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Published by Arkansas Trucking Report, 2019-11-27 14:47:29

ATR 5 2019 digital

Award-Winning Magazine of the Arkansas Trucking Association Vol. 24 | Issue 5 2019 | $4.95















































CHARLES


ARNOLD



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00512 ATR ad for Transpo and Logistics - 8.5x10.8125_Factory - v02.indd 1 12/6/16 12:41 PM

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00512 ATR ad for Transpo and Logistics - 8.5x10.8125_Factory - v02.indd 1 12/6/16 12:41 PM

The “category” tested consisted of Class 8 trucks with North American 12-13L engines.
Paccar MX-13 and (c) 2018 Volvo VNL670 with Volvo D13. Actual customer results for fuel economy may vary.
A26 engine against the (a) 2018 Freightliner Cascadia CA126SLP with DD13, (b) 2018 Kenworth T680 with
* Based on averaging the third party testing results for fuel economy comparing the International LT with
© 2017
, Inc. All rights reserved. All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.
































INDEPENDENT TESTS PROVE INTERNATIONAL® LT® SERIES POWERED
BY A26 BEATS THE COMPETITION BY OVER 4% ON AVERAGE*
, Inc. All rights reserved. All marks are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2017 , Inc. All rights reserved. All marks are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2017
* Based on averaging the third party testing results for fuel economy comparing the International LT with * Based on averaging the third party testing results for fuel economy comparing the International LT with
A26 engine against the (a) 2018 Freightliner Cascadia CA126SLP with DD13, (b) 2018 Kenworth T680 with A26 engine against the (a) 2018 Freightliner Cascadia CA126SLP with DD13, (b) 2018 Kenworth T680 with
, Inc. All rights reserved. All marks are trademarks of their respective owners. Paccar MX-13 and (c) 2018 Volvo VNL670 with Volvo D13. Actual customer results for fuel economy may vary. © 2017 © 2017 , Inc. All rights reserved. All marks are trademarks of their respective owners. , Inc. All rights reserved. All marks are trademarks of their respective owners. Paccar MX-13 and (c) 2018 Volvo VNL670 with Volvo D13. Actual customer results for fuel economy may vary. © 2017
The “category” tested consisted of Class 8 trucks with North American 12-13L engines. * Based on averaging the third party testing results for fuel economy comparing the International LT with * Based on averaging the third party testing results for fuel economy comparing the International LT with The “category” tested consisted of Class 8 trucks with North American 12-13L engines. * Based on averaging the third party testing results for fuel economy comparing the Internat
A26 engine against the (a) 2018 Freightliner Cascadia CA126SLP with DD13, (b) 2018 Kenworth T680 with A26 engine against the (a) 2018 Freightliner Cascadia CA126SLP with DD13, (b) 2018 Kenworth T680 with A26 engine against the (a) 2018 Freightliner Cascadia CA126SLP with DD13, (b) 2018 Kenworth T680 with
Paccar MX-13 and (c) 2018 Volvo VNL670 with Volvo D13. Actual customer results for fuel economy may vary. Paccar MX-13 and (c) 2018 Volvo VNL670 with Volvo D13. Actual customer results for fuel economy may vary. Paccar MX-13 and (c) 2018 Volvo VNL670 with Volvo D13. Actual customer results for fuel economy may vary.
The “category” tested consisted of Class 8 trucks with North American 12-13L engines. The “category” tested consisted of Class 8 trucks with North American 12-13L engines. The “category” tested consisted of Class 8 trucks with North American 12-13L engines.
International Trucks commissioned the PIT Group to conduct industry-recognized TMC Type IV fuel
economy tests comparing the International LT Series Powered by A26 with competitive 12-13L powered
tractors of similar specifications. All vehicles were tested on a 300+ mile route with hills and flatlands.
In the end, International beat all others in the test, proving that LT Series delivers tangible fuel savings
over the competition.


540
40


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RUSSELLVILLE, AR PINE BLUFF, AR LOWELL, AR LITTLE ROCK, AR
(479) 967-5800 (870) 536-4685 (479) 770-1200 (501) 945-8400
143 State Rd. 331 North 4325 Highway 65 South 807 S. Bloomington 11401 Diamond Drive
Russellville, AR 72802 Pine Bluff, AR 71602 Lowell, AR 72745 N. Little Rock, AR 72117




www.summittruckgroup.com STAY CONNECTED

IN THIS ISSUE






VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 5 2019









FEATURES



COVER STORY
28 FULL CIRCLE
COO of Twin City Transportation Charles Arnold
is back home in Arkansas
By David Monteith

CAPITOL WATCH
16 PUSH AND PULL
Scopelitis Transportation Consulting’s Sean Garney
shares with ATA Safety Management Council how to prepare
for the new National Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
By Bethany May

21 POSSIBLE HOS CHANGES CHEERED, MORE NEEDED
Arkansas trucking executives react to the long-awaited
changes proposed to the hours-of-service rules
By Steve Brawner

TRADE SECRETS
38 DEADLINE TO TRANSITION FROM
AOBRDs TO ELDs COMING
Are you ready for the transition to electronic logging devices?
By Todd Traub

SCENE AROUND
26 NEXT LEVEL SAFETY
DEPARTMENTS Recap of the 2019 ATA Safety Symposium
By ATR Staff
Up Front: by Shannon Newton 7
They Said It 8 42 TWO, FOUR, SIX, EIGHT… WHO DO WE APPRECIATE?
News in Brief 10 ATA celebrates drivers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
New Members 12 By ATR Staff
Calendar of Events 14 46 LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
Advertiser Resource Index 49 ATA hosts trucking execs at an exclusive fundraiser
Insider Trucking 50 and bowling tournament for the ATA-PAC
Stat View 52 By ATR Staff
The Last Word: by Sen. Jim Hendren 54

PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE AND COVER BY JOHN DAVID PITTMAN

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 5

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Page 1 of 1

UP FRONT



Award-Winning Magazine of the Arkansas Trucking Association
Arkansas Trucking Report is owned by the Arkansas Trucking Association,
Inc. and is published bimonthly. For additional copies, to order reprints
of individual articles or to become a subscriber to ATR, contact Caitlin
Walraven at 501.372.3462.
executive editor
SHANNON NEWTON
managing editor
BETHANY MAY
contributing writers INSURANCE LEAPS ONTO LIST
STEVE BRAWNER ANGELA THOMAS
[email protected] [email protected]
DAVID MONTEITH TODD TRAUB I recently attended the American Trucking Associations Management Conference &
[email protected] [email protected] Exhibition. I try to attend every year to meet with my colleagues and learn about the
JIM HARRIS LEA WHITE
[email protected] [email protected] issues facing the industry and what we are to do about them. The economy, technology,
art director workforce, infrastructure are all regular topics of conversation. A less popular topic of
JON D. KENNEDY
The Freelance Co. LLC, [email protected] conversation is insurance. But this year, that was the talk around many tables—the rising
production editors
SARAH SHEETS, KATIE THOMASON, CAITLIN WALRAVEN, SKYLAR HATFIELD costs, the diminishing availability and the need for some serious tort reform.
illustrator
BRENT BENNETT
[email protected] So it was less than shocking when I returned to my desk and learned that insurance
photographers
JON D. KENNEDY, JOHN DAVID PITTMAN cost/availability popped to number 4 on the 2019 Top Industry Issues list among
respondents from Arkansas. Despite the fact that the issue hasn’t made the list at all
in the last ten years!
What is going on? Why are insurance providers leaving the market? Or so steeply
www.arkansastrucking.com
president increasing rates?
SHANNON SAMPLES NEWTON
[email protected] The economy has been strong. Trucks are supporting the demand of the market, but
director of operations
SARAH NEWMAN SHEETS
[email protected] more trucks with more freight on the road with more people equals more risk. Demand
communications director for trucking business outweighs the supply of quality drivers. As the industry struggles
BETHANY MAY
[email protected] to fill trucks, to meet customer’s needs, and to find experienced drivers, inevitably the
director of safety services
SKYLAR HATFIELD standard slips somewhere.
[email protected]
director of loss prevention
MIKE BRUST But even when the economy slows down, we’ve already opened Pandora’s Amazon box
[email protected]
director of corporate services that arrived on our doorstep with “free” 2-day shipping. Customer expectations have
KATIE THOMASON
[email protected] been established that ordering online should be faster and more convenient than brick-
business development coordinator
AMANDA LAMB and-mortar stores, and that someone else will pay for it. These unrealistic expectations
[email protected]
executive assistant aren’t compatible with the safe, managed environment we want our drivers to operate.
CAITLIN WALRAVEN
[email protected]
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD When there is an accident, it’s expensive. It costs lives, livelihoods, equipment, and cargo.
DAN CUSHMAN
PAM Transport, Inc. In addition to that, you cannot pick up a newspaper without reading about the latest
President & CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS trillion-dollar verdict. The limited number of insurers still serving the trucking industry
ROCHELLE BARTHOLOMEW MARK MORRIS
CalArk International, Inc. Morris Transportation Services, LLC are faced with forfeiting judgments, and the whole industry is absorbing the costs
President President
MARR LYNN BEARDEN JAMES REED through higher rates.
Marrlin Transit, Inc. USA Truck
President CEO
GREG CARMAN G.E. “BUTCH” RICE III What can we do?
Carman, Inc. Stallion Transportation Group
President President & CEO
JOHN CULP ALAN RIELS
Maverick USA Dedicated Logistics, LLC Carriers need to do all they can to make sure that the service they are providing is
President President & CEO
JEFF HAMMONDS JEFF SMITH adequately priced to cover the insurance of providing such service. Customers and
Walmart Transportation LLC Utility Tri-State, Inc.
Vice President - Logistics President & CEO consumers need to be informed of the impact of the insurance market.
CRAIG HARPER JOHN SMITH
J.B. Hunt Transport FedEx Freight
Executive Vice President & COO President Drivers also need to be educated on the risks and armed with technology (like collision
AL HERINGER IV VICKI JONES STEPHENS
Star Transportation, LLC C.C. Jones, Inc.
Vice President President avoidance, in cab cameras, etc.) to reduce accidents and offer protection from high

JEFF LOGGINS TIM THORNE
Loggins Logistics, Inc. ABF Freight settlements in accidents. Training, policies and staff who support drivers on the road
President & CEO President & CEO
ROB LYALL DOUG VOSS should be fully invested in their safety.
Tyson Foods, Inc. University of Central Arkansas
Vice President - Transportation Associate Professor of Logistics

Distribution STEVE WALTON
MIKE MCNUTT Southern Tire Mart There’s no quick fix to reset insurance rates to pre-ecommerce days or a magic trick to
Distribution Solutions, Inc. VP Strategic Accounts
CEO, Owner bring providers back to the table after nuclear verdicts and literal insurance scams (Page
12). But while you make every effort to make your business the safest it can be, we all
An affiliate of the American Trucking
Associations need to keep talking … to customers, to drivers, to the public, to policy makers and to
Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) is an Arkansas corporation of trucking each other. There’s no solution in silence.
companies, private carrier fleets and businesses which serve or supply the
trucking industry. ATA serves these companies as a governmental affairs
representative before legislative, regulatory and executive branches of
government on issues that affect the trucking industry. The organization also
provides public relations services, workers’ compensation insurance, operational
services and serves as a forum for industry meetings and membership relations.
For information, contact ATA at:
1401 West Capitol, Suite 185
Post Office Box 3476 (72203) Shannon Newton
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Drivers Legal Plan
Phone 501.372.3462 Fax 501.376.1810 President, Arkansas Trucking Association
www.arkansastrucking.com
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 7
Drivers Legal Plan

THEY SAID IT











“LET’S GET OUT THERE “2019 was an OK



AND KICK SOME ASS.” session for truckers.



—American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear on addressing tort reform We actually did
and trial attorneys in the coming months during the conclusion of his address to
attendees at the 2019 American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & pretty well. It was
Exhibition
a great session

“We’re taking clients for trial lawyers,



through the stages deadbeats, stoners


of grief. They’re in and felons.”


denial; they’re angry. —Paul Enos, CEO of the Nevada
Trucking Association and co-chairman
of the Controlled Substances, Health
Eventually you get to and Wellness Subcommittee, on a panel
about trucking’s response to legalized
marijuana around the country at the
acceptance that this is 2019 American Trucking Associations’
Management Conference & Exhibition

U.S. trade policy.”


—Ted Murphy, a trade attorney at Sidley Austin LLP, on the complicated
appeals process for companies filing exemptions to the Office of the U.S. Trade “The
Representative
steering


“I guess I’m the wheel



Meryl Streep of knows no



generals.” gender.”

—Deb La Bree, a Missouri native and

—Former Defense Secretary James Mattis jokes after Pres. Trump called Mattis truck driver since 2007, to the Wall
‘overrated.’ Street Journal

8 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

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ARKANSAS ROAD TEAM SELECTS Since forming in 2015, Road Team
FOUR NEW CAPTAINS captains have taken their Share the
The Arkansas Trucking Association Road safe-driving program to hundreds
is pleased to announce it has added four of schools and other events throughout
new members to the Arkansas Road the state. Presentations are offered at
Team, a select group of professional no cost and can be scheduled by con-
drivers chosen for their commitment to tacting ATA at 501-372-3462.
highway safety, communication ability “In the four years since we formed
and interest in improving the image of the Arkansas Road Team, these drivers
the trucking industry. This complimen- have visited more than 100 schools,
tary outreach program of the ATA serves community groups, and events to share
as a public education service to address their experiences on the road,” said
highway safety and to educate the Shannon Newton, president of the
motoring public on safe driving, espe- Arkansas Trucking Association. “That’s
cially near large commercial vehicles. thousands of Arkansans hearing our
The following exceptional pro- story, meeting our workforce face-to-
fessional drivers were selected to the face, and learning what it takes to share
Arkansas Road Team: the road safely.”
Rodney Ashbrook (Benton, Ark.)
ABF Freight FROM ARCADE TO ROAD-READY
Chris Parker (Pine Bluff, Ark.) The video gaming and eSports mar-
FedEx Freight ket is bigger than the music or televi-
Jeff Cochran (Texarkana, Texas) sion market, and that business could be
FedEx Freight coming to a vehicle near you.
Jessie King (Bryant, Ark.) Two programmers from Daimler
FedEx Freight showcased a Mercedes-Benz that
“This year’s finalists for the users could use to play a variant of
Arkansas Road Team can claim not just Nintendo’s Mario Kart. The real car
outstanding safety records, but they was the players’ controller. The car’s
are truly community leaders who are center console screen showed the track,
passionate about their jobs to deliver enforcement officials on their knowl- and the real steering wheel and pedals
America’s freight while looking out for edge of the trucking industry, dedica- navigated a virtual go-cart through the
the safety of everyone they share the tion to safety, overall safe driving record game.
road with,” said Skylar Hatfield, direc- and ability to communicate the truck- The game was a proof of concept
tor of safety services at the Arkansas ing industry’s message. to demonstrate how programmers can
Trucking Association. “They are the best The Arkansas Road Team was made create apps that can integrate with the
ambassadors our industry has.” possible after the Arkansas Highway telematics system MBUX (Mercedes-
Candidates for the Road Team Commission awarded the asso- Benz User Experience). Possible custom-
competed in the final stage of a selec- ciation with funds from the Arkansas izations could include apps that allow
tion process on Oct. 11 in Little Rock, Commercial Truck Safety and Education drivers to pay for gas or dictate a shop-
Ark. Nominees were judged by a panel Program (ACTSEP) to promote safety on ping list, but in-car gaming is a real-
of trucking industry professionals and Arkansas roadways. 

10 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

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858.275.2190 [email protected]

others with conspiracy and wire fraud
WELCOME, for planning to intentionally crash
a 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche into a
NEW ATA MEMBERS! Freightliner, owned by an Arkansas

trucking company, in order to win the
insurance money.
Together, We Are the Power of Association Labeaud drove Lucinda Thomas’s
Avalanche into the tractor-trailer,
We welcome the following new members. Each new member switched seats with Thomas so it
adds to the Arkansas trucking industry’s collective strength to appeared she was driving, and reported
promote, protect and serve with a unified voice. to the New Orleans Police Department
that the ‘accident’ had been the truck
driver’s fault.
CARRIER MEMBERS DANA INCORPORATED An unnamed attorney was also
Maumee, Ohio
BRENT HIGGINS TRUCKING allegedly involved though not charged
Mulberry, Ark. 419.345.6430 in the indictment. The attorney paid
479.947.2366 Offers commercial vehicle driveline, axle Labeaud $7500 on the day of the crash
Number of Trucks: 22 and wheel, and tire technologies
SARACEN CASINO RESORT before a lawsuit was even filed. The
SOUTHERN CHIPS *PRIVATE Pine Bluff, Ark. attorney also told Thomas she would
Perry, Ark. 870.619.2970 receive more money if she had a neck
501.662.4499 Casino and truck stop
Number of Trucks: 11 injury, and after following the attor-
TRUCKSUITE LLC ney’s direction to visit a doctor, Thomas
ALLIED MEMBERS Winston-Salem, N.C. was also treated for a neck injury. The
336.565.7100
CONVERSION INTERACTIVE AGENCY Offers technology-based owner/operator wire fraud charges link to the lawsuit’s
Brentwood, Tenn. support program settlement in June 2019; Thomas and
800.264.2690 two others received checks for $7500.
Provides advertising and recruitment Another wire fraud charge is the
$20,000 paid to the attorney by the
For membership information, visit arkansastrucking.com trucking company.
The conspiracy charges for plan-
ning the crash carries a possible jail
NEWS IN BRIEF, While PC games for truck driving term of five years, and the wire fraud

Continued from page 10 have been around since the 1980s, this charges for the settlement payments
is the first game for Playstation and are punishable by up to 20 years behind
Xbox consoles. bars. Additionally, they could be given
world application as well. Automaker The game puts players in a story five years of supervised release and
Tesla has already introduced a slate of that trucking industry insiders know the possibility of being fined up to
classic Atari games like Centipede that well. A new driver inherits a truck from $250,000 per count after release from
can be played through the vehicle’s their father and must build a career, prison. A court date has not yet been
infotainment center. make business relationships and haul announced.
Driving games could also be used loads. From buying truck parts to mak-
to make safer drivers. The Mercedes ing a name in the local community, the ARKANSAS TRUCKING INDUSTRY
interface can already score drivers on entrepreneurial skills are marketed as HOSTS CONVOY TO SUPPORT
their performance. “We have lots of part of the game. SPECIAL OLYMPICS
employees from the gaming industry On Sept. 21, Arkansas trucking
working on user interfaces,” Daimler’s INSURANCE FRAUD SCAMMERS companies and truck drivers joined
research chief Markus Schaefer says, INDICTED FOR FAKE TRUCK forces with law enforcement to host a
“The key task is to bring about a change CRASH convoy raising funds and awareness for
in consumer behavior.” Five people have been accused of the Special Olympics Arkansas.
And for traditional gamers who staging a 2017 truck crash in New The Truck Convoy® is a unique
want a regular controller instead of a Orleans in an elaborate insurance fraud one-day celebration of the trucking
real car, a new story-driven game is the scheme. industry and its support of Special
first truck driving simulation game, The federal indictment charges Olympics. Local law enforcement makes
Truck Driver, for a console. Louisianan Damian Labeaud and four special dispensation and escorts a con-

12 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

celebrate the athletes and support their deliver packages for pay, use multiple
opportunity to shine and succeed in all drones and deliver health care supplies
areas of life.” beyond visual line of sight, which is
currently restricted unless a company
MILESTONES FOR DRONE gets special permission.
DELIVERY BUSINESS It’s the first certification of its kind,
On Oct. 1, UPS won the first-ever and according to UPS means no limits
FAA approval to operate a nationwide on the scope or size of its operations. It
fleet of drones for package delivery. The is a major step toward the delivery-by-
voy of trucks through a stretch of town. FAA said in a release that UPS Flight drone vision Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos
This year’s convoy included 155 Forward, a subsidiary of UPS, can now promised in 2013. 
trucks, representing 19 companies and
delivering over $55,000 for Special
Olympics Arkansas athletes.
Drivers gathered at FedEx Freight
in Little Rock and traveled a 25-mile
route that took about an hour to com-
plete. Immediately following the Truck
Convoy was a cook-out and a live auc-
tion of memorabilia from the day’s
events as well as flags that were signed
by the truck drivers and the athletes.”
“The Truck Convoy for Special
Olympics is an empowering movement
that my family has had the privilege
of participating in for the last six
years,” says Skylar Hatfield, director
of safety services at the Arkansas
Trucking Association. “There’s nothing
like witnessing hundreds of people
come together to help raise money for
a worthy cause. It’s a real honor to

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 13

CALENDAR OF EVENTS as part of the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s Unmanned Aircraft
Systems Integration Pilot Program.
FedEx, along with Wing Aviation,
made the Walgreens delivery to a home
DECEMBER JANUARY in Christiansburg, Virginia.
Wing is the first company to get
DECEMBER 3 JANUARY 16
ACCOUNTING & FINANCE NATMI’S WORKERS authorization from the Federal Aviation
COUNCIL 4TH QUARTER MEETING COMPENSATION, INJURY Administration to conduct these home
The Victory Building REDUCTION AND COST CONTROL deliveries.
Little Rock, Ark. The Victory Building
Little Rock, Ark.
DECEMBER 5 DNA TESTING COULD SOLVE OLD
ATA BOARD OF DIRECTORS JANUARY 23 TRANSPORTATION MYSTERY
CHRISTMAS PARTY ATA BOARD OF DIRECTORS An 82-year old transportation
Little Rock, Ark. MEETING
The Victory Building mystery may soon be solved. Bones
DECEMBER 11 - 12 Little Rock, Ark. discovered on a remote Pacific island
NATMI’S SAFETY & DOT
COMPLIANCE SERIES are thought to have been Amelia
The Victory Building Earhart, legendary American aviator
Little Rock, Ark. who famously disappeared during a
flight in 1937.
In 1940, the bones were found
SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE 2020 EVENTS but went missing until last year. They
were found again in a museum on the
MAY 6–8, 2020 Pacific island of Tarawa. Because the
ATA ANNUAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE & bones match the measurements of
VENDOR SHOWCASE Earhart, samples have been sent off for
DNA testing.
JUNE 11–13, 2020 If there’s a match, the world
ARKANSAS TRUCKING CHAMPIONSHIP will finally have answers about what
happened to Earhart. Long thought to
have died in a crash after she radioed
that she was low on fuel and had
For calendar information, visit arkansastrucking.com difficulty finding her destination,

Howland Island.
Earhart was a record-breaking
NEWS IN BRIEF, a drone delivery to a customer’s home. aviation expert and the first woman to
Continued from page 13 That milestone goes to FedEx. make a nonstop solo flight across the
On Oct. 18, FedEx Express com- U.S. and the first woman (second after
pleted the first commercial residential Charles Lindbergh) ever to make a solo
“It is the highest level of certi- drone delivery in the United States, flight across the Atlantic Ocean. ATR
fication, one that
no other company
has attained,” UPS
said. In addition,
these drones will
be allowed to fly at
night and weigh more
than 55 pounds with
cargo.
UPS will begin
soon begin delivering
to CVS customers,
but they aren’t the
first carrier to make

14 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

80 Years Of
C L A S S



















TLG Peterbilt – NW Arkansas Model 389 TLG Peterbilt – Fort Smith

479-439-8116 479-632-9140

Push and Pull




Scopelitis Transportation Consulting’s Sean Garney shares with ATA Safety
Management Council how to prepare for the new National Drug and Alcohol
Clearinghouse













“I THINK THIS IS A WIN FOR THE INDUSTRY. I THINK
IT'S GOING TO IMPROVE SAFETY. I BELIEVE THAT

One Halloween Day, a very excited IT'S GOING TO REDUCE CRASHES. IT'S GOING TO
kid runs up to the doorstep, instead of TAKE DRIVERS OFF THE ROAD. BUT AS WE SEE IN
being greeted by a resident to dole out A LOT OF THESE RULES, IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE A
a fair amount of candy to each little
zombie, princess and superhero, a bowl FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT LIFT FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS
of candy sits there. A sign says, “Please INVOLVED.”
take one.”
Sean Garney recalls the first time —SEAN GARNEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF SCOPELITIS
he may have encountered the honor TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING
system. “I’m a pretty good kid, so I take
one and walk down the stairs. And then
I look around, because the honor sys- real time, but very quick access to drug It wasn’t until 2012 that legisla-
tem is only as good as you, the person testing violation history for drivers. No tion was passed to actually create that
adhering to the honor. And I’m not say- honor system, no loopholes, just confi- database. Arkansas Trucking Association
ing I’m not honorable, but I’m saying I dence that drivers are substance-free on and many of its members were a part of
like candy.” the job. that fight for a national clearinghouse
The honor system is the way When motor carriers began to list drivers who have tested positive
Garney, vice president of Scopelitis complying with the Federal Highway on a pre-employment drug exam.
Transportation Consulting, explains the Administrations’ drug testing rules in It was a bipartisan effort with mul-
way that the trucking industry has been 1994 and trying to avoid hiring drivers tiple industry stakeholders and differ-
handling drug and alcohol use prior to using drugs or alcohol, they identified ent motor carriers coming to the table
the introduction of the Federal Motor the loophole. to craft legislation that is specific and
Carrier Safety Association’s new Drug & If a driver doesn’t disclose to prescriptive and considers multiple per-
Alcohol Clearinghouse. Though drivers employers that he failed a drug test with spectives like cost and driver privacy.
are required to be tested for substance a previous employer, carriers may not “I think this is a win for the indus-
use, loopholes allow bad actors to find know which drivers aren’t eligible to try. I think it's going to improve safety,”
ways to continue to commercially drive. drive and they can evade detection. Garney said. “I believe that it's going to
At the Arkansas Trucking To intervene, a database was rec- reduce crashes. It's going to take driv-
Association’s Safety Management ommended to track all of the viola- ers off the road. But as we see in a lot
Council’s third quarter meeting at tions. Motor carriers could check that of these rules, it's going to require a
the University of Central Arkansas in database before hiring drivers to learn if fairly significant lift for all stakeholders
Conway on Sept. 5, Garney presented they have drug and alcohol infractions involved.”
on the new Clearinghouse and how — positive drug and alcohol tests, refus-
motor carriers can prepare to comply. als to tests, actual knowledge of use, MOTOR CARRIER REQUIREMENTS
What is the Clearinghouse? “Real and return-to-duty status (a process What does that significant lift
time access,” Garney said, though he drivers must complete after violations look like for motor carriers? On Day 1
qualifies that it may not be literally to be eligible to drive again). — January 6, 2020 — the database will

16 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

have no information. It’s going to have Registering in the Clearinghouse, “The other thing to consider is
to come from somewhere, or rather, for drivers, is not a submission to how, once he registers, then it makes
someone. drug testing. They already submit to him more employable. Because all you
Though multiple parties will have that if they are commercially driving. guys are going to change your hiring
access to the Clearinghouse, only Registering means having the oppor- practices, right? One of your first ques-
FMCSA and carriers will get complete tunity to consent to sharing the test tions is going to be, ‘Are you registered
access to information. State driver results. If drivers are not looking for with the Clearinghouse? Because I can't
licensing agencies and law enforce- another job, where they will need to hire you if you're not.’ So if all your
ment will be able to see if a driver is consent to a pre-employment query of drivers are registered, what does that do
eligible to drive, but no other with the pool? So I think car-
details. Medical review offi- riers are going to make a lot
cers (MROs) will be able to of different decisions in this
submit drug test results, and space, and that's on you guys.”
substance abuse professionals If one of a carrier’s unreg-
(SAPs) will be able to submit istered drivers tests positive,
return-to-duty assessments his results can still be reported
and eligibility for return-to- to the Clearinghouse with-
duty testing. MROs and SAPs out registering. But within 24
can both submit and verify, hours carriers will be required
but cannot view, information to attempt to pull a full query
in the database. Drivers will of that driver. Full queries
just have access to their own require consent through the
records and be able to verify Clearinghouse. If the driver
accuracy. isn’t registered, a letter will be
All carriers with driv- typed, printed, put in an enve-
ers operating in the U.S. can lope, sent to the address on his
start registering for the clear- CDL. It’s a very slow process for
inghouse today by visiting everyone involved.
clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/ An attendee asked Garney,
Register. “What if a driver doesn’t have
“I consider it a push and a an email address?”
pull system,” he said. “Motor The registration process
carriers both have to pull includes multistep verification,
information out, that's what and the second step is for the
most people are pretty familiar registrant to verify through
with, but we have also got to email. If there is no email,
put most of the information in the second step becomes ana-
there as well.” logue with the letter, envelope,
stamp, mail truck, etc.
DRIVER REQUIREMENTS their past tests and never incur a drug For new drivers, Garney suggested
Drivers have a part to play as well. and alcohol violation, then they may that carriers require potential hires to
The Clearinghouse only applies to not even need to register. register before going too far down the
commercial driver license (CDL) hold- “If you've got an A+ driver, he might recruiting process to ensure a quicker
ers. Carriers may randomly test com- not ever need to register if you feel pretty process.
mercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers in good about that. Now if he pops positive,
their companies who operate non-CDL there's going to be a bit of a rigmarole to THE PUSH
equipment, but carriers will not share get him registered,” Garney said. Garney refers to actions in the
that information in the Clearinghouse. Carriers can choose to have policies Clearinghouse as the push and pull. It’s
The loophole some drivers found requiring all of their currently employed pushing information in to share. It’s
was that they never had to tell a new drivers to register so that if there’s a pulling information out to verify that
employer that they failed a previous violation, the process for reporting and your drivers are eligible to drive.
drug test. In the Clearinghouse, driv- reviewing information is easier, but He believes the push is the part
ers will have to consent to your queries there’s a drawback to this, according to that will take some carriers by surprise
about their testing history. Garney. 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 17

because of the workload. “Motor car- along with the status of the return-to- Washington D.C. every time you want
riers are going to have to figure out duty process. to hire a driver or once a year to check
how to best push information into the The limited query, or the annual their record,” Garney said.
clearinghouse as well as pull informa- query, only asks if there is information When a carrier learns from the
tion out. You'll reap the benefits when on the driver in the system. Limited limited query that there is a violation
you pull this information out. Your queries just alert carriers that a driver history on a driver, the carrier has
colleagues will reap the benefits when has had a violation history and signals 24 hours to pull the full query which
you push this information in. And the when a full query is needed. requires the driver’s consent. “If the
system doesn't work if everybody's not It's designed to easily and quickly driver fails to, they can't drive for you.
working at it.” check without providing access to per- Full stop. Can't drive. They could per-
What information will form other non safety sensitive
carriers be required to push functions if you'd like them to,
into the Clearinghouse? but they certainly can't drive,”
Refusals to test (when a Garney warned.
driver refuses to take drug
tests, refuses to stay for “IF THE DRIVER FAILS TO, THEY CAN'T COST OF KNOWING
the entire test), alcohol DRIVE FOR YOU. FULL STOP. CAN'T At first, there are going to
confirmation tests, actual DRIVE. THEY COULD PERFORM OTHER be redundant costs to pulling
knowledge reports (direct information. Just because the
observations of actual use, NON SAFETY SENSITIVE FUNCTIONS Clearinghouse will be empty
admission of drug use, IF YOU'D LIKE THEM TO, BUT THEY on Jan. 6, 2020 does not mean
information provided by a CERTAINLY CAN'T DRIVE.” you don’t have to query; it just
previous employer, a traf- means there won’t be com-
fic citation for driving a plete information delivered to
CMV under the influence) —SEAN GARNEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF you. Making the requests are
and negative return-to-duty SCOPELITIS TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING required on Day 1, but those
tests. requests won’t be fruitful until
In the event of a viola- carriers, MROs, SAPs start
tion, carriers have three uploading information.
business days to report it. Both full and limited que-
Positive drug test results can be upload- sonally identifiable information, which ries must be paid in advance and are
ed by MROs. Some violating reports will is a protected class of information. $1.25 each. If a limited query produces
require documentation. Times, dates, Limited queries have to be done annu- results and requires a carrier to then
emails, witnesses and other contempo- ally on all drivers starting Jan. 6, 2021. pull a full query, it’s free as long as the
raneous records are going to be impor- Garney says, they're designed to carrier full queries within the 24 hours.
tant. identify drivers who are job shopping At first, carriers will need to pay to
During the rulemaking process, or working for another employer. For query AND continue to run their previ-
driver advocacy groups were concerned example, “He's working for Jim, but he ous employer screenings on drug and
about carriers using actual knowledge wants to go work for Sandy. He applies alcohol at the same time.
threats as leverage for coercion, so those with Sandy; she makes him take a pre- The good news is that once carri-
reports should provide evidence and employment, but he fails. How are you ers start complying and pushing infor-
thorough documentation. Garney said, supposed to know that? Well techni- mation into the Clearinghouse, the
“I think they tried to be pretty litigious cally he's supposed to tell you, but does loopholes that previously plagued the
about the way that they handle actual he?” industry will start closing.
knowledge violations.” The penalty for carriers not pull- Most of the responsibility falls on
ing limited queries is a cancelled reg- carriers, but as Garney pointed out,
THE PULL istration to the Clearinghouse. “This “We stand to reap the biggest benefit,
The pull refers to two things: full undoubtedly will be a real pain in the too, along with society as a whole, by
queries and limited queries. neck for anybody that happens to, reducing accidents and eliminating
The full query, mandatory for pre- because if you get your registration can- unqualified drivers.” He emphasized
employment, reveals all of the data in celed or revoked, it doesn't mean you that the task is going to take concen-
the system on a particular driver. If don't have to use the Clearinghouse. tration and possibly creating company
they failed a test, when they failed and It just means that you can't. It means policies to get it right. ATR
for what are all included information, you're going to have to call somebody in

18 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

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Possible HOS Changes



Cheered, More Needed




Arkansas trucking executives react to the long-awaited changes proposed to the
hours-of-service rules





Dealership
MHC.COM Leasing & Rental
Truck Source By Steve Brawner
Carrier
RoadReady Contributing Writer
TRP
Arkansas trucking executives say
OVER 100 LOCATIONS IN 16 STATES the FMCSA’s proposed hours of service
provisions would provide motor carriers
some much-needed flexibility, but some
would like to see the agency go further.
The federal agency has proposed
LOCAL LOCATIONS
five modifications:

Fort Smith Springdale • Modifying the sleeper berth provi-
MHC Truck Leasing MHC Kenworth/Volvo sion to let drivers split their required
(866) 804-7860 (866) 231-8055 10-hour off-duty period into seven
hours and three hours in addition to
Jonesboro Van Buren the current 8-2 split.
MHC Kenworth MHC Kenworth • Allowing drivers to pause their
(855) 239-3593 (866) 364-4898
14-hour driving window between 30
Little Rock minutes and three hours, as long as
MHC Kenworth the driver is off duty for 10 hours
(866) 342-0951 when the 14 hours are completed.
MHC Truck Leasing • Applying the 30-minute break rule
(866) 862-5283 only when the driver has driven
MHC Carrier Transicold eight hours without a 30-minute
(866) 243-9660
non-driving interruption, and allow-
ing the driver to satisfy the require-
ment while on duty. “THAT’S WHAT THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY WANTS
• Extending the maximum driving ULTIMATELY, RIGHT?” HE SAID. “THEY WANT TO BE
window by two hours in adverse ABLE TO BE AS PRODUCTIVE AS THEY CAN FOR AS
driving conditions.
LONG AS THEY CAN, AND THIS WILL ALLOW THEM TO
• Lengthening the maximum on-duty TAKE SOME OF THOSE UNPRODUCTIVE HOURS OUT
period for short haul drivers from
12 to 14 hours, and lengthening the OF THEIR WORKDAY.”
distance from 100 air miles to 150.
—P. SEAN GARNEY, AN ATTORNEY WITH THE SCOPELITIS GARVIN
TRUCK SALES | PARTS | SERVICE | BODY SHOP | LEASING & RENTAL | FINANCE | FACTORING | CARRIER P. Sean Garney, an attorney with
the Scopelitis Garvin Light Hanson & LIGHT HANSON & FEARY
Feary transportation law firm, said the



ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 21

safer by allowing drivers to stop and
take a nap. Splitting up the hours also
lets drivers stop outside of a big city
until rush hour traffic thins.
“We’re all humans,” he said. “We
all have different sleep habits. And the
“[THE 30-MINUTE BREAK] IS NOT NEEDED IN THE way the law is written now, once they
REAL WORLD. MAYBE IT LOOKS RIGHT ON PAPER, get behind the wheel and start driving,
BUT IN THE REAL WORLD IT’S they’ve got to drive for 10 hours, and
NOT A VIABLE OPTION.” if they want to stop seven-and-a-half
hours in and take a siesta, they can’t do
it. It forces them to run another two-
—JEFF LOGGINS, PRESIDENT & CEO OF LOGGINS LOGISTICS and-a-half hours while tired.”
Greg Carman, president of
Carman, Inc., said a more flexible split
sleeper berth provision would be benefi-
cial for his regional fleet. Restrictions
on total driving time are fine, he said,
proposals are on a fast track, and the to successfully use,” he said. “That’s also but drivers would like to be able to sleep
Trump administration is eager to get probably the one that would be the most when they are tired, drive when they are
something done before the November likely target of a subsequent lawsuit.” fresh, and avoid traffic.
2020 elections. When both the
American Trucking Associations and THE CHEERS GOOD START, BUT MORE TO BE
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers PAM Transport’s Clark Gray, vice DESIRED
Association asked for additional time to president of driver resources & compli- However, some executives inter-
comment, the FMCSA gave them only ance, said pausing the 14-hour driving viewed for this story wish the agency
14 days. window would alleviate the pressure a would go further. CalArk’s Stout said
Garney said the changes came driver may currently feel to keep driv- she was disappointed with the change
about as a result of the electronic log- ing when he or she needs to rest. And because earlier this year the FMCSA had
ging device mandate. Motor carriers Scott Richardson, safety manager at indicated it would offer more flexible
asked for flexibility knowing they would Dedicated Logistics, said the proposal options. She would like to see drivers
be tracked to the minute, and the would allow drivers to rest while wait- given the option to split their hours
Trump administration heard the indus- ing for their trucks to load and unload. however is needed, as long as one of
try’s concerns. “That is something that will be the splits is a minimum of two hours,
“That’s what the trucking industry extremely helpful for our drivers, we as Canada does. That would allow driv-
wants ultimately, right?” he said. “They think,” he said. ers more flexibility when they need
want to be able to be as productive as CalArk’s director of safety, Leslie to rest and would help address issues
they can for as long as they can, and Stout, said the duty day should be set like drivers’ time spent waiting to load
this will allow them to take some of at a maximum of 16 hours regardless. and unload. A driver who spends five
those unproductive hours out of their Otherwise, with those three extra hours hours at the dock could use that time
workday.” and the two-hour adverse conditions to rest in the sleeper berth. Dedicated
Of the proposals, most were expect- provision, a driver’s day could stretch to Logistics’ Richardson also would like to
ed except for the pause in the 14-hour 19 hours. see more options. He said drivers have
clock. Garney called that change “a “I think this would be very difficult different circadian rhythms and need to
bit of a surprise to some” because the to manage from both enforcement and rest when their body tells them to rest.
agency has justified its current regula- carrier,” she wrote in an email. “And Dean Newell, Maverick
tions based on a 24-hour clock – 14 again, we still have to manage fatigue Transportation’s vice president, agreed,
hours on duty and 10 off. The change exposure, and it would be hard to do so saying, “I think the flexibility’s good.
would extend the duty day and create with a driver extending his day to 19 That’s what we’ve been asking for. I don’t
an irregular rhythm. hours.” quite understand why they limited it to
“That’s the one I think is going to Regarding the proposed change to seven and three and eight and two. Why
be hardest for FMCSA to justify from a the split sleeper berth provision, Gabe didn’t they go to six and four, possibly to
data perspective because there’s (not) a Stephens, vice president of C.C. Jones five and five? That makes sense.”
lot of data out there that they’ll be able Trucking, said it would make the public 

22 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

24

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entirely. She said it does not produce
anything of value and leads mostly to
driver frustration, and it’s difficult for
carriers and enforcers to know if drivers
“THE FMCSA LISTENED TO ALL THEIR STAKEHOLDERS are using the 30 minutes to rest.
INCLUDING DRIVING PROFESSIONALS, AND I THINK Jeff Loggins, president of Loggins
THEY HAVE COME OUT WITH A PROPOSAL THAT Logistics, also would like to see the
break eliminated. Drivers are already
APPEARS TO BE FAIR AND LOGICAL.” stopping to eat and fuel, and the cur-
rent rules force them to park on the
—CLARK GRAY, PAM TRANSPORT’S VICE PRESIDENT OF DRIVER shoulder or on a ramp because they are
RESOURCES & COMPLIANCE out of time.
“It’s not needed in the real world,”
he said. “Maybe it looks right on paper,
but in the real world it’s not a viable
option.”
The 30-minute rest break provi- hours without stopping to stretch C.C. Jones Trucking’s Stephens said
sion also received mixed reviews. PAM or go to the bathroom; his drivers the adverse conditions exception would
Transport’s Gray said the change would average 6.5 to 7.5 hours a day total. be helpful. He was neutral about it until
be beneficial. C.C. Jones Trucking’s Moreover, Maverick is a flatbed carrier one of his trucks was driving between
Stephens said it would help carriers be that requires its drivers to stop every Houston and Beaumont, Texas, during
more efficient and safer. But Newell 100-150 air miles to check their loads. the recent flooding there. The driver
said the FMCSA should simply remove Likewise, CalArk’s Stout said the change made it through the area safely after
it entirely because it’s unnecessary to the 30-minute provision would be driving through deep water. An extra
and accomplishes nothing. Few driv- better than the current rule, but her two hours of driving would have given
ers remain on the road an entire eight carrier would rather it be eliminated him more time to pass through the area
before it became hazardous.
Ed. note: At the 2019 Safety
COMMERCIAL TRUCKING SPECIALIST Symposium, Dan Horvath also noted
that when ATA surveyed members, most
said they don’t use the adverse condi-
tions exception because they aren’t sure
when they can and cannot use it. As a
response, ATA is requesting clarification
and a good definition of ‘adverse condi-
tions’ that would trigger the exception.
As for the short-haul provision
change, CalArk’s Stout said it would be
easier for carriers to comply with and
easier to enforce because it will be more
consistent with current hours of service
requirements. While Maverick’s Newell
was OK with the changes, he believes
every truck should have ELDs for
tracking purposes. He has trucks that
would be affected by the change, but
he doesn’t plan on removing the ELDs,
which the carrier uses as a time clock.
Garney, the attorney with
Scopelitis, said 650,000 drivers already
501-422-0850 are exempted, and he expects carriers to
www.richinsservices.com increase their short hauls.
225 W. Main St. ◆ Cabot, AR 72023 “After spending 10 years advocat-
ing and pushing for ELDs in trucks, this

24 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

rule could severely cut into the number up and finish his last three hours of bed is and where his family is,” he said.
of people required to use ELDs,” he said. driving.” Richardson with Dedicated Logistics
Overall, PAM Transport’s Gray gave Carman appreciates the FMCSA’s said the industry has followed the rules
the agency high marks, writing, “The attempt to add flexibility to the regu- and adopted ELDs even though they
FMCSA listened to all their stakeholders lations but worries that the changes reduced the hours drivers could travel.
including driving professionals, and I will be diluted in their final form. Now, it’s the government’s turn.
think they have come out with a propos- Regardless, the changes still would “To me this is a kind of a, ‘OK,
al that appears to be fair and logical.” apply a “one-size-fits-all solution” to a you’ve done your part as an industry.
Stephens said the rules changes diverse industry. His drivers travel 500- We’re going to do our part by trying to
would provide his carrier with much- 700 miles from their home base, and make some of these rules and regula-
needed flexibility in the wake of the it’s not uncommon for their clocks to tions be more flexible and make more
ELD mandate. When the mandate took run out within about 50 miles of their sense,’” he said. “Because we’re talking
effect, he lost 25% of his driver pool home, leaving them stranded until they about human beings. We’re not talking
because older drivers retired and left the can drive again. Carman Inc. solved about computers out there, and like I
industry early rather than alter long- that problem by hiring additional driv- said, everybody’s body works differ-
established habits. One owner-operator ers who meet the parked trucks in their ently.”
quit because he didn’t see well at night, personal vehicle, swap out with the And Mark Morris, president and
and the lack of flexibility kept him from driver, and let him come home in the CEO of Morris Transportation Services,
driving when he needed to. vehicle while they bring the truck in. said drivers need the flexibility to react
“Forcing a driver to drive the last “If he’s 50 miles from the house, to the conditions they face on the road.
two-and-a-half hours of his leg because and he’s been gone several days and “You’re talking about guys driv-
he’s already logged in and already driv- he is rested, I think it would be nice ing 80,000-pound rigs, right?” he said.
ing, and he can’t take a break is not to have a little flexibility – not a large “You’ve got to give them credit for the
safe,” he said. “It just makes sense. amount of flexibility – where he could job they do and maybe put a little bit
Safe would be allowing that guy to stop go ahead and use some occasional bump more responsibility in their hands when
and take a two-hour nap, and then get to get him on into the house where his they need it.” ATR

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ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 25

Next Level Safety




Recap of the 2019 ATA Safety Symposium

















Arkansas Trucking Association held overview of the issues the federation is
its third annual safety symposium in working on, including ELD compliance,
Little Rock on Oct 17-18. This year’s hours of service flexibility, Compliance,
line-up offered attendees two days of Safety, Accountability (CSA) shortcom-
educational workshops and network- ings, the drug and alcohol clearing-
ing opportunities to inspire companies house, recruiting entry level drivers and
to strive for “next level safety”. The more.
event attracted 44 attendees, represent- This year’s event was made possible
ing 34 companies to the Statehouse by three sponsors who are dedicated to
Convention Center. trucking safely on American highways.
Thursday morning began with
Kevin Breedlove from the Federal Motor  American Trucking
Carrier Safety Administration providing Associations’ Dan Horvath
an update on the agency’s brand new
drug and alcohol clearinghouse that
will be rolling out in January 2020.
Attendees explored downtown
Little Rock for lunch hour before recon-
vening for Bob McCall, bestselling
author of Zero Accidents & Injuries: Are
You Willing to the Pay the Price? In his
afternoon presentation, “Getting Your
Safety Performance to the Next Level,”
McCall challenged safety professionals
to create a team culture.
Friday’s sessions included insight
from Clay Merches, president of
Leading Edge Consulting, on how
compliance audits have changed since
electronic logging devices were imple-  Lytx’s Sonya
Moore
mented in 2017. Merches shared his
experience through the new audits and
how carriers can avoid problems when
creating compliant policies.
For a full national trucking
regulatory update, vice president of
safety policy at the American Trucking
Associations Dan Horvath presented
on the top issues trucking is watching
across the nation. Horvath provided an

26 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

SPONSORS



APPLICANT INFORMATION
LYTX
PREPASS SAFETY ALLIANCE




 Mike Brust and Skylar
Hatfield (ATA) welcome
attendees to the 2019
Safety Symposium









 Bestselling author
Bob McCall











 FMCSA’s Kevin Breedlove







 Leading Edge Consulting’s
Clay Merches



















 Applicant Information’s Dean Wilson




 McCall gets attendees
workshopping how to take their
safety programs to the next level




ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 27

I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE, HOW TO LOAD TRUCKS. I HAD TO

BASICALLY LEARN ALL ASPECTS OF THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY BEFORE
THEY’D LET ME GO OUT AND SELL. I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE I HAD THE
BEST MBA IN TRUCKING AN INDIVIDUAL COULD EVER HAVE.

—CHARLES ARNOLD, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF TWIN CITY TRANSPORTATION


PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN DAVID PITTMAN

28 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

COO of Twin City Transportation


Charles Arnold is back home


in Arkansas






By David Monteith
Contributing Writer

“I’ve made full circle of my career,” says Charles Arnold from
his office in Little Rock. He’s been the chief operating officer of Twin
City Transportation for a little over two and a half years. In a clean
office surrounded by family photos on his desk and shelves, Arnold
tells Arkansas Trucking Report how it feels to be back in Arkansas
with some of the best trucking companies in the nation.
Prior to moving to Arkansas to manage TCT, he spent over 20
years in Dallas, Texas, where he owned CEA Logistic Solutions, which
operated as an agent of other trucking companies. Half a dozen dif-
ferent trucking organizations shaped his leadership style and philos-
ophy before he took the reins. While the majority of his career was
spent in Texas, and included a brief stint in Memphis, everything
started in Camden, Ark., where he was born.






ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 29

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT.indd 1 10/2/19 1:56 PM

THE BEST MBA IN TRUCKING
“As a kid I used to hang out at the
trucking terminal in Camden whenever
I could, and Saturdays I spent time at
the shop,” Arnold says. I NEEDED A COO. WE [TWIN CITY TRANSPORTATION]
He spent his early years in Camden HAD THE HISTORY. WE HAD THE FACE. WE HAD
but moved to Little Rock as a teen- EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO OPERATE A SOLID
ager. After graduating from Hall High
School and attending the University of TRUCKING COMPANY. I JUST NEEDED SOMEONE TO
Arkansas at Little Rock, he moved back RUN IT. I WANTED TO STAY IN THE BUSINESS AND HE
to Camden in 1982 to begin his career WANTED TO GET FURTHER IN THE BUSINESS AND IT
in the trucking industry. At the time, WAS A GOOD MATCH.
his stepfather was one of the original
contractors with a small company
known then as Arkansas Freightways. —TERRY BURNETT, PRESIDENT OF TWIN CITY TRANSPORTATION
Arnold wanted to work for
Arkansas Freightways too, but before
he was allowed to begin working as a
salesman the company required him to
learn the ins and outs of the business. Another influential leader in “Many customers today have spe-
“I had to learn how to drive, how to Arnold’s career was Russ Gerdin, found- cial needs with their product and so we
load trucks. I had to basically learn all er of Heartland Express. Arnold says spend quite a bit of time understanding
aspects of the trucking industry before his time at Heartland taught him a lot what the shipper’s customers are want-
they’d let me go out and sell.” He says, about how to run a trucking company ing, because if the shipper’s customers
“I always tell people I had the best MBA efficiently. It also gave him a model are happy and not calling them, then
in trucking an individual could ever for the leadership style he eventually they know we’re doing a good job.”
have.” wanted to adopt. Arnold took the chance to become
He witnessed and experienced the “Whatever you directed your people the type of leader he’d learned he
growing pains of a new company. “We to do, you better be willing to do your- wanted to be by starting CEA Logistic
were the new kids on the block,” he self. He [Gerdin] was one of those type Solutions (CEALS) in 2010. By that
says, “and trying to sell our services of individuals. He was 100% committed time, KLLM and Design Transportation
to people who were using carriers that to running the company as he asked the had been added to the list of companies
they had used for years and years and people to run it. I learned very quickly he’d worked for. As an agent and broker
had been in business with for years and when you have the president and owner for R.E. Garrison Trucking, he built his
years. Our motto back then was ‘You’re of the company sitting with you on a own fleet of assets and a collection of
helping a small business. You’re helping sales call you’re able to close deals a customers primarily from the beverage
a small guy get going and get started.’ little easier. I wanted to be that type of industry. CEALS shipped bottles and
The other thing was that we were just guy.” cans using 57-foot dry vans to Texas
going to do things the right way and While Arnold worked in sales, he and Oklahoma and 53-foot dry vans
we were going to be the best at what we learned to identify and address what he to a number of states in the south and
did. In our service, we would always go describes as customers’ “pain points.” southeast U.S. After nearly a decade of
above and beyond.” When talking with prospective clients working in a brokerage and agent capac-
If you know your trucking, you he focused on finding out where they ity for different companies in Texas,
know that small business didn’t stay were losing money or what made them Arnold felt like his professional growth
small. unhappy with another carrier, then he’d had stalled.
That above and beyond service figured out how his company could fix
helped Arkansas Freightways to become it. He gave a current example of a cus- MEANWHILE IN ARKANSAS
American Freightways and then the tomer who frequently had their trailers While Arnold was busy learn-
international FedEx Freight. It also rejected when working with another ing the industry and building his
helped Arnold personally as he moved carrier. Whether it was due to dirt or fleet and customer base, Twin City
on to work for M.S. Carriers. He credits other contaminants for food-grade Transportation (TCT) was establishing
his time there under Mike Starnes with products, or holes in the trailer, Arnold itself as a solid medium-sized carrier
further developing his skills providing assured the customer that wouldn’t in Arkansas. Founded in 1975 by Ron
customers with excellent service. happen with his fleet. 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 31

ance call almost twenty years later
turned into the beginnings of a merger.
HE [ARNOLD] PREPARED HIS CUSTOMERS. HE Burnett says, “I needed a COO.
PREPARED HIS DRIVERS. LITERALLY WE JUST FLIPPED We [TCT] had the history. We had the
THE SWITCH ON AUGUST 1 WITH ABSOLUTELY A face. We had everything that you need
to operate a solid trucking company. I
MINIMUM OF HICCUPS. I THINK THAT’S PRETTY just needed someone to run it. I wanted
PHENOMENAL. I HAD ESTIMATED THAT IF WE COULD to stay in the business and he wanted to
RETAIN 80% OF HIS BUSINESS THEN IT WOULD get further in the business and it was a
STILL BE A GOOD TRANSACTION FOR ME, AND WE good match.”
Arnold saw the potential too.
RETAINED 100%. IT’S PRETTY PHENOMENAL IF YOU “Terry and I knew pretty quickly we
THINK ABOUT IT. IT REALLY IS. wanted to pool our resources together.
I had reached a stagnation point of
—TERRY BURNETT, PRESIDENT OF TWIN CITY TRANSPORTATION growth,” Arnold says. “Terry was in a
position that he had lost his operating
partner.”
The two companies merged in the
Glass, TCT was originally a pick up and Burnett and business partner Herb summer of 2017. TCT provided the
delivery service for airfreight and cargo Martin purchased TCT from Ron Glass name and a 70-truck operation with
companies. It eventually expanded into in 2006. Martin was responsible for the Firestone still its biggest customer.
truckload freight. day-to-day operations until his health Arnold brought the beverage custom-
The Firestone Building Supply plant began to fail. Ron Glass briefly stepped ers from his Dallas business and all of
in Prescott needed a dedicated shipper back in, making the commute from his drivers. He said the pain points that
because of the volume they were capable Prescott in order to keep TCT operat- came with the merger were not out of
of producing. TCT stepped up to fill that ing. In 2015 when Martin passed away, the ordinary. “Each group always thinks
role, establishing a terminal in Prescott Burnett had responsibility for two their approach is 100% the right way,
and building their business around companies: his insurance business and so there were some challenges in getting
what is still their biggest customer. TCT. He’d already begun setting plans some of the buy-ins we needed to have,
Prior to the merger with CEALS, TCT in motion to sell his insurance com- but those came along.”
had terminals in Little Rock, Prescott, pany when, in 2016, he received “a very Arnold doesn’t dwell on the dif-
and Arnold’s hometown of Camden. lucrative offer” for the trucking com- ficulties; instead he focuses on two Values Drive Performance
Personnel at the Camden site were relo- pany. Despite having a tempting deal on things: people and profits. He says any
cated to Prescott as part of the merger. the table, Burnett says, “Trucking gets pain experienced by the company dur-
In some ways it was a pair of insur- in your blood. I just could not pull the ing the merger wasn’t transferred onto Shared Values Can Lead to Organizational Excellence
ance phone calls that led to the even- trigger on selling Twin City.” the customers. Part of that is due to
tual merger of Twin City Transportation driver retention, something both he and We understand you are in business to make a profit. Our Value-Driven
®
with CEALS. In 1983, Terry Burnett, A GOOD MATCH Burnett are particularly proud of. Company modules can help you reduce losses and increase profits by focusing on
now TCT's president and the current Around the same time Burnett was Burnett says the operations didn’t influencing employee behavior, changing culture, improving communication, and
vice president of sales at Cottingham considering whether or not to sell the skip a beat. “He [Arnold] prepared his managing risk successfully.
& Butler, got his first introduction company, he and Arnold reconnected. customers. He prepared his drivers. 800.228.8602
to TCT by selling them insurance. In Once again Arnold was reaching out for Literally we just flipped the switch on gwccnet.com We believe it is everyone’s job to do what they can to prevent losses. We have
1998, Arnold was also in need of insur- insurance because he wanted to tran- August 1 with absolutely a minimum developed a variety of training tools to help get all employees involved in safety. From
ance and Terry Burnett was the person sition out of his role as an agent and of hiccups. I think that’s pretty phe- seminars and webinars to Self-Service e-Tools and FAQs, we have solutions to fit your
he reached out to. Burnett Insurance strike out on his own. The insurance nomenal. I had estimated that if we operations.
Corporation based in Little Rock provid- market at the time wasn’t as friendly as could retain 80% of his business then ®
ed insurance to truckers. Burnett was it had been to new trucking ventures, so it would still be a good transaction for We see “Critical Crashes” as a risk to your company. Our Value-Driven Driving
also involved in the industry through Burnett and Arnold began talking about me, and we retained 100%. It’s pretty program focuses on helping drivers do what they can to prevent these types of accidents:
rear-end, loss of control, lane change, and run under. All of our driver training programs are
his work on the board of directors of options. The two men share a love for phenomenal if you think about it. It FREE to our insureds and can be accessed 24/7 on Great West’s Online Learning Library.
the Truckload Carriers Association. trucking and a desire for independence. really is.”
Meanwhile, in 2001, Burnett’s In addition to that, they’d built strong Arnold agrees. “We were very for- GREAT WEST CASUALTY COMPANY – No matter where the road takes you, you
financial ties to TCT deepened when he trust in one another through other tunate. We had a 100% conversion of will discover that at Great West, The Difference is Service .
®
merged another small company into the business dealings since their first call in our drivers. Some fell out after the fact,
company he would eventually own. 1998. What started as another insur- 

32 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

Values Drive Performance




Shared Values Can Lead to Organizational Excellence


We understand you are in business to make a profit. Our Value-Driven
®
Company modules can help you reduce losses and increase profits by focusing on
influencing employee behavior, changing culture, improving communication, and
managing risk successfully.
800.228.8602
gwccnet.com We believe it is everyone’s job to do what they can to prevent losses. We have
developed a variety of training tools to help get all employees involved in safety. From
seminars and webinars to Self-Service e-Tools and FAQs, we have solutions to fit your
operations.

We see “Critical Crashes” as a risk to your company. Our Value-Driven Driving
®
program focuses on helping drivers do what they can to prevent these types of accidents:
rear-end, loss of control, lane change, and run under. All of our driver training programs are
FREE to our insureds and can be accessed 24/7 on Great West’s Online Learning Library.

GREAT WEST CASUALTY COMPANY – No matter where the road takes you, you
will discover that at Great West, The Difference is Service .
®

WHEN YOUR PARTNER IS IN THE TRUCKING INSURANCE BUSINESS, YOU TEND TO
TAKE ON ANY TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF LITIGATION.

—CHARLES ARNOLD, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF TWIN CITY TRANSPORTATION





but for almost a year we had the same drivers can come in and they know that because there’s a lot of great trucking
group of drivers that came on board, they’ve been able to lead some change companies in the state.”
that originally were with me.” in the way things are done.” Burnett sees this in Arnold’s
Arnold’s respect for drivers made approach to management of operations.
him a natural fit for TCT, whose motto TURNING A PROFIT “Charles is a perfectionist,” Burnett
is “Business goes where it is invited and In addition to his list of mentors says. “He has very high standards for
stays where it is treated well.” There’s from the trucking industry, Arnold, the cleanliness of the shop. It goes
not much difference between the way a Razorback fan, lists Nick Saban as throughout everything that he does. He
Arnold talks about his customers or someone whose approach to leader- wants to do things right. And he’s not
his drivers. He approaches both with ship he admires, “even though he is satisfied if things aren’t done right.”
a desire to remove pain points. “Every Alabama’s head coach.” Saban’s phi- Arnold’s focus on people and per-
time we’ve had a situation where the losophy of being a winner rings true to fection paid off quickly as the newly
driver has come in and told us about a Arnold. “One of his [Saban’s] sayings merged company began showing profits
customer creating some issues or prob- is, ‘You just do your job and do it right.’ after just four months. He says trans-
lems or detention time or whatever, we One of our sayings around here is we parency was key to making the merger a
go directly to the customer and talk to want to be the best of the best. And smooth one and remains an important
them about it. It’s always good when the here in Arkansas that’s kind of tough element of day-to-day operations at the




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34 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

company. They’ve adopted a system they tial drivers they’ll be working for a qual- Having more drivers who are tech savvy,
refer to as “What’s your APP,” which ity organization that treats them well. as well as getting reports from other
stands for Accountability, Performance, Next year the profits will take that carriers about the benefits of the tech-
and Profitability. a step further. TCT plans to redo the nology tipped the balance recently.
“I want everybody in the organiza- safety and training facilities for driv- In addition to improving the face
tion to know what they’re accountable ers. A more comfortable driver’s lounge of TCT, Arnold is investing in the com-
for,” says Arnold. “You’re going to be and shower facilities to make things pany’s infrastructure. After two years of
measured on your performance and more welcoming for the drivers passing rapid growth and expansion, Arnold is
how is your performance affecting our through Little Rock is also in the works. moving methodically through a series of
profitability. One of the things that “Our drivers, they come first for planned growth phases, which include
we vehemently want to make sure that us. Everything in my life that I ever had moving some of TCT’s computer opera-
we do is to share our profits with our came from a truck driver,” says Arnold. tions to the cloud and creating a new
employees of our company.” “Whether it was from the time I was personnel position to recruit drivers.
Profits from the first two years young and having a roof over my head The aim is steady growth of both the
resulted in something of a makeover for and food on the table to professionally. dedicated fleet in Texas and the broker-
TCT. Their Prescott terminal was moved I couldn’t have done what I was doing age arm of the company.
closer to the highway to increase the without truck drivers.”
visibility of the organization and the Forward-facing onboard cameras RUNNING THE ROADS
main office in Little Rock has under- are also in the near future for TCT’s Despite having the responsibility of
gone the first stages of renovation. The trucks. According to Arnold, “When an organization that’s doubled in size
front office is clean and organized. A your partner is in the trucking insur- over the past three years, Arnold still
neatly written whiteboard shows the ance business, you tend to take on any manages to spend some time outside of
progress and profits of various ship- technology that will keep you out of his office. He points to his pickup truck
ments. The aim is to make a good litigation.” Arnold and Burnett waited as evidence. He bought it just over two
first impression on anyone who walks until they had the support of their driv- years ago and it already has 108,000
through the doors and to show poten- ers to make the decision final though.














































ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 35

CHARLES Arnold
AT-A-GLANCE



Family Charles and his wife celebrated 20 years of marriage in Oct. 2019.
He has two children, a daughter who lives in Austin, Texas, and a son,
formerly in the Navy, is in the construction business in Little Rock. His
only grandchild (18 months old) lives in Austin.

What do you listen to on road trips? Sports radio, especially during
the fall when he can listen to broadcasts of his favorite teams: the Dallas
Cowboys and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Do you have nicknames for your cars or trucks? No. I have a boat
that I haven’t even named.

Favorite genre of books and movies History. Documentaries.

Favorite show Modern Marvels

Stress relief “Being on the lake and being able to get in the afternoons
and roll out onto the lake and watch the sunset and know that God’s
there and everything’s good.”

On his bucket list Finishing his degree at UALR and learning to
play the piano



in interaction with his customers.
“When bid packages come in.
IT’S REALLY PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY You’re basically one of a thousand carri-
SATISFYING TO BE ABLE TO BE BACK HERE IN ers that are bidding on the freight. And
everything is run by the system. They
ARKANSAS RUNNING A TRUCKING COMPANY. OUR run the analytics on your pricing and
STATE’S GOT SOME OF THE TOP NOTCH TRUCKING decide whether or not you’re the carrier
COMPANIES OUT THERE THAT ARE RUNNING THE of choice or not and the relationship
side has really moved away. And that’s
ROADS. TO BE ABLE TO BE BACK HERE AND BACK just the way the industry is moving, so
HOME AND HAVING A COMPANY AND BEING PART OF we’re moving with it.”
THAT GROUP IS SOMETHING PRETTY SPECIAL. Moving with it took him from
Camden, to Little Rock, back to
—CHARLES ARNOLD, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF Camden, to Memphis, to Dallas, and
now back to Little Rock.
TWIN CITY TRANSPORTATION “I’ve made full circle of my career,”
says Arnold. “It’s really professionally
and personally satisfying to be able to be
back here in Arkansas running a truck-
miles on it. Some of those miles came office, Arnold likes reading or watch- ing company. Our state’s got some of the
from traveling back and forth to his ing documentaries about leaders in any top notch trucking companies out there
home in Hot Springs every day, but a big field, specifically the visionaries like Ford, that are running the roads. To be able to
chunk of the mileage is the result of vis- Edison, and Jobs, who saw a future no be back here and back home and having
iting customers in Texas, Chicago, and one else did. He’s not one to fear change a company and being part of that group
states farther north. or the future. It’s no surprise the only is something pretty special.” ATR
When he’s not on the road or in the thing he laments is the potential decrease

36 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

“Spot On!”














“I want to let everyone know that the articles in the Arkansas Trucking Report
are spot on! The photos and in-depth coverage are excellent. You get it and it

shows! Keep up the good work that you do for our industry!”
Kevin Burch



Kevin Burch
President, Jet Express, Inc.
Past Chairman, ATA
Past Chairman, TCA


















































For advertising information, contact Katie Thomason at

(501) 372-3462 or [email protected]

Deadline to Transition from



AOBRDs to ELDs Coming




Are you ready for the transition to electronic logging devices?


























































By Todd Traub transition to electronic logging devices of MAP-21, the Moving Ahead for

Contributing Writer (ELDs) used to monitor and record a Progress in the 21st Century Act.
driver’s hours of service. By Dec. 16, Deadlines for compliance were
The Christmas season will soon motor carriers will be required to be established, including the set grace
be upon us and it will be time to shop, using ELDs in place of automatic on- period ending in December.
decorate, socialize, gather with family board recording devices (AOBRDs). The ELD applies to most motor
and become ELD compliant. Regulatory requirements carriers and drivers required to main-
Wait. What? mandating the use of ELDs were tain records of duty status (RODS) and
For members of the trucking and established in 2012 as part of the extends to commercial buses along with
transportation industry, the December Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety trucks and to Canada- and Mexico-
to-do list includes achieving a full Enhancement Act enacted as part domiciled drivers.

38 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

SOME SMALL CARRIERS, INCLUDING MANY INDEPENDENT TRUCKERS, ARE VOCAL
OPPONENTS OF THE NEW RULE. HOWEVER A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF CARRIERS
ARE SUPPORTIVE AND PLAN TO COMPLY. THE NUMBER OF CARRIERS WITH NEW
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATIONS EXCEEDED THOSE LEAVING

THE BUSINESS. ELD VENDORS REPORT A STEADY STREAM OF SALES.

—JAY THOMPSON, CHIEF OF THE ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE AND PRESIDENT OF THE
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY ALLIANCE





“The time to transition is now,” with AOBRD systems,” he says. to continue using AOBRD software on
says Mike Ahart, vice president of Ed. note: At the 2019 Safety any truck, as long as they’re running
regulatory affairs at fleet management Symposium, Clay Merches, president with the ELD capable devices.
software provider Omnitracs. “Waiting of Leading Edge Consulting, presented But the December grace period is
until later in the year may put you in a on how the safety compliance auditing final, and no further extensions are
long line of motor carriers/drivers who world has changed since the ELD rule expected.
need assistance.” took effect. Auditors request reports Limited ELD rule exceptions extend
AOBRDS are required to record for log violations, odometer jumps, to short-haul drivers not required to
engine use, speed, miles driven and date yard moves, personal conveyance, keep RODS, drivers who use paper
and time of day. The ELD requires inte- vehicle inspections, and more. As ELDs RODS for not more than eight days out
gral synchronization interfacing with provide more data than AOBRDs, more of every 30-day period, drivers who con-
the vehicle’s engine electronic control data will be used to audit a carrier’s duct drive-away-tow-away operations
module (ERM) to record engine power compliance. in which the vehicle driven is the com-
status, vehicle motion status, miles According to the Federal Motor modity being delivered and drivers of
driven and engine hours. It also requires Carrier Safety Administration: “The vehicles manufactured before 2000.
automated entry at each change of duty ELD rule requires ELD use by commer- The ELD is a relatively simply elec-
status, at 60-minute intervals while cial drivers who are required to prepare trical device attached to the vehicle’s
the vehicle is in motion, at engine-on hours-of-service (HOS) records of duty engine and driveline system. The driver
and engine-off moments, at the begin- status (RODS); sets ELD performance logs into the ELD and starts the clock,
ning and end of personal use and yard and design standards, and requires but the system is not necessarily “plug
moves. ELDs to be certified and registered with and play.”
FMCSA; establishes what supporting Most units require steps to stay
MORE DATA, MORE ACCURACY documents drivers and carriers are within compliance, and there are a vari-
In other words, ELDs record and required to keep and prohibits harass- ety of brands, makes and models.
display more data. ment of drivers based on ELD data or Thompson shared a few recom-
“These devices will improve the connected technology (such as fleet mended guidelines for carriers to follow
accuracy in the reporting of hours or management system). when buying an ELD unit.
service for commercial drivers,” says “The rule also provides recourse First, the units must be certified
Chief Jay Thompson of the Arkansas for drivers who believe they have been and published on the FMCSA website.
Highway Police and president of the harassed.” One of the requirements is that all ELD
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. All carriers completing RODS for devices be certified by the manufac-
Thompson the switch should leave drivers were required to have ELDs turer as compliant with the mandate
drivers with more time to drive and less installed and working by Dec. 17, 2017. and listed on the FMCSA site. There
time spent on paperwork. ELDs, he says, Previously the Federal Motor Carrier are approximately 480 registered ELD
account for all the time the vehicle is in Safety Administration had said that certified devices. Device vendors are the
motion and unassigned driving events. ELDs would have to be purchased for ones responsible for self-certifying and
“This prevents the tampering of any new trucks added to fleets, but the
driver hours data that sometimes occurs guidelines were revised to permit fleets 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 39

smaller carriers on installation and
training issues.
“Use our guide and training
IF A CARRIER JUST GETS AN ELD TO MEET THE materials and start early,” says Frank
Lancaster, of global solutions provider
MANDATE, THEY ARE MISSING THE BOAT OF REAL ORBCOMM.
VALUE FOR THE DRIVER AND THE FLEET. YOU WANT Motor carriers should talk to their

A TOTAL FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN YOUR ELD. industry colleagues who have imple-
mented ELD systems to learn of poten-
tial problems and head them off, and
—FRANK LANCASTER, OF GLOBAL SOLUTIONS they should review the FMCSA website
PROVIDER ORBCOMM to see if they qualify for any of the
exemptions.
Pricing for ELD devices varies
within the industry and among manu-
confirming their products meet FMCSA ciplines of the company is essential,” facturers, ranging from $165 to $832
requirements. Ahart says. “Drivers and system admin- per truck annually, according to the
Also, carriers must keep installa- istrators must be well informed on the FMCSA, but there is a system for every
tion, maintenance and troubleshooting operational requirements and limita- need and budget.
documentation. Since all ELD systems tions of the ELD. Mechanics and yard Some vendors charge both for hard-
are unique, it is recommended that the drivers must be aware of the potential ware, whose costs can vary, and month-
carriers contact the manufacturer to for unidentified driving segments. ly service subscriptions, with some also
receive documentation for each step. Dispatch and management require an charging installation fees, Ahart says.
The FMCSA website notes that, understanding of the harassment and “ELDS can also vary a great deal in
since late 2017, drivers have been coercions provisions of the ELD regula- terms of the added functionality beyond
required to carry an ELD information tions.” the basic software for tracking a driver’s
packet containing the following: To mitigate the burden of the logis- hours of service,” he says. “The price
“a user’s manual for the driver tics, planning and manpower needed to goes up as features increase.”
describing how to operate the ELD; an make the transition, preparation is key, Vendors may offer tiers of service
instruction sheet describing the data especially for smaller fleets. for a monthly fee and include wireless
transfer mechanisms supported by the “All new technology involves a connectivity. Some systems may leave
ELD and step-by-step instructions to learning curve,” Thompson says. “The it up to the carriers to figure out, other
produce and transfer the driver’s hours- good news is, most transition and grow- companies offer enhanced packages
of-service records to an authorized ing pains can be avoided through train- with features like around-the-clock
safety official; an instruction sheet ing and allowing time for drivers and customer support, routing, dispatching,
for the driver describing ELD mal- staff to get used to the new tech.” driver vehicle inspection reports and
function reporting requirements and “Some small carriers, including IFTA tax reporting.
recordkeeping procedures during ELD many independent truckers, are vocal Vehicle tracking, driver behavior
malfunctions; and a supply of blank opponents of the new rule,” Thompson monitoring, vehicle fault codes, idle
driver’s records of duty status (RODS) says. “However a larger percentage of time tracking, geofencing and two-way
graph-grids sufficient to record the carriers are supportive and plan to com- messaging, are among other bells and
driver’s duty status and other related ply. The number of carriers with new whistles.
information for a minimum of 8 days. Department of Transportation autho- Lower end systems meet the
Prior to December 18, 2017, FMCSA rizations exceeded those leaving the requirements of the mandate but offer
recommends that drivers have the user’s business. ELD vendors report a steady little else, and owner operators of
manual, malfunction instruction sheet, stream of sales.” smaller fleets may opt for these easy-
and graph-grids.” Companies can head off some of to-install, simpler systems, though they
Once installed, the carrier must the logistical, financial and infrastruc- will need to download a mobile app to
train all pertinent employees, which ture problems by slowly integrating access the software.
includes managers, administrative per- ELDs into their fleets. Lancaster says the industry seems
sonnel and auditors along with the driv- It is recommended they contact to be coming around to the ELD and
ers. The carrier will set up individual multiple manufacturers to get the ELD recommends carriers consider paying
accounts for all ELD users. that best helps with the integration; more for the tricked-out technology.
“Training across the various dis- several ELD suppliers will work with “They are more accepting now

40 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

AT ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS, THERE ARE DIFFERENT
PROCEDURES FOR HOW DRIVERS SHARE
INFORMATION DEPENDING ON WHETHER THEY’RE
USING ELDS OR AOBRDS … AND IF DRIVERS

PROVIDE DOT OFFICERS WITH THE WRONG SYSTEM
INFORMATION, THERE’S A CHANCE A CITATION WILL
BE GIVEN DUE TO THE INCOMPATIBILITY.

—JAY THOMPSON, CHIEF OF THE
ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE AND PRESIDENT OF THE
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY ALLIANCE







since the mandate and starting to see a chance a citation will be given due to
the benefits,” he says. “If a carrier just the incompatibility,” Thompson says.
gets an ELD to meet the mandate, they “Using a mix of systems also means
are missing the boat of real value for managers will need to monitor data on
the driver and the fleet. You want a two separate interfaces, which could
total fleet management system in your lead to back-office errors and duplica-
ELD.” tion.
“Support for AOBRDs and their
ON-TIME IMPLEMENTATION software will likely decline as ELDs
So what happens if someone misses become more prominent, making trou-
the December deadline? bleshooting increasingly difficult.”
Right now, Thompson says, a non- Training and demonstration of pro-
compliant driver could receive a citation ficiency are the most important items
and be placed out of service. to focus on when transition to ELDs,
“Enforcement officers will be Thompson says.
enforcing this rule as they do all safety “Switching from AOBRD to ELD
regulations and take the appropriate well before the December deadline not
enforcement action when violations only gives you ample time to address
are discovered,” Thompson says. “It is any questions that arise during the
also important to note our officers have transition, but also ensures you’re far
received training surrounding the many more likely to receive the support you
ELD exemptions as well.” need during the process from your ELD
Thompson said training classes provider,” he says.
have been conducted around Arkansas Just like Christmas shopping, the
to make sure the AHP officers under- ELD transition should not be put off
stand the rules and operation of the until later.
ELDs. “After all, as figures show, there’s
“At roadside inspections, there are likely to be a rush of last-minute con-
different procedures for how drivers versions,” Thompson says, “which will
share information depending on wheth- mean ELD providers will be strapped
er they’re using ELDs or AOBRDs … with customers needing their help and
and if drivers provide DOT officers with limited in the customer support they
the wrong system information, there’s can provide.” ATR

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 41

Two, Four, Six, Eight…



Who Do We Appreciate?




ATA celebrates drivers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week










By ATR Staff communities throughout the week.
“As consumers, we demand things
On Sept. 12, the Arkansas Trucking faster and more convenient, and busi-
Association celebrated the millions of nesses are meeting those demands”
professional truck drivers who work Newton continued. “But it’s not magic;
each day to deliver America’s freight it’s the hard work of truck drivers who
safely by serving over 700 hot lunches are as dependable as ever in moving our
at the TA Petro Stopping Center to truck state and nation forward.”
drivers travelling along I-40, where ATA would like to extend its appre-
more than 15,000 trucks travel east of ciation to the following companies
North Little Rock each day. which made the event possible and our
Each year’s event has grown. This gratitude evident to the drivers who
year, booths sprawled half the parking attended:
lot where drivers were invited to play 4 SEASONS FREIGHT
basketball, sink a TA Petro employee ABF FREIGHT
at the dunking booth, dance to music
played by an on-site dj, enjoy hot des- AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS
serts and cold snow cones. There were AON  David Grappe (Whiting Systems)
also free haircuts available or an oppor- C.C. JONES, INC.
tunity to donate to the St. Christopher CALARK INTERNATIONAL
Fund, which helps semi-truck drivers D.W. STORY & ASSOCIATES, INC.
and their families who have financial MAGNA IV
needs due to current medical problems. MAVERICK TRANSPORTATION
“National Truck Driver MCKEE FOODS TRANSPORTATION
Appreciation Week is an annual oppor- OZARKO TIRE CENTER
tunity to thank the men and women PC PROMOTIONS
who deliver a way of life for Americans. PLD TRANSPORT
Beyond the food for our tables, life- PREPASS SAFETY ALLIANCE
saving supplies for hospitals, computers RICH INSURANCE SERVICES
on our desks and in our pockets, truck
drivers deliver opportunity to commu- STRATEGEZ LLC
nities big and small around our nation,” TA PETRO
Arkansas Trucking Association president TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING
Shannon Newton said. TWIN CITY TRANSPORTATION
“We are so grateful for the drivers TYSON FOODS, INC.
who shorten the distance between us and UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
all the things that help us grow, heal, WALMART TRANSPORTATION
learn, work, play and thrive in our lives.” WHITING SYSTEMS
Companies around the state and WOODFIELD  VaLynn Mills and Rebecca Kubiak
country recognized truck drivers for WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS (Aon)
their significant contributions to our

42 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

 Alexis Cross
(4 Seasons Freight)
serves a driver lunch
on her way back to
road






 Kindsay Leistikow (C.C. Jones Inc.),
Katy Furnell, Felicia Blythe (Maverick
Transportation) and Katie Thomason
(Arkansas Trucking Association)


















 Chaplain David Rohr, Billy Stark,
Dustin McKibbin, Mike Alvey, Ronnie
Keene (Tyson Foods)
 Mike Brust (Arkansas Trucking
Association), Theresa Hunter (PLD
Transport) and Stephanie Blevins
(Twin City Transportation)
 Truck driver shows off his
goody bag

































ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 43

 Mona Peach (TA Petro) gives free
haircuts to drivers







 Alexis Cross (4 Seasons Freight), Bailey Vickrey (Rich Insurance
Services), Walter Lee (Ozarko Tire Center), Bruce Stewart (Twin City
Transportation), Marie Rich (Rich Insurance Services) and Stephanie
Blevins (Twin City Transportation)





 Sherdan Mosley (TA Petro) and friend



 Bruce Stewart (Twin City
Transportation), Dave Hall, Robert
Kelley, and Otto Schmeckenbecher
(Arkansas Road Team)


 Sharon Hillman
 Amanda Lamb (Arkansas Trucking (TA Petro) serves up
Association) and Stephanie Martin watermelon slices
(Magna IV)




























44 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

 Sarah Sheets (Arkansas
Trucking Association) packs
driver lunches




























 Lisa Reading (McKee Foods Transportation), Holly
Pate (Woodfield) and Cathy McCamey (McKee Foods
 Jeff Tackett (TA Petro), Andrew England and Transportation)
Beth Tackett (Aon)








You manage your business.


We’ll manage your risks.



















Little Rock Fayetteville
1500 Riverfront Dr., Little Rock, AR 72202 1465 E. Joyce Blvd., Ste. 205, Fayetteville, AR 72703
501-661-4800 | 800-542-0226 501-661-4800 | 800-542-0226

Specializing in insurance and risk management for the transportation industry.

©2018, McGriff Insurance Services, Inc. All rights reserved. McGriffInsurance.com


ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 45

Let the Good Times Roll




ATA hosts trucking execs at an exclusive fundraiser and
bowling tournament for the ATA-PAC





ATA-PAC
GOLF TOURNAMENT
PRESENTED BY

TITLE SPONSORS:

By ATR Staff was honored with the Hot Stuff Award
for having the best moves since John
On Oct. 15, attendees were invited Travolta.
to eat, drink, karaoke and mingle with The party and tournament brought
ATA Board of Directors and the 40 together nearly 90 industry profes- LANE SPONSORS:
Under 40 Council at the Dust Bowl sionals from 30 companies to support
Lanes and Lounge in Little Rock, Ark. ATA-PAC, whose mission is to educate
for our second annual ATA-PAC Party policymakers, promote advocacy efforts
and Bowling Tournament. and financially support public officials
Forty-eight bowlers played a two and candidates who support an orga-
round tournament and competed for nization’s agenda. Association PACs
trophies in three individual categories. are funded by voluntary contributions,
FedEx Freight made a clean sweep of completely apart from the organiza-
all three individual categories. Cashea tion’s general treasury. The ATA-PAC
Weathers was recognized for tossing the provides strength in numbers and ben-
most gutter balls, Michael Payne scored efits from being recognized by elected PIN PARTY SPONSORS:
the most spares and LaDona Teague leaders locally and in Washington.
took home the top individual honor,
Top of the Charts Award, for the highest  Joey Rector (Tri-State Truck Center),
overall score. Clay Sanders (Cottingham & Butler),
Logan Morris, Joey Rector, Bob Malea McElyea (CalArk International),
Joiner, Jeff Lovelady, Clay Sanders and Jeff Lovelady and Bob Joiner (Bell &
Malea McElyea joined up for the highest Company)
team score in round one of the tourna-
ment. After drawing lanes for round
two, Jeff Lovelady found himself on
another winning team alongside Will
Powell, Lamous Hall, Robert Mooney,
Brad Heisterkamp and Adam Bobbitt.
This year, awards were given out
not just for the highest scores but for
the highest bid. A trophy auction was
held so those not on the top of their
game could to still go home with a brag-
worthy award. Al Heringer took home
the Big Lebowski award for playing just
as good as the dude himself. John Smith
was the lucky winner of the Disco
Inferno award for the best burns, trash
talk and yo’ momma jokes. Frank Dyer

46 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

TOP OF THE CHARTS AWARD
FOR HIGHEST SCORE OVERALL




BRITNEY SPARES AWARD
FOR MOST SPARES ROLLED




BIGGEST LOSER AWARD
FOR MOST GUTTER BALLS ROLLED
 Jeff Lovelady (Bell & Company), Robert Mooney (Doggett Freightliner of
Arkansas), Adam Bobbitt (JR’s Trucking), Brad Heisterkamp (Transco Lines, Inc.) and
Lamous Hall (FedEx Freight)
ROUND 1 WINNING TEAM





















 Raffle winners Brittany Ward (Loggins
Logistics) and Brad Heisterkamp ROUND 2 WINNING TEAM
(Transco Lines, Inc.)



 Highest bidders on the Hot Stuff
award, Frank Dyer (FedEx Freight), and
the Disco Inferno award, John Smith
(FedEx Freight)


















 Josh Howard
 Top of Charts award (Tyson Foods)
winner for the highest
individual score, LaDona
Teague (FedEx Freight)


ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 47

 Al Heringer IV (Star
Transportation), highest bidder
on the Big Lebowski award



 Shannon Newton (ATA),
Allen West, Dan Cushman (PAM
Transport), Rochelle Bartholomew
(CalArk International), Tyler Majors
(PAM Transport) and Robert
Mooney (Doggett Freightliner of
Arkansas)




















 Britney Spares award winner for the
most spares rolled, Michael Payne (FedEx
Freight)







































Arkansas Trucking Association Annual Business Conference & Vendor Showcase






48 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

ADVERTISER

RESOURCE INDEX


Aon Transportation .......... Inside front cover

ArcBest .......................................................41


Arkansas Trucking Association ......................48

Arkansas Trucking Report .........25, 37, 51, 53


Custard Insurance .....................................23

Drivers Legal Plan .....................................35

Great West Casualty .................................33


McGriff Insurance Services .......................45
 Nancy Kinder, Rachel Combs, Cashea Weathers and Donna Massey
(FedEx Freight) MHC Kenworth .........................................20

Netradyne ..................................................11


Rich Insurance ..........................................24
 Chris Gray,
Scott Wurz and Southern Tire Mart .....................................9
Terry Glidden
(Doggett
Freightliner of Stallion Transportation ...............Back Cover
Arkansas)
Stephens ......................................................3

Summit Truck Group ..................................4

 Mark Morris (Morris Transportation TA/Petro ....................................................30
Services)
The Larson Group .....................................15

Triumph .....................................................19


UCA ...........................................................34

Utility Tri-State, Inc.....................................6

This edition of Arkansas Trucking Report
was made possible with the support of these
corporate advertisers. They support the
trucking industry by enabling ATA to provide
this publication to its members, prospective
members, elected officials and the national
trucking and business community at large.
They deserve your consideration and patronage
when making your corporate purchasing
decisions. Thank you!



ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 49

Insider Trucking




A look at the latest products, services and news from ATR advertisers

















forming ones. Nominees are evaluated
on business success, customer service,
community involvement, staff educa-
tion and more. It marks the second
consecutive year TLG has been nomi-
nated and been named a finalist for the
award. Nominations this year totaled
more than 40 dealer networks, and TLG
was voted by a panel into the Top 5. It
was also the only Peterbilt dealer group
on the finalist list.
Both with its customers, and com-
WINTER PREP WITH TA/PETRO fin wax in diesel fuel can thicken so munity at large, TLG’s commitment to
As the seasons change, so does much it clogs fuel filters and solidifies service shines through as its strongest
truck maintenance. Winter weather to where it no longer flows. Invest in a asset. It strives to makes things better.
makes the roads hazardous for hauling new fuel filter now and consider adding From expanding a facility to implement-
freight, and contributes to equipment a winter fuel additive to your mainte- ing new programs, such as Road Guru,
damage and system failures, too. Here’s nance routine if you’re headed toward each is introduced to alleviate customer
how to prep your rig for the winter colder climates. pain points. TLG is equally passionate
months ahead. Check your tire pressure daily. about its employees. Chief Operations
Have your batteries tested by a When the temperature drops, so Officer Kory Larson represented TLG at
certified technician. does the air pressure in tires. Check the award presentation held at the Great
Dead batteries are one of the most your tire pressure before every trip to American Trucking Show in August.
common causes of winter breakdowns. ensure they’re properly inflated and to “Without our employees, we wouldn’t
Testing your batteries will indicate get the best footprint and traction on have a business,” Kory said. We’re a
whether or not they can keep up with the roads. finalist because of them.” ATR
the high demand of your electrical sys- In the event you need emergency
tem during the colder months. roadside assistance, call 1-800-824-
Check for any air leaks in your air SHOP and RoadSquad will be there
brake system. whenever, wherever you break down.
When water and moisture build
in your air brake system in the dead of TLG NAMED SUCCESSFUL DEALER
winter, it will almost certainly freeze FINALIST SECOND CONSECUTIVE
and turn to ice. This can damage valves, YEAR
air dryers and other components. Also, The Larson Group (TLG) was once
check and drain your air tanks daily to again honored as a finalist for the
help keep water, contaminants and cor- Successful Dealer of the Year Award for
rosion at bay. 2019. This award is unique in that it
Invest in a new fuel filter. seeks to recognize well-rounded, suc-
When temperatures fall, the paraf- cessful businesses, not simply high-per-

50 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT


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