Alabama Trucker, 3rd Quarter 2012 by Alabama Trucking Association

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Officers Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jack Brim Vice Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kevin Savoy Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bruce MacDonald Immediate Past Chairman . . . . . . .Bill Ward

ALABAMA TRUCKER

ATA Board of Directors Dennis Bailey, Robert Barnett, Aubrey Baugh, Rhonda Bees, Gary Bond, Ray Brock, Greg Brown, Will Bruser, Mike Callahan, Dan Carmichael, Fenn Church, Mark Coffman, Jeff Coleman, John Collier, Rodger Collins, Driscoll Colquett, Brent Cook, Gail Cooper, Al Cox, Jerry Davis, Ronny Davis, Phil DeSimone, Joe Donald, Edmund Doss, Mack Dove, Russ Elrod, Dean Flint, Jack Fricks, Clay Halla, Terry Kilpatrick, Jason King, Mark Knotts, Jerry Kocan, Drew Linn, Alan Love, Jeff McGrady, 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, Bill Scruggs, Harold Sorrells, Ronnie Stephenson, Paul Storey, James Suttles, Wayne Watkins, Bill Watson, Scott White, David Wildberger, Skip Williams, T.J. Willings, Keith Wise.

N S I D E

H I S

S S U E

Ready to Lead

The Alabama Trucking Association tapped Jack Brim, an executive for the Oxford, Ala.based B.R. Williams Trucking Inc., to serve as its top elected official for fiscal year 2013. Brim brings a wealth of experience to the Association, delivering everything you want from a leader: a personable, honest executive, who understands fully the needs of the industry from truck cab to executive office.

Game Day Haulers

Just as choreographed and practiced as a power sweep, bubble screen or quarterback draw, so goes the work of a small army of long-haul truckers and equipment managers who bring equipment and gear required for victory by the state’s powerhouse football programs.

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

ATA WCSIF Staff

E P A R T M E N T S

President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 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

Safety Insights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SMMC Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Trucking News Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Buyers’ Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ATA Events and New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Published quarterly by the Alabama Trucking Assn., P.O. Box 242337, Montgomery, AL 36124-2337. ADVERTISING RATES: Quoted upon request.

Alabama Trucking Association

Alabama Trucking Association 334-834-3983 • A LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2012

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From the President

Celebrating ATA’s Diamond Jubilee Year Frank Filgo, CAE President and CEO Alabama Trucking Association

‘We intend to showcase a year of safety, service, and advocacy that our members have become accustomed to.’

ext calendar year, the Alabama Trucking Association commemorates its 75th anniversary. Under the leadership of ATA Chairman of the Board Jack Brim (B.R. Williams Trucking), we plan to celebrate this landmark occasion by ensuring that the accomplishments of our Diamond Anniversary year will be exceptional. What follows is a summary of just a few of this year’s celebration activities and events. We begin October 2, in Prattville, Ala. for ATA Golf Classic. Tournament Chairman Rusty Spouse (B&G Supply Co.) and his committee are working to make this year’s golf outing the best ever. I’m very pleased to inform you that we expect a record turnout, with proceeds funding the Association’s political action committee, TRUK-PAC. Our goal is to have a million dollar PAC for the 2016 elections. At the half way point of this four-year election cycle, ATA is assured of having at least a half a million PAC dollars in hand. The sponsors of the 2012 ATA Golf Classic deserve our deepest gratitude for that achievement. On the public policy front, ATA is putting the finishing touches on 2013 legislation to eliminate property taxes on trucks involved in interstate commerce. The advantages include: One-stop-shopping (Alabama Dept. of Revenue) for registrations; elimination of property tax forms and submissions; reduction of registration fees in proportion to out-of-state miles; and termination of taxation based on the appraised value of vehicles. For companies that run significant miles

outside the state, the end result should be a tax decrease. Members are asked to stay tuned to learn how they can help pass this important legislation. As for ATA’s 75th Annual Convention, scheduled for April 15-18, 2013, your Convention Committee under the leadership of ATA Vice Chairman Kevin Savoy (Greenbush Logistics) is putting an exceptional meeting together. The goal is to make our Diamond Jubilee celebration one that you will not want to miss. Plans involve nationally recognized speakers and entertainers, fireworks, dueling pianos, great golf, videos and much more. All members are invited to help make this the most attended ATA Convention. Also in the planning stages is the development of a new Association Web site design with added online networking capabilities. Our intent is to create an online community benefiting the members and the Association. Increased interactivity with our members will improve the member service delivery, promotion of events, and an improved grassroots lobbying effort. Simply put: ATA aspires to stay in touch with our members’ needs. ATA is thankful for all its members who have built the Association into what it is today. We celebrate them for their efforts and dedication to industry excellence. To show our appreciation, we intend to showcase a year of safety, service, and advocacy that our members have become accustomed to. Thank you for your continued support of the Alabama Trucking Association.

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Jack Brim (left) accepts the Chairman’s gavel from outgoing Chairman Bill Ward.

A Trucker’s Trucker Jack Brim has everything you want in a chairman: a personable, honest executive who understands fully the needs of the trucking industry from truck cab to executive office. Written and Compiled By Ford Boswell OXFORD, Ala. ast July, the Alabama Trucking Association tapped Jack Brim, an executive for the Oxford, Ala.-based B.R.

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Williams Trucking Inc., to serve as its top elected official for fiscal year 2013. Brim, a 40-year veteran of the industry, now serving as Vice President of Operations for B.R. Williams, replaced outgoing Chairman of the Board, Bill Ward of Ward Inter-

national Trucks at a ceremony at the Association’s headquarters in Montgomery. In his acceptance speech, Brim identified several goals for the Association, including increasing membership numbers; increasing the involvement of existing members in AsA LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2012

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sociation events and industry initiatives; and further solidifying the Association’s standing as the state’s preeminent voice for industry safety. “It is my privilege to serve this great Association, and I want to commend our leadership board for their commitment to Alabama’s trucking community,” he said. “I also want to acknowledge that I am filling some very big shoes and pledge to continue building upon the great work of recent past Chairmen like Bill Ward and Gail Cooper (of Boyd Bros. Transportation), among many others. It is such an honor for me to serve this Association.” Brim added that those men and women have made the Association, and trucking in general, stronger with their leadership and dedication to excellence. He also acknowledged the influence from several mentors in the trucking industry he has worked with in his four decades of trucking. “I am blessed to work with some wonderful people at B.R. Williams,” he said. “The Williams family has given me every opportunity to grow as a trucking professional, and I am truly thankful for that.” Association President & CEO Frank Filgo calls Brim an outstanding choice to lead the state’s trucking community. “Jack’s experience and personality will serve this Association very well,” he says. “His company is among the most respected trucking and warehousing operations in the state. He knows what trucking businesses need from their Association.” What follows are Chairman Brim’s thoughts and ideas for this great Association, as he begins his tenure as the state trucking industry’s top elected official.

Q&A with 2012-13 ATA Chairman Jack Brim What led you to the trucking industry, and what made your decision to make a career of it? Forty-one years ago at the age of 16, I was given a great opportunity to go to work for United Parcel Service (UPS) while still in high school. My uncle, Turner Brim, was a trucking executive and helped open a door for me at UPS part time, and later at Smith Transfer as a full-time employee. Once I was given the opportunity to become part of the trucking industry, I knew that with hard work and determination I could be successful.

What trucking positions have you held and in what capacity? After working for UPS, as a part-time loader and sorter, I moved on to Smith’s Transfer in Nashville on the docks and then as a city driver in 1976. In 1981, I was given a great opportunity by Ron Burr, terminal manager with Smith’s, to go into their management training program. Subsequently, I was made the Dock Supervisor and City Dispatcher. In 1983, I was promoted to terminal operations manager. In 1985, I was given another great opportunity to join the B. R. Williams Trucking family in Dispatch/Operations. I did that for four years until I became Operations Manager for the terminal. In 1998, I became Vice President of Operations and remain in that position

Jack Brim Age: 57 Hometown: Born and raised in Donelson, Tenn.; now resides in Weaver, Ala. Spouse: Janice Kaye (Jan), 31 years. Children: Jennifer Leigh and Julia Ann Education: Graduated 1974 from McGavock High School in Donelson, Tenn. Organizations: Active member First Baptist Church Saks; Board of Directors Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce; Board of Directors United Way East Central Alabama, Inc.; Past Chairman of Board Leadership Calhoun County; and a Board Member of the Alabama Trucking Association for five Years. Hobbies: Hunting, golf and traveling

Chairman Brim and family from left: wife, Jan, and daughters Jennifer and Julia A LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2012

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today. I feel very fortunate to be a member of B.R. Williams Trucking’s management team. Working with company President Greg Brown; Kaye Williams Perry, Vice President; Dee Williams Brown, Treasurer; and of course, Bill Watson, who retired from B.R. Williams a few years ago, has been an incredible experience. I’ve learned so much working here. This company is full of very dedicated people.

Tell us about your activities with the Alabama Trucking Association? Well, since B.R. Williams Trucking is an active member of the Association, I really got acquainted with its activities on day one. Mr. Watson, who served as ATA Chairman in 2005, began to take a leadership role in the Association, and I became more involved through him. I began by serving on numerous committees and after Mr. Watson’s retirement, I also became the principal membership representative for B.R. Williams Trucking on the ATA roster. I owe the trucking industry, and the best way to do pay-back is by working through the Association to improve the trucking climate.

In your opinion, what are the Association’s best attributes?

Brim visits with his mentor, former ATA Chairman and B.R. Williams executive, Bill Watson in 2005. According to Brim, the two were inseparable until Watson’s retirement in 2008. The men even shared an office for a couple of years.

plan and is recognized as being one of the best managed workers’ comp funds that there is.

How can the Association improve? We have great members, and our leadership board has among its ranks some of the most talented trucking executives in the country. But with that said, I really would like to see the Association’s roster increase. To me, it seems the more companies we have involved, the more effective we can be at achieving our goals. But, an ideal situation would be for every existing member to become fully involved. I would guess that every organization has members who are very active and then those

who are not. If we can just increase member participation by a few percentage points, then we will have increased our potential.

What are your goals for your stint as head of the ATA?

At the end of my year as Chairman, I would like to look back at my tenure and That’s easy. It’s the people – the membersay that in some small way, I made the ship and staff. Alabama truckers are characAssociation stronger. teristically fiscal conservatives, devoted to I think ATA is already headed in the their family, and are true patriots. Every right direction. I just want to help speed the time I’m around the ATA leadership, I am process. Our political clout has increased just so proud to be associated with such substantially, and that’s because we have good, well-intentioned people. built a generously funded political action Another factor is that ATA is a member committee (TRUK-PAC). We have begun driven organization. It represents the sum to play offense rather than just defense total (mission and polices) within the legislative arena. of its trucking company We just need to keep our members. Members deternose to the grind. mine its policies, and we As far as education and have an experienced staff training, member compathat puts those policies into nies can participate in the action. ATA Safety and MainteFurthermore, the Associnance Management Council ation has a great working (SMMC). Many ATA relationship with our public member firms participate in its events, but we would like policy makers and state and to see more participation. federal regulators. That’s a relationship that we continThroughout the year, I ue to build. will be making personal visI also think one of the its to existing and potential members to encourage best ATA membership opmember participation. We portunities is the availability to participate in the ATA have a great association, and Workers’ Comp Fund. The increased member particiBrim says he is grateful for the talented men and women who served as ATA Chairman before him. Fund provides a stable, afpation and involvement will Above, he honors last year’s Chairman Bill Ward during last summer’s Officer Installation. fordable workers’ comp make it better. 6

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Go Team Go! Alabama truckers move college football’s biggest names

By Dan Shell

ig time Southern football home games are pure pageantry and emotion: It’s show time on the biggest stages in college sports as rivals take to the field before tens of thousands of rabid fans in multi-million dollar stadiums screaming their throats raw while competing armies of tailgaters surround the venue glued to portable TVs watching the action while cel-

ebrating victory or drowning defeat. Yet to make it all possible there has to be a visiting team—and the visitors have to come fully prepared for any contingency, much like an army on the march. To make it all possible, the unseen heroes are the long-haul truckers and equipment managers who bring the equipment and gear required for a successful campaign. (Four sets of cleats for every player depending on weather and turf conditions? Got ’em.)

It’s a major effort, to be sure, and it’s just as choreographed and practiced as a power sweep, bubble screen or quarterback draw at Alabama’s major college football in-state universities. “For us, every game is a road trip,” says Brian Coutras, UAB equipment manager, noting that his team doesn’t have an oncampus stadium and even home games require moving equipment four miles across town to Legion Field and back.

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Auburn hauler John Chase says Arkansas, Florida stadiums are toughest drop-offs in the SEC.

The university works with Don Hire and Armstrong Relocation in Alabaster for its football equipment moves and any other shipping or relocation needs the school has. One way the football equipment staff gets a jump on the process is to load the front of the trailer with equipment that may not be needed for every game, so it doesn’t have to be unloaded each week. “Cold weather gear goes in the nose, plus stuff we don’t use on a daily basis like fans,

sideline communication gear or rain parkas,” Coutras says. “Then we work our way towards the back with the stuff we need every game.” Working with Armstrong Relocation, which also handles some of UAB’s other moving needs for staff and coaches, is a good relationship, he adds. Armstrong also handled the university logo and wrapping for the UAB trailer. “Football is a different animal than the other sports, where most of

the players carry their own gear in a duffle bag or carry-on,” Coutras adds. At Auburn University, Dana Marquez, equipment manager, notes that for every road game the staff packs 21 trunks, each weighing at least 300 lbs., in addition to other gear. “We start loading miscellaneous items on Wednesday, we really start packing on Thursday, and on Friday mornings we’re up at 7 a.m. and we’re out of here,” he says. Marquez says it takes about 45 minutes to

Driver Jack Vickers handles University of Alabama equipment moves—and has done so for years. According to officials for Coleman World Group, the truck and trailer’s provider, Vickers, a huge Bama fan, will likely never relinquish the job and may have to eventually be pried from behind the steering wheel.

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reload the truck after every game, and when it gets back it’s completely unloaded. “Some people use their trailers as storage units, but I like to get everything off,” he says. “With apparel, especially here in the South, the humidity will eat those things up.” If the loading and unloading represents a lot of behind the scenes grunt work by athletic department staff, perhaps the glamorous job is reserved for the drivers, who get to roll down the road at the wheel of a “travelling billboard” decorated with team logos, national championship graphics and other university and sponsor decals. Both the University of Alabama and Troy University use Covan World Group’s Coleman American division in Midland City for their road game equipment moves. Tony Bridges, who handles sales and marketing for Covan, says driver Jack Vickers, who drives for the Crimson Tide’s equipment moves and has done so for years, likely will never relinquish the job and may have to eventually be pried from behind the steering wheel. “He’s a big Alabama fan, and he takes a lot of pride in it and feels like he’s part of the Alabama family along with the staff,” Bridges says. Of course, getting sideline passes to two national championship games in the past three years is a fringe benefit that most big rig drivers can only dream about. “He gets a field pass, and he’s considered part of the game day staff on the sidelines, and they take good care of him,” Bridges says. Though he may have to leave the sidelines in the third quarter to begin prepping for the load-out, Vickers has had a great run the past few years, with trips to Pasadena and New Orleans, Happy Valley in Pennsylvania to play Penn State, and Dallas earlier this fall. “He’s had some pretty good, long trips, but being a big Alabama fan, he loves it,” Bridges says. John Chase of Jag Trucking in Opelika, who grew up an Auburn fan and has handled Auburn’s away game moves since 2004, agrees with Bridges and says he considers himself the most fortunate Auburn fan in the world. “To get to be there and have a sideline pass and experience it all, it’s a very rewarding job,” he says. Yet while some people may think the job is easy, “There’s a good bit of pressure involved—and you hate to even imagine not arriving,” Chase says. “I don’t relax until I pull into the stadium.” In fact, the unimaginable almost happened when Auburn was headed to Glen10

Bama driver Jack Vickers is considered part of the game day staff.

dale, Ariz. for the BCS national championship game in early 2011 and Chase blew an engine in Las Cruces, NM on New Year’s Day. However, he was able to get help almost immediately, and the equipment was back on its way with only a few hours lost. And even when the road trip itself goes smoothly, which is usually the case, there are plenty of challenges remaining, especial-

ly when it comes to getting a 50+ foot trailer and tractor into a stadium on a crowded campus. It’s definitely not your average warehouse drop-off. Chase says the various SEC stadium venues and loading and unloading procedures are well known to team drivers, with Arkansas and Florida being two of the toughest. At Arkansas, the stadium is simply not

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Signs Etc. in Dothan does wrapping/decal work for both Troy and Alabama.

built to handle big tractor-trailer rigs, he says. “You have a blind back-up down a one-lane road, and it takes some skill.” Florida’s stadium in Gainesville is also a big challenge: “You’re going down into a hole, and backing through an S turn under a crosswalk,” he says. “You have to jump two curbs to do it, and the drivers always kid each other about it, but that’s the only way to get it done.”

The Georgia Dome in Atlanta is also a tough stadium to get into, Chase says, adding that Ole Miss and Kentucky are two of the easiest stadium drop-offs. With such rabid fan bases following SEC football, there’s also the question of security. Chase teams with driver Randy Rogers on Auburn’s equipment moves, and one of the two is always with the truck. During one Tiger Walk at a recent away game,

Chase even had to shoo away Auburn fans who were climbing all over the truck for a better view. He’s also had to deal with stadium security teams that have run bombsniffing dogs around and through the tractor and trailer. Rolling down the road flying the visiting team’s colors you get more than a few reactions from the locals, Chase says, noting the cap waving, t-shirt pointing and occasional creative hand gestures the Auburn truck received a few weeks ago when travelling through Tuscaloosa to get to Starkville for the Mississippi State game. Perhaps the ultimate local reaction Chase has seen came years back when Auburn was travelling home from Orlando after a tough loss in the Capital One Bowl. The official Auburn University contingent was driving in a long caravan, and Chase’s rig was bringing up the rear. Late at night going through Webster County in south Georgia the blue lights flashed, and Chase’s rig was pulled over. Auburn’s state trooper escort turned to help, but the local cops sent the trooper back to catch up with the caravan. The Georgia cop took his time, filled out the ticket and sent Chase on his way. Being frustrated and way behind late at night, Chase says it wasn’t until hours later that he and his driver took a close look at the ticket. It turns out the Georgia cop hadn’t even signed the ticket—making it null and void—and in place of his signature had simply written: “GO DAWGS!” “I’ve still got that ticket, and I still laugh about it,” Chase says.

Outfits such as Covan Worldwide and its Coleman World Group division in Midland City handle more than just football equipment for Troy University and the University of Alabama, including moves for non-athletic staff and other hauling needs.

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SAFETY & MAINTENANCE Safety Insights

“SMMC, what’s in it for me?”

E Tim Frazier, CDS ATA Director of Safety and Member Services

‘To be able to learn from folks who go all the way back to the deregulation days of trucking, has provided many do’s and don’ts that helped my career.’

arly in my career, living in another state, I had my first exposure to a safety and maintenance council. As a maintenance director I had heard of the safety council, but didn’t realize it was made up of safety and maintenance professionals. I attended my first meeting of the Arkansas Trucking Association Safety & Maintenance Management Council back in 1991, and thus began a 20plus-year road of PARTICIPATION. I soon realized it was going to be a wealth of knowledge that could not be learned in the classroom or from books. Through the years, I’ve been exposed to some of the best safety and maintenance professionals in the industry while attending council meetings, truck driving championships, training events and many other activities. When my family and I moved back to Alabama in the mid-1990s, I soon became involved in the Alabama Trucking Association’s SMMC. It has been through this continued avenue that I’ve had the opportunity to learn valuable information from some of the best of the best. To be able to learn from folks who go all the way back to the deregulation days of trucking, has provided many do’s and don’ts that helped my career. That stated, you might ask the question, “What’s in it for me” if I join and PARTICIPATE in the SMMC? I believe I can share even more information than I discussed in the previous comments that will help you understand. One of the most valuable tools in our profession, whether it is safety or maintenance, is to be able to network with fellow professionals who may actually know something about a particular situation that you don’t. I’ve seen many situations where two, three, even four or five folks gather before or after a meeting to discuss an issue of concern. It’s great to hear in these conversations someone say ‘what would you do” or “how did you handle this type issue”. It’s even

better when you see a “new guy or gal” seek out information from one of our more “seasoned” folks. This often provides an avenue for a relationship that continues many years. We are able to discuss everything from Hours of Service, CSA, tires, engines, regulations — and the list goes on and on. We have the opportunity to hear from some of the most knowledgeable experts in our industry on any given topic. It’s a pleasure to hear from our FMCSA partners and the state Motor Carrier Unit throughout the years regarding regulatory issues we face or changes coming in the days ahead. When you have the opportunity to hear information that will save lives, cut costs, and even increase profits, I assure you your senior management folks will be encouraged by your PARTICIPATION. My goal in this article is to encourage more of our safety and maintenance professionals to become active, PARTICIPATING members of our SMMC councils. We now have three councils covering the state from north to south. With chapters in Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile, you have access to PARTICIPATE in or very near your area. I realize we are all busy and our industry requires a lot of hours and hard work, but I promise you will benefit greatly from being involved in one of the SMMC chapters. Our Association has a great deal to offer its members. Involvement is very inexpensive (often times free), and you will benefit from your membership. If you are interested in helping your company succeed in a business that requires top notch performance, then you need to become an active, PARTICIPATING member of the SMMC. The opportunity to hear and learn from the best of the best will only increase your success. Did you happen to notice the word PARTICIPATING mentioned in this article once or twice?

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MANAGEMENT COUNCIL NEWS FMCSA sets December date for CSA changes Many of the changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s safety ratings program announced earlier this year will be implemented in December, administrator Anne Ferro. FMCSA will rename the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program’s Cargo-Related Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category the Hazardous Materials Compliance BASIC, but only motor carriers and law enforcement officials will have access to carrier safety scores in that category for the first 12 months. Ferro said the CSA changes will allow the agency to sharpen its focus on which motor carriers and bus operators are most in need of agency intervention. “Our preliminary data shows that fatalities involving commercial vehicles dropped 4.7 percent last year compared to 2010,” Ferro said. “Still, on average, nearly 4,000 people die in large truck and bus crashes each year,” she said. “That is why we are implementing these important changes to make CSA even more effective.” The agency also will implement a planned change to include cargo-related violations in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC, Ferro said in a telephone news conference. In addition, she said the Fatigued Driving BASIC will become the Hours-of-Service Compliance BASIC. FMCSA also said it will remove 1-mphto-5-mph speeding violations to ensure cita-

NATMI certification ATA candidates for the North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) certified director of safety (CDS) accreditation. After completing a week’s worth classroom study at the Association’s headquarters in Montgomery last summer, candidates will develop and submit a presentation later this fall to complete their accreditation. ATA’s 2012 NATMI candidates from left, front row, Judson Bates of Cobbs, Allen & Hall; Darren Beard of Lockton Companies; Adam Amorose, LinkAmerica Corp.; and NATMI Instructor Mike Bedreaux. Back row, from left, Ronnie DeMonia, American Proteins; Avery Bain, ABC Transportation; and Scott Rankin, Industrial Warehouse Services.

tions are consistent with current speedometer regulations. While some of the adjustments the agency announced were responsive to motor carrier concerns, most were related to improving compliance rather than crash risk, said Rob Abbott, vice president of safety policy for American Trucking Associations. Separately, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said the announcement “shows that [FMCSA] is listening to what truckers have been saying and taking those things into consideration,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA’s executive vicepresident. But he added that “impatience from truckers should not be unexpected when a program has real-life consequences on professionals that know of no other way to do business but safely,” he said in a statement. —Transport Topics

834-3983 to reserve your spot at least a week in advance.

Calendar Birmingham Chapter Chapter meetings begin at 6 p.m. and, with the exception of the Safety Awards and Christmas Party, are usually held at the Bessemer Civic Center in Bessemer, Ala. Registration to attend meetings is required. Call Brandie Norcross at 334-

Oct. 18, 2012 Clanton Roadside Inspection Nov. 12, 2012 Regulatory Update Dec. 10, 2012 Christmas Celebration (Pelham Civic Center) Jan. 14, 2013 Driver Wellness/Agility Feb. 11, 2013 Electronic Recordkeeping

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Pre-employment screening program audits and fines take effect Boyd Stephenson, Manager of Safety Operations for the American Trucking Associations, says that FMCSA’s contractor administering the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) has begun enforcing the program’s required audit process this month. The PSP allows a motor carrier to view five years of crash data and three years of inspection reports for a prospective employee driver. As part of this process, motor carriers must get a signed release form from the driver and retain it for 3 years. FMCSA has also mandated language for the release form and placed it online at the PSP website. The PSP contractor will begin auditing carriers this month. If a carrier is selected, the PSP contractor, NIC Tech-

Wiregrass Chapter Chapter meetings begin at 3 p.m. and are usually held at the Association Headquarters in Montgomery, Ala. Registration to attend meetings is required. Call Brandie Norcross at 334-834-3983 to reserve your spot at least a week in advance. October No Meeting Nov. 15, 2012 Audit Role Play

Continued on page 16

Dec. 10, 2012 Christmas Party & Celebration (Pelham Civic Center) Jan. 17, 2013 DOT Update Feb. 14, 2013 PSP/DataQ

Gulf Coast Chapter October 11, 2012 Grand Bay Roadside Inspection This growing chapter meets quarterly. Meetings are held randomly throughout the quarter. For more information contact Randy Watson at randyw@ evergreentrans.com 15

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contact Stephenson at bstephenson@ trucking.org.

News nologies, will ask the carrier to produce up to three specific release forms for drivers whose PSP records that had been requested. National ATA advises motor carriers to remember that PSP searches are only allowed for prospective employees—not current ones—and that you must retain PSP paperwork for three years. Failing an audit can result in losing access to the PSP system and other penalties. For more information

Roadcheck 2012 Out-of-Service rates 2nd lowest on record Out-of-service rates both for drivers and for vehicles inspected during this year’s Roadcheck were the second lowest in the 25-year history of the safety event, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance recently announced. According to Transport Topics, slightly more than 95 percent of all truck and bus drivers passed inspections during the annual three-day stretch of stepped up commercial vehicle inspections through North America. Only 4.6 percent were placed out of service, CVSA said, trailing last year’s record low 4.2 percent out-of-service rate. Likewise, the overall out-of-service rate

for all vehicle inspections was 20.9 percent, compared with the record low of 19.3 percent set in 2011. CVSA also said the out-of-service rate for Level 1 inspections, the most comprehensive, declined to 22.4 percent, from 22.8 percent last year. “Out-of-service rate did uptick a little bit,” Stephen Keppler, CVSA’s executive director, told Transport Topics. “But historically, when you look at the program over its 25-year history, they’re still fairly low.” Out-of-service violations can range from brakes requiring adjustments to improperly inflated tires and broken suspensions, Keppler said. David Osiecki, senior vice president of policy and regulatory affairs for American Continued on page 20

Alabama driver wins Twins Class at National TDC Mike Umphrey, a Con-Way Freight professional driver from Decatur, Ala., won the Twins Class at the National Truck Driving Championships, held recently in Minneapolis, Minn. The 75th annual “Super Bowl of Safety” is sponsored by the American Trucking Associations. Umphrey bested 48 other drivers in his class with a combined score of 549 points, edging his closest competitor by 53 points. His was the third highest overall score of the competition. Meanwhile, Scott Ward, also of Con-way Umphrey Freight in Decatur, took third in the Straight Truck Class with a combined 463 points; and Gary Nuckolls of AAA Cooper made it to the finals in the Sleeper Berth Class, but missed securing a spot in the top three for a trophy. The competitionʼs overall high score came from Don Logan, a FedEx Freight professional truck driver from Topeka, Kan., who posted a whopping 645 points to earn the title of 2012 Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion. Loganʼs topped 425 other professional drivers from all across the U.S. Logan has logged 25 years as a professional truck driver, with more than 2.1 million miles behind the wheel. Don began competing in his state truck driving championships in 2006, and this year he made his sixth trip to the National Truck Driving Championships. This is the third win for Don at the national level, placing first in the three-axle class in 2009 and in the twins class in 2010. Don holds six state titles. The contestants were the state champions in nine truck types from all 50 states. Collectively, they have driven 604,122,031 accident-free miles. In their respective classes, drivers tested their expertise in the driving skills they use daily. The competition course inside the Minneapolis Convention Center challenged their knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. The skills course tested driversʼ ability to judge distances, maneuver tight spaces, reverse, park, and position their vehicle exactly over scales, before barriers or around curves. “The National Truck Driving Championships competitors are the best of the best – the safest, most skilled and most knowledgeable among professional drivers,” said

News

ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “I applaud all the competitors for their achievements and dedication to safety, and congratulate Don on his Grand Champion award which showcases his superior driving skill and commitment to safety.” Logan also won the individual flatbed truck driving competition. Joining Logan and Umphrey as champions in their respective classes were: Straight Truck: PA – Robert Dolan, Con-way Freight, Allentown, Pa. Three-Axle: MA – Roland Bolduc, FedEx Express, Windsor, Conn. Four-Axle: NE – Scott Stroup, YRC Freight, Omaha, Neb. Five-Axle: ID – Michael Grogan, Con-way Freight, Boise, Idaho Flatbed: KS – Donald Logan, FedEx Freight, Topeka, Kan. Tank Truck: KY - Brent Quire, Con-way Freight, Louisville, Ky. Sleeper Berth: PA – Leo Flack, A. Duie Pyle, Inc., West Chester, Pa. Step Van: Edward Gertz, FedEx Express, Londonderry, N.H. Robert Sutton, a driver for ABF Freight System, Inc. from Boise, Idaho, was named the 2012 National Rookie of the Year after competing in the Three-Axle division. Xata Corporation is the sponsor of the award. The Pennsylvania state truck driving championship team won honors as the highest scoring state team, followed by Washington and Georgia, respectively. This marks the 15th time Pennsylvania has won the state trophy, the first dating back to 1956. Logan also won the Vehicle Condition Award, one of the longest running NTDC awards. The Vehicle Condition Award recognizes the contestant who has proven – during this competition – that he or she has a thorough understanding of equipment, an extraordinary ability to inspect and evaluate a truckʼs condition, and unequivocal commitment to safety. Biodiesel: Americaʼs Advanced Biofuel was the sponsor of the award. Denis Litalien, a driver for Clifford W. Perham, Inc., from Wells, Maine, was awarded the Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award. Litalien participated in the Five-Axle competition. Marking his 20th year as a volunteer at the state level and 14 years at the national level, Jack Taylor was awarded the Life-Time Volunteer Award. Truck Writers was the sponsor of the Life-Time Volunteer Award.

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News Trucking Associations, called the latest numbers encouraging. “Both the enforcement community and the trucking industry should share in the credit for the continued positive trend in violation reduction and, more importantly, the historically low crash rates,” Osiecki said. Law enforcement inspectors conducted a record 74,072 truck and bus inspections during Roadcheck, Keppler said. Of that total, 48,815 were Level 1 inspections. “Despite the positive trend in the Level 1’s, this highlights that one in five vehicles selected for inspection was found with a violation serious enough to be considered an imminent safety hazard,” CVSA said in a statement. “These mixed results indicate that, while the attention paid by industry to maintenance and regulatory compliance is improving, more needs to be done by industry and enforcement alike.”

CVSA’s Roadcheck report said that 84.4 percent of the vehicles passed hazmat inspections, and 15.6 percent were placed out of service. During the 2011 Roadcheck, 17.9 percent of hazmat vehicles were placed out of service. Keppler said he was pleased that the percentage of hours-of-service, brake adjustment and brake system violations had decreased — areas of emphasis in this year’s Roadcheck. “That shows that people did pay attention and did their best to try and stay in compliance,” he said. But Keppler said the slight increase in the rate that vehicles and drivers were placed out of service bears close attention. “The economy is turning around in the trucking industry, and there are capacity issues,” he said. “People need to move loads. Sometimes when that’s the case, people don’t pay as much attention to regulatory compliance and maintenance.” Keppler said he also was concerned with an increase in the rate of logbook violations as a percentage of all out-of-service violations. “Fifteen percent of the drivers’ outof-service violations were for false logs,” Keppler said. “That’s the highest it’s ever been.” ATA’s Osiecki cautioned that the Roadcheck numbers are not statistically valid. “I

don’t believe CVSA runs statistical significance tests on their Roadcheck data because the data are not collected in a random manner,” he said. “In other words, they target trucks for inspections based on information they have about the carrier’s past compliance record.” Osiecki said the trucking industry should work closely with CVSA to encourage a shift away from Level 1 inspections and toward driver-focused inspections resulting from more traffic-enforcement activity. “The condition of the truck does not cause many crashes,” he said. “Drivers, both noncommercial and commercial, cause most of the crashes.” For that reason, inspections should focus on improving driver behavior and compliance with traffic laws, Osiecki said. But Keppler said Level 1 inspections include drivers and are necessary: “While I would agree that drivers are principally part of the crash picture, in an evasive maneuver or in a crash type scenario, your vehicle needs to be operating optimally to be able to perform,” he said. “The driver could be the best driver in the world, but if his braking system isn’t operating at an optimum level it doesn’t matter,” Keppler said. Continued on page 22

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Trucking firm installs fitness program for improved driver health

News

By Ford Boswell

riving a truck is a difficult job for many reasons. Time on the road away from family and loved ones is stressful, and the long hours behind the wheel can often take a physical and mental toll on drivers. What’s more, the professional driver lifestyle is clearly not good for one’s overall physique. Some studies show up to 80 percent of truckers are overweight – and more than half of those are considered obese. A sedentary lifestyle, coupled with a steady diet of unhealthy fast food is causing long-haul truckers to have the highest obesity rate compared to other occupations. Obesity can lead to health issues, like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleeping disorders, etc. Prime Inc., a for-hire carrier, based in Springfield, Mo. is working to reverse the trend. The trucking firm, which is ranked among the largest for-hire carriers in the country, has developed what is likely the industry’s first fitness program specifically for truck drivers. The focus on employee health started more than 10 year ago when the Siphiwe Baleka company installed a state-of-the-art fitness

facility at its main headquarters. “We have two fitness instructors, [who offer] classes and do weight training and yoga,” Prime Inc. founder Robert Low told local television station, KSPR 33 News, recently. “We’re very aware that truck drivers typically haven’t been very healthy, and that’s a shame.” When Low built his fitness center, he felt the effects personally, shedding 30 lbs. in only a few months. That’s an easy task for a CEO who can most likely make time for exercise, but what was surprising is that other employees, including drivers, followed his example, and started dropping weight, too. The company even won a weight-loss competition against other trucking companies. The dedication to employee fitness was already well established when 41-year-old Siphiwe Baleka, a former collegiate swimmer, started driving for the company in 2008. “I had absolutely no experience with truck driving when I entered Prime’s student driver training program.” he explains. “When it was time for me to go out on the road with my instructor, I adapted to his habits. When he ate, I ate. Where he ate, I ate. We did not stop to exercise or workout.” Within three weeks he began to noticed that he had the beginnings of a dreaded “trucker’s gut,” and by six weeks he had packed on more than 15 lbs. to reach nearly 170 lbs. “I realized that if I didn’t do something, I was going to weigh more than 200 lbs. within a year and end up like the typical truck driver – fat and out of shape,” he said. “Consequently, I made a commitment to myself that I

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He researched and even remembered training routines he went would find 15 to 20 minutes to exercise every day and to watch what I through as a competitive swimmer to put together a workout regiate. This is when I started to develop the concept of Fitness Trucking.” men and a business plan, and then pitched the business to Prime While still a driver for Prime, Baleka developed a workout program owner Low. that could be performed in about 15 minutes. There are 31 different “Already an advocate for driver health, Mr. Low was very receptive exercises, performed in different combinations, and all designed to be and gave me an opportunity to build this program, using Prime drivperformed within a few feet of the truck. ers to develop the system,” he said. “I realize I’m kind of unusual as far as drivers go,” he admits. Baleka now heads the company’s Driver Health and Fitness pro“When it comes to my personal fitness, I am extremely motivated. gram, which is thought to be the nation’s first fitness program excluWhen I was driving regularly, I made time to exercise; ate right; and sively for professional truck drivers. constantly thought about training, and how I can improve my health.” The 13-week fitness program is open to any driver who wants to He eventually started training for triathlons. “I jogged in the participate. They keep a food journal, and Baleka tracks their progress morning, and carried my bike with me on the truck, so I could ride online with software he had developed specifion breaks,” he says. “I even used a GPS device cally for his business. to locate YMCA branches that had pools along It costs $300 to participate, but if a driver my route. I’d call ahead to see if there was a completes the program, he or she keeps all the place to park my truck nearby, and I’d try to equipment and receives a full refund from line up my route so I could swim on my offPrime. So far, the program has about 18 particiduty time. I even trained in the sleeper berth pants, and, according to Baleka, all of them while my partner was driving.” have lost weight in the first 6 weeks – a few Other drivers begin to ask questions about have lost up to 25 lbs. his routine. “I soon realized there was need for “We’re still developing the program, but it’s a fitness program designed for professional pretty close to where we want it.” truck drivers,” he says. “I knew that most drivIf successful, Baleka says he’d like to one day ers weren’t going to go through the trouble I offer his service to other trucking companies did to make exercise part of their daily routine, that want to help drivers shed weight and imso I focused on developing a program that prove overall health. maximized workouts in 15 minutes, and I deFor more information, visit www.fitness signed it all to be executed near the truck. I figtrucking.com or email Mr. Baleka at sbaleka@ ure the further a driver got away from his Baleka during his driving days. primeinc.com. truck, the less likely he would be to exercise.”

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DOT launches Freight Policy Council

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood launched the Freight Policy Council, a group tasked with generating a national freight policy, as called for in the new highway funding law. LaHood was joined by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) at a warehouse owned by PCC Logistics in Seattle recently to officially announce the Freight Policy Council. Cantwell has long been a proponent of the freight group. The council will hold its first meeting next week, a DOT spokesman said. “Our freight system is the lifeblood of the American economy, moving goods quickly and efficiently to benefit both businesses and consumers across the country,” LaHood said in a statement. “With the launch of the Freight Policy Council, we have an opportunity to make not only our freight system but all modes of transportation stronger and better connected.” Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari will lead the council, which will also include deputy administrators from highway, rail, port and airport agencies within the Department of Transportation, and economic and policy experts from elsewhere in DOT, the department said. The freight and logistics industries, consumers and other stakeholders will also play an advisory role, and states will be asked to offer proposals for improving the freight system in their region, DOT said. Congress called for the administration to set a freight policy and plan in the highway reauthorization law signed last month by President Obama. Cantwell had pushed for the freight policy since February 2011, when she introduced a bill that was later made part of the highway law, she said in a statement. “With increasing competition abroad, Washington businesses require a 21st-century approach to moving goods,” Cantwell said. “This new Freight Policy Council provides the road map our nation needs to stay competitive and grow our trade economy.” The highway law calls for a freight policy that seeks to improve the freight network, reduce freight congestion, improve safety 24

and use advanced technology to increase efficiency, among other tasks.

EPA allows Navistar to continue to pay penalties for emissions noncompliance The Environmental Protection Agency ruled last month to allow Navistar International to continue to pay penalties on engines that do not meet clean air standards. According to Heavy Duty Trucking magazine (truckinginfo.com), the decision allows Navistar to continue selling heavy-duty engines that do not meet standards for nitrogen oxide emissions. However, the rule

sets a maximum penalty of about $3,800 per engine, which is nearly double the fines Navistar had been paying for each engine. Navistar officials said the company needs the relief to keep selling engines that use an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology that has not yet been able to bring the engines into compliance with clean air requirements. This is the second EPA decision on the matter, and it was required because Navistar’s competitors objected to the first decision. HDT reported that last May the agency said it would allow Navistar to pay the penalties. Normally such a decision would require a formal notice, but the agency invoked a “good cause” exception that alContinued on page 26

Thermo King showcases products for 2013 emission requirements Mid State Thermo King recently held an open house at its Montgomery branch to showcase its offering of redesigned trailer refrigeration units and new engine technology specifically designed to meet federal emission requirements for smaller non-road diesel engines set to take effect next year. The open house event had a mini trade show feel with product displays, demonstrations, door prizes, and information on coming EPA and FDA regulations that affect the food service and transportation industries. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tier 4 Final emission standards (set to take effect Jan. 1, 2013) are required for engines in the less than 50HP classification – which includes most transport refrigeration unit (TRU) diesel engines for refrigerated straight trucks and refrigerated trailers. The new standards also cover diesel engines used in auxiliary power units (APUs) and diesel enginepowered cargo heaters. Steve Stinson Vice President & General Manager for Mid State Thermo King says the EPA’s new regulations are now an even greater incentive for refrigerated transport operations to speed the adoption of TRU engine technologies that will lead to better operational, financial and environmental performance over the long term. Mid State’s Montgomery branch was the only Alabama location selected to host Thermo King’s Road Show trailer, which is equipped with technology touted to be the future in fuel efficiency for the transport refrigeration industry. There were installed and operating models displayed of Thermo King’s TriPac APU, T-Series self-powered truck units, Cold Cube containers. Trailer manufacturers Great Dane and Utility also had their latest refrigerated trailer technology on display. According to branch officials, approximately 100 fleet owners and managers attended the event. “We had people come from Huntsville, Madison, Albertville, Birmingham, Mobile and Dothan, Ala.,” Stinson said. “There is definitely a lot of interest to see this new technology and collect information on upcoming EPA emission requirements and pending food safety regulations from the FDA and how these changes might affect their businesses.”

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lowed it to grant the penalties without going through the regulatory process. But competing engine manufacturers objected to EPA’s approach, and won a court order that said the agency should not have allowed the penalties without going through the process. Meanwhile, Navistar has announced that it will start using the urea-based aftertreatment technology (selective catalytic reduction) that most engine manufacturers use to meet clean air standards. EPA said that it expects the penalties to be used for a relatively small number of engines. It also said that the rule does not apply any penalties for truck manufacturers, dealers, purchasers or operators who use the engines. Troy Clarke, Navistar president and COO, said in a statement that the company is pleased by EPA’s move. “We can now provide our dealers and customers with clarity and certainty as we transition to our clean engine technology and look forward to utilizing the Final Rule as needed,” Clarke said. He added that implementation of the

final rule will have no impact on the trucks EPA certified earlier under the interim rule.

Alabama seeks to salvage millions in unused federal earmarks More than $51 million in old federal earmarks that have gone unused around the state will be confiscated by the Alabama Department of Transportation and redirected toward regular roadwork in the next few months, according to the Birmingham News’ Washington D.C. correspondent Mary Orndorff. President Barack Obama’s administration identified $473 million in unspent earmarks nationally and ordered the states to come up with a plan for spending their share before the end of the year, or else it will be given to other states. The News reports that on the list of projects losing their earmarks in Alabama are some large ones, including the Memphis to Atlanta highway and a connector from U.S. 231 to Interstate 10. But smaller community projects that have been moving through the process slowly also are on the list, including the pedestrian bridge over U.S. 31 in Vestavia Hills and funding for the UAB Center for Injury Sciences.

Lynn appointed to executive position with National ATA American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves recently tapped Birmingham-resident Don Lynn as its Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Don has been a valuable part of our ATA membership team for several years, handling our allied and supplier members,” Graves said. “That experience, along with his deep knowledge of the trucking industry, makes him uniquely suited to promote all the benefits of ATA and the products we generate.” In his new role as vice president of sales and marketing, Don Lynn Lynn will be responsible for promoting the federation’s various products, selling sponsorships to events and other projects aimed at raising the profile of ATA, its members and the industry. “I think ultimately, the goal is to increase the visibility of all that ATA has to offer our members,” Lynn said. “Sometimes, what we offer is important data and information to help fleets make important business decisions and other times we offer access to some of our industry’s leading decision makers. In this role, I’m hoping to raise the profile of our various products and services, as well as spotlight how the supplier community can better reach ATA’s members.” Prior to coming to ATA, Lynn spent more than two decades in sales and marketing within the trucking industry, most recently as vice president of operations at Coastal Transport, Savannah, Ga. “Don’s done a fantastic job with the allied community,” said ATA Senior Vice President for Membership David Brodie, “and while it’ll be tough to replace him in that role, we’re very excited to see what he can do with this new challenge. Putting sales and marketing together under his leadership is an important part of ATA’s focus on growing and strengthening our association.” Lynn, a graduate of Auburn University, lives in Birmingham, Ala., with his wife and son.

“We are freeing up these funds so states can get down to the business of moving transportation projects forward and putting our friends and neighbors back to work,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. While some local officials say they will argue to retain their funding, state officials aren’t giving any guarantees at this point. “We will be receptive to talk to them and talk through the options, but right now we have clear guidance that these funds need to be obligated by the end of the year. We have a public trust to make that happen,” ALDOT spokesman Tony Harris said. Alabama’s portion of lost earmarks is the highest of any state, a remnant of Alabama’s long history of having Congress members on the powerful appropriations committees. They showered the state with billions of dollars, but for various reasons, some of those dollars never get spent. One budget watchdog group said the leftovers are a sign that some earmarks were never worthy to begin with. “Why does a lawmaker earmark? Well, because they can. They were coming up with ideas, throwing money around, some of which was not necessary or what communities actually needed,” said Steve Ellis, vice president with Taxpayers for Common Sense told the News. All 33 projects on Alabama’s list were contained in transportation spending bills from 2004, 2005 and 2006. Congress later cut back the practice and eventually banned earmarking altogether. The list released last week by the U.S. Department of Transportation shows Alabama had some big-ticket earmarks — the kind that are announced with great fanfare — that languished. A spokesman for the state transportation agency said 18 of the earmarks were under their control. The remaining 15 were intended for local agencies such as cities or colleges. According to the report, two large road projects account for much of the unused money: the east-west corridor from Memphis to Huntsville to Atlanta for $14.8 million, and the U.S. 231 to I-10 connector for $10.8 million. Harris said that, after some preliminary engineering, the east-west corridor project stalled over the years with issues related to the route and how it would impact Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, especially related to post-Sept. 11 security concerns. “We are just not at a point where it’s feasible to use that money,” Harris said. Another $2 million earmark for a southern byContinued on page 28

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pass around Huntsville also is on the list of unspent money. Regarding the I-10 connector in southeastern Alabama, Harris said the agency still is conducting a corridor study, and the project has not been submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for approval yet. Harris said the problem is related to how long it takes to get federal approval for a project, not a lack of matching money or local effort. “If we had logical steps we could have taken, we could have plowed through that money,” Harris said. LaHood’s announcement last week said states that do not obligate the money by Dec. 31 will lose it to other states.

FMCSA: ‘Transportation bill loaded with safety initiatives’ The highway bill passed earlier this past summer directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to complete 29 new rulemakings over the next 27 months, including a requirement for a final electronic logging device rule by October of 2013, agency officials said. Last month, in a briefing before the agency’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, John Drake, FMCSA’s director of governmental affairs, said federal regulators will be busy the next few years not only meeting mandates for new regulations, but also responding to congressional requirements to implement 34 programmatic changes and complete 15 reports. Between now and early 2013 alone, FMCSA plans to issue a remedial electronic logging device supplemental proposed rule, a proposed safety fitness determination rule, a final unified registration system rule, a drug and alcohol clearing hours proposed rule, and a “patterns of safety violations” proposed rule that will focus on truck and bus executives who turn a blind eye to unsafe business practices. The $105 billion transportation authorization legislation signed into law by president Obama in July was a “significant bipartisan accomplishment” that will not only fund highway infrastructure improvements, but includes a number of significant safety provisions, FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro told the advisory committee. “The number of safety initiatives that this bill advances for the commercial vehicle 28

Truck tonnage rose 4.1 percent in July Truck tonnage increased 4.1 percent in July from a year ago, according to the American Trucking Associations. Overall, tonnage was unchanged from June 2012, ATA reported in its seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage report. Year to date, tonnage is 3.7% higher than the same period last year. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents tonnage actually hauled by fleets, was 119.4, down 2.8 percent from June (ATA uses the year 2000 as a 100-reading baseline). “July’s reading reflects an economy that has lost some steam, but hasn’t stalled,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello in a prepared statement. “Certainly there has been some better economic news recently, but I continue to believe we will see some deceleration in tonnage during the second half of the year,” he added, noting a strong run of tonnage in the comparative August-toDecember period last year. Costello added that a slowdown in factory orders will constrain manufacturing output and impact truck freight volumes, but kept his tonnage outlook for 2012 to the 3-3.5 percent range, as previously reported. ATA calculates the tonnage each month based on reports by its member trucking companies. community and for FMCSA to implement is just plain exciting,” Ferro said. “We’re on a roll, and you’ll see just how much we have to do. But most of it was in fact our business agenda, our strategic plan.” Overall, in most areas the new law maintains or slightly increases program funding levels of the prior authorization bill, Drake said. —Eric Miller, Transport Topics

to allow the industry to give feedback more quickly, while also providing a broader range of issues to consider. Industry stakeholders are encouraged to complete the survey online. Alternately a paper copy is available on ATRI’s website at www.atri-online.org. The results of the 2012 survey will be released at the ATA Annual Management Conference and Exhibition, set for Oct. 710 in Las Vegas. For more information contact Rebecca Brewster at RBrewster@ trucking.org.

IRS advises carriers on HVUT filings changes The federal Internal Revenue Service will mail a notice later this month to all filers of IRS Form 2290, on which motor carriers and others report the annual federal heavy vehicle use tax. According to American Trucking Associations officials, the notice concerns two things carriers should keep in mind. First, there will be no extension of filing the 2290 until later in the fall, as there was last year, when the HVUT reports and payments were not due until November. This year, the report and payment are due, as usual, August 31. Second, however, for those filing the 2290 electronically, note that the IRS system that processes the HVUT filings will be down for maintenance from the afternoon of August 31 (after 1:00 PM eastern daylight time) until September 4 at noon. IRS urges taxpayers to make their 2290 filings before the system goes down; however, the Service will accept as timely filed those electronic 2290s that IRS receives through September 7. National ATA’s Bob Pitcher stresses that anyone filing a 2290 for 25 or more vehicles must file electronically. Forms 2290 filed on paper are still due this year by August 31. For more information, call IRS at 866-699-4096 or try www.irs.gov/trucker.

National ATA expresses concerns for new CSA changes Industry stakeholders asked to rank top concerns The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has launched is annual Top Industry Issues Survey. The survey, commissioned by the American Trucking Associations, asks industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry along with appropriate strategies for addressing each issue. This year the survey has been streamlined

In comments filed July 30, American Trucking Associations told the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that while it supports the agency’s new process for improving its carrier oversight program Compliance, Safety, Accountability, the system still has serious deficiencies that must be corrected. “ATA supports this new approach to making adjustments to the Safety Measurement System methodology,” ATA’s Vice President of Safety Policy Rob Abbott A LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2012

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wrote. “Previously, FMCSA occasionally made changes to the methodology with no prior explanation or announcement.” However, despite the more open process, Abbott said ATA still had significant concerns about the methodology – specifically the agency’s treatment of non-preventable crashes and the creation of a new category to exclusively measure hazardous materials safety. “There can be no better predictor of future crash risk than past at-fault crash involvement,” Abbott said. Speaking to FMCSA’s recent announcement that it intends to spend a year conducting research before developing a process for determining crash accountability, ATA urged FMCSA to establish an interim process to remove from consideration those crashes in which it is “plainly evident” that the truck driver was not responsible for the crash. ATA reiterated its support for FMCSA’s plan to create a separate category to measure hazardous materials carriers. However, ATA urged the agency to implement the change only after modifying and testing the methodology to ensure that carriers’ scores relate to future crash risk. Currently, the BASIC assigns high scores to many reputable, safe motor carriers with laudable crash rates and low scores in all other categories. “While compelling fleets to improve

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2012

compliance with HM regulations is important, the more pressing need – and the goal of CSA - to is to identify fleets with a greater risk of crash involvement and to change their behavior,” said Abbott. “Doing so would undoubtedly be a more appropriate and efficient use of the system.”

FMCSA eliminates registrantonly DOT numbers During September and October 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will be eliminating the roughly 250,000 registrant-only DOT numbers, and converting them to inactive DOT numbers. Letters from FMCSA announcing this change will soon be sent to all the current holders of registrant-only numbers. This type of designation was introduced by FMCSA some years ago, in conjunction with the PRISM program, which seeks to tie a motor carrier’s safety performance to the registration of its vehicles. States that participate in the PRISM program, and most of them do, have been required by the DOT to ensure that every entity to which they issue vehicle registration under the International Registration Plan has a DOT number.

Since not all such entities are in fact motor carriers, such as owner-operators registering in their own names, and certain leasing companies, DOT authorized registrant-only numbers to be issued. However, since many of those numbers are showing up in accident and inspection reports, instead of the number of motor carriers actually responsible for the safety of the vehicle in question, FMCSA has determined to drop this designation.

Hawaii, Minnesota latest states to add anti-indemnification law Two more states added anti-indemnification laws to their books during the summer, which brings a total of 35 states that have enacted laws aimed at protecting trucking companies from unfair contracts with shippers. On July 9, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie signed into law SB824, which makes provisions in contracts for motor carrier transportation that require the carrier to assume liability for the shipper’s negligence void and unenforceable in Hawaii. Meanwhile, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick in early September signed into law a similar bill in his state. Other states, including South Dakota, Minnesota and Alabama, enacted similar statutes earlier this year.

ATA_3Q12_11751 ATA 9/17/12 11:25 AM Page 30

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Nashville, TN Sean Dickerson 800-600-0991 A LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2012

ATA_3Q12_11751 ATA 9/17/12 11:25 AM Page 31

“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 # _________________ Date_____________________

Freq_____________________

ACT ____________________

BC ____________________

Check # __________________

Exp Date__________________

ATU ____________________

DC ____________________

Dues Amt ________________

Nxt Bill Date _______________

MAG __________________

400 ____________________

MC ____________________

WCSIF __________________

GC ____________________

CONTACT SHEET __________

YR ____________________

WINFAX ________________

Mbr Class ________________

AL Sen___________________

Mbr Type _________________

AL Hse___________________

Dues Cat _________________

CG Dist __________________

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2012

LTR/PLQ ________________

ATA_3Q12_11751 ATA 9/17/12 11:25 AM Page 32

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 and not over 20,000,000 and not over 25,000,000 and not over 30,000,000 and not over 35,000,000 and over 40,000,000

$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. 32

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2012

ATA_3Q12_11751 ATA 9/17/12 11:25 AM Page 33

ATA_3Q12_11751 ATA 9/17/12 11:25 AM Page 34

2012 ATA Buyer’s Guide We make every effort to ensure this list is correct. For changes or corrections to your companyʼs 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 Randall-Reilly Business Media & Information (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 COMMUNICATIONS/ELECTRONICS J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com PeopleNet (888) 346-3486 www.peoplenetonline.com QUALCOMM, Inc. (770) 271-3654 www.qualcomm.com/qwbs XRS Corp. (865) 856-0584 www.xrscorp.com EDUCATION & TRAINING J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com JP Transportation Safety Consulting, LLC (205) 329-8182 (205) 329-8183 www.jptsc.com Transportation Safety Services (251) 661-9700 transportationsafetyservices.com Trucking Partners, LLC (256) 737-8788 www.truckingpartners.com USA Driver-s, Inc. (205) 661-0712 www.usadrivers.com Wise Consulting, LLC (256) 709-0768 ENGINE MANUFACTURERS Cummins Mid-South, LLC (901) 488-8033 www.cummins.com Thompson/Caterpillar (205) 849-4365 www.thompsontractor.com Westport HD div. of Westport Innovations, Inc. (251) 635-7143 www.westport.com

EQUIPMENT LEASING Eagle Equipment Leasing LLC (205) 999-5410 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 Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Star Leasing Co. (205) 763-1280 www.starleasing.com Truck & Trailer Leasing Corp. (256) 831-6880 EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING BigBee Steel (256) 383-7322 www.bigbee.com Eaton Corp./Roadranger Field Marketing (205) 601-8440 www.roadranger.com EQUIPMENT PARTS/ACCESSORIES Ancra International, LLC (334) 306-4372 www.ancra.com Dothan Tarpaulin Products, Inc. (800) 844-8277 www.dothantarp.com Fleet Air Technologies, Inc. (256) 754-0034 www.fleetairtech.com FQS Bear Equipment (803) 957-4946 www.fqs-inc.com

Southern Truck & Equipment, Inc. (251) 653-4716 www.southerntruck.net Thermo King of B’ham-Thermo King of Montgomery-Thermo King of Dothan (205) 591-2424 www.midstatetk.com Thompson/Caterpillar (205) 849-4365 www.thompsontractor.com W.W. Williams (205) 252-9025 (334) 279-6083 www.wwwilliams.com ESCORT SERVICE ESTATE AND BUSINESS PLANNING Christian & Small LLP (205) 795-6588 www.csattorneys.com

The Baxter Agency (334) 678-6800 www.baxteragency.com BB & T Insurance Services (912) 201-4706 Benton & Parker Insurance Services (770) 536-8340 www.bentonandparker.com Caribou Insurance Agency, Inc. (205) 822-7577 www.caribouins.com Cottingham and Butler (800) 793-5235 ext. 5521 www.cottinghambutler.com Great West Casualty Co. (865) 670-6573 www.gwccnet.com Hudgens Insurance, Inc. (334) 289-2695 Johnson-Locklin & Associates (205) 980-8008 www.johnson-locklin.com The Kennion Group, Inc. (205) 969-1155 www.kennion.com Liberty Mutual Group (804) 380-5169 www.libertymutual,com

Carlisle Medical, Inc. (251) 344-7988 www.carlislemedical.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 BP Castrol Lubricants (205) 266-4863 www.castrol.com

Comdata (615) 370-7778

Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance Agency, Inc. (251) 473-4600

Hollingsworth Oil Co. (205) 424-5823 www.hoclubes.com

GE Capital (770) 960-6307 www.getransfin.com

Marvin Johnson & Associates, Inc. (812) 372-0841 www.mjai.com

Jack Green Oil Co., Inc. (256) 831-1038

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

McGriff, Siebels & Williams, Inc. (205) 252-9871 www.mcgriff.com

People’s Capital & Leasing Corp. (205) 856-9354 www.peoples.com

Joe Morten & Sons, Inc. (865) 670-6544 www.joemorten.com

People’s United Equipment Finance Corp. (205) 664-9374 www.financialfederal.com

S. S. Nesbitt (205) 262-2620 www.ssnesbitt.com

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

Kimbro Oil Company (615) 320-7484 www.kimbrooil.com Major Oil Company, Inc. (334) 263-9070 www.unitedfoodandfuel.com The McPherson Companies, Inc. (888) 802-7500 www.mcphersonoil.com

Palomar Insurance Corp. (334) 270-0105 www.palomarinsurance.com

W.H. Thomas Oil Co., Inc. (205) 755-2610 www.whthomasoil.com

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

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Accounting Firms: Aldridge, Borden & Co. (334) 834-6640 www.aldridgeborden.com

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

Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC (334) 271-6678 www.cricpa.com

Imperial Supplies LLC (920) 494-7474 www.imperialsupplies.com

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

Kinedyne Corp. (334) 365-2919 www.kinedyne.com

Reliance Partners, Inc. Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc. (877) 668-1704 (615) 587-9032 www.reliancepartners.com www.wellsfargo.com Sentry Insurance INSURANCE (800) 610-4888 Aon Risk Solutions www.sentry.com (501) 374-9300 www.aon.com Trans Con Assurance, LTD (205) 978-7070 Aronov Insurance, Inc. (205) 907-9622 Turner & Hamrick L.L.C. www.aronovinsurance.com (334) 566-7665 www.turnerhamrick.com Avizent (205) 581-9283 Zurich www.avizentrisk.com (800) 553-3055 www.zurichna.com/zdu

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

Brookwood Medical Center (205) 807-4977 www.bwmc.com

Liberty Truck Insurance (205) 322-6695

Renasant Bank (334) 223-1445 www.renasant.com

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

Bradley Screening, LLC (334) 272-3539 www.bradleyscreening

FINANCIAL SERVICES BancorpSouth Equipment Finance (205) 422-7111 www.bxsequipmentfinance.com

GFA, Alabama (205) 277-2157 www.gfany.net

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems (334) 798-0080 www.arvinmeritor.com

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

Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP (317) 580-2068 www.ksmcpa.com Attorneys: Albrittons, Clifton & Moody P.C. (334) 222-3177 www.albrittons.com Austill, Lewis & Pipkin, P.C. (205) 870-3767 www.maplaw.com Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C. (205) 328-0480 www.bakerdonelson.com

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2012

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(as of September 10, 2012) Dorsey Trailer (334) 897-2525 www.dorseytrailer.net

Ball, Ball, Matthews & Novak, P.A. 334-387-7680 www.ball-ball.com

McLeod Software (205) 823-5100 www.mcleodsoftware.com

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

Carr, Allison, Pugh, Howard, Oliver & Sisson (800) 582-3793 www.carrallison.com

Mobile Asphalt Co., LLC (251) 408-0770 www.mobileasphalt.com

Empire Truck Sales, LLC Coffman International Trucks (601) 939-1000 (334) 794-4111 www.coffmaninternationaltrucks.com www.empiretruck.com

Motor Carrier Safety Consulting (205) 871-4455

Eufaula Trucking Co., Inc. (334) 687-0391

Equipment Logistics, Inc. (256) 739-9280

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

H & M Trailer Repair, Inc. (334) 262-0692

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

Christian & Small, LLP (205) 795-6588 www.csattorneys.com DeLashmet & Marchand, P.C. (251) 433-1577 www.delmar-law.com

Quality Vehicle Processing, LLC (205) 507-2758

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

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

Riley Sales and Distribution (256) 872-6620

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

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

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

Rowe Management Corp. (205) 486-9235 www.rowemachinery.com

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

Spectrum Environmental Services, Inc. (205) 664-2000 www.specenviro.com

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

Hand Arendall LLC (251) 432-5511 www.handarendall.com

Tax2290.com/ThinkTrade Inc. (866) 245-3918 www.tax2290.com

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart (205) 328-1900 www.ogletreedeakins.com

TMW Systems, Inc. (216) 831-6606 www.tmwsystems.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 (801) 349-2433 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 Best Drivers (205) 916-0259 www.bestdrivers.com Direct Chassislink (704) 571-2155 www.chassislink.com The Earl Dove Co., LLC (334) 793-7117 J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com Jeffers Trucking, Inc. (205) 808-1112 JP Transportation Safety Consulting, LLC (205) 329-8182 (205) 329-8183 www.jptsc.com

Thompson/Caterpillar (205) 849-4365 www.thompsontractor.com W.W. Williams (205) 252-9025 (334) 279-6083 www.wwwilliams.com

Transportation Billing Solutions, LLC TIRE DEALERS & MANUFACTURERS Best-One Tire & Service (205) 788-4000 (615) 785-2834 www.bestonetire.com Transportation Compliance Services, USA Bridgestone Commercial Solutions (228) 872-7160 (770) 317-5777 www.dottrucksafety.com www.trucktires.com Transportation Safety Services Butler Industrial Tire Center, Inc. (251) 661-9700 (334) 376-0178 transportationsafetyservices.com Transportation Support, Inc. (205) 833-6336 www.transportationsupport.com

Columbus Tire Co., Inc. (706) 321-8133 www.columbustireco.com

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

GCR Tire Centers (205) 914-6818

Welborn & Associates, Inc. (423) 822-1608 www.transportcap.com Real Estate: Mary Lou’s Team RE/MAX, Inc. (205) 566-5911 www.marylousteam.com Repairs: Big Moe Spring & Alignment of B’ham, Inc. (205) 780-0290

Great Dane Trailers (205) 324-3491 www.greatdanetrailers.com Gulf City Body & Trailer Works, Inc. (251) 438-5521 www.gulfcity.com Gulf Coast Truck & Equipment Co. (251) 476-2744 www.gulfcoasttruck.com R C Trailer Sales & Service Co., Inc. (205) 680-0924 www.rctrailersales.net Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Star Leasing Co. (205) 763-1280 www.starleasing.com Tennessee Valley Recycling LLC (256) 353-6351 www.tvrllc.com Transport Trailer Center (334) 299-3573 Utility Trailer Sales of Alabama LLC (334) 794-7345 www.utilityalabama.com TRUCK DEALERS, MANUFACTURERS Action Truck Center (334) 794-8505 www.actiontruckcenter.com

Long-Lewis Sterling Truck Sales (205) 428-6241 www.longlewistrucks.com Mack Trucks, Inc. (678) 201-4770 www.macktrucks.com Neely Coble Co. (256) 350-1630 www.neelycoble.com Nextran Truck Corporation (205) 841-4450 www.nextrancorp.com Peterbilt Motors Co. (615) 208-1800 www.peterbilt.com Peterbilt of Montgomery & Birmingham LLC (800) 264-4555 www.peterbilttruckcenters.com Rush Truck Center-Mobile (251) 459-7300 www.rushofmobile.com Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Taylor & Martin, Inc. (662) 262-4613 www.taylorandmartin.com Thompson/Caterpillar (205) 849-4365 www.thompsontractor.com Truckworx (205) 326-6170 www.truckworx.com Volvo Trucks North America (336) 393-2975 www.volvotrucks.volvo.com Ward International Trucks, LLC (251) 433-5616 www.wardintltrucks.com TRUCK & EQUIPMENT AUCTIONEERS Taylor & Martin, Inc. (662) 262-4613 www.taylorandmartin.com

Integrated Waste Services, LLC (205) 620-5812

Birmingham Freightliner (205) 322-6695 www.birminghamfreightliner.com

McGriff Tire Co. (256) 739-0710 www.mcgriffindustries.com

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

McGriff Treading Co., Inc. (256) 734-4298 www.mcgriffindustries.com

Oasis Travel Center, LLC Coffman International Trucks (251) 960-1148 (334) 794-4111 www.coffmaninternationaltrucks.com Pilot Flying J (800) 562-6210 Eagle Equipment Leasing LLC www.pilotflyingj.com (205) 999-5410

Michelin North America, Inc. (864) 201-6177 www.michelintruck.com

Snider Tire, Inc. Birmingham Frame & (404) 361-0130 Alignment, LLC www.snidertire.com (205) 322-4844 birminghamframeandalignment.com Wilks Tire & Battery Service, Inc. (256) 878-0211 Carl Carson Truck Center, Inc. www.wilkstire.com (205) 592-9966 www.carlcarson.com Yokohama Tire Corp. (317) 385-2611 Carrier Transicold South www.yokohamatire.com (404) 968-3130 www.ctsouth.com TRAILER DEALERS/ MANUFACTURERS Carroll Truck Repair, Inc. C & C Trailers, Inc. (205) 983-3375 (334) 897-2202

Empire Truck Sales, LLC (601) 939-1000 www.empiretruck.com Four Star Freightliner (334) 263-1085 (Montgomery) www.alabamafreightliner.com Freightliner Trucks/Daimler Trucks North America (404) 368-6860 www.freightlinertrucks.com International Truck & Engine Corp./Navistar (813) 382-3113 www.internationaldelivers.com

TRUCKSTOPS Love’s Travel Stops, Inc. (405) 202-4451 www.loves.com

TravelCenters of America/ Petro Shopping Centers (404) 231-4142 www.tatravelcenters.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

Kenworth of Huntsville, Inc. (256) 308-0162 www.kenworthofalabama.com

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ATA

NEW MEMBERS & EVENTS

ATA Calendar of Events

New Members (as of 6-15-12)

ATA Golf Classic October 2, 2012 Robert Trent Jones Capitol Hill Course (Prattville, Ala.)

Camelot Bus Ms. Helen O’Neal P. O. Box 391 Pell City, AL 35125 (205) 525-4617

Dinos, LLC Mr. Roger Richards P. O. Box 68 Crossville, AL 35962 (256) 706-0403

T & T Hauling Ms. Angela Thomas P. O. Box 2816 Cullman, AL 35056 (256) 636-4967

Hand Arendall, LLC Mr. J. Burruss Riis P. O. Box 123 Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 432-5511

R K Allen Oil Co., Inc. Mr. Ken Allen, Jr. Drawer 456 Talladega, AL 35160 (256) 362-4261

The Dungan Company, LLC Mr. Douglas M. Dungan 3302 Old Sawmill Road Moody, AL 35004 (205) 640-1128

Contractors Choice Trucking Services, Inc. Mr. David Inman P. O. Box 429 Athens, AL 35612 (256) 444-1919

Double H Freight, LLC Mr. Michael Hamby P. O. Box 1171 Oneonta, AL 35121 (205) 274-8887

US AutoLogistics, LLC Mr. Richard Binkley 21021 Essman Land Houston, TX 77073 (713) 580-3880

Rand McNally Mr. Frank Lancaster P. O. Box 7600 Chicago, IL 60680 (501) 835-1585

Wonderland Express, Inc. Ms. Vickie Wyatt 7040 McDonald Road Irvington, AL 36544 (251) 653-7348

Gee’s Affordable Moving Service Mr. Gary L. Fuller 3400 Venona Huntsville, AL 35810 (256) 479-6457

Wood, Robbie D., Inc. Mr. Bruce Fallaw P. O. Box 125 Dolomite, AL 35061 (205) 744-8440

American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition October 7-10, 2012 (Las Vegas, Nev.) SMMC Christmas Celebration December 10, 2012 (Pelham, Ala.)

Hilldrup Moving & Storage Mr. Ed Haeussler P. O. Box 1290 Stafford, VA 22554 (703) 221-7155

Alabama Trucker (AT), the official publication of the Alabama Trucking Association (ATA), is an award-winning trade publication highlighting the Association's activities while documenting the business environment of the day. AT is published quarterly and distributed to more than 2,500 trucking executives, regulatory officials, and political figures. Want to reach decision makers at more than 1,500 Alabamabased trucking firms? Consider this: Advertising in AT reaches the most concentrated readership of trucking professionals in the state. Our rates are affordable, but on top of that, your helping ATA send positive messages about one of the state's largest employers.

Contact Ford Boswell at fboswell@alabamatrucking.org or 877-277-TRUK (8785) For More Information 36

Devos Truck Repair, LLC Ms. Jennifer Devos 3484 AL Hwy 10 Brundidge, AL 36010 (334) 735-9010

Service One Transport, Inc. Mr. Robert Walker 220 Industrial Dr. Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 (256) 314-5580

Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance Mr. Erling Riis P. O. Box 160927 Mobile, AL 36616 (251) 473-4600

A ADVERTISER ATA WCSIF The Baxter Agency Carrier Transicold South Great Dane Great West Casualty Co. HEC Leasing, LLC International Trucks J.J. Keller Johnson Locklin MCE Trucking Las Vegas Nextran Truck Center Palomar Insurance Regions Insurance Thompson Cat Turner & Hamrick WH Thomas Oil Co. Volvo Trucks W.W. Williams Wilson & Berryhill

D V E R T I S I N G

N D E X

PG. NO. PH. NO. BC (334) 834-7911 27 (800) 873-8494 17 (205) 328-7278 IBC (800) 383-0094 13 (800) 228-8053 22 (615) 471-9300 IFC (800) 844-4102 21 (888) 473-4638 ext. 7892 23 (251) 947-3015 12 (703) 838-1710 7 (800) 292-8685 29 (800) 489-0105 30 (800) 807-1412 3 (205) 849-4288 20 (888) 385-0186 18 (205) 755-2610 33 (336) 393-2000 25 (800) 365-3780 23 (205) 252-4441

WEB ADDRESS www.atacompfund.org www.baxteragency.com www.trucktrailer.carrier.com www.greatdanetrailers.com www.gwccnet.com www.hecleasing.com www.navistar.com www.jjkellermobile.com www.johnson-locklin.com www.mce.trucking.org www.nextrancorp.com www.palomarins.com www.regionsinsurance.com www.thompsontractor.com www.turnerhamrick.com www.thomasoil.com www.volvotrucks.us.com www.wwwilliams.com www.wilsonberryhill.com

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2012

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