the Western Flyer Xpress - Western Flyer Express

April 2018

the

Western Flyer

Xpress

Our newest groups of Company Drivers and Independent Contractors -Welcome Aboard!

James Ford – IC, Justin Hargraves – OFC, Larry Morris – IC, Joshua Kohl – IC, Freddie Fields – IC, Michael Mills – IC, Tristan Carroll – IC, Frank Pisco – IC, James Nutt – IC, Donald Borre – IC, Margarito Gutierrez – CO, Daniel Looper – IC, Dennis Parr – IC, Jeffrey Burk – IC, Michael Schaan – IC, Christopher Brantner – IC, John McGovern - CO, Shawn Paul - IC

Raymond Tripeaux – CO, Justin Bullard – CO, Terry Waldrup – IC, Harold Payne – IC, Edgar Wilson – IC, Cleveland Atkison – IC, Ricky Collier – IC. Not pictured: Dawit Solomon, Gordon Pruitt, Antonio Redding.

March 2018

ORIENTATION GROUPS Our newest groups of Company Drivers and Independent Contractors -Welcome Aboard!

Pablo Arvizu – CO, Arthur Keith – IC, Michael Land – CO, William Miller – IC, Michael Matthes – CO, Michael Tinnin – CO, Darius Lynch – IC, Joel Molnoskey – IC, James Miller – IC, Edward Coleman – IC, Joseph Carroll – IC, Charles Nay – IC, Damon Dempsey – IC.

Ralph Clark – IC, Mitchell Chastain – CO, Jeffery Riley – IC, Kimberly Ellis – IC, Danielle Lee – IC, Donald Lee – IC, Richard Davis – IC. Not pictured: John Planty.

March 2018

ORIENTATION GROUPS

Charles Davis – IC, Nathaniel Smith – IC, Jeffrey Brownlow – IC, Jeffrey Williams – IC, Marco Mena – IC, Mathew Hanson – IC, James Walker – IC, Christopher Orr – IC, Matthew Medrano – IC, Trinity Haney – IC, Gregory Baker – CO, Benjamin Stearley – IC, Tim Case – IC, Adlai Ferrel – CO, Nathan Forwalder – CO

WELCOME NEW ADMIN & SHOP TEAM MEMBERS! Name Austin Eddleman Rebecca Youmans Zachary Hanes Mark Hart Richard Fritzemeyer Sandy Newton Brian Weddle Paul Kounovsky Scott Smith Sarrah Moss Tracy Loyd John Mcneill Kevin Goelz Careylynn Reese Courtney Holman Heather Poole Daniel Mcgahey Brandon Mitchell

Position Inbound Tech Weekend Dispatcher Fleet Manager Truck Technician Trailer Tech Customer Service Rep In Training Trailer Tech Swing Shift Trailer Tech Weekend Dispatcher Customer Service Rep In Training Customer Service Rep In Training customer Service Rep In Training Fleet Manager Customer Service Rep In Training Recruiter Trailer Tech Trailer Tech

Dept. Maint Ops Ops Maint Maint Ops Maint Ops Maint Ops Ops Ops Ops Ops Ops Rec Maint Maint

Date 3/21/2018 3/26/2018 3/26/2018 3/28/2018 3/29/2018 3/29/2018 4/1/2018 4/2/2018 4/2/2018 4/2/2018 4/2/2018 4/16/2018 4/16/2018 4/16/2018 4/18/2018 4/23/2018 4/23/2018 4/29/2018

SAFETY SEEING AND ANTICIPATING HAZARDS A hazard can be defined as any road condition or other road user (driver, bicyclist, pedestrian) that’s a possible danger. As an example, a car in front of you is headed towards the freeway exit, but his brake lights come on and he begins braking hard. This could mean that the driver is uncertain about taking the off-ramp. He might suddenly return to the highway. If the driver quickly cuts back in front of your truck, it’s no longer just a hazard, but is now an emergency. Seeing hazards allows you to have a plan of action to avoid an emergency. In the example above, you might make a lane-change or simply slow down to avoid a crash if the car suddenly cuts in front of you. A driver who didn’t see the hazard until the slowing car pulls back onto the freeway in front of him would have to do something very sudden, such as braking hard or making a quick lane-change. Both of these actions are more likely to lead to a crash.

WATCH FOR ROAD HAZARDS Road hazards encountered by professional drivers appear in many forms. They can be naturally occurring, man-made, or a combination of the two. Road hazards are the characteristics of the road surface, shape, or contour that could adversely affect a driver’s ability to control his vehicle or see clearly. Work Zones – When people are working on the road, it’s a hazard. There may be a narrowing of lanes, sharp turns, or uneven surfaces. Other drivers often do not slow and may drive erratically. Drive slowly, turning on your headlights and fourway flashers prior to entering the construction area to warn other drivers behind you and the construction workers themselves. Drop-Offs – After a long, hard winter, erosion often causes the pavement to drop-off sharply near the edge of the road, especially on two-lane highways. Driving too near the edges can suddenly tilt your truck/trailer toward the side of the road.

The professional driver will always be looking for and anticipating hazards while on the road. WATCH FOR “PEOPLE” HAZARDS Distractions – People who are distracted are hazards. Watch for where they are looking. If a driver is looking elsewhere, he/she can’t see you. Be alert even when a driver is looking at you, as he may believe he has the right-of-way even if he doesn’t. Children – Children tend to act quickly and without checking traffic. In the midst of playing, children may not look for traffic and become a serious hazard. Disabled Vehicles – Drivers changing a tire or fixing a mechanical problem often don’t pay attention to the dangers of roadway traffic and are often careless. Watch for raised vehicle hoods and jacked up wheels. Impaired Drivers – Drivers who are sleepy, had too much to drink, are on drugs or physically ill, are all hazards.

Foreign Objects – Debris on the roadway can be hazardous for the professional driver. Some obstacles can appear to be harmless, but can ultimately be very dangerous. Stay alert for objects of all sorts, so you can see them early enough to avoid them without making sudden, unsafe moves. Accident Scenes – Accidents on the roadway are particularly dangerous and obviously unexpected. Passing drivers tend to look at the accident and are not observant as to where they are heading. Vehicles may be required to slow or stop suddenly due to an accident scene. When traffic is stopped for an accident just over the crest of a hill or after rounding a curve in the highway, tragedies often occur.

Watching and anticipating hazards buys you time to plan a way out of an emergency. Be safe out there!

MAINTENANCE

Spring Time Driving Tips Spring showers bring flowers but also bring a handful of seasonal driving hazards. Find out what to avoid, and use our spring driving tips to get you and your truck SAFELY to SUMMER! With winter fading into the background and better weather all around, you'd think the roads would finally be safe again. This isn't always the case.

Rainy days and flooding: Spring rain brings slippery road conditions and flooding. According to the Federal Highway Administration, rain was a culprit of 46% of all weather-related crashes from 2005 to 2014, and wet pavement in general accounted for 73% of accidents.

What makes rain and wet pavement so dangerous? Slippery roads reduce your truck’s handling and increase the distance it takes to stop (up to 4 times normal stopping distance is needed). Big puddles can also cut down on tire traction and could lead to hydroplaning.

Hail season: Beware of hailstorms, particularly if you live in a hail-belt state (Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri). Even small hailstones can shatter

windshields, and raining balls of ice are never good for the roads.

Road wear and tear: In many states, winter wreaks havoc on the roads. Snow plows, salt, sand, and the aftermath of ice can all leave roads a bit battered. Once snow melts away, expect to drive over new potholes.

Animal activity: Animals are incredibly active during spring. Some are emerging from hibernation, and others are entering mating season. This could mean that more animals are crossing roadways and roaming around. Many animals, especially deer, are most active at dawn or dusk.

More cycles on the road: Spring also brings cyclists out of hibernation. Driving alongside cyclists (motor and manual) can make traffic maneuvers much more dangerous. Keep your eyes peeled for cyclists out there!

Safety Tips:  Check your lights: Since

spring rain hinders driving visibility, make sure all your lights work, including headlights, taillights, backup lights, turn signals, parking lights, and brake lights.

 Replace your wiper blades:

Worn-out wiper blades may not be up to the task of clearing water away from your windshield. Check your wiper blades and replace them if necessary, usually once a year.

 Check your tire pressure:

Harsh winter weather can deflate your tires. Make sure you have enough air in them once spring rolls around. As a bonus, proper tire pressure can also help you increase your MPG.

 Slow down and drive

carefully: The first few rainy days of spring can produce exceptionally slippery roads due to oil and other leaked fluids mixing with rainwater. Slow down and increase your stopping distance when it's raining.

 Keep your eyes peeled for

bad road conditions: Remember that harsh winter weather breeds potholes and other driving obstacles.

 Watch out for animals:

This is especially important during the early morning and evening when animals are most active.

WELLNESS 5 Healthy Snacks to Satisfy Your Workday Hunger Snacking can be an important part of a healthy diet. Healthy snacks can provide midday energy boosts and fuel for exercising, and can help decrease your hunger and the odds of overeating at mealtime. Try incorporating these five simple snacks into your meal plan. Almonds—1.5 ounces of almonds (about 35 nuts) provides enough fiber, protein and good fats to keep you feeling full until your next meal. Greek yogurt parfait—1 cup of Greek yogurt with berries is a great way to get protein, calcium, fiber and antioxidants. Blueberries and mini Babybel cheese—1 cup of fresh blueberries has only 80 calories. When paired with two mini Babybel cheeses, you get a high dose of fiber, antioxidants, protein and calcium. Apple and ½ cup roasted chickpeas—Apples are fat-, sodium- and cholesterol-free. What’s more? One medium-sized apple has less than 100 calories. When paired with ½ cup roasted chickpeas, you get a snack that provides protein, and good fats and carbs. Veggies with hummus—Snacking on raw, fiberrich vegetables during the day can help keep you full between meals. For extra protein, eat your veggies with hummus. Be sure to check the serving size on your hummus container to keep your portion size in check.

Do You Know the Signs of a Kidney Stone? A recent study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings journal found that the prevalence of kidney stones has increased more than fourfold in women and more than twofold in men over the past 30 years. If treated in a timely fashion, kidney stones usually don’t cause permanent damage. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following: • Pain so severe that you can't sit still or find a comfortable position • Pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever or chills • Blood in your urine • Difficulty passing urine

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DRIVER RECOGNITION

CONTRACTOR RECOGNITION

PERFORMANCE RECOGNITION - COMPANY TOP COMPANY VAN PERFORMERS 4/1/2018 – 4/30/2018

Rank

Unit

Company Driver Name

Miles

MPG

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2637 5143 3192 3150 2655 5159 2427 3130 3111 2641

RANDY ERNST JOSE SERRATO BRIAN SMITH RALPH HOLT SR MICHAEL BAUER JAMES WARD JR RICHARD EAGLER NATHAN ARMSTRONG KENNETH NAGEL ROY SCHLICHTING

13815 12218 12159 11997 11947 11895 11449 10932 10824 10561

8.51 8.36 8.27 8.61 8.51 8.32 8.25 8.36 8.45 8.42

TOP COMPANY REEFER PERFORMERS 4/1/2018 – 4/30/2018 No company drivers met qualifications Randy Timms says, “Let’s get rolling Reefer Drivers! Reefer drivers who meet qualifications next month automatically receive $100!” TOP 5 COMPANY TEAM DRIVERS 4/1/2018 – 4/30/2018

Rank

Unit

Company Team

1

2609

DARRELL & STELLA COWLES

2

2475

JOHNNY & REBECCA CAPRIOLA

3

2473

THOMAS & SUSETTE JONES

4

2621

CHARLES CHARLESTON & MARIA SKZUP

5

2441

JUAN & MARIA LANDA

PERFORMANCE RECOGNITION - CONTRACTORS TOP 10 CONTRACTOR VAN PERFORMERS 4/1/2018 – 4/30/2018

RANK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

UNIT 2657C 2504C 5137C 2408C 2430C 5119C 4153C 5134C 2648C 2419C

CONTRACTOR DENNIS SANDERS LENARDO JOHNSON BRIAN ALFRED JOHN HORTON ROBERT MCMILLAN MICHAEL HEDRICK TIMOTHY SHELTON DOUGLAS TABOR JEANA BANKS-WALKER RIEL ROGERS

MILES 16133 16080 16027 15266 14928 14917 14612 14578 14292 14211

TOP 5 REEFER CONTRACTORS 4/1/2018 – 4/30/2018

RANK 1 2 3 4 5

UNIT 3109C 5529C 2451C 3165C 2459C

CONTRACTOR MILES BRUNER VERN GREENE O’NEILS ANDREWS ARNOLD BAKER DAVID HARGROVE

MILES 14675 14674 14036 13650 13636

TOP 5 TEAM CONTRACTORS 4/1/2018 – 4/30/2018

RANK 1 2 3 4 5

UNIT 2645C 2627C 2469C 2642C 2448C

CONTRACTOR TEAM MELVIN NOBLE & BRENDA MILLER EDDIE & FREDERICKS SHIVERS RUSSELL & JAMIS BOLEY DAVID MENFREE & WILLIAM TAYLOE KENNETH & KIMBERLY WIGGINS

MILES 24620 23596 23528 22052 20701

LET’S CELEBRATE MAY! KARL HOLEHOUSE

4/2

RUFUS MASON

4/2

KENNETH WILLIAMSON II

4/2

JESSE WATSON

4/9

CARL BURDETT

4/20

ROBIN STATON

4/3

RODNEY COARTNEY

4/10

DANIEL ADAME

4/20

WILLIAM GALLOWAY

4/4

KEITH BROCK

4/10

DALE LECHNER

4/22

WILLIAM RITCHIE

4/5

ARTHUR KEITH

4/10

LUVADA CONAWAY

4/22

SPENCER CHOI

4/5

SAMANTHA FERRELL

4/10

CHARLES GRAVES

4/23

EARL KELLY

4/7

NATHAN L ARMSTRONG 4/11

JAMES WARD JR

4/24

DENNY LOFTEN JR

4/7

BRUCE WAHL

4/12

GEORGE SANCHEZ

4/24

LEWIS HINKLE

4/7

DANNY ROBBINS

4/12

DIANA SHEPHERD

4/26

GREGORY RODRIGUEZ

4/7

SHAWN MILLER

4/13

JACK WALL

4/27

DARRELL COWLES

4/9

LYLE INGALLS

4/13

MARIA LANDA

4/27

BENNY NEWCOMB

4/9

TYRONE DOUGLAS

4/14

MARK LABOLLE

4/27

KIMBERLY WIGGINS

4/9

MILES BRUNER

4/15

WENDILL LEE OWEN

4/29

NATHANIEL SMITH

4/9

BARRY HENRY

4/17

JOHNNY HAWKINS

4/29

JOEL MOLNOSKEY

4/9

WADE MEADE

4/17

MARIO MILTON

4/30

TRAVIS BELLEW

4/9

JUSTIN NESS

4/18

BRITTANY SANDERS

4/30

LARRY HARLOW

1 year

RANDY ERNST

2 years

FERDINAND LOPEZ

1 year

SHELDON MORTON

2 years

KELLY GRAY

1 year

DANNY G ROBBINS

2 years

JEFFERY GOOLSBY

1 year

JOE RAINES

2 years

ARTIE GRAY JR

1 year

CARLOS TORRES

2 years

MESUMBE MBONG

1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year

MICHAEL KIRSCH

2 years

LAWRENCE BLEDSOE

2 years

ROBERT SCHMIDLI

2 years

CHARLES GRAVES

3 years

MICHAEL FISHER

3 years

LESLIE WASHINGTON

4 years

IVEY WILLIAMS

5 years

DAVID EVANS JR

8 years

CARL GATES

9 years

KEITH KEELING VERN GREENE JEANA BANKS-WALKER FRANK STEVENSON BRYAN WEST ROBERT BAKER JARED HALFORD LANCE JACKSON GREG MOORE

President’s Corner

A lot of us would like to move mountains, but few of us are willing to practice on small hills. Rodney Timms