SEATBELTS SAVE LIVES

If you drive a Mercer-leased commercial motor vehicle, both Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and Mercer Safety Policy require you to buckle up. Remember, 49CFR 392.16 requires the driver to be “properly restrained” which means the shoulder harness of units so-equipped must be worn across the body and not under the shoulder. Failure to buckle up, or buckling up improperly, carries a big 21 point hit (7×3) under CSA 2010. Regardless of whether or not a ticket is issued, the write-up, under the Unsafe Driving Basic, is a significant burn on Mercer’s safety rating. In some cases, even more than some speeding warnings or log violations.

Prior to CSA 2010, a seatbelt violation did not adversely affect Mercer’s SafeStat or a driver’s MVR so it wasn’t as serious of an issue. It is now. Seatbelt violations are problems, right up there with logs not current and warnings for speeding. They are problems which simply cannot occur. I personally believe that seatbelts save lives, the statistical evidence is overwhelming, and I don’t leave the lot without my belt fastened. My family buckles up and yours should, too. In a CMV, it is a requirement. It is not subject to debate.

I think it is pretty obvious to everyone by now that certain CSA 2010 points are going to be given up in this business. Headlights burn out, pigtails come loose, pancakes wear out, tires get punctured. Knowing that losing points for stuff like that is always a possibility means that it is even more important not to give up points on things we can control. Things like seatbelt use, speed, following distance, brake adjustment and cargo securement are things that drivers can control. No carrier can give up points for stuff like that. And we won’t continue trucking with drivers who do. We can’t. It is not fair to the ones here who do it right, and it is simply not safe.

Remember, seatbelts save lives. Buckle up. Do it right. Be safe.

THE MIRACLE AT MERCER

Miracle at Mercer

By Martin Colvill unit 12221

Greetings to all our new family at Mercer Transportation. If you’ve been reading Jason’s comments on the blog, you are aware that new (or old depending on how you look at it) standards on the cosmetic appearance of our trucks has been established. A first class company should be represented by first class equipment is what I was told once we were here. My wife, Sarah, gave a brief description on the blog of our odyssey this past week and I would like to share the details and at least the first names of the absolutely incredible people who literally came out of nowhere, stepped up and performed what I am calling the Miracle at Mercer.

If you will permit me, a little background is needed to establish just how tremendous a blessing has been poured out on us and Mercer by association. I am a retired Pastor/Police Officer/Firefighter/Paramedic who was young, dumb and thought I was indestructible. Found out I wasn’t and now have prosthetic knees, a titanium lattice frame that holds my spine together and a Mylar mesh screen that holds my intestines inside. I also died from a heart attack 3 ½  years ago, spent seven days in a coma and I believe the Lord wanted me back here on earth for some purpose. For the last 12 ½ years I have driven big rigs with ten of those hauling flatbed freight.

Sarah, meanwhile was a United Methodist Pastor who moved into childcare and then administrative duties in a grocery chain and then one of the largest insurance companies in America. 6 ½ years ago she was diagnosed with a rare “marginal B cell” non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, terminal stage 4 cancer. It is very slow but very debilitating.

We come from Portland, Oregon and for the last 1 ½ years have been running a leased truck carrying van freight up and down I-5 from Washington to California. Just before we came here we sat 20 days out of 5 weeks because of “No Freight”.

It was time to make a move so I looked around a lot and interviewed drivers from different companies and since Sarah said she would like to see more of the U.S. before her time is up we finally settled on Mercer Transportation. We went through a vetting process that aught to make Homeland Security proud and sent in pictures of Alice, our 1995 White/GMC Volvo which had been mothballed the last year and a half. As requested, they were from all 4 sides and my camera is an 8 mega pixel Olympus. I wasn’t trying to hide anything so they were what I thought quality pics. We were invited to attend orientation and we accepted.

A series of misadventures brought me to a shop where I paid almost all of the money we had to repair and make sure Alice would pass a DOT inspection. Then I didn’t hear anything from the shop for days. He would not return my calls and come to find out he felt it more important to nail down his new oak floor than work on my truck. He did have his son “do” my rear brakes. I finally had to use my spare key and rescue Alice as time was running out.

I am not a mechanic, unless you count Chevrolet Corvairs (I’ve owned and restored 9 of them). I got to do my first big rig oil change in my back yard. I think Jed Clampet would get rich with what did not make it into the sadly small oil catcher.

We got her washed and counted our change and figured out the miles and came to the conclusion that with a loaf of bread, jar of peanut butter and one of strawberry jelly, we had just enough to travel 2309 miles and get to Louisville, KY and Mercer Transportation.

The trip was mostly uneventful (except for a tornado, a lightning show that was inspiring, rain and being backed into by a white tractor trailer piloted by guys who “Sure Wished I Finished Training.” We arrived Tuesday night, September 15, 2010 and were very excited to finally be here.

Wednesday morning, while Sarah rested in the bunk, I embarked on the odyssey of orientation.

Coming back to Alice, inspection commenced and I was told that I needed tie rod ends, a front wheel seal, a cotter pin on my supposedly new rear right brake and a new or re-bushed rear sway bar. My hood was faded and needed to be re-painted, the front bumper was pitted and needed to be re-painted and the visor needed the same. My truck did not meet Mercer standards and failed.

I stood in front of my tractor, head cast down asking my maker and friend the eternal question we mere mortals always ask when something doesn’t go the way “we” think it should go. “WHY?”

Lots of things went through my mind, hey, I am human after all but did not look forward to telling Sarah what has transpired. With all she has to endure, this would put her into a tail-spin. I went into the cab and told her. There were tears (not just her) but in the end we prayed and had no choice but to leave it in His hands.

I went over to recruiting, tossed my last $1.25 on Gerald’s desk and told him he might as well have all of it since this would not be enough to get us home. I told him of the inspection, our situation (to a point) and went back to the truck and prayed some more.

Sometime later Gerald called and invited me back into orientation and we would see what could be done. I dutifully did so and kept wondering what would happen next.

At the end of class that first day, my classmates, Larry and Deb, Tim and Brenda, Danny, Barry and Celeste came up to me and said they had heard what happened and about our situation and put into my hand $131.00. It was all I could do to not break down right there. A little later on a trip to Wal-Mart our refrigerator was filled by Tim and Brenda. Now, remember, I have just met these folks, don’t know them or they us. It was only the beginning of the Miracle at Mercer.

The quality of spirit exemplified by total strangers to a couple of strangers is an example of the type of people Mercer Transportation is drawing.

The next day Heidi and Gerald continued with an idea from the day before about me driving for a contractor. I wasn’t real keen on the idea but would not say no to a possibility to get my foot in the door. 75% of 99% looks better than 30% 0f 75% but that is better than 0% of 0%. So that afternoon after class I went out somewhere south of Fort Knox to a shop and looked at a truck that I knew would not pass inspection with the new standards being implemented. Again I wondered what was happening but had no choice but to trust that God knew what was best for us.

That evening, I met Alan Morgan when he parked next to Alice. He personified the Virginia good ol’ boy image and as we talked, he listened. Then he brought out tools, air hose and commenced to start sanding away on Alice’s hood and fenders well past midnight. The next day he went out and got tie-rod ends, found a cotter pin that fit and coordinated a group of people that included some of my classmates like Larry and Deb, established drivers Jimmy and Chuck and wife Diane in a massive effort to get Alice ready for re-inspection on Monday, September 20^th. Numerous nameless drivers came by to look, offer opinions on the new crack down and even pitched in with a bolt of a turn of a wrench or screwdriver.

Saturday and Sunday were intensive days of prep work getting things ready for painting later on Sunday. Larry and Jimmy undertook the tie-rods ends and Jimmy did the front right seal.

Sunday afternoon with paint gun in hand Alan and Chuck showed artistry in painting a truck without painting the parking lot. Heat, humidity and sadly paint that did not do what it was advertised to do caused a few frowns on the artists but their determination paid of with a nice if not perfect job. Then the labor of re-assembly and clean-up commenced.

Deb and Diane spearheaded the clean-up effort which included picking up countless cigarette butts, sweeping the entire area where we worked and making sure we left no trace. I had given my word that no mess would be left and they kept it for me.

Re-assembly was completed at 0300 hours Monday morning.

My two miniature dachshunds, Dax and Qwark woke me up around 0730 wanting to go out and do their morning absolutions so I bleary-eyed complied and when we came back around from traipsing around the perimeter of the driver’s parking area, the entire inspection team was gathered around Alice waiting for me. The moment of truth was at hand.

I went over in detail what had been written down to comply with the listed deficiencies. After it was all said and done, Jeff, the lead or head inspector pronounced Alice ready to join the Fleet at Mercer Transportation.

The Miracle at Mercer had occurred.

Even as I write this story, two Mercer drivers came to my window and said they had heard of our situation, They asked if we needed any food or money and I was humbled once again. I was able to politely turn down their offer since we had been taken such good care of by others but was touched by their offer of kindness.

I don’t know who all spread the tale of our journey but I lost count at 25 the number of drivers who visited us during our week here in the Mercer driver’s lounge parking lot. We are now under dispatch and will be in on the road shortly. Our trail of tears has turned into a journey of hope. I truly believe it was the reputation of Mercer that brought these numerous drivers here and the quality of people who wanted to be part of this family.

“Thank you” seems so inadequate a set of words to properly convey our feelings towards the people who helped us. My apologies if I have left anyone out. It is not on purpose. I simply cannot remember all who had a part in this. But I know there is Someone who does. Whether you believe in Karma, what goes around comes around, or casting your bread upon the waters and it will come back to you many fold (my paraphrase), all your efforts have been noted and when your time comes, someone will step up and help you for helping us. Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good, to those who love God and to those who are called according to his purpose.”  I truly believe this and have seen it in action this past week

The Miracle at Mercer happened because the Spirit of the road is not dead here at Mercer Transportation. We who travel the hiways and byways of our great nation know this and for the most part try to practice it. To all our friends and family her at Mercer: “Remember to always look up, so you won’t fall down.” Ó (Phrase copywrited 1983 by Martin Colvill. Permission is given to freely use in this context.)

FORMER MERCER DRIVER PASSES

Yesterday, Jeannie Peace, formerly unit 8131, lost her long battle with Cancer.  Her and her husband, Jack, ran as a team here at Mercer for 5 years.  Jeannie was a great person, and also a great driver, and the entire Mercer family will be keeping her in our thoughts and prayers today.

MORE PORT RESTRICTIONS COMING

As you know, we have all dealt with the port situations out in California.  Starting this year, all equipment with engines older than 2004 were banned from the California ports with hopes of improving air quality.  Reports have show that just this year, the ban has led to 80% less polluted air.

We discussed earlier in the year that we thought that a lot of the ports around the country would soon follow.  Looks like we were right.  Below I have copied an email that we received from the Port Authority of NY & NJ.

Over the last year, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been working with all of our industry partners to formulate and implement a clean air strategy for our maritime facilities. An important milestone in that effort is upcoming, and I want to take this opportunity to write and remind you that beginning January 1, 2011, the Port Authority will implement a truck phase out plan. Class 8 drayage trucks (vehicles with a design-loaded weight greater than 33,001 pounds) equipped with engines Model Year 1993 and older will no longer have access to Port Authority marine terminals. In addition, Class 8 drayage trucks with engines that fail to meet or exceed 2007 federal emission standards for on road heavy-duty diesel-fueled vehicles will be denied access effective January 1, 2017. To implement this phase out plan, new sub-rules will be added to the Port Authority Marine Terminals Tariff FMC Schedule No. PA 10, which will become effective on October 1. I would like to take a moment to review these changes with you.

All Class 8 drayage trucks that service the Port Authority marine terminals, primarily container and bulk terminals as well as warehouses, will need to be registered in a Port Authority Drayage Truck Registry. The Drayage Truck Registry is a database that contains information on trucks that conduct business at Port Authority marine terminals. Upon completion of the registration, the Port Authority will issue a compliance sticker. The compliance stickers, if attached as instructed, will facilitate and expedite the drayage trucks’ transit onto, through and out of Port Authority marine terminals. We plan to have the Drayage Truck Registry available for on line registration beginning this Fall. A separate communication detailing how and when to register will be mailed to all truckers registered in SeaLink.

Owners of trucks equipped with engines Model Year 1993 or older, who operate on Port Authority marine terminal property after January 1, 2011, will be subject to receive a warning for the first violation; repeat violations will be subject to a suspension of access privileges for a specified period of time, including the coordinated suspension of their SEA LINK® registration, if appropriate, in accordance with the following schedule:

• 1st violation – warning
• 2nd violation within 12-month period – suspension for 2 calendar days
• 3rd violation within 12-month period – suspension for 7 calendar days
• 4th violation within 12-month period – suspension for 30 calendar days
• 5th violation, or more, within 12-month period – suspension for 90 calendar days

To afford the trucking community flexibility as we transition, only warnings will be issued between January 1, 2011 and February 28, 2011. Commencing March 1, 2011, suspension of access privileges will be in effect. For a complete copy of the tariff, please visit our Web site: panynj.info.

If you own – or have drivers who own – a truck equipped with an engine Model Year 1993 or older you should consider taking part in our Truck Replacement Program. It generally takes 45 to 60 days for approval, and if applications are submitted by October 1, and are approved to receive funding, there is the highest probability of obtaining new trucks prior to the commencement of the phase out plan. For more information, contact the Truck Replacement Center (TRC) at 877-309-1680 or visit our Web site replacemytruck.org. The TRC is located at 1180 McLester Street, Suite 8 (near the SeaLink office), Express-Port Plaza, in the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal, in Elizabeth NJ. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and is staffed with bilingual advisors.

Our goal is cleaner air for you and for the surrounding communities in the port district. I thank you for your support and look forward to continue to working with you.

R.M. Larrabee
Director, Port Commerce Department
The Port Authority of NY & NJ

TRUCK APPEARANCE

Good morning from Mercertown!  I don’t know if the word has gotten around yet, but we are starting to get a lot tougher on overall truck appearance here at Mercer.  Just a couple weeks ago, a group of five employees from 4 different departments (including me), came together to form a plan to become stricter on truck appearance.  We are going to be cracking down on any of the trucks that come through Louisville, that we feel are not up to our standards.

I have been at Mercer for over 8 years now, and can’t even count the amount of times that I have heard drivers that have worked here for a long time, discouraged about some of condition of the equipment we were leasing on.  Saying that, I also think that last year was so bad for the industry, we were probably a little more understanding about truck appearance defects.

Over the past few weeks, we have found issues with several existing units, and given them time to get those items corrected.  Most of our focus is finding trucks that have bad paint, whether it is poorly faded, or chipping and peeling.  And we are also looking at any body damage, and also looking at wheels that appear to be very rusted.  Once we have found these issues, depending on the severity, we will allow existing contractors a set amount of time to get these items fixed.

As for new units that we are signing on for the first time, we are being very particular, and depending on the severity, we will not give them any time to repair the cosmetic issues.  Those drivers just signing on with us will have to get those items corrected before leasing on with us.  Period.

I take a tremendous amount of pride in working for Mercer, and I know that you all do as well.  I go to truck shows around the country and I always hear the same thing, “Mercer…My truck don’t look good enough to work there.  You guys have some good looking equipment!”  I like to think that we have a great reputation, and hopefully, we can keep it up.  We do have some great looking equipment here.  Not only do other drivers notice it, but so do our customers, and the general public.  It’s just another part of this great company that makes Mercer the best place to work for Owner-Operators.  Have a great weekend, and GO MERCER!

There was a little conversation in the post about the picture…and some confusion about what we expect.  So I walked out on the lot, and snapped a picture of a good example of a simple, good looking, working truck.

TCH CARD UPDATE

TCH Update:

We’ve had a lot of issues with drivers cards working at the pump but not working at ATM machines or at Wal-Mart’s. The reason for this is the TCH card was not used for such a long period of time that part of the magnetic strip became inactive. To resolve this issue, please call TCH at 888-824-7378, use option “3”, enter you card number and pin number. Then change your pin# to something else. This resolved the issue for a few contractors on Friday. If you want, once you change your pin, you can call in and change it back to the original pin. For whatever reason, this seems to work.

If you continue to have issues, please call truck pay and we can send you another TCH card.

LONGER WHEELBASE PERMITS FOR ALBERTA

Alberta now has longer wheelbase permits available. If the tractor’s wheelbase is over 244″ but does not exceed 283″, an annual wheelbase can be purchased for $15.00 CN.

The trailer wheelbase will need to confirm to the following:

Tractor wheelbase Max Trailer wheelbase

up to 246″ 41′

up to 252″ 40′ 8″

up to 256″ 40′ 4″

up to 260″ 40′ 4″

up to 264″ 40′

up to 268″ 39′ 8″

up to 272″ 39′ 8″

up to 275″ 39′ 4″

up to 280″ 39′

up to 283″ 39′

This longer wheelbase permit does not apply to any over dimensional loads.

The longer wheelbase permit is order from by the driver at:

AB Central Permit Dept

403-342-7138

MERCER TRANSPORTATION FACEBOOK PAGE

I have created the “Official” Facebook page for Mercer Transportation.  Please click on the link below, and press the “Like” button at the top of the screen, to keep up with everything involving Mercer!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Louisville-KY/Mercer-Transportation/160775903932706#!/pages/Louisville-KY/Mercer-Transportation/160775903932706?v=wall

TCH EXCLUSIVE PART 2

As you have read here before, we are in the process of switching over to TCH as our only option for a fuel advance card.  We are shooting for this Friday, September 17th, for the date that we go TCH exclusive.  If you do not have a TCH card in your possession, please contact truck pay to have one sent to you as soon as possible.

BRAKE SAFETY WEEK

Brake Safety Week begins Sunday September 12 and runs through Saturday September 18. This is a component of the Operation Air Brake Campaign of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. Member agencies throughout North American will be doing brake inspections throughout the week. I strongly recommend that everyone take the time to have their brakes inspected and adjusted if necessary prior to doing any trucking on September 12 or the rest of the week. Bad Level One’s are not a good thing at Mercer. Expect to be inspected. Prepare your truck, your load and your log book accordingly. Mercer units are expected to pass any inspection from any agency at any time.

FORMER MERCER CONTRACTOR PASSES

Seems like we have had a lot of bad news lately. Today is no exception. Former Mercer unit 6541, Earl Reichard, passed away. He leased on at Mercer in October of 2001, and just recently retired from Mercer in August. If anyone that knew Earl would like to send a card to his family, you can send them to his wife, Theresa. Her address is 2989 N County Hwy FF, Butternut, WI 54514.  Theresa has requested that Mercer drivers sound their horn Friday at noon, which will be the time of Earl’s service.  Please keep Earl’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

Earl’s online obituary can be viewed at this link: http://www.tributes.com/show/Earl-Reichard-89296700

DISCOUNTS FOR MERCER CONTRACTORS

Hello from Mercertown! I wanted to quickly pass along a couple of businesses that are giving generous discounts to Mercer contractors:

MHC Kenworth

Already effective, all Mercer contractors can receive a 10% discount on labor, and Large Fleet discount on all parts.  Their are 40 MHC Kenworth locations, over 10 states.

Truckomat Truck Wash

Truckomat is offering several great discounts to Mercer drivers.  There best deal is the Tractor Hand Brush/Flatbed Spray, which is typically $52.99.  Mercer contractors get this package for $42.39!  Click this link for Truckomat locations:  http://truckomat.com/locations/

COLORADO CHAIN LAW

The Colorado chain law went into effect on September 1. Remember, to run I-70 between mp133 (Dotsero) and mp259 (Morrison, west of Denver) units MUST CARRY enough chains to chain four drive wheels. The fine for not CARRYING chains in the required area between September 1 and May 31 is $50 plus a $17 surcharge. Statewide, the fine for not chaining up when the chain law is in effect (signs are lit) is $500 plus a $157 surcharge. If you do not chain up and subsequently block the highway, the fine is $1,000 plus a $313 surcharge (plus a wrecker bill). Trailer chains are not required in Colorado. In previous years, it seems as if US 50 over Monarch Pass was a required carry area, but that is not currently indicated on the Colorado DOT website. We will post additional chain law info for other areas before October 1. Generally, my advice for everyone running west is to carry at least seven chains: enough to chain four drives, two trailer and one spare. We will look at this in greater detail later.

Speaking of Colorado, remember that they use vans with photo radar around construction zones, particularly in the Greater Denver area. CSA 2010 makes any speeding in a construction zone a big deal (8×3=24 points) because of high accident frequency. Carriers, including Mercer, will have a difficult time keeping drivers who speed, tailgate and/or have preventable accidents in construction zones. The prevention of accidents in construction zones has a high priority with the FMCSA, as well it should. It is important to exercise extreme caution in all construction zones. Watch out for the dummies, because construction zones seem to bring them out.

Winter is coming, boys and girls, it is time to start winterizing the truck. Don’t procrastinate. Be safe.

New Newsletter highlights Great American Truck Show

The Mercer crew just got back from another great trip to the Great American Truck Show. Be sure to check out our recent newsletter for information on Mercer’s Great American Trucking Family, photos, and Brian’s take on the show. You’ll also find our usual features like Contractor of the Month, In the Headlights and Showusyourtruck.com updates.

Take a look: Newsletter

Plus! Eric Harley of the Midnight Trucking Radio Network interviewed a few great Mercer contractors at the show. If you missed them on the radio, you can listen here (At the dropsend page, click the link under “your file to download” to download mp3.)

Billy & Billy Douglas / Great American Trucking Family interview
Debbie Berkel/Cancer Charity interview

Have a great weekend!

Johanna
jinman@mercer-trans.com

DRAWING THE LINE

Probably the most-asked question I get, easily twenty or more times a day is, “How many points do I get?”. Drivers are starting to wrap their arms around CSA 2010 and are beginning to understand the all-encompassing and game-changing nature of it. They understand that every violation has a point value and that the ones that the FMCSA considers more likely to contribute to an accident have greater point values than others. What they don’t understand in many cases, are the peer group comparisons. Carriers are compared against other carriers of similar size. At Mercer, we compare Mercer drivers against Mercer drivers.

While it is important that drivers get clean inspections, it is more important that drivers don’t get written up for things that have higher accident risk point values. For example, at Mercer, we could take a lot of burned out marker lights (vehicle maintenance BASIC) but not many logs not current (fatigued driving Basic), speeding warnings (unsafe driving Basic) or improper load securement writeups (cargo securement Basic). Those things can mess up driver and carrier safety ratings in a hurry.

For that reason, Mercer drivers who have those kinds of problems are learning that our response is becoming a bit harder and things are tightening up. It has nothing to do with the driver’s point total, but everything to do with what type(s) of violations are being discovered at the roadside. For quite some time now, Mercer drivers who have load securement writeups have been given a no-expense paid trip to Mercertown to go through Flatbed Orientation. What several have learned is that I only allow that once. Repeat offenders, particularly for the same violation, get the opportunity to contribute to somebody else’s CSA 2010 scores. If you run a flatbed, stepdeck, RGN, lowboy……….CSA 2010 requires you to do it right every trip. It is designed to weed out those who don’t, won’t, or can’t.

Hours of service is another huge issue. Fortunately, we do not have a huge problem with OOS log violations for over 11, 14, or 70. Our policy has always been that an OOS and/or citation for hours of service violations places a driver on log probation for six months. It includes loss of PrePass during that period and any similar violation during the probation period is a dealbreaker. What has been more of a problem under CSA 2010 is writeups for logs not current. It is a big hit (5×3=15 points). Drivers are not drawing the line when they begin driving. Maybe forgetting, maybe not.

To help drivers at Mercer draw the line, I have drawn the line. Drivers who have gotten that type of writeup are getting warning letters from me advising that they will be placed on log probation for six months (with no Prepass) for a second writeup, regardless of timeframe. People on log probation are finding out that it means no more log violations, not just OOS ones. CSA 2010 requires absolute compliance with hours of service regulations. Most Mercer people have already figured that out and are dealing with it. Those that haven’t figured it out are learning that time is running out. Quickly.

Speeding writeups are another issue. The new revisions are much fairer than the original point values and that is helpful to drivers and motor carriers. However, drivers who are on warning status, or are on probation for accidents or moving violations are finding out, a few the hard way, that a change in driving habits is required. I don’t expect to see drivers in those categories getting moving violation writeups. I expect to see strict adherence to speed limits. We have stepped up our road surveys to make sure that is going on.

The bottom line is this: Warning or Probation means a driver has jeopardized his or her relationship with Mercer. CSA 2010 has amplified that reality. The game has changed. The lines are drawn. Be safe.