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In this issue Features 22 TMC Supertech 28 Truck Driving Championships 40 Summer Shoot-Out Golf Tournament Departments Editorials 5 From the Editor 7 From the Executive Director OTA News 6 OMC Special 80th Anniversary New Members 8 Trucking Tidbits: Nationwide News 10 Just the Facts About Transcanada’s Gulf Coast Coast Project 10 ATA Submits Comments on PHMSA Training Audit Requirements 11 ATA’S Challenge to New HOS Rule - UPDATE State Matters 13 WorkAdvance - Advancing the Trucking Industry By Giving Low-Income Individuals Training Opportunity 14 Legislative Update 14 Truckload Carriers Association names FTC Transportation’s Jonathan “AZ” Atzenhofer a Highway Angel 16 First State-of-the-Art Port of Entry Opens In Kay County
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OSMC’s Safety Zone 18 Upcoming Events 20 Member Spotlight 46 Melton Truck Line
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Editor & Publisher Shannon Helton shannonhelton@oktrucking.org For advertising rates and information, please contact Shannon Helton at 405.445.1790, or visit oktrucking.org for rate sheets and additional information.
Printing Southwestern Stationary & Bank Supply, Inc.
Executive Director Dan Case dancase@oktrucking.org Bookkeeper Les Hinkle leshinkle@oktrucking.org Director of Events Rebecca Chappell rebeccachappell@oktrucking.org Chairman of Board John Titsworth Triad Transport
Board of Directors Bob Peterson Melton Truck Line Greg Price OTL-UPT Dusty Runnels Hamm & Phillips Service Company David McCorkle McCorkle Truck Line LaVern McCorkle McCorkle Truck Line Steve Niswander Groendyke Transport Jim Klepper Drivers Legal Plan Carmalieta Wells Madewell & , Inc. Susan Alexander Tri Alexander Transportation, Inc. David Freymiller Freymiller, Inc. Ken Case Dugan Truck Line, Inc. Michael Mayer Rush Truck Centers Donnie Tulk OTL-UPT Bonne Karim TMC Representative Robert O’Brien Time Lines Management Shawn Reeves Advance Food Company
OMC is published quarterly by the Oklahoma Trucking Association, 3909 N. Lindsay, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Office of Publication, Southwestern Stationary, OKC, Okla. Bulk Rate postage paid at OKC, Okla. Please address all correspondence to 3909 N. Lindsay, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
from the Whew! So many exciting things have been going on with the OTA this quarter! Where to start? Well, first, we had another pretty successful legislative session thanks to OTA Executive Director Dan Case who was working every day this session to ensure our legislators were aware of the needs of our industry. Next up was the Truck Driving Championship. The Oklahoma Safety Management Council puts on one fantastic event! You couldn’t have asked for better weather this year for this year’s event. I’m excited to see how our Oklahoma team does at Nationals in Minneapolis this Summer. Only a couple of weeks after the excitement of the TDC, the OTA was out again, this time on the golf course during the annual Summer Shoot-Out golf tournament. About eighty players turned out on an early summer morning in Perkins, Oklahoma, to show their support for the OTA and hope to win some prizes also. A huge thank you goes out to our sponsors for the TDC and Summer Shoot-out. Your support of the OTA is invaluable and we really can’t thank you enough! Now that we’ve entered the sweltering summer months, it’s time to start making your plans to attend our Annual Convention. You’ll definitely want to be there this year because 1) it’s being held at the fabulous Downstream Casino Resort and 2) IT’S OUR 80TH CONVENTION! I hope to see you all there this September so we can usher in another OTA Chairman and hopefully another eighty years of serving Oklahoma’s trucking industry!
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OMC Special 80th Anniversary Issue This year marks the 80th year the OTA has been supporting Oklahoma’s trucking industry. In addition to many other festivities throughout the year, the Oklahoma Motor Carrier magazine is planning a special 80th Anniversary issue this fall. This issue will showcase the OTA’s rich history and offer a place for you to leave your well wishes for the organization. For $100, you can purchase a PEARL in the anniversary issue. A PEARL is a special dedication, measuring 3” x 3.67” and includes your company name or logo and your message to the OTA (message max characters 250). If you’re interested in purchasing a PEARL for this special edition, please visit oktrucking.org/media or contact Shannon Helton at (405) 445-1790 or shannonhelton@oktrucking.org for an order form. In addition to submitting your advertising order, if you have any company photos (old or new!) we welcome you to share them for inclusion in this special issue. Deadline to submit your company photos and order your PEARL is September 12, 2012. Reserve yours today!
Oklahoma Trucking Association
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Thanks for Ten Great Years
We have gone through an insurance premium crisis, a fuel crisis, and the worst recession since the 1930’s. This has truly been 10 years a lot of people would like to forget.
It seems like yesterday when I started this job, but as I look at the calendar I see that May 10th, 2012 marked my 10th anniversary with the OTA. A lot has happened in that 10 years. The first thing I remember is the bridge collapse on I-40 happening two weeks after I started. That was a frightening incident for the driving public and for me. The requests for media interviews were overwhelming and they were constantly trying to stick a camera in my face and ask me how this disaster was affecting the trucking industry. I barely knew how to open the front door at the office, much less knew the implications of such a tragedy on the driving public or our industry. I had an angel on my shoulder that week however, the Chairman of the ATA was just a phone call away and it only took fifteen minutes for David McCorkle to come to my aid. After an hour or two of preparation and tutoring I was ready to meet the media demands. Once again, thank you David.
However, we have endured and the industry has prospered. I hope these experiences have made us stronger and we have learned from them. With the help of the membership we built a new office in 2008. It has been a great stride for our association to have this facility to house our employees and a great place to hold industry meetings. We now have hosted over 100 meetings and events at our association home. I want to personally thank our members, my staff, and our board members for allowing me 10 great years as your Executive Director. I hope the next 10 years bring more prosperity and success to each one of you.
Dan Case
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member news
OKLAHOMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION
NEW MEMBERS
2 M Express, LLC Mitchell Brown Email: mitchellbrown@gmail.com Phone: (405) 229-9515 P. O. Box 271433 Oklahoma City OK 73137 Services: Haul freight of all kinds over 48 states. 2 M Express, LLC Mandy Hornung Email: mandy2mexpress.@gmail.com Phone: (405) 229-9515 P. O. Box 271433 Oklahoma City, OK 73137 Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC Robert Mayes E-mail: robert.mayes@bendix.com Phone: (214) 674-8441 9427 Heatherdale Drive Dallas, TX 75243 Services: Manufacturer of Air Brake Charging & Control Systems and Vehicle Active Safety Systems. Fluid Services, LLC Wayne Massey Email: wmassey@fluidservices.net Phone: (405) 224-8721 Fax: (405) 224-8729 P. O. Box 244 3688 N. Highway 81 Ninnekah, OK 73067 Services: Oil field transportation services. Fluid Services, LLC John Miller Email: jmiller@fluidservices.net Phone: (405) 224-8721 Fax: (405) 224-8729 P. O. Box 244 3688 N. Highway 81 Ninnekah, OK 73067 Hammer Construction, Inc. Megan Willis Email: megan@hammerok.com Phone: (405) 310-3060 Fax: (405) 310-3161 P. O. Box 721078 Norman , OK 73070 www.hammerok.com Services: Oil and Gas Service Contractor.
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Idle Air Robert Barker Email: robert.barker@idleair.com Phone: (865) 232-1700 2567 Prime Way, Suite 101 Knoxville, TN 37918 Services: HVAC/TV/Internet services at truck stops for over-the-road drivers. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. Sam Faucette Email: sam.faucette@odfl.com Phone: (336) 822-5332 Fax: (336) 822-5897 500 Old Dominion Way Thomasville, NC 27360 Services: LTL. P C Promotions Joel Cunningham Email: jcunningham@pc-promotions.com Phone: (918) 743-7330 Fax: (918) 743-2093 3235 S. Harvard Avenue Tulsa, OK 74135 www.pc-promotions.com Services: Employee Engagement Programs; Safety Performance Programs; Employee Reward & Recognition Programs; Years of Service Programs; Points based incentive solutions; Award Level Programs; Single Data Platform. Peake Fuel Solutions Kent Wilkinson Email: kentr.wilkinson@chk.com Phone: (405) 935-2649 6100 N. Western Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73118 www.peakefuelsolutions.com Warren CAT Kurt Witmeyer Email: kurt.witmeyer@warrencat.com Phone: (405) 591-72709 Fax: (405) 945-3415 15 N. Meridian Oklahoma City, OK 73107 www.warrencat.com
Setting a new standard in truck dealerships. A name you can trust. With 3 locations in Oklahoma, Rush Truck Centers is part of North America’s largest heavy- and medium-duty dealer organization with over 60 state-of-the-art truck centers in 14 states across the southern U.S. Over the years, we’ve earned a solid reputation for excellence, fairness, our positive attitude and solutions that exceed customer expectations. We offer one-stop sales and service representing the industry’s leading brands.
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member news
nationwide news
trucking tidbits
Just the Facts about TransCanada’s Gulf Coast Project
TransCanada continues to pursue its final permits for the Gulf Coast Project and expects to begin construction of the new pipeline this summer. Profile of the Pipeline Length: 485 miles Diameter: 36 inches Route: Cushing, Oklahoma to U.S. refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast Forecasted construction schedule: mid-2012 to mid-2013 In-service date: mid- to late 2013 Cost: $2.3 billion Capacity: Up to 830,000 barrels per day Product: Crude oil Number of pump stations: 10, in the following counties: Oklahoma: Creek, Seminole, Coal, Bryan Texas: Delta, Wood, Smith, Cherokee, Polk, Liberty Number of land parcels crossed: 1,976 (524 in Oklahoma; 1,452 in Texas) Land rights secured for the right-of-way: More than 99 percent It is anticipated that the Gulf Coast Project will be in service at approximately the same time as we begin construction of Keystone XL, a proposed 1,179-mile, 36-inch crude oil pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta to Steele City, Nebraska, where it will connect to the existing Keystone Pipeline, which extends to Cushing, Oklahoma, the originating point of the Gulf Coast Project. TransCanada expects to soon re-file for a Presidential Permit for Keystone XL and expects to begin construction in early 2013, with the pipeline in service by 2015. Once completed, the entire Keystone Pipeline System – which includes the first two phases of the Keystone project (already in operation), as well as Keystone XL and the Gulf Coast Project – will have the capacity to deliver up to 1.4 million barrels a day of U.S. and Canadian crude oil to U.S. refineries.
ATA Submits Comments on PHMSA Training Audit Requirements ATA
On June 18, 2012, ATA submitted comments to the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regarding its proposed rule extending the authority to demand that motor carriers and other regulated parties make employee hazmat training records available upon request by representatives of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ATA agreed that PHMSA had reason to extend this authority to representatives of DOT, but objected to PHMSA’s plan to allow representatives of all DHS agencies access to the training records. Instead ATA suggested that, outside DOT, only agencies that are charged with enforcing PHMSA’s training requirements namely the U.S. Coast Guard, should be granted authority to demand these records.
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ATA’S Challenge to New HOS Rule - UPDATE ATA
On Wednesday, June 13, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a briefing schedule in ATA’s HOS challenge, and in the challenge brought by Public Citizen. ATA’s opening brief will be due July 24: in that brief, ATA will explain that FMCSA acted improperly by requiring the 34-hour restart provision to include two consecutive 1am-5am periods and limiting its use to once per week; by requiring that the mandatory 30-mintue rest break include no on-duty activity; and by narrowing the exceptions for 150-air mile drivers so as to subject them to the rest break requirement. Also on July 24, Public Citizen will file its brief contending that the agency should have reduced the daily driving limit to 10 hours and eliminated the restart altogether. All briefing in the two cases – including ATA’s opposition to Public Citizen’s challenge, and the amicus briefs of 15 organizations supporting ATA’s challenge and opposing Public Citizen’s – will be completed by November 21. While oral argument will likely follow shortly afterwards, the court has not yet set a specific date, making it difficult to predict when a final decision is likely to be handed down.
member news
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member news
Oklahoma trucking association
STATE MATTERS
WorkAdvance - Advancing the Trucking Industry By Giving Low-Income Individuals Training Opportunity Transportation Connections WorkAdvance is a new industry focused career advancement program that provides low-income individuals with technical training, job placement and promising careers in the transportation, aviation and aerospace industries. The initiative is also aimed at helping companies in Tulsa’s transportation industry become more competitive by building better employee pipelines. “The Transportation Connections WorkAdvance initiative is supporting job growth and providing citizens with the necessary skills for job placement in an industry that continues to grow in Tulsa,” Bartlett said. “This initiative will not only have a positive impact on our workforce, but will improve upon the quality of life for Tulsans.”
Companies already on-board with the program include Southwest United Industries, Melton Truck Lines, John Christner Trucking and Hoffmeier. “We are proud to partner with WorkAdvance and provide Tulsans with employment opportunities,” said Angie Buchanan, vice president of Melton Truck Lines. “We are impressed with the customized technical and life-skills training the program provides. We are proud to offer paid internships to these scholarship recipients and are very pleased with their quality of work.” Funding for the program is being provided though the Social Innovation Fund by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Center for Economic Opportunity, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, George Kaiser Family Foundation and Tulsa Community Foundation.
The Transportation Connections WorkAdvance center, located at 907 S. Detroit Avenue, is designed to help unemployed and underemployed Tulsa residents gain access to quality jobs in the transportation industry and then advance in those jobs. This initiative provides Tulsa residents with career advancement training, job placement services and specific transportation related scholarships to local education providers.
“WorkAdvance is a good example of a public-private partnership working to provide employment opportunities to low-income individuals,” said Phil Lakin, CEO of Tulsa Community Foundation. “Tulsa community partners are proud to support our city in joining other cities across the nation to provide evidence-based programs. WorkAdvance, in particular, will offer services that will help improve the quality of life for Tulsans with the greatest needs.”
“Transportation Connections WorkAdvance really gave me a lot of helpful information, especially on how to write my resume, and I was very prepared for my interview,” said Jordan Moore, a program participant who is now in a paid internship with Melton Trucking. “I really wanted to get the opportunity to work on larger engines and now have the chance to get my diesel mechanic education. With TCW help, I know that I’m on a new career track and that this is the start of something big.”
The WorkAdvance program is one of five evidence-based initiatives to be implemented in cities across the country including Tulsa, New York City, Cleveland, Youngstown, and others. Working together, the partner cities are seeking to expand services and build a national body of evidence in support of promising programs. MDRC, a nonpartisan education and social policy research organization, will conduct an evaluation to determine how effective the services are for both program participants and employers. Additional support for this initiative is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Open Society Foundations, The Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation and Surdna Foundation.
Madison Strategies Group, a nonprofit workforce development organization, will operate the Transportation Connections WorkAdvance program, which will connect 710 low-income individuals to key job skills through technical training and career coaching. The total five-year budget for the Transportation Connections WorkAdvance program is $3.2 million. The services of Transportation Connections WorkAdvance are based on a business-driven, sector-based approach which follows markets trends, identifies jobs in growth industries, recognizes the workforce needs of businesses and trains job candidates in order to prepare them for specific trades. “Demand-driven training is a valuable tool for the optimization of our workforce development efforts in the Tulsa region,” said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber. “Transportation is a key sector in our community, and this training can help many great Tulsa area employers fill a real need for qualified workers.”
Transportation Connections WorkAdvance staff is also collaborating with community and faith-based organizations to identify Tulsa residents who can benefit from these services. Referrals have already been received from the Community Action Project, Goodwill, Destiny Center and Workforce Tulsa. Through Transportation Connections WorkAdvance, local education providers will be offering full scholarships to Tulsa Tech for diesel technician and aerospace structures training, Central Tech for commercial drivers license training and Tulsa Community College for supervisory development training. The Transportation Connections WorkAdvance center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tulsa residents interested in applying for the program can schedule an appointment by calling 918-442-2200.
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member news
oklahoma trucking association
STATE MATTERS
Legislative Update Dan Case
House Bill 2391 Passed and will go to the Governor, allows for funding to finish the 6 remaining ports of entry for $81 million. House Bill 2250 This bill takes effect immediately. Any officer weighing a vehicle pursuant to this section by means of portable scales shall allow the driver of the vehicle to move the vehicle to the most level weighing area available within two (2) miles of the stop. Also allows companies to receive electronic MVRs for their drivers. House Bill 1952 Keeps Oklahoma Corporation Commission officers at the port of entry and allows them a 7 mile radius to work. This bill takes effect by 2016. House Bill 2248 Jumps income tax allocation to the state transportation dept. from $41.7 million to $59.7 or increases the fund $18 million.. House Bill 2249 Increases county road & bridge fund by $30 million. Funds to do so coming from Motor Vehicle fees. The biggest disappointments for our industry this past legislative session were involving workmen’s comp reform, the MVR cost initiative, and the over-size & over-weight permitting costs. The
workmen’s comp reform bill wasn’t perfect, but it would have been a great start. The Governor used all her authority and influence to stop the legislature from passing this bill. We expect a stronger bill next year that will be much harder to stop from passage. The MVR fee reduction was once again stopped because it is generating $15 million dollars more in revenue for the general fund. It really affects us because we hold the only type of license (CDL) that has to have a MVR check yearly in the state issued. What the rest of the driving public doesn’t know is that all the major insurance companies quit pulling these in Oklahoma last year and they are paying more for insurance because they aren’t pulling them. There were actually 20,000 less MVR’s pulled in the last cycle, even though we are up $15 million dollars in revenue. We will once again pursue legislation on this next session. Probably the biggest theft of our dollars has been the doubling of the over-size & over-weight permits. Originally they thought by doubling these permits it would raise $20 million more dollars, but in reality it has raised over $28 million dollars because of two things. The number of permits has increased because of the online permitting program that was started last November. Many of the companies that were so frustrated by not being able to acquire permits on a timely basis and ended up running without a permit, now can get one in about 15 minutes on their own computer. The oil & gas industry and the wind-power industry have also greatly contributed to ordering many more permits. We will once again seek legislation to reduce these permit costs next session
Truckload Carriers Association names FTC Transportation’s Jonathan “AZ” Atzenhofer a Highway Angel The Truckload Carriers Association’s latest Highway Angel is Jonathan “AZ” Atzenhofer, a professional truck driver for FTC Transportation, Inc., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At approx. 6:30 a.m., on February 20, 2012, Atzenhofer had just spent the night at a truck plaza on I-70 in Watkins, Colorado. He was hoping to eat a hot breakfast before getting back out on the road and stood outside the front door of a restaurant, waiting for it to open. A second truck driver waited with him.
Highway Angel Jonathan “AZ” Atzenhofer, FTC Transportation.
Suddenly, a man approached them, breathing heavily. Atzenhofer told the other driver, “He doesn’t sound good.”
They asked the man if he was alright. “I’m ok,” he responded — before collapsing to the ground. Fortunately, Atzenhofer knows CPR because of his military background. The other truck driver was also familiar with CPR. Atzenhofer began chest compressions while the other driver performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the man. They continued, keeping him alive until paramedics arrived and took over. Atzenhofer, who has been driving since 1988, has aided several other motorists in the past. “I usually try to [help out] if it’s safe for me to stop,” he said. “In this case, I was just in the right place at the right time.”
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Crawford-Phillips Oklahoma City, OK 405-236-4677
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member news
capitol & state departments
state matters
First State-of-theArt Port of Entry Opens In Kay County ODOT
State officials gathered together for a ceremonial handing over of the keys to celebrate the opening of the new stateof-the-art weigh and inspection station in Kay County April 27. Initiating a major leap forward for commerce and road safety, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and its partners, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority held an open house at the Tower Kay County - A motor carrier officer from the Oklahoma Corporation new facility just south of the Kansas borCommission screens a semi from the control tower of the new weigh and inspection der along I-35 Friday.
station in Kay County. The new facility is located a mile south of the Kansas border along southbound I-35. The Port of Entry weigh and inspection station, one of nine facilities planned statewide, will provide critical services while protecting the state’s infrastructure and the safety of the traveling public.
“The opening of the first of nine state-of-the-art ports-of-entry at Oklahoma’s border highlights one of the many initiatives Oklahoma is pressing forward to improve business and commerce in the state.” Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said. “These ports-of-entry not only expedite permitting for the trucking industry, making business run more efficiently, the system also helps to keep drivers safe and protect our continued investment in our state’s infrastructure.”
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Prior to the construction of the new weigh and inspection station, less than 10 percent of commercial vehicles operating on Oklahoma’s roads were inspected or weighed. The new stations will help protect the traveling public in addition to preserving state and local infrastructures, such as city streets, turnpikes and county roads. Oklahoma’s weigh and inspection stations are staffed by the OCC, DPS performs inspections and ODOT is responsible for providing and maintaining the facilities. Oklahoma Corporation Commission Chair Dana Murphy expressed her thanks to a former Corporation Commissioner.
Constructed by ODOT and paid for by the Corporation Commission, the Kay County weigh and inspection station is located one mile south of the Kansas border along southbound I-35 and was constructed at a total cost of $11 million.
“Jeff Cloud championed the plan for funding and building the new facilities,” Murphy said. “Now the state can protect the millions of dollars it is investing in our roads and bridges while also improving public safety.”
Once fully-operational, the facility will include technology designed to thoroughly inspect and weigh commercial trucks while still on the roadway in an effort to work with the trucking industry to verify trucks are following all state and federal laws. Staff at the new station will also be able to electronically and instantly review permits, registration, fuel tax payments and other documentation.
Oklahoma Corporation Commission Vice Chair Bob Anthony said the weigh and inspection stations are good news for both the driving public and the trucking industry.
“ODOT is very appreciative of the great partners involved and hard work that went into planning and constructing of this first inspection station,” ODOT Director Gary Ridley said. “We commend the Corporation Commission’s commitment and vision on the project and its help to protect the driving public as well as roads and bridges.”
“As the new technology is phased in at these new facilities, it will mean not only effective enforcement to protect the public and our roads, but efficient enforcement as well, by cutting the time it takes for each truck to be checked. That means business can continue with a minimum of delay,” Anthony said. More than 8 million trucks are estimated to enter Oklahoma at the nine new weigh and inspection station locations annually
“The completion of the new weigh and inspection facility in Kay County is a major step forward in the Commission’s effort to more efficiently regulate the trucking industry and ensure cargo is safely and legally being transported in Oklahoma,” Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Patrice Douglas said. Oklahoma Corporation Commission personnel will staff the weight and document check functions of the Ports of Entry, ODOT will build and maintain the facilities, and DPS will handle the truck safety inspection duties. “The new port of entry station in Kay County, and the technology incorporated in it will provide a state of the art platform to assist State Troopers in conducting more efficient inspections of commercial trucks, insuring companies and their drivers are in compliance with state and federal laws,” Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael C. Thompson said. An identical inspection station, along I-40 in Beckham County has been under construction for nearly a year and is expected to be completed and opened later this Summer. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority will provide funding for the facility on the Will Rogers Turnpike in Ottawa County. The remaining seven inspection stations will be located along I-40 in Sequoyah County, I-44 in Cotton and Ottawa Counties, I-35 in Love County, US-69/75 in Bryan County, US-271 in Choctaw County and US-412 in Delaware County.
Mack Truck Sales of Tulsa, Inc. (918) 446-5571 5301 W. 60th St. South TULSA
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I have been in this industry for over 30 years I have seen many changes through those years, changes to equipment, procedures, regulations, technology, etc. These changes have been driven primarily by the desire to improve safety. In today’s trucking industry everything we do is based on safety. Safeties of our employees, families, the general public and of course our own safety. Take the equipment we have today; for the first 6 years of my driving career the trucks I drove had no air ride, no power steering, and no air conditioning, the engines had an average of 250hp (you actually had to downshift on hills) and some transmissions had two gear shifts. Plus if your truck got more that 4 mpg, it was rare so you kept it. That being said the equipment now has been improved tremendously from those models, air ride and power steering are standard, most transmissions are now automatic and horsepower has increased. Now all of these improvements were not just to increase production, fuel efficiency and profits, they were done to improve the conditions drivers operate and live under. Power steering for example reduces the strain on driver’s muscles, especially in tight maneuvers. Air ride, reduces the constant pounding the driver’s body takes while traveling all those miles. Automatic transmissions reduce repetitive motion injuries. The list goes on. These changes-improvements and more are to improve the health and safety of the driver. And let’s not forget the improvements to the trucks braking systems. Larger brake shoes/pads were produced, better air valves were designed, all to reduce the required stopping distance. Our industry evolves and as we adapt to recent changes and learn/prepare for those proposed, we will question why and have doubts to the reason or benefits. In the end our industry will do what is needed to further improve safety, all the while maintaining the lifeline of this country.
First Vice President Kimberly Gonzalez Hoffmeier, Inc. Second Vice President John Mallory John Christner Trucking Secretary/Treasurer Chris Pape Groendyke Transport
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with
Louis Thompson, CDS OSMC Chairman Beaver Express Service
Oklahoma Trucking Association
Upcoming Events July
NATMI Certified Driver Trainer Program July 17-19, 2012 The course below is applicable toward NATMI’s nationally recognized, university accredited Certified Driver Trainer (CDT) program. Taking the course is the first step toward earning a credential that will help you become a more competent professional, earn industry recognition and credibility in court testimony. If you have the job experience, you can pay one lump sum that covers all fees for certification, and complete the process within a 60-day time frame – or less. Held at the OTA’s conference room in Oklahoma City. Please register through NATMI by calling (303) 9524013 or online through oktrucking.org.
September OTA 80th Annual Convention September 19-21, 2012 Location: Downstream Casino, Quapaw, OK. Join the OTA in celebrating our 80th year of serving Oklahoma trucking industry!
November Driver Compliance: Accident Prevention & Site Preservation Mon, November 12, 2012 TMC Fall Technology Workshop Wed, November 14, 2012 TMC Fall Technology Workshop, November 14, 2012. Francis Tuttle Reno Campus. More information to follow!
December NATMI CDS & CSS Safety Certification December 3-7, 2012 Held at the OTA’s conference room in Oklahoma City. Please register through NATMI by calling (303) 9524013 or online through oktrucking.org.
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Members of the Oklahoma Trucking Association receive special UPS discounts, including up to 28% on shipping. For more information on UPS and to receive your special savings, visit savewithups.com/oktrucking.
Š 2012 United Parcel Service of America, Inc. UPS, the UPS brandmark, and the color brown are trademarks of United Parcel Service of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Jonathon Love, City of Oklahoma City, won first place honors at the Oklahoma SuperTech2012 competition held May 4 at Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City. Love topped the field of thirteen technicians and seven diesel students challenged with a written test and hands-on competition in eleven different skill areas. Randall Hillburn, Swift Transportation, and Max Dennis, City of Oklahoma City, placed 2nd and 3rd. Skill Station Winners were Love – ABS; Hilburn - Engine, Repair Order, Tires, and Wheel End; Dennis - Brakes, Preventive Maintenance Inspection, and Written Test; and Clarence Preston, Cummins Southern Plains – Tire Inflation Systems.
Oklahoma TMC’s
SUPERTECH
A Repair Order Skill Station, manned by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officers, was added this year to strengthen the participant’s knowledge of CSA documentation and roadside inspection criteria. Technicians were provided with an Inspection Violation Report and asked to interpret the data on the form and answer questions about items needing repair and specific adjustments necessary to meet CSA guidelines. Seven secondary and post-secondary students and one instructor also took part in the competition. Jacob Gaylor, Mid-America Technology Center, won the student competition. Bailey Glenn and Wade Hinton from Gordon Cooper Technology Center placed 2nd and 3rd. Skill station winners were Gaylor – Fasteners, Hinton – Electronic Service Information, and Nathaniel Drane, Gordon Cooper Technology Center – Electrical. Oklahoma opened the state SuperTech competition to students three years ago in order to support local diesel technology programs and help the transition from school to workplace. Students gain confidence in what they have learned and develop additional skills through participation in the competition. They are also exposed to experienced technicians who become valuable role models. In addition to SuperTech, students are also encouraged to participate in technician training programs and other events sponsored by the OTA TMC throughout the year. One competitor, who is also an instructor, said “Several technicians commented on exposure to the new trucks. They were excited to see the latest technology and get their “hands on.” We had six new tractors, four from fleets and two from a dealer, that had not been put in service yet. We really put an emphasis on the learning experience and allow competitors to take a bye on a station (zero points) if they don’t have a clue and get a lesson instead.”
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Featuring advanced aerodynamics and a newly designed Detroit DD15 engine, the 2014 Cascadia Evolution from Freightliner is engineered to provide you with increased performance and fuel efficiency. In fact, the ™
®
®
fuel economy of the new Cascadia Evolution is improved up to 5% over the 2013 model through the addition of such enhancements as next-generation chassis fairings and side extenders. It also achieves up to an additional 7% in fuel economy when compared to the first-generation EPA 2010-compliant Cascadia. Innovative technologies and cutting-edge engineering... just part of Freightliner’s ongoing commitment to achieving the lowest cost of ownership for customers. Come by your local ATC Group dealership and let us
show you what the purchase of a Cascadia Evolution can mean to your business. ® ®
™ ®
SM
*Estimated increase in fuel efficiency based on testing performed by DTNA and customer input. Actual savings may vary, and will depend on a variety of factors, including load, equipment type, driver performance, distances traveled, road conditions, vehicle speed, etc. **Baseline EPA 2010 Cascadia (72" RR, DD15 @ 455 hp, 10-speed overdrive manual transmission, wheelto-wheel chassis fairings, 12" side extenders and standard synthetic axle lube)
20-inch Side Extenders
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
2
C
Ellip Shap
Side Extender Filler Piece Rear Wheel Covers Chassis Side Fairing Enhancements
2014
THE AROUND THE CLOCK FREIGHTLINER GROUP, LLC
CASCADIAEVOLUTION From Freightliner
OKLAHOMA CITY FREIGHTLINER • WESTERN STAR 877.621.0428 LOCAL: 405.942.8827
Integrated Antenna
5301 I-40 WEST / OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73128
TULSA FREIGHTLINER • WESTERN STAR 888.395.9947 LOCAL: 918.445.5300 5104 WEST 60TH STREET / TULSA, OK 74107
ARDMORE FREIGHTLINER • WESTERN STAR 580.223.2233
pticalped Mirrors
2707 REFINERY ROAD / ARDMORE, OK 73401
Windshield Seal Improvements
MUSKOGEE FREIGHTLINER • WESTERN STAR 918.687.0133 2950 HIGHWAY 69 NORTH / MUSKOGEE, OK 74401
Cooling Enhancements Hood-to-Bumper Fill
Bumper Closure Bumper Air Dam
OK SuperTech 2012 was a collaborative effort with support from all segments of the trucking industry. Borg Warner, Bruckner Truck, OTL-UPT, and Rush Truck led the way as Gold Sponsors for the competition. A number of other national and local companies provided additional sponsorships, prizes, equipment, judges, and goodie bag gifts for the contestants including Alcoa, Allison Transmission, ATC Freightliner, A Weldor’s Supply, BG Products, Blumenthals, CRST, Cummins Southern Plains, Driver’s Legal Aid, Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Mitchell One, Navistar, P.S.I., Reliance Supply, SAF Holland, Stemco, TA-Petro, USPS-NCED, Utility Trailer, Webb Wheel Products, and WyoTech.
We Offer Much More Than Insurance • Experienced Trucking Personnel • Driver Recruiting and Retention • Driver Screening and Evaluation • Driver Wellness • 24/7 Claim Support • Responsive Customer Service • Accident Investigation • Claim subrogation • Safety & Loss Prevention • FMCSA Compliance
Call Today
1-800-833-2015 www.burnettins.com
For over 27 years, insuring trucks has been our business at Burnett Insurance Corporation — our only business. We see things from the trucker’s perspective because we’ve been there ourselves. Our experience gives us a special understanding for the unique challenges drivers face on the road today. It’s a unique insight into the business that keeps America moving — and it translates into superior service for our customers. Little Rock, Arkansas R I S K E VA L U AT I O N • L O S S C O N T R O L • C L A I M S M A N A G E M E N T • I N S U R A N C E P L A C E M E N T
David “Kent” Jones of ABF Freight was named this year’s Grand Champion after placing first in the Twins class. Jones has been an employee of ABF Freight for nine years and has been accident-free for 22 consecutive years. Jones and his wife, Ralene, live in Broken Arrow and have two children. The 2012 Oklahoma State Truck Driving Championships hosted over 100 of the state’s best drivers for the two-day competition held in Oklahoma City. Big Mack Tank Trucks, Bruckner Truck Sales, Inc, D&D Truck Sales and Hamm & Phillips Service Co. were the “Rookies of the Year” by sponsoring the TDC. Additional sponsors included: The Around the Clock Freightliner Group, LLC, Oklahoma City Freightliner - Western Star, Tulsa Freightliner - Western Star, Cline Wood Agency, Custard Insurance Adjusters, Environmental Management Inc., Great Dane Trailers, McCorkle Truck Line, Inc. Rush Truck Centers, Wal-Mart, Compliance Safety Systems, FedEx Freight, FTC Transportation, Inc, Oklahoma Tank Lines/United Petroleum Transports, PeopleNet, Beaver Express Service, LLC, Great West Casualty Company, Drivers Legal Plan, Kelworth Trucking and TEAM Professional Services. This nationally recognized event is organized each year by the Oklahoma Safety Management Council and made possible by their outstanding volunteer efforts and generous sponsors.
End
Hours of Service Confusion! Give drivers the who, what, when, where, why and how of HOS, including the NEW Hours of Service rules.
493-H
Order Today 800-327-6868 • jjkeller.com/54484
Unmatched Experience — Unbeatable Choice!
You Benefit From This Partnership A portion of the revenue from your purchase supports your State Trucking Association.
30 PC 54484
Straight Trent DeBusk UPS Freight
Joshua Rodriques LuGreg Trucking
Lavern Reimer Walmart
Specializing in Battery Removal and Recycling Members of OTA since 1988
Madewell & Madewell, Inc., since 1953 405.399.2201 • Jones, OK
3-Axle
Richard Rogers UPS Freight
Robert Neese Jr. Con-way Freight
Larry Kendall FedEx Express
Gregg Dyer UPS
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Thomas Koch YRC Worldwide
Robbie Granstrom YRC Worldwide
4-Axle
5-axle Bud Laubach Advance Pierre
Matthew Stotts LuGreg Trucking
Billy Durham AAA Cooper Transportation
UNITED IN
STRATEGY A successful insurance and risk management program is crucial to the profitability of your trucking company. While thin margins may be the industry norm, smart companies look at risk management from all angles to uncover hidden cost drivers and reverse loss trends. Aon brings together specialized trucking expertise with deep risk management resources to create innovative, customized solutions for your company. We partner with you to identify risks, analyze loss trends and design a program that protects your people, your equipment and your business, while
↓
helping you remain cost effective and competitive.
For more information contact Mark Brockinton at +1.800.541.8605 or mark.brockinton@aon.com
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flatbed
Jame Forehand Miller Truck Lines
Boyd Christie Groendyke
Jonathon Atzenhofer FTC Transportation
Perry Davis Walmart
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Barry Marcum Con-way Freight
Clint Colson YRC Worldwide
sleeper
twins
Ronnie Shaddon Con-way Freight
Mike Thomas Con-way Freight
David Jones ABF Freight
tank Brian Conway Hamm & Phillips
Eric DeVore Solar Transport
Gaylen Plunk UPT
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step van
Patrick Corrente FedEx Express
Brian Conway Hamm & Phillips
C. Dewayne Sleeper Award - Trent DeBusk UPS Freight
Billy Durham AAA Cooper Transport
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Tamarra Harley FedEx Ground
Richard Bright FedEx Express
Rookie Awards
team YRC Worldwide FedEx Express
UPS Freight
pretrip
Bud Laubach Advance Pierre
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Grand Champion
David Jones ABF Freight
Commercial Auto & Trucking Using an Admitted Market - Nationwide Must have 11 Units Minimum Commercial Auto • • • •
Local, Intermediate & Long Haul Dump Trucks Agricultural Haulers General Freight
Public Auto
• Taxi • Limo
For additional information, please contact: Phone: 800.800.4007 Transportation@midman.com midlandsmgt.com
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Member of Old Republic Companies
• Dry Van Fleets • Oversized Loads • Sand/Gravel Haulers
• Moving Storage • Special Riggers • Fuel Haulers
• Flatbed Haulers • Cattle Haulers • Mix-In Transit
• Non-Emergency Ambulance; Para-Transit • Airport & Non-Airport Shuttle Service
39
Above: Adam Dye, Southwest Trailers & Equipment, Top Center: MHC Kenworth team Top Right: Tulsa Freightliner Center: Ken Case and James Bell, Dugan Truck Line.
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It was another beautiful June day in Perkins at the Cimmaron Trails Golf Club at this year’s Summer Shootout Golf Tournament. Over seventy-five golfers registered for this exciting event benefitting the OTA and the Wilburn Williamson Scholarship Fund. Winners of this year’s tournament were, in Flight One, First Place: Ken Case, Robert Bell, James Bell, and Danny Dysinger of Dugan Truck Line. Second Place: Kirk Peterson, Tommy Bardsher, Matt Ernst and Jeff Baker of Enid Mack Sales. Third Place: Wade Scarberry. Adam Dye, Ray Harris and David Denton of Southwest Trailers & Equipment. Flight Two, First Place: Bill Perry, Terry Cooper, Tom Isaacs and Glenn Dugan of Dugan Truck Line. Second Place: Stan Clark, Bill Duncan, Bobby Masterson and Rick Everett of Rush Truck Center. Third Place: Dick Himes and Doug Epperson of Cummins Southern Plains and Ryan Woodard and Jarad Mcatee of T&W Tire. Flight Three, First Place: Bill Parker, Greg Barton, Scott McKinney and Chad Stair of TEAM Professional Services. Second Place: Drew Burk, Mac Flanary, Bill Stranger and Charley Pollock of ATC Freightliner. Longest Drive winners were #11,Matt Ernst, Enid Mack Sales, Inc. and #18 Kirk Peterson, Enid Mack Sales, Inc. Closest to the Pin winners were #10, Matt Midgett, Roberts Truck Center, and #17, Daniel Dysinger. A huge thanks goes out to all of the sponsors of this fun event. We hope to see you at next year’s Summer Shootout!
Summer
Shootout golf tournament
Tournament Sponsors ATC Freightliner Oklahoma City Freightliner • Western Star Tulsa Freightliner • Western Star Bruckner Truck Sales OKC & Tulsa Hamm & Phillips Service Company Melton Truck Line Rush Truck Center Southwest Trailers & Equipment T&W Tire
Lunch Sponsors Compliance Safety Systems Cummins Southern Plains, LLC Drivers Legal Plan Freymiller, Inc. Maxum Petroleum McCorkle Truck Line MHC Kenworth Southern Tire Mart Triad Transport United Engines
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Top Left: Bob Acker, Bruckner Truck Sales Top Right: Southwest Trailers & Equipment Left: John Titsworth and Marvin Lloyd, Triad Transport Bottom: Southern Tire Mart
Beverage Cart Sponsors Crawford-Phillips, Inc. Cummins Southern Plains, LLC Drivers Legal Plan Freymiller, Inc. Maxum Petroleum McCorkle Truck Line MHC Kenworth Midlands Management Corporation Roberts Truck Center United Engines Warren CAT Trucks
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Hole Sponsors American Trucking Associations Beaver Express Service Compliance Concepts of Oklahoma Enid Mack Sales, Inc. Enterprise Commercial Truck Rental Freymiller, Inc. Great Dane Trailers Groendyke Transport, Inc. Hamm & Phillips Service Company Maxum Petroleum McCorkle Truck Line MHC Kenworth Oklahoma Tank Lines-United Petroleum Transport Schneider Law Offices Seaboard Foods, LLC TEAM Professional Services Triad Transport United Engines
Top: Tulsa Freightliner Center: Enid Mack Sales Left: Rush Truck Center
SERVING OKLAHOMA TRUCKERS’ INSURANCE NEEDS FOR OVER 50 YEARS
(405) 236-4677 (800) 259-6122 Terri Ferrell David Ferrell Jeremy Hoegger representing
CRAWFORD PHILLIPS, INC. Stock Yards • Oklahoma City Specializing in Truck Insurance
Delivering specialized insurance programs since 1977. LEASED OPERATORS
877.260.2287
OWNER OPERATORS/FLEETS
888.888.3093
Melton Truck Line Owner: Bob Peterson Founded: 1954 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
How did it all begin?
Bert and Gladys Melton started Melton Truck Lines in 1954 in Crossett, Arkansas. Orginally they planned to haul lumber and roofing materials in the region, and within a few years had expanded the fleet to six trucks and t wenty-three trailers. In 1957, Bert passed away leaving Gladys to run the business. In 1958, William Duncan McRae bought the truck line and maintained the Melton name out of respect for Bert and Gladys. The McRae’s kept the same family atmosphere at the company while it grew and even earned the nicknames of Mr. and Mrs. Mac. Eventually Duncan McRae, Jr. was on board and used his experience at IBM to develop a program for the trucking company. By 1980, Melton had grown to 600 trucks and was approved as a bonded carrier with customs service which allowed them to pioneer the Mexican “through-trailer” service. In 1991, Duncan McRae, Jr. retired and sold the company to Bob Peterson, who had formed GlasTran in 1989. It was at this time that the Melton headquarters were moved to Tulsa and the “New Melton” years began. Mr. Peterson was interviewed by the OTA back in 1991 when he took over Melton. His goal then was to concentrate on transistioning the fleet to an all air-ride fleet. Having premier equipment is still a driving principle at Melton. Mr. Peterson believes that premium tractors and trailers and in-cab technology attract top quality drivers and allow us to provide the best level of service to our demanding customers.
What is unique about your company?
Our drivers say it is our modern, well-maintained equipment and our commitment to honesty that make Melton different from other companies. We strive for direct open communication with our drivers, customers and all Melton stakeholders. We also don’t try and be all things to all people. We’ve remained an irregular route, long haul, air-ride flatbed, company owned equipment fleet—for better or for worse. It’s all we do and we think we do it pretty well. (But we’re never done searching for ways to bet better).
What issue is most important to your company right now?
Dealing with CSA, EPA rules and the tough driver hiring market are our current biggest challenges. The issue of driver recruitment and retention is more important now than ever. The combination of the recession and stricter CSA standards have caused thousands of drivers to leave the trucking industry. In addition, it is increasingly difficult to attract younger workers to our business due to the time away from home and the increasing complexity of government rules and regulations. The demand for additional drivers in the industry also challenges us to explore new options to retain the great drivers we already have. We take retention seriously and we are always looking for ways to keep drivers happy and engaged.
What do you think the greatest benefit from being an OTA member is?
The greatest benefit of being in OTA is the camaraderie it provides with other members of the trucking industry in Oklahoma and the ability to net work with trusted friends. We appreciate Dan Cases’s efforts at the Capitol.
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Member Spotlight
GOOD DRIVERS ARE HARD TO FIND
SO OFFER THEM TRUCKS THEY LOVE TO DRIVE
The International ® ProStar ® + and LoneStar ® make finding and keeping drivers a whole lot easier. And not just because of their aerodynamic good looks. ProStar+ offers unmatched visibility, the quietest cab and best heating and cooling in its class, and an Eaton UltraShift PLUS 10-speed transmission for superior ride and comfort. Plus it features premium in-dash GPS and stereo with XM radio and iPod command/control to make every drive easier and more enjoyable. The inside
LoneStar and out
features – from
unique, customizable chrome accessories and
options exterior
©2012 Navistar, Inc. All rights reserved. All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.
Solutions Provider to the Transportation Industry
Arkansas Florida Louisiana Mississippi
Nevada Oklahoma Tennessee Texas
24-Hour Service: 877-786-8473
www.stmtires.com Corporate Office • 529 Industrial Park Rd. Columbia, MS 39429 • (601) 424-3200
With 57 locations in 8 states and more than 1200 teammates, Southern Tire Mart is committed to being your full service tire dealer. Southern Tire Mart provides a wide array of Services to keep your Fleet on the road where it belongs. We carry only the best brands to give you the best possible service Guaranteed.
Bandag, Bridgestone, Continental, Firestone, General, Michelin, Yokohama 48