AdVANtage Contractor Newsletter

April 2008 Edition
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L to R: Billy Smith, Dart President Dave Oren, John Gill, Dart Chairman Don Oren.

Dart contractor named 2007
TCA Owner Operator of the Year

It's one of the industry's most prestigious awards . . . In January, Dart was notified that contractors John Gill and Billy Smith were two of the top three finalists chosen in the Truckload Carriers Association's (TCA) Owner Operator of the Year contest. It's a contest that honors successful independent contractors who best represent the industry.

John and Billy, not knowing where they placed in the contest, flew to the Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas to attend the TCA's annual convention. The anticipation built until the final night at the awards banquet when the winner of the contest was announced.

Each contestant was called up on stage to give a short speech before they made the announcement. "They brought out an envelope like the Emmy's," John said. "Don (Don Oren, Dart's chairman) and I crossed our fingers."

They opened the envelope and read, "John Gill!"

John was thrilled. "It is the greatest honor of my life to be here tonight," Gill addressed the audience. He thanked Dart for its support over the past 26 years, the TCA, all of the sponsors, and the Atlantis Resort for hosting the event.

"And most of all, thanks to my wife, Catherine," he said, "for the past 31 years of marriage, and for taking care of our family while I was on the road. Honey you have done more than your fair share these many years, and I can't thank you nearly enough."

John will receive a brand new International 9400i tractor with a Cummins ISX 500-horsepower engine, an Eaton transmission of his choice, G300 series radial truck tires, a GPS navigation system, four passenger vehicle tires, a $1,000 business consulting gift certificate, $4,500 cash, $5,750 in truck stop gift cards, and a $1,500 truck parts gift certificate.

Second place went to Billy. "I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be here today," he said. "This is such a wonderful blessing."

Billy's prizes include a trip for two to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game, a GPS navigation system, $2,000 in cash, and $3,000 in truck stop gift cards.

"Dart is exceptionally proud of both John and Billy," said Dart President Dave Oren. "They have represented our company exceptionally well for many years, and we're so happy for them in receiving these honors. They are very deserving and they join a long list of Dart contractors who have won this contest over the years. That says a lot about the quality of Dart contractors, and we just can't say enough to express our pride in them."

Congratulations John and Billy!

John Gill – Grand Prize Winner

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
"Like most kids, I pumped my arm to coax truck drivers into giving me an air horn salute, usually with great success," John recalls. "I dreamed that some day I would be behind that wheel driving my own truck."

Since that dream came true, John worked hard to run a successful business and help improve the image of trucking.

When he isn't running his business, John volunteers as a Trucker Buddy, with the Boy Scouts, the 4H, and at the Gallia County Senior Center in Ohio. "When you own your own business, volunteer time can be flexible," he says. "So I use my time to make a difference for others."

John's long list of honors and awards include the National Safety Council's Three Million Mile Safety Award, being named an Overdrive Trucker of the Month, Dart's 2003 Contractor of the Year, and Dart's 20-year Truck Trophy Safety Award.

Billy Smith – Second Place

Sandy Alcala-Villagran, Fleet Services Administrative Assistant, Dallas
"My uncle JC Smith was my inspiration for driving," Billy says. "I remember him saying, ‘when you're out on the road, always be courteous and help others.' To this day I'm a firm believer in doing just that."

Billy has tried to live up to his uncle's teachings and passes that wisdom, and some of his own, on to other owner operators. He tells others that their actions behind the wheel affect people's lives and the public's perception of our industry.

Billy credits Roger Smith, his Fleet Manager, for much of his success. "My Fleet Manager is always looking out for me," he says. "He always keeps me moving. My Fleet Manager is like my guardian angel."

Roger says he can always count on Billy. "Dependable and on time – that's what Billy is," Roger says. "That is why he is so successful. He knows what it takes to be a successful owner operator."

Contractor Forum

Communication – the first key to success

The Contractor Forum met on February 22 at Dart's Dallas Operating Center.

Kevin Smith, General Manager, Dallas
Effective communication is the key to any relationship – friendship, marriage, family and even business. When communication shuts down, relationships end and in our case the business stops growing.

A key reason for implementing the Contractor Forum was to improve communications regarding our mutual customers and our ongoing business to business relationship. Only a short time has passed since our last Forum, but we are already seeing results from that communication. The Contractor Forum met again on February 22. In the spirit of communication, here are some of the positive outcomes we have seen.

Service
There has been a concerted effort on everyone's part to improve service levels to our mutual customers. We have seen a steady improvement in service levels, increasing on-time pick-up and delivery by an average of 2%. While that number seems small, it reflects a very big accomplishment.

Customers reward good service with more freight. Typically, customers expect on-time service levels of 97.5% or higher. Dart is currently hovering between 94-95% for on-time service.

What can contractors do to help?

Provide accurate ready dates and times.

Provide accurate hours of service.

Use the "out of cab" macro when you will be away from your truck.

Communicate load problems to your Fleet Manager quickly.

Trailers
Dart has now taken delivery of 600 new 53-foot trailers. Also, an additional 200 rail containers have been added to the fleet, freeing up trailers for over the road use. Finally, 25 of the 57-foot trailers have been cut down to 53 feet, which will allow their use in all 48 contiguous states.

Overall, the contractor fleet is happier with the condition and availability of trailers. Contractors can do their part by dropping empty trailers prior to going out of service for their fellow contractors to use. And be aware that Speedco locations can now perform Dart trailer inspections.

Settlements
Dart recently updated the settlement macro that is returned to the contractor. This macro now reports the manifest numbers that have been settled, as well as the amount of the settlement.

A Flying J scanner unit is now available for use by contractors at the Houston Pro-Stop/Short Haul operation. Additionally, many contractors are taking advantage of technology available to do "in-truck scanning." The software can be downloaded from Dart's website. Contractors will need to have the appropriate hardware for this application (typically a laptop computer with wi-fi card or a cell phone connection, and a scanner). Remember to scan all pages of the manifest.

Utilization
A key to making money right now is to keep your truck moving. Dart has recently renewed our focus on setting high utilization pick-up and delivery appointments for loads. Many times, these appointments may be dictated to Dart by the customer. However, when Dart and the contractor have the option, it is in everyone's best interest to pick up and deliver the load in the shortest time possible, while still running safely and legally based on hours of service.

Operations will also make every attempt to pre-plan loads more often. Remember that pre-planning is always easier in an oversold market. With a weak economy, there may be delays in certain areas of the country if we are required to solicit freight. Please be patient.

What can contractors do to help?

Try not to be too choosy about the loads offered. Many times getting loaded out of an area that is short of freight is more desirable than sitting idle for the day.

Communicate with your Fleet Manager if you can deliver early; customers may work you in.

Accept or decline the load. Letting a load "time out" and auto-delete, slows the dispatch process and results in missed loads and poor service to customers.

Update your ready date/time and hours-of-service. Be ready for a load when you say you will. It is easier to pre-plan a reliable contractor!

APU's
Auxiliary power units (APU's) are one way to help reduce idle time and increase fuel efficiency. APU's currently can run as high as $10,000 installed.

Dart has been testing many different units to determine which provides the best value. Some considerations have been cost, reliability, ease of maintenance and repair, operating costs and ease of installation. We have also been looking at different financing options to help contractors with this expensive purchase.

Many states offer grant money that can partially or fully fund these APU's. Check with your state DOT agency or trucking association to determine if you qualify for these funds. In the meantime, Dart is getting closer to determining what will work best for the fleet. You will be hearing more on APU's later, and we will keep you updated.

Communication
I'll finish with the topic we started with, because communication is that critical. In logistics, it is said that there are three critical flows that we must all be concerned with: the flow of freight, the flow of money and the flow of information. This is the "information age" and that is why communication is so important.

Proper and frequent communication is the only way we can understand each other's needs. We each have expectations of each other. Our mutual customers have expectations of Dart and the contractor fleet. Your Fleet Manager will be communicating more with you.

What can contractors do to help?

Communicate load problems to your Fleet Manager as soon as possible.

Ask about the customers' needs and exceed their expectations!

Make your Fleet Manager aware of your needs and expectations.

Don't listen to "rumor control," ask your Fleet Manager if you have questions.

Share your ideas with your Fleet Manager.

Dart will be looking for additional avenues to communicate with the fleet. Please keep talking to us! Remember that the newest Dart informational CD's are done. The CD contains a recap of important information from Dart's Contractor Information Session (CIS). You can pick up your copy in Fleet Services/Safety at Dart's main locations (Eagan, Dallas, Sellersburg, Houston, and Atlanta).

In the military, we are taught to "shoot, move and communicate." In logistics, we simply "move and communicate." The Marines borrowed a concept from the Chinese at the turn of last century. It is the idea of "working together" for a common purpose. They call it "gung ho."

Only by communicating and working together for the benefit of our mutual customers will we achieve success. Let's not forget that lesson.

Gung Ho!

Contractors of the Month

Randy House

Randy House
Fleet Manager: D.J. Wilson
Dallas Operating Center

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
For 25 years Randy House worked in the microelectronics industry. He decided he needed a career change for several reasons, one of which being, "It was feast or famine and I was getting sick of the famine," Randy says. "I wanted to work for myself."

So he got a job driving a truck. "I intended to come to Dart right away," he admits, "but I needed the experience Dart requires to contract as an owner operator." After one year he made the move to Dart.

Randy chose Dart for simple reasons: "I grew up in Eagan. I have family there. So I looked for companies based in Minnesota. I looked at a couple other places, but Dart is certainly more owner operator oriented."

Being an owner operator made him realize what he was missing all those years: "Freedom," Randy says is the best part of his new career. "I do what I want as long as I am on time, and I take time off when I want."

Before contracting with Dart, Randy bought a 1999 Freightliner from a friend he had worked for, selling trucks. For six months after buying the truck, Randy worked for a month at a time before taking time off at home. "I paid the truck off so I wouldn't have debt," he says. Now that his truck is paid for, he chooses to work two weeks and then goes home three to four days.

Randy has lived in Texas for 30 years, but he likes to visit his family in Minnesota. Dart's National contract gets him to both places, while he racks up the miles in-between. "The main thing I like about National is the miles," he says.

During his time off, Randy writes songs. "I have it all set up at home to record music," he says. "Americana" is the type of music he sings and plays on his guitar, getting a little inspiration for his songs from driving a truck. "I traveled a lot when I was in the electronics industry too. So I write some songs about being on the road. I didn't envision myself in the trucking industry. Working was just the thing to do until I became a rock star."

Even though being a rock star is no longer his dream, he has hope for his music. "My short term goal is to sell my songs. Someone else can sing them better," he laughed.

Randy credits his Fleet Manager for helping him build a successful business. "The reason why Dart is the best place in the world to be right now is because of my Fleet Manager," he says. "At least 75% of my success is because of her. She goes out of her way to make sure I have loads on the weekends. She's outstanding.

"It's an honor to be recognized by a company that has a good reputation. There are a lot of people out there who do a good job – a lot of good drivers. Dart treats me like gold. I'm happy."

Bosa Byantalo

Bosa Byantalo
Fleet Manager: Eric Thompson
Eagan Operating Center

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
Bosa Byantalo started driving professionally in 1988. Three years later he contracted with Dart. "I made Dart my home," he says.

Before Dart, Bosa was a fleet driver. Now, as an owner operator he enjoys the freedom to go home when he wants. "Home time depends on how busy I am," he explains. "When farmers have hay they are at the farm making hay. The same goes for trucking. When freight is there I work."

Bosa operates with a Dart National contract. "With National you can always go where the freight is," he says. "Especially now, during winter time. Everybody's down south right now in Texas, and there's freight up here in Minnesota."

Bosa lives in Georgia with his wife Barbara. They have been married 13 years and have three daughters, twin sons, and two grandkids.

When Bosa goes home he usually lets Barbara decide what they will do. "We eat out and do things she enjoys doing," he admits. "If it was up to me, I'd stay home and cut the grass."

But Bosa acknowledges his wife's role in their lives. "As an owner operator you have to have a supportive wife. Barbara has given me a lot of support."

He also turns to his Fleet Manager for advice. "He is a good Fleet Manager," Bosa says. "You have to work with your Fleet Managers. You can't do it by yourself. Dart will help you out. They'll help you make a living."

"City" versus "Short Haul"
What's in a name?

Cliff Robbins, Director of Central Sales Division, Dallas and Houston Short Haul and
John Pinyerd, Sales and Operations Manager, Atlanta
One of the many advantages of Dart's position in the marketplace is that we provide many options for our customers and contractors. In fact, a cornerstone of Dart's growth and success goes back to the fundamental principle of using innovation to meet the needs of our customers and contractors. The evolution of our different fleets is a byproduct of such innovation and reflects that Dart is constantly looking for new and creative ways to service a wide range of transportation needs in an ever changing marketplace.

Dart has always recognized that a key component to success is meeting the customer's needs TODAY! In order to do this we must be dynamically in touch with the market while being willing and able to change our game plan to meet the needs of our customers. A recent example of this philosophy in action is the name change of our "City" fleets to "Short Haul" fleets.

Dart originally designed its "City" operations to increase easy home time opportunities within the limitations of hours-of-service rules and freight flows. By design, these operations were set up to create opportunities where contractors can remain or return to their home market on the same day. What a great option to have as a professional truck driver!

Over time we found that the "City" term that we had historically used to describe these fleets was not an accurate description of the services that these fleets have evolved to. In fact, in many cases the "City" name was confusing to both our customers and contractors. While Dart used the "City" branding to describe a fleet that generally operates within 250 miles or so of a market area, some of our customers and contractors interpreted it to mean that we stayed within the city limits or were restricted to P&D (pick-up and delivery). Those of you who have contracted under one of these fleets have certainly recognized this business environment was not confined to a purely local application.

After careful consideration and many lively discussions, we elected to formally change the names of our "City" fleets to "Short Haul" fleets in order to more accurately describe the business model. In short, we liked the nickname that the Minneapolis, Minnesota fleet had been using of "Twin Cities Short Haul." So we changed the names of the other "City" fleets to match this and created Dallas Short Haul, Houston Short Haul, and Dart Atlanta Short Haul (or DASH as it is nicknamed).

Dart's Short Haul fleets bridge a critical gap in the supply chain for many of our customers in the Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Minneapolis areas. Combined with the other over-the-road and regional fleets, the Short Haul fleets help complete the total package for our customers. We anticipate that the continuing trend of regionalization within distribution networks across the U.S. will continue to help fuel demand and growth for our Short Haul fleets in the foreseeable future.

Dart will continue to distinguish itself in the marketplace by offering a broad range of services and options for customers and contractors. As a final note, we are always looking for additional quality contractors to join our Short Haul fleets. Please give us a call if you are domiciled in the Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Minneapolis areas and would like additional information on how our Short Haul fleets operate.

Herman Sims (L) takes a 6-day truck trip
with Dart contractor Alphonse Smith.

Six days, five nights

As part of training, Dart employees take "truck trips" with owner operators to learn firsthand what life on the road is all about.
Herman Sims is a Night Operations Supervisor who enjoyed the scenery and learned the hardships of trucking during a six-day, five-night trip with Alphonse Smith.

Herman Sims, Night Operations Supervisor, Dallas
When reading the title of this article "Six days, five nights," you might remember the movie Six Days, Seven Nights starring Anne Heche and Harrison Ford. There is one difference. That was just a movie, and this is the actual account of events that happened to me while riding alone on a truck trip with Alphonse Smith, an independent contractor with Dart Transit Company.

At the end of the movie, the credits roll across the screen. I would like to give credit at the beginning of this short story to those who drive this great land and to all of the independent contractors who lease their trucks to Dart. Thank you for all of the hard work you do.

I now know and understand just how hard it is for you to carry loads from destination to destination. I know the difference between live loads and drop & hooks, the hours spent waiting in line to buy fuel, and the difficulty of driving down a narrow neighborhood street looking for a warehouse.

It was a great opportunity for me to ride with one of you to see the white lines of the highways and bi-ways, the dark nights at a truck stop, and to see the falling morning mist by the dawn's early light.

I would like to acknowledge Alphonse who allowed me to ride with him. Alphonse started his driving career at the age 16 by learning from his dad. He received his CDL and started driving on his own when he was 22. He contracted with Dart in 2005, hauling loads for Dart's Short Haul Division, and then switched to a National contract.

Monday I walked around Dart excited and anticipating our journey. Alphonse had arrived in Dallas Saturday morning and did his 34-hour reset so he was ready to roll with me.

After checking a couple of things on our trailer we finally loaded up and headed out. Alphonse's first words put a big grin on my face. "Breaker, breaker!" he said using his CB radio. "How about them east bounders, anybody got a copy?"

"Go ahead breaker," the voice of another trucker replied.

"What's it looking like on the flip side?" Alphonse asked.

"Breaker, you got a bear sitting at the 158."

Now if you don't know CB language, allow me to translate. Alphonse asked, "Can anybody tell me if there are problems in the direction you just came from?" The translation from the other truck driver was, "Be careful when you get to the Dairy Queen, there's a policeman sitting in his car."

I got my chance to key-up and jaw-jack a while when Alphonse handed me the mic. He knew that was something I wanted to do.

"How about them east bounders, anybody got they're ears on?" said the voice that came over the box.

"Go ahead westbound," I said. "You've got two plain white rappers at the 15 mile marker, in the middle taking pictures."

"Mercy-sake, mercy-sakes," he replied, "What might be that name?"

"You got that one Bush Baptist, on this end, spreading the word every now and then, to the end. Kick it back one time hey-huh," I said, recalling my early years of the 80's driving a ‘68 Malibu Chevrolet.

"You got a bubble gum machine on the flip-flop around that 35 on 10," he replied.

Our first load was to deliver in three days. It was around 10:30 p.m. when we pulled over to take our first break.

When Alphonse announced it was time for bed I blinked and said, "Here with all of this traffic and noise! How could a person get some sleep?"

"Just watch," Alphonse said. Cars and trucks were passing by sounding like rolling thunder. I began tossing and turning, and then, I realized this must be trucker's paradise because at that moment I glanced out the window and looked up to the sky. It was a clear night so I saw every star. Then I began to notice all of those cars and trucks passing by, the vibration actually rocking us to sleep. I heard the sounds from the radio playing tunes of Al Green, Aretha Franklin, and Luther Vandross. The next thing I knew, I had fallen asleep.

When we made it to our destination I saw some contractors' frustrations. The warehouse was located in the middle of a residential neighborhood with low hanging phone lines, cars parked on either side of the street, and we had to get a 53-foot trailer down it. I saw their frustrations when we had to wait for the consignee to signal for us to back into a tiny dock.

We put in for detention because there was only one person there that morning. After getting unloaded we had to wait for another load. Alphonse pointed out that it would be helpful if we were already preplanned because we did not know which direction to go. We could not stay there because other trucks had to get in. We left and went back to the truck stop, going 30 miles west from the consignee and burning unnecessary fuel.

After arriving at the truck stop, we received a preplan that was 30 miles east of the consignee. That now made it 60 miles of unnecessary fuel. With the high cost of fuel and daily expenses, we needed to get on the road.

The weather was getting colder and we were headed to a small town. That is when I saw the contractors' frustrations of not having good directions. We were headed to another warehouse located on the back roads of Georgia.

After getting to the shipper, we realized there were three different trailer staging locations. We finally made it to the correct place, hooked to the trailer and got back on the highway to find a truck stop for the night.

By now you might be thinking, "He hasn't seen everything!" Well, let me mention a few more things. How about waiting a little over an hour in line to purchase fuel? How about waiting for your number to come up for a chance to take a shower? Did I mention the cost of the shower? And if you want to park in a good location, that's another fee. Even a bottle of water cost $1.79 at a truck stop! I'm now part of the contractor's world, waiting for the stroke of midnight so we can get a little more from the changing of the fuel adjustment.

What most people never realize is that if you use it; a truck brought it to you. We never think about contractors pulling over every few hundred miles just to check the trailer lights. We never think about how hard it is for one person to slide tandems or protect their fuel from someone stealing it while they rest. With the high cost of fuel these days, I saw their frustrations of getting on the highway, just getting up speed, only to have to pull over at the weigh station.

We went to an inspection station and was given the go ahead just to see another sign stating that the next exit would be a weigh station. You would think they could do it all in one place! We were in one state that had a fuel check station, weigh station, and inspection station, all within five miles of each other!

We finally got loaded, headed back through the peach state (Georgia), then through the valleys of Tennessee, and ended up in the national parks of Arkansas. The Qualcomm beeped. It offered a load getting us back to the blue bonnets of Texas.

On the way back, a car passed us and a child in the back seat pumped his arm up and down, signaling us to blow our air horn. So we did. At that point I thought to myself, "He might remember this in years to come, and want to be an owner operator himself one day."

I know much of their work is unappreciated so to the contractors I say, when the sun is going down and you are driving through the back woods and forest glades, roll down your windows, listen to the birds singing sweetly in the trees, or look down from the lofty mountain's grandeur, listen and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. When you're turning into a truck stop to lay your head down, look out your window at the awesome wonders. Look at the stars and hear the rolling thunder. And always remember we appreciate you.

It's been two days since I've been back home, and I still can't sleep. Tonight, I'll take the car and park on the side of the highway by the TA, in trucker's paradise.

Great food is part of Dart's Contractor
Appreciation Day celebrations.

Contractor Appreciation is just around the corner!

Don't miss out on the fun! Each year, Dart thanks independent contractors for their dedication and commitment by holding Contractor Appreciation events at each location.

Mark your calendars!
Here's the 2008 schedule:

Eagan June 21

Sellersburg July 7-11*

Dallas July 19

Buford October 11

*Prize drawings and lunch served daily in Sellersburg between noon and 1.

Bring your family and friends. It's fun for everyone!

Remember – use E-Driver to look up fuel prices and settlement info
Take advantage of Dart's on-line services

Dart contractors: Dart has convenient and valuable on-line services that are just for you!

Log on to E-Driver, a tool on Dart's web site, to view settlement information and access nationwide fuel prices and discounts on Dart's AdVANtage® Fuel Network.

Go to www.dart.net to take advantage of these great services today!

Need help paying for college?
MTA scholarship applications available

The Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 school year. Scholarships are available to high school seniors, college freshman, sophomores, and juniors who are dependents of full-time Dart employees, fleet drivers and owner operators.

Winners will be chosen based on academic merit, evidence of outstanding character, leadership qualities and financial need. Preferential treatment will be given to students who express an interest in pursuing studies related to the trucking industry.

Applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2008. The awards will be announced at the MTA Annual Conference in July.

Please stop by Dart's Eagan Operating Center to pick up an application or call Steve Gundale at x1277 or Kristin Ries at x1869 to have one mailed to you. If you would like to apply online log on to www.goonline.cc (use the access code MTA) or visit the MTA's web site at www.mntruck.org/scholarship.html and scroll to the bottom of the page to download the application.

Apply for a TMTA Foundation scholarship
The Texas Motor Transportation Association (TMTA) Foundation is also accepting applications for the 2008-2009 academic year. Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates and be attending school full-time.

Scholarship awards are based on academic achievement, community involvement and financial need.

Applications must be received by the close of business on June 16, 2008. Applications are not accepted by fax or email. Applicants will be notified by mid-August on whether or not they received a scholarship.

Please stop by Dart's Dallas Operating Center to pick up an application or call Sandy Alcala-Villagran at x8754 or Chaun Burch at x8768 to have one mailed to you. If you would like to download the application online, please log on to www.tmta.com.

Do you want to be a PRO?
Members of Dart's PRO Referral program earn extra cash and rewards

Dart contractors – would you like to put more money in your pocket? It's easy with Dart's Professionals Recruiting Owner-Operators (PRO) Referral program. All you have to do is recruit others to contract with Dart.

For each person you recruit who contracts with Dart, you receive a $500 bonus. After 90 days, if both the person you recruited and you are still contracted with Dart, you will receive another $500.

Any contractor can refer others to contract with Dart, but members of the PRO Referral program receive rewards, in addition to the $1,000 bonus, for each recruit. The more people you refer, the bigger the rewards.

If you have any questions or would like to become a member, please call Johanna Carlson, Fleet Services Manager in Eagan, at x1412 or Elaine Briles, Director of Safety/Fleet Services in Dallas, at x8798.

NEW! Pro Stop® in Kansas City now offers truck repair

On March 3, the Pro Stop Truck Service, Inc. location in Kansas City, Missouri began offering tractor repair and maintenance services. Previously it only offered trailer repair services.

The facility is located at 3570 Gardner Avenue and offers the same truck repair and maintenance services as the other facilities. If you're in the area and need your truck serviced or repaired, bring it to the Kansas City location.

Pro Stop offers complete truck and trailer repair services at seven locations nationwide. In addition to the Kansas City location, there are full-service shops in Lancaster, Texas; Houston, Texas; Eagan, Minnesota; Sellersburg, Indiana; Buford, Georgia; and Commerce City, Colorado.

Bring your truck to the Pro Stop nearest you for major mechanical repairs, body and glass repair, air conditioning repair, truck lube, D.O.T. inspections and tires. Pro Stop also offers road service and towing through its Vehicle Maintenance department.

Don't forget about Pro Stop's monthly specials for Dart contractors. This month, Pro Stop offers a FREE shackle inspection. Schedule your maintenance in advance to take advantage of the monthly specials at Pro Stop.

The Pro Stop in Kansas City is open Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please call Paul Hudson, Pro Stop Shop Manager, Kansas City at (816) 241-4693 or log on to www.pro-stop.com for more information.

Pro Stop fuel notebooks are in! Get your free copy!

If you haven't already, pick up your complimentary copy of the new Pro Stop fuel notebook.
Here's what it includes:

Pro Stop Fuel and Pro Stop Truck Service locations and hours of operation

A listing of all the major chains and independent truck stops on Dart's AdVANtage® Fuel Network

Dart settlement locations

And more!

You can also use it to record your daily loads and business expenses.

Stop by the Settlements Department at Dart's Dallas Operating Center, the Permits counter at Dart's Eagan Operating Center, or the Pro Stop Truck Service location nearest you to pick up your copy.

Is your fuel safe from thieves?
Lock your fuel caps!

Picture this: you just delivered a load and head to the nearest truck stop to park your rig for the night. You decide to top off your fuel tanks since you get great discounts off the pump price at that stop. While you fill up your tanks, another truck driver is watching and waits for you to pull your truck into a parking spot and shut down for the night. When you wake up, your tanks are empty!

Maybe you've heard of this or had it happen to you. Fuel theft is a serious problem, especially for owner operators. You pay for your own fuel so if it is stolen it is your fuel and money lost.

With fuel prices on the rise, you can't afford to lose fuel to thieves. The simple solution: buy locks for your fuel caps. It is an easy way to maintain fuel economy. Why lose fuel and money on something you could prevent?

Remember: thefts can occur anywhere – at shippers, receivers, at your home, at a truck stop. Always be aware of your surroundings.

Are you a Dart contractor? Do you have a business tip or advice on how to improve fuel economy? Share it with your fellow Dart contractors. E-mail your tip or advice to Kristin at

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