Volume LXXVIII | Number 11 | November 2012
The Voice of the Trucking Industry in Pennsylvania
Winterize!
state of the industry 2012 BEST DRIVERS TruckPAC golf outing
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910 Linda Lane, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011-6409 Telephone: 717.761.7122 | FAX: 717.761.8434 Visit our website at www.pmta.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS James Germak, Chairman of the Board
Rebecca Summers, First Vice Chairman Stephanie Fleetman, Vice Chairman Timmy Nelson, Vice Chairman
Matthew Campbell, Vice Chairman John Keagel, Treasurer
Gladys Knox, Secretary
Calvin Ewell, ATA Vice President
Calvin Ewell, Immediate Past Chairman Charles Bernier Joseph Butzer
Patrick Meehan Scott Pauchnik Robert Renner
J. Harold Summers Ron Uriah Paul Yerk
PMTA HEADQUARTERS STAFF James W. Runk, President and CEO
Heather Clements, Membership and Chapter Relations Director Doris Fee, Accounting Manager
Wendy Palermo, Title and Registration Agent and Member Services E. Pinkie Pinkham, Front Desk Dean Riland, Safety Director
Carol Smore, Event Coordinator
Nancy Wilkes, Communications Director PennTrux editor: Nancy Wilkes (nwilkes@pmta.org)
Publisher: Hoffmann Publishing Group Dave Hessen, Director of Creative Operations PMTA is an affiliate of the American Trucking Associations Annual PENNTRUX subscription rate for members of PMTA is $8.00; included in dues.
6
A Look at PA’s New Towing Law “He who fails to plan, plans to fail.”
Official Monthly Publication of the PMTA
Winter’s Coming Is your truck ready?
The Voice of the Trucking Industry in Pennsylvania
INSIDE PENNTRUX
Volume LXXVIII | Number 11 | November 2012
8
ACT 13: Distributing the cost of increased deterioration The new law may provide significant benefits to haulers that satisfy its standards and definitions
Surviving Disasters Plan, prepare, mitigate
The 2012 PMTA TruckPAC Golf Outing A $5,0000 win for TruckPAC
State of the Industry Rockin’ down the highway...coming back strong
2012 Best Drivers Twelve drivers earn top honors as Safety Management Council names its Drivers of the Month
10 14 16 19 20 Act
13: NEXT month in PENNTRUX...
End of year regulation wrap up Drivers wanted-how to find them
Departments: Chairman's Message....................................................................................5 TruckPAC Recognition.................................................................................25 Seminar Schedule.......................................................................................24 2012 Membership Application...................................................................23 Membership Reports
President’s Prize....................................................................................26
Welcome New Members.....................................................................26
Crossword Puzzle........................................................................................22
Last Month's Answers.........................................................................25
PMTA Chapter Events.................................................................................27
PENNTRUX 3
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A Word From The Chairman Jim Germak, Jagtrux, Inc.
Planning is key to business survival... PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR TRUCK ASSOCIATION
MISSION STATEMENT The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association was organized to promote the common business interests of persons engaged in the motor transportation industry. It is dedicated to effectively representing the concerns of the trucking industry to members, government and regulatory agencies, and the general public. PMTA has further pledged to assist member companies in managing the impact of change in the trucking industry, and to enhance the professional and economic growth of its members. The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association’s primary functions are as follows: › To work with the Legislature and regulatory agencies to foster, promote and preserve a strong economic climate for trucking in the Commonwealth. › To partner with the enforcement agencies to develop and support safety initiatives that protect the motoring public. › To provide a forum for continuing education through seminars, workshops and conferences. › To disseminate positive industry information to the press promoting the industry. › To be available to our members for personal assistance whenever the need arises.
Disasters happen every day. If you’re like most people, you don’t believe one could happen to you. But it could, and as an owner or a manager, you owe it to yourself, your company, your employees, your community and your customers to be ready. You can survive floods, major snow storms, tornadoes, terrorism, etc. if you are prepared. For motor carriers, there is a second dimension as well. Carriers are often part of the emergency response effort. I believe, and I’m sure you all do too, that in emergencies, motor carriers have to be ready to step up and help rebuild a community. In an educational session held at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference and Exhibition, which several PMTA members attended, Michael Webb, Sr., a certified safety director for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., said a lack of planning, preparing and true commitment are reasons companies fail in disasters. A company’s disaster recovery plan needs to be comprehensive and simple, and the types of events you plan for depends on your geographic area. It’s doubtful Pennsylvania companies need to worry about hurricanes, so the first order is to measure the risk you are exposed to. Disaster recovery is not a trendy topic in transportation, mostly because the vast majority of people have not been impacted. There is no regulation that says a business needs to have a disaster recovery plan. According to Webb, 77% of CEOs fail to take the lead in developing a disaster program. He said a company has to develop a program that includes a company’s physical attributes (building, equipment, etc.) as well as intellectual property (data bases), and every department has to be involved in the preparation. The article on page 19 outlines the basics of creating a disaster recovery plan. It is well worth your time to read it and do some more research. Also coming from the ATA conference is the annual industry update from President and CEO Bill Graves. He said the long-term macro outlook for trucking has “never been better, but the near-term micro view continues to be very challenging,” Read the report on page 14. A recurring theme at the conference was the industry’s push to get federal regulators to make changes to CSA. Graves said everyone agrees CSA will make travel safer. He said, “But it must be implemented and managed in such a way as to instill confidence within the industry that our buy-in to the program will make our companies stronger and not be penalized by inaccurate data or misrepresentation by the shipping community or the media.” In May, ATA presented FMCSA with a list of top CSA issues, such as the crash accountability program, unreliable fleet safety scoring, and whether dismissed or not-guilty accusations ought to affect scores. In short, CSA still has some serious flaws, and FMCSA admits it is working on fixing them. On a personal and more positive note, I wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving. We do have much to be thankful for.
PENNTRUX 5
Winter’s coming...
Is your truck ready?
11
maintenace tips for carriers
T
he jack-o-lanterns are gone and thoughts are veering toward the next holiday. As wise trucking company managers, your thoughts are turning toward preparing your fleet for winter driving. Most trucking companies plan well in advance for this important part of taking care of their investments, and winterizing trucks is essential for maintaining them and keeping unnecessary costs down. Large, maintenance-sophisticated fleets have built many checkpoints into their winter preparedness programs, and they begin way before October or November. Smaller and independent fleets may have to revisit their programs each year. To minimize cold weather breakdowns and maximize delivery window commitments, here are some “Maintenance 101” tips for carriers who may need some help.
1
Inspect the vehicle thoroughly for damage or worn parts and replace as needed. Examine the truck in a systematic pattern to ensure you cover all areas thoroughly – begin with the front of the truck and work around it, much as you would during a pre-trip and post-trip inspection.
2
Check the engine compartment for any loose, worn or damaged wires and hoses. Inspect the hoses for any bulges
6 PENNTRUX
that might indicate possible weak spots. Check hose clamps to ensure they are secure and not damaged. Inspect the radiator for leaks. Inspect the belts and replace as needed. Check the oil and oil block heater unit. Add winter blend wiper fluid and inspect wiper blades; replace as needed.
3
Coolant systems must be charged and validated for freeze protection as well as the supplemental coolant additive levels. Antifreeze types and SCA consistency is paramount as both have tendencies under sustained heat and time to chemically breakdown and minimize protection. Adding antifreeze isn’t adequate. Refractometers must be used to determine the acceptable dosage of the proper antifreeze in addition to OEM/ aftermarket supplied test procedures and devices to check SCA levels.
4
Test the air compressor and air dryer system; drain any water from the air tanks. Inspect the values and check system operation. Many tractor air dryers are capable of removing the condensation in the trailer when connected, but trailers that have been untethered for a period of time in cold weather have converted the condensation in the system to ice that could definitely cause initial hook-up problems causing possible brake drag. Then you’ll have tire issues you didn’t expect.
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5
Check the air lines for any water traps and leaks, and drain the air reservoirs periodically. Do not add any fluids to the air lines. Use the dummy air line connectors on the rear of the cab when not connected to a trailer to prevent debris and excess water from getting into the system. Do not add methanol in the air lines on modern air dryer systems as this will damage the internal components. Some trucks may have had the air dryers bypassed due to line or inoperative valve conditions during the warmer months, and this will definitely bite you as the temperatures drop.
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Cold water leaks occur easily and often as the ambient temperature changes, as the aluminum coolant neck housings expand and contract. This isn’t a serious issue, but it may be just enough to cause low-coolant sensors to activate shutdown programming in your engine control unit. At the next preventive maintenance, carefully tighten the hose clamps.
7
The cab heater, inactive during the summer, must be inspected to insure that no detrimental corrosion has occurred. Drain lines must also be cleared of debris. Replace the cab filter. Test the heater performance and inspect vents and heater door panels to make sure they are operating correctly. In older trucks, a valve on the engine has to be opened to permit heated water to flow through the system.
8
The electrical system must be inspected. Check the alternator, starter and batteries and perform a load test on each battery. Look at electrical wiring for frays or other damage. Check the truck and trailer thoroughly and make sure you have emergency fuses on hand. Periodically inspect for any loose, exposed or hanging wires where ice and snow can collect.
9
Check the fuel system and insure there is no water in the diesel fuel. Fuel/water separators should be serviced and brought up to OEM specification. It is important to review fuel purchases and availability, giving extra attention to the consistency, gel points and respective flow restriction attributes. Fuel tanks, especially aluminum tanks, will make water with temperature changes. This permits the growth of algae in the
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tanks and can lead to catastrophic fuel system failure. There are many products on the market that can help eliminate this problem. Many fleets run mixtures of #1 and #2 diesel fuels.
10
Check the exhaust system to insure there are no leaks. A leaking exhaust can put dangerous fumes in the sleeping area of the truck.
11
Tires are more susceptible to damage in cold weather conditions. In extremely cold temperatures, sidewalls can become brittle and subject to impact damage from curbing, etc. Remember, during the heat of summer, air pressure tends to rise. In colder weather, the acceptable PSI gauged in your tires will be much different. Your air pressure program is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer. It is important to prepare your drivers for winter driving. Make sure they have emergency supplies and equipment in case they are stranded because of bad weather. Extra food, water, blankets and medical and survival supplies should be in every cab.
Bring on the snow! PENNTRUX 7
“He who fails to plan, plans to fail.”
A LOOK AT PA’S NEW TOWING LAW By Jennifer Mulligan Marcello & Kivisto, LLC
necessary. To add to the trucking company’s nightmare, every day their truck sits in storage they are being charged storage fees. On average, these fees range from $50 to $75 per day. In addition to the storage fees, trucking companies are also losing revenue because their vehicle is out of commission.
G
rowing up, one of my dad’s favorite quotes by Winston Churchill was “he who fails to plan, plans to fail.” I honestly never truly understood the meaning of this saying until I started practicing law. All too often our office receives calls from clients regarding disputes between them and a towing company. For example a trucking company has a driver who was involved in an accident. Following the accident, law enforcement officers or authorized municipal personnel called a towing company (from a list of towing companies in the area) to come to the scene and tow the truck. In the days following the accident, the trucking company or the insurance company receives an outrageous bill – which requires full payment before the vehicle is returned – from the towing company. Some of the outrageous expenses charged by towing companies include charging for: more hours of service than the work required, excess employees and tow trucks which were unnecessarily dispatched to the scene, or work that was not 8 PENNTRUX
In early September, Pennsylvania addressed this issue by enacting the Towing and Towing Storage Facility Standards Act. The act provides trucking companies new rights regarding the towing and storage of their vehicles. First, the act provides that a tow truck operator shall undertake towing at the scene of the motor vehicle accident only if summoned to the scene by the vehicle owner or operator, law enforcement, or authorized municipal personnel. Second, it provides that “the owner or operator of the vehicle being towed shall summon to the scene the tow truck operator of the owner’s or operator’s choice in consultation with law enforcement or authorized municipal personnel and designate the location where the vehicle to is be towed.” This provides the owner or the operator of the vehicle the right to choose the towing operator it wants to come to the scene and the location to be towed. The act makes an exception to this right if the owner or operator is incapacitated, unable to summon a tow operator, or defers to
law enforcement or municipal personnel. It also provides that the owner or operator’s right may be superseded by a law enforcement officer or authorized municipal personnel if the owner or operator’s tower cannot respond in sufficient time and the vehicle “is a hazard, impedes the flow of traffic or may not legally remain in its location in the opinion of law enforcement or authorized municipal personnel.”
The Towing and Towing Storage Facility Standards Act provides trucking companies new rights regarding the towing and storage of their vehicles. The key to protecting your right of choice is two-fold. First it is important to have a plan. As a trucking company you should be aware of the regular roads your employees drive on. For instance, in Pennsylvania, Interstate 81 is frequently used by trucking companies. If you know your employees travel on Interstate 81 on a regular basis, it would be a good idea to have a list of preferred towing companies, their addresses, and phone numbers easily accessible to both drivers and dispatch personnel. When a driver is broken down or in an accident, the dispatcher or driver should: (1) contact your chosen tow operator, from the pre-generated list—ASAP; (2) have the tow operator give you an estimated
time of arrival; and (3) immediately tell law enforcement and municipal authorities the name of the towing company you contacted, that they are on the way, and the time they are expected to arrive. By following these steps, you should not find yourself in a nightmare dispute with a towing company. What do you do if you do find yourself in a dispute with a towing company and the towing company is not allowing you access to inspect your vehicle until you pay their bill in full? The new act also contains provisions regarding the release of the vehicle, access to it, and storage fees. A towing operator shall not refuse to release a vehicle during its posted operating hours upon request by the owner or person authorized by the owner. In addition, a tow trucking operator must provide reasonable hours when the owner or person authorized by the owner can access the vehicle “for purposes of inspection and retrieval.” Unless ordered to hold the vehicle by law enforcement, no storage fee may be charged for any period during which the tow operator refused reasonable access during normal business hours or refused to allow inspection of the vehicle for repairs or appraisal. Next time your company is faced with a driver broken down or in an accident, do not let Winston Churchill’s quote “he who fails to plan, plans to fail” haunt you.
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PENNTRUX 9
Twelve drivers earn top honors as Safety Management Council names it’s Drivers of the Month. PMTA’s Safety Management Council’s January 2012 Driver of the Month is Michael Wiest, a driver with FedEx Ground. A professional driver for 27 years, he has 2.8 million miles with FedEx Ground, and he has not had an accident. He is a member of the FedEx Ground 2 Million Miler Club, an active member of Trucker Buddy International, and a finalist in the 2004 Independent Contractor of the Year sponsored by the Truckload Carriers Association and Overdrive Magazine. He has been a competitor in the National Truck Driving Championships from 1996 through 2006, receiving first place in 1999 and 2008 in the twins class. Weist exemplifies the best qualities of a professional independent contractor/driver. His lifelong commitment to the trucking industry is evident in his more than 27 years of accident-free driving with more than 2.8 million safe miles. Rick Starnes, senior manager, line haul, said, “Having a professional driver like Michael represent FedEx Ground on America’s roadways each day just reinforces the motoring publics’ trust in our company’s commitment to safety.” He and his wife, Sherry, have two children, Laura and Bret, and a granddaughter, Peighton. In his free time, he enjoys archery, hunting, sports, running, detailing his tractor and spending time with his new granddaughter. Joseph Slifco, a driver with CVS Pharmacy, is SMC’s February Driver of the Month. With 32 years of commercial driving, he has 1.8 million safe driving miles. He was CVS’s Driver of the Year four times, the 1999 Ryder CBV Driver of the Year, 2002 PMTA Driver of the Month for January, and a CVS President’s 10 PENNTRUX
Level Safe Driver with 16 consecutive safe driving years. Robert Weaver, transportation manager, said Slifco should be considered for Driver of the Month award “because of his history of demonstrating outstanding driving skills, customer service level, and his overall professionalism. I feel these accomplishments should not be looked upon lightly considering the magnified difficulties of delivering to our stores, which includes very tight delivery areas, driver hand unloading, and extreme time and paperwork restraints.” On a recent driver evaluation, Slifco received an excellent rating with perfect scores in all areas–safety, dispatch, paperwork, management and store service. He drives from the CVS Somerset Distribution Center. A driver with Earl R. Martin, Inc., Ed Weaver, is the March Driver of the Month. He has been with Earl Martin for 18 years and has 1.5 million accident-free miles. He has never received a violation during his career as a professional driver. In his nomination letter, Eric Skelton, safety and compliance manager, said, “Ed is successful because he conducts himself in a calm, methodical and precise fashion. He possesses a thorough knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of being a safe petroleum transport driver. Ed is friendly and courteous to his coworkers and our customers. Ed is a tremendous asset to our company.” His wife, Sandy, said, “Ed is a very dedicated man, to his family and his job. He takes his job very seriously and wants to please the customers and not make mistakes. He is very friendly and outgoing. He deserves this recognition for all the years of service and dedication he has given the company. He is also respectful and loves to keep his big rig clean.” They have two children, Melissa and Anthony. He enjoys hunting and relaxing in the mountains and playing and winning at Scrabble.
The April Driver of the Month is Scott Griffin, a driver with Conway Freight. He is a driver who upholds Con-way core values every day – safety, integrity, commitment and excellence. With 20 years of professional driving, Griffin has logged 720,000 miles with Conway since he joined the company in 1996. He received the Con-way 10-year Safety Award in 2008 and has participated in the state Truck Driving Championships for many years, winning first place in the sleeper class in 2010 and third place in 2011. William Wright, safety manager for Con-way, said, “Scott has always been an employee who would step up to any challenge.” He helped prepare and train drivers of the national truck driving championships and worked 12-hour days over weekends to facilitate the practices. As a person who has traveled the highways with him, supervised him and coached and mentored him in TDCs, I cannot say enough about his attitude and dedication to safety and his fellow employees.” He is active in his church where he serves in numerous missions. Griffin and his wife, Angela, enjoy hiking. Steven R. Murphy, Sr., a driver with Lester R. Summers, Inc., is the May Driver of the Month. He has accumulated 4 million miles as a professional driver for 30 years. The recipient of the American Trucking Associations 3-year Safe Driving Award, he serves on the workplace safety committee and was named fireman of the year two times. In his five years with Summers Trucking, he has proven to be a dependable employee who can always be counted on to get the job done safely and in a timely manner. In the nomination letter, Summers Trucking’s director of safety, Steven Freysz, wrote about an incident last year. Murphy helped a driver get out of a burning vehicle after a crash. His quick thinking saved the driver’s life. Freysz said the reason Murphy does not have a four-year ATA Safety Award is because he was laid off for a period of time in 2009 and did not have enough work time that year to qualify. Murphy and his wife, Jayne, have two children, Kerry and Steven. He enjoys riding his motorcycle, hunting and spending time with his family. He said he loves driving trucks and traveling to different places and enjoys the challenge of hauling oversize loads. The June Driver of the Month is Ken Koser from Earl R. Martin, Inc. He has more than 4.5 million driving miles and 45 years
of commercial driving, 41 of those with Earl R. Martin. In 2003, the National Association of Small Trucking Companies named him Driver of the Year. In his nomination letter, Eric Skelton, safety and compliance manager, said, “Ken’s record speaks volumes about who he is and how he feels about doing the job right. There have been countless changes in the industry during Ken’s career, and through it all he has adapted and remained a consummate professional. Driving throughout the northeast corridor and Canada, Ken’s dedication to customer service and safety have been the building blocks of our driver roster.” His wife, Linda, said her husband spent many happy hours as a child driving toy farm tractors and wagons and was always able to back them expertly. She said his “even temperament, steadfastness in character and work ethic” are the qualities that have added to his success. They have four children and six grandchildren. Koser enjoys hunting with family and friends and restoring antique John Deere tractors.
Paul Reynolds, a 31-year driver, is the July Driver of the Month. He has 2.8 million career miles and has been a driver for H.R. Ewell, Inc., since 1982. Reynolds received a 22-year safe driving award. One hot day, he was stopped in Mount Joy because of construction traffic. He noticed a woman walking a puppy. The puppy was dehydrated and would not walk, and Reynolds handed the woman a gallon jug of water for the puppy. Before she could thank him, the traffic started to move again, and he left. The woman was so impressed and said she always had a bad opinion of truck drivers, and this totally changed it. Phyllis Wells, H.R. Ewell’s director of safety, said, “I believe Paul Reynolds exhibits all of the characteristics of a driver that is worthy of being selected as the Driver of the Month. He is extremely safe in everything he does and always addresses issues that have the potential of being unsafe, whether it is at a new customer or with new equipment. He is generous with his time and always willing to help other drivers. His professionalism is beyond compare.” Continued on page 12 PENNTRUX 11
Continued from page 11 Reynolds and his wife, Linda, have two sons, Scott and David, and two grandchildren, Avery and Tegan. He enjoys deer hunting and is the 1,000 yard bench rest shooting national winner. Albert Montgomery has been a driver with Giant Food Stores LLC for almost 17 years with no accidents. He is the August Driver of the Month. He has accumulated more than 3.5 million miles accident free during his 42-year career. From Giant, Montgomery received awards for 15 years of service, perfect attendance for eight of his 17 years with Giant, first runner-up for Associate of the Year, a Labor of Love award from KISS 98.5/102.5 radio for valiant efforts in aiding victims of Hurricane Katrina, safe driving awards 1996-2002 and 2004-2011, Gold Star Club Award for 10 years of safe driving (2009), awards for 100% Club for outstanding performance (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), Professional Associate Award and Service Associate of the Month award, and Outstanding Performance Driving the Winter of 1995-1996. Montgomery was a member of PMTA’s Highway Watch Homeland Security group. He was part of a team of drivers who took supplies to the Gulf when Katrina hit in 2005. Later that year, he volunteered to take a load of school supplies to Slidell, Louisiana. In July 2011, when the tornado hit Joplin, Missouri, he took a tractor-trailer of supplies from the Brethren in Christ Home in Palmyra to the Brethren in Christ Home in Joplin. For five years, he has been a volunteer truck driver for Project SHARE in Carlisle, an organization that provides food, furniture and clothing to families in need. He enjoys fishing, hunting, reading, bicycling, walking, watching football, racing and old western movies, and spending time with his family and friends. He and his wife, Beverly, have three daughters and four grandchildren. The September Driver of the Month is Joseph Drugo, a driver for Ward Transport and Logistics Corp. With 40 years of commercial driving, he has more than 1.2 million miles with Ward and received numerous safe driving awards. Drugo works from Ward’s Harmarville service center as a driver and trainer. Recently he trained employees on the Galaxy Tablet, a tool to aid pickup and delivery drivers. In February 2012, he reached the difficult milestone of driving 30 consecutive years without a preventable accident. 12 PENNTRUX
Jeff Kovacik, safety manager for Ward, wrote, “Joe is a safe and reliable driver who gets the job done every day. He goes the extra mile for our company. Ward Transport is proud to recommend Joe for this award.” Drugo and his wife, Denise, have two sons and three grandchildren. He enjoys hunting, fishing and training beagles. James O’Shea is the October Driver of the Month. He has been a driver for Con-way Freight since 2009 and a commercial driver for 31 years. In his previous jobs, he earned safe driving awards from G.L. Wilson Co. and U.S.F. Holland Co. O’Shea is a driver trainer for Con-way and helps train employees on a variety of safety related topics. Recently he participated in Operation SOAR with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Pittsburgh. He enjoys hunting and fishing and spending time with his wife, Brenda, and their German shepherd, Liza Jane. Steven Kruszewski, a driver with Ward Transport and Logistics Corp., is the November Driver of the Month. He has been employed for almost 20 years with Ward Trucking and has won numerous safe driving awards. Working as a pickup and delivery driver from Ward’s Philadelphia service center, Kruszewski has 364,000 miles. Jeff Kovacik, safety manager, said, “Steve is a safe, reliable driver we can really count on.” He has two children and two grandchildren. His hobbies are fishing, going to Phillies and Eagles games, and the stock market. The December Driver of the Month is Michael Laub of Boring Transport Inc. With 3.2 million safe driving miles logged, he has been a commercial driver for 22 years. Marilyn Boring, office manager, said, “Mike has a very good driving record and work ethic. He continually works hard and is a good example for the Boring Transport team.” Laub enjoys spending time with his wife, Karen, and children and grandchildren. He also enjoys watching “Ice Road Truckers.” The Safety Management Council will announce the 2012 Driver of the Year at the annual Driver of the Month luncheon on December 13, 2012. All 12 Drivers of the Month, their spouses or significant others, families, safety managers and company officials are invited to the luncheon.
PENNTRUX 13
e h t f o e t a t S
Industr y impact your operations and the customers you serve? Labor is our number one expense. If we get in a tight labor market, how will that impact you?”
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ast year, American Trucking Associations’ president and CEO Gov. Bill Graves talked about visualizing the state of the industry as the road ahead. This year, he said we resolved some of the cracks and the potholes, but some new ones have developed. “You are all moving on down the road. I think we are at a significant crossroads,” Grave said in his annual state of the industry address at ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition. The conference was Oct. 7-10 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, with more than 1,500 attendees. The theme of the conference, “Rockin’ Down the Highway, Comin’ Back Strong!” has double meaning. It reflects slow but steady growth over the past year, as the economy digs out from the recession. The good news is the trucking industry is once again leading the country to recovery. The theme also reflects a work in progress, and Graves said we all need to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Graves said we are at a crossroads in technology. “What decisions will you make about recruiting and retaining? How will CSA 14 PENNTRUX
He also asked what role natural gas and hybrid vehicles play. “What if your competitors change and you don’t? As you approach each of these decision points, some directions will be obvious while some will be difficult. From my vantage point, I don’t think the industry is at a crossroads as much as the individual companies,” he said. The long-term macro outlook for trucking has never been better; the micro view has never been more challenging. Graves said the crossroads has more to do with the carriers willing to embrace change, and those unwilling to do so will not survive. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released a list of the top 10 concerns for the industry, the result of an industry survey. The top concern is CSA. Graves called it the biggest change confronting the industry and said some parts are working well, but CSA still has some serious flaws and is not working as well as leaders had hoped. “There will never be a time when our members will not put safety first. That cannot be said for everyone in the industry. We believe CSA is the program that will put safety first, but it must be implemented consistently,” Graves said. The number two concern is hours of service. Graves said we are at another hours of service crossroads. “Litigation is always a last resort, but this administration forced us down that course.
Changes were the result of political pressures, not from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials.” Number three is the economy. The second quarter gross domestic product was recently revised downward. U.S. orders for durable goods plummeted. The fiscal cliff looms, threatening to cause the largest tax increase in history. No wonder consumers lack confidence. The driver shortage is number four. Graves said we once again face a driver shortage; expected to grow from 20,000 to 30,000 now to more than 200,000 in two years. He has not solutions, but he asked, “Are we going to raise driver pay? Improve the environment to attract drivers? Will the shipping industry help?” The available and price of fuel is the fifth major concern. As the largest consumers of diesel fuel, the trucking industry stands at yet another crossroads. With the Department of Energy predicting unlimited supplies of natural gas, ultimately it is a choice that is going to up to everyone in the industry. The EOBR mandate is number six. “In my view we were previously at a policy crossroads (2011-2012). I was wondering if FMCSA would move forward that point. When Congress finally passed MAP 21, ATA succeeded in moving the industry beyond the crossroad. It is imperative that we keep DOT on this path no matter what happens in the election,” Graves said.
Driver retention, adequate truck parking, driver health and wellness are other important concerns the industry faces. The last on the list of industry concerns was a growing reluctance to invest in highway infrastructure. A fuel tax is necessary, Graves said. “If we don’t find our own solution, we will be faced with Hobson’s choice. Graves said an issue that was not on the list but is worth mentioning is where the U.S. is with tax policies. “If the new Congress settles down to business, they may well take up tax reform.” In conclusion, Graves showed the audience a quick year in review from Transport Topics headlines: Virginia Studies New Plans for I-81 Tolls; Transportation Board Eyeing Tolls in SC, NC; Fed Calls Economic Activity Lackluster; Presidential Race Will Be About Economy and Security; Congress Appears To Favor Short-term Transportation Bill; Safety Coalition Sues FMCSA for HOS Rules; Truckers Back Improving; Sales of Heavy Duty Trucks Still Sluggish; Peterbilt Motors Plans to Offer NG Engines; Fuel Bills Stagger Trucking – Diesel Hits Record $1.70. No, that isn’t a typo. Every one of these headlines was from 10 years ago. “This industry’s past is a story of growth, success and profitability,” Graves said. PENNTRUX 15
Golf outing is a big win for TruckPAC!
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n a clear and pleasant Wednesday morning, 65 golfers gathered to play their game and support the trucking industry in significant ways. The 2012 PMTA TruckPAC golf outing was Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Armitage Golf Club in Mechanicsburg, and golfer and sponsor participation yielded more than $5,000 for the political action committee, further strengthening PMTA’s wellrespected reputation on Capitol Hill.
Team trophy – The golf team from Thoman Transportation
Services/Universal won the 2012 TruckPAC golf traveling PMTA has held a golf outing to trophy. Golfers are, from right, Sam Wroda, Timothy Thoman, Keith Kraut and Shane Henry. benefit TruckPAC for 14 years. It is one of the major fund raisers for the PAC. This year’s event included a pre-outing online auction for a vintage photograph of professional golfer Ben Hogan and a silent auction at the event.
The team from Thoman Transportation Services/ Universal of Spring Grove won the coveted traveling
tournament trophy. Team golfers were Timothy Thoman, Sam Wroda, Keith Kraut and Shane Henry. Henry also won the straightest drive contest. Sue Summers-Steffy from Lester R. Summers, Inc., had the longest ladies’ drive and the closest to the pin shot, and Cindy Kametz from Hunter Keystone Peterbilt had the straightest drive. Longest men’s drive was by Marlin Weaver. Judy Ward from Ward Transport and Logistics Corp. volunteered to monitor Thank you to all participants of the 2012 TruckPAC the hole in one contest. No golf outing. The funds generated help PMTA continue one got a hole in one, but she enjoyed talking to the its high visibility in the state capital. golfers.
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Special sponsorships Hole in one – H.F. Campbell & Son, Inc. Dinner – FedEx Corp., Lancaster Chapter, Marcello & Kivisto, LLC, Lester R. Summers, Inc., West Side Radiator Works, LLC Carts – ECBM Longest drives – Ward Transport and Logistics Corp., York/Adams Chapter Closest to the pin – FedEx Corp., Mack Trucks, Inc. Straightest drive – Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter Silent auction – Samuel J. Lansberry, Inc., Sunshine Flag Service, Inc., Ward Transport and Logistics Corp., North Central Chapter, Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter, Southwest Chapter, York/Adams Chapter Putting contest – PPC Lubricants, Inc. Practice range – Qualcomm Enterprise Services Beverages – W.D. Wilsbach Distribution, Inc. Course snacks – Summers Trucking Water – Hess Auctioneers, LLC Golf towels – West Side Radiator Works, LLC
Hole Sponsors ADESA Pittsburgh Truck Auction Becky, Sue, Kelly and Cindy Paul E. Bitting Transportation Service Boles Metzger Brosius & Emerick, PC H.F. Campbell & Son, Inc. Central Chapter Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Edris Oil Service, Inc. H.R. Ewell, Inc. Five Star International, LLC Freightliner of Lancaster and Harrisburg Hunter Keystone Peterbilt, LLC Interstate Motor Carriers Jagtrux, Inc. Kenworth of Pennsylvania Mack Trucks, Inc. McNees, Wallace and Nurick, LLC Milliron Associates Mustang Expediting, Inc. Northeast Chapter Pennsylvania Truck Centers, Inc. Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter Pion Johnson, P.C. Pitt Ohio Express, Inc. PPC Lubricants, Inc. South Central Chapter Southwest Chapter UPS York/Adams Chapter
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18 PENNTRUX
Surviving Disasters Plan, prepare, mitigate.
The basics of a preparedness plan begin with a plan to stay in business. The continuity plan starts with a business impact analysis. Next, create an emergency plan for employees, including an emergency supplies store and an evacuation plan. Companies should create a shelter in place plan and a fire safety plan and should prepare for medical emergencies as well. “Coordinate with others. Make sure everyone knows what the plan involves, and I mean everyone, from the CEO to the part-time clerk. Review the plan annually, and make changes if necessary,” Cumming said.
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ike the commercial for insurance shows, a disaster can wipe out a home, business or entire community in minutes. The question is, are you prepared? Do you have a recovery plan?
At an educational session at the American Trucking Associations’ 2012 Management Conference and Exhibition held last month, a panel of transportation industry leaders who have been through the worst nature can dish out discussed how they kept on rolling. Michael Cummings, private sector liaison, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region IX, from Oakland, Calif., said the disaster recovery cycle starts at the community level. Cummings was involved in disaster recovery after the September 2011 attack on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon. That experience highlighted the important part the transportation industry plays in recovery efforts. “It is important for you as an industry to become more resilient,” he said. The key is to prepare. “An investment in planning today will not only help protect your business investments and your livelihood, but will also support your employees, customers and stakeholders, the community, the local economy and even the country for an individual as critical as yours,” Cummings said.
As important as creating a plan is practicing the plan with coworkers, because an unpracticed plan is useless. Cummings said companies should also promote family and individual preparedness. “Write a crisis communications plan, too. Review your insurance coverage. Prepare for utility disruptions and how to secure your facilities, including buildings and equipment. Assess your building’s air protection, which is something we learned during the September 11 attacks. Improve cyber security,” Cumming said. Michael Webb, certified safety director for Old Dominion Freight Lines, said a business’s disaster recovery plan needs to be comprehensive and simple. You can identify the hazards that have happened or could happen in your area and plan for the unique actions for each. Webb said a company’s informational technology department often drives a lot of disaster recovery plan development, but that won’t work. “They can’t develop a program for your physical attributes. Every department needs to be involved. And you need someone to manage the program,” he said.
FEMA has disaster recovery plan templates for individuals and businesses on its website, http://www.fema.gov/planprepare-mitigate. PENNTRUX 19
Act 13: Distributing the cost of increased deterioration By Barbara A. Darkes and James J. Franklin, McNees, Wallace and Nurick, LLC.
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nyone who has traveled on a Pennsylvania highway knows that road deterioration and maintenance issues are a significant concern in the Commonwealth. Indeed, for many years various studies and surveys have ranked Pennsylvania as having the worst roads of any state in the country. Unfortunately, the boom in Marcellus Shale exploration and development has only worsened this problem. Specifically, PennDOT has noted that hauling associated with the Marcellus Shale industry has caused a significant increase in the number and frequency of heavy loads using state roads and secondary routes. In many cases, these roads and routes simply do not have the structural integrity to support such heavy loads at this increased frequency, which has caused accelerated deterioration of these roads and amplified the amount of resources required to maintain them. In an effort to reduce this impact and pay for the increased maintenance costs, Pennsylvania has seen a 68% increase in the number of state routes posted with weight restrictions. As a result, almost ¼ of all state routes have posted weight restrictions, and that percentage increases every day. Typically any hauler who utilizes a route with a load that exceeds the posted weight restrictions will have to bond that route, thus making them partially financially responsible for the increased damage and maintenance costs caused by their use. One consequence of this scheme, however, is that haulers, local businesses, and other local traffic that have operated on these routes for years without restriction or bonding requirements now find themselves having to share in the excess financial burden and responsibility supposedly attributable to Marcellus Shale related activity. Governor Corbett became increasingly concerned that these traditional haulers and local traffic were shouldering a disproportionate share of the financial maintenance burden. In response, earlier this year the Governor signed Act 13 into law. The purpose of Act 13 is to provide a temporary scheme by which PennDOT can better identify and distinguish between those over-posted-weight haulers that cause significant damage to the Commonwealth’s highway system from those over-posted-weight haulers that cause minimal road damage. Act 13 attempts to accomplish this goal in three ways. First, the existing law and regulations that allow for vehicles to self-certify as “local traffic,” have been maintained. Essentially, if a hauler or driver can only get to its destination via a posted road, even if that is its own commercial establishment, it may not have to bond the road. If a hauler or driver meets this “local traffic” definition, it will not obtain any formal approval from PennDOT, but it should carry documentation proving its origination and/or destination. Businesses
20 PENNTRUX
who believe they meet this definition should educate their drivers and suppliers on this exemption so that they can better communicate with law enforcement during any stop and hopefully avoid a citation. Additionally, businesses should be alert for any notice from PennDOT that it has made a determination that the vehicles over the posted weight being driven to your location are likely to damage the highway. PennDOT is authorized to do so and such a determination, which must be provided in writing, effectively destroys the local traffic exemption. Second, Act 13 allows haulers to apply for a letter of local determination if their business activity falls within an “at-risk” industry, meaning that the industry has suffered a 20% decline in employment since 2002. The U.S. Census Bureau maintains a list on its website of industries that fall within this category. If a hauler does meet this definition, they can apply to PennDOT for a letter of local determination, which will generally allow them to utilize the necessary posted routes without any bond requirement. Third, under Act 13, haulers can also obtain a letter of local determination if PennDOT deems them a “de minimis” hauler. By “de minimis,” Act 13 means a hauler determined not likely to cause damage to a particular posted road. PennDOT has a list of criteria it uses to make this determination, including the weight and frequency of the hauler’s anticipated loads and the structure and integrity of the posted route in question. If satisfied that the hauler meets this definition, PennDOT will issue the letter of local determination, though PennDOT may place limits on the hauler’s activity, including the number of loads the hauler may take on the route in a given time period. If a hauler receives a de minimis letter, it may utilize the necessary posted routes without any bond requirement. A hauler may obtain a letter under both the at-risk industry and de minimis standards. If a hauler receives a letter of local determination, it must make sureto carry that letter with them at all times while traveling on those posted routes. The hauler should also still carry documentation establishing its destination. Pursuant to the Act, the maximum effective period of any letter is 12 months, with PennDOT determining the specific effective period of any given letter. Notably, Act 13 precludes hauling related to “unconventional oil and gas development” – think Marcellus Shalerelated activity – from qualifying as local traffic and from receiving a letter of local determination under either standard. Currently, Act 13 is scheduled to remain in effect through the year 2015. Act 13 may provide significant benefits to haulers that satisfy its standards and definitions. Haulers should use caution, however, as the Act’s provisions contain detailed requirements and restrictions.
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capture more business opportunities by advertising in PennTrux Magazine. 910 Linda Lane, Camp Hill, PA 17011-6409 717.761.7122 | www.pmta.org
570-640-0839 Advertising@PMTA.org PENNTRUX 21
PennTrux November Crossword By Myles Mellor
Myles Mellor Theme Crosswords
yles Mellor is one of the top crossword writers in the world, publishing more than 100 crosswords and puzzles each month. He M has published over 6,000 crosswords in newspapers, magazines, electronic devices and websites in the U.S. and internationally and Crossword by Myles Mellorbooks in Barnes and Noble and Books a Million stores nationwide. has published numerous crossword
Across 1. RV (2 words) 8. Short trailer 10. Great heavyweight 11. Regular line between cities during the dark (2 words) 13. Not moving fast 14. Chicago's state 16. What gets carried 17. Papers required for an abnormal load (2 words) 21. Beer can come from it 22. Truckers' return trip (goes with 35 across) 24. High flying bird 25. Take off 26. ___ Grand (Las Vegas) 27. __ the route 28. See 22 across 30. "Survivor" ____ council 32. "Let it __" The Beatles 34. Auto 35. "___, myself and I" Beyonce 36. Group of three axles on a truck 37. Aces 39. "There ____ no mountain high enough" Michael Macdonald 40. Small, for short 41. Road across a river, another road, etc 44. ____ Knievel (Motorcycle cop) 46. Desert resting place 47. Tire's need 49. ______ town (New York) 50. For sure (2 words) Down 1. CB radio nickname 2. Cable used to transmit electrical power from the tractor to the trailer 3. Still 4. Bubble in the fuel system 5. Storage depot 6. Deer 7. Newport locale 8. Wooden board for carrying goods 9. Animal's foot
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12. ___ Horton's 15. Pries open 18. Cleaning equipment 19. Type of wheel 20. Gas and mileage measure 23. Elf 27. Alternative 28. More weight than you are supposed to carry (2 words) 29. On hold (2 words) 30. One eyed monster 31. Vital part of an engine 32. Antes 33. Take home amount (2 words) 35. St Louis state 37. S sound 38. Intelligent 39. Purchase something without any upgrades or warranties (2 words) 42. Go bad 43. While 45. Testing area 48. That is, for short
PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR TRUCK ASSOCIATION 910 Linda Lane, Camp Hill, PA 17011-6409 › Phone: 717-761-7122 › 800-382-1373 › Fax: 717-761-8434 › www.pmta.org
2012 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Application is hereby made for membership in the following Chapter of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association: Central Lancaster North Central Northeast Phila/Delaware Valley South Central Southwest York/Adams Firm Name _____________________________________________________ Date_______________________ Address___________________________________________________________________________________ County____________ City_____________________________ State________ Zip_______________________ Representative’s Name________________________________ Title___________________________________ Telephone Number ( _______ ) ____________ E-mail_____________________________________________ (print clearly) Fax Number ( _______ ) ____________ Nature of Business ________________________________________
*Total Number of Trucks and/or Power Units (over 10,000 GVW) TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP PLEASE INDICATE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT OPERATED
Private _______ Dry Van For Hire _______ Refrigerated Trade _______ Flatbed Manufacturer _______ Dump Active Retired _______ Tank Associate Other__________________________________ (Please specify) How did you hear about our association? ANNUAL DUES SCHEDULE—Effective January 1, 2012 * Dues for those operating trucks are based on the number of trucks (owned or leased) and operated in, into, out of, or through Pennsylvania. *CARRIER (For Hire and/or Private) First truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 143.00 Each add’l to maximum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.00 Maximum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,980.00 MANUFACTURERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 600.00 Those manufacturing commodities or equipment (trucks, trailers, tires or other commodities) TRADE MEMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 385.00
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 75.00 Additional members from a company which maintain a Primary Membership in PMTA. ACTIVE VETERAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50.00 Any member who has been awarded veteran member status and desires to remain active on local chapter boards and/or the state board of directors.
DUES PAYMENTS ARE DEDUCTIBLE AS BUSINESS EXPENSES ONLY. (The deduction of amounts paid to PMTA as an ordinary and necessary business expense is subject to limitations imposed as a result of PMTA’s lobbying activities. PMTA estimates that 10% of your dues and other payments to the Association are non-deductible.)
Subscriber industry segments
Arbor/Landscape Management Attorneys/Professional Services CDL Schools Chemicals, Allied Gasses, Fuels, Hazmat Communications/Consulting Construction & Building Products & Services Dump Trucks & Trailers Environmental Flat Beds Food & Beverage Insurance & Benefits Intermodal/Express Freight/Shipping Less than Truckload Logistics Lumber Paving & Excavating Repair Shops, Inspections & Towing Specialized Hauling Storage & Transfer Transportation Equipment & Supplies Truck Dealerships & Leasing Truck Manufacturing Truckload Truck Parts Manufacturing Waste & Recycling Warehouse Distribution Other_________________________
PENNTRUX 23
PMTA 2012 SEMINAR SCHEDULE
› Recognition of Substance Abuse Training for Supervisors › Presented by PMTA › $95/member › $185/nonmember
Seminar will include discussion and videos to help in determining reasonable suspicion of alcohol misuse and/or use of controlled substances by employees. The training meets the federal requirements of Part 382.603 - 3 HOURS Tuesday, October 30, 2012 - 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
› Hours-of-Service Compliance Seminar › Presented by PMTA › $110/member › $198/nonmember
Seminar will include review of 49 CFR, Part 395, related interpretations and exemptions, along with work projects on familiarization and auditing a driver’s Record of Duty Status (logbook) - 5 HOURS Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
› DOT Compliance Seminars › Presented by PMTA › $145/member › $225/nonmember
Attending this class will better prepare you for compliance to CSA. The seminar will include discussion and overview of state and federal laws and regulations governing the motor carrier industry and commercial motor vehicles e.g. Driver Qualifications Files, Commercial Driver Licenses, hours of service, drug and alcohol tests, etc. Each attendee will also receive the management edition of the current FMCSR handbook. Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday, November 6, 2012 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
› Motor Fleet Accident Investigation › Presented by PMTA › $205/member › $305/nonmember
Control costs through a complete and thorough vehicle accident investigation. Develop skills in loss prevention, data collection and analysis. ADVANCED - also includes accident countermeasures - Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
› HAZMAT Seminar › Presented by PMTA › $205/member › $305/nonmember
This hazardous materials training seminar centers on regulatory training. The unique, function specific format provides greater understanding and better retention. The seminar helps fulfill the 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H for both the initial and recurrent training requirements. This program will also include CSA information. ADVANCED - Tuesday, November 20, 2012 - 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
› Motor Fleet Safety Basics/Managing Motor Fleet Safety Programs › Presented by NATMI › $1450
This is a comprehensive course on all aspects of fleet safety. October 2 - October 6, 2012 - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
› OSHA General Industry Outreach Training Program › Presented by PMTA and Great West Casualty Company › $215/member › $325/nonmember
The program is intended to provide instruction on a variety of general industry safety and health standards. This is a 10-hour certificate course. Course completion cards do not expire. Required 2-day attendance - Wednesday - September 26, 2012 and Thursday - September 27, 2012. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
All seminars are presented at PMTA Headquarters, 910 Linda Lane, Camp Hill, PA 17011 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED For any questions or registration forms, call PMTA at 717-761-7122 ext. 104, or e-mail Carol at csmore@pmta.org.
REGISTER ONLINE AT PMTA.ORG/SEMINAR
New address? I f you have a new address, phone number or email address, please let PMTA know. We want to make sure you continue to receive news and information that help you as a trucking industry professional. U se this form to notify us of any changes.
Old Address Name
Company
Phone
New Address Name Phone
Company Email Return this form to PMTA, 910 Linda Lane, Camp Hill, PA 17011, or fax to 717-761-8434
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TruckPAC Recognition The trucking industry faces challenges on many levels. In such critical times, we need to maintain a firm and unified voice. Legislators face thousands of bills every year, and PMTA’s Political Action Committee and lobbyists make sure they understand how new laws affect our industry. You can help maintain and increase our political visibility and strengthen our positive force in forming policy. By donating to TruckPAC, you enable us to maintain our high profile and defeat, support and/or alter laws that have an impact on your businesses. To contribute to TruckPAC, contact PMTA at (717) 761-7122.
Platinum ($1000 +)
Charles Bernier Matthew Campbell R. Franklin Campbell Calvin and Diane Ewell Stephanie and Thomas Fleetman
Gold ($500-$999)
William Burns Joseph Butzer & Beth Hamilton Donald Campbell Mark Campbell James DeCinti J. Phil and Cyndi Garber James A. Germak
Silver ($250-$499)
Dan and Dorene Alderfer Tamara and Stephen Baro Drew N. Behmer Harold and Dolores Brake Edward H. Brown Kevin Forbes Karl Gontkof
Bronze ($25-$249)
Bronze ($25-$249) Paul Berg Ralph Byroad Mark D. Carr William Hallman Kelly Hawthorne Philip and Joann Higgins Richard L. Galasso Daniel F. Good William Graham Jr. Daniel F. Good Lester and Mary Good Scott Martin Jay McCormick
Jeffrey Hunter Gladys Knox Samuel Lansberry J. Harold and June Summers Rebecca Summers Paul Yerk McNees PAC Timmy Nelson Timothy Schaffner Jerry Lee Sensenig Jay M. Shaub Jeff Siders John H. Summers
1-800-366-7488 ext. 6206
Kyle and Barbara Ingham Mark Laurusevage Ann and Bob Renner Jay and Marilyn Shaub William T. Ward Kimberly Wise
octoBER’S crossword answers 1
McNees PAC Milliron Associates PAC Eric Moses Samuel Nucifore, Jr. Matt Rhoads Craig Risser Jim and Linda Runk Bob and Deb Sindall Rita Germak Swisher David F. Spera Ron Uriah (Pitt Ohio LLC) John Wensel Karen Young
This list includes contributions from January 1 through October 2, 2012. Your contributions to TruckPAC allow our association to have a stronger legislative voice. TruckPAC contributions should be sent to PMTA, 910 Linda Lane, Camp Hill, PA 17011.
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Member Spotlight American Trucking Associations’ 2012 Management Conference and Exhibition Patrick Meehan PMTA Board member Patrick Meehan of Mack Trucks was at the American Trucking Associations’ 2012 Management Conference and Exhibition to display Mack’s newest models and talk to trucking companies about their fleet needs.
President’s Prize Each year, PMTA’s president awards a special prize to the person who has excelled in sponsoring new members during the membership year (May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013). Recruiting new members for PMTA isn’t difficult. When you are talking to colleagues or clients, mention how you benefit from PMTA membership. PMTA member companies have a greater driver retention rate than nonmember companies, a fact that is sure to resonate with any trucking company. On behalf of its members, PMTA communicates daily with the Pennsylvania State Police, DEP, Department of Revenue, PUC, FMCSA and many other agencies that affect your businesses. PMTA can help you stay current on the hot issues and can be your backup system for information on regulations, rules, taxes, drug tests, environmental regulations and much more. If you need more information on how PMTA can benefit a business, contact us at 717-761-7122. Current PMTA members are the best advocates for the association. Everyone in the trucking industry needs to be concerned about your business, the industry, the state and the nation. Join PMTA in the forefront in battling those who propose rules and fees and mandates that would cripple companies and the industry.
Jeff Mercadante PMTA member Jeff Mercadante of Pitt Ohio Express, Inc., explained Pitt Ohio’s Safety Box at the American Trucking Associations’ 2012 Management Conference and Exhibition. Safety Box, developed by Pitt Ohio, is an integrated safety, compliance and risk management software system.
The President’s Prize is based on a point system – three points for a new carrier member, two points for a new trade member and one point for a new associate member. The prize is a navy blue blazer with the PMTA keystone logo and two free registrations to PMTA’s Annual Management Conference, excluding meals, hotel and activity costs. Any employee from a PMTA member company may compete for the prize. Only paid-in-full memberships that have the sponsoring member’s name written in the space provided will be recognized. Sponsor’s names cannot be changed once they are submitted to state headquarters. The statistics are current as of September 9th, 2012. Sponsor: Lisa Natt Company: City Delivery Svc. Inc. Chapter: Northeast Total: 1
Jack Hassett PMTA member Jack Hassett of Travel Centers of America talks to customers and potential customers at Travel Center’s booth at the American Trucking Associations’ 2012 Management Conference and Exhibition. 26 PENNTRUX
Welcome New Members PMTA takes pleasure in welcoming the following new members who have enrolled in July and salute those who secured them. Any new member not listed with an individual sponsor was secured by State Headquarters or a PMTA chapter. All new members are from Pennsylvania unless otherwise noted. (Chapters are in parentheses). Stephen Franko, MAV EXPRESS LTD., Tunkhannock (Northeast).
PMTA
Chapter Events Lancaster The Lancaster Chapter will hold a membership meeting on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Eden Resort, 222 Eden Road, Lancaster. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Two speakers scheduled are Raymond Piascik from Temper Axle Products Corp. who will talk about a Plan B for setting up wheel bearings and Tom Carper from Petroleum Product Corp. who will address winter fuel additives, how to deal with corrosion problems in low sulfur fuels and offer tips on maintaining a quality, year around fuel program. Cost for dinner is $15 a person. RSVP by Nov. 6 to Jay Shaub, jays@saudereggs.com, 717-625-7448 or mobile 717-341-8459.
Central The Central Chapter is hosting a ladies night on Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Quality Inn and Suites, Burnham. Social time is 6-6:30 p.m., followed by dinner. Entertainment is by John Westford who will perform magic tricks. He has performed in theatres from coast to coast, on live national television and on cruise ships all over the world. His show gets members of the audience involved as stars of the show. Cost is $25 per person. RSVP by Oct. 31 to Matthew Campbell, 717589-3194, ext. 107.
York/Adams The York/Adams Chapter’s holiday mixer is Thursday, Nov. 15, from 6-8 p.m. at the Altland House in Abbottstown. Join other PMTA members for an informal evening of socializing and networking. Spouses and guests are welcome, and please bring potential members who may want to join the chapter. There will be hors d’oeuvres and beverages. RSVP before Nov. 9 to Beth Hamilton at bhamilton@ centralpafoodbank.org or 717-724-3191
Philadelphia-Delaware Valley The Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter will hold its annual holiday dinner on Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Plymouth Country Club in Plymouth Meeting. Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. This is the chapter’s main fund raising event for the scholarships it awards each year. Contact Dave Spera at dspera@comcast.net for ticket and sponsorship information. PENNTRUX 27
Need Drivers?
PMTA considering job posting service... In a time when driver shortage has become a growing issue, PMTA is looking to add a job posting service for their members. This service would allow members to send job postings that will appear on the PMTA website. Online job postings offer more flexibility and provide space for employers to incorporate more detail and be very specific about the company and position. This posting site would be free of cost to members. The posting would be created by the companies and PMTA would serve as an advertising outlet for members to expose each open employment opportunity. To obtain qualified candidates for open positions, it is critical to distribute the message, through as many channels as possible, to those searching for employment. Drivers contact the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association in hopes that a list of job openings is available through the association. A job posting site would offer a resource for unemployed drivers to search job listings for a variety of locations in Pennsylvania. It would provide a connection between companies and drivers and help in the transformation of the driver deficit issue. PMTA would like to know your thoughts on a job posting service. The association would like to know if such a service be a useful resource that members would utilize. Please provide thoughts on this service and suggestions on service that would enhance your membership to:
Heather Clements, membership director, hclements@pmta.org.
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