AdVANtage Contractor Newsletter

September 2007 Edition
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After tragedy . . . Dart delivers

Dart contractor
Jon Ebensteiner
used to drive across
the I-35W Bridge to
make deliveries.
On August 1, he
found himself delivering
relief supplies to the
bridge after it
suddenly collapsed.

A view of the collapsed bridge from
the University Avenue overpass.
In the background are buildings
on the west bank of the Mississippi River.

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
On August 1, one of Minnesota's most traveled bridges collapsed during rush hour traffic. Dart contractor Jon Ebensteiner was called on to help.

That night, Jon was switching trailers at the Target Distribution Center (DC) in Fridley, Minnesota. It was about 9 p.m. when he was asked to bring relief supplies to the scene of the collapsed Interstate-35W Bridge.

He had just seen the news coverage. "When I saw it on TV I couldn't believe what I saw," he says. "It was nerve wracking."

That's because Jon and other Dart contractors crossed the I-35W Bridge regularly. "Two Target stores we go to are conveniently located on the other side of the bridge," Jon explains. "I'm one of a few operating here at the Target DC who went over it. As soon as my family saw the bridge on TV, they called to ask, ‘you're not in the truck are you?'" Luckily, he wasn't.

He remembers what traveling the bridge was like: "In the mornings and evenings it was such a busy section of the highway. It's been slow'n'go through there for a while. Some guys used to take a different route just to avoid the traffic.

"It was a big bridge," he recalls. "About six stories tall. That's a good-sized bridge to be falling. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would collapse."

Jon described the collapsed I-35W Bridge as a "spaghetti mess –
like the steel was wrapped up into little noodles.".

Yet there he was, on his way to the bridge with 20 pallets of bottled water and five pallets of food (donated by Target) in his trailer. "The whole time I was driving I was thinking, ‘the traffic's going to be crazy,'" Jon remembers. "The worst thing was there was a Twins game going on, so there was a lot of people there."

Jon arrived in Minneapolis in just minutes, but when he got closer to the bridge, he had to maneuver his tractor-trailer through emergency crews and countless bystanders.

"It only took about 15 minutes to get there," he says. "But it took between an hour and an hour-and-a-half to get to the Red Cross site with the trailer. It was a prime spot for police traffic. They set up all these security points and there was a helicopter landing nearby.

"It made it interesting backing the truck up. Patience played a huge factor. I had to be very patient." Finally, some people helped clear the way so Jon could back up.

From where he was Jon could see the collapsed bridge. "I couldn't see much at first, but then as I got closer I saw they had the entire bridge lit up," he describes. "It seemed kind of fake on TV, but to look at it in person, oh my God, it's depressing. It's overwhelming."

Jon recalled hauling steel years ago. "I know how heavy and strong steel beams like that are," he says. "But the beams from the bridge looked like a spaghetti mess – like the steel was wrapped up into little noodles. It just seemed so surreal."

It was about 11:30 p.m. when Jon was finally able to start unloading the trailer. But hand unloading 25 pallets was something he wasn't used to. "I'm about 6'1" but about as skinny as they come," he admits. "There were Target employees from different stores helping the Red Cross, so a couple of them helped me unload the trailer. Those guys were awesome. Everyone was really helpful. And they all appreciated the water and food."

While unloading the trailer, Jon's cell phone rang. It was the Supervisor at Target's DC asking if he could come back and take another load to the site. "I didn't know there was going to be a second load," he says. "But I said, ‘Okay, whatever it is, I'll do it.' I never have a problem doing anything for Target or Dart."

On his second trip to the site, Jon brought about 10 pallets of Gatorade and tables and chairs to the Red Cross station. "The second load went a lot smoother because there weren't as many people at the site," he says. "That made it fairly easy to get in there with the trailer."

It was about 4 a.m. when Jon returned to the Target DC. But that night Jon didn't mind getting home late. "It felt so good to help somebody," Jon says. "I know any other Dart contractor there at the time would have stepped up to do what I did."

When Jon returned home, he reflected on what had happened that night. "I'm a family guy and I feel for those families," Jon sympathizes. "People's kids were on that bus. I feel bad for the people like the truck driver. I don't know if he had a wife and family, but I do. I think about my kids and I couldn't imagine not being there for them.

"It was a tragedy, that's for sure."

Dart reacts to the I-35W collapse
Though it's Corporate Office is located in the Twin Cities, Dart's business was relatively unaffected by the Interstate-35W Bridge collapse.

No one at Dart was involved or hurt during the accident. And "The bridge collapse really has had minimal effect on operations," says Luke Knadle, Dart Dedicated Operations Supervisor. Knadle works on-site at Target's Distribution Center in Fridley, Minnesota.

The day after the collapse, Dart began diligently routing contractors in and out of the area where the bridge previously spanned the river. "There are only a couple stores that require any out of route miles and it is under five miles per trip," Knadle explains.

Dart appreciates the responsiveness of Minnesota's DOT, and extends deep sympathy to those affected by the collapse.

Dart wins Quality Award
Dart ranks high on Logistics Management's Quest for Quality list

Logistics Management magazine recently awarded Dart its Quest for Quality Award, placing it among the highest ranked companies in the transportation and logistics industry.

Each year, Logistics Management surveys readers to determine the "best of the best" in the industry. Then, motor carriers, railroad and intermodal services, ocean carriers, airlines, freight forwarders, and third-party/contract logistics services are ranked according to the survey results.

In the truckload segment, the following criteria were measured (in order of weighted importance): on-time performance, information technology, customer service and equipment and operations.

Dart received an above average score that placed the company sixth on the list of Dry Freight Carriers.

"We are honored to rank among the industry's top carriers," said Dave Oren, Dart President. "This award is a reflection of Dart's commitment to excellence."

Mark your calendar!
Contractor Appreciation Days

Buford ..........October 13

Don't miss out on the fun!

Contractors of the Month

John Neely

John Neely - Dallas Operating Center

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
According to Dart contractor John Neely, there's a lot to love about his dedicated contract with Dart.

John started in the trucking industry 15 years ago and has always been on dedicated routes. "I like doing the same thing," he says. "Some people don't like it, but I like going to the same places."

He also enjoys operating close to home. "With my dedicated contract I stay close to the house," he says. "So I'm home every weekend to spend time with my boys."

John takes his sons, Hayden and Joshua, dirt-biking and swimming when he's home. And Hayden often rides along with John in his truck. "He loves it," John says. "He'd live in the truck if he could."

But being home every weekend doesn't mean John's business suffers. "I get great miles," he says. "I average about 2,800 miles a week." And he recently reduced his cruising speed to 60-65 miles per hour to improve his fuel economy. "I noticed a difference in mileage right away."

Nate Hammond

Nate Hammond - Eagan Operating Center

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
When it comes down to it, Dart contractor Nate Hammond can be summed up with numbers.

45. It's the number of years Nate has been in the trucking industry. "That's a lot of years on the road," he says. "I love what I do."

1989. That's the year he contracted with Dart. "I like Dart," Nate says. "I have my freedom, and I can own my own truck."

120,000. That's the number of miles Nate averages each year. He operates with a Dart National contract, hauling a variety of freight. "I don't have a favorite load," Nate says. "That's the beauty, and the adventure, of my National contract."

24. It's the date in June he and his wife got married last year.

And 8. It's the number of days the couple will spend island hopping in the Bahamas this year. "We did the same thing last year in Hawaii," Nate says. "Right now I'm coasting into retirement. The kids are gone. So, basically, I'm working to pay for vacations!"

Join the convoy!
Dart sponsoring 2007 World's Largest Convoy in Minnesota

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
Each year Dart sponsors the Twin Cities, Minnesota "World's Largest Convoy" to raise money for Special Olympics.

This year's event will be held at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota on Saturday, October 6. Dart is sponsoring $2,000 which covers registration fees for 20 trucks.

If you would like to participate in the Convoy, please call Johanna Carlson, Fleet Services Supervisor, at Dart's Eagan Operating Center at x1412.

Also, Special Olympics is collecting used cell phones. If you would like to donate a used cell phone please drop it off in the contractor lounge at Dart's Eagan Operating Center by October 5.

Or mail it to:
Steve Gundale
P.O. Box 64110
St. Paul, MN 55164-0110

On the road with the simulator

"Echo Reservoir is a great example of the spectacular scenery Randy and I saw on
our trip. I took this picture of the simulator with the mountains behind, overlooking
the lake on the outer limits of Salt Lake City, Utah. Jogging up the hill to get this
great shot was difficult, but it was worth it!" - Sandy Alcala-Villagran

As part of training, Dart employees take "truck trips" with owner operators to learn firsthand what life on the road is all about.

Sandy Alcala-Villagran is Fleet Services Administrative Assistant at Dart's Dallas Operating Center. After riding with Randy Peterson, one of Dart's independent contractors and operator of Dart's Safety Advantage Simulator, Sandy encourages others to go on "truck trips" like she did.

Sandy Alcala-Villagran

Sandy Alcala-Villagran, Fleet Services Administrative Assistant
Recently I took a road trip with Dart's Safety Advantage Simulator. Actually I didn't drive, I accompanied Randy Peterson, independent contractor and operator of the simulator. We were on the road 12 days, and traveled through eight states: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska and Iowa. The destination was Salt Lake City, Utah, for simulator maintenance and then to Walcott, Iowa, for the Iowa 80 Truck Show.

The trip helped me understand what kind of challenges truck drivers are up against on a day-to-day basis – understanding their schedules (knowing when to take breaks and when to stop for fuel), doing pre-trip inspections, driving, and managing their time while out on the road.

I know what my daily schedule consists of every day at work in the office and at home. But this was certainly different. I had to manage my time around Randy's schedule. When did he stop for breaks? When did he eat? What time would he stop for the day?

Randy Peterson

Randy is an early riser, starting his day with breakfast at 7 a.m., doing a pre-trip inspection, fueling and updating his logs. Then he hits the road, driving all day with a break in-between, usually ending his day at 6 p.m. for dinner before hitting the sleeper.

One tip I have is, "watch how much water you drink." I learned you can't stop as frequently as you would like when you're on the road!

Along the way, we experienced different weather conditions and traffic congestion, including accidents. One accident we saw involved a truck and a passenger car. The motorist did not make it. As we drove by, I could feel my heart pounding because I knew I would see another day and they would not.

We drove between 350 and 650 miles per day. Our schedule was planned so we knew how many miles we needed to drive on a daily basis. The highways on our route were challenging, especially when we traveled up hill. I can imagine fuel mileage suffers.

Traveling from Utah to Wyoming, we ran across three very steep hills called the "Three Sisters." We saw some amazing scenery. The sites were breath taking!

At the Iowa 80 Truck Show I had the opportunity to meet Randy's family. They are very warm and inviting people. When I left, I felt like part of the family. The show had a good turn out, the weather was perfect, and the simulator drew a crowd.

Overall, I learned a lot about driving over-the-road from my trip with Randy. Patience is a virtue, and I learned truck drivers have to have it. Every day truck drivers are challenged with things we take for granted such as a short commute to work, getting a good night's sleep, hot showers, decent meals and, especially, being with our families. So when a driver has been out on the road for 10-14 days and wants to go home, I have a better understanding of what they are feeling. I couldn't wait to get home to see my family and pets, but the experience was a chance of a lifetime.

I would like to thank everyone who made the trip possible. I also encourage you to take a truck trip, whether it is just for a day or longer. It will truly give you a different outlook from a driver's perspective.

Harvey and Karen Zander named

Trucker Buddies of the Month

Karen Zander (top right) with her and Harvey's fourth grade Trucker Buddy
class at Humphrey Elementary School in Waverly, Minnesota.

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
It's obvious Dart contractor Harvey and Karen Zander's Trucker Buddy class is proud of them. "If I was his teacher I would give him an A-plus," one of the students said of Harvey.

To the Zanders, the feeling is mutual. In July, Harvey and Karen were named Trucker Buddies of the Month. "We are pretty proud of our class," they said after receiving the award. "We are honored to be Trucker Buddies of the Month and energized to do more for our class."

The Zanders joined Trucker Buddy International in 2000, but had been teaching schoolchildren about truck safety since 1996. For the past two years, Harvey and Karen have been buddies with Pam Halverson's fourth grade class at Humphrey Elementary School in Waverly, Minnesota.

"Being a Trucker Buddy is an awesome experience," Karen said. "It keeps us young and involved. Kids are fun and have a different way of looking at the world."

The Zanders usually visit their Trucker Buddy classroom three to four times a year. Early in the fall, they use Dart's No-Zone trailer to show the kids danger areas around trucks and buses where they disappear from the driver's view. "We have each kid sit in the driver's seat so they can understand why the truck or bus driver has a hard time seeing them," Karen explained.

At the beginning of the year, they give the students a geography quiz. "We teach them how to read maps," Karen said. "They learn that the world is a big, big place."

They also teach the children how to fill out logbooks. "We designed logbooks for kids, which are now available through Trucker Buddy," Karen said. "We give a prize to the boy and girl with the neatest and most accurately completed logbook. Last year we gave them cameras and we've also given scooters. We try to give whatever the ‘hot' toy is at the time."

Aside from helping the class improve their math and geography skills, the Zanders also do craft projects with the students. "It helps them with coordination, color layout and design," Karen explained. "We make wooden coasters, pen/pencil holders, gift boxes, holiday ornaments, candy wreaths, all kinds of things."

Harvey and Karen encourage the kids to go home and share what they've learned about truck driving with the rest of their family. "We hope the kids learn that truckers are approachable and have lives just like anybody else," said Karen.

The kids look forward to the Zanders' visit. "I'm afraid the teacher doesn't get much done on the days we come, because the students know we are coming and constantly watch the window for us to arrive," Karen said.

The couple said they plan on being Trucker Buddies for years to come. "When all is said and done at the end of the day," Karen said, "you should ask yourself, ‘did I make a difference in somebody's life?' If not, you need to regroup and figure out what Trucker Buddy is all about."

Do you want to be a Trucker Buddy? Get more information at www.truckerbuddy.org or call 1-800-MY-BUDDY.

What's new with Icy Blu 2?
Since the beginning of the year, Harvey and Karen's radiant 2003 International 9900ix has wowed viewers at truck shows across the nation.

After entering Icy Blu 2 in the most recent contest at the Waupun Truck 'N' Show the couple landed four first place trophies.

Their sweetest reward
Though their prized show truck has won uncounted truck beauty trophies, the Zander's most prized award wasn't given to them for shiny chrome.

Last summer, the couple was chosen as the first recipients of the Gary King Outstanding Trucker Buddy Award at the Walcott, Iowa Truck Show for their work as Trucker Buddies over the years. "It was the best trophy we ever received," Karen said. "It really blew us away."

Gary King founded Trucker Buddy International while he was contracted with Dart in 1992. Gary died in June this year after losing his battle with cancer.

"Harvey met Gary while he was contracted with Dart," Karen recalled. "It definitely brought tears to our eyes when they announced our names as the recipients of the Gary King award. And to make it really sweet, Gary was there to present the award to us. It's one of those trophies that will stay with us forever."

The new kids t-shirt design features an
animated "thumbs up" Dart truck
(shown above) in five fun colors!

New at the Pro Shop!

New kids t-shirts have arrived at Dart's Pro Shop.

The shirts feature a new design and are available in five colors: Turquoise Blue, Kelly Green, Banana Yellow, Ash Gray and Lavender.

Stop by the Pro Shop at Dart's Eagan Operating Center to pick one up!

Can't make it up to Minnesota? That's ok. Give me a call at x1398 to place an order.

Edie

United Sugars
recognizes Dart Sales Manager as Marketing Executive of the Year

United Sugars presented Ted Lundberg, Dart Regional Sales Manager, with its Marketing Executive of the Year award on August 15.

The award was presented at the 7th Annual United Sugars Carrier Partner meeting in Fargo, North Dakota. "United Sugars would like to honor Ted Lundberg for his outstanding performance and commitment to United Sugars in the area of Sales and Marketing," said Darla Willoughby, United Sugars Business Analyst – Transportation.

Willoughby said Dart has a 99.4 on-time delivery percentage while delivering over 5,000 loads each year. And over the past five years, Dart's volume has grown by over eight percent each year.

"Dart provides capacity when other carriers say none are available, even during hurricane season," Willoughby commented. "Ted and Dart give United Sugars creative solutions, available capacity and exceptional service."

Criteria for the Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year award are:

500 or more annual loads

Customer complaints

Delivery performance

Weights

Invoicing accuracy

Communication

Responsiveness of Operations and Sales

Innovativeness and ingenuity

And staff professionalism

Dart helps "bridge the gap"

Each year Dart
contractor Bob
Towey transports
furniture to
Bridging's
"Medtronic Furniture
Friday" event.

More than 500 people helped assemble donated
Target furniture at the event in August.
Photo courtesy Marcus Ebenhoch

Luke Knadle, Dart Dedicated Operations Supervisor
For the past three years, Dart and Target have partnered to help with Bridging, Inc.'s "Medtronic Furniture Friday" events. Bridging, Inc., is a non-profit organization in Minnesota that gives donated furniture to families in need.

Three Fridays during the summer, Target donates truckloads of unassembled furniture to Bridging and Dart provides the transportation. Dart contractor Bob Towey takes the furniture to Medtronic where hundreds of volunteers assemble the furniture.

Luke Knadle (Dart), Marcus Ebenhoch (Target),
Ron Osterbauer and Diana Dalsin (Bridging),
and Medtronic Volunteer Event Coordinators.
Photo courtesy Marcus Ebenhoch

The assembled furniture is then loaded into two trailers and Bob delivers them to Bridging warehouses in the Twin Cities area where it will be distributed to Minnesota households.

Since Bridging began its services in 1987 it has served over 37,000 families. If you would like more information about Bridging please log on to www.bridging.org.

"I came to Dart with a penny to my name,
and I turned it into nearly $400,000." -
Claude Jones, Dart contractor

Failure Turned Into Success
Giving others a chance to follow their dreams

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
Dart contractor Claude Jones knows the meaning of compassion. Two years ago, he incorporated a business, Failure Turned Into Success, to help people achieve their goals.

In August 2005, Claude helped a college student pay her tuition. When her Grade Point Average (GPA) fell below a 3.5, she lost the academic scholarship that financed her tuition. So Claude awarded her a $1,500 scholarship so she could stay in school. She was able to turn her 3.0 GPA into a 3.5 GPA that semester and received the academic scholarship again.

"The scholarship I awarded gave her a second chance at school," Claude says. "Failure Turned Into Success is about giving people a chance and pointing them in the right direction."

In order to receive a scholarship, applicants must write a 500-word essay describing why they deserve the scholarship and are required to show proof if they are in school. But the program is not just for students, Claude says. "It's for all ages. And it doesn't matter if you want to be a truck driver or a singer. The scholarships are for anybody who has a dream and needs help."

The idea behind Claude's business stems from his childhood. When he was younger, Claude's mother could no longer care for him, so his siblings' grandparents raised him. "When they took on the task of raising us kids, they were well into their fifties," Claude recalls. "Their family told them to give us up, saying, ‘think of yourselves.' But they didn't listen to them. I will always be grateful for their help."

After his mother left, Claude experienced frustration and anger. "Not having motherly love and guidance was hard," he admits. "No matter how hard I tried, it seemed like I could never do anything right. I felt abandoned." Those feelings, Claude says, show him how to have compassion for others. "Where would we be if everyone only thought about himself or herself?"

Claude contracted with Dart in 2005 and uses his trucking company's income to finance the scholarship program. "I came to Dart with a penny to my name, and I turned it into nearly $400,000," he says. "Dart gave me the opportunity and opened the door for me. If it wasn't for Dart, I wouldn't be able to help others."

It's no surprise that he is so successful; Claude averages about 130,000 miles a year and has the tools to be a successful business owner. "I run my business right out of my truck," Claude explained. He has a laptop computer, printer, scanner and copier in his truck. He also signed up for Sprint's wireless Internet service and has a corporate account set up with several phone lines for his business.

When he contracted with Dart, Claude leased a 2003 Freightliner through Highway Sales, Inc., a truck and finance vendor to Dart contractors. In December, Claude will make one last payment, buying the title to his truck. "That will be the best Christmas present ever," he says.

In 2008, Claude hopes to give out two to three more scholarships. "The vision for Failure Turned Into Success," Claude says, "is to give hope where there is none, to make dreams come true for those who want it and to turn failure into success. I've learned the only failure is not to try at all."

Hurry! Grab your camera & enter!
2008 Calendar Contest

What are you waiting for? You only have two more months to submit photos for the 2008 Calendar Contest.

It's easy to enter. Pick a location, grab your camera, take your shots, and send them to the AdVANtage Newsletter.

Winners receive $100, extra calendars, and the satisfaction of being featured in the 2008 Dart calendar.

Most winning photos include both truck and trailer, but any photo with a Dart theme is eligible. Enter as many photos as you like. The 2008 contest ends Friday, October 5, 2007.

Contest Rules

Park in a safe location, not along-side highways.
Use safety triangles if necessary.

Digital photos at 4 mega pixel or higher
resolution or 35 mm prints.

Include your digital file or negatives.
Please don't cut negative strips.

Winning photos become property of Dart Transit Company,
and may be used for other purposes.
Other photos will be returned.

Send entries to:
Steve Gundale, Editor
AdVANtage Newsletter
PO Box 64110
St. Paul, MN 55164-0110
or

Time is running out! Take some pictures like the one Harvey and Karen Zander took of their stunning show truck, and enter them in the 2008 Calendar Contest by October 5, 2007.

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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