We have a current need for great folks in our Western Network. Lets make sure everyone knows our need and feels the intensity that is necessary for our open truck situation.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Adopt-a-Class Truckload Driver Warren Harvey
Our Adopt-a-Class program includes school children in grades K-5. Participating schools are eligible to receive the donation of school supplies.
Our driver William Harvey represented the Truckload group in our J.B. Hunt Adopt A Driver program. His school is located in Tifton, Georgia.
What child doesn't want to use the air horn?
The kids loved the materials shared by Warren and Whitney Dannenmueller, his fleet manager. Whitney made the trip to southern Georgia to help organize the event.
The visit was topped off with lunch.
A Noticeable Change in our Truckload Phone Experience
Options:
1-Safety
2-Dispatch
3-Road Service
4-Detention
5-Freight Handling
6-Claims
Our overall goal is to deliver a great experience for our Professional Drivers. The improvement in our call center is a small step towards providing this great experience. We want to see our Professional Drivers operating miles safely and on-time, not sitting on the phone waiting for our staff to answer. Helping to categorize our calls and reaching someone who can help our Professional Drivers quickly and efficiently is our goal.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Celebrate Our Victories
We should celebrate milestones as they occur. This week we hit a special mark with our IC group:
Check out our ICTD group (Independent Contractor Traditional) capacity. We are now 50 strong! Great job by our recruiting team in CDP and our operators on our 4th floor. Nice job by the team.
Old Skool vs. New Skool
We applaud both groups of Professional Drivers using scanning technology to turn in the paperwork and any expenses incurred on the road. But, it is really time to start exploring the Transflo App and using the time in the cab to do the same work. Why wait in line when you can do it at the shipper or receiver?
Driver Appreciation Feedback from Concord, North Carolina
It was a pretty nice break from the mundane day to day of the truck driver. It was nice to meet you guys as well. Cool to feel appreciated by your company. Also the TV win made Erica elated. Her Grey's Anatomy just came back on air and being able to watch is on something other than her phone made her giddy.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Great Note from Shawn Henry
Shawn Henry, one of our Midwest Professional Drivers, got home last night and was excited to see a package addressed to him. Here is the note he shared on Chatter:
Got home late evening yesterday and got a package from JB Hunt 😊 I certainly appreciate it, but more than that I appreciate everyone at corporate headquarters who works hard to keep us moving the best they can!! I know us drivers can be short at times or down right irritable, and for y'all to tolerate us at those times and do what's best for everyone involved; well that's what makes JB Hunt a great company that I am proud to work for! 😊
Friday, September 25, 2015
Razorback Game Tickets
Frank Remson and his family received our 4 tickets and the parking pass to the recent
Texas A & M game. The Remson clan was extremely excited to be at the game and were clearly early for the excitement.
The stadium gradually filled with the passionate Razorback fans we have come to expect in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Towels were supplied by a local vendor. By the end of our game the towels became great tools for masking frustration of our special guests.
Here is the information that led to the Remson family winning the tickets:
My daughter Amanda is wanting to go to the U of A - She has never been to a hog game EVER!!! - She plays clarinet and is currently on the marching band at her high school.. However, she has injured her knee and has been really depressed because she has not been able to participate in her Band, Flag line, and Softball activities.. She is a straight A student and already has a 26 on her ACT - Which she received at the end of last year, her sophomore year. She is on track to graduate this year her JR year.. Provided we get her score up to 28 by the end of the year.. We would loooooove for her to go to the U of A and this could very well seal the deal once she sees the band. It would also go a long way towards lifting her spirits.
My wife a die hard hog fan.. U of A Grad has not been to a game in three years.. She has been dying to go.. She recent suffered a loss in her family could pick me up as well..
The remaining ticket would go to my little boy - He is thinking of playing football.. He is 9 and I would love for him to see what its like at a college game.. to see the excitement and what football is really about..The team - The fans - The atmosphere.. Arkansas could use another little hog fan.
Final note.. Branch 3 my branch ... in PCS is on track to kicks major tail and come in above budget.... Were on track to make $550,156 in Net revenue.. That is $102,582 above budget.. 122.92%.. and were going to do even better then that.. B3 is killing the other branches this month..
It's All About The Hat
We got our first note from one of our Professional Drivers concerning the Driver Appreciation Box our Truckload team sent to everyone of our teammates.
Henry Swaney got his driver appreciation box in the mail today. He's at home taking care of a loved one after an operation. We sent flowers to the family and they love them. They said they are a beautiful yellow. Henry put them out on the porch to get some sunshine. He loves the hat we sent out. He said it's a nice color, beautiful hat, sharp looking. It's the first hat he's gotten in 10 years. He absolutely loves it. Old school colors are good.
First Trip to the Home Office
The Wonder of Chatter: Connecting Professional Drivers Like Never Before
We have conversations happening today that we have never entertained before the introduction of Chatter to our Truckload team. Today we witnessed a "chatter" exchange between two of our Professional Drivers that has to be shared. Check out the dialogue between two drivers who have never met below:
Kin Wong from our Midwest Fleet shared this photo from the cab of his tractor. Here was his post.
Kim Wong: Lots of parking space at the Dallas Terminal today. Awesome!
Bruce Cox: Wow. Since When? Never seen that before.
Kim Wong: Today.
Bruce Cox: Wow. That is awesome!
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Nothin's Finer than Carolina
Here is an example of how we have made life better for our Professional Driver's here in Concord, North Carolina. A year ago this door did not allow a driver into our facilities after hours. The drivers had to use a port-a-potty after 5 p.m.. Mike Taylor visited the site and got it fixed. Check out the result. Pretty good in our eyes! Driver Restroom Open 24 Hours!
We had a smaller gathering in Concord, but no less important. This is a strategic hiring and maintenance site for us in Truckload.
Anthony Eames, Jay Johnson, Marcus Tyree, Mike Agnew and Richard Harris all enjoy fellowship J.B. Hunt style in Concord, North Carolina!
Driver Appreciation Accolades
Got this note regarding Terence Henly:
Terence Henly, 9 year employee for Truckload, just called in and was elated to have met Whitney, Jay, and Mike yesterday in Atlanta. He expressed his deepest gratitude for a company that has treated him so well. He said he's still smiling about it today, and had to call in and tell someone about it. Whitney shot him this picture that was posted. He said he was going to cherish it. He thinks its so special that we take the time to treat people with respect and companionship at events. He had a wonderful time.
Driver Appreciation Accolades
Received a great review on chatter from Todd Harris of the Mid-Atlantic Fleet:
Had a good lunch at J.B. Hunt terminal in East Brunswick, New Jersey. I even entered the raffle. I learned to never rush through a pre-trip inspection (you tend to miss things when its treated as a race or a game) and had fun. Thanks for the hospitality!
Driver Appreciation Accolades
We received an excellent review of Driver Appreciation Day from Paul Lojewski of our Midwest Fleet:
Had a great lunch at East Brunswick's appreciation BBQ. Even had a doggie bag for later. Would have taken pictures but Salesforce won't upload from my android phone:(. I started here 26 years ago and feel fortunate to return. Man I feel old!
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Imagine
This could be the best 1:54 of your day. You need to be able to watch video with your device to enjoy this content.
A Raving Fan
I think the new pay package is a win for everyone involved. The drivers will work harder to make the extra cents per mile (performance bonus). You will gain new drivers due to current drivers telling others. I was talking to a driver about the pay package this morning . He has been here 6 years. He told me this time last year he was looking to quit and find a better paying job with more miles. He is truly happy with the changes with the new pay package. So, as the word gets out it becomes a win-win. I tend to get top miles every week so I will take full advantage of the the bonus. I may be able to take my vacation time next year without having to sell it back to meet my bills. Thanks again. This is great.
Truckload Driver Appreciation Day #5 - Hot-Lanta, Georgia
Our newest remodel of a facility--Forest Park, Georgia. This is my idea of a Driver Lounge.
Remodeled kitchen area with coffee and ice maker.
Is there peach butter in that popcorn? It is Atlanta you know!
Mike Agnew, Gjena Gee, and Jay Johnson getting prepared for southern fixins.
Our Driver Appreciation trailer makes an appearance at the terminal along with Gjena Gee and Alvid Augustine. Alvid has been hauling freight this week with our wrapped trailer.
Early arrivers enjoying time together in our tractor bay. That is Kerry Kaiser and Warren Harvey spending time together on the far right.
Jay Johnson with Professional Driver Warren Harvey. Warren is our representative for Adopt-A-Driver for Truckload.
We may want to check tire inflation on Warren's truck? (hint...check out the shirt)
Kerry Kaiser with Professional Driver Stanley Silas
Mike Agnew, Maquita " Big Mama" Gilmore , and Jay Johnson anticipating sweet tea time!
J.B. Hunt in the News------Truckers get time in spotlight
Craig Harper, J.B. Hunt's chief operations officer, said about 2,500 people attended the event held at Shady Lake Amusement Park, which refers to itself as the area's "complete group picnic location." Drivers and their families rode bumper cars, steered paddle boats, played volleyball and were treated to a picnic as their role in the Fortune 500 company's success was celebrated.
"You hear the phrase over and over, but they truly are the backbone of the company," said Harper, who estimated J.B. Hunt has about 15,000 drivers in its workforce.
J.B. Hunt, along with transportation companies across the nation, emphasized the importance of the group as the trucking industry participated in Driver Appreciation Week. The event was created in 1988 as an annual avenue for companies to say thank you to drivers and publicize a workforce often taken for granted through what Harper described as "tough work."
There are 3.4 million professional truck drivers in the country, according to figures from the American Trucking Associations. The group logs more than 169 billion miles each year and is responsible for delivering 68.8 percent of the nation's freight tonnage, working through mounting regulatory pressures, crumbling infrastructure and lengthy delays.
"We know what a challenging job driving a truck can be, but we also know that trucks move America forward and without each of you we just simply couldn't get that job done," Bill Graves, president of the American Trucking Associations, said in a video message to drivers last week.
The Arkansas Trucking Association and Arkansas-based companies held events during the week geared toward expressing their appreciation for drivers, including cookouts, ceremonies and gift giveaways. It included an association-sponsored event at a truck stop in North Little Rock, where drivers were treated to lunch and a concert by country singer Lindsay Lawler on Thursday.
Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association, said in a statement that the week is aimed toward reminding the public of "truck drivers' enormous impact on our way of life" and expressing "gratitude for their commitment to this demanding profession." She helped USA Truck kick off the festivities with a ceremony honoring four drivers at its Van Buren headquarters.
USA Truck drivers who also are military veterans were honored for their service to the company and the country during a Sept. 11 ceremony. The four, who were selected based on their tenure and safety record, were each given the keys to military-themed tractors, which included a dog tag decal bearing the driver's name and branch of service.
David Bell, one of the drivers honored, said he couldn't believe the gift after accepting his keys to his new company truck. Tom Glaser, USA Truck's chief executive officer, said it was deserved.
"I think drivers today are being more appreciated by the companies, and they're feeling that," Glaser said. "Having cookouts and getting free handouts from all the vendors, that's nice. But I think the important thing is when the public is made aware of what these guys do. If trucks stopped moving, inside of 30 days grocery store shelves would be empty. Inside of 60 days you wouldn't have any gas in your car. Inside of 90 days people would be doing stupid stuff."
USA Truck provided lunch for drivers at each of its eight terminals throughout the week, which were supplied and catered by company vendors. It was a similar scene at P.A.M. Transportation Services Inc., which had lunches and prize giveaways for drivers at its six terminals to say thanks.
"Our drivers know we appreciate them," said Clark Gray, P.A.M.'s vice president of driver resources and compliance. "But it's also nice to have a formalized week where we say, 'This is your week.' To have a week set aside where we can schedule these activities as an industry is nice."
One of P.A.M.'s vendors -- Freightliner -- catered Wednesday's meal at the company's headquarters in Tontitown, cooking hamburgers on an enormous Razorback grill.
The outdoor picnic was attended by drivers, trainees and P.A.M. employees, giving each the chance to mingle while they ate lunch. The company held a raffle for drivers, while gift cards, dining cards, shirts and mugs were available for each to take with them.
"I appreciate that they take the time to do this for us," said Alex Shkurat, who has been a P.A.M. driver for 11 months. "Because the drivers make this country move."
The week-long recognition comes amid a long-standing shortage, which continues to impact an industry struggling to find enough drivers to fulfill the growing number of freight demands.
The American Trucking Associations projects a driver shortage between 35,000 to 40,000, which could grow to as much as 240,000 by 2020 as an aging workforce retires.
Trucking companies constantly evaluate ways to attract drivers to the industry and retain them. Pay increases, routes that offer more home time and other perks like equipment upgrades and facility improvements are all tools used in an effort to boost the driving force.
Harper also said companies like J.B. Hunt work with customers to lessen other challenges like lengthy wait times at shipping and receiving locations. J.B. Hunt recently published a white paper on the subject, outlining ways to curb the waste from the supply chain.
"I do quite a few ride-alongs and I act all tough and do it for two days or five days," Harper said. "But doing it day in and day out, it's a tough job. That's why we need to make every other touch point we have with the driver the best it can be. There's enough things that are not in our control."
Harper believes respect for the driving force can go a long way, which is why J.B. Hunt and other companies poured their efforts into driver appreciation programs. Harper said J.B. Hunt has even turned September into an unofficial "Driver Appreciation Month" with more than 300 events scheduled.
Every company driver is receiving a hand-written letter from a J.B. Hunt employee, thanking them for their work. Later this month there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a remodeled driver facility in South Gate, Calif., which is one of six the company has scheduled for improvements.
The letters, facility improvements, cookouts and amusement park trip are all pieces of J.B. Hunt's plans to show its gratitude. But Harper also stressed the appreciation for a trucking company's valuable commodity -- its driving force -- shouldn't wane when the formal week of appreciation ends.
"One day, one week, one month is not enough," Harper said. "We need to be working daily to show the appreciation for the drivers and the work they do."
Truckload Driver Appreciation Day #4-Columbus, Ohio
Thomas Pinkston, Forrest Swearingen, Eddy Carpenter, and Alvid Augustine enjoying lunch at the Columbus, Ohio terminal.
We tried something new this year.....our managers hand washed a few trucks while in C-Bus.
Ryan is quickly learning how hard it is to get every spot scrubbed on the trucks.
Alvid said there is only one reason he is out on the road every day and that is for his daughter Ma'jik Augustine. She is the most important person in her life.
Paul Beeson, one of our Truckload 3 Million Milers, spends time catching up with Ryan Ardary.
We had a great group in Columbus....we should have taught them the O-H-I-O cheer!
Truckload Driver Appreciation Day #3-Louisville, Kentucky
Adam Neil spends time with Sam Davidson, one of our new LP contractors.
Ryan McGuire, master of the grill, operating with precision with his tongs and spatula he brought from home.
The Driver Appreciation Trailer makes an appearance at the Louisville Driver Appreciation Day.
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