February 2008 Edition
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Dart announces
2007 Fleet Managers of the Year
Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
Dart Transit Company's 2007 Fleet Managers of the Year are Dave Seppala at the Dallas Operating Center, and Rick McCartney at the Eagan Operating Center.
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| Dave Seppala (L) and Joyce Jordan |
Dave Seppala
Dave began working at Dart in 2005 as an intern in the Short Haul Operations Department at Dart's Eagan Operating Center. In April 2007 he moved to the Dallas Operating Center and became a Fleet Manager. Six months later, he accepted a position as a New Contractor Fleet Manager.
"I enjoy being a fleet manager at Dart," Dave said. "Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn more about this complex industry. Not a day goes by that I don't learn something new."
Dave said he is grateful for the help he receives from others. "The people I work with at Dart are the main reason this job is so great," he explained. "When I worked at the Eagan Operating Center, I learned a lot about the trucking industry from John Hynes, Steve Youngquist, and the rest of the Short Haul crew.
"My teammates here in Dallas are one of the main reasons why I have been as productive as I have. Ron Moore and Jim Nichol's leadership and guidance have allowed me to open up and try new things. And I am fortunate to have a few veteran contractors on my fleet who help me understand what their work entails. They let me ask questions about driving and being on the road since I have never had that type of experience. It helps me answer questions from new contractors."
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| Dave Oren (L) and Rick McCartney |
Rick McCartney
Before working at Dart, Rick worked in the air freight industry for 20 years. He began working at Dart in 2003 as a Fleet Manager, and was promoted to Senior Fleet Manager in December 2007.
"I find my position in the Operations Department to be challenging and rewarding," Rick said. "Every day brings new opportunities for skill development. And Dart is loaded with valuable, dedicated people, the company's greatest assets. I work with contractors who do a tremendous job providing the quality of service that makes Dart an industry leader."
Fleet Managers of the Year are selected for average mileage per contractor per week, low contractor turnover rate, and active count of contractors.
Contractors of the Month
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| Steve Doggett |
Steve Doggett
Fleet Manager: Lynn Christenson
Eagan Operating Center
Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
Steve Doggett has contracted with Dart nearly 20 years.
Before Dart he drove trucks in the military for eight years and started driving commercial trucks in 1985. Three years later he contracted with Dart.
"I was on the road, talking to other drivers, when I found out about Dart," he recalls. "I love it here! There's good money and good miles. I paid off the mortgage on my house. I've been here so long I wouldn't know where else to go."
For the past three years, Steve has operated with a dedicated contract. "There's steady freight and just about all of it's drop and hook," he says.
Another reason he likes dedicated: "There is a D.C. in Phoenix so I get to see my older boy. And there's a D.C. in Loveland, Colorado that my parents live about 10 miles from. It works out real good."
Steve lives in Kentucky with Rose, his girlfriend of 22 years. He usually works four to five weeks and then takes a week off. During that week at home he spends time with his grandsons who are always excited to see him. "They know when grandpa's coming home," he says with a smile. "I like to hang out with them. We go fishing and camping."
Steve says in order to be a successful owner operator you have to watch your money, be professional, and the way traffic is today, drive safely. "I have my Two Million Mile Award, but the second million miles were a lot harder than the first million."
He says the best thing about his career is seeing the country and meeting a variety of people. In the winter, Steve operates mostly in the south and east. "I see a lot of East Coast and a lot of Texas right now," he says. In the summer he often goes west, but chooses not to in the winter. "I don't want to put chains on."
Steve owns a 2003 Freightliner. It's the fourth truck he has leased through Highway Sales, Inc., a truck and finance vendor to Dart contractors. But he never travels in it alone – his dog Crystal (in photo) is always with him.
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| Harry Shaw |
Harry Shaw
Fleet Manager: Mary Meek
Eagan Operating Center
Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
When he was 18 years old, Harry Shaw drove a truck on his family's farm. 45 years later he is still driving.
Harry attended truck-driving school in the Marine Corps. After leaving the Marines he held a series of jobs including driving a straight truck on a local route, owning a meat locker plant, and working as a mechanic.
A back injury forced Harry to leave his job as a mechanic, so he pursued life on the road. In 1994 he bought his first truck in El Paso, Texas, and contracted with Dart.
Now he operates with a dedicated contract and enjoys consistent miles and pre-planned loads. "I wouldn't move off dedicated for anything," he says. "There is always freight available, I can call in and talk to my dispatcher on the phone, and the customers know me by name. They're top of the line people."
Harry also enjoys plenty of home time. That means more time with his wife Susie of 28 years, his six kids, 17 grandchildren, and five great-grandkids. He and Susie go out to eat, spend time with their kids, and each year they help with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in their hometown.
Four years ago, Harry was diagnosed with skin cancer that spread to his lymph nodes. Fortunately, surgery removed the cancer cells. But each year his wife gets a team together for Relay for Life, and Harry volunteers at the event.
"I always make a point to be there," he says. "The first year I went I ran into people I've known for quite some time. It's amazing, in a town with a population of 1,500, how many people have had cancer."
Harry plans to retire in three years to spend more time at home. "I'm glad to be doing what I'm doing," he says. "It's been a good experience – it's fun. If you can't have fun with what you're doing, you should find something else. Dart is a good company. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be here."
Using our best resources
Dart contractor is mentor to other owner operators and children
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Sandy Alcala-Villagran, Fleet Services Administrative Assistant, Dallas
Recently one of Dart's independent contractors, Walter Rodgers, assisted me with a couple of situations. What were they? Helping other contractors. If you're wondering why I'm writing about Walter and spreading the word, it's because he is a unique contractor.
You see, I'm a member of the Dallas A-Team* and sometimes I'm faced with challenges and questions that I can't answer. That's when I sometimes call a Dart contractor for help. Walter, along with several others including Mike Hargrove and Randy Peterson, are Dart contractors who have been successful helping other Dart contractors.
From them I've learned how and when to buy fuel, and the best places to fuel. They explain route mileages and how to figure their overall cost of operation. Walter, Mike and Randy are always willing help. So, if you call me and I don't have the answer, I'll find it.
Walter is so unique that not only does he help me and mentor other Dart contractors, but he also mentors at his son's school. He recently visited Krueger Elementary in San Antonio, Texas, where he and his wife Donna planned a surprise "Show and Tell" for their son's kindergarten class.
This was a special day for Walter and Donna and for their son, Jeremy. Walter showed the kids his truck and explained how everything inside it worked. He showed them how he communicates with his fleet manager using Qualcomm. He also taught them how to use a logbook.
"There were a lot of questions," Walter said. "But it was surprising that some of the kids knew the answers before I could finish explaining!"
Walter enjoys helping others. Teaching, I believe, is his forte. His wife Donna is a teacher at Krueger Elementary and they really enjoy the children.
Remember: our future is in the hands of our children. Who knows – you could be raising the next generation truck driver!
* Dart's A-Team (Advocate Team) is available to help contractors resolve issues.
Win a new boat!
How would you like to win a 21 Foot Chaparral Ski Boat with a trailer and tower? The Texas Motor Transportation Association (TMTA) Foundation Scholarship Fund is raffling tickets for a drawing to be held July 29, 2008. There will be only 3,000 raffle tickets sold so the odds are good and it benefits a good cause. Each ticket is $20. Anyone from any state can purchase the raffle ticket and you do not need to be present to win. If you are interested, contact Cathy Aydelott at x8541, or Dora Mendoza at 8740.
Dart is fortunate in that we have had several recipients of the TMTA's scholarships. If you contract with Dart or are employed by Dart, your child is eligible to apply for the scholarship funds. Go to www.tmta.com for more information on the scholarships.
"Be ready. Be buckled."
Winner of kids poster contest will receive $1,000 savings bond
NATSO, Inc. (the National Association of Truck Stop Operators) and the DOT are holding a children's poster contest to promote seat belt use among truck drivers. The contest is part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's national campaign, "Be ready. Be buckled."
The purpose of the contest is to reverse the roles and have children of truck drivers remind their parents to buckle up.
Children ages 5 to 12 with at least one parent who is a truck driver can participate. The finished poster must illustrate a commercial motor vehicle driver wearing a seat belt, be hand-drawn, and be no larger than 11 by 14 inches.
Entries must be submitted by February 29, 2008 to:
NATSO, Inc.
1737 King Street
Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
The winner will be announced in April. For more information please visit www.fmcsa.gov/safetybelt.
Before you park . . . get a permit!
New parking permits are being issued at Dart's Eagan Operating Center
Recently, Dart's Eagan Operating Center began issuing new parking permits for contractors who park their vehicles on Dart's property. The blue permits previously used are no longer valid.
Prior to parking their vehicle in the lot, contractors must visit the Eagan Fleet Services Department to fill out and sign a form to obtain a permit.
The new permits are static cling stickers that should be placed on the rear window of the vehicle and must be visible at all times. Contractors are asked to park their vehicles front first so the permits are visible to those driving by.
There is no limit to how long you can park your vehicle in the parking lot, but you are only allowed to park one vehicle on Dart's property at a time.
Parking is only allowed in designated parking areas. If you park your vehicle anywhere else it will be towed at your expense.
The number of permits issued is limited to 100 and they are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. After the 100 permits have been issued, contractors' names can be added to a waiting list but must find alternate parking off-site until a permit becomes available.
Parking permits are valid as long as your contract with Dart is in place.
If you have any questions or concerns about the permits, please call Building Maintenance at 651-683-1691.
Note: Parking at Dart's Dallas Operating Center will not change. Contractors are required to park their vehicles in the designated areas or they will be towed at their expense. Parking permits are not required in Dallas.
Going over your monthly cell phone minutes?
Dart contractor uses local MAX number to save money on cell phone bill and urges others to do the same
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| Dave VanderWyst |
Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
Cell phones – we use them to keep in touch with family, talk to friends, surf the Internet, check e-mail, and communicate with people we work with.
It's no surprise, then, that we sometimes go over our cell phone plan minutes each month and get charged additional fees. It happened to Dart contractor Dave VanderWyst. So he started thinking about ways to cut back on the number of minutes he used.
With Sprint Mobile to OfficeSM you can make and receive unlimited calls between your mobile device and an office phone number of your choice for $8 a month, without using your anytime minutes.
If you have Sprint cell phone service and would like to add this feature to your existing plan please contact CJ Stephens at x1267. She can also help you start a new plan and answer questions.
Dave's cell phone provider offers a similar plan that includes unlimited calling to a U.S. phone number of his choice. His obvious selections for unlimited calling are his family and friends' phone numbers. But since Dave calls Dart's MAX line to talk to dispatch, maintenance, and safety on a regular basis, he figured he would use that number. The only problem – toll-free and 900 numbers are excluded – meaning Dave couldn't use Dart's toll-free MAX number.
It took quite a bit of research, but eventually he learned Dart has a Minnesota local MAX phone number – 651-683-1444. If you operate out of Dart's Eagan Operating Center, you can call the local MAX number instead of 800-366-9000.
If you operate out of Dart's Dallas Operating Center you can use Dart's local MAX phone number in Texas – 972-274-8555.
"The local number goes to the same exact place the 800-number goes and offers the same options," Dave explains. So he programmed the local number as his choice phone number.
"Last month, I had over 90 minutes of time on the phone with Dart's safety, dispatch, and maintenance departments," Dave recalls. "All of these were contacted through Dart's local MAX number and cost me nothing, saving me money in overages on my cell phone bill. By using this system and being able to program the local MAX number for work-related things, I have dropped my phone bill almost $100 a month."
CJ recommends that you switch to Sprint or check with your cell phone service provider to see if they offer a similar feature. By using Dart's local MAX number, you too could lower the cost of your cell phone by using fewer minutes.
Pro Stop announces
Specials for the month of February
Mike Busch, Pro Stop National Sales Manager
Each month, Pro Stop Truck Service, Inc. offers Dart contractors discounts and deals on truck service and parts. Visit the Pro Stop location nearest you and ask about the specials available.
During February, Dart contractors can receive the following service specials at any Pro Stop location:
- $10 off each new tire purchased and installed by Pro Stop.
- $20 off each wheel-end of brakes replaced by Pro Stop.
- $5 off each re-cap purchased and installed by Pro Stop.
- $10 off PM (oil change) service.
- $5 off engine air filter replaced by Pro Stop.
- $20 off each wheel seal replaced by Pro Stop.
- $10 off battery cable cleaning and battery load test. Battery cleaning and load test is free if 3 or more batteries are replaced.
- $15 to adjust all tractor brakes.
- $20 clutch adjustment.
- Free brake inspection.
Sale ends February 29, so bring your equipment in now to take advantage of the savings!
The standard monthly specials are available at all facilities. As always, Pro Stop will perform work at the highest quality level with our solid workmanship warranty.
Note: The Pro Stop facility in Tifton, Georgia closed on December 7, 2007. If you are in Georgia, please visit our Buford, Georgia service shop. Thank you and we apologize for any inconvenience.
Stop by the Pro Shop!
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| Steve Doggett |
Edie Davidson, Pro Shop Specialist
From jackets to hats, Pro Shop has a variety of winter wear for sale.
And don't forget - the Pro Shop sells more than just clothing! Model trucks, cuddly critters, cameras, calculators, bags, mugs, pens, watches and pins are among other items available.
Visit the Pro Shop at Dart's Eagan Operating Center. Pro Shop hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Can't make it to Eagan? That's okay. Visit us on-line at www.dart.net or give me a call at x1398 to place an order.
