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May 23, 2006
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Headline News
PTDI Certifies Truck Driver Training School Courses at
HR Career Development in Montpelier, Ohio
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2006
Contact: E. Nancy O'Liddy, Director Public Affairs
703/838-1950 or noliddy@truckload.org
Alexandria, Virginia – T he Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) is proud
to announce that HR Career Development in Montpelier, Ohio, recently received
certification for its truck driver training courses. HR Career Development
joins the many schools, as well as motor carriers, state associations, and
insurance companies, who are recognizing and seeking the high standards and
credibility that PTDI program certification offers.
“At the onset we had a desire to be PTDI certified because of the safety
benefits, the quality of the training PTDI promotes, and the curriculum
offered,” said Ron Dean, CEO at HR Career Development.
Schools applying for PTDI program certification must undergo an onsite visit
from a three-member evaluation team that examines the school's existing
standards, procedures, and practices. A Certification Committee then reviews
the results of the onsite visit and other supporting documents before
certifying the courses. Although the PTDI certification process is costly, Dean
said, “The benefits outweigh the costs: better job placement, better
instructional methods, additional students.”
This small school, located in the northwestern corner of Ohio, mainly serves
Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana students, and will graduate an estimated 100 to 110
students this year. It sought to use a PTDI-based curriculum from its beginning
in 2000, which made it easier to adapt to the requirements of the PTDI
certification process.
As a result of going through this process, Dean said, “We became more proficient
in our training and advertising. And there were great people on the [PTDI] team
that worked with us throughout the process.”
The PTDI standards program serves a variety of valuable interests and
objectives, including increased safety for the motoring public, reduced risk
exposure for insurance companies and motor carriers, minimal remedial driver
training time, improved sense of driver professionalism, and enhanced student
driver opportunities. These are only a few examples of why promoting a national
standard for training drivers makes sense.
“Our school provides a top-notch education, and this will enhance what we're
doing,” Dean said. “We wanted the professionalism that being PTDI certified
entails. We also know that insurance companies take this certification
seriously. And we agree it's important to have uniform standards of training.”
Dean said carriers recognize this as well, and it will now be easier for him to
place graduates with trucking companies that want PTDI-trained students. “The
importance of having the type of standards that PTDI offers is that it will
help students get the training they need,” he said. “He or she will be better
prepared to go out and define the job. That's what makes employers seek these
graduates, because they see the benefits down the road.”
PTDI is a national, nonprofit organization established for the
twofold purpose of developing uniform industry skill, curriculum, and
certification standards for entry-level truck driver training and motor carrier
driver finishing programs, and certifying entry-level truck driver training
courses at public and private schools and driver finishing programs at carriers
for compliance with PTDI standards. PTDI is based in Alexandria , Virginia .
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FMCSA to Hold Listening Sessions on NCRME
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced, through the Federal
Register, on May 18th, two Public Listening Sessions. The Listening
Sessions will continue the dialogue on the National Registry of Certified
Medical Examiners (NCRME) program for interstate commercial motor vehicle
drivers.
In accordance with SAFETEA-LU, which requires the Secretary of Transportation
“to establish and maintain a current national registry of medical examiners who
are qualified to perform examinations and issue medical certificates.” The
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is developing the National Registry
of Certified Medical Examiners (NCRME) program that was announced at a June 22,
2005, public meeting in Arlington, Virginia. The NRCME program would be
comprised, in part, of a training and testing program that would result in a
public registry of certified medical examiners who are authorized to conduct
medical examinations of interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers and
determine their physical qualifications to operate in interstate commerce.
The First NCRME Listening Session will be held from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on June 29,
2006 at the Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island, San Diego, CA . The Second
NCRME Listening Session will be held from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on July 26, 2006, at
the Renaissance Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO.
(Registration begins at 8 a.m).
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Truckload Carriers Not Alone on Raising Weight Limits
Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said raising truck weight limits at the
federal level is not an option.
An increasing number of shippers and the trade associations that represent them
are pushing for increasing truck size and weight limits as part of a solution
to high fuel costs and mounting congestion, a problem the Department of
Transportation has been highlighting this week.
But Mineta said in an interview with Traffic World that increasing weight limits
is not an option due to the standards to which U.S. roads and bridges have been
engineered.
"With our 80,000-lb. limit, bridges have been designed, roads have been designed
to the 80,000-lb. limit," Mineta said, noting that the conflicting truck weight
limits between the United States and Canada and Mexico has been a key problem
in opening U.S. roads to foreign trucks as directed by the North American Free
Trade Agreement.
Mineta, however, left open the possibility of raising federal truck length
limits, especially if the change is made as a sweetener to trucking industry
support for tolled truck-only highway lanes.
"It may be that triple-trailers in truck-only lanes may be okay," he said. "We
haven't come to a conclusion on that."
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FMCSA Announces Grant Program for CDL Program
Improvements
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced on Tuesday, May 9 th
, the availability of Commercial Driver's License Program Improvement (CDLPI)
grant funding as authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This act
establishes a program for the improvement of the commercial driver's license
(CDL) program. The program is a discretionary grant program funded by a single
source. It provides funding for improving implementation of the State's CDL
program, including expenses for computer hardware and software, publications,
testing, personnel, training, and quality control. Grants made under this
program may not be used to rent, lease, or buy land or buildings. The Agency in
each State designated as the primary driver licensing agency responsible for
the development, implementation, and maintenance of the CDL program is eligible
to apply for and receive grant funding. Applications for grant funding should
be sent to the FMCSA Division Office in the State where the applicant is
located no later than June 8, 2006.
The funding being made available in FY2006 through SAFETEA-LU will be used to
implement new initiatives as well as to continue to make related program
improvements and build on the successes already achieved. SAFETEA-LU authorizes
CDLPI through FY2009.
Click here to
review the entire notice as it appeared in the Federal Register.
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Uniform Carrier Registration Plan BOD Announced by FMCSA
On Friday, May 12th, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced
the establishment of a Board of Directors for the Unified Carrier Registration
Plan mandated under SAFETEA-LU. The Board will be responsible for issuing rules
and regulations to govern the Uniform Carrier Registration Agreement (UCR
Agreement). The UCR Agreement is the replacement system for the Single State
Registration System (SSRS) due to expire on January 1, 2007. The UCR Agreement
will govern the collection and distribution of registration and financial
responsibility information provided and fees paid by for-hire and private motor
carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies. The Secretary of
Transportation established the initial 15-member Board of Directors by direct
appointment due to the imminent sunsetting of SSRS and the potential for
significant loss of revenue to the 39 participating States if work is not
completed prior to January 1, 2007. FMCSA plans to solicit in the Federal
Register nominations for successor membership prior to expiration of terms of
membership. The initial appointments to the Board of Directors are effective
beginning June 1 st , 2006 and are as follows:
U.S. Department of Transportation.
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The Deputy Administrator of FMCSA will represent the Department. In the absence
of a Deputy Administrator, the Secretary would appoint another such
Presidential appointee from the Department to represent the agency.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
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Anthony D. Portanova, Deputy Commissioner , Connecticut Department of Motor
Vehicles (CTDMV) is being appointed to represent the FMCSA Eastern Service
Center .
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Angel O. Oliver, Supervisor, Credentialing Unit, Motor Carrier Division, Texas
Department of Transportation (TXDOT) is being appointed to represent the FMCSA
Southern Service Center.
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Ruth Sluzacek, Director of Motor Carrier Services, Iowa Motor Vehicle Division,
Iowa Department of Transportation, is being appointed to represent the FMCSA
Midwestern Service Center .
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Frank Laqua, Administrator of Motor Carrier Services, North Dakota Department
of Transportation is being appointed to represent the Western Service Center .
State Agencies. NCSTS has nominated, and the Secretary has appointed, the
following individuals to represent State agencies on the Board:
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Avelino A. Gutierrez, Staff Counsel, New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
(NMPRC).
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Barbara Hague, Special Projects Coordinator, Missouri Department of
Transportation Motor Carrier Services (MODOT).
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Dave Lazarides, Director of Processing and Information, Illinois Commerce
Commission, Transportation Bureau; Program Manager, Commercial Vehicle
Information Systems and Network for the State of Illinois .
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William Leonard, Director of the Freight Compliance and Safety Bureau, New York
Department of Transportation (NYDOT).
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Terry Willert, Chief, Transportation Section, Colorado Public Utility
Commission (COPUC).
Motor Carrier Industry
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ATA representative. Robert C. Pitcher, ATA Vice President, State Laws Division,
is being appointed to represent the national trade association representing the
general motor carrier of property industry.
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OOIDA representative. Rick Craig, Owner Operator and Independent Driver
Association, Treasurer and Director of Regulatory Affairs and the Executive
Director of the OOIDA Foundation is being appointed to represent small motor
carriers that fall within the smallest fleet fee bracket.
Other motor carrier industry representatives:
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Robert A. Voltmann, Transportation Intermediaries Association, President and
Chief Executive Officer, is being appointed as the third motor carrier industry
representative.
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Richard P. Schweitzer, National Private Truck Council, General Counsel, is
being appointed as the fourth motor carrier industry representative.
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Mr. Craig Sharkey, Wal-Mart, Associate General Counsel for the Logistics
Division, is being appointed as the fifth motor carrier industry
representative.
Click here,
to review the announcement in its entirety as it appeared in the Federal
Register .
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MacKinnon Transport Road Master Driver Program
At MacKinnon Transport, we recognize the distinct difference between a truck
driver and a certified road professional. We greatly appreciate and highly
esteem the skillful and dedicated professionalism of our drivers.
Driving a tractor trailer is not an effortless profession. Certified road
professionals are in an expert league of their own. For this reason, we have
developed the MacKinnon Transport Road Master Driver Program . This
program has been developed specifically for qualified drivers and
owner-operators active within our fleet. The philosophy of this program is to
recognize drivers and owner-operators whom, by their experience, education and
demonstrated abilities, attitude, and commitment, belong to an expert league of
professionals who are amongst the very best in the industry.
It is our goal at MacKinnon Transport Inc. to promote professionalism by
recognizing individuals for their outstanding performance and achievements.
Drivers and owner-operators are encouraged to participate in this special
program to formally demonstrate their dedication and continued commitment to
professionalism.
To participate in this program, eligible applicants must apply through the
Safety Department and meet the following prerequisites:
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be recommended by MacKinnon Transport Inc.
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have at least three (3) years commercial driving experience (articulated
vehicle)
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have an abstract with no more than two (2) moving violations in the last 12
months, no more than a culmination of three (3) violations in the last three
(3) years, and a zero (0) tolerance for alcohol in the last three (3) years
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associated with MacKinnon Transport as a driver or owner-operator for a minimum
period of six (6) consecutive months.
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agree to strive to meet the MacKinnon Transport Inc. Code of Ethics
The MacKinnon Road Master Driver Program has four separate components
in which drivers may achieve formal recognition.
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MacKinnon Certified Road Master – Bronze
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MacKinnon Certified Road Master – Silver
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MacKinnon Certified Road Master – Gold
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MacKinnon Certified Road Master – President's Award
MacKinnon Certified Road Master Level - Bronze
Prerequisites:
Applicants must:
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Enroll and successfully complete the Canadian Trucking Human Resource Council's
Professional Driver Recognition Program. This program allows drivers to
validate their knowledge in an open book knowledge test format against the
national occupational standard for professional truck driving. Successful
candidates will receive certification from CTHRC as a Professional Certified
Driver.
MacKinnon Certified Road Master - Silver
Prerequisites:
Applicants must:
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Successfully achieve the requirements, and maintain the standards of, the
MacKinnon Certified Road Master - Bronze; and
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Attend two mandatory company safety meetings per year or a pre-approved
alternative based training program; and
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Attend an approved Defensive Driver Course for commercial drivers and
re-certify once every five (5) years; and
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Owner-operators must attend and complete a company approved Business Skills
seminar; or
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Company drivers must attend a Fleet Smart Fuel Saving course once every five
(5) years; and
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Achieve a minimum of five (5) years verifiable accident free driving
MacKinnon Certified Road Master - Gold
Prerequisites:
Applicants must:
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Successfully achieve the requirements, and maintain the standards of, the
MacKinnon Certified Road Master - Silver; and
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Be regularly employed by, or contracted to, MacKinnon Transport Inc. for a
minimum of three (3) consecutive years; and
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Achieve a minimum of 10 years verifiable accident free driving
MacKinnon Certified Road Master – President's Award
The President's Award will be presented to any driver or owner-operator remains
who demonstrates exemplary performance as a member in good standing of the MacKinnon
Certified Road Master Program at any level. Members of this program
are encouraged to participate in advanced, skill level training or be an active
volunteer within their community. The application deadline for this award is
November 1 st . Recipients will be selected based on their successful
completion of skills upgrading and/or active community involvement. This award
will also be presented to those who have achieved 20 + years verified accident
free driving.
Members of the MacKinnon Certified Road Master Program will be awarded
a certificate of achievement, lapel pin, a vehicle decal and other special
recognition. Members must maintain their certification to remain in good
standing.
MacKinnon Transport Inc.
DRIVER CODE OF ETHICS
Drivers shall do their best to:
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First and foremost, place the SAFETY of the public and themselves as a primary
goal.
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Strive to COMMUNICATE in an HONEST and PROFESSIONAL manner.
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Meet customer needs in a SAFE, TIMELY, and PROFESSIONAL manner.
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Take PRIDE in personal appearance by presenting themselves in a NEAT and CLEAN
fashion as well as acting in a PROFESSIONAL manner at all times.
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Maintain and RESPECT all equipment, facilities, and grounds of both customer
and the Company as if they were their own.
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Be LOYAL to MacKinnon Transport Inc. by promoting and supporting company GOALS
and initiatives.
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Always be POLITE, COURTEOUS, and HELPFUL; never argue with a customer, always
strive to resolve misunderstandings in a PROMPT and COOPERATIVE manner with the
appropriate personnel.
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Take the time to LISTEN, LEARN, and pass on the KNOWLEDGE that has been
attained, remembering that all are part of the MacKinnon TEAM .
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Take RESPONSIBILITY for their own decisions - actions and LEARN from errors.
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Treat all persons with RESPECT regardless of such factors as race, religion,
gender, disability, age or national origin.
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Strive to be the strongest link in the chain, by being CARING, CONSIDERATE, and
HELPFUL toward other team members.
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Be aware of fellow drivers' feelings. Look out for other drivers' needs by
leaving equipment in proper order. Give ASSISTANCE when needed. Be THOUGHTFUL
in an effort to set the next driver up for success.
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PROMOTE truck driving as an honorable profession.
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Strive to conduct themselves in a PROFESSIONAL manner at all times in
conformance with Company policies, laws of the land and this CODE OF ETHICS.
Article written by Ray Haight. For more information, please contact
Rick Miller, VP of Operations, MacKinnon Transport, Inc.
519-763-1600/rmiller@mackinnontransport.com
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Attention Amateur Photographers: Give TCA Your Best Shot
and Win $1000! CONTEST DEADLINE – JUNE 16, 2006
TCA's Truck Driver Photo Contest is open to any truck driver who is currently
employed with or leased to a trucking company. Photographs from professional
photographers will not be accepted. No more than three photos may be submitted
per driver. The photos should capture life on the road and portray trucking in
a positive light. Digital photos are accepted as long as you include a print
out of the photo and the digital file is 300 dpi or larger to ensure a high
enough resolution.
Applicants should clearly label each photo with their name, address, telephone
number, and company name, address, and telephone number. Please do not write on
the back of the photo, use an address label or separate piece of paper affixed
to the back. Any information you can provide on where you took the photo and
the subject of the photo is appreciated.
Contest Prizes!
The grand prize winner will receive $1,000.
The 2nd place winner will receive $750.
The 3rd place winner will receive $500.
4th through 6th place winners will each receive $100.
Honorable mentions will receive $50 each.
Thank you to S-Line, Inc. and American Graphics Group , the generous sponsors of
this contest. Visit www.truckload.org
for more details. E-mail noliddy@truckload.org
or call 703-838-1950 with any questions.
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