November 2007 Edition
Click here for Back Issues
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Don Oren (R) with Bob McAndrew
at the 2007 National Awards
Banquet on October 16 |
Bob McAndrew named the National Safety Council's
Safe Driver of the Year
Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
"There is nothing more important than safe driving," says Dart contractor Bob McAndrew. It is a statement he strongly believes in, and one of the reasons why, this year, the National Safety Council awarded him with its most elite driver safety award - the Joseph M. Kaplan Safe Driver of the Year award.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Safety Council, Alan McMillan presented Bob with the award at the National Safety Council's 2007 National Awards Banquet in Chicago, Illinois on October 16.
Earlier this year Bob was named the National Safety Council's Minnesota Driver of the Year, and in April, he received the National Safety Council's Five Million Mile Safety Award for driving more than five million accident-free miles over the course of his career.
Bob is the only Dart contractor to reach that milestone. "There are very few who can top Bob's credentials," says Jim Tammes, Dart Safety Director. "And even fewer who can match his natural outgoing and friendly manner."
Behind all the miles
It seems that around Dart, Bob is famous for two things – his safe driving and his smile. "I am friendly with everybody," Bob admits. "I'm from the old school and I still do things the way I used to. I wave at people and blow my train horn for the kids."
According to Bob, his positive attitude has a direct effect on his safety record. "You have to be extremely courteous of other vehicles around you," he explains. His other safe driving rules – be alert and aware of your surroundings, drive ahead of yourself, have an "escape" route if you have to drive in bad weather, and keep your vehicle properly maintained.
"I am a big believer in preventative maintenance," Bob says. "It keeps you ahead of the game." Bob also stores spare parts and tools in his truck so he has them on-hand in case of an emergency or unexpected break down.
But he doesn't just keep parts and tools in the truck for himself – he does it to help others too. "If I see someone needs help, I stop to help them," Bob says. "And I try to share some of my experiences and knowledge with them. That's how you learn."
Early in his career, Bob learned a few important things on his own. "Everywhere I go I'm leaving a mark," he says. "I earn respect by being professional. I dress neatly, stay clean, and present a good image."
Aside from looking professional, Bob makes sure he acts professional too. "I try to be courteous and polite all the time," he says. "I get to know everybody I work with. My customers are like family. I look forward to seeing them."
He also considers people at Dart family and thanks them for their support. "Having a good company to be associated with and a successful safety program makes a big difference," Bob says. "I've contracted with Dart for 17 years. I can depend on them and they can depend on me."
Bob has six kids and nine grandchildren who all know they, too, can count on him. "I always try to be the best parent and role model I can be. I know I am successful because my family is taken care of," he says with a smile.
Contractor Appreciation in Buford was fun for all
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Appreciation Day isn't just
for adults... it's fun for
the whole family! |
John Pinyerd, Sales and Operations Manager
We appreciate the contractors, drivers, and families who participated in the Buford, Georgia facility's Contractor Appreciation Day on October 13. The purpose of the event was simple – to honor our contractors and drivers for their dedication to the trucking industry.
We had tons of prizes, food and fun for all. More than 70 people attended – a dozen Dart contractors attending had National (Over the Road) contracts. They came from as far away as Conway, Arkansas and Akron, Ohio and they all thanked us for inviting them to our celebration!
During the event, we honored folks for all sorts of things. Bill Bradfield, our Safety Advisor in Buford, was honored by a standing ovation for his incredible accomplishment this past year where he "opened up a can of whoop-a-tar" and beat cancer! Jerome Lester was honored for being the first Dart contactor to contract with the Atlanta Fleet three years ago, and for sticking with me as Atlanta operations grew. Berlin Decrordiva was honored for being the contractor at the party who was contracted with Dart the longest. And Walter Spikes of Nashville, Georgia was honored for foregoing the party on the spur of the moment in order to pick up and deliver a hot load that a customer had to move.
In the truck contest, Howard Steinhart of Tunnel Hill, Georgia won the "best truck under load." Cecil Perkins III of Akron, Ohio won the "best chrome." And James Thomas Jr. won the "best truck overall." For obvious reasons, I have forgotten who won the "dirtiest truck" award.
The food was fabulous. According to our informal survey taken at the picnic, no one on the planet makes better fried chicken than Jimmy and Brenda Upshaw, whose catering service provided the food again this year. A typical comment was "this chicken is better than my mother's and my grandmother's."
Jimmy also debuted a sampling of his pork chops, which created quite a stir. As luck would have it, I got to test the first one he cooked for the group. When the folks at my table asked me how it was, and I could only reply, "wow," they got pretty excited. By the third bite and the third "wow" everyone at my table was running to get a pork chop!
We appreciate the efforts of our contractors and drivers. And we are already planning ahead for next year's Contractor Appreciation Day in Buford. We hope to see you there!
Contractors of the Month
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| Fredrick Campbell |
Fredrick Campbell - Dallas Operating Center
Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
Fredrick Campbell didn't begin a career in the trucking industry because his dad drove a truck, or because he always dreamed he would. Fredrick was a Corrections Officer at a penitentiary, but his work became too stressful to handle. So he looked for a new career.
"I just decided to try something different," Fredrick says. And he went to truck-driving school. "I had a friend who was an owner operator and he kept telling me I should be an owner operator too, but I kept holding out."
Finally, Fredrick decided to buy a truck and contract with Dart. "I just gave Dart a chance," he explains. "I found that a lot of companies are similar, so you just have to find one that fits you."
He bought a 1999 Freightliner through Highway Sales, Inc., a truck and finance vendor to Dart contractors. "Now I make my own decisions," he says proudly. But when he needs help making those decisions he turns to his wife Nellie. Together, they have three kids and two grandkids.
Fredrick chooses to go home every 12-13 days to spend time with his family. "We go to church, parties and play softball in the summer time," he says. And since Fredrick made the career change, he spends less time stressed out over his work and focuses on what matters most to him – his family.
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| Jerry Lamb |
Jerry Lamb - Eagan Operating Center
Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
When Jerry Lamb has a good thing going he sticks with it. That's why he spent the majority of his life doing two things – serving in the U.S. Military and driving a truck professionally.
When he was 23 years old, Jerry was drafted for the military. He served for 13 years. Near the end of his career he attended truck-driving school.
"All my life, even when I was a kid, I wanted to be a truck driver," Jerry recalls. He has spent more than half of his 30 years in the trucking industry happily contracted with Dart. "It's a good fit," he says. "With Dart, everything is pretty well mapped out."
So well mapped out, Jerry says, "I still have some of the same customers I had 20 years ago." Typically, Jerry likes to work for three weeks and then go home for two weeks. That way he has plenty of time with his two sons, seven grandkids, and two great-grandkids (a third is on the way).
He also likes to "loaf" when he's home. "I hang out with the old guys down at the convenience store," he admits, laughing. "We talk about the ‘old days.'"
Jerry knows he has a good thing going, so he said when he retires, "I'll slow down, but I'll still take a couple loads a week."
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Dan Dahlquist (R) presents Al Van
with the outstanding service award |
Allpoints thanks driver for 13 years of service
Dan Dahlquist, Vice President of Dedicated Division
Vice President of Dedicated Division, Dan Dahlquist, presented Al Van with a 13-year award for outstanding service to the Unisys Dedicated Account upon his retirement on September 25.
Al was an Allpoints, Inc. driver assigned to the Dedicated Division where his first duties included traveling with a Nintendo trailer and display to various shows around the country. He went from there to the Sonoco account in Naperville, Illinois, and then the Unisys account where he spent most of his years. Al made a multi-stop peddle run for Unisys that took him in and out of Canada on a weekly basis plus other vendors and facilities in the Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois areas.
Al will be residing in Florida upon his retirement and will continue his life long interest in training thoroughbred horses. Good luck in your retirement and thank you for all the years of valuable service to Dart Dedicated and Unisys.
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"I'm not just a truck driver,
I'm an entrepreneur."
- Allen Wolf |
Dart contractor takes course to
Improve business
Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
You've probably heard about ATBS*. And you might have heard about the course they offer – Course of Advanced Business Standards (CABS) – to help owner operators understand and improve their business. But how would you like to learn more about it?
Recently, Dart contractor Allen Wolf completed CABS and, here, he shares his experience.
Why did you take the course?
Allen: In mid-August, Chaun Burch from Dart's Dallas Operating Center called to ask me if I wanted to do the course. I didn't even think twice about it.
What was your motivation for taking the course?
I'm not just a truck driver I'm an entrepreneur. I wanted to manage my business better and get help with taxes and managing my budget. I would like to own more trucks one day, and I know the course will help me in other business ventures. It's just smart business.
What topics does the course cover?
There are 12 lessons on 13 CDs that cover everything from balancing your home budget and business costs to improving your health. Each lessons consists of three to four seminars and scenarios that relate the lessons back to a truck driver.
Why are some of those topics important?
It forces you to think about what you need to do to meet the bottom line. A lot of people don't look at the bills at home. Do you have a car payment, house payment, etc.? If you can't meet the house expenses, you can't meet the business expenses. It brings you over the threshold where you can manage your business rather than your business managing you.
What is the most important lesson you learned in the course?
It helped me understand the tax structure. That keeps you out of a serious bind with Uncle Sam. I also learned doing a good pre-trip inspection keeps you out of a lot of trouble. And that it's what you do, like improving your fuel mileage or reducing your fuel costs, that makes a difference. It might save you a penny here and a penny there, but with a hundred of those pennies you save a dollar. There's certain things you can't control in this industry but there's a lot of things you can.
On a scale of one to ten (one being easy and 10 being difficult), how would you rank the course?
One! It is very easy. A three-year-old could do it. Well, not a three-year-old, but as long as you can read and write, you can do it. The format of the course is very simple. And ATBS is there for you 100% while you take the course. You have a representative who is YOUR representative to help you. I spent a lot of time on the phone with my representative going over things while I was taking the course.
How long did it take you to complete the course?
I did it in about seven days. One day I did four lessons – it took me 12 hours. But you have six months to complete the course. You have plenty of time to do it at your own pace.
Did you have to take any tests?
There are 12 quizzes, one at the end of each lesson, and a final exam at the very end of the course. When a lesson is over the CD tells you to stop and answer the questions at the end of the section. You can go back through the booklet or replay the CD before answering the questions, and then when you are finished, you fax the quizzes in and they (ATBS) grade them and go over the wrong answers with you. You have up to three times to take a quiz over if you fail. But it's impossible to fail. The final exam is taken online, so you see whether the answer is right or wrong just after you enter an answer. You have to get an 80% or better to pass the final, and you have three hours to take the exam.
Was the course worth the cost?
Oh yes! It costs $350. What this program does for you, you'll make that back 20-fold. How do you think taking the course will affect your business? I'm glad I took the course. I think ATBS will help keep my head above the water.
Would you recommend other owner operators take the course?
Yes, because it gives you a broader picture of the industry. It helps you understand what your role is, Dart's role, the customer's role, the DOT's role, etc. I think employees at Dart should take the course. I know where they're coming from and they can understand where I'm coming from.
What advice would you give to others who are considering taking the course?
Do it at your own pace, and do it in the order of the lessons. Get over your fear of failing. Owning a business is kind of like skiing – you have to get over your fear of falling. Success is 99% perspiration and 1% motivation. It's how much work you put into it.
If you are interested in taking CABS or would like more information about ATBS, contact Carissa Berres at ATBS at 877-826-9076.
At Dart's Dallas Operating Center, contact Chaun Burch, Contractor Services Manager, at x8768; Jim Nichol, Operations Manager, at x8521; Ron Moore, Director of Operations, at x8556; or Kevin Smith, General Manager, at x8760.
In Eagan, contact Sheila Ask, Fleet Manager, at x1468; Brian Putnam, Sr. Fleet Manager, at x1411; Roger Meyer, Sr. Fleet Manager, at x1331; or Randy Luckow, Operations Manager, at x1422.
*ATBS is the largest owner-operator business services provider in the United States providing services to owner operators leased to fleets as well as owner operators running on their own authority. You can contact ATBS by calling 888-640-4829, emailing info@attrucktax.com or going to www.ATBSshow.com.
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| Kevin Smith |
Contractor forum update
Dart uses feedback, makes changes
Kevin Smith, General Manager at Dart's Dallas Operating Center
It's only been one month since the Contractor Forum met to discuss new initiatives that will further enhance Dart's service to our owner operators. Already, we have
made headway on a number of ideas generated by the forum members.
- A new Macro feature
Macro 23 on the Qualcomm now includes the manifest numbers that have been settled. This will help Dart contractors better understand their cash flow and help identify any missing paperwork needed to bill customers and complete the settlement process.
- More trailers
Dart now possesses approximately 40 new trailers. These trailers have satellite equipment to help track and trace their location and status (whether the trailer is loaded or empty). Additionally, Dart will purchase another 560 trailers through the end of 2007 and during the first quarter of 2008.
- New trailer repair shops
Trailer repairs can now be made at the Tifton (south of Atlanta on I-75), and Buford (north of Atlanta on I-85), Georgia Pro Stop Truck Service, Inc. locations.
- Additional Vehicle Maintenance staff
The Vehicle Maintenance Department has recently added staff members to their first and second shifts to better serve contractors with mechanical breakdowns on their tractor or trailer. Additional staff will be added to their third shift soon. Phone hold times are being quickly reduced.
- New scanning locations
A new "Scan'N'Go" unit will be added to the Houston, Texas yard for contractors to scan settlement paperwork. Other locations being considered for additional "Scan'N'Go" units are Buford and Tifton, Georgia. All three of these locations are Pro Stop facilities. Contractors will be notified by a fleet macro when the units are in place and ready for use.
The Forum members are very excited that so many initiatives are quickly being addressed. There are a number of other initiatives that we are currently working on and evaluating. Keep the great ideas flowing! Watch for updates on the status of new initiatives.
Randy Peterson – the safety advantage
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| Randy Peterson |
Sandy Alcala-Villagran, Fleet Services Administrative Assistant
Lately I've been writing articles about the Safety AdVANtage Simulator and where it has traveled. I failed to mention there is a real story behind the wheel – Randy Peterson.
Randy is an owner operator contracted with Dart Transit Company. In his spare time he operates the simulator, sharing what he knows best – driver safety.
He has contracted with Dart since 1996. For a while, he was a fleet manager for Allpoints, Inc., which was first based in Texas. Then he accepted a position as a safety advisor for Dart in 1997. Not too long after that Randy decided he wanted to go back out on the road.
Randy has driven over the road as well as on Dart's Dedicated Fleet. Now, he contracts with Dart's Dallas City operations. Randy consistently receives Dart Safety Awards, and in 2006, he was named the Texas Motor Transportation Association's Driver of the Year.
Recently, I traveled with Randy on a 12-day trip. To pass the time, I asked him lots of questions.
How did you get started in the trucking industry?
"Family tradition" is what he told me. It was the only environment he was exposed to as a youth. "I liked it and stayed in it," he said.
So who else in your family is in the trucking industry?
Randy grew up around trucks. His dad, Palmer, owned a trucking company with 52 trucks. He was affiliated with Allied Van Lines Merchants Transfer & Storage located in Davenport, Iowa.
Randy started driving a truck at age 13. He learned by spotting trucks for his dad in the yard. He also moved packing trucks for his mother. Randy's siblings also got into trucking. His brother is currently driving team for John Deere Tractor, and his two sisters have two trucks each and haul their own product for their businesses.
What does your family think about you being out on the road for weeks at a time?
When Randy is dispatched on a trip with the simulator he is usually gone for three to four weeks at a time. "Everyone in my family is in trucking, and all of them are very supportive because they know what it takes to earn a living out on the road," he said. "I don't get any complaints."
What advice would you give a driver today wanting to be an owner operator?
Randy's reply – "I would advise them to take a business class on how to run a business. I would recommend American Truck Business Services because it's a really good organization to work with. You need to know what all is involved in owning your own truck. There's a lot of discipline in controlling your money, and that's a challenge when you are working so hard to provide for your family."
My final question for Randy – what do you plan to do when you retire?
He said, "I hope to continue to promote driver safety, pass on what I know to other drivers and hope to make difference in the trucking profession and to the motoring public."
