Public Image
I just read Deborah Lockridge's article in Feb. HDT (Perception Is Reality). I think it is as important as any trucking topic you could talk about. I have been around trucking all my life and see a need for drivers to raise the level of self image. We put on a small truck show in Indiana every year, trying to promote pride in this industry. We have fun doing it because we are dealing with above average people who enjoy what they are doing (without all the complaining). Keep up the good work.
Mike Metzger
Vital Issue
What a blockbuster of an issue (January HDT, The Rise of Truckload), with interesting and important articles!
It cements HDT's reputation of being the backbone of reportage on the trucking industry.
Graeme Marsden
Marketing Communications Manager
Cole Hersee Co.
Boston MA
Outstanding!
I am the president of PD Express, an interstate trucking company. I am also an adjunct professor at Columbus State Community College and have taught Transportation Management for the past eight years. My students take classes at night, and most are currently working in the supply chain trying to advance their careers.
What an outstanding issue you published in January 2005! As I have been through deregulation, my difficult task has always been to convey that difficult time, experience and effect on the industry to students new to this field. Most textbooks use dry factual material. Deborah, you have hit the issues, facts and emotions with a bullseye. I would like to make this reading mandatory for each of my students, now and for future classes.
David Rowe
Shot The Lights Out
Just got the January issue of HDT. And all I can say is wow! You guys did a fabulous job. Congratulations. You've shot the lights out on this one. Everyone will be awed. Nice work.
Denise Rondini
Editor Successful Dealer
Required Reading
Congratulations on an outstanding issue! I am a 32-year veteran of the trucking industry, and for the past eight years have operated a marketing consultancy and sales and management training company. My focus customers are suppliers to the trucking industry, i.e., dealers, truck OEM's, component builders, trade associations, etc.
As I mentioned, I am very impressed with this current edition of HDT (January Vital Issue) and want to make it "required reading" for my new and inexperienced truck sales people. I currently do two such schools, one for the Used Truck Assn. and another for Arrow Truck Sales. I facilitate them several times a year.
Best Regards,
Paul Spokas
Heavy Duty Marketing Associates
Make It Hardback
The only suggestion I would have is to publish your January issue in hardback, because I will read and reread it. Your bios on the individuals and their companies are great. I have the utmost respect and admiration for all companies and founders and generations of management that have taken these companies to the top. The one common thread is the word entrepreneurship (risk taker) taking the moment and not looking back. Deborah (Whistler) I want to compliment you and your writers and staff for a great insight to some great companies and the people behind them.
John Christner
President
John Christner Trucking Inc.
Impressive Group
I've got to be honest. Not every issue of the numerous trucking publications catches my eye and attention quite like this one.
Seeing the title, "The Rise of Truckload" and the featured list of "rebels" made me immediately want to start reading, and once I did, I was both interested and inspired by the stories of how these companies got their starts.
What an impressive group!
JCT has also risen out of the deregulation aftermath and considering that we started with one truck and barely enough money to buy a tank of fuel, let alone any pieces of operating authority, I guess we qualify as scrappy entrepreneurs as well.
Since that defining moment in 1986 we have been fortunate to not only grow and compete against many of your featured companies, but to also meet the principals personally and spend time together either fishing, riding motorcycles, or just talking about trucking. They are all very successful businessmen as well as wonderful people, and that common entrepreneurial thread becomes evident immediately.
In order to thrive in the post-deregulated trucking industry you've got to do it better, at a lower cost and be on-time if you want to survive, and these guys have done just that.
Congrats on a great edition of Heavy Duty Trucking.
Best Regards,
Daniel Christner
V.P./Chief Operating Officer
John Christner Trucking Inc.
Ohio Tolls
Just reading through the November issue of Heavy Duty Trucking and thought I would write to you about your Ohio Turnpike article (Doug Condra column page 6).
While it is true that standard rigs up to 90,000 pounds, for instance, will be charged a significantly lower toll of $31 as of February 2005, there will be no reduction in the current schedule of rates for doubles and triples. Needless to say that those of us who run standard 48-foot and 53-foot combinations on the Ohio Turnpike welcome the rate reduction, and we will work hard to make sure that safety is the over riding factor behind all that we do.
The rest of your article was well written and all of your other facts relating to the turnpike were accurate.
Keith Tuttle,
Chairman
The Ohio Trucking Assn.
President Motor Carrier Service
Toledo, Ohio
