Heavy Haul Expands 4 Axle fleet

Fifteen new four axle tractors are on order for the Heavy Haul fleet, with expected delivery dates in November and December, 2001. Ten of the tractors are Freightliner FLD's, and the remaining five are Peterbilt Model 378's. All will have CAT C-15, 550 HP engines with eighteen speed Eaton transmissions.

ATS Specialized had a goal for the year 2001 to increase its volume of over-dimensional freight. Year to date, we have experienced a 20% increase in OD freight. Market conditions have provided additional help to move in that direction. This is not isolated to the random flatbed fleet, but it also affected our volume of super-sized loads. Heavy Haul's fleet has grown 32% since January of this year.

Additional three axle expandable trailers are also being purchased to support the additional freight volume.

Six Axle Fleet Joins Specialized

ATS Specialized will be adding a six axle test fleet before the end of this year. The initial fleet will be made up of 10 trucks and drivers and will be managed by Rick Rux. The idea behind this experimental fleet is to go after a very specific over-dimension freight market of loads between 50,000 and 65,000 lbs. Drivers will be selected from the random fleet based on their experience in hauling over-dimensional freight. Initially, 16 three axle trailers will be dedicated to this fleet. Eight of them will be 3 axle expandable RGN's. The remaining eight will be 3 axle expandable step decks. (Count them on our website, www.ats-inc.com)

While this is considered to be a test fleet at this point in time, it is hoped that the by the end of 2002, this fleet will have grown to approximately 50 tractors and 75 trailers.

New Drug Testing Regulations
On the first of August of this year the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacted some new and far-reaching regulations in connection with drug tests and what is being tested for. These regulations affect all persons in the transportation industry that work in a safety sensitive position. Drivers, mechanics and the like now fall under these regulations.

The largest part of the change centered on what is being tested for in the sample. All samples are now being tested for adulterants, or items in the sample that could cover up the presence of an illegal drug. If an adulterant is discovered the sample is then ruled as a positive test. Most if not all drivers know that if they have a positive test, their driving career is greatly affected. Most trucking companies will, at that point remove a driver from the truck and dismiss him or her. Some companies will retain the driver but not allow them to continue to drive until they have completed a rehabilitation program. Even if a driver is dismissed they still are required to complete that program before returning to a driving position.

The rehab program can take up to several months, and during this time the driver may not drive. With the impact that a positive drug test has on ones career, I could only encourage any person with a substance problem to seek professional help immediately.

The final words on drugs, the new regulations, and the new testing program, are if you use drugs you now have a greater chance of being caught.

Wayne Parnham, Director of Safety for Anderson Trucking Service, Inc.