Ridin' High: Building the 369 Episodes

All new episodes of Ridin' High: Building the 369 are now online. Watch Phil Langevin and his team of friends and family combine two Peterbilts (a 359 and a 379), then enter the rig into the Pride and Polish build off at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
Ridin' High: Building the 369 will be released online one episode at a time starting March 18, 2010. Check back every Thursday for a new installment and let us know what you think.

Arrow Driver Officially Missing Person

Land Line Magazine reported that a missing persons report was filed yesterday after an Arrow driver went missing just before Christmas.

John M. Eischens Jr. of Mabank, TX, was deemed “unaccounted for” by volunteers, who were working to bring all Arrow drivers back home safely.

Eischens’ family contacted police to file a missing persons report last night after weeks of not hearing from him. “It’s not like him to fail to call on Christmas,” Eischens’ mother told Land Line Magazine.

Eischens drove truck number 6325, which was found at the Pilot in Butte, MT. The keys were still in the ignition, but all of Eischens’ belongings were gone.

Land Line Magazine posted contact information for anyone that knows the location of Eischens. The information is as follows:

If anyone has information on whereabouts of Eischens, please call Det. Williams of the Anna, TX, Police Department. The office phone is 972-924-2848; after 5 p.m. calls will be handled by dispatch at 972-547-5350.

Tech Tools for Truckers

etrucker.com published a great article by Misty Bell describing new technology helping to make truckers’ lives a whole lot easier.

The most popular tech toys include laptops with wireless internet and iPhones, giving drivers the ability to access Google Maps and other features that help with directions.

But Google Maps isn’t the only navigation tool available. ALK Technologies developed CoPilot Truck, which can be purchased through 4 State Trucks. This GPS software can be used for both a laptop and iPhone, and includes features that identify roads with height and weight restrictions, finds the best course sequences for up to 50 stops, and reduces fuel costs by providing the most efficient routes.

iPhone has a number of apps that help make a driver’s life easier. The most notable of these being Trucker, which offers trucking videos, weather updates, a mileage calculator, traffic alerts, and even a lowest fuel cost finder.

Another iPhone app called Maps & Compass “combines everything you love about Google Maps with the accuracy of GPS and a built-in digital compass,” as described on apple.com.

Engine-monitoring devises, such as the Pittsburgh Powerbox, and in-car tire pressure monitors offer digital readouts on your dash board helping to increase fuel power and mileage.

These are just a few of the great innovations available to modern-day truckers. What’s the one tech tool for your truck you just can’t live without?

TruckGuysTV

Arrow Trucking anticipates lawsuit

According to the Journal of Commerce, former employees have decided to sue Arrow Trucking for violating the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.

Arrow Trucking closed its doors on Dec. 23 without giving prior notice to its employees. Many drivers were left stranded after their fuel cards were cancelled.

Representing about 100 employees, a Philadelphian attorney planned to file a lawsuit against Arrow Trucking for its violation of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The act requires employers with at least 100 workers give 60 days notice before shutting down.

The Christian Science Monitor reported “the suit will also address other violations of state and local laws that Arrow employees have alleged, including bounced paychecks, unpaid medical premium payments, and nonreimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses,” said Chuck Ercole, the Philadelphia attorney filing the suit.

But once again, it’s important to remember the generosity of some of the trucking companies that stepped in to help stranded drivers over the Winter Holidays. Daimler Trucks booked about 75 free Greyhound tickets for stranded drivers and gave $200 to over 150 drivers to cover travel expenses home.

TruckGuysTV

Trucking community pulls together, exemplifies true meaning of holiday spirit.

Arrow Trucking Co. closed its doors on Dec. 22, leaving many drivers stranded all over the United States. But in the face of adversity, people from all over the country rallied together to help out their fellow man.

According to The Trucker, Arrow Trucking Co. shut down Tuesday morning without informing their employees of the closure. They cancelled their fuel cards leaving drivers stranded throughout the country. Those within the United States were told to drop their trucks off at the nearest dealership, then call a hotline to organize a bus ticket home. However, without a fuel card, most could not get to a dealership, and for those that could, they still had to find their own transportation to the nearest bus station.

Luckily, citizens from all over were willing to lend a helping hand. Using the Internet as a catalyst, Facebook pages were set up in order to organize rides home for marooned drivers.

The Examiner.com reported that OOIDA created a Facebook page to help coordinate support efforts for stranded drivers. The response has been so overwhelming that the page already has nearly 4,000 fans. OOIDA has also offered a free bus ticket or $200 to any stranded international driver. And they’re not alone.

According to northstatetrucks.com, Daimler Truck Financial was offering bus tickets home as early as Tuesday afternoon.

It’s amazing and inspiring to witness so many people pulling together to offer help. Offers included rides to bus stations and driver’s homes, food, and even shelter.

But the question remains, how accountable is Arrow Trucker Co. to its employees? Can a company of this size shut its doors without informing its employees, or organizing a better way home for its drivers? How can drivers protect themselves from being in a similar situation again?