CDLjobs.com Trucking Jobs Blog

Embrace Being American On Memorial Day

By Mike Thayer, VP/Operations 

Just the other day I overheard a young boy asking his father why Memorial Day was a holiday.  It got me thinking beyond the watching of a traditional military commemoration, visiting a cemetery, listening to a speech and then having a picnic with family and friends.

This day is a sacred one, a day of reflection, a time to think of loved ones and the heroism of the men and women in uniform who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we as a country and a people can remain free.    The meaning of this day and the opportunity to memorialize those who have fought and died for this country is much more than ceremonial pomp and pageantry. 

It’s about what others have done for us so that we can continue to create and achieve. 

On this day we all have something in common, where we pause to give thanks to the American way of life and to rejoice in it, to reflect on what others have done for us, and ask ourselves – to paraphrase JFK - what we can do for our country.

So to other young boys asking their fathers why we have Memorial Day, we can answer that it’s a day to celebrate American enthusiasm and faith.  It’s an enthusiasm and faith that men and women have been 
willing to fight and die for.   We should draw inspiration from our memorial halls, statues and monuments, moving us to teach another generation of Americans about what it means to be free and the many opportunities made available to all of us by preserving it.

As we honor the fallen, we should all recognize that men and women giving their lives for this country isn’t just an element of our shared history, it’s also about what we have become as a result of their sacrifice.    On this day, we gather and rejoice in being American.  For the generations before us, that meant always taking action to find new successes in life and if we are worthy of those who passed before us, we need to embrace their experiences in making new ones.

Through the good fortune handed down to us, we are obligated to teach others about the meaning of this day and to love life.  The noble deeds of the fallen soldier can never be forgotten.  We shed a tear, we grieve, and we mourn as the memorial service is given.  But we also give a smile because we know that what our brothers and sisters gave us is life and the passion for it. 

On the behalf of the staff at CDLjobs.com, I’ll leave you with the following quote which I think sums up Memorial Day quite nicely:

"The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children." -  William Havard, Chaplain to the armed forces during the First World War 

Matheson Tri-Gas: Driver - Freeport, Texas

Matheson is one of the most successful welding gas and supply companies in the Midwest. We offer a full benefits and compensation package including Medical & Dental Insurance, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Vacation and a top of the line 401(k) Retirement Plan.

We are currently accepting applications for a Cylinder Driver to safely review load documentation, loading of truck, record keeping and completion of all required company and federal documentation. The selected candidate will work with the dispatcher and fill plant supervisor insuring the safe on time deliveries of cylinders achieving a high level of customer satisfaction.

Essential Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Perform customer site safety inspections.
• Filling of Cryogenic Liquid Dewars.
• Provide first line technical support.
• Monitor and maintain delivery vehicle condition.

 Requirements:

• High School or Equivalent education; Certification from accredited driving school.
• CDL "A" with HazMat Endorsements.
• Forklift Operating Certificate.
• Experience and Commitment to a Safe Working Environment.
• Previous experience in the cylinder gas specialty chemical industry.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service.
• Ability to perform basic administrative functions and problem solving.

Matheson offers competitive pay with benefits in a growth oriented environment.

Apply online at:
https://mtgcareers.silkroad.com
or in person at:
824 N. Gulf Blvd.
Freeport, TX 77541
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Melton Truck Lines, Inc. Raises Driver Pay

TULSA, Okla – Melton Truck Lines, a premier air-ride flatbed carrier based in Tulsa, OK, is pleased to announce a 1 cent per mile across the board pay increase.  This increase will be effective June 5^th.

At Melton we conduct industry pay studies and subscribe to independent annual surveys.  We measure ourselves in every category – mileage pay, tarp pay, productivity, fuel bonus, extra pay for Hazmat and Canada loads, and the premiums drivers pay for insurance coverage.  We have determined that our total package positions Melton Truck Lines in the top 5% among North American for-hire trucking companies.

“To help keep our competitive edge in hiring and retaining drivers, I am proud to announce this across the board pay increase,” said Melton President Bob Peterson.  “Drivers at Melton also get regular pay increases based on gaining experience and miles run with Melton.  We believe to hire and retain the best talent, we must pay our drivers well. ”

“In addition to this new pay increase, Melton as added a 4 cents per mile fuel bonus program, raised driver pay 3 cents per mile for Hazmat and Canada loads, and increased detention pay 20% over the last couple years,” said Angie Buchanan, Vice President of Safety and Human Resources.  “We also implemented a CSA Bonus, pay a premium for Road Safety Trainers, and started a Road Recruiter Program to offer additional financial incentives and training.”

Company Information

Headquartered in Tulsa, OK, Melton Truck Lines Inc. is an award-winning leader in the air-ride flatbed industry and services the United States, Canada, and Mexico.  In business for over 55 years, Melton has offices and terminals in Tulsa, Dallas, Laredo, El Paso, Birmingham and Masury, OH.  For more information, please visit www.meltontruck.com.

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K&B Transportation Expands Dedicated Hiring Area

Understanding the need for the top pay and predictable home time that drivers have come to expect, K&B Transportation is expanding our salaried dedicated operations into many states throughout the upper Midwest.  With this expansion, we are urgently seeking dedicated drivers in the following states:

• Illinois
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Ohio
• Kentucky
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Wisconsin

One complaint that most drivers have at other companies is miles, and the fluctuating paychecks that come along with mileage pay.  K&B Transportation understands that drivers want a steady, liveable paycheck, and that is why these positions are a 100% salaried.  With our unique daily salary program, you are paid a fixed daily rate for every day on the road.  A full week out will earn you $1141 regardless of miles.  Essentially a driver making 40 cents per mile at another company would have to run 2852 miles every week at their company to match these earnings.  These positions work out for both the driver wanting frequent hometime, or the driver that likes to stay out on the road for an extended period of time, because with K&B Transportation’s daily salary pay, the driver truly does determine his paycheck!  Essentially the more the driver wants to be out, the more he will make!  Unlike mileage pay, the $1141 is there every week the driver is on the road!  With scheduled pay raises, this dedicated position offers you the largest and most stable paycheck in the trucking industry.  It is no wonder that the turnover among current drivers on this fleet is 1/3^rd of the industry average among similar fleets, with average seniority among drivers of 5+ years.

Don’t miss your chance to get one of these outstanding dedicated positions at K&B Transportation.  Drivers wanting to find out more about these dedicated positions can visit us online at www.kbtransportation.com or can call our recruiting department at (800) 851-8651.

Steve Gilbert named Trucker Buddy of the Month for March 2012

Steve Gilbert has been named the March 2012 Trucker Buddy of the Month following his nomination by Arlene Poulos, a teacher at Fallbrook Street School in Fallbrook, Calif.  Her class is a multi-age class including kindergarten through third grade.

“Mr. Gilbert is one of a kind,” says Poulos.  “We think he is a wonderful Trucker Buddy and an excellent role model as he advocates to the children to be good students and also work hard.”

According to Poulos, Gilbert makes visiting her class a priority each year. “He has driven out to see the class not only in his truck but also with his wife on his motorcycle,” she says. “This year he drove his truck so the students were able to climb inside the cab and look around - It was amazing.”

When Gilbert comes to see the class, he describes his profession and gives them information about his truck.  Gilbert gave the class a small version of his truck to display in the classroom.  “What a special treat it is to have,” says Poulos.

Gilbert sent each student a map of the United States so they can keep track of his travels.  While he is driving, he will send the students post cards from every city.  The students have fun while learning map skills as they locate the places Gilbert has been.  “They are having fun learning the states and the facts about the states from his post cards.” 

In addition, Gilbert has given the students pencil pouches and writing supplies as well as Trucker Buddy lunch boxes.

 “It is so much fun to see all the lunch boxes during lunch,” Poulos says. “The Trucker Buddy program has been absolutely wonderful for our class. Mr. Gilbert is one of a kind.  We think he is a wonderful Trucker Buddy and excellent role model.  We cannot say enough about him and the excitement he has brought to our class.  He truly deserves this award.” 

Some comments from students below:

• “I [gotta] say that Mr. Gilbert is a magnificent trucker buddy.  He let us get in his Walmart truck and gives us pencils, rulers and sharpeners.”
• “Mr. Gilbert is a fantastic trucker buddy!  He gives us post cards from every state he goes and he visits us every year!  He also tells us to work hard and be good.”
• “Mr. Gilbert is a wonderful trucker buddy.  I wish Mr. Gilbert was the trucker buddy of the year!”

Link to Website with Pictures

Trucker Buddy International, an independent, non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, often called the number one trucking image campaign in North America, has helped educate schoolchildren and introduce educators to the trucking industry.  This gives them the world through the eyes of a professional truck driver.  The Trucker Buddy program helps to educate and mentor schoolchildren via a pen pal relationship between professional truck drivers and children in grades K-8 as supervised by their teachers.

After an extensive screening process, the professional truck drivers are matched with a class and as directed by the teacher, drivers share news about their travels with their class. Students write letters and send pictures to their drivers. Students' skills in reading, writing, geography, mathematics, social studies, and history are enhanced and learning is made fun.

Since 1992, Trucker Buddy International has helped educate over a million schoolchildren and introduced them to caring, compassionate men and women, professional truck drivers.  The on-going success of the program is due to driver volunteers, participating teachers and the contributions of sponsors.  There is no cost to the drivers or teachers to participate in the program. The Trucker Buddy of the Month is sponsored by Daimler Truck Products and includes, Freightliner Trucks, Western Star Trucks and Detroit. Each class of the winning TBOM receives a gift pack of snack from Frito-Lay.  The Trucker Buddy program is funded entirely by sponsorships and donations. 

Melton Truck Lines Receives President’s “E Star” Award for Export Service

TULSA, Okla. – Melton Truck Lines Inc., a premier air-ride flatbed carrier based in Tulsa, OK, was awarded the President’s “E” Star Award for Export Service by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary John Bryson at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 17.  Dan Taylor, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Ashley Rogers, Marketing Coordinator, accepted the award on behalf of the company.  The “E” Awards are the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.  Melton Truck Lines was recognized for facilitating export expansion through transportation.  

“We are honored to receive the “E” Star Award.  Our service offerings to Canada and Mexico are key elements in our business.  Over 30% of our business crosses the US/Mexico border,” said Bob Peterson, President of Melton Truck Lines.  “Our cross-border operations expertise and the ability to deliver products on time and damage-free have contributed significantly to the exporting success of our customers.” 

Melton Truck Lines has one of the longest histories of international service among all United States carriers.  Melton pioneered through-trailer service to Mexico over 30 years ago.  This service keeps cargo on the same trailer from origin to destination, which speeds border crossing and reduces total cost.  Melton coordinates on-site customs clearance and provides covered cargo protection at their Laredo, TX facility.  The company also has an office staffed with sales, customer service and equipment control personnel in Monterrey, NL, Mexico. 

“I am pleased to recognize Melton Truck Lines for receiving the President’s “E” Star Award for Export Service, which honors companies that make significant contributions toward increasing U.S. exports,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson. “This Administration is committed to leveling the playing field for American businesses and workers to help U.S. companies build things here and sell them around the world. “E” Star Awards winners like Melton Truck Lines have excelled in this effort, demonstrating four years of successive export growth. It is companies like this that are helping to grow our economy and put more Americans back to work.” 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first presentation of the President’s “E” Award by President John F. Kennedy.  The President’s “E” Award was created by Executive Order in 1961 to encourage U.S. companies to sell their products abroad.  A second award, the President’s “E Star” Award, was authorized by the Secretary of Commerce in 1969 to recognize “E” Award recipients for their continuing significant contributions to U.S. export expansion.  Melton Truck Lines, Inc. has continued to demonstrate strong export growth since receiving the President’s “E” Award for Export Service in 2002. 

Only four U.S. companies were awarded the President’s “E” Star Award for Export Service at the May 17, 2012 World Trade Week ceremonies in Washington DC.  Melton Truck Lines was the only truck transportation provider to receive the award.  

U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service office network in 108 U.S. cities and more than 75 countries which helps U.S. companies export.  The primary criterion for the “E” Award is four years of successive export growth or of supporting the export growth of others.  “E” Awards are awarded to applicants that can demonstrate a significant contribution to U.S. export expansion that is measurable, innovative, sustainable, and has broad impact.  

All nominations are reviewed by the “E” Award Committee, which is chaired by the Department of Commerce, and includes representatives of ExIm Bank, the Small Business Administration, and the Departments of Agriculture, Labor, State, and Transportation.

Arnold Hires New Vice President Of Operations

JACKSONVILLE, FL. -- Arnold Transportation Services (ATS), a dominant player in the regional truckload business, recently announced David Mendenhall as its new vice president of operations. Mendenhall, who has been with the company a few months, has over 38 years of transportation experience, most recently as Vice President of Operations at LinkAmerica for 14 years.

“I am excited to be with a carrier that puts a premium on service and has a fleet of drivers dedicated to drive our culture of ‘safety, service, people’” said Mendenhall. “We have taken Arnold back to its roots of being a leader in the regional markets” 

Benefits for ATS drivers include state-of-the-art equipment, high pay, EZ Pass provided at no charge, referral and rehire bonuses, and multiple insurance plan options. Independent contractors at ATS also enjoy no forced dispatch, steady freight and weekly settlements. Additionally, the company has two regional running areas in the Southwest and Southeast (Super-regional) that gets drivers home every 7-10 days.

“As we grow our fleet to beyond 1,000 trucks, we are committed to retaining one of the highest on-time service levels in the industry,” said Mendenhall. “Whether it’s by local, dedicated or regional drivers, Arnold will get it there on time!”

Arnold Transportation Services

Known for its fast, reliable and intensive service, Arnold Transportation Services is based in Jacksonville, Fla. and specializes in truckload transportation and dedicated contract carriage. Both company and independent contractor opportunities are available.

For more information on careers at Arnold Transportation Services, visit arnoldtrans.com or call 1-800-846-4321.

The Volvo Group to Launch Natural Gas Engine for the North American Market

GOTEBORG, Sweden -- The Volvo Group will launch a 13-liter liquefied natural gas (LNG) engine within the Volvo brand for the North American market 2014. The engine's high pressure diesel ignition technology will provide significant fuel efficiency gains compared with current natural gas products.

Combined with the group's previously announced offering of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Volvo VNM and Volvo VNL model daycabs, the new engine will provide customers with a complete range of natural gas-powered transportation solutions. Within the Volvo brand another fuel is being tested that can be produced from natural gas, DME (dimethyl ether), which has the potential to become an attractive alternative for the North American market.

"Despite the near-term infrastructure questions regarding widespread adoption of natural gas as a heavy-duty truck fuel, it's clear this segment will grow over the next several years," said Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing.

Through advanced high pressure diesel ignition technology -- using trace amounts of diesel to ignite the natural gas -- Volvo's LNG engine will deliver a 30 percent fuel efficiency improvement compared with spark-ignition (SI) engines, making it a viable alternative for demanding long-haul applications. The Volvo 13-liter LNG engine will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 20 percent compared with current diesel products.

The Volvo Group was the number one supplier of 13-liter heavy-duty engines to the combined U.S. and Canadian market last year, and the same vertically integrated approach that has made Volvo a global powertrain leader is being applied to the development of the new engine. The company's proprietary Volvo I-Shift automated mechanical transmission also will be available for customers to specify.

The Volvo Group has also conducted field tests of trucks equipped with DME. The strong results -- from ten vehicles operating in a variety of applications in Europe -- indicate DME holds much promise as a heavy-truck fuel, and could become a viable alternative in North America to CNG or LNG when it comes to performance, environmental impact, safety and distribution.

"Since we adopted Environmental Care as a core value in 1970s, the Volvo Group has dedicated the resources necessary to lead in alternative fuel technologies," Huibers said. "We demonstrated in 2007 our ability to run vehicles on seven different fuels, and we continue to refine our work with a variety alternative fuels and drivelines. Our comprehensive strategy -- including CNG, LNG, and potentially DME -- means we'll have a complete range of natural gas solutions as the infrastructure develops."

For more stories from the Volvo Group, please visit http://www.volvogroup.com/globalnews.

The Volvo Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications and aerospace components. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 115,000 people, has production facilities in 20 countries and sells their products in more than 190 markets. In 2011 annual sales of the Volvo Group amounted to about SEK 310 billion. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Goteborg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm. For more information, please visit www.volvogroup.com or www.volvogroup.mobi if you are using your mobile phone

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