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Features 

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58 

Viewpoint 

Industry Update 

Safety Tips 

March 2018 

Vol ume 32 

Issue 3 

Bill Mack’s Entertainment Beat 

The Movie Stars of the Golden Age 

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Why hitting the road after coming home 

is a great new “normal” 

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10 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

ViewPoint 

By Megan Cullingford-Hicks 

Tax Time is Here. 

Are You Prepared? 

By Megan Hicks 

Be Brave 

A New Point of View 

We’re solidly into another 

another time. Turns out, “another 

year, with the President 

time” is, uh, this month. 

Most would agree that they hate adore my animals, and the pain of losing one 

My change. sister officially is Learning 12 years to sworn younger live with than in a new me. 

to 

is one acute…and But besides whether me, never venturing you more are to so a more new than school when disciplined 

new job, than learning I’m I angry, with her way heartbroken, your around taxes new stunned, streets 

and 

when what you might call “traditional” sisters, 

communities. I was impressed. Particularly 

the you country really liked back your on old track perspective. 

(hmmm, and expenses somewhat or you’re in as shock. big a Our paperwork kneejerk 

Changing growing up, schools, giggling changing together jobs, over moving make-up to 

reaction considering was she to was not anything get another but a dog. daredevil Why 

what will that debt total look like 

mess as me, it’s imperative that you as 

and 

it’s 

another perspective Due four to the years age can be difference, of rocky…especially 

trying we weren’t 

to get 

unexpected. a a 

and 

new 

boys, 

city, 

lamenting 

getting divorced, 

and thwarting 

losing 

our 

a 

parents 

loved risk 

personality. 

the heartbreak again? But the reality 

one, in losing 2017?), a pet, the your holidays child going behind away to 

us 

is, a trucker my personal keep life track is not of all complete your spend- 

without 

whenever we could. Instead, I was first a She looked at me, shocked. “I’m not brave,” I’ll 

college, (hopefully even changing all your lanes lights for are truckers 

down 

pets. ing through There is the a reason year. You people can track who own 

it 

babysitter and then while she was in elementary never forget her saying. “I’m scared to death. I’m 

who school, and have I Santa long had already has driven left the moved the same building), route (and 

out and was and pets in 

scared weekly, live longer every monthly and day about (or happier biannually lives (according 

how I’ll acclimate, works) 

liked doing so) is unsettling. It takes effort. It 

to research). And we have another young 

if I’ll 

college, moving toward the beginning of my 

get lost, if I’ll fail. I’m not brave at all.” 

takes 

tax 

“some 

season 

getting 

upon 

used 

us. 

to.” 

Try to contain 

dog—a 

but whatever 

Sheltie--who 

it 

needed 

takes, 

and 

track it. It 

career. Getting your Once excitement. 

into I graduated a habit and of she anything entered is middle 

nice 

deserved can “You’ve mean a got companion. 

a it huge wrong,” difference I told her. Being between brave 

because school, I my can we parents procrastinate learn moved to do a things couple like really hours a champ away 

well, isn’t what We’d the you same barely cough as acknowledged being up fearless. to Uncle that Being Sam we brave would 

and is 

with to a rural area and I stayed in the outskirts of the 

about being afraid but pushing forward anyway. 

so one it’s with eye open, a heavy you heart might that say. I stare You indeed what goes own another into your dog savings at some account. point when 

drive city so a we route saw each so often, other even you less. 

Doing the task, I taking received the job, an making amazing the move 

call 

However, when she 

despite your fears. begin down to forget the mountain the drive itself, of expenses and Truckers are from allowed a friend to who write was off helping any 

That 

sometimes receipts reached 

wondering that still 

college-age, 

if need your 

to be tallied 

expense necessary a neighbor for 

is bravery. find them a good to complete 

their jobs—from for his one she’d pens year never to old thought industry dog. The 

I could home tell 

truck we and didn’t finally totaled just know had for some before the way 

I can pay a visit 

of it 

without common to my 

you accountant. 

having to steer. 

ground and 

I have the best of 

magazines to 

breed? meals that (check 

Beagle. way. the 

How But it stipulations 

on that) more) to weigh assurances station that costs 

the 

rather aging distance. than this leaving And stuff, at the one 

of comfort 

keying totals and 

and anything owner else truly not Rare wanted reimbursed is the to rehome person 

by 

zone, point, figures I even invited into if you’re her my to spreadsheet live 

unhappy. 

as I go and 

your company. 

the dog, facing we met something Murphy, who new 

It’s with me and go to school 

and unknown that does 

easier to deal with the devil 

got along wonderfully with 

could 

was true 

But with this habit comes the 

this not be Fate? After 25 (or 

became friends despite 

then and true now. 

possibility intentions of falling throughout into a rut the year of man- 

filing them away in a neat and you where know more than opportunities 

the devil you 

Murphy orderly If you lack the discipline to track 

Guinness not (sensing feel at least a theme?). a little 

were available than in her 

hesitant or unsure. don’t, fashion. right? But somewhere between, oh, these totals He’s throughout beautiful the and year was (welcome 

in to need the of club!), a companion human at least nature. our toss But Sheltie. 

the when 

and While the we next, she can always my stay neat in had our and comfort orderly zone receipts as We receipts brought in folders him home or faced envelopes as the with newest that, marked we Hicks have 

long a very 

It’s 

as 

rural Sometimes February hometown. of our one choices year are and ours February to make 

of 

much as we 

introverted want—rut and 

or no. Or we can opt family member. And a 

the 

choice: adapting either 

has let now 

our 

to turns into 

venture to a 

a daunting 

new world. stack 

We of 

live paper 

with the 

with each month and then spend a day 

begun. Am I still angry that my family life was 

shy personality, to my 

fears overcome us and 

consequences slips in varying either sizes way large but at enough least the to altered each February in a way tallying I did not them want? up I am. for the Do I 

surprise, she took me up 

never take a chance or 

choice swallow is ours small to make. children. And this year grieve tax man. and hide With in the what bathroom it saves to cry? you I do. in 

on But my sometimes offer. She moved 

the choices are for 

we can face them down 

is no different. I might have made it taxes, But sometimes I bet that unwanted day is the change biggest can one- 

lead 

us—out into my guest room and see what moving 

of our control—and those can be to amazing things if you don’t spend too much 

the began 

to June 

toughest going 

or 

to to classes 

July before 

adapt at to. a Not local 

I began only school simply 

are in you the 

time forward 

day payday 

digging will bring. 

you enjoy 

your all 

heels year. 

trying to prevent 

learning suburbs stockpiling a of new Atlanta. way invoices She of life got and after a part-time a receipts big change, job with and 

something Success Email your that is never is view unpreventable. 

accomplished point to by Megan@ remaining 

but began every it’s to easy meet intention to new be bitter people. 

of because getting the to change 

them stagnant. TruckersConnection.com. 

Whether If you’re have forced an opportunity to make a to change forge 

was This made was and a side you of had her no I hadn’t voice in seen the before: 

you a new don’t path, want try to something make, or you new, have take a change a new 

decision-making. 

willing Find to your branch favorite out, try magazines new things, at meeting TruckDriverMagazines.com 

new to job, deal move with to that a new was place, completely start a new out group of TRUCKER’S CONNECTION your 

11of 

people 

Through 

and all 

an 

by 

unexpected 

herself. 

and awful tragedy, control, 

friends, do 

keep 

it. In 

an 

the 

open 

face 

mind. 

of fear 

It’s 

is 

ok 

your 

to 

chance 

be upset 

to 

I recently lost a beloved pet—a young, female 

and miss your old way of life. But you also 

One day, we were chatting and I told her how 

be brave. You’ll be glad you were. 

Beagle. Losing a pet ranks up there with might be very surprised at the potential in the 

brave I thought she was. To pick up from a small 

some of the worst experiences of my life. I 

new. All things happen for a reason. 

town and move to a very large town, knowing no Send your viewpoint to Megan@truckersconnection.com 

Send your viewpoint to Megan@truckersconnection.com 

www.TruckersConnection.com TRUCKER’S CONNECTION 15

“You are a 

product of your 

environment. 

So choose the 

environment that 

will best develop 

you toward your 

objective. Are the 

things around you 

helping you toward 

success - or are 

they holding you 

back?” 

– W. Clement Stone, 

businessman and 

philanthropist 

WISE DRIVER TIP: Put your driving 

career in an environment it can grow 

and thrive. At Wiseway we care about 

each of our drivers and giving them 

the support to achieve their goals. 

Many drivers are making a wise career 

choice and choosing Wiseway. 

Transportation. Here’s why: 

• COMPETITIVE PAY AND BENEFITS 

• OUTSTANDING SUPPORT TEAM 

• HOME ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND 

• GENEROUS SAFETY BONUSES 

• AND MUCH MORE! 

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? 

If you are a company driver living in 

MN, WI, IL, IN, MI, OH, TN, MS or NC and 

at least 23 years of age make the wise 

choice and call us today! 

CALL US AT 

888-202-8099 OR 

LEARN MORE AT WWW.JOBSATWISEWAY.COM

INDUSTRY 

UPDATE 

Schneider Honored 

With Military 

Friendly Gold Award 

for 12th Time 

Schneider, a long-time supporter of current 

and former military personnel, has been awarded 

Victory Media’s 2018 Military Friendly® Gold 

Award. The award recognizes companies and 

colleges that have set the standard for demonstrating 

positive employment and education outcomes 

for veterans and their families. This year’s 

award marks the 12th time that Schneider has 

been honored by Victory Media for its commitment 

to veteran-friendly employment. 

Schneider’s commitment to the military 

dates back to founder Al Schneider, a National 

Guardsman who understood the exceptional 

level of commitment and skill military members 

bring to their work. Today, Schneider’s support 

of the armed forces is apparent in its programs 

and practices for associates with military backgrounds, 

including: 

• Military experience is converted to Schneider 

experience toward starting pay 

• Guaranteed home time for weekend drill and 

annual training—no time off required 

• GI Bill benefits available through Department 

of Veteran Affairs Apprenticeship program 

“Schneider is proud to have been employing 

service members and veterans for over 80 

years,” said Rob Reich, senior vice president at 

Schneider and U.S. Army veteran. “Being recognized 

for a 12th time as a Military Friendly® employer 

for our commitment to our associates with 

a military background is truly an honor.” 

Victory Media is a service-disabled, veteranowned 

small business that connects the military 

community to civilian employment and entrepreneurial 

and educational opportunities through its 

brands, including Military Friendly®. 

Truckers thank 

Congress for 

supporting ELD 

exemption 

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers 

Association, the nation’s only organization representing 

professional and small-business truckers, 

thanks U.S. Reps. Brian Babin (R-TX-36) 

and Steve King (R-IA-04), along with 23 other 

members of Congress, for a letter to the Federal 

Motor Carrier Safety Administration asking them 

to support the pending 

application for 

an exemption from 

the electronic logging 

device, ELD, 

mandate for small 

trucking businesses 

with exemplary 

safety records. 

““We thank the representatives, especially 

Congressmen Babin and King, for recognizing 

that small-business truckers that have already 

proven their ability to operate safely should not 

be subject to purchasing costly, unproven and 


INDUSTRY 

UPDATE 

uncertified devices,” said Todd Spencer, acting 

president and CEO of OOIDA. 

OOIDA has requested at least a 5-year exemption 

for motor carriers classified as small 

businesses according to the Small Business Administration 

and with a proven safety history with 

no attributable at-fault crashes, and who do not 

have a Carrier Safety Rating of “Unsatisfactory.” 

“Elite” Team named 

Drivers of the Month 

National Carriers, Inc. has named Lubbock, 

Tex. Owner-operators Lisa Peal and Louis Jones 

as recent Drivers of the Month. The pair are finalists 

for NCI Driver of the Year, which will be 

announced during a company award ceremony 

on April 20th. 

Jones stated, “Neither Lisa or myself come 

from over-the-road-trucking backgrounds. When 

we bought our truck, I asked a friend for advice. 

He told me he had driven for National Carriers in 

the past and if he were still driving, this is where 

he would be. I decided to give it a try and that 

was three years ago. Lisa joined me as a codriver 

this past summer.” 

Each Driver of the Month receives a $500 

bonus. 

Boyd Bros. Announces 

2 Pay Increase and Sign 

On Bonus 

Boyd Bros. Transportation is issued a 

two-cent-per-mile pay increase with a $1,000 

weekly minimum pay to its drivers, effective late 

last month. Along with the pay increase, Boyd is 

launching a new sign-on bonus geared for an immediate 

pay out. Candidates hired by Boyd will 

receive $500 upon delivery of first load, and an 

additional six-cents-per-mile for the following 18 

months. 

“We are committed to creating a better OTR 

driving job and pay is a key factor,” Boyd president 

and CEO, Chris Cooper explained. “This 

across the board increase and weekly minimum 

not only attracts new candidates to Boyd, but 

shows how we value our current drivers in a very 

tangible way.” 

“Our sign-on bonus pay out is aggressive 

for a reason,” states COO, Dwight Bassett. “A 

line in our mission statement reads ‘we do what 

we say we will do.’ We take that very seriously. 

By paying the bonus with each mile driven, 

new drivers at Boyd know that they will receive 

their bonus. It’s not a gimmick.” Bassett continues, 

“The bonus should accumulate to around 

$10,000 with experienced flatbed drivers starting 

at 57-cents-per-mile plus a monthly productivity 

bonus.” 


26 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION Hundreds of Jobs www.TruckJobSeekers.com

SAFETY 

TIPS 

READING WHILE DRIVING 

Have you ever tried to read a map while driving? 

While traveling on I-40 west bound, I noticed an 

18-wheeler in front of me moving about the highway. 

My immediate reaction was that the driver was 

sleepy. He would drift off the shoulder to the right 

and jump back on. Then he would move into the left 

lane and correct his action back to the right. 

I tried to get him on the CB radio but he would 

not respond. Since I was driving a chartered 

stagecoach, I was hesitant to pull alongside 

him. However, his actions became so erratic that 

something had to be done - so I built up a head of 

steam and got beside him. 

To my surprise, he had a map open and was 

trying to read while going down the highway. After 

passing, he responded to a CB break and said he 

was trying to find where he had to make a turn. 

I need not point out to you the danger of his 

actions - why: 

By Bob Hataway 

1. His concentration on his space was nil. He was more concerned with where he was 

going than what he was doing. 

2. He was creating a hazard for other traffic on the highway as well. 4-wheelers were 

trying to get around him also and were scared to take the chance. 

3. Most drivers have gone to GPS systems that give directions clearly and with plenty of 

time to make adjustments. I strongly suggest that all drivers secure a GPS system. 

Bottom Line - when you need to check a map, get completely off the highway... otherwise your 

next turn could be up or down instead of side to side. That's the way I see it. 

Bob Hataway heads up TransAlive USA, Inc., an organization dedicated 

to helping truckers when they have accidents away from home. More 

information is available by calling 800-USA-HURT. www.transalive.com 


Entertainment Beat 

The Movie Stars of the Golden Age 

Now, I’m going to talk about motion 

pictures. No, I’m not a movie critic, 

so I won’t be discussing or rating the 

latest movies destined to be flashing on the 

big screen at your favorite theater. To be 

honest, I’m not aware of any of those costly 

productions, since I seldom visit the movie 

theaters these days. 

I’m also unaware 

of the names of the 

current crop of “moving 

picture” stars. George 

Clooney comes to mind, 

then there’s Anthony 

Hopkins and a few 

others, but I’m told they 

are now making less 

films because of their 

limited marquee value. 

Seems after actors 

reach an advanced age, 

movie assignments 

become more scarce. 

Anthony Hopkins is 

approaching 80 years 

old! Can you believe 

that? 

Let me 

rapidly add 

that actors 

born in 

England, 

where 

Hopkins 

was born, 

seem to have 

t h e 

ability to move 

into 

perfect rolls without 

any hesitancy after adding the years. As an 

idle thought, I can see Anthony portraying 

a suave butler or chauffeur. He could easily 

receive another Academy Award “Oscar” 

to add to those he’s currently using in his 

mansion as door-stops. 

However, I doubt he could ever top 

Morgan Freeman as a chauffeur. Morgan 

won an Oscar for his perfect portrayal of 

a chauffeur in “Driving Miss Daisy”, one of 

my personal favorite films. Coincidentally, 

Morgan is the same age 

as Anthony Hopkins 

(78) … and was born in 

Tennessee! 

George Clooney is 

only 55, but he’s still not 

in demand as often as 

he was just a few years 

ago. Since he currently 

makes more news for 

his political views, he 

may be slowly shunning 

Hollywood with his eyes 

now set on Washington 

D.C. or the state capitol 

in California. Governor 

Clooney does ring a 

nice bell. However, if his 

service as a politician 

should go in negative 

directions, I can already 

hear his critics shouting 

references such as 

“Looney Clooney!” 

As I study the subject more closely, 

perhaps George should stick to the movies. 

Let him add just a few more years 

and he could be the next “Gabby” Hayes! 

Remember him? He’s was the very popular 

side-kick for Roy Rogers and several more 

movie headliners back in the ‘40s. All George 

32 36 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

By Bill Mack 

By Bill Mack 

would need to do is leave his dentures in the 

dressing room, put on an old torn, well-worn 

hat and get behind the camera! It could be 

the beginning of a brand new image for this 

dude. Since Roy Rogers is now gone from 

the planet, “Gabby” Clooney could be the 

side-kick of Alec Baldwin. However, Baldwin 

is now 58 and although he’s known in the 

trades as a nice, calm, loving individual … 

except to his daughter 

when she doesn’t 

choose the appropriate 

words while responding 

to him … he’s also 

approaching the 

“danger age” in movies. 

It would be worth a try, 

though. I can almost 

see the marquee now: 

“Fast-Draw” Baldwin 

and “Gabby” Clooney!” 

However, there might 

be a few sincere 

discussions on who is 

given top-billing in the 

films. We must never 

forget the fact that the 

Hollywood ego prevails 

well beyond-the-norm 

in “Tinsel Town”. 

Since becoming 

a member of the 

entertainment community as a disk jockey, 

songwriter and other sects, I’ve had the 

pleasure of meeting many people attached 

to the film industry as actors. You may 

remember the fact that I’ve devoted 

individual columns to some of those movie 

stars. 

I want to focus on a tremendous actor 

who was to become a close, personal 

friend. His name was Ben Johnson. In 1940, 

movie mogul Howard Hughes ordered some 

horses from a ranch in Oklahoma to be used 

in one of his films that was in the planning 

stage. Ben, one of the cowboys working at 

the ranch, was chosen to help transport the 

horses to Hollywood. After completing the 

job, he was hired by Hughes to be a stunt 

man. He was always 

available when a movie 

scene required a skilled 

cowboy to perform 

difficult activities 

with horses such as 

remaining on a steed 

as it jumped over cliffs, 

huge rocks and fences, 

falling down steep hills 

and other dangerous 

activity. Eventually, Ben 

was given roles as an 

actor, most of them in 

minor, low budget films. 

When his talent began 

to catch the attention of 

the more accomplished 

directors, he was 

assigned more 

important 

One of his first 

groundbreaking 

performances was in the movie, 

“Shane,” starring Alan Ladd, 

one of the most respected 

“stars” during that era. 

After becoming a close 

friend to me, Ben 

said, “I’ll never 

forget 

playing 

roles. 


Entertainment Beat 

Continued 

that raging thug in ‘Shane’ who was badly 

beaten by Alan Ladd. Since Ladd was a 

bit short (5’ 6”) and I was a bit taller (6 ’2”), 

he had to stand on a box during close-ups. 

Those close-ups didn’t reveal his feet on 

the box as he presumably slugged the fire 

out of me!” Not wanting to leave a negative 

impression, Ben quickly added, “Alan was a 

very nice man. Although he was a so-called 

“Everybody in this town’s a 

better actor than I am, 

but none of them can play 

Ben Johnson!” 

“The Last Picture Show,” released in 1971. 

When he was handed his “Oscar,” he smiled 

and said, “Everybody in this town’s a better 

actor than I am, but none of them can play 

Ben Johnson!” 

“The Last Picture Show” was filmed in 

Wichita Falls and Archer City, Texas. Ben 

often quirked, “Bill, you should have been 

given a part in that movie since you spent so 

many years in Wichita Falls and Archer City. 

Maybe they’ll do ‘The Last Picture Show 

Shows Again’ and you’ll get what could 

have been my part. Don’t forget, I died in 

th’ original version, can’t support you in th’ 

re-make!” 

My old friend passed away from a 

sudden heart attack on April 8, 1996 while 

visiting his mother in a retirement home in 

Mesa, Arizona. He was 77 years old. 

super star, he always took the time to chat 

with me and encourage my acting ability 

when we were taking breaks and sharing 

assorted drinks while making that film. I’d 

have to say Alan Ladd might have been 

responsible for me achieving those more 

important roles in Hollywood. I owe that 

good man a lot.” 

Following “Shane”, Ben continued to 

achieve more top-rated movie assignments 

with John Wayne and other icons. He finally 

received an Academy Award for his role in 

I’ll always remember a statement he 

made during one of his many visits with me 

in Fort Worth: “Bill, I’d been makin’ a dollar 

a day as an old cowboy at that ranch in 

Oklahoma. My first paycheck after working’ 

just a few days in Hollywood was $300. 

After that very first check, you couldn’t have 

driven me back to Oklahoma with a club.” 

Visit Bill at BillMackCountry.com 



MILITARY 

SERVICE TO 

TRUCKING 

SERVICE 

WHY HITTING THE ROAD AFTER COMING HOME IS A 

GREAT NEW “NORMAL” 

Do you know who tends to make outstanding 

employees? Ex-military who are 

looking for work when their armed-services 

careers have come to a close. 

And the trucking industry does what it can 

to help veterans find jobs behind the wheel. 

Recently, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration announced nearly $2.3 million 

in grants, double the amount provided in 

2014, to 13 technical and community colleges 

across the country to help train veterans and 

their families for jobs as commercial truck and 

bus drivers. The funding is provided through 

FMCSA’s Commercial Motor Vehicle-Operator 

Safety Training (CMV-OST) grant program. 

“We support job opportunities for veterans 

who have served our country, but not only because 

it is the right thing to do; it also makes 

good sense,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary 

Anthony Foxx. “One of the most important, 

fastest growing employment sectors is 

for qualified commercial vehicle drivers, and 

veterans bring [valuable] experience to the 

industry and can enter the workforce quickly.” 

FMCSA awards CMV-OST grants to a 

variety of educational institutions that provide 

truck driving training, including accredited 

public or private colleges, universities, 

vocational-technical schools, post-secondary 

educational institutions, truck driver training 

schools, associations, and state and local 

governments, including federally-recognized 

Native American tribal governments. 

“We doubled the amount we have previously 

provided through this grant program 

because of the important role qualified commercial 

truck and bus drivers hold in moving 

our economy forward,” said FMCSA Acting 

Administrator Scott Darling. “The men and 

women who complete these commercial driver 

training programs also serve our country in 

a vital way by making safety their top priority 

every mile, every day.” 

But the government isn’t the only ally on 

the side of veterans looking for jobs in the 

trucking industry. Specific programs at assorted 

carriers are provided for veterans as 

potential employees. 


By: Sean O’Connell 

Troops To Truckers 

Troops To Truckers is a service that assists 

U.S. military service persons and veterans 

secure CDL training and then find a job. 

As they state on their website, www.Troops- 

ToTruckers.com: 

The Troops to Truckers mission is to assist 

YOU, our U.S. military active duty or military 

veteran men and women, in obtaining 

your CDL Class “A” driver’s license and land 

a great paying professional driving position. 

Our goal is to move you from unemployment 

or underemployment to a starting salary of at 

least $35,000 per year. 

From training to employment, career advising 

to scholarships, Troops to Truckers has 

something to offer you. 

returning from overseas service looking to enroll 

in the “new normal,” or life after military 

combat. 

There is a consistent driver shortage in How does this program work? To begin, 

the U.S.: there aren’t enough qualified drivers the T2T Program leverages as many existing 

working today to complete all of the runs that resources as necessary in offering services to 

need to take place. 

veterans. They have found that many veterans 

make better choices about where to go to 

On the flip side, Troops estimates that 

there are nearly 10s of thousands of troops school (which state), when, how, how to pay 


MILITARY 

SERVICE TO 

TRUCKING 

SERVICE 

for it, and other important factors that 

impact their immediate and future 

goals when they have some stability. 

The T2T Program aims to achieve 

that stability. They will help a veteran 

answer the following questions: 

• Does my military issued truck 

driver’s license transfer to a 

state CDL? 

• What documentation do I need 

from my command to qualify 

for a license waiver program? 

• What can I be doing now while on base 

to get ready for a civilian CDL? 

• What will make me most marketable 

once I get out of the service? 

• Will my education benefits pay for CDL 

School? 

• Is there a qualified school that accepts 

military training benefits near where I am 

stationed or near where I want to live after 

release from military obligation? 

• What endorsements should I get? 

• What is the job market like? 

• Can I connect with an employer before 

I get my CDL Class A license? 

Ready to find out more? Visit www.TroopsToTruckers.com 

today. 

Carriers In Need 

Additionally, numerous individual carriers 

and companies have specific job-offering 

programs that they carved out just to assist 

veterans. Rob Reich, Schneider senior vice 

president and U.S. Army veteran, opened up 

about the various programs at Schneider that 

help U.S. veterans find jobs in the trucking 

industry. 

“Schneider has meaningful programs in 

place to attract and retain our veterans and 

service members,” Reich said. “In 1935, our 

founder Al Schneider, a longtime member of 

the Wisconsin National Guard, sold the family 

car to buy his first truck. As Schneider’s 

business increased, so did his need for quality 

associates and he began to recruit fellow 

National Guard members. For more than 80 

years, the company has recognized that military 

personnel are hard workers and natural 

leaders, making them valuable employees.” 

The numbers back this up. Currently, 28 

percent of Schneider associates have a military 

background and 278 current associates 

serve in the National Guard or Reserves. 

Schneider converts military experience 

into Schneider experience in a couple differ- 


MILITARY 

SERVICE TO 

TRUCKING 

SERVICE 

ent ways. For those veterans who drove a 

truck at some point during their time in the 

military and were discharged in the last 12 

months, or are actively serving in the Guard 

or Reserves, 100 percent of their time served 

will be used as Schneider driving experience 

credit towards pay and benefits. For those 

who served in the military in a non-transportation 

capacity and were discharged in the 

last 12 months or are actively serving in the 

Guard or Reserves, 25 percent of their time 

served will be used as Schneider driving experience 

credit towards pay and benefits. 

mission statements; established leaders; integrity; 

committed to success; adaptable; and 

dependable. 

Both companies speak of apprenticeship 

programs that provide on-the-job training for 

veterans. At Schneider, this includes up to 

$1,266 per month in GI Bill education and 

training benefits through the VA in addition to 

Schneider pay during the first year of employment. 

Schneider also works to maximize VA 

benefits and provides tuition reimbursement up 

to $6,000 for professional truck driver training. 

Epes has a career path program. 

They offer apprenticeship training for 

drivers and diesel mechanics, while GI 

Bill benefits can be received if eligible. 

But Why Veterans? 

Some top carries that employ U.S. 

military veterans give clear answers 

about why they desire veterans in their 

workforce. 

“We hire veterans because it’s in our 

core, and we have the track record to 

prove it,” said Reich. 

Epes Transport is another company that 

values the experience that comes with military 

service. Executives at Epes explained 

that military-experienced candidates have 

several qualities that go hand in hand with 

being a professional driver. Such adjectives 

that fit veterans in the trucking industry tend 

to include strong work ethic; experience; professional; 

self reliance; driven; disciplined; 

understands company objectives; believes in 

Schneider was recently ranked #12 

by G.I. Jobs Top 100 Military- Friendly Employers 

and has been listed as one of the Top 

100 Military-Friendly Employers for the last 

10 years. In addition, Schneider was named 

2015 Most Valuable Employer Winner by CivilianJobs.com 

One of the first employers to join the 

Wounded Warrior Program, it was presented 

the first-ever Employer Support Freedom 


MILITARY 

SERVICE TO 

TRUCKING 

SERVICE 

since 2010. 

“It’s a legacy we’re proud to continue,” 

Reich said. 

Military members can learn more at www. 

schneiderjobs.com. 

Epes also invites veterans to its web site, 

www.epestransport.com, where they can 

learn about this strong, stable company that 

offers a multitude of career opportunities. 

Award by the DOD. They’ve also been a 

proud Wreaths Across America supporter 

Start a career in the “new normal” by hitting 

the road behind the wheel of a truck. 



PUZZLE 

British Castles 

SOLUTION ON PAGE 62 

Acre 

Alnwick 

Bere 

Berkeley 

Blair 

Blarney 

Bolton 

Burgh 

Cawdor 

Chepstow 

Chirk 

Christchurch 

Clare 

Coity 

Conway 

Conwy 

Cooling 

Corfe 

Cornet 

Cowes 

Croft 

Cutra 

Deal 

Donne 

Doon 

Dote 

Drum 

Dunster 

Elcho 

Fast 

Floors 

Fyvie 

Gylen 

Harlech 

Hawen 

Hay 

Holt 

Keiss 

Keldy 

Kendal 

Kennedy 

Kielder 

Leeds 

Leod 

Lewes 

Lymne 

Maiden 

Maol 

Maud 

May 

Mey 

Moy 

Odo 

Oer 

Piel 

Pool 

Raby 

Raheen 

Rait 

Red 

Ring 

Roch 

Saddell 

Saint Briavels 

St Mawes 

Star 

Stormont 

Swansea 

Tenby 

Tower 

Udny 

Yester 

York 


INDEX 

Admiral Merchants Motor Freight ... 59 

Arctic Express . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Baggett Services. .................. 20 

Beacon........................... 34 

Butler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

Carrier One . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Celadon . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

Central Marketing Transport . . 12, 61 

CFI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

Coal City Cob Company ........... 17 

Dot Line Transportation ......... 5, 55 

EM Way ......................... 54 

E. W. Wylie . . . . . . . . . . 11, 64 

Fed EX Custom Critical . . . . . . 51 

Freymiller . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 

James Burg ....................... 33 

Johnsrud Transport . . . . . . . . 41 

Progressive Insurance . . . . . . . 60 

Reliable Carriers . . . . . . . . 9, 63 

Roehl . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 52 

Royal Trucking ................... 21 

RTI. ............................ 2-3 

S&S Transport . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Schuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

Seward Motor . . . . . . . . . . 50 

Skyview Transportation . . . . . . 47 

Stageline ......................... 32 

Star Freight. ...................... 23 

Styline Logistics. .................. 26 

Time Definite Services ............. 49 

Transport America . . . . . . . . 29 

Transport Design . . . . . . . . . 40 

Turquoise Trucking . . . . . . . . 54 

Wiseway Transportation Services . . 18 

Lessors, Inc. ...................... 19 

Logix Transportation . . . . . . . 26 

MATS ........................... 28 

Melton Truck Lines. ............ 16, 53 

Mercer........................... 57 

Nu-Way......................... 6-7 

P.I. & I. Motor Express ............. 39 

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