Bend.com - Police seek identification of suspect: "BAKER CITY - An unidentified man arrested today after attempting to
elude Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers and Union County Sheriff's
deputies, is a suspect in the theft of an auto transport truck loaded
with nine new vehicles from the Troutdale area valued at nearly
$325,000.00.
"
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Monday, August 15, 2005
The Effect of Fuel
Let's say you just bought a piece of used auto transport equipment; heck, maybe you even plunked down a fat down payment on a new Boydstun or Cottrell trailer.
You're pulling a load of cars in California and your fuel is at 1/4. The sign at the fuel stop says that diesel is three dollars and something. At five miles per gallon average, your fuel cost is better than .60 per mile if you buy fuel here.
Maybe you're thinking about adding a California fuel surcharge, but you're worried it's so cutthroat that somebody won't, and then you'll lose business.
At a certain point, though, it might make sense. If somebody wants to steal the business, maybe there comes a time when you should let them. If they can't provide the level of service your customer expects, there's a good chance you'll get the business back.
Something to think about.
You're pulling a load of cars in California and your fuel is at 1/4. The sign at the fuel stop says that diesel is three dollars and something. At five miles per gallon average, your fuel cost is better than .60 per mile if you buy fuel here.
Maybe you're thinking about adding a California fuel surcharge, but you're worried it's so cutthroat that somebody won't, and then you'll lose business.
At a certain point, though, it might make sense. If somebody wants to steal the business, maybe there comes a time when you should let them. If they can't provide the level of service your customer expects, there's a good chance you'll get the business back.
Something to think about.
RedNova News - Science - Oil Companies' Profiteering to Blame for Gas Price Spike, Says FTCR
RedNova News - Science - Oil Companies' Profiteering to Blame for Gas Price Spike, Says FTCR: "FTCR's research has exposed manipulation of domestic refining capacity
and inventories by American oil companies as the reason behind gasoline
price spikes, not the traditional scapegoats of Big Oil: OPEC,
government regulation, litigation, and environmental standards. (Read
FTCR's reports and research on high gasoline prices at
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/energy/gasprices/ )"
It would be interesting to see how many refineries have been shuttered in the last five years, especially on the west coast.
and inventories by American oil companies as the reason behind gasoline
price spikes, not the traditional scapegoats of Big Oil: OPEC,
government regulation, litigation, and environmental standards. (Read
FTCR's reports and research on high gasoline prices at
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/energy/gasprices/ )"
It would be interesting to see how many refineries have been shuttered in the last five years, especially on the west coast.
Big oil is making it big time.
North Oil Company Profits Are Up... WAY Up!
Man, I wish my profits were up 51% like Conoco Phillips (3rd largest oil company in the US.) Exxon-Mobil is up over 34% for second quarter profits.
Man, I wish my profits were up 51% like Conoco Phillips (3rd largest oil company in the US.) Exxon-Mobil is up over 34% for second quarter profits.
For those of you wondering why fuel in California is so high.
ContraCostaTimes.com | 08/11/2005 | Shipping industries deal with rising diesel prices
Well, this is a partial explanation. This article doesn't talk about the fact that oil companies would rather put their capital into drilling, which has a higher ROI than building refineries, pipelines and storage facilities. Why should they, when they're making record profits?
There was an article in the paper today about the airlines almost running out of fuel in California. In some cases, they even had to truck jet fuel in over-the-road from other airports, and in some cases even brought it in by air.
Well, this is a partial explanation. This article doesn't talk about the fact that oil companies would rather put their capital into drilling, which has a higher ROI than building refineries, pipelines and storage facilities. Why should they, when they're making record profits?
There was an article in the paper today about the airlines almost running out of fuel in California. In some cases, they even had to truck jet fuel in over-the-road from other airports, and in some cases even brought it in by air.
You're Busted!
WFAA.com | News for Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas | Latest News: "FORT WORTH — Fort Worth police who pulled over a truck for a routine
traffic stop Friday morning uncovered a human smuggling operation
apparently being run by a truck driver."
traffic stop Friday morning uncovered a human smuggling operation
apparently being run by a truck driver."
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Allied seeks union's help | ajc.com
Allied seeks union's help | ajc.com: "After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy late Sunday, the Decatur-based
company hopes to climb out partly by gaining concessions from the union
that represents the bulk of its work force and the manufacturers that
pay to transport their cars to dealers."
company hopes to climb out partly by gaining concessions from the union
that represents the bulk of its work force and the manufacturers that
pay to transport their cars to dealers."
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Weekly Retail On-Highway Diesel Prices
Weekly Retail On-Highway Diesel Prices The graph toward the bottom of this page (click link) tells it all.
Interest Rates... will still go up, signals Fed
Update 8: Greenspan Signals Further Rate Increases - Forbes.com And for those of you paying attention to regional housing markets, Greenspan actually referred to them as "a bubble". With the gap widening between housing prices and real income growth, as well as the numbers of buyers using interest-only variable mortgages, we could be looking at a bubble "pop" that will make the 2000 bust in tech stocks look small by comparison.
GM loses in the second quarter.
Stocks Lower on Disappointing GM Report - Forbes.com
The bad news keeps coming from Detroit. Makes you wonder how long until the Chinese try to buy them.
The bad news keeps coming from Detroit. Makes you wonder how long until the Chinese try to buy them.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Reader Post: RJ Rezner
Got this in my email this morning: (If anybody knows anything more about this company, let me know.)
There is aweb site that calls themselves the ebay of the shipping industry, they are a group of techies who
are @%$#$%$##. I have been fighting them and have
reported them to the TX DOT, but I don't know if they will/can do anything. These jerks are letting NON DOT haulers bid on hauling un-suspecting 1st in a life time people who need to ship their househld item or cars somewhere. AND they don't care, I know, I have
talked with them on th e Phone about it ( talked to
Mickey Milsap 512-573-7395 of uship.com) some are Haulers are legal, some have comm Ins., but not DOT#'s others are jackleg road trippers hauling any thing they can and don't even know that there are rules about this OR THAT their Personal INS is not going to cover them if they cause an accident and Have to use
their INS.... it called www.uship.com can u see
what you can do to make them insure all haulers who bid on these loads are dot legal or at least have Comm
INs.?
There is aweb site that calls themselves the ebay of the shipping industry, they are a group of techies who
are @%$#$%$##. I have been fighting them and have
reported them to the TX DOT, but I don't know if they will/can do anything. These jerks are letting NON DOT haulers bid on hauling un-suspecting 1st in a life time people who need to ship their househld item or cars somewhere. AND they don't care, I know, I have
talked with them on th e Phone about it ( talked to
Mickey Milsap 512-573-7395 of uship.com) some are Haulers are legal, some have comm Ins., but not DOT#'s others are jackleg road trippers hauling any thing they can and don't even know that there are rules about this OR THAT their Personal INS is not going to cover them if they cause an accident and Have to use
their INS.... it called www.uship.com can u see
what you can do to make them insure all haulers who bid on these loads are dot legal or at least have Comm
INs.?
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Complete Heights, Weights, Lengths for Vehicles
Tom Bisbee sent me a copy of his new book, Transporter's Vehicle Directory. It's got the length, width, height and curb weight of over 9900 vehicles. (1995-2005 model years).
If I was a broker or a transporter, I'd sure want to have a copy of it. If it saves you from one fine, it's more than paid for itself. Plus, I've got to think it would make figuring out loads a lot easier. I'm planning on making this book available in my online catalog (should be online by Aug). But if you can't wait that long, go to http://www.bisbee-enterprises.com/ and buy a copy directly from Tom.
I personally talked to the author of this book to find out a little more information. Tom Bisbee has many years of experience in logistics and as a broker. I think he's forgotten more than some people know about the business, so his book has my recommendation.
If I was a broker or a transporter, I'd sure want to have a copy of it. If it saves you from one fine, it's more than paid for itself. Plus, I've got to think it would make figuring out loads a lot easier. I'm planning on making this book available in my online catalog (should be online by Aug). But if you can't wait that long, go to http://www.bisbee-enterprises.com/ and buy a copy directly from Tom.
I personally talked to the author of this book to find out a little more information. Tom Bisbee has many years of experience in logistics and as a broker. I think he's forgotten more than some people know about the business, so his book has my recommendation.
Cottrell Trailers: The Lawsuit Saga Continues
Madison County Record | New Lawsuits: Wednesday, June 1
The BS regarding quarter inch chain continues.
I'm guessing this case is now in appeals. This is the case won in the lower court by the lawyer listed below.
I think the jury directed Cottrell to pay 1.4 million, which in my mind is completely out of control.
People have been using quarter inch grade 70 chain for decades. It is safe if it is inspected regularly and used properly.
Replace chain that's been dragged. If one link is worn, either cut the chain down and use the smaller, unworn portion or just get rid of it.
If you crank the ratchets down until the frame of the car is sitting on the bed of the trailer, you're over-tightening. I know this is a popular way of making sure you're not over-height, but it puts a lot of stress on the chain. If Momentum = Mass X Velocity, think what this means when an over-tightened chain with a worn link is shock-loaded by a Chevy Suburban when you have to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the next air-head four-wheeler.
And always four chains to a vehicle.
1/4" Grade 70 chain has a working load limit of 3150 pounds. The design factor is 4:1, which means the safe working load for the chain is at 25% of the breaking strength of the chain (12,600 lbs). Four of these chains should be able to secure a vehicle.
How can a chain that breaks at six tons be unsafe?
Answer: When the chain is worn.
Boydstun has a new tie-down bar that indicates when you're using excessive torque on the chain ratchets. They've put a lot of time into figuring out the safest way to secure these vehicles.
Unfortunately, personal injury lawyers are putting a lot of time into figuring out how to go after trailer manufacturers instead of looking for the big company's maintenance schedule for trailers, driver training programs, etc.
The BS regarding quarter inch chain continues.
I'm guessing this case is now in appeals. This is the case won in the lower court by the lawyer listed below.
I think the jury directed Cottrell to pay 1.4 million, which in my mind is completely out of control.
People have been using quarter inch grade 70 chain for decades. It is safe if it is inspected regularly and used properly.
Replace chain that's been dragged. If one link is worn, either cut the chain down and use the smaller, unworn portion or just get rid of it.
If you crank the ratchets down until the frame of the car is sitting on the bed of the trailer, you're over-tightening. I know this is a popular way of making sure you're not over-height, but it puts a lot of stress on the chain. If Momentum = Mass X Velocity, think what this means when an over-tightened chain with a worn link is shock-loaded by a Chevy Suburban when you have to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the next air-head four-wheeler.
And always four chains to a vehicle.
1/4" Grade 70 chain has a working load limit of 3150 pounds. The design factor is 4:1, which means the safe working load for the chain is at 25% of the breaking strength of the chain (12,600 lbs). Four of these chains should be able to secure a vehicle.
How can a chain that breaks at six tons be unsafe?
Answer: When the chain is worn.
Boydstun has a new tie-down bar that indicates when you're using excessive torque on the chain ratchets. They've put a lot of time into figuring out the safest way to secure these vehicles.
Unfortunately, personal injury lawyers are putting a lot of time into figuring out how to go after trailer manufacturers instead of looking for the big company's maintenance schedule for trailers, driver training programs, etc.
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