CTM JULY 2013 Web Edition

Dave brings 40 years of valuable and interesting experience in transportation, management, safety, business and compliance. Dave has driven in every condition across North America and overseas as military, policeman,company driver to an owner operator to transportation management. Now Publisher Editor of Canadian Trucking Magazine bringing you articles and entertainment in print and on the web. Join Dave on Face Book for real time updates. Meet Dave at the Truck Shows.

You notice on the front cover I have the 3 vehicles owned by Mark Brandt again.

The simple answer is they look fantastic, and what a way to advertise our August 4th Truck~Bike~Muscle Car~Show then Mark’s awesome iron.

This year it will be at the Road House Eatery located in Headingley MB right by the scale house.

Loads of room for parking and a big facility by our host in case of rain or just to rest and get something great to eat.

I love the sirloin burger there, but there is something for everyone.

Show up before 10am to park your vehicles,it is all free with trophies and prizes for the winners picked by peoples choice again.

The show is 1 day only not to tie up your iron or weekend. 10am to 5pm.

Great entertainment by Bobby G and the Bobcatz and lots for kiddies.

Be great to see you all out again!

Below is a picture of my good friend John Muirhead and I at the Dog for a coffee.

John will be at Fergus this year with us and to let you know John will be a Judge there for the Trucks in Fergus.

If anyone knows trucks and trucking John does. So if you can, have your iron out there for John to look at and drop by the CTM booth for a magazine and chat.

CTM will be at the T intersection and I look forward to seeing all my old friends.

Want More of Canadian Trucking Magazine Visit us on the Web or Face Book For important updates about events and what is new in Transportation!

Mark August 4th 2013 ~ Headingley MB ~ CTM TRUCK~BIKE~MUSCLE CAR~SHOW

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Look who I got to hang out with at my favorite Oak Point Restaurant!

Yes, Mark Brandt with his awesome truck. Hard to see in the magazine here, but on the back window is the picture Mark gave us of his 3 vehicles for the front cover.

In the crossword this month we clipped a picture of one of our favorite servers at the Oak Point.

Breakfast, Lunch or Supper, you really can’t go wrong for value and I have never walked away hungry. I go for the specials.

Next time you are through Winterpeg MB Canada, stop in on route 90 to this family run business say Hi and you saw them in CTM. These are good people looking after us.

If you notice I always plug great places to stop with people that are trucker friendly.

You will never find a box of Canadian Trucking Magazine in a place I would not eat or do business with or be embarrassed to be associated with.

Trucking might be a big family, but we are a small one too and word spreads fast when a trucker is abused.

That is why in CTM advertising we have turned down companies that have wanted to advertise with us.

In the past we have had some in there, that we found out were not trucker friendly, and they are gonzo!

This magazine is not all about the mighty buck!

So when you see an Advertiser in CTM, or a picture of a great restaurant like the Oak Point. Give them a whirl.

Don’t forget to tell them you read about them in CTM, it keeps the bills paid here. Although you might notice a lot of these plugs are not paid advertisers just great people I want to connect you with.

In Marc Springers story this month is advice to our brother and sisters out there to make sure not to be stuck in the truck.

Get out, meet Val the truckers pal,Jimmy and Poppy at the Oak Point, Gloria at Gloria’s diner and the good people hosting this years CTM show at the Road House Eatery in Headingley.

When I was on the road full time all Wal-Marts use to let us park in thier lots. I use to stop and go for what I called my WalMart walk. I would walk half as fast as normal around the back rows without stopping for at least 20 minutes.That would get the blood flow where it should be.

If you are driving for a company for some time that has been treating you fairly and looks after thier drivers and are not in this book, tell them.

If they are looking for drivers, this is the book we can trust to steer us right.

Make sure again if you are looking and you contact a fine company from this magazine, tell them where you saw them! In fact tell your current company you read CTM. I wish I could print a column of companies to stay away from, but we would get sued. I already have a few companies CTM refused to advertise for that threatened law suits. But hey Canadian Trucking Magazine belongs to you and that’s why we are always out there at stops and shows asking your input.

The annual show CTM has in Winnipeg each year is free.

No entrance fee, no parking fees, all free so we can get together for one day and enjoy ourselves.

CTM does not use it as a cash cow, we could, it is just us giving back as we love to do.

Hope to see you out there if you are in or passing through Winnipeg on the 4th, Bobby G and the Bobcatz rock! The food at the Road House is great! This year we have Bikes and Muscle Cars as we truckers love our toys!

Always remember, I would rather hear from you, than about you!

Happy Trails....... Dave See you at the shows or on the Road.

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FREE FREE FREE !!!!

Did I get your attention with FREE and now CTM will hold it with the best 1 day Truck Bike Muscle Car Show in North America! And Yes it is FREE!

Start ~ With a Brunch @ the Road House Eatery Look ~ At the Trucks ~ Bikes ~ Muscle Cars Enjoy ~ The Live music from Bobby G Bobcatz Relax ~ Lounge or outside Beer Garden Laugh ~ With the Kids on the bouncers clowns This is an event for the entire family to take in!

Canadian Trucking Magazine appreciates your readership and the transportation industry has done okay by us!

CTM wants to give back!

What better than a day together with music, Iron and good times!

We try to attend every event acrosss Canada and in the USA that concerns trucking so we can get a feel of what is really happening. In the past few years we have notice event prices rising and being passed on to the attendees, you. This at times makes it hard to take the time out to attend and the money you need to be there.

So CTM makes it only 1 day, and Free for all. Now everyone can afford 1 day and can bring friends and family without worrying about the wallet.

Even our Hosts at the Road House Eatery are putting together an affordable brunch for you to enjoy to start the day or when you get hungry there.

We look forward to seeing as many as you that might be in Winnipeg MB that day!

IF WE HAVE IT, A TRUCK BROUGHT IT!

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By: Dawn Truell ~ CBS ~ Terroris

Please note that the content in this section of this article will be disturbing to all.

52-year-old long-haul truck driver, Steven Charles Schwartz, while in Saskatchewan recently was sentenced for possession of child pornography after pleading guilty to the charge and returned to Regina Provincial Court on Tuesday for sentencing.

Judge Bruce Henning after hearing submissions, agreed to impose the sentence jointly proposed by Crown and defense counsel: four months in jail.

Schwartz was held on $5,000 bail but could not come up with the money. Schwartz was arrested by Canada Border Services Agency officers while he was trying to come into Canada through the Coronach border crossing. Schwartz was on his way to pick up a load of hay, he was subjected to a search during which a laptop was located. Schwartz admitted to having pornography on the laptop, although he didn't tell officers it involved children.

Once border officers discovered what was clearly child pornography, they called in police with the Internet Child Exploitation Unit.

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CBP officers at a Nogales port of entry discovered 3,300 pounds, $1.6 million worth of marijuana hidden inside cans of jalapenos. This seizure was found in a tractor-trailer truck at the Nogales commercial border crossing. When the driver was pulled over for secondary inspection of his tractor-trailer a CBP dog alerted the officers to the presence of drugs inside the shipment of canned jalapenos, officers uncovered over 2,000 cans filled with the marijuana. The driver was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the drugs were seized

by CBP.

At the San Diego border crossing on Wednesday evening at 7 pm, U.S. CBP agents found 1,650 pounds of marijuana hidden in two trucks. A 1998 Freightliner pulling a flatbed trailer with what was listed as plastic waste, officers ran the truck through the imaging system and found in the fifth-wheel of the trailer there were what appeared to be anomalies.

Upon searching this fifthwheel, 229 packages of marijuana were found weighing in at 559 pounds with a street value of $252,000. The driver was a 22-yearold Mexican man.

sm comes in many forms…

In a second truck, a 2012 Ford F-150 pickup, with the aid of CBP drug-sniffing dog, 124 packages weighing 1,091 pounds of marijuana were found stuffed inside rolls of roofing paper in the bed of the truck with a value of $500,000.

This driver was a 43-year-old U.S. citizen. Both drivers were arrested for drug possession with intent to traffic.

Fireworks can have a life-altering impact on consumers, including severe eye injuries, loss of limbs, and even death. During a recent demonstration at the annual Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Firework Safety event, a mannequin lost his head (image is a little unnerving):

CBSA officers at the Léo Blanchette Mail Processing Centre in Montréal intercepted two parcels originating from Turkey.

One of the packages was destined for Ottawa, ON and the other for Surrey, BC. Upon X-ray examination of the packages by CBSA officers there were revealed two kilograms of opium that were carefully hidden inside women’s sandals.

For further information on the fight against smuggling, terrorism, C-TPAT, FAST, PIP please contact

U.S. CBP agents working in southern Arizona stopped two human smuggling attempts last weekend, this is crazy, check this out!

Last Sunday afternoon, two CBP agents found two Mexican nationals hiding inside a GMC pickup, one lying on the front seat and the other locked inside a toolbox mounted to the bed of the truck! On Tuesday night, U.S. CBP said agents working on Interstate 19 arrested two U.S. citizens after reportedly finding two illegal immigrants in the trunk of a Ford Focus. The smugglers in both cases now face federal prosecution, while those determined to be in the U.S. illegally will face removal proceedings.

Dawn Truell, President, Cross Border Services www.c-tpat-certified.com www.crossborderservices.org 905-973-9136.

Note from Dave!

If you see suspicious activity,persons asking you for a ride across the border in your truck, a loose lipped driver talking about smuggling loads of weapons or drugs, do us all a favour and contact authorities. Try to get as much information as possible without becoming involved and shut these bad guys down!

CALL BORDER WATCH

1.888.502.9060

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Mission’s Dale Scott & Canadian Freightways Lead 2013 Professional Truck Driving Championships

Canadian Freightways driver Dale Scott of Mission, BC, was named Grand Champion at BC’s 2013 Professional Truck Driving Championships on Saturday, June 22, 2013, at Abbotsford’s Tradex Centre, where Dale and fellow drivers, Robert Balan (Surrey), Jack Newton (Kelowna), and Jose Lecinana (Sooke) won the team trophy for Canadian Freightways.

Other carriers and their drivers also showed extremely well at the annual event. Rookie of the Year is Brent Locke (Port Coquitlam), who drives for Simard Westlink, while Steve Dawydiak (Richmond), of ABC Traders, came away with the 2013 Safety Award.

Within individual categories, first place winners include Danny Wilson (Langley) of Overland West Freight Lines Ltd. in the Straight Truck category; Jose Lecinana, in Single-Single; Dale Scott in Single-Tandem; John Broker (Port Coquitlam) of Martin Brower in Tandem-Tandem; and Lorne Roadhouse (Surrey) of Overland West Freight Lines Ltd. in Super B-Train.

Each of the category winners will represent BC in the 2013 National Championships in Abbotsford from September 19 to 22, 2013, competing against elite drivers from other provincial competitions across Canada.

The Championships consist of: • a written test, which challenges the drivers’ general knowledge of the industry and equipment; • a pre-trip inspection, which approximates the drivers’ regular vehicle inspection; and • the driving competition, which simulates the everyday skills of maneuvering, cornering and judging distance.

To compete, drivers must have no preventable accidents in the twelve months prior to the championships. A “preventable accident” could include even a minor occurrence such as a broken tail light on a trailer.

The 2013 BC Professional Truck Driving Championships were hosted by the British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA)

BC Professional Truck Driving Championships Winners: Grand Champion: Dale Scott, Mission, Canadian Freightways Ltd. Rookie of the Year: Brent Locke, Port Coquitlam, Simard Westlink Safety Award: Steve Dawydiak, Richmond, ABC Traders Team Trophy: Canadian Freightways – Team 2: Dale Scott, Robert Balan, Jack Newton, and Jose Lecinana Straight Truck: 1st Place: Danny Wilson, Langley, Overland West Freight Lines Ltd. 2nd Place: Dean Grant, Crofton, Agrifoods International Coop.

3rd Place: Steve Dawydiak, Richmond, ABC Traders Single-Single: 1st Place: Jose Lecinana, Sooke, Canadian Freightways Ltd. 2nd Place: Jason Arnett, Prince George, Canadian Freightways Ltd. 3rd Place: Tomasz Blazejewski, Surrey, CNTL Single-Tandem 1st Place: Dale Scott, Mission, Canadian Freightways Ltd. 2nd Place: Jack Newton, Kelowna, Canadian Freightways Ltd. 3rd Place: Patrick Spence, Abbotsford, CNTL Tandem-Tandem: 1st Place: John Broker, Port Coquitlam, Martin Brower 2nd Place: William Froehlich, Pitt Meadows, Martin Brower 3rd Place: Brent Locke, Port Coquitlam, Simard Westlink Super B-Train: 1st Place: Lorne Roadhouse, Surrey, Overland West Freight Lines Ltd. 2nd Place: James Churchill, Powell River, Incognito Express Inc. 3rd Place: Petko Ganachev, Langley, Ken Johnson Trucking Ltd. BCTA is the recognised voice of the provincial motor carrier industry, representing over 1,200 truck and motor coach fleets and over 250 suppliers to the industry. BCTA members operate over 13,000 vehicles, employ 26,000 people, and generate over $2 billion in revenue annually in the province.

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Tell them CTM sent you!

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Joie Chitwood III, president of Daytona International Speedway, poses for a photo with singer Sheryl Crow and official NASCAR artist Sam Bass prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 6, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Sheryl Crow performs prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 6, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

UH OH better all get GEICO

Do you love NASCAR!

Catch more on the CTM WEB Expanded Edition availible @ the CTM Web Page & FB Page

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Casey Mears, driver of the #13 GEICO Ford, Kyle Busc Patrick, driver of the #10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, JJ David Gilliland, driver of the #38 Long John Silver's Ford Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Spe

ch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, Danica Yeley, driver of the #36 Golden Corral Chevrolet, and d, are involved in an incident during the NASCAR Sprint edway on July 6, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

(L-R) Samantha Busch, Katie Kenseth, actress Alyssa Milano, Lorr The Terrace at International Motorsports Center during the NASCAR

ra Podsiadlo and Amy Reimann pose for a photo at a VIP Event at R Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speed-

Kyle Busch and Miss Sprint Cup announced Sunday at Sonoma that NASCAR C tember 12 for the second-consecutive year, just days before the first race of the which was sold out last year, will take place at the Grand Ballroom at Chicago’s July 19 by visiting www.NASCAR.com/contenderslive.

Contenders LiveSM Sponsored by Toyota will make its return to Chicago on Sep2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ at Chicagoland Speedway. The event, s famed Navy Pier from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CT. Fans can buy tickets beginning

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80,000 visited the June Web Edition of your favorite magazine CANADIAN TRUCKING MAGAZINE Thank-you!

uShip: Why and How It Works for Me

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Like most successful owneroperators today, I have my go-to number of load sources to maximize the money in my pocket -trusted brokers, load boards, repeat business to name a few. I always like multiple options in my tool box so I know I can get my hands on a load at any time.

A few years ago, I stumbled across one source that’s become essential in my tool box, and that’s uShip.com.

While I have my other sources, I’ve had the most success with uShip. In fact, almost every load I’ve brought into Canada has been through uShip.

As a Canadian hauler, you can use uShip, too, either within Canada or into and out of the States. On uShip, simply put in your origin and destination – and the site will show potential loads within 100miles / 160kms of your route. These are live loads from people looking for your help across a bunch of different categories. The search tool lets you narrow the options based on your specialty or equipment. You then place competing bids against other haulers on these loads, and the customer then picks their preferred service provider, based on price, timing, feedback, etc.

When it comes to operating my business, there are three main reasons I use uShip in my tool kit:

By

1. uShip is free. Unlike many load boards where you pay a monthly subscription fee whether you use it or not, uShip only collects a fee when you book and complete a job. Fees range based on what you haul.

2.

Quick operating capital.

When I’m looking to fill holes, grab a load for a backhaul, or want to make some extra money, there’s always something available on uShip. There’s a reasonable amount of industrial type loads – uShip has an exclusive relationship with Ritchie Bros. – but most loads are more personal property like household goods, cars, boats, motorcycles, AG, etc.

In other words, loads that more easily fill holes and get you paid quickly. I find it helps keep my cash flow liquid.

3.

Experience pays. uShip’s customer feedback system lets customers view your track record and history before they accept your bid. Like all of us, they just don’t want to get screwed. I love uShip’s customer-reviews because as I have successfully completed loads and built my feedback rating, customers know they can trust me. It demonstrates I know what I’m doing and won’t put their equipment or goods at risk – and most people are willing to pay a higher price for this assurance.

www.snortnboartranspor

Marc Springer of Snortn’ Boar Transport One of the complaints I hear about uShip is that the prices customers want to pay are too low. While I agree to a certain extent, consider this scenario: That completely-empty 1,000 mile backhaul ahead you just takes money out of your pocket. But booking a load on uShip – even though it might be below your preferred cost-permile to haul it, will at least cover your expenses, maybe even with a small profit. Sometimes you can do better than that also. So, as an owner-operator, what would you rather do?

I encourage you to check out how uShip can benefit your business. It’s really tailor-made for the owner-operator, making it a great way to start or expand your business, ultimately putting you in charge of your own business destiny. All the best and be safe and profitable out there!

All the Best and be Safe and profitable out there!

Marc Springer Owner / Operator Snortn’ Boar Transport Providing Quality Transportation Throughout the US and Canada

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/infographics/costof-trucking/

rt.com

P.S. Don’t forget to have some fun out there too!

Many drivers spend all their time in the truck and don’t get enough exercise or burn out quick.

Take time for you, a walk, a meal at a friendly truck stop, the sights around you, go fishing.

If you have diesel in your blood, trucking is a way of life not just a job, and we are family on the road.

www.facebook.com/Snortnboar

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HELP & SHOW THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Canadian Trucking Magazine will not spam on face book but bring you hot topics as they happen that are important to you! LIKE US !

Tell Beaver, you saw them in CTM!

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Becoming a Lady Flatbedder ~ By Sandy L

There are more and more women entering into flatbedding as more solo women drivers enter the industry. Flatbedding is a constant challenge both physically, intellectually and mentally.

The job description for a flatbedder is: Must be able to lift 75 to 100 lbs above shoulder level, be agile enough to be able to climb loads, have understanding of load placement, securement, and DOT regulations concerning flatbeds,endure working in extreme weather conditions, have good common sense and judgment, be able to adjust driving style to individual loads.

Women drivers face discrimination at some level on the road, but the fact that there are few lady flatbedders and that one is in steel mills and job sites where testosterone is in over abundance, one has to have a thick skin and the ability to roll with the flow.

The loaders and such you will be working with are not used to dealing with women drivers and one must be able to stand one’s ground at times.

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Pulling flats for 6 yrs both team and solo, was probably the most enjoyable years in trucking for me. I learned a whole new way of doing things and found the comradely with other flatbedders that I had thought gone in the industry.

Flatbedders will usually help out another flatbedder if asked.

The main complaint I have heard about women drivers is that we cannot do ‘all aspects of the job’. One day, in a busy load yard, I saw another female flatbedder getting her load put on the deck. I noticed that she hadn’t gotten any chains and binders ready or her tarps out. As soon as the loader was done, she climbed in her truck, and a few minutes later came out with daisy dukes and a halter top on. She went and stood by her trailer. It wasn’t a whipstitch of time before she had four male drivers over chaining and tarping her load while she stood back and watched. Were the guys stupid for doing it? Sure, and she might of thought she got the job done at no cost but did she?

When one of us does something like the above woman, it perpetuates the myth that we are weak and incapable of doing the job properly. Furthermore, it further widens the gap in our acceptance as equals by our brother drivers, shippers and receivers. Thus if you are going to flatbed…do the job.

ong

A few things specific to lady flatbedders that need to be known.

Steel dust embeds in pores and looks like blackheads. No matter how good a pair of leather gloves you wear, calluses will build up, use good facial cleansers and face and hand creams to battle the dirt, calluses and weather damage. Long nails are a hazard to your hand’s health…keep your nails short. You will be working around steel, oil and other various staining materials that you haul. Tarps, straps, chains, and binders are rusty and dirty and you will be constantly handling them throughout the day. Wear good serviceable clothing that is stain resistant and can take repeated washings.

Good fitting leather gloves and work boots are mandatory. Finally, a lot of the mills and job sites you will be going to do not have restroom facilities.

Carry a porta potty or a sealable container for those times.

Women make great flatbedders. If you decide to pull flats, ask for help when you need it, always add that extra strap or chain even if you don’t think you need it, and always, when you hear a shouted ’look out’ move first and find out why later.

Ya’ll be safe out there!

Sandy Long is a long time truck driver who is also very active within the trucking industry. She is a freelance writer for layover.com, a life member of OOIDA, member of the WIT(Women in Trucking) and owner of two websites: Trailer Truckin’ Tech, a yahoo group dedicated to the education of new and prospective truck drivers and www.satinandsteelsisterhood.com for women in non traditional jobs.

Sandy welcomes comments at ladygodiva1953@yahoo.com

Do not cuss a trucker or a farmer with your mouth full!

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Living the North American Dream ~ Vladim

VP Express Inc. is a local company, in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada.

The owner, Vladimir Pleskot was born in Czechoslovakia and immigrated to Canada with aspirations of “living the North American dream.”

Through years of trials and tribulations he finally opened his own trucking company in 2007. During the summer months his trucks are dispatched to the oilfields of Saskatchewan.

His most recent venture this year is the opening of a used truck dealership in which he purchases quality used Semi-trucks, refurbishes them and resells them to other drivers who have a similar dream as his own…but each year when the temperatures drop, all VP’s trucks are called home.

It’s November. The temperatures are dropping here in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Still no snow, but that’s a good sign for Ice Road Trucking companies. With the below zero temperatures the waterways will freeze quickly and without snow to insulate the newly formed ice, the ice thickness will increase rapidly.

Vlad Pleskot, owner of VP Express Inc. is watching the weather closely because he knows the window of opportunity is small for trucking companies who invest in the winter roads.

Every load counts towards the difference between a successful season and a loss. He has been working countless hours gearing up for this season.

Even with his 100% delivery rate and excellent safety record, it is hard for “new” companies to secure enough loads to make the season profitable. Countless meetings, phone calls, investigating leads and researching northern development sites are the way to possible lucrative contracts.

By the first of December, the temperatures have reached -20 degrees Celsius, the ice is formed on the lakes and rivers in the northern communities but they are still impassable even for light traffic.

All units are now being overhauled and outfitted in preparation for the coming season.

Each unit is given a safety check, pursuant to Manitoba Safety Standards. Each unit is given a complete fluid level check and oil changes are performed.

Special additives are used to help prevent freezing of the engines coolant system.

Each unit is outfitted for the road conditions according to VP Express’s high standards. Every unit will be equipped with chains both double and single, additional lights both on the bumper and cargo area.

mir Pleskot

This year VP Express trucks were also equipped with “HERD” bumpers, a protection system to protect both the engine/hood from damage and the driver from injury during a collision.

Webasto also provided added comfort and security to the winter road fleet by installing engine heaters and cabin heaters in each truck. Every unit also carries on board a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, tools as well as an assortment of parts for emergency roadside repairs.

It is now the holiday season and while others are looking forward to time off, VP Management and Staff are busy with final preparations for the season ahead. Shop staff are in the final stages of preparing the trucks for the upcoming season. Last but not least the insides of the trucks are cleaned and polished, CB radios and mattresses are installed and the units are decaled to meet the department of transportation’s regulations.

Office staff are busy registering and insuring the fleet as well as preparing the packages for each driver/unit.

Each driver will be given a package containing safety gear (hard hat, gloves, safety glasses etc.) as well as a VP Express Inc. binder which contains all registrations, permits, maps, emergency contact numbers both local and in northern communities, winter road survival information and fuel cards (assigned to each unit). Contracts, emergency contact information and payroll information are also being collected and tracked for each employee.

Temperatures are now reaching -30 degrees Celsius in northern Manitoba. Vlad is anxiously awaiting the fax from the department of transportation that will tell him the winter roads are “open”. He has tentatively 300 loads to ship to remote northern communities this season and 15 units/drivers wired to start their engines. Now he waits…..

It’s a bone chilling January morning, and the radio station warns Winnipegger’s that the temperature is -32 degrees Celsius with a high wind chill factor (which means it feels like 42 degrees Celsius) today. The announcer warns that skin will freeze in less than 5 minutes. But there is no danger of freezing for VP Express staff and drivers today.

There is a hustle of activity at the shop today. The fax has arrived and some of the winter roads are designated open for heavy traffic. Drivers jockey for loads, dispatch rearranges the order of the loads to be shipped according to the roads that are opened, and the shop manager, Derek Berry goes through each truck with its driver for the pretrip inspection.

Those drivers with loads today are busy securing their cargo and hooking up their trailers. Office staff and dispatch are assessing and relaying any last minute instructions.

It is 5:45am, daylight is hours away, but the first trucks of the Winter Road Season are pulling out of the yard at VP Express Inc. in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Owner, Vladimir Pleskot is watching the weather closely as his convoy of trucks leaves the yard.

Written by: Kimberley Wilkie VP Express Inc.

JOIN THE ICE ROAD TRUCKERS AT THE C

CTM TRUCK~BIKE~MUSCLE CAR~SHOW EVERY ONE ENJOYS MEETING VLAD! So will you.

PRIME ~ PROUD OF THIER DRIVERS A JOB WELL DONE July 3, 2013 (Springfield, Missouri) Five drivers from Prime Inc. out of Springfield, MO were recently honored at the 46th Annual Missouri Truck Driving Championships. The event, held in June, took place at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Trade Center in Joplin, MO. Sponsored by the Association’s Council of Safety Supervisors, a total of 161 drivers were evaluated on industry knowledge, first aid, safety, security, and required federal vehicle inspections.

According to the Missouri Trucking Association, participants also competed in a driving skills obstacle course that tested their ability to judge distance, maneuver tight spaces, park, properly position their vehicle, and much more.

“I am very proud of our driver’s performance and the professionalism displayed at the Missouri Truck Driving Championships. Due to their hard work and dedication, our results were fantastic with five total trophies, the Rookie of the Year award, and we even received first place in the Spouse Driving Competition,” said David White, Prime Safety Supervisor. “This was the first year the Truck Driving Championships had a spouse competition.

Doreen Cook won the competition. We had 22 spouses (men and women) sign up and they drove a straight truck through the driving course.”

An awards banquet was held on Saturday night. Top winners in all nine classes of competition were honored. Major Dale Schmidt, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, was the keynote speaker.

Jerome Lobo was named "Rookie of the Year" for his outstanding wellrounded performance as a first-time contestant. He also took first place in the Four Axle Class Truck Division.

Don Cook placed third in the Four Axle Class Truck Division. William “Bill” Stanford won first place in the Five Axle Van Class. In Flatbed Class, Duane Grimme was first place, and Thomas Miller placed third in the Tank Truck Class.

Lobo, Stanford, and Grimme will join the other class winners as the Missouri Championships Team competes against other teams in the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah on Aug. 21-24 to be named among the best professional drivers on the road.

“I'm looking forward to our three first place winners representing Prime and the state of Missouri,” White said. “I know they will all do well.”

Prime Inc. extends warm congratulations to all the drivers for their accomplishments.

Listing of Prime Award Winners Four Axle Class 1st - Jerome Lobo, Springfield, MO Prime, Inc., Springfield, MO 3rd - Donald Cook, Gobles, MI - Prime, Inc., Springfield, MO Five Axle Van Class 1st William Stanford, Kennesaw, GA - Prime, Inc., Springfield, MO Tank Truck Class 3rd - Thomas Miller, Bunker Hill, IL - Prime, Inc., Springfield, MO Flatbed Class 1st Duane Grimme, Satsuma, FL - Prime, Inc., Springfield, MO ABOUT PRIME INC. Founded in 1970 by Robert Low, Prime Inc. is North America's most successful refrigerated, flatbed, tanker and logistics trucking company. Headquartered in Springfield, Mo., Prime's personnel, equipment and technology remains on the cutting edge of the transportation industry, and the company's growth remains steady and well managed.

Over 50,000 hits a week on Face Boo Over 4,100 LIKES on the See why click the Link to FB on the C

k a high of 80,000 in one week! e CTM Face Book Page CTM Web Page and LIKE the Page too!

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