gov. Robert Bentley has relaxed commercial vehicle regulations and requirements for those engaged in the delivery of emergency supplies.

According to a Governor’s proclamation released May 19, vehicles delivering supplies and equipment for ongoing emergency cleanup efforts are exempt from requirements associated with the International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement.

State officials stress that the waivers are only intended for motor vehicles engaged in interstate disaster relief efforts in or traveling through the Alabama. The exemptions are good for 60 days, but could be extended by the governor, if needed.

The tax waivers are in addition to a proclamation issued earlier in the month

that relaxed Hours-of-Services regulations and vehicle size and weight restrictions.

However, according to state officials, you will need a permit to qualify for the vehicle size and weight exemptions. Motor Carrier Safety Unit Commander Capt. Tim Pullin, said that ALDOT personnel will issue permits 24 hours a day and during weekends online at the following address: http://www.dot.state.al.us/maweb/Oversize&OverweightPermitInformation.htm

Industry supports EOBR mandate, expresses concerns American Trucking Associations told the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration it supported the agency’s proposal to require motor carriers to install devices to record drivers’ hours of service electronically, but urged the agency to address important device design and performance requirements. Also, ATA raised a number of serious concerns about the supporting documents component of the proposal. Specifically, ATA pointed out that the agency’s proposal did not meet requirements mandated by Congress.

“ATA supports FMCSA’s proposal to mandate electronic logging devices,” ATA Continued on page 28

27

said in comments filed May 23. “However, the agency must address some of the device design and performance specifications which are critical to the success of such a mandate.”

These issues include a more secure driver identification and authentication process, and improved standards to ensure the devices are not prone to tampering or fraud.

Electronic logging, ATA said, “will improve compliance with the hours-of-service regulations. This is important since FMCSA data has demonstrated a strong correlation between compliance with the current hours-of-service regulations and safe operations.” ATA has advocated for retention of the current hours-of-service regulations, the subject of a separate rulemaking, in part on the basis of this data.

ATA added in its comments that it had “a number of serious concerns” about the supporting documents portion of FMCSA’s proposal.

“FMCSA’s proposal to require carriers retain a document (or documents collectively) to verify the beginning and end of each onduty/not driving time period is unrealistic.

Available documents typically lack such precision,” ATA said. “The agency’s suggestion that carriers certify that such documents don’t routinely exist would place those carriers at great risk.” The agency had proposed that carriers make such certifications, but that they also be automatically subject to the maximum civil penalty if found to have made a false certification.

“The agency should establish a finite list of documents that carriers must maintain and declare that those that do so will be deemed to be in compliance,” ATA told the agency.

ATA also criticized FMCSA for failing to establish a list of documents that must be retained at a “reasonable cost” to motor carriers as required by Congress in the 1994 Hazardous Materials Transportation Authorization Act (HMTAA). ATA had previously sued the agency for repeatedly failing to meet the 17 year old Congressional mandate.

Changing Spaces named family owned business of the year The Birmingham Business Alliance recently named Alabama Trucking Association member firm Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. as its family owned business of the year.

Owner Scott Planson started the Birmingham-based moving company in 2003 with one truck and friend and within six weeks needed a second truck to meet demand. Planson recruited his father, Joe, a 28

New law amends the Alabama Metal Coil Act As required under the Alabama Metal Coil Act of 2009, the operator of a commercial motor vehicle involved in the transport of metal coils (for shipments originating or terminating in Alabama) must be certified in proper load securement and must carry the certification in the vehicle and produce it on demand to law enforcement personnel.

In June, Gov. Bentley signed into law Senate Bill 289. This bill removes the requirement that the driver of a motor vehicle hauling metal coils have in their possession a copy of the certificate of training, as administered by the Alabama Dept. of Public Safety, for proper load securement. Instead, state law enforcement officers will rely on their access to an electronic databank showing motor carrier drivers that are certified. This goes into effect immediately.

ATA president Frank Filgo said that the Alabama Trucking Association welcomes this revision to the Alabama Metal Coil Act making it less burdensome for motor carriers involved in the transport of metal coils. However, ATA cautions that this revision in no way eliminates the requirement that drivers be certified by the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Filgo added, “The Alabama Trucking Association wishes to express its appreciation to the sponsors of the bill, State Senator Jabo Waggoner and Representative Paul DeMarco.”

Association officials anticipate a continuation of soft enforcement of the driver certification requirements until a centralized database containing all names of certified drivers is accomplished. This is expected to be in place by August. year later to handle sales, marketing, scheduling, truck maintenance and other miscellaneous business requirements while he ran operations. Today, the company boasts more than 17 trucks.

Peg Planson (Scott’s mother) and Lori Planson (Scott’s wife) perform day-to-day sales activities.

ATA tonnage index fell in April The American Trucking Associations’ advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 0.7 percent in April after gaining a revised 1.9 percent in March 2011. March’s increase was slightly better than the 1.7 percent ATA reported on April 26 The latest drop put the SA index at 114.9 (2000=100) in April, down from the March level of 115.6.

The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 113.6 in April, which was 8 percent below the previous month.

Compared with April 2010, SA tonnage climbed 4.8 percent. In March, the tonnage index was 6.5 percent above a year earlier.

“The drop in April is not a concern.

Since freight volumes are so volatile truck tonnage is unlikely to grow every month, even on a seasonally adjusted basis,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. “I expect economic activity, and with it truck freight levels to grow at a moderate pace in the coming months and quarters.”

“The industry, and the economy at large, should benefit from the recent declines in oil

and diesel prices,” Costello added. “Lower fuel costs will help freight volumes and motor carrier bottom lines going forward.”

Reports predicts trucking gains through 2022 After a dip during the Great Recession, the U.S. freight economy, particularly for trucking, is projected to grow significantly in the years ahead, according to American Trucking Associations’ U.S. Freight Transportation Forecast to 2022.

The Forecast, the product of a collaboration between ATA, IHS Global Insight and Martin Labbe Associates, lays out the current state of the freight economy where trucking is the leading mode of transportation and projects an even more robust role for trucks in the future.

“The trucking industry continues to dominate the freight transportation industry in terms of both tonnage and revenue, comprising 67 percent of tonnage and 81 percent of revenue in 2010,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello wrote in this year’s forecast.

Overall, total freight tonnage is expected to grow by 24 percent by 2022, and revenue for the freight transportation industry is projected to rise 66 percent in that same timeframe. Trucking’s share of that market will rise to 70 percent by 2022, though the industry’s share of freight revenues will only increase to 81.4 percent from 81.2 percent.

In other surface modes, rail’s overall share of tonnage will fall to 14.6 percent in 2022 from 15.3 percent in the baseline year of Continued on page 30 A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

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2010. However, intermodal tonnage will rise 6.6 percent a year between 2011 and 2016, and 5.5 percent annually through 2022. Revenues for intermodal transportation will jump from $11.1 billion in 2010 to $30.7 billion in 2022.

Domestic waterborne transportation will show very modest growth between now and 2022 – growing 2 percent a year until 2016, then 0.2 percent annually through 2022. Revenues for short-sea shippers will grow to $16.2 billion in 2022 from $11.1 billion in 2010.

“At a time when our nation’s leaders are debating what our future transportation system should look like, the Forecast is a tremendous resource,” Costello said. “The Forecast can also help America’s business leaders as they plan what their future logistics plans and businesses will look like.”

Trucking safety performance reached record levels in 2009 The rate of truck-involved fatalities on U.S. highways fell to 1.17 per 100 million miles in 2009 – making that year the trucking industry’s safest since the federal government began keeping track in 1975.

The rate fell 14.1 percent from the revised

fatality rate of 1.37 in 2008, according to an analysis of data released by the Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Dedication to safety is a core value of ATA and the trucking industry,” ATA Chairman Barbara Windsor, president and CEO of Hahn Transportation, New Market, Md., said. “We’ve expressed that with our 18-point progressive safety agenda and programs like Share the Road and America’s Road Team.

These figures are the fruits of those efforts.”

In addition to the fatality rate, the truck occupant fatality rate fell more than 17 percent to 0.17 per 100 million miles traveled.

“Because the highways are our workplace we want them to be as safe as possible,” said Kenny Lowry, a Share the Road professional truck driver for Wal-Mart Transportation with 3 million plus miles of accident free driving in a 34-year career. “Through ATA’s Share the Road Program, we have the opportunity to connect directly with all motorists, teach them good driving techniques and how to drive safely around large trucks. These improved safety figures show we are making a difference.”

In 2009, NHTSA recorded 3,380 fatalities in 2,987 crashes, both down from the 4,245 fatalities and 3,754 crashes reported the previous year. FHWA reported that in

2009 trucks traveled more than 288 billion miles – down from 310.7 billion the previous year, though the agency significantly increased its historical truck mileage figures prior to publishing their 2009 data.

Norfolk Southern building Alabama intermodal facility The Birmingham Business Journal reports that Norfolk Southern has broken ground on a $97.5 million Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility in near McCalla.

As a part of the railroad company’s Crescent Corridor, the Birmingham Regional Intermodal facility will be the first stop out of the port of New Orleans and link Birmingham in a transportation system reaching from the Gulf Coast to New Jersey.

“The Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility will bring significant economic growth to McCalla and thousands of jobs to Alabamians,” said Gov. Robert Bentley at the ceremony. “This new terminal will enable goods to move quickly throughout the country.”

The facility is located on 316 acres near Jefferson Metropolitan Park, about 20 miles west of Birmingham. It should be completed by late 2012.

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A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

31

From the President Continued from page 2

Alabama Small Business Protection Act (SB184/HB251)—In a product liability suit, Alabama retailers, wholesalers, and distributors may be sued even though they did not participate in the manufacture or design of the product. This is done to file suit in counties favorable to plaintiffs and keep an out-of-state manufacturer in an Alabama state court and out of federal court. These suits cost Alabama businesses time and money while the true target of the suit is the manufacturer or designer of the product.

Wrongful Death Venue Reform (SB212/ HB228)—Prohibits “forum shopping” of wrongful death actions by requiring that a suit can be brought only in the county where the decedent could have filed suit. This will prevent the current practice of finding a personal representative in a plaintiff-favorable county solely for purposes of obtaining venue there due to the residency of the personal representative. For example, if a person lives in Shelby County and dies in Shelby County,

the bill would require a wrongful death lawsuit to be filed in Shelby County. Under current law, the family of the deceased could retain a lawyer in Macon County to be the personal representative of the deceased and the suit could be filed in Macon County.

Expert Witness Reform (SB187/ HB239)—This bill requires application in Alabama of the federal expert witness rule enunciated in the Daubert case. Alabama is one of a minority of states that has not adopted the rule, even though in 1993 the U.S. Supreme Court mandated its adoption in all federal courts. Instead, Alabama continues to use the Frye standard from 1923 which the U.S. Supreme Court rejected when adopting the Daubert standard. A stricter standard for admitting expert testimony helps business, and indeed all litigants, in insuring valid scientific and other technical expert testimony has a solid foundation and basis. For example, in a medical malpractice case involving alleged mistake when doing heart surgery, the expert witnesses for the plaintiff and the defendant must be experts in heart surgery and not some other medical specialty.

All four bills passed and were signed into law.

SELF REFERRAL BY PHYSICAL THERAPISTS—Under existing law, physical therapy may only be practiced pursuant to the referral of a licensed physician or dentist. SB361; HB202 would remove the requirement that a licensed physical therapist practice his or her trade only upon the referral of a licensed physician or dentist.

ATA closely monitored the bills fearing that the bills may result in increased health care cost as per our workers comp fund.

SB661 and HB202 died in committee.

BAN ON TEXTING WHILE DRIVING—HB102 prohibits text messaging or operating a handheld wireless telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle on public streets, road, or highway. The bill passed the House and was thought to be in a favorable position for Senate passage. However, the bill was carried-over on the next to the last day essentially killing it.

The Alabama Trucking Association wishes to express its appreciation to those state lawmakers who supported the ATA legislative agenda - better roads, safer highways, improved business climate, and the cost-effective delivery of governmental services.

Find Alabama T rucker Online at www.alabam atrucking.org 34

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

Fit to be Hired Continued from page 20

tion. Incumbent testing provides additional proof of the validity of the screen and can help with ironing out some of the practical issues with scheduling and retrieving reports. If there are any communication, procedural or equipment problems with the system, then it is best to discover and correct these during incumbent testing rather than have them occur when the applicants are being tested.

Outcome Follow Up: Once the testing of applicants begins, periodic reports of the pass/fail rates will provide valuable experience. Most companies will also want to know if there are significantly different fail rates for women compared to men and if there are significant failures in a specific age or ethnic group. If the selection rate of any minority group is less than 80 percent of the selection rate of the majority of applicants, then the company may be creating adverse impact with the screens. Adverse impact does not mean you must stop testing, just that the employer will need to make sure the agility tests are defensible. If the job demands analysis and screen development have been done appropriately, defensibility is not a problem. In addition to pass/fail rates, if the company tracks work-related injury costs before and after initiation of the program, this information can provide powerful justification for continuing or expanding the agility testing.

Ongoing Review of Job Demands: Job demands can change as the products and services of an organization change. Therefore, it is important to establish open lines of communication with the clinic or vendor performing the screens so that screens can be updated in a timely fashion. The benefit of testing is lost if the screen does not reflect the current job demands and can put the employee and your company at risk.

What are challenges and opportunities to be expected?

A challenge faced by some companies is that the fail rate on agility testing is higher that they desire. In these cases companies typically implement some type of ergonomic countermeasures to lower the physical demands of the job. For example, some companies purchase smaller tarps to 36

decrease the lifting requirement or have drivers move the tarps by using a flipping technique rather than requiring the employees to lift them.

Other companies experience challenges with scheduling tests or retrieving reports.

These operational issues can usually be addressed through collaboration with the vendor providing the agility testing.

How do you know agility testing will effectively decrease cost and turnover?

There have been at least five studies published since 1994 that speak to the effectiveness of agility testing. Reimer 2 et al studied the effectiveness of pre-employment screening combined with a worker fitness program for grocery warehouse workers. They found significant decreases in injuries and injury-related expenses over a 3.5-year period. Nassau 3 combined pre-work placement screening and case management for the injuries that occurred. This study, performed at a 250bed hospital, found that the number of injuries did not decrease, but the severity of the injuries was significantly less.

Gassoway and Flory4 performed testing on nursing assistants at a regional health center. They found a slight decrease in injuries requiring medical intervention and a more significant decrease in job turnover rate. This study showed that the company saved $6 for every $1 spent on screening. In a study that presents the strongest evidence to date in support of post-offer agility testing, Littleton5 tested physical plant applicants at a major university hospital and found that the number of lost day cases decreased 18 percent, the total injury costs decreased 78 percent and that for every $1 spent on agility testing, the employer saved $18. The added benefit of these last two studies is that agility testing was the only intervention used. This author’s experience with providing agility testing in the trucking industry shows the results for trucking companies to be equally effective. One regional flatbed company saved more than $1 million in insurance costs within the first 9 months of implementing screening.

The Optimal Sequence for Testing Agility testing is best performed after a conditional offer has been made. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commis-

sion (EEOC) has published Enforcement Guidance: Pre-employment Disability-Related Questions and Medical Examination1, as well as other guidelines related to pre-employment screening that can be accessed online at http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/ docs/preemp.html. According to the EEOCs guidelines, medical examinations (such as monitoring blood pressure and heart rate) can be performed only after a conditional offer has been made. Performing strenuous physical testing, such as is often the case in agility testing, without monitoring these physiological parameters puts everyone at risk. In addition, agility testing is more cost-effective since the employer does not have to screen every applicant, only the ones to whom they make a conditional offer.

Pitfalls to Avoid In addition to avoiding pre-offer screens, there are other pitfalls to avoid when conducting agility testing.

General Strength Testing. The concept of a one-size fits all generic strength test (such as a set of push-ups, sit-ups, aerobic step tests or isokinetic strength testing) is appealing because of its simplicity and ease of administration. However, such tests are not ADA compliant because they cannot be directly correlated to the demands of the job. Many of the law suites effectively litigated by applicants and their attorneys have been related to pre-employment screening that has utilized generic strength testing.

Comparison to Normative Data. In pre-employment screening, the ADA is violated when hiring decisions are made based on a comparison of the applicant to normative data. It does not matter whether the applicant is in the 5th percentile or the 95th percentile as compared to a group of “norms.”

What matters is whether their abilities match the job demands. If the applicant’s abilities match the job demands, the employer can hire and place the applicant. If the applicant’s abilities do not match job demands, the employer can rescind the offer.

Predicting Future Injury. Some companies claim to be able to predict future injury with agility testing. It is best to avoid this potentially litigious claim. Instead, utilize vendors who simply test the abilities of applicants and compare those abilities to the job demands. By focusing on the match between the worker’s abilities and the demands of work, the process is defensible. Predicting fuA LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

ture injury is seldom defensible.

References:

In summary, agility testing is an opportunity to prevent work-related injuries and the associated costs. As a general rule, post-offer/pre-employment testing can decrease injuries between 20 percent and 60 percent.

As with any pre-employment screening, agility testing must be administered in a standardized, consistent manner with clear passing criteria in order to be EEOC and ADA compliant. A reliable and valid testing protocol based on carefully documented job analysis and that has been further validated through incumbent testing is optimal.

1 www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewContentItem.do;jsessionid= D4F1E2E6C24D2F17C6B7573B3D07733D?contentType=Article&hdAction=lnkhtml& contentId=1611047

Deborah Lechner, PT, MS is president and founder of ErgoScience, Inc. and research associate professor with the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. ErgoScience helps employers reduce workplace injuries and workers’ compensation costs by providing injury prevention and rehabilitation services available through an international network of 850 medical clinics. For more info, visit www.ergoscience.com.

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

2 www.wcrinet.org 3 www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/TWU/economics.html 4 U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. EEOC Notice #915.002: ADA Enforcement Guidance: Preemployment Disability-Related Questions and Medical Examinations. 10/10/1995; 1-26 5 Reimer DS, Halbrook BD, Dreyfuss PH, Tibiletti C. A Novel Approach to Preemployment Worker Fitness Evaluations in a Material-Handling Industry. Spine 1994;19(18):2026-2032.

6 Nassau DW. The Effects of Prework Functional Screening on Lowering an Employer’s Injury Rate, Medical Costs, and Lost Work Days.Spine 02/01/1999; 24(3): 1-10.

7 Gassoway J, Flory V. Prework screen: Is it helpful in reducing injuries and cost? Work 15 (2000), 101-106.

8 Littleton M, Cost-effectiveness of a prework screening program for the University of Illinois at Chicago Physical Plant. Work 21 (2003),243-250.

9 Lechner DE, Jackson JR, Roth DL, Staaton KV. Reliability and Validity of a Newly Developed Test of Physical Work Performance. 1994;36(9):997-1003.

10 Lechner DE, Sheffield GL, Page JJ, Jackson JR. Predictive Validity of a Functional Capacity Evaluation: The Physical Work Performance Evaluation. Phys Ther 76:881m 1996.

37

As a member of the Alabama Trucking Association you can realize significant savings on more than 35,000 office supplies by ordering through our Web site, www.alabamatrucking.org. We have added even stronger discounts on toner and inkjet cartridges.

38

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

“Trucking’s Voice in Alabama”

PO Box 242337 • Montgomery, AL 36124-2337 • Phone: (334)834-3983 • Fax: (334)262-6504

Application For Membership DIVISION Motor Carriers: ❑ Domiciled In Alabama ❑ All other For-Hire ❑ Household Movers ❑ Private Carriers

Allied Industry: ❑ Local and State Suppliers ❑ Nat’l Concerns, small items ❑ Nat’l Concerns, major items

Your Dues Amount: $ __________________ (see schedule on reverse) Firm Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: (PO Box) ____________________________________(Street)__________________________________________________ City __________________________________________State __________________________ Zip ________________________ Telephone: __________________________________Fax ______________________________800/ __________________________ Email address: ________________________________________Website Address: __________________________________________ Type of Business: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Official Representative : __________________________________________________Title: __________________________________ Alternate Representative: __________________________________________________Title: __________________________________ Signed: ______________________________________Date: ____________Referred by:____________________________________

CONTRIBUTIONS OR GIFTS TO THE ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION, INC., ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE AS CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS. HOWEVER, THEY MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE AS ORDINARY AND NECESSARY BUSINESS EXPENSES.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY CODE # _________________ Freq_____________________

ACT ____________________

BC ____________________

Check # __________________

Exp Date__________________

ATU ____________________

DC ____________________

Dues Amt ________________

Nxt Bill Date _______________

MAG __________________

400 ____________________

Mbr Class ________________

AL Sen___________________

MC ____________________

WCSIF __________________

GC ____________________

CONTACT SHEET __________

Mbr Type _________________

AL Hse___________________

YR ____________________

WINFAX ________________

Dues Cat _________________

CG Dist __________________

Date_____________________

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

LTR/PLQ ________________

39

Schedule of Membership Dues A. Motor Carriers Domiciled in Alabama 1) Gross Annual Revenue Under and not over 1,000,000 and not over 5,000,000 and not over 10,000,000 and not over 15,000,000

$999,999 4,999,999 9,999,999 14,999,999 19,999,999

Annual Dues $500 600 900 1,200 1,500

2) Gross Annual Revenue 20,000,000 and not over 25,000,000 and not over 30,000,000 and not over 35,000,000 and not over 40,000,000 and over

$24,999,999 29,999,999 34,999,999 39,999,999

Annual Dues $1,800 2,100 2,400 2,700 3,000

B. All Other For-Hire and Private Carriers Schedule based on miles traveled in Alabama From 0 500,001 1,000,001 2,000,001 3,000,001 4,000,001 5,000,001 6,000,001 7,000,001 8,000,001 9,000,001

To 500,000 1,000,000 2,000,000 3,000,000 4,000,000 5,000,000 6,000,000 7,000,000 8,000,000 9,000,000 10,000,000

Annual $200 250 360 510 640 750 870 960 1,040 1,150 1,250

From 10,000,001 11,000,001 12,000,001 13,000,001 14,000,001 15,000,001 16,000,001 17,000,001 18,000,001 19,000,001 20,000,001

To 11,000,000 12,000,000 13,000,000 14,000,000 15,000,000 16,000,000 17,000,000 18,000,000 19,000,000 20,000,000 25,000,000

Annual $1,320 1,410 1,495 1,575 1,650 1,720 1,795 1,865 1,950 2,030 2,500

C. Allied Industry – Annual Dues • Local and State Suppliers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300 • National Concerns (distributors or manufactuers of accessories, parts and small equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $400 • National Concerns (distributors or manufacturers of major equipment, integrated product lines, leasing companies and companies marketing statewide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600 D. Household Movers Based on intrastate revenue only - includes tariff participation 1) Gross Annual Revenue Not Over 100,001 and not over 150,001 and not over 200,000 and not over

$100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000

Annual Dues $420 480 540 600

2) Gross Annual Revenue 250,001 and not over 300,001 and not over 400,001 and not over

Annual Dues $780 $300,000 900 400,000 1,200 500,000

Payment Schedule (Dues payable in advance) Below $500...................................................................Annually $500 - $1,200 ......................................................Semi-Annually

Above $1,200 ................................................................Monthly

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT – The amount of dues paid by individual members of the Alabama Trucking Association is confidential information and is not subject to publication. Dues information can only be released by ATA to the principal representative of the member in question, and requests by other persons or parties will not be honored. Members are strongly urged to honor this privacy statement and to not share their confidential dues information with other ATA members or the general public.

40

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

ATA

new members & evenTs

ATA & Industry Events

New Members (3/1/2011 to 6/14/2011)

ATA Board of Directors Meeting & Officer Installation June 28, 2011 Alabama Trucking Association Headquarters Montgomery, Ala.

J&A Trucking Jimmy Griffin Clanton, Ala. 205-688-1981

Freight Capital Janice Tegman Carlsbad, Calif.

800-775-0391

Mid-South Packing, LLC Jerry Springer Cullman, Ala. 256-734-1277

Coachcomm, LLC Dan Ginzel Auburn, Ala. 334-321-2300

Freight Zone Transportation Ron Spivey Decatur, Ala. 256-580-3094

NU HOT, Inc. David Bitondo Rainbow City, Ala. 256-305-8082

National Truck Driving Championships August 9-13, 2011 Orlando, Fla. National Truck Driver Appreciation Week September 11-17, 2011 ATA Annual Golf Classic October 11, 2011 Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Capitol Hill Course Prattville, Ala. American Trucking Associations Management Convention & Expo October 15-18, 2011 Pheonix, Ariz.

SMMC Christmas Celebration December 5, 2011 Bessemer Civic Center Bessemer, Ala. ATA Annual Convention & Meeting April 26-28, 2012 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Biloxi, Miss.

For Advertising Info Call Ford Boswell 334-834-3983 A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

Cottingham & Butler Jim Millar Orlando, Fla. 407-850-0896 Cox Container, LLC Kenneth Cox Troy, Ala. 334-566-2471

Snider Tire, Inc. Julian Spears Ellenwood, Ga. 404-361-0130

Knight & Son Transportation, Inc. Paul Knight Brundidge, Ala. 334-735-2640

First Klass Movers, LLC Bryan Craven Montgomery, Ala. 334-277-6010

Vulcan Transportation Gretchen Tremmier Rising Fawn, Ga. 706-398-1178

Legacy Cabinets, LLC Joey Loveless Eastaboga, Ala. 256-831-4852

Freddie Payne, LLC Alicia Clemeons Wedowee, Ala. 256-357-4152

A ADVERTISER

Payroll Management, Inc. Jason Gamble Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 850-275-5474

Jeffers Trucking, Inc. Donna Jeffers Birmingham, Ala. 205-808-1112

D V E R T I S I N G

PG. NO.

ATA WCSIF BC Barksdale Insurance 30 The Baxter Agency 29 Carrier Transicold South 25 ErgoScience, Inc. 26 Great Dane IBC Great West Casualty Co. 17 International Trucks IFC JP Transportation Safety Consulting 20 J.J. Keller 21,31 Palomar Insurance 37 Peoplenet 7 PrePass 35 Ritchie Bros.

15 Thompson Cat 3 Turner & Hamrick 27 WH Thomas Oil Co. 22 UPS 33

WilMar Trucking, LLC Brooks Donald Camden, Ala. 334-682-5550

I

N D E X

PH. NO. (334) 834-7911 (800) 807-1412 (800) 873-8494 (205) 328-7278 (866) 779-6447 ext. 211 (800) 383-0094 (800) 228-8053 (800) 844-4102 (205) 329-8183 (888) 473-4638 ext. 7892 (800) 489-0105 (888) 346-3486 (800) 773-7277 (205) 837-9033 (205) 849-4288 (888) 385-0186 (205) 755-2610 (800) 325-7000

WEB ADDRESS www.atacompfund.org www.barksdalebonding.com www.baxteragency.com www.trucktrailer.carrier.com www.ergoscience.com www.greatdanetrailers.com www.gwccnet.com www.navistar.com www.jptsc.com www.jjkellermobile.com www.palomarins.com www.peoplenetonline.com www.prepass.com www.rbauction.com www.thompsontractor.com www.turnerhamrick.com www.thomasoil.com www.ups.com 41

2011 ATA BUYER’s We make every effort to ensure this list is correct. For changes or corrections to your company’s listing, contact Jane Nixon at jnixon@alabamatrucking.org.

Alabama Trucking Assn.’s Buyer’s Guide lists those companies that have taking an active role in supporting Alabama’s trucking industry by becoming members of the Association. We ask that each time you plan a purchase that you consult this guide and give ATA members the opportunity to gain your business. These companies proudly support your association and deserve your support, as well.

ADVERTISING/PUBLISHING Fastline Publications (502) 222-8357 www.thetruckbook.com Randall-Reilly Publishing Co. (205) 349-2990 www.rrpub.com BUS SALES & SERVICE Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Transportation South, Inc. (205) 663-2287 www.thebuscenter.com Ward International Trucks, LLC (251) 433-5616 www.wardintltrucks.com CHEMICAL PRODUCTS Rushing Enterprises, Inc. (334) 693-3318 www.rushingenterprises.com

USA Driver-s, Inc. (205) 661-0712 www.usadrivers.com

Kinedyne Corp.

(334) 365-2919 www.kinedyne.com

Wise Consulting, LLC (256) 796-5291

Metro Trailer Repair Co., Inc. (205) 323-2877 www.metrotrailer.net

ENGINE MANUFACTURERS Cummins Mid-South, LLC (901) 488-8033 www.cummins.com

Paccar Parts/Kenworth (205) 679-7925 www.kenworth.com

Thompson/Caterpillar (205) 849-4365 www.thompsonpowersystems.com EQUIPMENT LEASING H.E.C. Leasing, LLC (615) 324-3538 www.hecleasing.com National Semi-Trailer Corp.

(205) 520-0050 www.nationalsemi.com Southern Truck & Equipment, Inc. (251) 653-4716 www.southerntruck.net

COMMUNICATIONS/ELECTRONICS Southland International Trucks, Inc. J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. (205) 942-6226 (920) 722-2848 www.southlandtrucks.com www.jjkellerservices.com PeopleNet (888) 346-3486 www.peoplenetonline.com

Star Leasing Co. (205) 763-1280 www.starleasing.com

QUALCOMM, Inc. (770) 271-3654 www.qualcomm.com/qwbs

Truck & Trailer Leasing Corp.

(256) 831-6880

Sprint Nextel (334) 414-5842 www.sprint.com

EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING BigBee Steel (256) 383-7322 www.bigbee.com

XATA Corp.

(501) 835-1585 www.xata.com EDUCATION & TRAINING J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com

Eaton Corp./Roadranger Field Marketing (205) 601-8440 www.roadranger.com

Ancra International, LLC (334) 306-4372 www.ancra.com

Messerschmidt Safety Consulting (205) 444-0071 www.mscrecon.com

Dothan Tarpaulin Products, Inc. (800) 844-8277 www.dothantarp.com

National Trucking Safety Consultants, LLC (850) 939-8926 www.expertwitness.com/brown

Fleet Air Technologies, Inc. (256) 754-0034 www.fleetairtech.com

Trucking Partners, LLC (256) 737-8788 www.truckingpartners.com

42

Thermo King of B’ham-Thermo King of Montgomery-Thermo King of Dothan (205) 591-2424 www.midstatetk.com W.W. Williams (205) 252-9025 (334) 279-6083 www.wwwilliams.com

FleetPride, Inc. (205) 322-5621 www.fleetpride.com Imperial Supplies LLC (920) 494-7474 www.imperialsupplies.com

Regions Insurance, Inc. (501) 661-4880 www.regions.com

Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, LLC (256) 739-0312 www.wakm.com

Regions Insurance/Barksdale Bonding (334) 808-9441 www.barksdalebonding.com

Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc. (615) 587-9032 www.wellsfargo.com INSURANCE AON – Trucking Practice (501) 374-9300 www.aon.com

Zurich (800) 553-3055 www.zurichna.com/zdu

The Baxter Agency (334) 678-6800 www.baxteragency.com BB & T Insurance Services (912) 201-4706

MEDICAL/DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICES Alabama Specialty Clinic (256) 736-1460 www.ascoccupationalhealth.com

Benton & Parker Insurance Services (770) 536-8340 www.bentonandparker.com

Carlisle Medical, Inc. (251) 344-7988 www.carlislemedical.com

Comdata (615) 370-7778

Liberty Mutual Group (804) 380-5169

People’s Capital & Leasing Corp.

(205) 856-9354 www.peoples.com People’s United Equipment Finance Corp.

(205) 664-9374 www.financialfederal.com

Trans Con Assurance, LTD (205) 978-7070

Avizent (205) 581-9283 www.avizentrisk.com

Johnson-Locklin & Associates (205) 980-8008 www.johnson-locklin.com

KSM Transport Advisors, LLC (317) 580-2324 www.ksmta.com

Sentry Insurance (800) 610-4888 www.sentry.com

Turner & Hamrick L.L.C. (334) 566-7665 www.turnerhamrick.com

BBVA Compass (205) 297-3349 www.bbvacompass.com

GE Capital Solutions aka GE Commercial Finance Transportation Finance-Morrow, GA (770) 960-6307 www.getransfin.com

Reliance Partners, Inc. (877) 668-1704 www.reliancepartners.com

Aronov Insurance, Inc. (205) 907-9622 www.aronovinsurance.com

ESCORT SERVICE ESTATE AND BUSINESS PLANNING Caribou Insurance Agency, Inc. Christian & Small LLP (205) 822-7577 (205) 795-6588 www.caribouins.com www.csattorneys.com Cobbs, Allen & Hall (205) 414-8100 www.cobbsallenhall.com FINANCIAL SERVICES Aliant Bank Cottingham and Butler (334) 270-3000 (407) 850-0896 www.aliantbank.com www.cottinghambutler.com BancorpSouth Bank Great West Casualty Co. (205) 437-2705 (865) 670-6573 www.bancorpsouthonline.com www.gwccnet.com BancorpSouth Equipment Finance Hudgens Insurance, Inc. (205) 422-7111 (334) 289-2695 www.bxsequipmentfinance.com

EQUIPMENT PARTS/ACCESSORIES Freight Capital Airgas Specialty Products - DEF (800) 775-0391 (205) 515-5498 www.freightcapital.com www.airgasDEF.com

JP Transportation Safety Consulting, LLC (205) 329-8182 (205) 329-8183 www.jptsc.com

Transportation Safety Services (251) 661-9700 www.transportationsafetyservices.com

Southern Truck & Equipment, Inc. (251) 653-4716 www.southerntruck.net

Power Funding (256) 606-1546 www.powerfundingltd.com

Employers Drug Program Mgmt., Inc. (205) 326-3100 www.edpm.com ErgoScience, Inc. (205) 879-6447 www.ergoscience.com J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com Safety First-Div. of Behavioral Health Systems (205) 443-5450 www.bhs-inc.com PETROLEUM PRODUCTS Jack Green Oil Co., Inc. (256) 831-1038 Major Oil Company, Inc. (334) 263-9070 www.unitedfoodandfuel.com

Liberty Truck Insurance (205) 322-6695 Marvin Johnson & Associates, Inc. (812) 372-0841 www.mjai.com McGriff, Siebels & Williams, Inc. (205) 252-9871 www.mcgriff.com Joe Morten & Sons, Inc. (865) 670-6544 www.joemorten.com S. S. Nesbitt (205) 262-2620 www.ssnesbitt.com

The McPherson Companies, Inc. (888) 802-7500 www.mcphersonoil.com W.H. Thomas Oil Co., Inc. (205) 755-2610 www.whthomasoil.com PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Accounting Firms: Aldridge, Borden & Co. (334) 834-6640 www.aldridgeborden.com Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP (317) 580-2068 www.ksmcpa.com

Palomar Insurance Corp.

(334) 270-0105 www.palomarinsurance.com

Attorneys: Albrittons, Clifton, Alverson, Moody & Bowden P.C. (334) 222-3177 www.albrittons.com

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

Guide Austill, Lewis & Pipkin, P.C. (205) 870-3767 www.maplaw.com Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C. (205) 328-0480 www.bakerdonelson.com Ball, Ball, Matthews & Novak, P.A. 334-387-7680 www.ball-ball.com Carr, Allison, Pugh, Howard, Oliver & Sisson (800) 582-3793 www.carrallison.com Christian & Small, LLP (205) 795-6588 www.csattorneys.com

(as of June 13, 2011

George L. Edwards & Assoc.

(334) 745-5166

Carrier Transicold South (404) 968-3130 www.ctsouth.com

Fontaine Fifth Wheel NA (205) 421-4300 www.fifthwheel.com

Mack Trucks, Inc. (678) 201-4770 www.macktrucks.com

J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com

Carroll Truck Repair, Inc. (205) 983-3375

Great Dane Trailers (205) 324-3491 www.greatdanetrailers.com

Neely Coble Co. (256) 350-1630 www.neelycoble.com

Jeffers Trucking, Inc. (205) 808-1112

Childersburg Truck Service, Inc. (256) 378-3101 www.childersburg-truck.com

JP Transportation Safety Consulting, LLC (205) 329-8182 (205) 329-8183 www.jptsc.com

Gulf City Body & Trailer Works, Inc. (251) 438-5521 www.gulfcity.com

Nextran Truck Center – Bham (205) 322-2534 www.nextrancorp.com

Coffman International Trucks (334) 794-4111 www.coffmaninternationaltrucks.com

Gulf Coast Truck & Equipment Co. (251) 476-2744 www.gulfcoasttruck.com

Peterbilt of Montgomery & B’ham LLC (205) 617-1021 www.peterbilttruckcenters.com

R C Trailer Sales & Service Co., Inc. (205) 680-0924 www.rctrailersales.net

Peterbilt Motors Co. (615) 208-1800 www.peterbilt.com

Lazzari Truck Repair, Inc. (251) 626-5121

Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com

Premier Truck Centers, Inc. (205) 841-4450 www.premiertrucks.com

Metro Trailer Repair Co., Inc. (205) 323-2877 www.metrotrailer.net

Star Leasing Co. (205) 763-1280 www.starleasing.com

Rush Truck Center-Mobile (251) 459-7300 www.rushofmobile.com

Rowe Management Corp.

(205) 486-9235 www.rowemachinery.com

Tennessee Valley Recycling LLC (256) 353-6351 www.tvrllc.com

Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com

Star Leasing Co. (205) 763-1280 www.starleasing.com

Transport Trailer Center (334) 299-3573

Taylor & Martin, Inc. (662) 262-4613 www.taylorandmartin.com

McLeod Software Corp.

(205) 823-5100 www.mcleodsoftware.com Mobile Asphalt Co., LLC (251) 408-0770

DeLashmet & Marchand, P.C. (251) 433-1577 www.delmar-law.com

Motor Carrier Safety Consulting (205) 871-4455

Ferguson, Frost & Dodson, LLP (205) 879-8722 www.ffdlaw.com

Payroll Management, Inc. (800) 243-5604 www.pmipeo.com

Fisher & Phillips, LLP (404) 231-1400 www.laborlawyers.com

Power South Energy Cooperative (334) 427-3207 www.powersouth.com

Friedman, Leak, Dazzio, Zulanas & Bowling, P.C. (205) 278-7000 www.friedmanleak.com

Quality Vehicle Processing, LLC (205) 507-2758

Haskell, Slaughter, Young & Rediker, LLC (205) 251-1000 www.hsy.com Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart (205) 328-1900 www.ogletreedeakins.com James M. Sizemore, Jr. (256) 409-1985 Webster, Henry, Lyons, White, Bradwell & Black, P.C. (334) 264-9472 www.websterhenry.com Zieman, Speegle, Jackson & Hoffman LLC (251) 694-1700 www.ziemanspeegle.com Other Services: ACS Expedited Solutions (800) 489-4585 www.acsexpeditedsolutions.com ACS State and Local Solutions, Inc. (931) 520-7170 www.prepass.com Ahern & Associates LTD (602) 242-1030 www.ahern-LTD.com Ball & McGough Engineering, LLC (205) 345-6399 www.ballandmcgough.com Best Drivers (205) 916-0259 www.bestdrivers.com Direct ChassisLink (704) 571-2618 www.chassislink.com The Earl Dove Co., LLC (334) 793-7117

Securance Group, Inc. (334) 272-1200 www.securancegroup.com

Eufaula Trucking Co., Inc. (334) 687-0391 H & M Trailer Repair, Inc. (334) 262-0692

W.W. Williams (205) 252-9025 (334) 279-6083 www.wwwilliams.com

Spectrum Environmental Services, Inc. (205) 664-2000 TIRE DEALERS & MANUFACTURERS www.specenviro.com Best-One Tire & Service (615) 785-2834 ThinkTrade, Inc. www.bestonetire.com (866) 245-3918 www.thinktradeinc.com Bridgestone/Bandag Tire Solutions (800) 681-6245 TMW Systems, Inc. www.trucktires.com (216) 831-6606 www.tmwsystems.com Butler Industrial Tire Center, Inc. (334) 376-0178 Transportation Billing Solutions, LLC (205) 788-4000 GCR Tire Centers (205) 914-6818 Transportation Compliance Services, USA Integrated Waste Services, LLC (228) 872-7160 (205) 620-5812 www.dottrucksafety.com McGriff Tire Co. Transportation Safety Services (256) 739-0710 (251) 661-9700 www.mcgriffindustries.com www.transportationsafetyservices.com McGriff Treading Co., Inc. Transportation Support, Inc. (256) 734-4298 (205) 833-6336 www.mcgriffindustries.com www.transportationsupport.com Michelin North America, Inc. Trucking Partners, LLC (864) 201-6177 (256) 737-8788 www.michelintruck.com www.truckingpartners.com Snider Tire, Inc. Welborn & Associates, Inc. (404) 361-0130 (423) 822-1608 www.snidertire.com www.transportcap.com Wilks Tire & Battery Service, Inc. Repairs: (256) 878-0211 Big Moe Spring & Alignment of www.wilkstire.com B’ham, Inc. (205) 780-0290 TRAILER DEALERS/ Birmingham Frame & Alignment, LLC MANUFACTURERS (205) 322-4844 C & C Trailers, Inc. birminghamframeandalignment.com (334) 897-2202 Carl Carson Truck Center, Inc. (205) 592-9966 www.carlcarson.com

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011

Empire Truck Sales, LLC (601) 939-1000 www.empiretruck.com

Utility Trailer Sales of Alabama LLC (334) 794-7345 www.utilityalabama.com TRUCK DEALERS, MANUFACTURERS Action Truck Center (334) 794-8505 www.actiontruckcenter.com

Volvo Trucks North America (336) 393-2975 www.volvotrucks.volvo.com Ward International Trucks, LLC (251) 433-5616 www.wardintltrucks.com

Capital Volvo Truck & Trailer (334) 262-8856 www.capitalvolvo.com

TRUCK & EQUIPMENT AUCTIONEERS Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (770) 304-3355 www.rbauction.com

Coffman International Trucks (334) 794-4111 www.coffmaninternationaltrucks.com

Taylor & Martin, Inc. (662) 262-4613 www.taylorandmartin.com

Empire Truck Sales, LLC (601) 939-1000 www.empiretruck.com Four Star Freightliner (334) 263-1085 (Montgomery) www.alabamafreightliner.com

TRUCKSTOPS Love’s Travel Stops, Inc. (405) 202-4451 www.loves.com Oasis Travel Center, LLC (251) 960-1148

Freightliner Trucks/Daimler Trucks North America (770) 963-1460 www.freightlinertrucks.com

Pilot Flying J Centers (865) 207-3219 www.pilotflyingj.com

International Truck & Engine Corp./Navistar (813) 382-3113 www.internationaldelivers.com

Travel Centers of America/Petro Stopping Centers (404) 231-4142 www.tatravelcenters.com

Kenworth of Alabama (205) 326-6170 www.kenworthofalabama.com Kenworth of Huntsville, Inc. (256) 308-0162 www.kenworthofalabama.com Liberty Truck Sales, Inc. (205) 322-6695 www.libertytrucksales.com Long-Lewis Sterling Truck Sales (205) 428-6241 www.longlewistrucks.com

VEHICLE LEASING National Semi-Trailer Corp.

(205) 520-0050 www.nationalsemi.com Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Ward International Trucks, LLC (251) 433-5616 www.wardintltrucks.com

43

Resolution in Recognition of the Exemplary Service of Mrs. Gail Cooper WHEREAS, Gail Cooper served as Chairman of the Board of the Alabama Trucking Association for the Year 2010-2011 with honor and distinction; and WHEREAS, the Association has continued to advance truck safety as its primary objective resulting in a decline of truck crashes; and WHEREAS, member sponsorship and participation in the Association’s major events rebounded as compared to its previous three year period during the recession; and WHEREAS, the Association’s political action committees increased its 2010 campaign contributions to pro-business candidates three-fold as compared to its 2006 support efforts; and WHEREAS, ATA’s political action committee helped elect a business majority in the State Legislature, maintained a consecutive state court, and elected a pro-business Governor; and WHEREAS, ATA exceeded its annual financial objectives preserving the future prosperity of the Association; and WHEREAS, she has shown exemplary talent in building member consensus while performing her responsibilities as the Association’s Chief Elected Officer, and WHEREAS, she served as a commendable spokesperson for the Alabama trucking industry; and WHEREAS, the Alabama Trucking Association and Alabama trucking industry grew in stature and distinction under her leadership: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Directors of the Alabama Trucking Association extends its heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to Gail Cooper for her distinguished service and devotion to Alabama’s trucking industry; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the ATA Board of Directors Meeting on this 28th day of June Two Thousand and Eleven.

Signed:

Bill Ward

Bill Ward Chairman of the Board, FY 2011-2012 Alabama Trucking Association

44

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2011