Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/700722
PARTNER SOLUTIONS | PrePass R alph Garcia, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, is an outstanding example of the best of the best in the trucking industry. As a driver for ABF Freight System for 23 years, Garcia has been recognized for the work he's done both for his company and for the industry. He's one of the elite America's Road Team Captains for the American Trucking Associations and recently was honored with ATA's Mike Russell Trucking Image Award. He's been a professional driver for more than 37 years and has accumulated more than 3.5 million accident-free miles. Garcia recently spoke with us during his downtime and described a typical day in his life as a professional driver. 3 p.m. Workday begins | Rio Rancho, New Mexico Garcia wakes up from a two-hour nap and packs two healthy meals and some snacks. He says goodbye to Anita, his wife of 37 years, and heads out for an hour drive to the ABF Freight System terminal in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he clocks in. He then picks up his new model Mack Pinnacle truck or a new model Freightliner Cascadia. 4 p.m. Pre-trip inspection | Albuquerque, New Mexico He conducts a thorough pre-trip inspection. "I always check all the connections, fifth wheel and kingpin. I meticulously check all my tires for wear and tear and check the air pressure. Then, I start her up and check the lights, air lines, all the turn signals and then make sure my paperwork and registration is all in order." Tip: Never be in a hurry. Don't skip any steps. If you have a nagging feeling in the back of your mind that you missed something, trust your instincts and double-check. 4:45 p.m. – Second pre-trip inspection | Albuquerque, New Mexico "I know most truckers don't do this but it's my thing. I stop after 20 or 30 minutes and do another pre-trip inspection. I've always done this and I've caught things over th http://www.ccjdigital.com/files/2016/03/Gar- cia-Family-2016-03-08-16-56-500x333.png e years that you might not catch the first round." While driving, he listens to talk radio, sports radio, Hannity on Fox News and religious talk shows. When he's not listening to the radio, he's listening to the Truck Driving Championship study guide as he sharp- ens his memory for the written exam. Tip: Stay alert, look ahead, don't get distracted and pay attention to everything. 7 p.m. Weigh station bypass | Sanders, Arizona He waves at the truckers lined up at the Sanders Arizona, weigh station. His truck is equipped with a PrePass system that offers qualified safe trucks the opportunity to bypass weigh stations. A small wireless transponder is mounted on his windshield and as he approaches the weigh station, an electronic reader scans the transponder, identifies the vehicle and a secure computer inside the weigh station accesses his truck's information making sure it's compliant with state weight limits. Tip: Save time, fuel and money with PrePass weigh station bypass. 7:30 p.m. Break | Navajo, Arizona Garcia walks around the truck 22 times, monitors his activity via FitBit, eats a prepared nutritious meal and checks in with his family. Tip: It's hard to stay fit and make healthy food choices, but it's one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. 10 p.m. Break | Flagstaff, Arizona Garcia takes a break in Flagstaff, Arizona to stretch, eat a small snack, walk around his truck and call his wife to say goodnight before she goes to bed. 12:30 a.m. Lights out | Kingman, Arizona He rolls into the yard in Kingman, Arizona, parks the truck, goes in to check on paperwork and then a van takes him to a hotel. "I crash and get a good solid night's sleep," he says. 11 a.m. Morning routine | Kingman, Arizona Garcia wakes up, hits the gym for a work out, eats breakfast, showers and is ready for his pre-check inspection and his trip back home. 2:30 p.m. Break | Winslow, Arizona Walks around the truck 22 times, eats a healthy snack, calls home, checks over his equipment. 5 p.m. Weigh station bypass | Gallup, New Mexico He drives steadily down the highway, while other truckers pull over, losing time, fuel and money. "Pre- Pass is such an important timesaver for me. I always appreciate how efficient the process is and how much I can pack into those saved minutes," he says. Tip: Call (855) 608-9555 or visit prepassnow.com to learn how PrePass can help you save time, fuel and money. See more at: http://www.ccjdigital.com/ our-partners/prepass Garcia likes to work out, power lift, hang out with his family tackle leadership positions with his church, go to the shooting range and study for the Truck Driving Championships. Do you have what it takes to be a Road Team Captain? Check out a typical day in the life of one of the industry's best drivers. Hometown: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Company: ABF Freight System Years trucking: 37 (23 with ABF) Accident-free miles: 3.5 million PrePass user: Since 2011 Awards and recognition: • American Trucking Associations Road Team Captain since 2005 • American Trucking Associations Mike Russell Trucking Image Award • 17-time participant of New Mexico Truck Driving Championship; Grand Champion in 2009 • 33-time participant of National Truck Driving Championships with one 1st, two 2nd and two 3rd place finishes DRIVER AT A GLANCE 1/2 inch 1/2 inch 1/2 inch 1/2 inch 1/2 inch 1/2 inch .8161 inch 6.875 X 9.1839 Spread bleed: 16 inch Spread trim: 15.75 inch Head: Myriad Pro black condensed Subhead: Myriad Pro bold condensed Body copy: Myriad Pro regular, 10.5 pts., 500-750 words. Body copy subheads: Myriad Pro bold and/or black Photo captions: Myriad Pro condensed 9 pts. 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