http://www.theprovince.com/news/trucker%20responsible%20missing%20women%20Highway%20Tears/1875808/story.html
Thanks to MacDonald Stainsby for sharing this link from today's Province. Note that the headline in the Province says "Is a Trucker Responsible for Missing Women on Highway of Tears?" - but the story reports involvement of multiple long-haul truckers in cases already solved by the FBI. Truck-driver is as common an occupation for men as secretary is for women, so clearly most truckers are not murderers; however, trucking could offer advantages for predatory sex murderers including mobility and mobile privacy. Maquiladora factories on the Mexico-US border are also destinations for truckers - hundreds of women workers from such factories have been murdered as well.
Excerpts:
Police investigating the disappearance of missing and murdered women across this country are being urged to take a long, hard look at the trucking industry, following an FBI investigation that has linked serial killings to long-haul truck drivers in the U.S.
It's a call that Angela Marie MacDougall is taking across Western Canada — and one that's being echoed by an international expert on serial killers.
MacDougall is the executive director of Battered Women's Support Services in British Columbia, and she has been touring the Prairie provinces for the last two weeks, speaking with women's support groups, sex-trade workers and relatives left shattered by the disappearance of their loved ones.
She's trying to form a coalition to bring forward a report this fall on the disappearance of women in Canada.
...
On her tour, MacDougall is taking with her a report released earlier this year by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, explaining the work done in the U.S. to link truck drivers to serial killings.
Analysts have compiled a list of more than 520 homicide victims who have been found along or near highways in more than 40 states, as well as a list of 200 potential suspects.
"The suspects are predominantly long-haul truck drivers," the FBI said this spring in its report publicizing the Highway Serial Killings initiative.
It said the victims, many of them drug addicts and prostitutes, are often picked up at truck stops, sexually assaulted, murdered, then dumped along a highway.
So far, 10 suspects believed to be responsible for 30 killings are in custody, the FBI said.
The FBI uses a massive database for violent crimes. A unit of 23 analysts goes through the system, looking for links among crimes that have been submitted by state investigators.
Last year, the FBI took the program online, making it available to law-enforcement agencies across the U.S. But participation is still voluntary, so much of the agency's work is convincing police forces across the country to use the program.
. . .
If long-haul truck drivers are behind any of the missing-women cases, it would instantly reframe the issue as a Canada-wide problem, rather than a province-by-province phenomenon.
"It's our intention to encourage law enforcement, and encourage the (trucking) industry to take some responsibility for ensuring women's safety," she said.
"We're also talking about women who got away from long-haul truck drivers," MacDougall said, adding she knows of eight B.C. women who she said have been attacked, but escaped.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED
We had expected to be on the road Saturday, but when we called Friday afternoon to let them know we were back on the board, they didn't have anything for us, and told us to call back on Saturday at 9am. We didn't expect that.
So on Saturday morning, before we even had a chance to call in, Craig received a phone call letting him know of his assignment, only it wasn't until Sunday with a pick up in Kennewick, WA at 11am. Knowing that we now had an extra day off, we settled back into our chairs, and then the power went out in the neighborhood. We didn't expect that either.
After waiting an hour to see if the power would come back on, it didn't, we went about packing up our stuff and loading the truck for our eventual return to the road. With no power, that meant no water pressure, so we knew we would be taking showers at the yard when we got there. It seems that just the day before, the brand spanking new driver's lounge was open for use, with three state of the art shower rooms, and a new laundry facility. We really didn't expect that.
After cleaning up and organizing the truck, we went to the local Wal Mart to buy some groceries for the next few weeks. While I went about trying to find a place for everything we bought, Craig went over the check list of the things he had put in a request to get fixed on the truck. Everything was completed, except the QualComm computer, which still doesn't work. We didn't want to expect that, but what can you do?
This morning we got up, grabbed a fresh cup of coffee out of that new driver's lounge, enjoyed our breakfast in the truck, and then did the pre trip inspection of the truck and trailer. All looked well, and so Craig pulled up to the fuel island to fill up. While I walked around the trailer to empty the garbage can, I noticed a rather large bald spot on the right rear tire which had been hidden on Craig's initial inspection. Time for a tire change at the trailer shop, and we didn't expect that delay.
We are now finally back out on the road, albeit with a handful of unexpected set backs and delays. I can only hope that that will be the last of them for a while to come, but to be honest with you, that's what makes life just that much more interesting. We like to roll with the punches.....that's just what we do, and would you expect anything else?
So on Saturday morning, before we even had a chance to call in, Craig received a phone call letting him know of his assignment, only it wasn't until Sunday with a pick up in Kennewick, WA at 11am. Knowing that we now had an extra day off, we settled back into our chairs, and then the power went out in the neighborhood. We didn't expect that either.
After waiting an hour to see if the power would come back on, it didn't, we went about packing up our stuff and loading the truck for our eventual return to the road. With no power, that meant no water pressure, so we knew we would be taking showers at the yard when we got there. It seems that just the day before, the brand spanking new driver's lounge was open for use, with three state of the art shower rooms, and a new laundry facility. We really didn't expect that.
After cleaning up and organizing the truck, we went to the local Wal Mart to buy some groceries for the next few weeks. While I went about trying to find a place for everything we bought, Craig went over the check list of the things he had put in a request to get fixed on the truck. Everything was completed, except the QualComm computer, which still doesn't work. We didn't want to expect that, but what can you do?
This morning we got up, grabbed a fresh cup of coffee out of that new driver's lounge, enjoyed our breakfast in the truck, and then did the pre trip inspection of the truck and trailer. All looked well, and so Craig pulled up to the fuel island to fill up. While I walked around the trailer to empty the garbage can, I noticed a rather large bald spot on the right rear tire which had been hidden on Craig's initial inspection. Time for a tire change at the trailer shop, and we didn't expect that delay.
We are now finally back out on the road, albeit with a handful of unexpected set backs and delays. I can only hope that that will be the last of them for a while to come, but to be honest with you, that's what makes life just that much more interesting. We like to roll with the punches.....that's just what we do, and would you expect anything else?
Freight Glossary
shipping - refers to the act of transfering products and goods from one party to another using means of transportation like trucks, planes, or trains.
freight - means of transporting goods.
logistics - the management of details of an operation.
shipping company - Any company that can provide shipping services.
shipping container - A shipping container is any cell that can be used to transport goods.
trucking companies - Any company that provides trucking services such as truckload, ltl, air freight, or intermodal freight.
air freight - Air freight refers to shipping goods via airplane or cargo plain.
freight forwarding - A third party logistics provider. Typically arranges shipment for both carrier and shipper.
shipping companies - Any company that provides shipping services.
train freight - Also known as intermodal freight. This is freight that is moved by train.
trucking freight - Refers to moving freight by means of trucking. This includes truckload, ltl, and flatbed.
international freight - Refers to shipping outside of the united states.
ocean freight - Shipping by means of ocean. This could be cargo liner or any other freight by sea.
rail freight - Also known as intermodal freight. This is freight that is moved by train.
cargo freight - Any freight shipped by cargo ship or plane.
freight brokers - A person who buys and sells freight to third parties.
freight container - Any cell used to ship goods.
freight service - Any services provided by a company that can be used in freight.
road freight - freight by means of road.
freight carriers - Carriers that provide freight services.
ltl freight - Less than truckload freight. This refers to shipping items via truck that cotains multiple seperate shipments
freight insurance - Insurance that is covered for shipping your freight items.
international freight forwarders - a third party logistics provider who primary ships to international countries.
freight - means of transporting goods.
logistics - the management of details of an operation.
shipping company - Any company that can provide shipping services.
shipping container - A shipping container is any cell that can be used to transport goods.
trucking companies - Any company that provides trucking services such as truckload, ltl, air freight, or intermodal freight.
air freight - Air freight refers to shipping goods via airplane or cargo plain.
freight forwarding - A third party logistics provider. Typically arranges shipment for both carrier and shipper.
shipping companies - Any company that provides shipping services.
train freight - Also known as intermodal freight. This is freight that is moved by train.
trucking freight - Refers to moving freight by means of trucking. This includes truckload, ltl, and flatbed.
international freight - Refers to shipping outside of the united states.
ocean freight - Shipping by means of ocean. This could be cargo liner or any other freight by sea.
rail freight - Also known as intermodal freight. This is freight that is moved by train.
cargo freight - Any freight shipped by cargo ship or plane.
freight brokers - A person who buys and sells freight to third parties.
freight container - Any cell used to ship goods.
freight service - Any services provided by a company that can be used in freight.
road freight - freight by means of road.
freight carriers - Carriers that provide freight services.
ltl freight - Less than truckload freight. This refers to shipping items via truck that cotains multiple seperate shipments
freight insurance - Insurance that is covered for shipping your freight items.
international freight forwarders - a third party logistics provider who primary ships to international countries.
Tennessee Truck Driving Champion Crowned
Nine Drivers Continue on to National Competition
Terry Certain, of Murfreesboro, was named the best professional truck driver in Tennessee after winning the three axle competition and receiving the highest overall score in the nine competing categories at the 2009 Tennessee Truck Driving Championships. The annual event is sponsored by the Tennessee Trucking Association.
Certain, who drives for Con-way Freight, now qualifies to compete in the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships August 18-22, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Penn. -- also known as the "Super Bowl of Safety." The winners from each of the eight other categories are also eligible to compete in the national championship.
Nearly 400 drivers from all 50 states will compete in Pittsburgh for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. From 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers--they will drive a course that recreates situations truck drivers face daily. These maneuvers may include: an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scale stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.
On Saturday night, August 22, one contestant will drive away as the 2009 National Grand Champion Truck Driver.
"The Truck Driving Championships represent the culmination of the industry's dedication to safety," said Tennessee Trucking Association President Dave Huneryager. "I congratulate all the contestants, and I hope Tennessee roots for our drivers as they move on to Nationals in Pittsburgh."
Tennessee participants at Nationals for each category include:
Shaune Robles, H.B. Phillips, Inc., Memphis, Tenn. (Straight Truck)
Terry Certain, Con-way Freight, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Three-Axle)
Terry Jones, Averitt Express, Inc., Johnson City, Tenn. (Four-Axle)
Thomas Vandivort, Martin-Brower, Dickson, Tenn. (Five-Axle)
Thomas "Dale" Williams, Con-way Freight, Strawberry Plains, Tenn. (Five-Axle Sleeper)
David Magee, FedEx Freight, Huntington, Tenn. (Tankers)
Steven Heinz, Con-way Freight, Morristown, Tenn. (Flatbed)
John Lawrence, UPS Freight, Jackson, Tenn. (Twins)
Brady Todd, FedEx Express, Drummonds, Tenn. (Step Van)
Terry Certain, of Murfreesboro, was named the best professional truck driver in Tennessee after winning the three axle competition and receiving the highest overall score in the nine competing categories at the 2009 Tennessee Truck Driving Championships. The annual event is sponsored by the Tennessee Trucking Association.
Certain, who drives for Con-way Freight, now qualifies to compete in the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships August 18-22, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Penn. -- also known as the "Super Bowl of Safety." The winners from each of the eight other categories are also eligible to compete in the national championship.
Nearly 400 drivers from all 50 states will compete in Pittsburgh for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. From 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers--they will drive a course that recreates situations truck drivers face daily. These maneuvers may include: an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scale stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.
On Saturday night, August 22, one contestant will drive away as the 2009 National Grand Champion Truck Driver.
"The Truck Driving Championships represent the culmination of the industry's dedication to safety," said Tennessee Trucking Association President Dave Huneryager. "I congratulate all the contestants, and I hope Tennessee roots for our drivers as they move on to Nationals in Pittsburgh."
Tennessee participants at Nationals for each category include:
Shaune Robles, H.B. Phillips, Inc., Memphis, Tenn. (Straight Truck)
Terry Certain, Con-way Freight, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Three-Axle)
Terry Jones, Averitt Express, Inc., Johnson City, Tenn. (Four-Axle)
Thomas Vandivort, Martin-Brower, Dickson, Tenn. (Five-Axle)
Thomas "Dale" Williams, Con-way Freight, Strawberry Plains, Tenn. (Five-Axle Sleeper)
David Magee, FedEx Freight, Huntington, Tenn. (Tankers)
Steven Heinz, Con-way Freight, Morristown, Tenn. (Flatbed)
John Lawrence, UPS Freight, Jackson, Tenn. (Twins)
Brady Todd, FedEx Express, Drummonds, Tenn. (Step Van)
One crappy day
I arrived in Murray, KY at about 3:30 pm this afternoon. Got to Pella Windows and found the place pretty well shut down. I was told to drop it in there this afternoon, but took me 1 1/2 hours to find a human being with absolutely zero help from my company which was located about a mile away.
There are 2 kinds of people in this world. The ones who go to work each day, care about their job and look out for the people that work for them. The other kind is the one who just shows up, does not give a damn and is just stealing the governments money by drawing a paycheck. Guess which one I dealt with today?
Anyway, I got rid of my load, and then got dispatched on a load for tomorrow that only goes 290 miles to Indiana. Not exactly what I was looking for, and I let that fact be known. Mama said there would always be days like this. What should have been a simple day, turned out to be a real pain in the ass!
The trucking industry....under appreciated and under paid!!
Tomorrow is another day. Will go get my load off the terminal drop yard and head to Indiana. Should be up there and parked by 2:00 pm, on a load that does not deliver until Monday at 8:00 am.
Oh well. The Yankees took their 3rd straight from the Red Sox today.
There are 2 kinds of people in this world. The ones who go to work each day, care about their job and look out for the people that work for them. The other kind is the one who just shows up, does not give a damn and is just stealing the governments money by drawing a paycheck. Guess which one I dealt with today?
Anyway, I got rid of my load, and then got dispatched on a load for tomorrow that only goes 290 miles to Indiana. Not exactly what I was looking for, and I let that fact be known. Mama said there would always be days like this. What should have been a simple day, turned out to be a real pain in the ass!
The trucking industry....under appreciated and under paid!!
Tomorrow is another day. Will go get my load off the terminal drop yard and head to Indiana. Should be up there and parked by 2:00 pm, on a load that does not deliver until Monday at 8:00 am.
Oh well. The Yankees took their 3rd straight from the Red Sox today.
LIfe in the Trucking World
Well, I'm now with Covenant Transport and have driven across the country 4 or 5 times in the last month. There are some things I like about this company and some things I don't. Like my dispatcher doesn't like it when a driver wants to go home.
Even after he's been away from his family for 3 or 4 weeks. My co-driver wanted to go home last week and our dispatcher gave him a hard time. Of course, he lives in Missouri. So that may have had something to do with it. or maybe our dispatcher wanted us to stay out longer.
Either way; it really upset us. The dispatchers go home every night to thier families but as they get paid by how many miles the drivers they have get- they don't want us home cause then we're not making money for them.
Even after he's been away from his family for 3 or 4 weeks. My co-driver wanted to go home last week and our dispatcher gave him a hard time. Of course, he lives in Missouri. So that may have had something to do with it. or maybe our dispatcher wanted us to stay out longer.
Either way; it really upset us. The dispatchers go home every night to thier families but as they get paid by how many miles the drivers they have get- they don't want us home cause then we're not making money for them.
A bit of a winge.
Throughout the time I have been doing this blog I have received numerous emails and comments from perspective drivers looking at moving to Canada and I have always told them the truth when replying to there questions. I dont know if the information I gave them helped them to make up their minds but never the less they found out more about the company from the free advertising that I gave by talking about my job and posting pictures.
So, due to the already implimented pay cuts I will be withholding not only mentioning the company name but also posting pictures of the trucks. It may seem petty but its my way of disputing the reductions placed upon me. Free publicity will be reinstated as soon as my salary reductions have been revoked.
The wage cuts themselves are not massive, a few dollars taken from your loading/unloading bonus and a huge chunk from the already infamous and dreaded layover. Its now expected for you to sit for 24hrs at the companies whim waiting for a job for $50 less, the 12hrs layover which was $75 has been done away with altogether. Also a bonus for delivering into New York city markets has been done away with totally, thats another $100 lighter in the pocket.
I do understand that cuts have to be made to keep the company efficient and would like to know if the same has been applied to other departments or once again has the sh*tty end of the stick been handed to the drivers.
I will of course, continue to take plenty of pictures in the hope that the wage cuts are reversed but until that day.....the company I work for is.....the company !!!!
So, due to the already implimented pay cuts I will be withholding not only mentioning the company name but also posting pictures of the trucks. It may seem petty but its my way of disputing the reductions placed upon me. Free publicity will be reinstated as soon as my salary reductions have been revoked.
The wage cuts themselves are not massive, a few dollars taken from your loading/unloading bonus and a huge chunk from the already infamous and dreaded layover. Its now expected for you to sit for 24hrs at the companies whim waiting for a job for $50 less, the 12hrs layover which was $75 has been done away with altogether. Also a bonus for delivering into New York city markets has been done away with totally, thats another $100 lighter in the pocket.
I do understand that cuts have to be made to keep the company efficient and would like to know if the same has been applied to other departments or once again has the sh*tty end of the stick been handed to the drivers.
I will of course, continue to take plenty of pictures in the hope that the wage cuts are reversed but until that day.....the company I work for is.....the company !!!!
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