The Nation

On-highway diesel prices continued their downward trajectory for a sixth consecutive week, dropping to a national average of $3.261 November 26, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The national average decline by 2.1 cents from the previous week. After rising throughout much of the year, particularly over the spring and then followed by a second spike at the start of autumn, the recent decline has brought the national average down to only $0.335 above where it was a year ago. While this week’s drop was felt in every region, California saw the largest decline, $0.036. This brought the price of diesel in California to $3.964, the first time it has been below $4 per gallon since September 24. Overall, diesel fell on the West Coast a little more than the national average, $0.028, to finish the week at $3.739 The Midwest saw the next-largest drop after California, at $0.031. Prices in that region are among the lowest in the nation, at $3.185. The Gulf Coast continues to have the lowest prices of any region, although it only saw a 1-cent decline this week, as diesel prices there edged closer to the $3 mark. It currently stands at $3.035. The Lower Atlantic portion of the East Coast region is next lowest, at $3.145, after a 2-cent drop this week. Further up the East Coast, diesel prices remain stubborn in New England, which once again saw the smallest price drop, $0.003, to finish at $3.344. New England also continues to have the highest year-to year price increase, $0.463, although the gap closed by 2.2 cents in the past week. After falling 7.7 percent the previous Friday to $50.42 a barrel, crude oil bounced back November 26. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.21, or 2.4 percent, to settle at $51.63 a barrel It was the biggest percentage and dollar gain since Oct. 1, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Global benchmark Brent crude had an even stronger rebound, $1.68, or 2.9 percent, to close at $60.48 a barrel. Click here for a complete list of average prices by region for the past three weeks.

CHICAGO — A wintry storm brought blizzard-like conditions to parts of the Midwest early Monday, grounding hundreds of flights and causing slick roads for commuters as they returned to work after the Thanksgiving weekend. The Chicago area was slammed with up to a foot of wet snow, and whiteout conditions stalled commuter traffic on the roads. The National Weather Service said 7.5 inches of snow fell at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and 4.9 inches fell at Midway International Airport. PHOTO CAPTION This photo released by the Nebraska State Patrol, shows a broken up trailer amid blowing snow on Interstate 80 near Bradshaw, Nebraska, Sunday. Blizzard-like conditions have closed highways and delayed air travel as a winter storm moved through the Midwest. (Nebraska State Patrol via AP) The Chicago Department of Aviation says 809 flights were canceled at O’Hare between midnight and around 10 a.m. Monday, after 700 flights at the airport were canceled Sunday. At Midway International Airport, where 123 flights were canceled on Sunday, another 69 flights had been canceled as of midnight. One Chicago native trying to fly to Orlando, Florida, chided himself for not heeding the forecast, but maintained his sense of humor. “I knew it was right around the corner, and behold I stayed that one extra day and paid the price. So I was able to spend the evening here at beautiful O’Hare and had plenty of company,” said Mark McCoy, referring to all the other travelers stranded at the travel hub. “It’s all part of the Thanksgiving travel experience,” McCoy said. The storm also dumped wet snow on parts of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, creating treacherous driving conditions. Police responded to dozens of crashes Monday morning in the Lansing area. Authorities warned that roads were icy and covered with snow and encouraged people to stay off the roads unless travel was essential. Further south, Gov. Jeff Colyer declared a state of emergency in Kansas on Sunday after 2 to 14 inches of snow fell in parts of the state. The state Department of Transportation reported several road closures Monday, mostly in the extreme northeast, but said a stretch of Interstate 70 that had been closed on Sunday was reopened. The National Weather Service said that 3 to 9 inches fell across northern Missouri on Sunday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported multiple fender-benders but by midmorning on Monday the Department of Transportation said all roads were opened. Flights were mostly on time Monday at Kansas City International Airport, one day after the storm caused widespread delays. Roads in much of Nebraska and the southern half of Iowa remained covered in snow and ice early Monday, even after the storm had passed those states. Several state and U.S. highways were impassable in Nebraska, but traffic was moving on Interstate 29 in the southwestern corner of Iowa and Interstate 80 in the eastern of the state, despite a blanket of snow. Roads were slick in northern Indiana early Monday after about 2 inches of snow fell, and more was forecast through the afternoon. Parts of southeastern Wisconsin, just north of Chicago, suffered a glancing blow from the storm, with about 9 inches (23 centimeters) of blowing and drifting snow.

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine and NORMANDY, France — Wreaths Across America (WAA) has been granted permission by the French authorities, on the basis of phytosanitary guarantees provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to on December 1 place 9,387 Maine-made, balsam veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of all U.S. service members laid to rest at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, located in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. The cemetery is one of 14 permanent American World War II military cemeteries on foreign soil. The government of France granted use of the land, in perpetuity. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and French President René Coty dedicated the cemetery on July 18, 1956. This is the first time WAA – whose mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those that served, and Teach the next generation the value of Freedom – has sent U.S.-made balsam wreaths to be placed on foreign soil. The December wreath-laying event is a joint collaboration between the Normandy American Cemetery and American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) and will include ceremonial wreath placements on each of the five D-Day invasion beaches, at Pointe Du Hoc, and include a Canadian Wreath presentation. “The mission of the American Battle Monuments Commission is to honor the service, achievements and sacrifices of our U.S armed forces in two World Wars. It closely parallels the mission of the Wreaths Across America organization — to Remember, Honor and Teach,” said Scott Desjardins, superintendent, Normandy American Cemetery. “The Normandy American Cemetery is proud and pleased to be the first ABMC cemetery to have been chosen to attempt this important endeavor. As we approach the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, conducted to establish a foothold in Western Europe to free it from tyranny, the Wreaths Across America organization storms the beaches of Normandy to establish a foothold and commemorate the sacrifice made by the men and women who never returned home and are now memorialized in our sites.” The veterans’ wreaths are being gifted to WAA as a donation from its founder, Morrill Worcester, whose long-time dream has been to one day place a wreath in honor of every U.S. veteran laid to rest, worldwide. “When I began placing wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in 1992, I could never have imagined that this idea would impact people around the world the way it has,” Worcester. “To know that WAA will be able to place a wreath for each of those veterans and say their names out loud is truly incredible, and I am so honored to be able to help this effort however I can.” The transportation of nearly 9,500 fresh balsam veterans’ wreaths from Maine to Normandy requires a massive and coordinated effort, and this complex transport would not be possible without the generous in-kind support of global supply chain management company CEVA Logistics, the transatlantic cargo capacity of United Airlines, and the over-the-road transport provided by Metropolitan Trucking. “Our goal at Wreaths Across America is to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed for the freedoms we as Americans enjoy every day,” said Wayne Hanson, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Wreaths Across America. “To be given the opportunity and support needed to advance our mission to Normandy is truly a gift and we intend to continue to move forward until one day, all U.S veterans laid to rest are honored.” In 1992 in Harrington, Maine, Worcester sought to turn a surplus of 5,000 holiday wreaths into an opportunity to pay tribute to our country’s veterans. With the help of then Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, Worcester arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. The tradition continued on for more than a decade before national attention spurred the start of the 501(c) 3 Wreaths Across America in 2007. Since then, the program has grown in scope, touching the lives of thousands of veterans’ families and volunteers in every state across the country. In 2017 alone, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers laid over 1.5 million veterans’ wreaths at 1,433 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. This year, National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December 15, and  at least 1,500 participating locations across the country will host wreath-laying ceremonies, all run by dedicated volunteers. To learn more about how to sponsor wreaths or volunteer in your own community, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. CAPTION FOR PHOTO ABOVE Former President George W. Bush observes Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2002, with a visit to the Normandy American Cemetery in nearby Colleville-sur-Mer, France, home to the graves of 9,387 men and women killed in the World War II liberation of Europe. It was at the nearby beaches of Normandy in northwestern France where Allied forces broke through Hitler’s fortifications 58 years ago to begin the end of World War II. (Associated Press: J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE)

For the last few decades, there’s been a certain breed of sanctimonious would-be life coaches out there spreading this idea that the key to professional happiness is to “follow your bliss,” that if you “do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I get the feeling this quote was written by someone who literally never worked a day in their life, at least not at a real job. Nevertheless, it has been a very popular saying among people who like to present themselves as wise in a wind-chime tinkling, “embrace the universal energy” metaphysical kind of way. But, as Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion teaches us, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. And for every herbal tea-sipping spiritual healer type, there’s a coffee-swilling cynic hell-bent on bringing the conversation back down to Earth. Ironically, at least in this situation, a lot of us gravitate to journalism. In recent years there’s been growing pushback in the form of counterarguments to the “Do what you love” concept. First of all, it just isn’t practical. Many jobs – check that – most jobs aren’t anyone’s idea of a good time, but they have to get done. That’s why people get paid to do them. And even if you did find something you really enjoy that you can get paid to do, once it’s your job obligations get attached, as well as standards, rules and deadlines. You can’t always do things the way you want; you have to answer to other people. Soon that thing you love doing isn’t the thing you love doing. Oh, you still may enjoy doing it compared to a thousand other kinds of drudgery, and at least you have that going for you, but don’t kid yourself. When you’re doing it for a living, it’s work. But for a long time now, we’ve been fed this idea that self-fulfillment should be part of the compensation package for any “good” job. And if it isn’t, then there’s something inferior about that job. The social implication is that to work a job where you aren’t experiencing bliss is to be a failure. This attitude had caused a lot of people to have a hard time handling the frustrations of the working world. I see a lot of that among truckers. Recently, while doing my job, I’ve met a couple of drivers, Dave and David (yeah, that’s their real names) and when I compare my impressions of the two it brought the issue to mind. I interviewed Dave as he ate at a truck stop before heading out on an overnight drive. He drives at night because there are fewer hassles. I spoke with David in a morning phone interview while he was still basking in the glow of an award he’d won a few days earlier. David has been a truck driver since the mid-’70s, and he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Dave started driving 10 years ago out of necessity when his business went belly-up. He does it because it’s the best paycheck he can make, plain and simple. They seem to live on opposite ends of the occupational bliss scale. But they are more alike than you might think. They’re both grandfathers – in fact they have the same number of grandchildren. And on any given day if you gave either one a choice of being on the road or hanging out with the grandkids, you’d find their truck keys would be hanging on a nail somewhere. They both came up in an era when people were taught work was for making a living, not to make life worth living. Relative job contentment aside, they both know the real happiness in their lives lies elsewhere. You know, interviewing people can feel like happy hour with an old friend or like a nightmare blind date. I can honestly say I’m glad to have met both Dave and David. They gave me something to think about, and that’s one of the pleasures of this job.  

For the last few decades, there’s been a certain breed of self-satisfied would-be life coaches out there spreading this idea that the key to professional happiness is to “follow your bliss,” that if you “do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I get the feeling this quote was written by someone who literally never worked a day in their life, at least not at a real job. Nevertheless, it has been a very popular saying among people who like to present themselves as wise in a wind-chime tinkling, “embrace the universal energy” metaphysical kind of way. But, here in the physical realm, Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion teaches us that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. And for every herbal tea-sipping spiritual healer type, there’s a coffee-swilling cynic hell-bent on bringing the conversation back down to Earth. Ironically, at least in this situation, a lot of us gravitate to journalism. For several years there’s been growing pushback in the form of counterarguments to the “Do what you love” concept. First of all, it just isn’t practical. Many jobs – check that – most jobs aren’t anyone’s idea of a good time, but they have to get done. That’s why people get paid to do them. And even if you did find something you really enjoy that you can get paid to do, once it’s your job obligations get attached, as well as standards, rules and deadlines. You can’t always do things the way you want; you have to answer to other people. Soon that thing you love doing isn’t the thing you love doing. Oh, you still may enjoy doing it compared to a thousand other kinds of drudgery you could be stuck doing, and at least you have that going for you, but don’t kid yourself. When you’re doing it for a living, it’s work. But for a long time now, we’ve been fed this idea that self-fulfillment should be part of the compensation package for any “good” job. This creates a smug, sanctimonious class who spread the “follow your bliss” mantra, the implication being that it has worked for them, the further implication being that their success is due to some innately superior aspect of their character or force of will, rather than admit the role that life circumstances and dumb luck have a lot to do with how our lives pan out. The “do what you love” philosophy also implies that anyone who’s doing a job that isn’t their “passion” is, at least on some level, failing at life. This leaves a lot of people put in a position where society sends them a subtle message that they should be ashamed of the way they make a living. This attitude had caused a lot of people to have a hard time handling the frustrations of the working world. I see a lot of that among truckers. Even among truckers who like most of the daily aspects of the job, there’s a frustration at feeling like they are looked upon as second-class citizens because they do a job that isn’t society’s image of bliss. Recently, while doing my job, I’ve met a couple of drivers, Dave and David (yeah, that’s their real names) and when I compare my impressions of the two it brought the issue to mind. I interviewed Dave as he ate at a truck stop before heading out on an overnight drive. He said he drives at night by choice because there are fewer hassles – less traffic, less trouble finding parking when it’s time to knock off. He’s figured out how to shave the stress off the job. Dave started driving 10 years ago out of necessity when his business went belly-up. He does it because it’s the best paycheck he can make, plain and simple. A week or so later, I spoke with David in a morning phone interview as he was also starting his daily run. He was still basking in the glow of a major award he’d won a few days earlier that recognized his long, successful career. David has been a truck driver since the mid-’70s, and he told me if the Good Lord himself came down and give him a chance to go back and do it all over again, he would – exactly like he did it the first time. They do the same job, and they seem to live on opposite ends of the occupational bliss scale. But they are more alike than you might think. For one thing, they’re both grandfathers – in fact they have the same number of grandchildren. And on any given day if you gave either one a choice of being on the road or hanging out with the grandkids, they would immediately hang their truck keys up on a nail somewhere. Dave and David are a couple of graybeards, they came up in an era when people were taught work was for making a living, not to make life worth living. Relative job contentment aside, they both know the real happiness in their lives lies in what they do off the clock, once the paycheck is in the bank. You know, I’ve met all kinds in my profession, from some of the most famous movie stars in the world to street-corner panhandlers and all points in between. No matter what their position in life, I never know how well I’m going to click with them until we start talking. Interviewing people can feel like happy hour with an old friend or like a nightmare blind date. I can honestly say I’m glad to have met both Dave and David. They gave me something to think about, and that’s when this job is a pleasure.

PLOVER, Wis. — The Women In Trucking Association Inc. (WIT) held its fourth annual Accelerate! Conference and Expo earlier this month. More than 825 women and men from six countries registered to attend the event in Frisco, Texas, November 12-14, which reflects a record-breaking attendance level with more than a 300-person increase from the year before. The Accelerate! Conference & Expo works to elevate the issue of gender diversity, develop women leaders, and explore how to leverage a diverse workforce for company success and engage and retain more females in the industry. “This is the only conference that encourages the employment of women in the industry and helps to minimize obstacles they face,” said Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO. “The positive energy and supportive atmosphere at the conference provided the perfect environment for talking candidly about common challenges, sharing best practices and trends, and empowering us all to make a difference in our companies and the industry.” Several key themes emerged from the three-day event: “A cookie-cutter approach for regulations does not effectively serve every sector of the multifaceted trucking industry,” said Cathy Gautreaux, deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. “What’s good for truckload may not be good for less-than-truckload.” As a result, FMCSA officials are sifting through in excess of 5,000 online comments the agency received regarding potential changes to Hours of Service rules, many of which support tweaking the regulations to increase flexibility. Competitive compensation and offering a variety of hauling options can help retain drivers and attract new ones in a market where unemployment is at record low levels and the driver shortage continues to be a major issue, according to Lana Batts, co-president of Driver iQ and Gretchen Jackson, senior manager of driver recruiting for CFI. The economic environment is forcing an increase in driver pay and freight rates until demand is satisfied. Truckload driver turnover is stuck near 100 percent, capacity demand is outstripping supply, but lack of quality drivers is constraining expansion, and GDP continues a growth greater than 3 percent, according to Leah Shaver, COO of The National Transportation Institute. WIT reports that just under 8 percent of truck drivers are women. Scarcity of female drivers is likely due to a combination of companies failing to reach them and women not recognizing trucking as a career opportunity, said Emilie Worsham, senior business systems analyst for Omnitracs, and Listening to professional drivers through feedback tools such as surveys, check-ins, ride-alongs, town hall meetings, and online roundtables are ways to increase retention, said Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge. Three finalists for the 2018 “Influential Woman in Trucking” award shared their insights on career satisfaction and productivity, including Nozuko Mayeza, managing director of Tulsawiz Logistics and Brooke Willey, Vice President of Human Resources for CRST International. Angela Eliacostas, founder and CEO of AGT Global Logistics was named the recipient of the 2018 “Influential Woman in Trucking” award. The conference also provided attendees the opportunity to network with others in the industry at evening receptions, participate in group discussions on topics of interest at roundtable luncheons, and meet with approximately 70 industry providers at the exhibition, including human resources and talent management providers, carriers, third-party logistics providers, OEMs, consultants, and technology innovators. WIT also introduced Clare, the first truck driver doll, whose mission is to introduce young girls to careers in the trucking industry, during one of the receptions. Dates and location for the 2019 Accelerate! Conference & Expo will be announced shortly. WIT is a nonprofit association established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry. Membership is not limited to women, as 17 percent of its members are men who support the mission. WIT is supported by its members and the generosity of Gold Level Partners: Michelin North America, Arrow Truck Sales, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Daimler Trucks North America, BMO Transportation Finance, Expediter Services, Great Dane, J.B. Hunt Transport, and Walmart. Follow WIT on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. For more information, visit http://www.womenintrucking.org or call (888) 464-9482.  

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Mack Trucks is donating a Mack Anthem 70-inch Stand Up Sleeper model to the American Trucking Associations to assist in the recruitment and hiring of military veterans into the trucking industry. The Anthem model will travel across the country and be used to encourage veterans to consider a second career in trucking. “Mack is proud to demonstrate our support of veterans through this donation, and we look forward to working with ATA to shine a light on the opportunities trucking offers,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of North American sales and marketing. “Trucking offers a great career option, especially for veterans, many of whom already have experience driving large trucks.” A unique camouflage-styled wrap will add to the Mack Anthem’s looks and help it attract attention to the ATA’s message while participating in hiring events for veterans at schools, career fairs and military bases. The truck will also visit the Marine Corp. Museum in Quantico, Virginia and the new U.S. Army Museum in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. “ATA is thrilled that Mack Trucks has again stepped up on behalf of our industry, and we are excited this new Mack Anthem will help trucking demonstrate the thousands of great jobs available to military veterans,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “As a military dad, I think this partnership is a great example of how industries can showcase themselves to talented individuals with demonstrated service to our nation and, I thank Mack Trucks for giving us the opportunity to expand our efforts on this issue.” The truck will be driven by professional truck drivers from ATA’s Share the Road program, who present live safety exhibitions for students, media and policy makers, demonstrating how to drive safely alongside semi-trucks. Each driver has an outstanding safety record, including many with one million or more accident-free miles. The ATA’s Anthem model is equipped with a Mack MP®8HE-415SE engine with 415 horsepower and 1,660 lb.-ft. of torque and Mack mDRIVE™ automated manual transmission. By eliminating traditional shifting, the mDRIVE, which is standard on all Mack Anthem models, allows drivers to remain focused on driving, rather than shifting gears. The truck also features a comfortable interior with full stand-up height from the cab into the living environment. An ergonomic and functional driving environment also provides all-day comfort for drivers, with clear gauges, easy-to-reach controls and an industry-first flat-bottomed steering wheel for easier ingress and egress.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Transportation is exploring funding alternatives for the construction and operation of a section of Interstate 49 after a study found that using tolls would’t raise the needed revenue. The department considered using toll revenue to build, maintain and operate a nearly 14-mile section of Interstate 49 from Interstate 40 in Crawford County to Arkansas 22 in Sebastian County, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. The project also involves a new bridge over the Arkansas River. The new route is designed to improve transportation in western Arkansas by providing another river crossing. It also would help complete a congressionally designated high-priority corridor connecting Kansas City, Missouri, to south Louisiana through Arkansas. In Arkansas, I-49 is complete between Bentonville and Alma and between Texarkana and the Louisiana border. In Missouri, it is complete except for a section between Pineville, Missouri, and the Arkansas border. I-49 is complete in Louisiana south to Lafayette, La., except for a connection through Shreveport. Building the project — ideally, as a four-lane route — would cost an estimated $776 million, an amount that the department doesn’t have available. The department doesn’t have the necessary funding available, and a study by infrastructure consultants HNTB Corp. found that tolls wouldn’t raise close to that amount. Officials also considered building the four-lane route as a toll road, which would push construction costs to $787 million. Operation of the toll road and its maintenance costs would tack on another $118 million. An analysis of the toll project’s potential revenue found that the route would generate about $243 million annually, which isn’t much in comparison to the project’s costs, said Scott Bennett, the department’s director. The Arkansas Highway Commission determined that it’s critical to look at alternative ways to help defray costs, considering the importance of the project, its high cost and the limited amount of money the department has available. In other words, not much in comparison to the costs associated with the project, Scott Bennett, the department director, said at a meeting of the Arkansas Highway Commission last week. “You have to go ahead and pay to build it and then you could charge a toll for the cost of collecting the toll,” he said. But given the importance of the project, its high cost and the limited amount of money the department has available, it was prudent to look at alternative ways to help defray the cost, including tolls, according to the Arkansas Highway Commission, which authorized the study two years ago. Still, it is but the latest project in Arkansas to fall short as a toll facility. “We can’t seem to get tolls to work,” Tom Scheuck, a member of the Arkansas Highway Commission, said at a meeting of the commission Wednesday. It isn’t like the department hasn’t tried. “We’ve been through more than 50 tolling studies in the last 50 years — 50,” Bennett said.  

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Gov.-elect Ned Lamont says he continues to support tolling only big rigs, despite a new study that shows more money can be generated from wider-ranging tolling. The Democrat said Monday that his position on electronic tolling “is very clear” and his new administration will “focus just on those big tractor-trailer trucks.” Lamont estimates such a move will generate $250 million in revenue. A new Department of Transportation study projects electronic tolls installed on major expressways and parkways for all vehicles would generate $950 million in annual net revenue by 2023, after accounting for operating costs. That study estimates electronic tolling gantries would be installed every 6.6 miles. Connecticut commuters would receive various discounts. The American Trucking Associations is currently suing the state of Rhode Island over its truck-only tolls.

On-highway diesel prices fell for the week ending November 19, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The average price for gallon of diesel nationwide declined by $0.035 to $3.282. This was the fifth week in a row that diesel prices fell, going back to October 15, when the national average reached $3.394, the highest it had been since mid-December 2014. Every region in the country experienced a price drop over this past week, with the Midwest seeing prices fall the furthest, $0.046, to $3.216. Both the West Coast, where diesel prices are highest, and the Gulf Coast, where they are the lowest, experienced a 4-cent price drop. Diesel prices for the West Coast overall now stand at $3.767. Taken separately, the price of diesel in California, where there also was a 4-cent price drop, stands at exactly $4 per gallon. Diesel in the Gulf Coast region is down to $3.045. The price drop was not as pronounced on the East Coast, where the overall region saw diesel fall by $0.019 to $3.295. The Lower Atlantic had the best of it. Prices there fell 2.2 cents to $3.16, while in New England, there was only a modest $0.009 decline, the smallest of any region, bringing the price there down to $3.347. Nationwide, the price of diesel is currently 37 cents higher than it was a year ago. New England has experienced the largest year-to-year gain, at $0.485. With the recent price slide, diesel in the Midwest is now just $0.343 above where it was this time last year. Oil prices rose Monday on news of potential European Union sanctions against Iran and of possible production cuts by OPEC. Brent crude futures rose 21 cents to $66.97 a barrel, while U.S futures gained 68 cents Monday to finish at $56.76. Despite the gains Monday, the price of a barrel of oil on both benchmarks has fallen by more than 20 percent since the start of October.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pilot Flying J is opening locations in Jal, New Mexico, and Jacksonville, Florida throughout the month of November. The locations feature amenities for area residents and the traveling public, while adding 70 truck parking spaces, approximately 100 local jobs and other economic benefits to the communities. “We’re thrilled to serve the communities of Jal and Jacksonville with the expansion of our network this month to deliver convenience, quality, great service and added value to local residents and professional drivers traveling the nation’s highways,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “Our goal at Pilot Flying J is to connect people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. The addition to our footprint of two new locations will bring the best service and amenities available on the road to travelers passing through these areas.” The Jal store is located at 410 East Kansas Avenue (just off New Mexico State Road Highway 108) and offers the following amenities: PJ Fresh, 43 truck parking spots, six diesel lanes and 12 gas fueling positions, five showers, public laundry, CAT scale and Western Union. Jal is located in far southeast New Mexico The Jacksonville location is at 3515 Zoo Parkway just west of Interstate 295) and offers the following amenities: PJ Fresh, Dunkin Donuts Express, 27 truck parking spots, five diesel lanes and 10 gas fueling positions, CAT scale and Western Union. The new facilities will bring Pilot Flying J’s network of stores in New Mexico to 16 locations and Florida to 31 locations. Cumulatively, the new locations are expected to contribute $5.7 million annually in state and local tax revenues. During November, Pilot Flying J is celebrating its 60th year of serving North America’s drivers. In honor of Pilot Flying J’s history of giving back and commitment to fueling life’s journeys into the future, the company is donating $2 million to support non-profit programs in local communities and across the nation. To learn more about Pilot Flying J’s 60th Anniversary, including a full list of recipient organizations, visit www.pilotflyingj.com/giving-back. The combined network of more than 750 Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers across North America serves more than 1.6 million customers daily. For more information on Pilot Flying J, visit www.pilotflyingj.com.  

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Former Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood convicted of fraud will get to spend Christmas at home after all. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports an appeals court on Tuesday approved Hazelwood’s request to remain on house arrest until he finishes fighting his conviction. Hazelwood’s lawyers argue his taped racist remarks including a slur about interracial couples prejudiced jurors against their client. The appeals court ruled the argument “raises a substantial question” to be sorted out on appeal. The ruling translates to a roundabout reprieve that will last at least through Christmas and likely much longer, the newspaper reported. Hazelwood was set to report to prison Nov. 26 — the first business day after Thanksgiving. — to begin serving a 12-and-a-half year sentence after a federal jury convicted him in February of wire fraud, witness tampering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud U.S. District Judge Curtis Collier had previously refused repeated efforts by Hazelwood to avoid or delay reporting to prison, from asking to stay free on bond during the appeal process to requests to postpone his first day behind bars until after New Year’s. Hazelwood failed to show “any religious — as opposed to family — needs regarding Christmas that the Bureau of Prisons would not be able to accommodate,” Collier wrote. Pilot’s rebate program offered discounts on diesel fuel to trucking customers in exchange for guaranteeing a minimum number of gallons per month. Sales reps promised rates based on wholesale fuel costs plus a pumping fee, usually a few cents per gallon. Pilot staff calculated the discounts day by day, for what became known as a “manual rebate” — called “Manuel” for short. Shorting customers a few cents here and there added up to big money fast — and to bigger profits, commissions and bonuses. Pilot Flying J is controlled by the family of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. The Haslams haven’t been charged with wrongdoing.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Love’s Travel Stops (Love’s) is now serving even more customers in Texas with the opening of a new travel stop in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The store is located at 1201 South Hillcrest off Interstate 30 and Texas Highway 19 at Exit 122. It adds 75 new jobs to Hopkins County and 92 truck parking spaces. “As Love’s expands, the State of Texas is of continued importance for us,” said Tom Love, founder and executive chairman of Love’s. “Its many interstates and highways provide plenty of convenient locations for us to serve members of the community, travelers and professional drivers. Sulphur Springs is a great location to serve Customers traveling through northeastern Texas along Interstate 30. We look forward to contributing to the Sulphur Springs community.” The more than 11,000-square-foot facility is open 24/7 and offers many amenities, including: Speedco location on-site. Carl’s Jr. restaurant. 92 truck parking spaces. Eight diesel bays. Five RV parking spaces. Seven showers. Laundry facilities. Fresh to Go options. Gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Mobile to Go Zone. CAT scale. “The City of Sulphur Springs is excited to welcome Love’s Travel Stops to our community,” said John A. Sellers, mayor of Sulphur Springs. “We understand the importance of the transportation industry and we welcome Love’s as an outstanding organization which will be a wonderful addition to our community.” In honor of the grand opening, Love’s will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon on Nov. 27. During the ceremony, Love’s will make a $2,000 donation to Barbara Bush Primary School.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — J.B. Hunt Transport Services has opened a new office on the University of Arkansas campus here dedicated to helping students gain real-world experience within the transportation and logistics industry. J.B. Hunt On The Hill will provide up to 60 interns each semester with the opportunity to work with several of the company’s key business areas, the customer experience team and engineering and technology. The program is housed in a new 6,100 square-foot office suite at the Arkansas Research and Technology Park. To give it a cohesive corporate atmosphere, the space has been designed to resemble J.B. Hunt’s headquarters with similar color schemes, furniture and décor. J.B. Hunt On The Hill is so named because the University of Arkansas is situation on a hill and is visible for miles around. “J.B. Hunt On The Hill is unlike any internship opportunity available to U of A students pursuing a career in this industry,” said Stuart Scott, executive vice president and chief information officer of J.B. Hunt. “Through the program, J.B. Hunt will engage with some of the school’s top talent and potential future employees, and students will gain firsthand knowledge of working at a Fortune 500 transportation company without the inconvenience of having to frequently leave campus. We’re proud to once again collaborate with the U of A and develop innovative solutions that advance our industry.” J.B. Hunt On The Hill will host guest lectures and workshops for students featuring J.B. Hunt leadership, clients, and vendors as well as UA professors. Students will also work on J.B. Hunt innovation projects that address the digitization of supply chain management. “This center will be a life-changing opportunity for our students as they gain real-world experience in business, engineering, and more,” said Jim Coleman, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas. “The connections they make with fellow students and J.B. Hunt leaders and the skills they acquire in this hands-on learning environment will set them on a track for success both academically and professionally.” The internships for J.B. Hunt On The Hill are paid, part-time positions with flexible hours to accommodate students’ schedules. No specific major or study area is required. Some of the day-to-day responsibilities include setting delivery appointments, interacting with customers, developing innovative and disruptive technologies, and performing administrative tasks that support the needs of clients. J.B. Hunt On The Hill is one of several collaborations between Lowell, Arkansas-based J.B. Hunt and the U of A. Last year, J.B. Hunt made a $2.75 million investment in the University of Arkansas to create the J.B. Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence. The center is a combined effort between the company, the College of Engineering, and the Sam M. Walton College of Business to advance supply chain management efficiency through technology. In 2014, J.B. Hunt and the Walton College launched the J.B. Hunt Supply Chain University, which pairs students with supply chain partners to help improve their business operations and develop innovative solutions to solve the most pressing industry challenges. For more information about applying for the internship, visit www.jbhunt.jobs/office and filter for part-time positions in Arkansas. For information on J.B. Hunt Transport Services, visit www.jbhunt.com. CAPTION FOR PHOTO To give it a cohesive corporate atmosphere, the space at J.B. Hunt on The Hill has been designed to resemble J.B. Hunt’s headquarters with similar color schemes, furniture and décor, including a photo of the company’s founder J.B. Hunt. (Courtesy: J.B. HUNT)

Honors and awards are nothing new to David Boyer. When you’ve racked up a driving record like his, recognition is bound to catch up with you, and in the last few years the accolades have been piling up. Boyer, of Wytheville, Virginia, has been a professional driver for 45 years, the last 40 as a less-than-truckload driver with ABF Freight. In that time, he’s earned the 30-year Safe Driving Ring, the 35-Year Safe Driving Plaque, the 1-million Mile Safe Driving Award and the 2 Million Mile Safe Driving Award. He’s been a member of the ABF Freight Road Team twice within the last 10 years, as well as an America’s Road Team Captain. In 2016, he was honored with the Virginia Governor’s Transportation Safety Award, and earlier this year, Boyer was named the Virginia Truck Driver of the Year. The icing on the cake came October 30 in Austin, Texas, during the American Trucking Associations’ annual Management Conference & Exhibition, where Boyer was named ATA’s National Driver of the Year. “It’s overwhelming,” Boyer said a few days after the awards luncheon where he received the honor. “There’s a lot of great drivers out there. I never dreamed I’d get selected out of all the top drivers that we got. It’s quite an honor.” Even though it’s called a “driver of the year” award, it can be seen as something of a lifetime achievement honor. As far as Boyer’s concerned, the honor has been all his. “You’re talking to someone who got to live out his childhood dream,” Boyer said. “All I wanted to do was be a truck driver. From the time I was 11 years old and I drove a truck behind an old corn chopper, I never wanted to do anything else. “If the Good Lord said, ‘David, you can go back to being an 18-year-old and you can be anything you wanted to be,’ I’d say, ‘I want to be a truck driver.’ I love it.” Things have changed a lot in trucking since Boyer started driving, not the least of which are the trucks themselves, he said. Back when he started, “Those old trucks used to burn as much oil as they did fuel,” he said. They didn’t have air conditioning or power steering or air ride suspension. In some ways the job has gotten a lot easier than it used to be, Boyer said. But the real key to his success and longevity has been in being lucky enough to have had the right people in his life. “Without having someone behind you, helping you, you can’t do it,” Boyer said. “I’ve been married to my lovely wife Pam 48 years. We have three kids, nine grandchildren. And my wife’s done a good job raising them. I was gone 90 percent of the time, and she done a great job.” On the road, he got lucky early on, he said, when he went to work for a company called Blue Ridge Transfer and found a mentor in a veteran driver by the name of Henry Jenkins. “He was a hardworking man, fond of saying, ‘we don’t have time to get involved in an accident,’” Boyer recalled. “He said, ‘we’re going to have to fill out paperwork, and we’re not making no money when we’re sitting still.’ Boyer said Jenkins taught him that to be a good driver one of the most important qualities to have on the road is patience. “He never got excited,” Boyer said. “He never badmouthed the traffic. When we’d get in a backup, he’d wave to people.” Jenkins’ style became his, and he’s never let it go. “I don’t get upset at the traffic,” he said. “We’re all out here sharing the road together and trying to make a living.  The way I see it, if you pass me, you’re my family, I want you to get home safe to your family just like I want to get home to mine.” Boyer also attributes much of his success and satisfaction with finding the right company to drive for. Yes, it’s pretty amazing to be with the same carrier for 40 years, Boyer said, but you also have to consider that it also means ABF has been around that long. That shows this is a company that does something right. “They don’t harass you, or stay on your back,” he said. He said when he was hired, they told him they expect drivers to use their intelligence and skill and discipline to get the job done. In return, he said, they’ve shown him the respect he earned. Boyer is a strong believer life gives back what you put into it. He participates annually in the Mid-Atlantic Charity Fun Drive benefiting the Make-a-Wish Foundation and is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Professional Truck Drivers Association and of God’s Pit Crew, a program that provides aid during disaster relief efforts. “I couldn’t have done it without working for a company like ABF that helped me do the things that I’ve been able to do,” he said. “They’ve stood by me 199 percent.” He is particularly proud of the work he’s done as a road team captain, especially going to schools and educating teen drivers. He loves letting them climb up into a cab so they can see from a driver’s perspective when he explains things like blind spots and braking distance. One of his favorite exercises is to have the teens get behind the wheel and pretend they’re driving 55 mph. He’ll tell them hit the brakes, then he’ll point to a stop sign set up 363 feet ahead and explain that’s where the truck would come to a full stop. “You know you got them when you see their eyebrows raise up or their eyes get bigger or they say ‘wow,’ and that’s the best feeling in the world,” Boyer said, “to know you just showed that young driver something they’ll carry with them from now on. “Someday, something will happen out on the road, and these kids will say, ‘that old man Boyer knew what he was talking about.’ And you’ll never know that, but you plant that seed and hope it grows.” Receiving such a prestigious award would make it a natural time to reflect after 45 years behind the wheel, and possibly start pondering what’s next. Funny thing, Boyer said, as a matter of fact, he’s been doing just that. “I thought the other day, ‘you know, I think I’m going to make a career out of this.’”

BRINKLEY, Ark. — Did you ever get a wake-up — er, rap on the  window — call  from a highway police officer? Numerous professional truck drivers did Thursday morning after spending the night on Interstate 40 about halfway between Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee. The culprit was an unusual mid-November storm that dumped up to 2 inches of snow in parts of eastern Arkansas Wednesday afternoon and evening, resulting in numerous wrecks, including pile-ups in the westbound lanes of the White River bridge that caused a back-up of traffic on I-40 that stretched over 30 miles from the bridge to near Palestine, Arkansas. Police said after it became apparent that the road was going to be closed for hours upon end, many drivers retreated to their sleeper berths. At 6:30 a.m. Thursday, the back-up stretched from mile marker 205 (five miles east of the bridge) to mile marker 233 at Palestine. A news report on Little Rock television station KARK showed an Arkansas Highway Police officer going from truck to truck banging on windows to awaken snoozing drivers. By 8 a.m., traffic was beginning to return to normal. Brinkley, Arkansas, is located about 63 miles east of Little Rock. .

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Old Dominion Freight Lines’ Sam Faucette has received the American Trucking Associations’ 2018 National Safety Director Award. Pictured from left with the award, Faucette was lauded for creating and expanding a culture of safety in the trucking industry. He has been in the industry for 38 years, 17 of which were spent in safety. He started as a driver, worked as a mechanic and then worked his way up in the area of safety, serving as a field safety supervisor, a manager of safety, a director of safety and then landed his current position as vice president of safety and compliance of Old Dominion. According to an ATA news release, under Faucette’s leadership, Old Dominion’s safety performance has improved yearly as the company’s driver workforce, service center locations and annual mileage have tripled during that time. Nominations for the award are reviewed by past winners and finally selected by representatives of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and law enforcement officials. Faucette this year served as chairman of the National Truck Driving Championships Committee of the Safety Management Council. The award is sponsored by Great West Casualty Company.    

WEST WARWICK, R.I. — Arpin Van Lines’ President and CEO David Arpin has received the James Prout Spirit of Giving Award from Sarah and Rob Worcester of Wreaths Across America during the 34th Annual Arpin Agent Convention held in Newport, Rhode Island. The Wreaths Across America James Prout Spirit of Giving Award commemorates James Prout, owner of a Maine trucking group and the first volunteer to haul wreaths for Wreaths Across America. The group presents the award annually to a deserving professional truck driver, company or organization that has supported charitable causes in ways that will affect generations to come. “My father, Paul Arpin, was an Army veteran of World War II and a survivor of the invasion of Normandy,” said David Arpin. “Following the war, he returned home to run Arpin Van Lines until he was 86 years old. When presented with the opportunity to support Wreaths Across America by one of our drivers, it was a no-brainer. Receiving this award is an honor and only further solidifies my support for the organization and appreciation for all of the trucking industry volunteers who make it possible each year.” Arpin Van Lines’ employees and agents have supported Wreaths Across America’s mission to honor veterans for the past six years, according to Rob Worcester, a member of the WAA founding family and logistics team, adding Aprin had donated time and transportation services leading up to and on National Wreaths Across America Day each December, when the organization places wreaths on the graves of fallen veterans. In 2017, Arpin Van Lines hauled 26 tractor-trailer loads, totaling approximately 140,000 wreaths, and delivered them to participating veteran cemeteries across the country. Worcester said the trucking industry plays an important role in helping Wreaths Across America achieve its goal of honoring fallen soldiers. In addition to transporting approximately 10 percent of the organization’s wreaths last year, Arpin Van Lines’ charitable fund — Arpin Strong — supports Wreaths Across America’s fundraising efforts for the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter and other local veterans’ and non-veterans’ nonprofit organizations. Arpin Group is a full-service moving and storage solutions for corporate, private residential, government and military customers. For more information, call 401-828-8111 or visit www.ArpinGroup.com. CAPTION FOR PHOTO Rob Worcester, member of the Wreaths Across America founding family and logistics team, presents the award to David Arpin, president and CEO of Arpin Van Lines. (Courtesy: WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA)    

CLAYTON, Ala. — Boyd Bros. Transportation, an Alabama-based flatbed truckload carrier, is opening a new truck driving school. Named Boyd Driving Academy, the school will provide student drivers with the opportunity to learn everything needed to become safe and confident drivers upon graduation. “We want to continue to build our industry by selecting top candidates, providing amazing training and supporting them as they grow from student to driver to owning their own truck or small fleet,” said David Mays, manager of Boyd Driving Academy. “The addition of Boyd Driving Academy will help give these drivers a solid foundation to start their careers.” Candidates to Boyd Driving Academy will receive internet classroom experience to help them prepare for and take their Class-A CDL permits. Once they obtain their CDL permits, they will go to Birmingham, Alabama, for the hands-on portion of the program. Here, students will learn basic truck controls and how to navigate different road characteristics as well as other key elements, including pre/post trip inspections, tire chain installation and removal, and accident procedures. While attending the school, candidates will also receive housing, meals and a $400 loan each week. “Boyd drivers can make as much as $72,000 their first year of driving with us,” said Dwight Bassett, COO and CFO for Boyd Bros. “Driving a truck to deliver America’s goods is a noble, honorable profession. We want to support drivers and their families by giving them quality training and compensating them for their hard work and commitment to safety.” The company is well known in the trucking industry for its strong training programs and skilled, safe-minded drivers, Bassett said, noting that one out of every six drivers at Boyd Bros. are million-mile drivers. This achievement is given to drivers who have accumulated a million or more miles of safe driving and is something that few drivers ever achieve during their careers. In order to become a student driver with Boyd, applicants must be at least 22 years old, have a valid Class A CDL and graduated from a truck driving school, consistent employment history and clean driving record. Students must also pass a Department of Transportation drug screen and physical as well as pass an agility test. “Drivers at Boyd Bros. enjoy top pay, late-model equipment, medical and life insurance plans, a referral bonus program,” Bassett said. The company also offers substantial freight, load matching and high standards for safety and service, ensuring productivity and success. Best of all, 95 percent of Boyd drivers are home each weekend.” For more information about the services or career opportunities at Boyd Bros., visit www.driveforboyd.com or call 888- 485-8717. 8

RIVERSIDE, Mo. — Rolling Strong, a provider of driver wellness programs for transportation companies and their drivers as well as owner-operators, has formed a partnership to provide healthcare services to truck drivers using the eTrueNorth network of local pharmacies through the Rolling Strong health and wellness platform. “This partnership will take the traditional on-site screening process that wellness companies typically coordinate and provide a new level of accessibility by giving professional drivers a screening and health services destination while on the road,” said Stephen Kane, Rolling Strong’s president. “Screenings will not only be provided through our mobile network, but the information is stored for the driver in their Rolling Strong personal health portal, giving them an opportunity to work with our CDL wellness coaches to prepare for their next DOT medical exam.” With the addition of eTrueNorth to the Rolling Strong mobile app and health and wellness platform, drivers can take advantage of healthcare screening services at local pharmacies across the U.S. eTrueNorth uses its eLabNetwork, a nationwide network of independent CLIA-waived laboratories located in retail pharmacies, to make it easier for Rolling Strong participants to have easy access to laboratory testing. “Our mission of driving access to quality and affordable healthcare services at local pharmacies is a natural extension of Rolling Strong’s health and wellness platform for the trucking industry’s drivers,” said Coral S. May, eTrueNorth’s president. “By providing high quality, accurate and precise point-of-care testing and real time transfer of data to wellness providers, we are also able to make it easier for motor carriers that use the Rolling Strong platform to gather biometric data from drivers as part of their wellness initiatives.” The Rolling Strong health and wellness mobile app for IOS and Android devices offers exercise programs and nutrition and personal health guidance, including the ability to connect with a wellness coach. Drivers can also earn points and rewards for logging sleep, exercising, and meeting daily calorie goals.