iqAwrI srdIAW leI

hr swl lgdw hY ik ies ivSy nUM do kwrnW krky ivcwirAw jwvygw; mOsm Anuswr AiDkwr Kyqr dy inXm vI bdl jWdy hn[ jdoN loV pihlw qW ieh ik lokW nUM ieh Xwd krwauxw ik srdIAW dy mOsm cynW dI huMdI hY qW iKAwl r`Ko ik ieh quhwfy kol vrqx leI mOjUd ‘c v`KrI iksm dIAW cuxOqIAW hn[ dUjw ieh ik ijnHW ny pihlW hn Aqy jdoN vI loV peI qusIN ieh vrq skdy ho[ ijnHW KyqrW ienHW hwlwq dw swhmxw nhIN kIqw aunHW nUM ienHW leI ‘c cynW dI loV hY, ies dw ieh mqlb nhIN ik iqAwr krn dw[ij`QoN q`k g`l tr`kW dI hY do qrHW cynW hoxIAW cwhIdIAW hn sgoN ies dI vrqoN krnI dIAW iqAwrIAW ijnHW sbMDI zrUr socxw cwhIdw hY[ AwauxI cwhIdI hoxI vI zrUrI hY[ ies leI ieh ie`k hY smwn dI iqAwrI Aqy dUjI hY AwpxIAW loVW iKAwl r`Ko ik ijhVIAW cynW quhwfy kol hn, aunHW dI sbMDI iqAwrI[ bhuq swry hwlwq ‘c fRweIvr dw tr`k hwlq TIk hY Aqy auh tu`tIAW B`jIAW nhIN[ ieh vI dI pUrI sWB sMBwl ‘qy pUrw kMtrol nhIN huMdw[ie`k hI XkInI bxwE ik loV pYx ‘qy quhwnUM aunHW nUM lwauxw g`l hY ik fRweIvr isrP ies sbMDI irpoort kr skdw vI AwauNdw hovy[ ieh iKAwl r`Ko ik jdoN aunHW dI loV hY Aqy pu`C skdw hY[ hovy qW aunHW nUM twierW ‘qy cVHwauxw vI AwauNdw hovy bhuq swry kMm DMidAW ‘c smwn ie`k QW hI huMdw hY[ Aqy mOsm dy hwlwq shI ho jwx qW quhwnUM ienHW cynW ies leI kMm krn vwLw hr roz Gr jw skdw hY[ nUM lwhuxw vI AwauNdw hovy[ ieh vI nw Bu`lxw ik aunHW tr`ikMg ‘c bhuq idnW q`k smwn Aqy kMm krn vwLy nUM lwhux jW cVHwaux smyN mOsm vI TIk nhIN ho skdw[ nUM ie`k QW ‘qy hI rihxw pYNdw hY[ aus smyN TMF kwPI ho skdI hY, ies sB leI quhwfI jy iqAwrI pUrI hovygI qW kMm vI vDIAw hovygw[ G. Ray Gompf pUrI iqAwrI hoxI cwhIdI hY[ AwE hryk dI v`KrI iqAwrI leI g`l krIey[ Awpxy swfy ‘coN bhuq swry hn jo loV pYx ‘qy ieh cynW cVHw

lYNdy hn Aqy mOsm Anuswr ienHW nUM lwh lYNdy hn[ ieh smW bhuq B`dw qy bhuq mwVw vI ho skdw[ jy qusIN smyN isr cynW nhIN pwauNdy qW v`fw zurmwnw vI ho skdw hY[ ieh vI iKAwl r`Ko, jdoN ienHW dI loV nhIN, ieh cynW TIk QW ‘qy r`KIAW ‘qy sMBwlIAW jWdIAW hn[ ieh vI nw Bu`lo ik cynW pkV Bwv tRYkSn hI pRdwn krdIAW hn, auh fRweIv AYksl leI nhIN huMdIAW[ tRylr vIHlz ‘qy peIAW cynW bhuq izAwdw siQrqw vI pRdwn krdIAW hn[ Awpxy kMtrol Aqy mwVIAW sVkW nUM sdw iDAwn ‘c r`Ko[ BYVIAW Bwv DoKw dyx vwLIAW sVkW ‘qy cldy smyN ienHW nUM nzrAMdwz nw kro Aqy nw hI ienHW nUM mwmUlI ‘c lE[ ieh nw Bu`lxw ik quhwfy kol loVINdIAW cynW hn jo inXm Anuswr TIk hn, sgoN ieh sur`iKAw pRdwn krn leI vI TIk hn[ g`l kyvl qy kyvl kwnUMn dI nhIN sgoN ieh sB ku`J sur`iKAw leI vI zrurI hn[ bcwA qoN ibnw swry AMgW, auNglIAW, h`QW Aqy pYrW smyq shI slwmq Gr q`k phuMcx dI zrurq vI hY[ mMn lE ik quhwfw mwlk sur`iKAw leI zrUrI Aqy loVINdIAW ieh cIzW quhwnUM nhIN idMdw, qW ies qrHW dy smyN quhwfy kol do hI rsqy hn: ieh smwn Awp lY lE[ ies qrHW ies dI mwlkI quhwfI AwpxI hovygI[ jdoN qusIN ies kMpnI qoN kMm C`fogy qW ieh smwn qusIN Awpxy nwL iljw skogy[ AglI g`l jo AsIN krWgy auh hY bwkI smwn bwry[ ieh inscq kr lE ik quhwfy tr`k dy twier bhuq TMF smyN mzbUq pkV vwLy hn[ ienHW dI tRY`f dI fUMGweI vI bhuq zrUrI hY[ ieh XkInI bxw lE ik sB hozW, bYltW Aqy kunYkSn TIk Twk kMm kr rhy hn[ Aqy ienHW ‘c iksy cIz dy vwDU rgVn jW Gsx dy sMkyq nhIN hn[ jy koeI ies qrHW dy sMkyq hn qW ies sm`isAw nUM h`l kr lE[ hor nukswn qoN bcx leI jW aus ih`sy nUM bMnH lE Aqy jy loV smJo qW aus ih`sy nUM bdl lE[ ieh inscq kr lE ik ivMfSIlf dy vweIpr srdIAW vwLy hI hn[ nhIN qW ieh ivMfSIlf nUM pUrI qrHW swP nhIN kr skxgy[ ijs kwrn quhwfI id`K spSt nhIN hovygI[ ieh g`lW quhwfy leI inq idn leI zrUrI hn[ ies leI iksy sm`isAw qoN bcx leI ieh sB g`lW XkInI bxw lE[ ies qrHW krn nwL G`to G`t quhwnUM mOsm dI iksy sm`isAw dw swhmxw nhIN krnw pvygw[ AglI iqAwrI dw sbMD quhwfy Awpxy nwL sbMiDq hY[ ijs qrHW mOsm bdlxw hI hY, ies leI srdIAW dw mOsm auh sm`isAwvW vI ilAwvygw ijnHW ‘qy quhwfw koeI kMtrol nhIN[ jy qusIN pUry iqAwr nhIN qW srdI dw mOsm quhwfy leI v`fI qoN v`fI sm`isAw KVHI kr skdw hY , ijs ‘c iksy dI AixAweI mOq vI Swml hY[ srdIAW dw mOsm ie`k ieho ijhI iksm dw Por vIHlr fRweIvr hY jo Acwnk hI AxikAwsI kwrvweI krn dw kwrn bxdw hY jo ik hwdsy dw kwrn bx skdw hY[ hor mOsm ‘c qW QoVHI iF`l m`T ho skdI hY Aqy sVk swP Aqy KuSk hox kwrn ieho ijhI lgdI hY ik qusIN iek`ly hI jw rhy ho[ pr srdIAW dw mOsm fRweIvr leI ieho ijhw hY ijhVw fRweIvr qoN bhuq iDAwn dI Aws r`Kdw hY[ pihlI g`l k`piVAW dI Awm hwlwq ‘c quhwfw kYibn dy AMdrly qwpmwn ‘qy kwbU hovygw qusIN mrzI muqwibk GtwA vDwA skdy ho[ pr keI vwr ies qrHW dIAW siQqIAW dw swhmxw krnw pYNdw hY jo kdy vwprIAW hI nhIN huMdIAW[ pr quhwnUM hr hwlq leI iqAwr rihxw cwhIdw hY[ Awpxy kol ies qrHW dy k`pVy r`Ko ik hr qrHW dy mOsm dw twkrw kIqw jw sky[ k`pVy ies qrHW dy hox ijhVy hIt qoN ibnw vI TMF qoN bcw kr skx[ ies qrHW dy k`pVy sMBwlx leI ie`k v`Krw bYg r`Ko[ ies bYg ‘c vwDU k`pVy pw lE[ ies ‘c grm zurwbW, lMbw kot, snoA pYNt, trYk sUt Aqy svYtr, do jW iqMn joVy grm dsqwny Aqy TMF qoN bcx leI ptkw Awid hor smwn r`Kxw cwhIdw hY[ ijMnw izAwdw au`n dw smwn r`Kogy au`nw hI v`D bcwA hovygw[ ies qoN ibnw qusIN ku`J sMkt smyN leI iqAwr kIqw jwx vwlw Kwxw vI r`K skdy ho[ ieh ies qrHW dI koeI cIz hovy ijs nUM sMkt smyN ‘c Kw ky qusIN AwpxI Bu`K dUr kr skdy hovo[ ies qrHW dI ibpqw pY skdI hY ies leI ies sB leI iqAwr rho[ ho skdw hY ik ies qrHW dI musIbq hor jwx vwLy tr`k fRweIvr nUM vI pY jwvy, ijhVy ies leI iqAwr nhIN sn[ Bwv ijnHW kol Kwx leI nhIN smwn nhIN sI, qW qusIN aunHW dI vI mdd kr sko[ mu`kdI g`l ik srdIAW dy idn grmIAW dy idnW vWg vDIAw idn nhIN huMdy hn[ Aqy jykr qusIN ies g`l dI iqAwrI nw kIqI hovy ik qusIN AijhI siQqI ‘c Ps jwx ‘qy quhwfw bcwA krn leI quhwnUM bcwA tIm ku`J smyN q`k nw l`B sky qW, Awpxy Awp nUM ikvyN ijauNdy r`Kogo, qW qusIN kwPI musIbq ‘c Ps skdy ho[ knyfw dIAW srdIAW bhuq hI ^qrnwk huMdIAW hn[ ies dy KqirAW nUM Gtwaux leI ArbW fwlr Krc kIqy jWdy hn, iPr vI, swrIAW siQqIAW dI Biv`KbwxI nhIN kIqI jw skdI[ srdIAW Awpxy Awp nUM sur`iKAq r`Kx bwry hn[ BwvyN ik quhwnUM AwpxIAW bcx vwLIAW kIqIAW hoeIAW iqAwrIAW ‘qoN iksy dI vI vrqoN nw vI krnI pvy, qW Awpxy Awp nUM KuSiksmq smJo, pr G`to G`t qusIN ieh qW jwxdy sI ik qusIN ies sB qoN bcx dy Xog sI[ sB qoN BYVI siQqI ‘qy ivcwr kro, ies vwsqy iqAwrI kro[ jykr quhwnUM p`kw XkIn nw hovyy ik quhwfI iqAwrI shI qrIky nwL ho rhI hY qW iksy hor qzrbykwr swQI nUM pu`Co[ iPr quhwnUM XkIn ho jwvygw ik qusIN BYVy mOsm dw iSkwr nhIN hovogy[ jy qusIN Awpxy Awp nUM AijhI siQqI ‘c vyKdy ho ij`Qy quhwfw tr`k ruk jWdw hY, Aqy kYb ‘c TMF vD rhI hY, qW k`piVAW qy Bojn dy ies bYg nUM KolH lE[ hux Awpxy pihny hoey k`pVy auqwr idE Aqy ies ivSyS bYg ‘c pey ivSyS k`pVy pihn lE[ Awpxy Awp dI lgwqwr cMgI qrW ingrwnI krdy rho ik ikqy quhwfy ichry, h`QW jW pYrW nUM hweIpoQrmIAW pBwivq qW nhIN kr irhw? jykr qusIN hweIpoQrmIAw dI QoVHI ijhI h`d vDdI lgdI hY qW qusIN k`piVAW dI ie`k hor hlkI prq pihn lE[ ieh moty k`piVAW bwry nhIN hY, ieh k`piVAW dIAW bhuqIAW prqW bwry hY[ jykr quhwfy srIr dy iksy vI ih`sy nUM TMF mihsUs ho rhI hovy qW aus bwry sucyq rho[ TMF nwL lVn leI ksrq vI mdd krdI hY[ ijvyN ik ikhw igAw hY ik srdIAW bhuq hI iBAMkr ho skdIAW hn, ies nwl keI vwr quhwfy tr`k dy purzy ibnw iksy cyqwvnI dy t`ut skdy hn[jdoN mOsm bhuq hI izAwdw TMFw hovy qW gRIs vI gRIs dw kMm nhIN krdI [ pr jykr qusIN cMgI qrHW iqAwr ho qW srdIAW ‘c imLx vwLIAW swrIAW sMBwvnwvW ‘qy ivcwr kro[ b`s sucyq rho[ kI vwpr skdw hY, Aqy kI vwpr irhw hY, ies sB qoN sucyq rho[ AKIr ‘c sB qoN mh`qvpUrn slwh ieh hY ik jykr quhwnUM ieh sB Asihj mihsUs ho irhw hovy qW ruk jwE Aqy ies dy guzr jwx dI aufIk kro[ koeI lof phuMcwxw quhwfI izMdgI qoN izAwdw mh`qvpUrn nhIN hY[ ieh nw soco ik quhwfI kwblIAq G`t hY, auh iblkul vI G`t nhIN hY[

Preparing for Winter

It seems every year this subject must be covered for two reasons: to remind people that winter has its challenges different from the other seasons; and, to prepare those who haven’t experienced those winter challenges previously. In trucking, there are two preparations that must be considered: the preparation of equipment and the preparation of the personal needs. In most cases, the driver has little control over the proper maintenance of the equipment other than to be able to spot and diagnose problems as they appear. The driver can only report and ask. In most industries, the equipment is stationary, and employees go home every night. In trucking, both equipment and personnel are left to their own devices for days or weeks at a time.

“Proper preparation prevents poor

performance”. Put that alliterative phrase into your mind and never forget it, repeat as many times a day as required. Let’s deal with each preparation separately. The jurisdictional rules also change for the season. When the jurisdiction requires chains, make sure you carry chains and use them as and when required. Jurisdictions that demand chains aren’t just

G. Ray Gompf

recommending, they’re demanding, use. So, make sure the chains you carry are in good shape and not suffering a lot of wear. Make sure you know how to install these chains when required. Put them one and take them off where it’s dry and relatively warm to make sure they work, that they’re in good shape and that you can install them in changing weather conditions. Then, when you will have to install them and the conditions will be less than ideal and it will be cold, you are well prepared. Most of all, when the jurisdiction requires chain use, immediately install those chains until the chain removal is allowed. These jurisdictions can get really ugly when you fail to use the required chains resulting in costly fines. Further, make sure your chains are properly stored and secured when not required. Don’t forget that chains provide traction, but they’re not just for drive axles. Chains on the trailer wheels can also provide a great deal of stability. Don’t ever underestimate or overestimate the control you need on treacherous roads. The point is, make sure you have the chains required for legal requirements but also for safety requirements. It’s not just about legality, it’s always about safety and getting back home with all your fingers, toes, legs, arms and the rest of your body in tact. If your employer will not provide you with the safety equipment you need, then you have two choices: acquire the equipment yourself and it’s yours, so if you slip seat, that equipment goes with you; or, find a new employer. Then next issue with which we’ll discuss is the rest of your equipment. Make sure tires are going to provide sufficient traction on the roads at the low temperatures of winter. Tread depth is important. Make sure all the hoses, belts and connections are functioning properly. That there are no indications of anything rubbing or wearing unnecessarily. If there is indication of rubbing or wearing, then solve the problem by either having the affected part replaced or tie strap it in place so no further damage can occur. Make sure windshield wipers are winter grade and can actually clear the windshield so your vision isn’t impeded in anyway. These items are part of your daily inspection anyway but use this time to ensure everything is as perfect as possible so you may not have issues for the season. This next part of the preparation is for you personally. As sure as the seasons, winter

will present problems over which you have no control. There will be situations that present themselves that could cause you a great deal of grief, even death, if you are not well prepared. Winter is that four wheeler driver that unexpectedly causes you to take evasive action subsequently causing you to wreck. Winter calls for a heightened awareness of surroundings the other seasons allow you to relax like while you’re all alone with no traffic on a nice dry road.

First comes clothing.

Under normal conditions, you’ll have control of the in cab temperature, but you have to prepare for those circumstances that may never happen. Nonetheless, you must be prepared. Carry adequate clothing to be able to withstand long periods of time without heat. This is over and above the normal clothing you carry. Consider this extra clothing safety equipment. Use a separate bag for this extra clothing. Into this bag put a suit of long underwear or two piece long underwear, woollen socks, a loose fitting track suit or two, (pants and sweater), snow pants and a parka, one that comes down to midway between your waist and knees with tie strings that can pull the jacket tightly to eliminate draughts, about four pair of gloves — light ones, a little heavier gloves to wear over the lighter ones, and then a pair of leather mittens in which you can fit both pair of gloves. The more wool you can use for these items that will be next to your skin the better because wool absorbs sweat and wicks it away from your skin keeping you warm. You could also keep some emergency food and some light cooking equipment. Anything that will keep you alive when there is no one coming quickly to rescue you. It happens, be prepared. The fact is, if you get into one of these situations there maybe well be other road users in this same circumstance and you may be rescuing them because they’re unprepared. The whole thing is to consider that winter is not like a nice summer day and could cause you grief if you haven’t considered how you would survive if you found yourself in a situation that might require you to survive a few days at minus forty degrees before rescue. Canada’s winters are brutal. Billions are spent to mitigate that brutality; even so, not all situations can be foreseen. Winter is about survival. Even if you never have to use any of your survival preparations, then consider yourself lucky but at least you know you would be able to have survived. Just consider the worst case scenario, prepare for it, and if you’re not sure if your preparing properly, then ask a more experienced peer. Then you know you’ll never be a victim. If you find yourself in a situation where your truck is stopped and the cab is getting cooled down, break out this bag of clothing and food. Remove the clothing you are wearing now, and dress yourself in this special clothing you have in this special bag. Monitor yourself closely to ensure your staying warm, that hypothermia is not affecting your hands or feet or face. If you sense the slightest encroachment of hypothermia, add another light layer. It’s not about bulk, it’s about many light layers. Stay alert if any of your extremities start to feel cold. Exercise will also fight off the chills. As stated, winter is brutal. Parts and pieces of your truck can snap without warning due to extreme temperatures, grease isn’t grease when extremely cold, but if you’re well prepared and have considered all of the possibilities, you’ll get through winter easily. Just be aware. Aware of what could happen as well as what is happening. Finally, the most important advice: if you’re uncomfortable, stop, and wait it out. No load is worth your life. Do not think your skills are infallible because they are not.

Navistar Close to be Bought by Volkswagen

Last week, a deal in principle was reached in which Volkswagen’s Traton (VW’s truck-making subsidiary) will buy Navistar. Although nothing has been officially signed, the understanding in principle was accepted by Navistar’s major shareholder Carl Icahn and his protégé, Mark Rachesky. In this deal, Volkswagen will pay Navistar $44.50 per share, which would value the company at roughly $3.7 billion. Initially Icahn wanted $50 per share and Traton was offering $35. After weeks of some hard negotiating, the $45.50 per share was finalized. Navistar stocks fell over 20% after Traton announced they would walk away from the deal unless Icahn was willing to come down in his price, which of course he did. Icahn, whose net worth sits at over $16.7 billion, is the controlling shareholder in Icahn Enterprises, a diversified holding company based in New York City. His companies include businesses in real estate, development, pharmaceuticals, and powertrain components and vehicle safety products to name a few. Icahn bought into Navistar in 2011 when the stock prices were roughly $35 per share; Rachesky came in in 2012 when prices were even lower, in the mid-$20s. Icahn’s auto investments took a big hit in 2020, with his Hertz brand filing for bankruptcy due to falling sales because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Icahn had invested nearly $2 billion into Hertz. Navistar’s International line of trucks has about 14% share in the North American truck market, sharing with the likes of Freightliner, Volvo and Peterbilt. Traton hopes that it will increase its market share within a few years. This deal in principle ends almost four years of back-and-forth negotiating between Traton and Navistar. Since VW’s Traton, a global company, doesn’t have any US operations, it was a natural fit for the truck maker to want to buy Navistar. And, by buying out an established brand, Traton doesn’t have to bear the expenses and time to build a company from the ground up.

voksvYgn v`loN KRIidAw jw irhw hY nYvIstwr

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