Posts Tagged ‘Freight haulers’

Looking At The Causes Of Rollovers

By David Lemke

Many rollovers happen when drivers try to return to the road after putting a tire off the pavement. You can rut in soft ground or catch a pavement separation here and go over. If you put a wheel off the pavement or even onto a paved shoulder that may have separations, straighten the rig out and bring it to a stop. Don’t try to return to the road at speed. Get out of the rig, carefully inspect the site and determine that you can get back on the road without catching or tripping a tire before you move out again. If you do decide to drive it back on, return to the road as slowly as possible and at as shallow an angle as possible. The more steer you put in the easier it is to go over.

If it looks too bad, call a wrecker! We are not kidding here, we know that some drivers have gone off the road and come back without rolling the rig, but hundreds of others have also tried and rolled the rig! DRIVE SAFE

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

Changes Are Just Part Of What We Are Doing

By Nicole Castrovince

The Navajo recruiting department has seen a lot of changes recently and we wanted to take a moment and share some of those things with all of you.

We recently welcomed a new Director of Recruiting named Leslie Compton. She brings a wealth of knowledge and many fresh new ideas to our team. We are excited to pass the reins over to her so she can continue evolving our team in a positive direction.

We also recently began phasing out some of our older trucks and are bringing in more brand new equipment! This is exciting as Navajo has always been known for its premiere equipment! A lot of what gets other drivers to notice our company is how nice our trucks are, so thank you to all the drivers who always keep their equipment looking amazing!

The biggest change in our department has by far been our recent pay increase. After receiving a variety of feedback concerning our pay scale, Navajo decided to alter our pay structure and we have now been receiving more positive feedback! We increased the pay for someone with 6 months-1 year experience by .07 cents per mile! This change made us not just in line with industry standards, but above most other companies in this category. At Navajo, we are striving for excellence every day and we will continue to stay competitive in our markets! 

Our new pay scale in print:

Years of Experience Solo Team
6 months -5 Years .30 CPM (add .05 for Doubles) .44 CPM split
6 Years .31 CPM (add .05 for Doubles) .44 CPM split
7 Years + .32 CPM (add .05 for Doubles) .44 CPM split

 

All of these changes are just a part of what we are doing in Recruiting to keep supplying Navajo with the safest, most qualified and dedicated drivers.  We look forward to sharing other changes in the near future! Stay tuned!

OBSERVABLE DEFECTS & CSA Inspections

By David Lemke

One of the major reasons for inspections is driving with “Observable Defects” – driving equipment with visible problems.  Inspectors are trained to look for exactly these kinds of visual violations, so if an inspector sees one observable problem, the inspector is likely to conclude that there are other violations as well.  An observable defect DARES the inspector to initiate an inspection.  Observable defects can be significantly reduced through DRIVER CONTROLLABLE behavior, such as quality pre-trip inspections.

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

Things Are Heating Up

By Gwyne Presser

It’s Hot. Miserably hot. I know it’s summer in Colorado and it sometimes gets hot, but it usually isn’t 95+ degrees in June. If it is this hot now what is July and August going to be like? After walking outside to my car a few minutes ago I seriously considered moving to Alaska, but I love Colorado so I thought I would look up some ideas for how to survive this scorching heat. Here are some of my top picks:

Wardrobe selection is key. Wear light weight, light-colored loose-fitting clothing. Verses what I chose to wear today black pants and a black long sleeved shirt.

Put the Mountain Dew Down!! Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar – these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. If you sweat allot on a hot day, sports drinks are preferred over water because they will replenish sodium. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Drink more fluids regardless of your activity level. Don’t rely upon thirst as an indicator of your need for water; it’s not reliable in very high heat.

Check with your doctor if you have health problems that require you to limit fluid intake or you’re taking diuretics - ask him/her how much you should drink while the weather is hot. I am an HR Manager I had to include a disclaimer of some kind.

Mist Away. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.

Spice Things Up.  Eating spicy foods like hot peppers, fresh ginger and black pepper will help lower your body temperature through sweating.  Hmmm, will have to try this and report back.

Hat Hair. You lose a major portion of body heat through your head, which is bad in winter but good in summer. So on hot days, don’t cover your noggin tightly with a hat.

Qualcomm Issues Helpful Tips

By Kelly Gallegos

Tip 1

If you unit is locked up and you have the manual keyboard the unit may sometimes be unlocked by pressing and holding the two shift keys down for one to two minutes. If this does not work we may need to send a soft reboot to your unit.

 

Tip 2

If your logs are not updating after they have been edited you can log off and then log back on this will force the qualcomm to update.  

 

Tip 3

If you are having problems sending your macro 18 and 19 review the information that is entered into the macro. The macro will not give you a send button until you have filled out all of the information correctly. It can be something as simple as an invalid trailer number or no phone number entered into the macro.

Avoid Truck Stop Accidents

By Ron Wristen

1. Try to park in a well-lit area, but in an area a little farther away from the restaurant, fuel pumps, etc. If you avoid the “prime” parking spots, there are fewer opportunities for getting backed into. You probably need the exercise from the extra walk anyway;
 
2. Do not park on the end of a row. This is where accidents causing the most damage occur. You can get into much more than a little fender bender when some clown turns across your hood because he or she forgot they were pulling a trailer. Being disabled in the middle of nowhere is your worst nightmare;
 
3. If you can park in between two trucks already parked for the night you have much less chance of being hit. the open spot next to you may be taken later by a guy who is tired, trying to back in the dark who more than likely is unfamiliar with that truck stop layout. You can take these kind of drivers out of play around your truck if the spaces next to you are occupied. Your fate is more in your own hands that way.
If you are involved in an accident, report it so we can do our proper investigation.

Don’t Drive Angry…

By Brandon Leonard

On the way home the other day I saw a car cut off an 18 wheeler (Couldn’t see the company). I was surprised to see that the 18 wheeler backed off and didn’t show that he was aggravated at all. 

There are so many times that I see a car cut a big rig off and then the big rig will ride the cars bumper to try to intimidate them.  This is very dangerous and can cause a very serious accident.

I just wanted to post saying when you are out there on the road, be courteous and if someone cuts you off just back off to a safe following distance and shake your head. BE SAFE OUT THERE!!!!!

Taking Ownership, Starting at Your DESK

By Douglas Webberley

On time is everything. It is our livelihood, it is our pay check, it is your job.  The owners can cry,  beg, and yes even yell, but it is your job to deliver on time and set appt’s that can be delivered on time.  That is what you and I were hired on for.  All the other stuff is for fun. Tthe driving part is fun. Talking to customer is fun, and so on. 

If you are late it then become your attitude and your professionalism in working through this dilemma.  If a planner has put in a wrong ETA or a CSR has put in a wrong delivery date and time, it is your job to be the point person on this and take the hit not the driver. 

Bottom line, we all like our pay check and we all need a career and it doesn’t get any better than what we have. So make it the best you can and deliver and schedule for on time on time on time….. And yes it is sales job to sell power alleys that can give you on time and better CSA scores.

New Cell Phone Rules For CDL Drivers

By David Lemke

FMCSA Summary of the Federal Restriction on Hand-held use of Cellular Phones for CDL Drivers
FMCSA and PHMSA issued a final rule that restricts the use of hand-held mobile telephones by interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers (CMV) and intrastate hazmat drivers. The rule does not restrict or prohibit the use of hands-free devices. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on December 2nd, 2011 and will take effect on January 3rd, 2012.
Changes:
1. The final rule prohibits CMV drivers from holding, dialing, or reaching for a hand-held cellular phone. This includes all push-to-talk functions. Hands-free use of a cellular phone is allowed. The ban does not prohibit or restrict the use of Citizen Band Radios, GPS, or fleet management systems.
a. Dialing – As defined by FMCSA, a driver is allowed to initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button on a mobile telephone or on a headset. This action should not require the driver to take his or her eyes off the road.
b. Reaching – FMCSA banned reaching for a cellular phone or hands-free device that is done in “an unacceptable and unsafe manner.” Examples of this behavior would be reaching for a cellular phone on the passenger seat, under the driver’s seat, or into the sleeper berth. To be in compliance with the rule, a driver must have a cellular phone and/or hands-free device within “close proximity” to his or her person.
2. Driver and Motor Carrier Penalties – Under the final rule, CMV drivers who are convicted of a hand-held cell violation twice within a three year period will be disqualified for 60 days. If convicted for a third violation within three years the driver will be disqualified for 120 days. Drivers will be subject to federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense. Motor carriers that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while operating a commercial motor vehicle face a maximum civil penalty of $11,000 per violation.

Walking: Free lifetime Membership to a Healthy Lifestyle

By Kelly Gallegos

While out on the road exercise is important to help improve or prevent high blood pressure, diabetes and keep your heart healthy. Most people think you need to set aside big blocks of time to exercise. When you find yourself with extra time while you wait walk around a parking lot and talk to other drivers on healthy eating alternatives out on the road. If you talk about it and track it you are more likely to stay healthy.  Take it one day at a time before you know it you will notice the difference.
 
Healthy Tip: Buy snack size baggies and bag your own snacks its much cheaper than buying them prepackaged and you are less likely to overeat if you are not eating it out of a big package. Some great things to bag up or keep on hand:
 
Grapes
Carrots
Almonds
Cucumbers
Wasa Crackers- A healthy alternative to regular crackers.
Cheese Sticks