Posted on Tue, Jul 20, 2010 @ 02:12 PM
Perception as defined by Merriam-Webster:
1a: a result of perceiving; observation 1b: a mental image; concept
2: obsolete; consciousness
3a: awareness of the elements of environment through physical sensation <color perception> 3b: physical sensation interpreted in the light of experience
4a: quick, acute, and intuitive cognition; appreciation 4b: a capacity for comprehension
Recently I received an anonymous email that, though very well written, contained perceptions of the author. In this email, specific drivers were named along with the author's allegations of unfair favoritism. As with any information-claiming issues of safety, fairness, or favoritism, the facts are being pursued. The author’s perception that some drivers are performing their duties and “are not getting anything from the Company in return” is blatantly incorrect.
First off, our drivers are compensated for the loads that they move. Secondly, every driver that is a part of our organization is an individual who has different abilities, needs, priorities, and goals. Historically, Area Transportation has been much more compassionate to accommodating our driver’s needs than most carriers, whether it is to care for family, maintain a stable home life, or to allow drivers to participate in activities not related to work.
It seems that the perception of what is good and what is bad, as part of human nature, is often only applied to the advantage of the individual. As in most cases when light is shed on the facts, the perceptions change from alarming concern to minor inconvenience. I like to quote the Paul Harvey catchphrase, “Now for the rest of the story.”
Perceptions can make or break an individual, group, organization, company, or corporation. Take the time to get the facts for yourself. Don’t get caught up in rumor mill, the “Yeah, whatever it was he said” misperceptions that always seem to be more appealing than the facts.
I have been with Area Transportation for over 15 years, I have been in the transportation industry for 30 years. I have been directly involved with start-up operations that have started with negative perceptions that ultimately became very successful once those perceptions were overcome. We are not in a perfect world and fairness is a goal that everyone at Area Transportation strives for. Life is not fair. No matter how the rules are written, or how they are applied, there will always be someone who feels slighted. When anonymous individuals or groups make accusations about things not being fair it makes me wonder if it is because they are not willing to give up accommodations for their individual needs in the interest of “fairness”.
Article written by Mark Andersen, Area Transportation.
Posted on Tue, Jun 01, 2010 @ 11:36 AM
As promised, Independent Contractors with ADS Logistics are now eligible to enroll in the new ComData Fuel Card Program. So far the new system has been a big hit with company drivers and we are confident that the results with the Independent Contractor Truckers will be the same. The program is open to all Independent Contractors working with ADS Logistics, either in our Area Transportation or Western Intermodal division.
Independent Contractors who would like to participate can register for the program by going to any Area Transportation terminal and signing the lease addendum. Truckers who register at the ADS Logistics headquarters in Chesterton Indiana will receive their ComData cards on site. For all other Truckers who register at the other terminals, the ComData card will be mailed to them.
Details of the ComData Fuel Card Program
- The ComData card is valid at any Pilot Truck Stop, as well as ADS Headquarters
- The ComData card is intended to be used only for fuel and oil purchases.
- All purchases on the ComData card will be deducted from the next settlement
- ComData card limits will be established on an individual basis
- IC Truckers who are off for more than 2 days will have their card suspended until they return to work
PLEASE NOTE: This Fuel Program involves using a new ComData card. The ComData card that is issued to Independent Contractors when they first lease on is for Direct Deposit only, and will not work with this Program.
Our hope is that the ComData Fuel Card Program saves our drivers time and money. We encourage all Independent Contractors to take advantage of this great program.
Posted by Mark Andersen: On-Site Manager- ADS Logistics
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Posted on Tue, Mar 30, 2010 @ 11:38 AM
Great News! We have finally made a breakthrough working with our two main database systems, ComData and Innovative, to bring all our flatbed truck drivers, (both Company and Independent Contractors) ComData fuel cards. We will be converting from driver assignment to the unit assignment in order to accomplish this task.
Effective April 12, 2010, Company truck drivers will need to enter a PIN number in place of their Employee ID when they get fuel. The PIN numbers have already been established with ComData. The last four (4) numbers of their Driver's License are their PIN. We will be sending out more information to our Company truck drivers of this upcoming change. Once the PIN number change is implemented, we will begin converting the fuel cards from the driver assignment to the unit assignment. New cards have been received in the Chesterton office and will be issued to Company drivers in the very near future.
Once the PIN change is implemented we will test the process with the Independent Contractor Cards to ensure a smooth operation. We anticipate May 3, 2010 as a start date for our Independent Contractors to be able to sign up for a ComData card and begin using them to reap the benefit of a discount on their fuel purchases.
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Posted on Tue, Mar 09, 2010 @ 11:53 AM
The month of March started off with a startling discovery for me. I was on my way to work, nothing out of the ordinary. The commute to and from work is usually my time to think of what all I have to get done, think through my daily list of what I want to get accomplished. I finished my cigarette as I was sitting at a red light, and without giving it a second thought (or even much of a first), flicked the butt out the window. As the light turned green and traffic started moving, the County Sheriff who was right behind me turned on his lights. I thought, “What did I do? I wasn’t even moving!” as I pulled over to the shoulder past the light. The officer, without introduction or explanation, requested my license and registration. I handed him my documents and he proceeded to his car. I was still oblivious as to why he stopped me. When he returned to my window he handed me my documents along with a ticket. He stated that he was ticketing me for littering, for flicking my cigarette butt out the window. Yes, I know that it is. Yes, I know that smoking is a nasty habit….. All that is for another blog….
Later that day I got the bigger shock. The ticket carries a fine of $132.00! Having smoked for years, driving several hundred thousand miles, I couldn’t begin to calculate how many cigarette butts I have sent out the window. The message that littering is against the law rang pretty loud when the clerk told me the total of the fine. Even though it is somewhat of an embarrassment, it brings up a good point.
Over the years, the large majority of drivers I have met smoke. The common practice of flicking the butt out the window becomes a mindless habit when driving. My motto has been “There is only one thing constant… Change”. Today’s environment is a product of previous bad habits. Yes I do agree that I must do my part to clean it up and keep it clean. It is usually the small things that make the most difference. The small things that cause you the most irritation. The small things that accumulate to make up big problems.
This message is a word of warning to us smokers as well as a thought-provoking topic. The small thing, a cigarette butt, when accumulated with several others makes a big mess. We all need to do our part to take care of the small things, the attention to detail, for everyone’s benefit as well as our own.
Written by Mark Andersen, On-Site Manager Area Transportation