Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85435
logbook Father of veteran named Back on the Road winner Billy Basenburg will soon be driving cross-country in his own truck, with a new job and renewed spirit after being named winner of Arrow Truck Sales 2012 Back on the Road program. The Jasper, Ala., resident lost his truck and was in danger of losing his home after a series of hardships consumed his time and drained his budget. A decade ago, his wife was in a car accident that left her with a debilitating back injury. Basenburg had to spend time away from his business to care for his wife while she went through surgeries and rehab. More recently, his son returned home from military service in Iraq, battling post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Also, when Basenburg's older brother became seriously ill, Basenburg took him in and cared for him until he died. With the truck, a 2008 Mack Pinnacle high-rise sleeper, comes a one-year work agreement with Heartland Express. Also in Billy Basenburg's prizes include a 2008 Mack Pinnacle high- rise sleeper. the package are: • Michelin XZA3+ and X One XDA Energy tires • ThermoKing TriPac APU • Monthly $500 fuel cards from Pilot Flying J • Business consulting services from ATBS • Insurance provided by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association • A three-year/300,000- mile warranty from National Truck Protection • A year's worth of oil SHORT HAULS National Registry rule finalized The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration April 18 finalized a rule establishing a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. It requires health-care professionals who perform medical examinations for interstate truck and bus drivers to be trained, tested and certified on the specific physical qualifications that affect a driver's ability to safely operate the vehicle. The online registry will include only those health-care providers who have completed the new FMCSA certification process. "Safety is our top priority," Secretary Ray LaHood said. "This new rule will ensure that health-care professionals conducting Department of Transportation medical exams fully understand all of the demands required to operate large trucks and passenger buses safely." This rule addresses four National Transportation Safety Board recommendations on comprehensive training for medical examiners and tracking of driver medical certificates. In 30 days, FMCSA will post its uniform training and testing standards for medical examiners at http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot. 16 OVERDRIVE MAY 2012 DALLAS-AREA TORNADOES delivered significant damage to a Schneider National operating center and minor damage to two Pilot Flying J locations in April. No deaths or serious injuries were reported. Schneider said it had 254 trucks and 204 trailers on site at the time of the storm and its equipment received "massive damage." TRUCKING DROPPED 1,900 jobs in March after gaining roughly 20,000 jobs in the three months prior, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Payroll employment in for-hire trucking, however, is up by 41,400 jobs since March 2011, a 3.4 percent change. J&A TRANSPORTATION posed an imminent hazard to public safety, said the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the fleet has been ordered to halt operations. FMCSA placed the fleet out of service due to multiple hours of service, driver and vehicle maintenance violations. USED TRUCK PRICES dipped 1 percent in February from January, says ACT Research Co. Net orders for van trailers in February were down 32 percent from January, but orders for all other trailers increased 31 percent, ACT said. changes from Mobil Delvac • Truck accessories, fenders and a $5,000 check from Minimizer • A memory-foam mattress from SleepDog • An IntelliRoute TND 710 GPS from Rand McNally • Cubby Buddy Tool Box system from 16 Ton Industries • Health assessment and check-ups from trainer Bob Perry • Custom truck graphics by Image Works — Staff reports