PennTrux l Volume LXXX Number 3 l March 2014

Volume LXXX | Number 3 | March 2014

The Voice of the Trucking Industry in Pennsylvania

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HARRISBURG PA PERMIT NO. 533

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Trucking to See Strong Growth in 2014

PMTA’s 86th Annual Management Conference Everyone has a story to tell.

PLUS...

2014 Call on Washington Your chance to speak up.

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PENNTRUX 1

Volume LXXX | Number 3 | March 2014

DEPARTMENTS: Chairman's Message ���������������������������������������������������������� 5

The Voice of the Trucking Industry in Pennsylvania

TruckPAC Recognition ������������������������������������������������������ 22

Official Monthly Publication of the PMTA

2014 Seminar Schedule ��������������������������������������������������� 21

910 Linda Lane, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011-6409 Telephone: 717.761.7122 | Fax: 717.761.8434 Visit our website at www.pmta.org

Membership Reports

President’s Prize ��������������������������������������������������������� 22

James Germak, Chairman of the Board

Welcome New Members ��������������������������������������������� 20

Rebecca Summers, First Vice Chairman

PMTA Chapter Activities ���������������������������������������������������� 23

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stephanie Fleetman, Vice Chairman Matthew Campbell, Vice Chairman John Keagel, Treasurer Gladys Knox, Secretary

Word Search ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 24

Last Month’s Answers ������������������������������������������������ 24

Calvin Ewell, ATA Vice President Calvin Ewell, Immediate Past Chairman Paul Berg Charles Bernier Joseph Butzer Mark Giuffre Douglas Marcello Patrick Meehan Eric Moses Scott Pauchnik Ron Uriah PMTA HEADQUARTERS STAFF James W. Runk, President and CEO Erin Guthier, Bookkeeper Wendy Palermo, Title and Registration Agent and Member Services Dean Riland, Assistant General Manager Carol Smore, Event Coordinator Kevin Stewart, Safety Director Nancy Wilkes, Communications Director PennTrux editor: Nancy Wilkes (nwilkes@pmta.org) Published by:

717.238.5751 Sarah DiCello, Publications Manager (sarah@thinkgraphtech.com) For Advertising Information: Alexis Kierce, Account Manager (alexis@thinkgraphtech.com) PMTA is an affiliate of the American Trucking Associations Annual PENNTRUX subscription rate for members of PMTA is $8.00; included in dues.

On the Cover Page 18

The trucking recovery, like the economic recovery, is headed for stronger growth this year. In fact, the economic news for the trucking industry is the best it’s been in years.

INSIDE PENNTRUX...

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86th Annual Management Conference

2014 Call on Washington

Explore the art of storytelling at PMTA’s 2014 Annual Management Conference May 1-4 at Skytop Lodge in Skytop, PA.

April 1-3 is your chance to speak up to lawmakers and policymakers about the top issues in our industry.

8

Meeting the Challenges of Safety in 2014 and Beyond A Safety Conference presented by PMTA Safety Management Council on Thursday, March 18 at the Radisson Penn Harris, Camp Hill.

9 11 16

Mustang Expediting’s Kim Berg One of Several Trucking Executives at State of the Union Address When President Barack Obama gave a nod to the trucking industry in his January 28 State of the Union address, Mustang Expediting vice president Kim Berg was there to hear him in person.

SafetyCheck

Safety Management Council Awards Programs Do you have that driver or safety director who deserves recognition among the industry and their peers? Is your fleet an industry leader with their safety performance? PMTA’s Safety Management Council has an awards program for you.

Accident Response and the Art of Insurance Company Negotiation An attorney written article about accident response and defense of the lawsuit that inevitably follows.

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4/18/11 2:35:29 PM 4/18/11 2:35:29 PM

A Word From The Chairman 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: n

n

n

o work with the Legislature T and regulatory agencies to foster, promote and preserve a strong economic climate for trucking in the Commonwealth. o partner with the T enforcement agencies to develop and support safety initiatives that protect the motoring public. o provide a forum for T continuing education through seminars, workshops and conferences.

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o disseminate positive T industry information to the press promoting the industry.

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o be available to our T members for personal assistance whenever the need arises.

Jim Germak, Jagtrux, Inc. March Madness of a Different Sort It is March, and most of our thoughts are turning to…

TruckPAC. PMTA is gearing up for the General Assembly’s 2014 legislative year, and we need your help. We want to replenish our TruckPAC and make this year the strongest year ever in contributions. And we have good reasons to do that.

Thanks to PMTA’s strong position on Capitol Hill, we now have a $2.3 billion transportation funding plan for which trucking pays its fair share and not more. The original proposal included 45% increases in registration and other fees for commercial vehicles that would have been effectively immediately. But instead of getting mad, we got busy. Because of the persistent work of our lobbying firm, Milliron Associates, and your grassroots efforts, the law includes a 30% increase in those fees spread out over five years. That compromise would not have happened without PMTA’s relationships with key leaders of the General Assembly, relationships strengthened during months of conversations and contacts. Without their advocacy, the trucking industry would have fared much worse in the transportation funding bill.

It’s an election year for the governor, representatives and senators. Many of our advocates have a tough battle to win re-election. They helped us, now it’s time for us to help them. We need to build our TruckPAC fund so we can support those who understand the trucking industry and are committed to helping it thrive and grow.

If you are not familiar with TruckPAC, it is an account formed to raise and contribute money to the campaigns of candidates likely to advance the legislative and regulatory interests of PMTA and its members. In other words, PAC dollars help elect and re-elect legislators who are good friends to the trucking industry and are willing to advocate on behalf of the association. You make a donation to TruckPAC, and Milliron Associates, with the help of PTMA President Jim Runk, determine how to best spend the PAC money. We only give financial support to people who support the trucking industry.

TruckPAC provides an organized way for PMTA to support political candidates, causes, legislation, regulation or initiatives that face the trucking industry.

I think we’ve made it very easy to contribute to TruckPAC. You can make a pledge and pay quarterly or pay all at once, and you can pay by personal or partnership check or personal credit card. We also have the option to do payroll deductions. Any amount helps, so don’t think because you can’t contribute $1,000 you can’t help.

TruckPAC allows PMTA to have a greater impact in the political process than you could have by acting alone. It is your voice on Capitol Hill. You can make a contribution by calling PMTA at 717.761.7122 or by completing the contribution form you will soon receive in the mail.

PENNTRUX 5

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2014 Call on Washington is Your Chance to Speak Up PMTA to participate April 1-3

P

MTA will make its annual Call on Washington April 1-3. Please note that this is a week earlier than originally planned. We changed the date to avoid exorbitant hotel prices during the cherry blossom festival. PMTA has reserved a block of rooms at the Courtyard Capitol Hill/Navy Yard, conveniently located within easy walking distance of the office buildings where the meetings will be held.

As trucking industry leaders, you have the responsibility of calling on lawmakers and policymakers to take the necessary steps to make our roads safer and improve the flow of goods in our economy. The best way to get the attention of lawmakers is to pay them a personal visit. Last year, 436 trucking executives made 357 Capitol Hill visits as part of ATA’s Call on Washington program. The Call on Washington allows state association members the opportunity to travel to the nation’s capital and meet with their members of Congress, agency officials and ATA policy and legislative staff. The program provides benefits to the state association members, the trucking industry and the congressional delegation. There is no substitute for a personal meeting to communicate the trucking industry’s priorities.

All you have to do is bring stories on how specific legislation would affect your business. ATA does most of the planning, including issue briefing sessions, creating issue packets to give to legislators, following up with congressional offices and agencies on invitation issued, and any follow-up with congressional offices after your visit. ATA makes the meetings with your congressional delegation, although you may want to schedule your own appointments. ATA can help you identify who in a

particular agency you may want to meet as well as help schedule the meeting. Several events are included such as an evening reception with legislators. ATA provides a thorough briefing, so you will be well prepared for your discussions with legislators.

The Call on Washington provides a unique opportunity to discuss key issues with your congressional delegation and staff as well as agency officials. You will receive a thorough overview from ATA as to the trucking industry’s initiatives in Congress and the agencies. The event also provides an opportunity for you to discuss issues of concern among other each other. Educated members are more likely to communicate with their legislators and be part of the legislative process. And it provides an opportunity to interact socially with your congressional delegation, congressional staff, agency officials, ATA staff and state association members.

Guest room rate at the Courtyard Capitol Hill/Navy Yard are $279/night. You must make your reservation prior to March 7 by calling the reservation line at 866-329-0003 or using the group link for online reservations: http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/ group-corporatetravel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData =Pennsylvania%20Motor%20Truck%20 Association%5Ewasny%60PMTPMTA%60279%60 USD%60false%604/1/14%604/3/14%603/7/14& app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes.

Build and strengthen the relationships with your congressional delegation and let your voice be heard.

For more information on the 2014 Call on Washington, contact Nancy Wilkes at PMTA, 717.761.7122, ext. 109, or nwilkes@pmta.org.

PENNTRUX 7

Meeting the Challenges of Safety in 2014 and Beyond Safety Conference presented by PMTA Safety Management Council Thursday, March 18 – Radisson Penn Harris, Camp Hill

R

egulatory successes and challenges, from the HOS rule to sleep apnea rulemaking, are on the horizon this year.

SMC’s safety conference will help you face these challenges. Vendors will showcase safety-related information and products. There is an entry fee of $20, which includes continental breakfast, lunch, and all events. The schedule is: Time

Event

8:00am - 9:00am

Registration and visit vendors

9:00am - 9:30am

Welcome and SMC meeting

9:30am - 10:15am

Dennis Shinault of Baldwin and Lyons on OSHA and Trucking

10:30am - 11:15am

Pa. State Police on DATQ Submissions

11:15am - 12:00pm Ron Uriah of Pitt Ohio on Predictive Modeling of Driver Behavior 12:00pm - 1:30pm

Walk around lunch and visit vendors

1:30pm - 2:15pm

Keynote speaker Larry Minor, FMCSA

2:30pm - 3:15pm

Speaker question and answer

To register, please complete the form below. Return your completed form to PMTA by emailing to kstewart@pmta.org, or faxing to 717.761.8434. You can also register online at www.pmta.org. If you have any questions, please call PMTA at 717.761.7122.

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Company: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________ Email: __________________________________________________________________ q Invoice me

q Check made payable to PMTA /SMC

Credit Card:

q Visa q MasterCard

Card Number: ____________________________________________________________________ CVV: _____________________ Cardholder Address: _________________________________________________________________________________________

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. Use this form to notify us of any changes.

Old Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Name ___________________________________________________ Company ______________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________________ Email __________________________________________ New Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Name ___________________________________________________ Company ______________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________________ Email __________________________________________ Return this form to PMTA, 910 Linda Lane, Camp Hill, PA 17011, or fax to 717.761.8434 8 PENNTRUX

Mustang Expediting’s Kim Berg One of Several Trucking Executives at State of the Union address security, I met a reporter from the Washington Post and talked to a lot of other people. In the gallery, there were probably 500-600 people. I was struck by how small it seemed, and I felt I was really close to the President.

You’re sitting in a circle, so it seems closer. All of Congress, the House and Senate were there. It was such an interesting dynamic, even sitting there waiting for it to start.”

As it happens, she found herself sitting next to Lynda Byrd, the wife of American Trucking Associations’ Chairman Philip Byrd. After a few minutes of conversation, they realized they were both in the trucking industry.

Congressman Patrick Meehan, left, invited Kimberly Berg, right, vice president of Mustang Expediting, to attend President Obama’s State of the Union address. Devin Wise, center, also an employee of Mustang, traveled to D.C. as well but watched the President’s address in Meehan’s office with his communications staff.

W

hen President Barack Obama gave a nod to the trucking industry in his January 28 State of the Union address, Mustang Expediting vice president Kim Berg was there to acknowledge it. He talked about supporting a new highway bill, building a natural gas infrastructure, improving truck fuel efficiency and addressing labor shortages, and Berg was there to hear him in person and to experience the reaction of the audience.

She watched as the cabinet, the Supreme Court, the vice president and secretary of state walked in. “We were all interacting, talking. It was like being at the Super Bowl or something. Mrs. Obama came in, and people were clapping. Then the President came in and started walking down the aisle. People were clapping, he was shaking hands and kissing people, so it took him a while to reach the podium,” she said.

Berg said Obama is a gifted speaker, and she was thrilled to hear him in person, but she was disappointed by the lack of substance in his address. “He touched on a lot of things but didn’t have any details. He talked about the highway infrastructure, but he didn’t say who would pay for it.”

Berg was invited to attend the State of the Union address by Congressman Patrick Meehan. He was at Mustang Expediting for a meeting with president Stephanie Fleetman. The meeting was about small businesses, and since Mustang is a small business that happens to be run by women, Meehan was particularly interested. He could invite one person to be his guest at the State of the Union address, so he invited Berg.

She and her daughter Devin Wise drove to Washington on Tuesday and met with Meehan and staffers before heading to the House of Representatives chamber in the U.S. Capitol.

Obama talked about supporting a new highway bill, but he did not put forward a user-based funding proposal.

He pushed for lower tax rates for businesses in order to create more jobs and to re-invest the savings into infrastructure. The tax reform will create jobs rebuilding roads, upgrading ports and unclogging commutes, Obama said, because first-rate jobs gravitate to first-class infrastructure. Congress needs to protect more than 3 million jobs by finishing transportation and waterways bills this summer, but Obama said he will slash bureaucracy and streamline the permitting process for key projects “so we can get more construction workers on the job as fast as possible.”

“It was so interesting just being there and meeting people,” Berg said. “Even standing in line to go through

In his address, Obama said he asked Vice President Biden to lead an across-the-board reform of America’s PENNTRUX 9

training program to make sure they have one mission: train Americans with the skills employers need, and match them to good jobs that need to be filled right now. “That means more on-the-job training and more apprenticeships and connecting companies to community colleges that can help design training to fill their specific needs,” Obama said.

Berg said she agreed with him. “Trucking needs drivers.

There are other industries that need help, too, so let’s get the unemployed to those industries. They need the training to get good jobs. I think the President needed to have more of a plan on how to do that.”

Obama also talked about building a natural gas infrastructure and improving truck fuel efficiency. Part of the natural gas initiative is to bring more jobs back to the U.S. and commit to American energy. He said, “If extracted safely, natural gas is the bridge fuel that can power our economy with less of the carbon pollution that causes climate change. Businesses plan to invest almost $100 billion in new factories that use natural gas.

I’ll cut the red tape and help states get those factories built, and this Congress can help by putting people to work building fueling stations that shift more cars and trucks from foreign oil to American natural gas.”

That comment elicited a sustained applause. Berg said she also applauded much of what Obama said, but

she was looking for more substance in the address.

“I was sitting there in a room with the most powerful government in the world. I guess I expected the speech to wow me, and it didn’t. But it was very exciting to be there. Even walking in the halls was exciting,” she said.

Her daughter did not go to the State of the Union address but watched it on television with one of Meehan’s staffers. She even sent out tweets during the address. The next day, they met with Meehan and discussed the speech.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. I was honored to be there as a woman in the trucking industry,” she said.

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SafetyCheck Safety Management Council Awards Programs D

o you have that driver or safety director who deserves recognition among the industry and their peers? Is your fleet an industry leader with their safety performance? PMTA’s Safety Management Council has an awards program for you.

Driver of the Month/Driver of the Year – The Driver of the Year Program runs annually from January through December. Each month a driver will be chosen by the SMC selection committee. The committee will base its selection on drivers’ professional accomplishments, such as accident/violation free miles, years of experience and extraordinary achievements as a professional driver. Additionally, many of those chosen driver of the month/year have demonstrated the qualities of leadership, self-motivation and loyalty in not only their professional careers but in their personal lives as well. The twelve drivers of the month candidates will be invited to the annual driver of the year banquet where the Pennsylvania Driver of the Year will be selected.

The selected Driver of the Year is then eligible for the American Trucking Associations National Driver of the Year.

Gogolin Safety Award – The award was developed in 1972 to recognize an individual in the trucking industry who possesses an exceptional record of contributions in safety. This individual must have demonstrated their commitment to safety through their contributions

and untiring dedication to the safety field. The award is named after Edward Gogolin who joined PMTA in 1930 and dedicated the next 40 years of his career to elevating the field of safety in the trucking industry.

The Gogolin Award winner is selected by a committee of no less than three persons representing agencies such as Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and American Trucking Associations who understand the qualities of an award winning safety professional.

Fleet Safety Award – The Fleet Safety Awards are given annually to those carriers who are leaders in the industry. Awards are given based on accident frequency rates with carriers being divided by mileage and industry segment. Additionally, awards are presented to those carriers within each division who have shown the greatest improvement in their accident frequency rate over the prior year’s record. From all entries one carrier is chosen as the overall winner. This prestigious award is for that carrier who possesses an outstanding record of achievement in safety and commitment to excellence.

Information and eligibility requirements for these award programs can be found on PMTA’s website at www.pmta.org or by contacting Kevin Stewart at 717.761.7122 or by email at kstewart@pmta.org.

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PENNTRUX 11

Everyone Has a PMTA’s 86th Annual Management Conference focuses on the power of storytelling.

W

hat is your story? What is the story of your company? Do you know the stories of your colleagues? Do these stories matter?

Explore the art of storytelling, the most powerful device on earth to influence other people, at PMTA’s 2014 Annual Management Conference May 1-4 in the storybook setting of Skytop Lodge in Skytop, Pa. Listen to stories of worldwide transportation trends, the shifting of the American energy landscape, and CSA’s impact on trucking. Hear the national story from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s point of view. Learn the story about Pennsylvania’s transportation funding. Share stories of your company’s driver pay model and recruitment and retention strategies. Find out why the art of storytelling among the business crowd has sparked a fevered interest in the last few years.

You’ll hear from Rod Suarez, economist with the American Trucking Associations, Dr. Bernard Weinstein, energy economist and associate director of the Maguire Energy Institute of Southern Methodist University, Anne

12 PENNTRUX

Ferro, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Brad Mallory, PennDOT executive secretary of administration, Phil Byrd, ATA’s chairman of the board, and more influential storytellers. You’ll join your colleagues around the fireplace in Skytop’s library to hear stories by Beauty and Beast professional storytellers. You can also find constellations with the help of Skytop’s astronomer, enter a cake decorating contest, enjoy a round of golf, hike in the miles of trails, go to the Adventure Center, swim, explore, rest and relax.

Skytop Lodge is on 5,500 acres in the Pocono Mountains. It combines old-world charm with majestic views. Built in 1925, Skytop Lodge provides an ideal setting for a business retreat, offering charm and comfort.

The schedule for the conference is as follows:

Thursday afternoon/evening, May 1 • Registration, welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

After dinner, head outdoors with Skytop’s star gazing expert to identify constellations and planets.

s a Story to Tell Friday, May 2 • The ATA Story – Trucking Industry Priorities. Philip L. Byrd, Sr., is president and CEO, Bulldog Hiway Express, Charleston, S.C., and chairman, American Trucking Associations. Mr. Byrd is a two-time past chairman of the South Carolina Trucking Association and served as chairman of the South Carolina Maritime Association and the Charleston Motor Carrier Association. He is also a member of the board of directors for the Truckload Carriers Association and serves on the advisory board of the American Transportation Research Institute.

• The Economic Story – The Trucking Industry and the Economy. Rod Suarez is an economist for the American Trucking Associations. He helps manage all of ATA’s collection, analysis and dissemination of trucking economic information. This includes several monthly trucking economic indicators, motor carrier financial and operating data, an annual freight transportation forecast, driver wage studies, weekly diesel fuel price and economic reports, and a yearly trucking almanac.

His presentation includes the industry forecast.

• The Shale Boom Story – The Shifting American Energy Landscape. Dr. Bernard Weinstein is a widely published economist and associate director of the Maguire Energy Institute at Southern Methodist University.

He will offer insight on shale oil, the disruptive role liquefied natural gas has played as an alternative fuel to petroleum products and how both will impact the growth of and demand for the trucking industry over the next century.

• The Pennsylvania Story – The New Funding Package Fully Explained. Bradley L. Mallory is deputy secretary for administration, PennDOT, providing leadership and direction for the Bureaus of Human Resources, Information Systems Technology Office, Transportation Innovations Office, Fiscal Management, Office Services, Equal Opportunity and Tourism Services. He previously served as chief executive officer and member of the board of directors for Michael Baker Corporation and numerous corporate subsidiaries. Mr. Mallory served as PennDOT secretary and was chair of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

• The Federal Story – Safety and Accountability, FMCSA Style. Anne S. Ferro is the administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Appointed by President Obama in 2009, Ms. Ferro is FMCSA’s longest-serving administrator and leads the agency’s aggressive efforts to strengthen motor carrier safety based on three guiding principles: raise the safety bar to enter the industry; require motor carriers to maintain high safety standards; and remove unsafe

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carriers and drivers from our roads. Prior to her appointment to FMCSA, Ms. Ferro led the Maryland Motor Truck Association as its president and chief executive officer from 2003-2009 and served as Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administrator from 1997 to 2003.

• The Golf Story – On Friday afternoon, enjoy Skytop’s golf course, a mountain-style track that plays over rolling terrain, with wide, tree-lined fairways and small greens that are challenging and above average in speed. Water comes into play on two holes, and there are plenty of strategically placed bunkers to challenge all players.

• The Nature Story – If you’re not golfing, join Skytop’s naturalist for a gentle hike to Indian Ladder Falls.

• The Cake Challenge Story – As an alternative on Friday morning, test your cake decorating skills and learn new ones at this fun and creative event. You can share your creations with the PMTA group later that evening.

opportunity to talk about the impact CSA is having on your company and your drivers.

• The Bigger Picture Story – Worldwide Transportation Trends. Laura Lane is president, global public affairs, for UPS. She is responsible for all worldwide government affairs activities for UPS among the over 220 countries and territories it serves.

• The Safety Story – Annual Fleet Safety Luncheon is on Saturday afternoon. Recognize trucking companies’ achievements in safety performance.

• Telling Your Own Story – As an alternative on Saturday morning, join Mitch Weiss and Martha Hamilton for a special workshop on storytelling techniques and strategies.

• The Hunger Games Story – On Saturday afternoon following the Fleet Safety Luncheon, learn archery skills. You never know when you will have to play in the Hunger Games. You can also learn lawn bowling with Skytop’s instructor.

• The Story Story – Telling a story orally is a powerful thing to do. A hush and stillness falls over the listeners. On Friday evening, join your friends and sit around the fire as Mitch Weiss and Martha Hamilton, known as Beauty and the Beast, tell captivating, thrilling and engaging stories. The husband and wife team have been winning audiences and critical acclaim through the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia since 1980. Renowned for their work in teaching the art of storytelling, they are also awardwinning authors and recording artists.

• The New PMTA Chair Story – Rebecca Summers Becomes PMTA’s First Woman Chair. On Saturday evening, enjoy the chairman’s reception and banquet. Toast outgoing chairman James Germak then celebrate with Rebecca Summers as she takes the reins of the PMTA board.

Saturday, May 3

• Three meals per night’s stay (Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast, lunch and dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sunday breakfast)

• The Driver Story – Driver Pay and the Impact on Recruitment and Retention. A panel of trucking industry executives will discuss driver pay, recruitment methods, retention strategies, and how those models are evolving. Attendees will be encouraged to participate in the discussion. Panel participants represent Mustang Expediting, UPS, Pitt Ohio, FedEx and Walmart. Douglas Marcello of Marcello and Kivisto is panel moderator.

• The Designer Drug Story – Believe It Or Not. Cpl. Scott Davis is the drug recognition expert with the Pennsylvania State Police. In his work, he has seen all the signs of drug use and abuse, some in the motor carrier world, right here in Pennsylvania. He will discuss designer drugs and the dangers they present to the trucking industry.

• The CSA Story – The Top Concern Within the Trucking Industry. Given the ongoing debate surrounding CSA and its impact on industry safety, we’ll have an open and honest discussion. You will find out how much you know and don’t know about CSA and have the

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Skytop Lodge offers a Full American Plan for PMTA meeting attendees. That means you pay the meeting registration and hotel with one fee. The conference fee includes the following: • Lodging for three nights

• Valet parking • Attendance at all events, including education sessions, receptions and evening entertainment With the Full American Plan, you will spend less than in past. Cost for a single is $1,060; couples cost $1,475.

Compared with last year’s registration fee of $500 for a single and close to $700 for three nights in the hotel, plus additional meals not covered in the registration, it is significantly less. When you register for the conference, PMTA staff will make your room reservations. The only extra expenses you will have are for golf ($75), activities not part of the conference (spa, etc.) and any beverages not provided at hosted events.

We hope you join us for the 2014 Annual Management Conference. We want to hear your stories, and what better time and place than the conference? To register, go to www.pmta.org/pmtaevents, or complete the registration materials you will receive by email and mail.

(877) 269-6261

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Accident Response and the Art of Insurance Company Negotiation

By Douglas Marcello

A

ccident response and defense of the lawsuit that inevitably follows is tough enough. It can be made unnecessarily more challenging if you and your insurance company are not coordinated in principle and practice.

Are you and your insurer on the same page? Do you have the same philosophy in accident response and lawsuit defense? Are you permitted to choose, or at least suggest, the attorney and accident responders that you prefer? Is your insurer receptive to your requests as to how claims are handled?

If you and your insurers are in sync, that is great and beneficial for both of you. For insurers experienced in trucking claims, there is a willingness to coordinate efforts.

However, many trucking companies are frustrated that the answers to all of these questions are a resounding “No.” They are forced to tolerate a difference in philosophy and process by their insurer. The truckers often feel that they have no alternative.

In this article, we will consider the areas in which differences frequently arise between trucking companies and their insurers. We will also look at how you can assert more control over your claims to the benefit of your drivers and your trucking company.

Accidents are a regrettable reality of our industry, the majority of which are not the fault of your drivers.

However, any accident involving your driver is a critical event for which you want and expect immediate action by experienced professionals to provide the maximum protection.

You want to protect your driver, and your company, from legal exposure. You want to begin the defense of the accident immediately by involving knowledgeable counsel and, where warranted, an accident reconstructionist or other professional.

In contrast, accidents are a daily event for your insurer. They are cost conscious and time pressed, often reluctant to expend resources until absolutely necessary. Frequently their response is controlled by an instant analysis of your driver’s fault based upon the limited facts available at the time.

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Even where there is a potential for fault, there is often a lack of urgency in maximizing our greatest advantage-immediacy. No one knows about this accident before your company. It is during that crucial time that your defense can be maximized by documenting evidence and finding witnesses.

Yet this critical advantage is too often lost by a geographically remote adjuster who has never dealt with your company and whose concept of immediacy is inconsistent with your own. The claim then follows the same old course that follows their claims routine.

It becomes a matter of completing a claims checklists rather than engaging in an aggressive defense. The case then drifts along until a settlement is made based upon bartering over the number rather than based upon its true value.

Why should you change this? The increased, immediate defense and reduced payout may impact your company down the road at the time of renewal or when shopping for new coverage. More importantly, it protects you and your company from additional consequences including criminal exposure.

The most important requirement is an immediate, coordinated response of the level appropriate for the circumstances, such as the extent of injuries and damages. Not every case requires a nuclear response.

However, an accident that is handled as a “typical” claim in a rote and routine manner can quickly spiral downward into a nuclear meltdown.

Your driver needs immediate protection and guidance.

Shaken by the traumatic event, he needs and deserves prompt access to an attorney who can provide advice and receive information with the protection of attorneyclient privilege.

Your insurer may have a list of attorneys with whom they deal or even “house counsel” who are on their payroll.

Even if these attorneys have trucking background and, by chance, some familiarity with your company, it is your insurer that makes the determination whether to involve them in the incident and, if so, when. An instant analysis of this being a “no liability” accident by a costconscious insurer can often result in their counsel not being involved.

Like wet cement, any evidence of an accident, good or bad, quickly hardens and remains set for the duration of the case. A misstatement by your driver because of a lack of guidance may be the handhold for a plaintiff who would not otherwise have a case to get a significant payout.

Similarly, immediate deployment of an accident reconstructionist, when warranted, can be crucial to a case. The ability to document the scene and look for evidence that may be of limited duration can be vital and maximizes our advantage of immediacy. Again, an insurer’s reluctance to spend money unless and until the matter goes into suit can be damaging, if not crippling, to your case.

The need for you and your insurer to be on the same page continues through the post-accident investigation.

The too frequent practice of many insurers to follow a routine checklist by rote, without thought or strategy, can be equally damaging to your defense.

The best (worst?) example of this is the insurer’s preoccupation with taking a statement from your driver.

This is the worst thing that they can do. Did I say it’s bad?

Ask an adjuster why they want a statement from your driver. After a stunned silence because no one ever asked, and they never thought about it, listen to the “response.” The mumbled “response” can be distilled to the basic reason, “because we always do.” This, you will note, is the same basis for the perpetuation of urban legends and too long perpetuated practices such as using leaches to cure diseases and making human sacrifices to satisfy the gods.

Several years ago I wrote an article for this publication entitled, “The Audacity of Nope.” You can find a copy in the “articles” section of our webpage, www.cdl-law. com. In that article, I set forth six reasons why neither you nor your insurer should take a statement from your driver. The reasons are as follows: a. It helps the people who sue you. – You give them your driver’s version around which the less honest can mold theirs. b. There are limitations on recollection on the split second events of an accident. – The instantaneous nature limits what one can truly recall. c. It creates the potential to conflict with other statements. – The more statements (police, accident form,…) the more potential for inconsistency and the unintentional appearance of untruthfulness. d. It could potentially incriminate your driver. – In more serious cases involving criminal penalties you can undermine your driver’s right against self-incrimination. e. It could potentially conflict with other evidence, such as ECM download or accident reconstruction calculations. – Again, our driver’s credibility could be

undermined by an innocent discrepancy between our driver’s recollection and the ECM and physical evidence. f. It has minimal if any value in a lawsuit. – If our driver can’t remember his story later or differs, the statement will not help and is usually not admissible.

Yet despite these reasons, and with no legitimate purpose in doing so, there is an insistent pursuit of your drivers to get their statement. How do you change this?

You need to work with your insurance company to align their practices with your interests. Many view it as a futile effort and don’t even try. They are missing out on a major opportunity to control the course of their claims.

So how do you do that? First, timing is everything.

When you are shopping for coverage or negotiating your renewal include requests for increased involvement and control of your claims. Get the ability to name your attorney. Get input into the claims process.

We have clients who have negotiated with their insurers to select counsel and require their authority for settlement of claims up to a certain amount. Others have worked with insurers as to claims procedures, including a prohibition of taking driver statements written right into the insurer’s claims instructions. In this way your procedures and limitations are written right into the claims system for review when each claim arises.

Second, work with your insurer to further your mutual interests. We have also worked with companies and their insurers to develop a coordinated accident response. By doing so, the company achieves the response it requires and the insurer develops a defensible claim.

Often it is a process of education. Many of the aggressive accident response and claims procedures are foreign to the SOP of the insurance industry.

In those cases, we give a presentation as to the more aggressive claims and defense strategies that can reduce exposure and contest liability. Many insurance companies appreciate the new concepts and adopt the tactics for your and their mutual benefit.

Other times it is a matter of persuasion. Frequently the insurers have to be shown that it is in their interest to use the alternative procedure, such as not taking a statement.

You and your insurer do not need to be on different courses to your mutual frustration and disadvantage.

By negotiating your rights and working for change, your insurer can work with you for your mutual benefit.

Douglas Marcello is a partner in Marcello and Kivisto, LLC. Founded in 2005, Marcello and Kivisto, LLC, are dedicated to and focused on transportation law and the needs of their transportation clients. You can contact Doug at 717-5798711 or dmarcello@cdl-law.com.

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On the Cover Trucking to See Strong Growth in 2014 T

he trucking recovery, like the economic recovery, is headed for stronger growth this year. In fact, the economic news for the trucking industry is the best it’s been in years. In 2013, truck tonnage grew at a pace not seen since Bill Clinton was in the White House, driven by the demand from the energy, construction and automotive sectors.

water and waste water. Housing starts saved flatbed carriers that weren’t getting any steel. Costello said auto parts, even though they are getting lighter, are still heavier than generic freight. Better trailer utilization also added to average load weight. He said he expects truckers to see more freight consolidation on trailers this year.

Bob Costello, American Trucking Associations’ chief economist, shares the opinion of other economists who expect the recovery to accelerate this year. In a USA TODAY quarterly economic survey, economists said they anticipate a breakout year in 2014, signaling a new course for a generally sluggish recovery. Households have shed much of the debt they amassed during the mid-2000s real estate bubble. A stock run-up and rising home prices have made consumers feel wealthier. The effects of the federal spending cuts and tax increases are fading, while state and local governments are poised to increase outlays after years of austerity.

Last December in his quarterly economic update, Costello said the housing recovery and auto production were helping freight volumes. The U.S. energy production boom is boosting truck tonnage. While manufacturing activity had picked up, consumer spending was choppy. Rising housing prices and rising mortgage rates slowed the housing recovery but are not derailing it. He said the five-month supply of existing homes in October was down slightly from October 2012, and that helps new home building. Sales of distressed homes – foreclosures and short sales – were 14% in October, down from 25% the prior October.

Home prices increased 12.5% from October 2012, the 20th straight gain, but prices are still 17.3% below the April 2006 peak. Costello said we should see home prices continue to increase.

Last December in his quarterly economic update, Costello said as the economy grows faster this year, shipment volumes will start to catch up. “The number of loads is likely to climb between 2.3 and 2.7 percent this year, compared with last year’s gain of 1.3 percent and a tiny 0.8 percent increase in 2012. Tonnage isn’t likely to match the 6.2 percent increase racked up in 2013,” Costello said.

Economists said they anticipate a breakout year in 2014, signaling a new course for a generally sluggish recovery.

He forecasts tonnage growth to be slower this year and loads to grow faster, although tonnage will still outpace loads. The majority of last year’s tonnage gain can be attributed to hydraulic fracturing, housing construction and automotive production. Fracking uses sand and

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Improving payrolls are driving consumer spending.

Unemployment is improving; in 2014 it should be 6.8%.

Factory output will increase 2.9% this year, and factory output in the U.S. looks good long term. Costello said this decade could match the 1970s and top the 1990s.

The U.S. is becoming more energy independent. Total U.S. energy consumption is at the lowest level in 17 years, and the U.S. is now a net fuel exporter for the first time since 1949. Costello said by 2020 the U.S. is projected to be the largest oil producer in the world, thanks to the Marcellus Shale.

In federal spending, much of the increase is because of the healthcare reforms, and no one yet knows the full economic impact of healthcare.

Trucking trends indicate this growth. On the demand side, tonnage is up significantly from last year. Costello said, “The tank truck sector is doing the best. On the dry van side, the third quarter of 2013 was the single best since the recovery started. Weakness in steel has hurt the flatbed sector.” Costello said the optimism the

industry had in early 2013 is increasing this year, and year-over-year growth rates are solid. He said he is very excited about drayage loads, but total truckload miles were not doing as well.

Any capacity crunch this year will be demand-driven.

Truckload tractor changes (how many tractors operating compared to last year) were 6.5% compared to prior the Great Recession. Costello said 37% of carriers decreased the number of tractors, 39% added tractors, and 245 were unchanged. Fewer than 40% added capacity in 2013, and probably some tank and some flatbed carriers added capacity. The 37% decrease is probably dry van carriers.

According to Avondale Partners, the U.S. used Class 8 truck exports were back up over 22,000 in 2013. In 2007-2008, the bulk of used Class 8 trucks were going to Nigeria and Russia. Now, half are going to Mexico.

Costello said that’s positive for capacity. The truckload supply versus demand is not that far off equilibrium.

What hasn’t happened is consistency, he said.

The average weekly earnings for truckload drivers have decreased 10% since 1990. The vast majority of fleets have increased driver pay. In 2013, the average weekly pay was about $825. Miles per truck per month were down to about 8,105 per month in 2013. That’s up a little compared to 2007 but the new hours-of-service

and other regulations have limited some productivity, Costello said.

Fuel prices remain elevated. In 2013, the average price of diesel was $3.91, and forecasts for 2014 are $3.73.

Costello said, “I do believe equipment will be the next diesel fuel (in price volatility.)”

There is some good news in driver turnover in the truckload side. Both large and small fleets say a decrease in turnover. Large fleets went from 99% to 97%, and small fleets from 82% to 74%. Costello said he wouldn’t be surprised if this continues in 2014. On the less-than-truckload side, some say a pickup in turnover, but it is significantly lower than it was.

Job gains averaged 194,000 a month last year, and economists predict they will reach a monthly average of 200,000 this year. The Labor Department’s jobs numbers for January 2014 showed the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a five-year low of 6.6%.

Trucking accounted for 3,200 of the 113,000 jobs added in January. According to the Labor Department, the transportation and warehousing sector, which includes trucking, added 10,000 jobs in January. More than half the added jobs came from construction and manufacturing industries, and both benefit the trucking industry.

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More good news from trucking came from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics Commodity Flow Survey. Data shows that trucking is the dominant mode for moving freight in the United States. Costello said, “Since it is only updated every five years, the CFS report is a critical tool for policymakers and researchers in examining the freight market. The government should ensure that reports like it, including the Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey, are updated on a regular basis.” The VIUS was discontinued in 2002.

Costello highlighted a number of the Commodity Flow Survey’s results as particularly enlightening: • In 2012, trucks moved 73.7% of all freight by value and 70% of the tonnage versus 3.3% of value and 15.8% of tonnage moved by rail; • The average length of haul for trucks is 212 miles; • Only 3% of freight tonnage moved on multiple modes – i.e., a train and a truck, or a barge and a truck;

“The length of haul data is critical, particularly when talking about rail and truck competition. While feasible under certain conditions, the potential for rail intermodal to gain a significant amount of truck market share is limited. Now more than ever, the two modes are more likely to complement each other than compete for business.” Costello said.

You can learn more about the growth of the trucking industry at the 2014 Annual Management Conference. ATA’s economist Rod Suarez and Bernard Weinstein, an energy economist and associate director of the Maguire Energy Institute at Southern Methodist University, are both on the program. Suarez will discuss trucking’s economic forecast, and Weinstein will discuss the shifting American energy landscape and what the expanding access to natural gas could mean for the trucking industry, among other topics. The Annual Management Conference is May 1-4 at Skytop Lodge in Skytop, Pa. See the article on page 12 for more details.

• Just 15.1% of all freight shipments were longer than 500 miles and only 9.7% traveled more than 750 miles.

Welcome New Members Welcome to the new members who have joined recently, and thank you to 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.

Dave Razzis, UFP Gordon

Steve Mondschein, PPL Services Corp.

320 Circle of Progress Drive, Pottstown, PA, 19464 albert.zvarick@tridentep.com, 610.327.3110 Private carrier member, Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter

2 North 9th Street, Allentown, PA 18101 smondschein@pplweb.com, 610.233.9828 Associate member, Southwest Chapter Sponsored by Jeff Mercadante

Dave Hill, Penn Power Group 21260 Route 19, Cranberry, PA, 16066 dhill@penndda.com, 724.631.1234 Associate member, Southwest Chapter

1 Royer Street, Gordon, PA, 17936 drazzis@ufpi.com, 570.875.2811 For hire carrier member, Lehigh Valley Chapter

Albert Zvarick, Trident E&P

David Chludzinski, Rawle & Henderson, LLP 535 Smithfield Street, Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222 dchludzinski@rawle.com, 412.261.5738 Associate member, Southwest Chapter Sponsored by Gary Stewart

Gino Morales, PL Weaver & Company

155 Grandview Road, Hummelstown, PA, 17036 zulli@msn.com, 717.566.8585 Trade member, South Central Chapter

5058 Old Philadelphia Pike, Kinzers, PA, 17635 gmorales@plweaver.com For hire carrier member, Lancaster Chapter Sponsored by Carla Brodbeck and Ken Martin

David Faoro, Tank Carrier Services

Sherman Hall, Universal

Phillip Zulli, Zulli Vehicle and Traffic Law

1007 E. Spring Street, Titusville, PA 16354 dfaoro@tankcarrierservices.com, 814.827.4900 For hire carrier member, North Central Chapter.

Joe Bianco, Marsh 6 PPG Place, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222 joseph.bianco@marsh.com, 412.552.5037 Trade member, Southwest Chapter Sponsored by Jeff Mercadante

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3074 Trafford Road, Murrysville, PA, 15668 shermanhall@goutsi.com, 586.467.0427 Trade member, Southwest Chapter

PMTA 2014 Seminar Schedule Recognition of Substance Abuse Training for Supervisors – Presented by PMTA 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, March 4, 2014 – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm $110 – member $205 – non-member

Hours-of-Service Oil and Gas – Presented by PMTA The hours-of-service compliance seminar will cover the current hours-of-service regulations and the exemptions associated with those carriers involved in servicing the natural gas industry. Training will include practical application projects for auditing a driver’s record of duty status.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Williamsport, PA: Specific location TBA $165 – member $250 – non-member

Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection & Out-of-Service Awareness Training – Presented by PMTA This class will give an overview of road-side inspection procedures as conducted by enforcement officers and discuss common violations discovered. Brake system requirements and out-of-service criteria will also be presented. Target audience is safety personnel, equipment managers and mechanics.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 – 8:00 am – 12:00 pm $110 – member $205 – non-member

DOT Compliance Seminars – Presented by PMTA 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.

Thursday, March 20, 2014 or Tuesday, April 29, 2014 – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm $165 – member $250 – non-member Hours-of-Service Compliance Seminar – Presented by PMTA

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, March 25, 2014 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm $165 – member $250 – non-member

Motor Fleet Safety Basics/Managing Motor Fleet Safety Programs – Presented by NATMI This is a comprehensive course on all aspects of fleet safety.

Tuesday – Saturday, April 1 - April 5, 2014 – 8:30 am – 5:00 pm $1625 – member $1800 – non-member Cargo Securement – Presented by PMTA Seminar will cover current federal and state regulations governing the securement of cargo. Additional emphasis will be provided on the specific requirements for securing heavy vehicles and equipment, common violations discovered during roadside inspections and the North American Standard Out-of-Service criteria.

Monday, April 7, 2014 – 8:30 am – 12:00 pm $110 – member $205 – non-member HAZMAT – Presented by PMTA

The unique, function specific format provides greater understanding and better retention of regulatory training. The seminar helps fulfill the 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H for both the initial and recurrent training requirements. CSA information is also included.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014 – 9:00 am – 4:30 pm $250 – member $350 – non-member

Motor Fleet Accident Investigation – Presented by PMTA Control costs through complete and thorough accident investigation. Develop skills in loss prevention, data collection and CSA Crash Basics Indicators with focuses on accident countermeasures and understanding FMCSA.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014 – 9:00 am – 4:30 pm $250 – member $350 – non-member

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 or email Carol at csmore@pmta.org. Register online at www.pmta.org/seminar. Payments and cancellations are due seven days prior to class

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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, 2013 to April 30, 2014).

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 non-member 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.

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 February 14, 2014.

Sponsor Company Chapter Total Jeff Mercadante

Pitt Ohio

Southwest

Carla Brodbeck

Brodbeck’s Safety Solutions Lancaster

3

Ken Martin

Lawn Care of PA

Lancaster

3

Bill Burns

Kenworth of PA

Lancaster

3

Shawn Cassell

Mainline Excavating, Inc

South Central

3

Calvin Ewell

H.R. Ewell, Inc.

Lancaster

3

Dan Fetrow

D.M. Fetrow, Inc.

York/Adams

3

Jerry Sensenig

Charles W. Shirk Trucking

Lancaster

3

Mark Laurusevage Great West Casualty Co.

Northeast

2

Gary Stewart

Rawle & Henderson

South Central

1

Brian Becker

FedEx Ground

York/Adams

1

Lana Rote

Eastern Industries, Inc.

North Central

1

Jay Shaub

R.W. Sauder, Inc.

Lancaster

1

Ken Kametz

Hunter Keystone Peterbilt

Lancaster

1

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 or for more information, contact PMTA at 717.761.7122. We also offer company payroll deductions. Please contact Milliron Associates at 717.232.5322 to discuss this option.

Platinum ($1000 +) R. Frank and Susan Campbell Calvin Ewell Becky Summers Paul Yerk, Jr.

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Silver ($250-$499) Phil and Cyndi Garber James A. and Linda L. Germak Jerry Lee and Mary Alice Sensenig This list includes contributions from January 1 through February 11, 2014 Please consider making a pledge to TruckPAC. When you make a pledge, you have several payment options. You can use your credit card (Visa or MasterCard) one time or make quarterly payments, or you can pay by person or partnership check once or quarterly. When you make a TruckPAC pledge, your name will be listed in Penntrux in the category for which you pledge. For example, if you pledge $500 for the Gold level, and you elect to pay quarterly, your name will be listed as a Gold level donor as soon as we receive your pledge.

Giving levels are as follows: Platinum - $1,000 + Gold - $500-$999

Silver - $250-$499 Bronze - $25-$249

3

Chapter/PMTA Activities The York/Adams Chapter is accepting applications for

the 2014-2015 Ronald E. Workman Scholarships. It awards up to three scholarships between $500 and $2,000 per recipient to employees or family members of employees of companies who are members of the chapter. Preference will be shown to those who intend to pursue trucking industry related studies. Applications will be accepted until March 29. For a copy of the scholarship program guidelines and an application, go to www.pmta.org, York/Adams tab, click on “More in this section,” then the 2014-2015 Ronald E. Workman Scholarship, or contact Dave Schafer at 717.577.7595 or dschafer@yorkcontainer.com.

The PMTA TruckPAC Sporting Clays Shoot is Sunday, March 23, at Carlisle Fish and Game Association, 1421 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle. Lunch is at 11:45 a.m., followed by a safety meeting at 12:45 p.m. The shoot is 1-2:30 p.m., and the reshoot is 2:30-3:30 p.m. There are 50 shots per round and six shooters per squad.

If you don’t have a full squad, we will place you on a team. Cost is $75 per shooter and $45 for a reshoot.

Trapfield or wobble is $15. Station sponsor is $100.

Lunch sponsor is $250, and awards sponsor is $250. All payments must be by personal check and go directly to the PMTA TruckPAC fund. Corporate checks will help defray costs. To register, go to www. pmta.org or call 717.761.7122.

The North Central Chapter Safety Dinner had to be postponed because of a significant winter storm, but about 80 people braved the conditions to attend. In the photo is Rick Mason, community relations coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, District 3-0, Montoursville, who spoke to the group.

The other presenter was Mark Murawski, the Lycoming County transportation planner. His duties include conducting transportation studies, identifying and prioritizing transportation projects, and preparing grant applications. His presentation focused on various aspects of transportation in Lycoming County and the north central region of Pennsylvania.

The York/Adams Chapter will meet on Monday, March 3,

4-9 p.m. at Four Points Sheraton, 1650 Toronita Street, York. The guest speaker will discuss hours of service.

Four vendors, ISE Fleet Services, Omnitracs, PeopleNet and XRS will demonstrate GPS tracking and electronic onboard recorders. RSVP to Carrie Schweitzer by emailing yorkadamsPMTA@comcast.net or calling 717.757.7611, ext. 149.

The PMTA Board of Director meetings for 2014 are March 13, June 26, September 11 and November 13.

The 2014 TruckPAC golf outing is Wednesday, September

24, 2014, at Armitage Golf Club in Mechanicsburg.

Member of the Month Congratulations to Jeff Mercadante, chosen as PMTA’s January Member of the Month. Jeff is a member of the Southwest Chapter, and we all applaud his efforts.

The South Central Chapter donated $1,500 to the diesel truck technology program at the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center. The diesel program receives donations to support the program for many years, enabling the purchase of tools, diagnostic equipment, and trainers necessary to remain current in the every-changing field.

Pictured are, from left, George Custer, administrative director; Dean Yockey, Pitt Ohio Express and South Central president; Bob Ressler, diesel truck technology instructor.

You, too, can be eligible to become Member of the Month.

Each month, any member who has recruited a new member will be entered into a drawing, and from that drawing a Member of the Month will be chosen and will receive special recognition in Penntrux and an award from PMTA. PENNTRUX 23

Word Search by Myles Mellor PennTrux February Word Search

Find the trucking words and phrases listed below in the puzzle and circle them. They may run across or up and down or

By Myles Mellor anymore direction.

Myles Mellor is one of the top crossworddiagonally writers in the world, in publishing than 100 crosswords and puzzles each month. He has published over 6,000 crosswords in newspapers, magazines, electronic devices and websites in the U.S. and internationally and has published numerous crossword books in Barnes and Noble and Books a Million stores nationwide.

Barbershop Bigears Bingocards Brake Caves Diverted Drivetrain Emergency Evelknievel Freeways Inspect Mobile Monsterlane Rolling Steer Sunbelt Tridem

24 PENNTRUX

D A V D K R F E Z Z M V R E K M B

I Z X G Y Q L H J Z F G M F K I T

V O E A Q H C I A U D E Q R G B Y

E S C V V B R A K E R M M E T L U

R R M V M Q I O A G O X A E Y B H

T F G H S T U M E B C R Q W P J E

E F J T E K O N I Y S I P A T D V

D F E B A B C N C U Q N V Y R R E

G E B U I Y G W J A B S U S I I L

R S F L S O S R P S V P F U D V K

S M E I C G H S Z T Z E H X E E N

X V R A L Y G F Q G R C S F M T I

T H R O L L I N G H N T S R G R E

Y D M B A R B E R S H O P C W A V

S U N B E L T G W W Y G F M U I E

S V W K W F P H T S E A T G K N L

M O N S T E R L A N E S G S U Z T

Last Month’s Answers U X G B T P R S G P S V F X Y W S

U S Y A E H I K T T Y A F K S P J

N P C T O X E I E W L X N O U L J

F O E P P W K P C I Y T U D S P T

A S F A J G P P U G T P T K B K T

R Q C Y C E I E Z H E O Y N O O W

Z K G H D U J R I D W B C S B S X

O F B O I X P C U N E R G E Y E Z

C O N L T E K P P A A J A K G A A

L M Z E T S D D R T H J S S Y T A

H P A R T Y O U R H A I R C Z C D

J V O U N P V A Z G R X E A V O W

I C F L U W C B H U I B F N A V P

L F B Q N E O J O K B V Q N D E X

F R J R V Q W T U B B C P E V R T

P I T S T O P D P U O M I R B H H

A C V A T E N P O U N D E R K Q G

Protecting Your Truck Mile After Mile We understand that trucking isn’t just a business. It’s a way of life.

Protecting your truck and keeping it on the road is your number one priority. It’s our number one priority, too. That’s why we offer more coverages – so you can choose what works best for you.

Sentry Insurance Pennsylvania Sales 1-877-832-1835 transportation_agentsupport@sentry.com

Property and casualty coverages are underwritten by a member of the Sentry Insurance Group, Stevens Point, WI. For a complete listing of companies, visit ForTruckersOnly.com. Policies, coverages, benefits and discounts are not available in all states. See policy for complete coverage details.

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