The company announced the double rewards points offer in May and will continue to offer double points through its MyRewards program for all drivers at every Pilot Travel Center and Flying J Travel Plaza through June 30.

“Professional drivers keep this country moving, and the Pilot Flying J family of employees is very proud to serve these hardworking men and women,” said Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam. “Offering double rewards points is just one more way we can thank them for their service and for being loyal customers.”

Professional drivers can earn double points in June by using their MyRewards card on diesel purchases at Pilot Flying J locations nationwide. To earn double points, drivers should swipe their MyRewards card at the fuel pump. Points are redeemable on most in-store purchases including food and beverages such as Pilot Flying J’s premium coffee; breakfast offerings like biscuits and gravy or steel-cut whole grain oatmeal; crisp salads and fresh-made sandwiches; and hot, hearty soup.

“Whether you’re stopping to refuel, relax in our newly renovated showers or driver lounges, or refresh with a home-style meal, we look forward to serving you along your drive,” Haslam said. “Please enjoy our double rewards points offer and let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help make life better for you and all of America’s professional drivers.”

*Some exceptions apply. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com for more information.

Daniel Stuhr

Daniel Stuhr was selected as Driver of the Month in the Reefer-Van Division. Stuhr was nominated by his fleet manager, Gene Szwarc who said, “Dan does a fantastic job!” Stuhr has driven with Decker for eight years.

Chad Fisher

Chad Fisher was chosen as the Flatbed Division’s Driver of the Month. His fleetmanager, Jerry Chapman says, “Chad does a great job, delivers on time and recently started helping us out by training new drivers.” Fisher has driven for Decker for six months.

In addition to winning a Decker gift certificate, both of these drivers will now be eligible to compete for Driver/Owner-Operator of the Year. This year-end recognition of one driver from each division brings a 1-cent-per-mile pay increase for twelve months.

Decker’s Drivers of the Month are selected by their fleet managers based on overall performance within all areas of the company, including operational productivity, safety record, maintenance/care of equipment, payroll, billing and customer service.

Founded in 1931, Decker Truck Line, Inc. is a diversified carrier, transporting flatbed, refrigerated and dry van freight to the 48 contiguous states and seven Canadian provinces.

For more information, visit www.drivedecker.com.

Schneider National, Inc., a premier provider of truckload, logistics and intermodal services, announced today it is raising company driver pay rates in its tanker division. The pay increase is effective June 16, 2013, and most new drivers will earn an additional $0.02–$0.03 per mile.

In addition, for a limited time, Schneider is offering a $7,500 sign-on/on-boarding bonus to experienced drivers and driving school graduates joining the tanker division. The bonus is being offered to quickly add drivers for growing, existing accounts and new business in the chemical industry. Schneider National Bulk Carriers, the company’s tanker division, will add 100 drivers by July 1 to meet customer demand.

Drivers and trucking school graduates can take advantage of regional or over-the-road (solo or team) opportunities in many areas of the U.S. If drivers do not have tanker experience, Schneider will provide the specific training to ensure the smooth, safe transition to pulling tankers. A complete benefits package and paid orientation are also provided, along with predictable work schedules and home time.

Drivers and owner-operators interested in learning more or applying can visit www.schneiderjobs.com or call 800-44-PRIDE (800-447-7433).

By Tom Bray

For drivers subject to the hours-of-service regulations, they need to be concerned with three areas ― limits, logs, and exceptions. Let’s take a look at the limits and logs, and discuss the relevant exceptions as we go along.

Limits

The basic limits are actually fairly straightforward. These include:

• The 14^-hour rule (§395.3(a)(2))
• The 11-hours of driving rule (§395.3(a)(3))
• The 60 hours in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days rule (§395.1(b)(1) or (b)(2))

The 14-hour rule

A driver cannot drive a commercial vehicle after 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty. If the driver started his/her day at 7 a.m., the driver cannot drive a commercial vehicle anymore as of 9:00 p.m. Waiting to load or unload, meals, other breaks, and breakdowns all count in the 14 hours as this is a “consecutive hour” rule.

There are only a couple of exceptions to the 14-hour limit. Both of the exceptions only apply to “short-haul drivers” that report back to their work reporting location every night and meet other conditions (see §395.1(e)(2) and §395.1(o)).

The 11-hours driving rule

Within the 14 hours, a driver can drive a total of 11 hours. Any time at the controls of a commercial vehicle while on the roadway counts as driving.

There is only one exception to the 11-hour driving limit, and that is the “adverse driving conditions” exception at §395.1(b). This allows a driver up to two extra hours of driving time if delayed by adverse conditions that could not have been known at the time of dispatch. This exception does not allow the driver to go over the 14-hour limit. Adverse conditions can include snow, ice, an accident closing the road, etc.

10 hours off

The hours that count toward the 14- and 11-hour limits are started and stopped by a break of 10 hours or more (§395.3(a)(1)). The exceptions allow the 10-hour break to be taken off duty, in the sleeper berth on a truck, or a combination of the two. The exceptions also allow for “splitting” the 10-hour break into two breaks, one of which must be 8 hours in a sleeper berth (see §395.1(g) for details).

60/70-hour rule

To address the effects of cumulative fatigue, drivers are not allowed to drive if they have been on duty for 60 hours over the last 7 days, or 70 hours over the last 8 days. Companies that operate vehicles 7 days a week are allowed to use the 70-hour limit, if they choose to.

There is only one exception to the 60- or 70-hour limit and that involves “driver-salespeople” who stay within 100 miles of their work reporting location and spend less than 50 percent of their work time driving.

There has been a way for drivers to “restart” the “hours worked” calculation. Any break of 34 hours or more has allowed the driver to “restart” the 7 or 8 days. In effect, once the driver has 34 consecutive hours off, the driver’s total hours for the last 7 or 8 days go to “zero.”

Some drivers, such as drivers exclusively involved in transporting supplies for oil and gas drilling operations and drivers involved exclusively in transporting construction supplies and materials, can get a restart after 24 hours of off duty time, rather than 34.

New for July

Beginning on July 1, drivers can only take a restart if the driver has not had a restart in the last 7 days (168 hours) and if the 34 hours off includes two 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. periods (§395.3(c) and (d)).

Also new for July, a driver cannot drive if it has been 8 hours since the driver’s last off-duty break of 30 minutes or more. Basically, a driver will need to stop and take a 30-minute break if it has been 8 hours since the last break of 30 minutes or more and the driver wants to continue or start driving (§395.3(a)(3)(ii)).

The ‘records’

The main record that is used to show compliance with these limits is the driver’s daily log, officially known as the “driver’s record of duty status” (see §395.8). The driver must account for all activities based on the four “duty lines” on the “grid graph.” These duty lines are:

• Off duty: Driver has no responsibility to anyone and is performing no work for the carrier or anyone else.
• Sleeper berth: Time spent in the sleeper berth on the truck.
• Driving: Time spent at the controls of a commercial vehicle on the road.
• On duty: The driver is performing any work for, or has any responsibility to, the carrier. Waiting to load or unload, loading and unloading, inspecting the vehicle, and fueling the vehicle would all be examples of on-duty time. There is an exception that allows certain drivers involved in oil and gas operations to log waiting time at well sites as off duty time. See §395.1(d)(2).

As well as the grid graph, the log must contain other information (see §395.8(d) for the full list of what must be on the log). The Remarks section below the grid-graph is where the location of any duty change (a duty change is any time the driver changes duty lines) is recorded.

The driver’s log must be current at all times to the “last duty change.” If the driver’s log is inspected by an officer while he/she is driving, the log will need to show the driver’s last duty change — in other words, the location and time when the driver started driving.

The only exceptions to completing a log apply to “short-haul drivers” that stay within 100 or 150 air-miles of their work reporting location (depending on the type of vehicle operated), make it back every night, and meet other conditions. These drivers are allowed to simply keep time records rather than logs. Details on these two exceptions can be found at §395.1(e)(1) and (e)(2).

Electronic options 

Various electronic versions of logs are available. These fall into two general categories:

• Automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRDs), which are connected to the vehicle and automatically determine when the driver is driving. If using an AOBRD system, the driver only needs to show the officer the device display.
• Electronic logging apps and programs that are not getting movement data from the vehicle, which are regulated under the “regular” log requirements in §395.8. One key point to using these electronic logging apps and programs is that the driver must be able to print his/her logs on demand during a roadside inspection.

Who is responsible for what?

The driver is always responsible for compliance with the limits and logging requirements. During a roadside inspection the driver must be able to present a log or an acceptable electronic record that is current, true, correct, and legal for the current day ― “today” ― and the previous seven days.

The company (the carrier who’s DOT number the driver is operating for) is responsible for making sure that the drivers operate legally and submit completed logs within 13 days. The company must also retain the logs for 6 months and make them available to investigators, if requested. The company is also responsible for making sure that any assignment given to the driver can be completed legally.

If you are an owner-operator operating under your own DOT number, then you are both the driver and the company. This means that you must follow both sets of requirements. On the road you will need to have today plus the last seven days of logs, and the last 6 months of logs will need to be retained “at the office.”

Thomas Bray is Sr. Editor – Transportation Management for J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Tom came to J.J. Keller with over 20 years of experience in the motor carrier industry, from over-the-road driver, trainer, and claims manager to lead Instructor and safety director. During his tenure in the industry he was responsible for DOT compliance, policy development, driver human resources, driver training, and accident prevention. Contact him at transporteditors@jjkeller.com. Also be sure to check out J. J. Keller’s website at jjkeller.com.

With winter’s chill and spring’s pollen now just an unpleasant memory, it’s time again to get your truck ready for summer. Here are the key items to address:

_____ 1. Pressure Wash Exterior & Undercarriage – There are dozens of nooks and crannies around the outside of a truck where dirt and debris can accumulate out of sight from the driver and out of reach from even a good truck wash.

_____ 2. Clean Battery Box & Batteries – Winter’s road-spray can settle inside the battery box and on top of the batteries, slowly but surely draining the batteries, especially when the truck is parked.

_____ 3. Test Entire Electrical System – A thorough electrical check, including a battery load test, will help to avoid a road-service call during the heat of summer.

_____4. Adjust Clutch & Brakes – Before summer begins to heat up and make things sticky, it’s a good time to make sure that self-adjusting mechanisms are still working.

_____ 5. Inspect All Rubber Parts – Summertime heat is the mortal enemy of many rubber-based parts such as hoses and belts.

_____ 6. Check Cooling System – Today’s engine coolants present a special problem if their “long life” promotion is taken too seriously.

They do live longer than they used to, but they don’t live forever.

_____7. Check Tire Pressure – Probably nothing contributes more to tire wear than the heat that builds up when running with insufficient air pressure. The heat of summer can balloon the problem.

_____ 8. Check Windshield Wipers – Windshield wiper blades may need to be replaced to wipe without streaking during the rainstorms of summer.

_____ 9. Restock Cleaning Supplies – Part of getting ready for summer includes making sure you have a good quality squeegee and a supply of window cleaner on-board.

_____ 10. Clean Interior – From salt, to mud, to paper or just plain dirt, the inside of the truck cab can collect a mountain of debris during a winter.

“I didn’t go to college, so I knew that my options might be limited,” explains the 42-year-old. “I was looking for steady work that I could do and truck driving seemed like the logical answer. It’s nice now to get a paycheck without having to chase my money down myself.”

The American Trucking Association (ATA) is conducting a national driver recruitment campaign in order to employ a Global Insights, Inc. predicted shortage of 111,000 drivers by 2014 in the trucking industry. The campaign focuses on increasing its pool of driver applicants by appealing to people like Wagner who are looking to embark on a second career.

The ATA estimates that at the current trends, the driver shortage could balloon to as much as 239,000 drivers by 2022.  In addition, the ATA estimates that 96,178 drivers will be needed every year over the next 10 years to account for the shortage.  The transition of individuals from other industries into trucking can play a large role in bridging the gap on the driver shortage.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment in the construction industry remains at low levels because of the 2007-09 recession, and employment in most construction occupations is not expected to reach pre-recession levels.  The most recent Engineering News Record Construction Industry Confidence Index (CICI) survey shows the construction industry’s uncertainty. The second-quarter 2012 CICI fell six points from the first quarter to 50 on a scale of 100, which represents a flat market. The 378 executives of large construction and design firms responding to the survey believe the market will not begin to show signs of growth until the end of 2013.

As for the current market, 32% of industry execs polled believe it is still in decline, while only 17% believe it is growing. Only 25% believe the market will be growing within the next six months, while an equal number believe it still will be in decline. However, 51% believe the market will be on the upswing by the end of 2013, compared to only 8% of respondents who believe the market will continue to be in decline in 12 to 18 months.

For Wagner, the decline in the construction industry meant seeking out a second career.  He researched several trucking companies online before deciding on driving for Prime. He found that the company had the stability he needed with consistent freight and competitive pay.

“Jumping careers at this point in my life wasn’t something I planned on, and I wanted to get the best grasp on it that I could,” he says. “What really got me was that Prime had better training pay that anyone else. Their training program is longer, but that’s exactly what I needed since I was starting from scratch.”

Prime is known for its commitment to drivers and being a family-oriented company. It wasn’t too long into his work with Prime when Wagner discovered exactly what that meant. His brother passed away suddenly and Prime not only made it possible for Wagner to go home immediately, but the company gave him as much time as he needed to grieve the loss.

“I was worried about getting time off because I hadn’t been working here that long, but Prime was more than gracious,” Wagner explains. “The first thing they said to me was, ‘family first.’ They said I had a job to come back to whenever I was ready and I respect that.”

The professional driver’s schedule has taken some time for Wagner and his family to get used to, but they all agree that the benefits far outweigh the change in lifestyle. With one daughter in college and another one in high school, working for Prime allows Wagner and his wife Claudia to continue enjoying their New Jersey home and plan for the future.

“You have to be prepared because it is not only a job, but it’s truly a lifestyle,” he adds. “Once you’re ready, you make the commitment and go at it full force. There’s no half doing this job.”

Opportunities for both company drivers and independent contractors are currently available at Prime, which offers incentives designed to promote safety, on-time service, fuel consumption, tractor maintenance and training. For more information about the driving opportunities at Prime inc., please visit www.primeinc.com or call 1-877-PRIME-JOB.

Have you ever heard the saying, “the customer is always right?” There’s a reason vendors feel that your opinion matters. However, how often do you actually tell a company whether you like or dislike their product?

As a professional driver, you are an influential customer. You buy fuel and supplies at truck stops, clothing and food at retail and grocery stores, and you purchase services from your tax preparer to your dog groomer.

What about your carrier? Are you treated as if you are a customer? Whether you are an owner-operator or a company driver, you’re more than an employee or contractor. When you are looking for a new company in an effort to increase your income, you are a customer. You’re in the process of “shopping” for a new carrier.

What do you look for when you’re “shopping?” Are you looking for a company with better pay? What about more home time? Maybe the make and model of the truck is your top priority. What about the type of freight or trailer? Is the geographic region important to you?

Are you looking for a carrier with the sexiest models in their booths or ads?

What does this have to do with trucking? Look around you the next time you walk into a trucking industry trade show. How many vendors and carriers use (and I mean “use”) women in short skirts or skimpy tops to try to bring you into their booths?

Do you stop and chat with these “booth babes” because you are certain they represent all of the women at that trucking company? Maybe you stop and get your photo taken with the girls in the hot pants who are spinning the game wheel for you.

REALLY?

Do you walk by them because you have your wife and kids in tow? If you are a female driver, do you really feel that the trucking company or vendor is trying to reach YOU? Probably not.

Well, guess what? As a customer, you have some clout. If you are offended by the advertisers and carriers who use sex to get your attention, you need to let them know how you feel.

Maybe you enjoy talking to these young girls who obviously have no connection to the trucking industry. They are there to get your attention. That’s okay, we understand, you might be married, but you’re not dead. However, would you want your daughter or niece or granddaughter to be standing in a 10’ x 20’ booth with a short skirt and low cut top being ogled by truck drivers? Would you?

The last time I checked the calendar, it was 2013 and we are trying to embrace diversity and be inclusive. Using sex to sell products, services, or companies takes us back thirty years to the days when there were (almost) only men driving trucks. There were men running the trucking companies and men buying the tires, trailers, and just about everything associated with big trucks.

As a traffic manager at a steel fabricating plant in the late seventies, I was approached by sales “men” who wanted my business. They represented airfreight, truckload, and LTL carriers, as well as the rail and intermodal companies. They weren’t sure how to treat a young female traffic manager who was responsible for shipping steel fabricated products out and raw steel in. This was before deregulation, so rates were consistent regardless of the carrier. They had to sell me on service and region.

The methods these salesmen used to obtain my shipping business were often questionable and bordered on illegal. I was offered everything from dates with professional athletes to some products I had never experienced because of their tendency to land the user in jail. The competition was tough.

Deregulation brought with it a way to differentiate carriers in regard to shipping rates. They didn’t need to rely on other ways to convince customers to use their services. I didn’t “buy” their methods as the company’s needs were my priority. Choosing a carrier was about getting the product to the customer in the most efficient and cost effective way possible.

That was nearly 25 years ago. Although the industry has changed, there are still vendors that ASSUME all drivers are men. Don’t let them get away with it.

Remember that when you see advertisements that use sex to sell a product or service. If the item is something you need, you’ll buy it. The short skirts and low cut tops aren’t relevant.

It’s your job to tell them. You’re the customer. You’re always right!

Barr-Nunn Transportation has announced that company drivers and owner operators will now become eligible for detention pay after 90 minutes of wait time.

Years ago, as a leader in the trucking industry, Barr-Nunn ratcheted down the waiting time necessary to become eligible for detention pay to two hours.  The company has now further enhanced its leadership position in this area and they’re moving to detention pay eligibility after a  90-minute delay in loading or unloading.  This move shows once again how much they value drivers’ time. Barr-Nunn has made it clear they are putting an emphasis on helping drivers maximize their earnings and this includes paying not only for miles but for time.

“Our success is based on safety, service and efficiency, all of which depends on our drivers. We feel that our drivers are the best in the industry and we in turn constantly strive to offer the best pay, equipment, and quality of life to our drivers,” Says Rene Beacom, President. “As always, we have more to do, but we are taking the next step in this process. As of June 3, 2013, we will reduce the current requirement of waiting two hours prior to becoming eligible for detention pay, to 90 minutes. Just as it is for the company overall, we know that for our drivers ‘time is money’.” 

About Barr-Nunn: Celebrating its 31st year, Barr-Nunn Transportation Inc. is regarded as one of the country’s best-managed truckload carriers. They have been the industry innovator in driver pay and benefits packages for years. Barr-Nunn has a reputation for respecting its drivers and working diligently to anticipate and meet their needs.

For more information about Barr-Nunn Transportation visit their website at: www.barrnunnjobs.com or call 888-999-7576.

We are proud to announce that the Kellogg Company has named Barr-Nunn Transportation the recipient of their 2012 KDOT National Carrier of the Year award. Kellogg Company awards one national carrier per year and Barr-Nunn Transportation was selected for this title.

Barr-Nunn earned this prestigious award by providing outstanding performance in a number of categories throughout 2012.  The criterion for the KDOT National Carrier of the Year Award is defined by seven key performance areas including Safety, On-Time Delivery, EDI Compliance, and more.

Barr-Nunn President Rene Beacom had this to say, “Kellogg’s works with some of the very best carriers in the industry and we’re happy to be included in that group.  We’re especially pleased to win this award as the National Carrier of the Year and appreciate the recognition.  I would like to thank our entire team for the ongoing efforts made to ensure that Kellogg’s, and all of our customers receive consistently superior service.”

About Barr-Nunn: Celebrating its 31st year, Barr-Nunn Transportation Inc. is regarded as one of the country’s best-managed truckload carriers. They are the industry innovator in driver pay and benefits packages. Barr-Nunn has a reputation for respecting its drivers and working diligently to anticipate and meet their needs.

For more information about Barr-Nunn Transportation visit their website at: www.barrnunnjobs.com or call 888-999-7576.

America’s Road Team Captains, elite professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles, are offering advice on how to navigate through highway traffic and arrive at your destination safely. Tips include:

–  Perform a pre-trip inspection – Check your tire pressure, wipers and fluids. Simple maintenance can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road before you leave your home.

–  Plan your trip – Know where you are going and be prepared to exit. Indecisive driving is a major cause of traffic problems.

–  Large Trucks Have Blindspots – If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you.

–  Do not cut in front of large trucks – Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.  A fully loaded tractor trailer takes a football field and both end zones to come to a complete stop when driving at highway speeds.

–  Pay Attention – Distracted driving is a leading cause of crashes. Looking away for even two seconds doubles the chances of an accident. Turn cell phones and PDAs off.

–  Allow a Safety Cushion – Look 1/4 mile ahead for a safe path.  Leave yourself an out.

–  Slow Down – Chances of a crash nearly triples when driving faster than surrounding traffic.

–  Keep extra water in your vehicle – Just as you keep a winter driving kit in your vehicle, it is important to be prepared when driving during the summer months. Keep plenty of extra water, sunscreen and non-perishable snacks in your car in case you are stranded.

–  Buckle Up – Safety belts are not a fashion statement – they save lives.

–  Abide by Traffic Rules – Follow traffic signs and signals – paying special attention to work zones.

–  Be Careful Backing Up – One in four preventable collisions involve backing up.  Be sure to look before backing up; walk around your car prior to departure.

“Memorial Day Weekend is the first big vacation weekend of the summer,” said America’s Road Team Captain John Lex, Walmart Transportation.  “There are additional motorists on the highway, with many in unfamiliar areas. For the sake of safety, drivers need to slow down, follow the rules of the road and be patient.”

The America’s Road Team would like to remind the motoring public that from driveway to highway, safety requires patience and dedication.