Archive for April, 2013

Truck Driver Social Media Convention

Due to the recent allegations brought against the Pilot Flying J Travel Centers, the organization has agreed with the Truck Driver Social Media Convention (TDSMC) hosts to step down as the presenting sponsor for the 2013 Convention.

The decision by the TDSMC was not based on an assumption of guilt regarding the Pilot Flying J charges, but rather an agreement between Pilot Flying J and TDSMC to remove the possibility of any negative association or stigma on the event.

The TDSMC believes that the investigation by the FBI and Pilot Flying J’s own personal aggressive investigation, will resolve the many unanswered questions by the industry. It should also be noted that the allegations have nothing to do with driver reward points as many seem to believe, but rather fuel rebates which were due to certain trucking companies.

The convention which was founded on the principles of honesty, integrity and trust continues to earn the credibility among those within the trucking industry, especially the professional driver.

Pilot Flying J was the first to reach out and to support the Truck Driver Convention since its conception in 2011, conducting itself with only good intentions for drivers. The TDSMC believes that the vast majority of those at the organization posses the best of qualities and integrity and it is a great disappointment that a handful of people have compromised the company’s name and reputation. It is the hope of the TDSMC that this matter will be resolved accordingly for all parties involved.

Those interested in becoming a sponsor for the 3rd Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention are invited to visit the Sponsorship Page and can submit the 2013 Sponsor Form.  For more information, please contact Donna Smith at 352-465-7476.

© 2013, Allen Smith. All rights reserved.

Social Bookmarking

Technorati Tags: pilot flying j, rebate, social media convention, sponsorship, truck driver, trucking companies

The nominees for the 2013 Jason Rivenburg “Making a Difference” Award have been selected through the social media sites and the recipient will receive the recognition during the 3rd Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention in October.

The final three nominees are:

1. Kathy Cass — Participates in a “Trucking Family Advice” Column on Trucker Nation and is actively involved in the website,  “A Trucker’s Wife”.
2. Randall Doane — Activist and member of the Deaf Truckers United Group.
3. Richard Wilson — Regulatory Specialist at Trans Products & Trans Services.

For more information and to cast your vote for the 2013 recipient, please visit the 2013 Trucking Convention-“Jason Rivenburg-Making a Difference Award” VOTING.

2012 Making a Difference Award

© 2013, Allen Smith. All rights reserved.

Social Bookmarking

Technorati Tags: 2013 trucking convention, convention, jason rivenburg, making a difference award, survey, trucking social media, voting

Quick Transport Solutions

The terms freight forwarder and freight broker are sometimes used interchangeably, but their jobs are actually quite different.

They perform some of the same functions, but a broker acts as an intermediary between the carrier and the shipper, while a forwarder’s job is to facilitate the shipping process.

Who are Freight Forwarders?

A freight forwarder is an individual who facilitates the process of shipping non-perishable or perishable items for a third party. The freight forwarder may handle everything from small shipments of personal goods for individuals to shipping containers for large industrial firms. A freight forwarder may arrange for the shipment of goods internationally, domestically or both.

Some freight forwarders work as independent contractors, while others work for shipping companies. There are several reasons that a company or individual may use the services of a freight forwarder instead of taking care of the shipping process personally. The biggest reason that people hire a forwarder is that they usually have contacts in the shipping industry and may have the ability to negotiate a lower rate for shipping services. They may also be aware of shipping options that aren’t available to the public, such as vessels that have enough room available to ship certain items at a reduced rate.

When they are initially contacted regarding items to be shipped, the freight forwarder starts by gathering information about the shipment. One of the most important things the shipper needs to know is whether the merchandise is perishable and whether the merchandise will have to cross international borders. The weight and size of the shipment are also considered, as well as when the shipper expects the items to reach their destination. After they have gathered the necessary information, the freight forwarder looks at all of the shipping options available for that merchandise.

Shipping options may include truck transportation, water, air or rail. The forwarder tries to keep goods that are going to the same geographical area together because shippers often pay less when their items are shipped on the same vehicle as other items. Exceptional record keeping skills are required to be a successful forwarder. They must track rates, shipping information, damaged goods incidences and other information on many companies. The forwarder must also prepare legal papers and customs documents if the shipments require their use. Being a freight forwarder doesn’t require a college degree, but excellent analytical and negotiating skills are necessary. A freight forwarder’s success is dependent on having repeat customers, so integrity and customer service are a big part of the job.

Who are Freight Brokers?

Either a company or an individual may be a freight broker. The broker is a liaison between a company or individual that has items that need to be shipped and a motor carrier that it authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to haul freight. The broker’s job is to determine the needs of the shipper and connect them with a carrier that has agreed to ship the items at an agreed upon price. A freight broker must have a license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to operate legally. Many states require brokers to carry surety bonds and brokers are also expected to carry adequate insurance to protect their customers and business clients from loss.

Freight Brokers provide a valuable service to both motor carriers and shippers. They connect shippers with reliable carriers that they may not come across on their own. They also assist carriers in finding loads to move so they make money. Brokers are usually paid on commission. Using technological resources and knowledge of the shipping industry, freight brokers help both carriers and shippers meet their business goals. Some companies find the services of a broker so invaluable that they hire a broker to coordinate all of their company’s shipping needs. Many new freight brokers work for a carrier or shipper to gain industry knowledge and experience. They also gain business contacts that help propel them forward in their new career.

Some new brokers take a training course to learn the business, but they often find that the course doesn’t give them the experience they need to be successful. New freight brokers are usually more successful if they begin their career an agent for an established broker and learn the business firsthand. These agents act as representatives of the broker. They are usually assigned to a certain geographical area and generally work from home using their telephone, fax machine and computer.

© 2013, Allen Smith. All rights reserved.

Social Bookmarking

Technorati Tags: freight brokers, freight forwarders

When Truth About Trucking, LLC conducted a recent survey on drivers’ biggest concerns, truck driver wages came in at number one, while truck parking was still the second major concern among drivers.

Hope Rivenburg of Jason’s Law is once again taking the initiative to ensure safe parking areas are presented for drivers by conducting a new focus study to be performed in two stages: (1) a survey conducted by professional drivers and (2) a two month study for an OTR Driver Focus Group. The data from these two efforts will be invaluable as it will come directly from current long-haul truck drivers.

The  goal for this study is to collect data regarding the various aspects and causes of inadequate truck parking and then present it to government officials. The study has already caught the attention of a USDOT official which duties include managing the FHWA’s Truck Parking Program Activities.

Hope Rivenburg

The official has contacted Hope stating: “I would deeply appreciate if you could call me so we can discuss your efforts and how those efforts cross paths with work Congress included in MAP-21 in the section named for your late husband, Section 1401, Jason’s Law.”

The study will need over-the-road drivers who will be willing to help in the two month study. Drivers who frequently run long-haul into Western and Eastern port areas including South Florida, the Northeast and West Coast, as well as all drivers who continually have difficulty finding parking are encouraged to participate.

The final data and results will be presented by Hope Rivenburg, Andy Warcaba of Andrew J. Warcaba & Associates and Richard Wilson of Trans Products during the 2013 Trucking Social Media Convention in October.

1. Study participants will be needed for the following assistance:
2. Take notes regarding their experiences while attempting to find parking. Notes can be photos or videos of the specific parking facility, noting the day and time it was taken. Included in these notes can also be the security and safety of the parking area and can include a note regarding the shipper or receiver, if they allowed you to park on their facility or not;
3. To be part of a once-a-week conference call;
4. Willing to have their name included as part of the presentation in Kansas City, Missouri at the Truck Driver Convention and to official government correspondence.

The truck driver survey will be released in the coming weeks by Truth About Trucking, LLC.  Professional truck drivers interested in being a part of this two-month study may contact Hope Rivenburg directly via email at: hope.rivenburg@gmail.com

© 2013, Allen Smith. All rights reserved.

Social Bookmarking

Technorati Tags: hope rivenburg, Jason’s law- H.R.2156 S971, social media, study, truck parking, trucking

Cry for Argentina

As truck driver health has been one of our main topics lately, my research led me back to the news of the Monsanto Corporation from my past post: The Killing Fields of Monsanto.

Most recently, Mr. Obama signed the Monsanto Protection Act which ultimately makes the company above the law.  By signing the Act, the corporate giant is now protected from anyone or anything, even the U.S. Government. It further allows Monsanto the complete authority over the U.S. food supply, laced with deadly insecticides and pesticides that have shown the increase of autoimmune diseases among a growing population.

Monsanto continues its aim at one of the last most fertile soil environments on Earth, as it moves forward toward the beautiful land of Argentina. A place where the soil was once so rich, that one could simply throw a seed to the ground and it would grow, the Argentina crop fields are becoming an environmental crisis, damaging soil bacteria and allowing herbicide-resistant weeds to grow out of control.

Argentina Protest

Just seven years after genetically modified soya was introduced to Argentina in order to be an “economic miracle for poor farmers,” the once vibrant land is fast becoming an “economic ruin.”  Even though the Argentina people voiced  their disapproval of Monsanto’s arrival, politics were too powerful for its own people to overcome.

A recent investigation by the University of Buenos Aires demonstrated that thousands of farmers have been exposed to serious health risks from the chemicals leading to cancer, birth defects, intestinal, heart and neuronal conditions. Yet, with studies like these being made available world-wide, Mr. Obama still signed the Act and further ignored his 2007 promise for the labeling of GMO products.

Furthermore, the farmers and crop workers of Argentina are reporting no additional income from the planting of Monsanto seeds, while the company is reporting that it has nearly tripled its profits in the first fiscal quarter of 2013.

March Against Monsanto

As people all across the globe continue to march against the Monsanto movement, the company continues its expansion throughout Latin America, oddly enough, with the full support and backing of the U.S. government.

© 2013, Allen Smith. All rights reserved.

Social Bookmarking

Technorati Tags: argentina, Monsanto, monsanto protection act