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How is Road Scholar like Santa? Read to Find Out!

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

Santa

The holidays are right around the corner and although Christmas comes but once a year, Road Scholar is playing Santa every day with your freight.  But how can a trucking company compare to a figure like Jolly Old Saint Nicholas?  We’ll tell you!

*Both Road Scholar Transport and Santa are entrusted with the special care and handling of delivering your presents and freight.  Santa doesn’t bring you broken gifts (hopefully) and Road Scholar doesn’t deliver damaged goods either, one of the reasons why we currently hold a 0.0003% damage claim record.

*Just as Santa keeps a close eye on whether you’ve been good or bad all year, Road Scholar keeps a close watch on your freight 24/7 keeping it out of the hands of the Grinch and those on Santa’s naughty list with the following security features and transport protocols:

-Electronic door monitoring
-Reefer tracking
-Power unit tracking
-Qualcomm distress/panic messaging
-Roof decals for aerial tracking
-Navalock
-Facility security
-Nextel direct connect
-ShowMe
24 X 7 pinpoint freight location
View a single shipment or your entire order fleet
View via Map, Satellite view, or Hybrid
Zoom into street level
View current status (docked, in transit, delivered, etc.)
View on map a time stamped delivery confirmation
Overlay a real time traffic view
View 3 months of delivery history
Use on iPad or “lite” version on smaller iPhones, Androids, or Blackberry devices
-High valued targets transport protocols
10 year background checks on drivers
Driver must be uniformed
Must fuel prior to unloading
One driver must remain with vehicle
Navilock must be attached
Equipment must be GPS traceable
Trailer may NOT be dropped in route
Dispatch notified of any stop

*Whereas Santa eats the cookies and drinks the milk left by children on Christmas Eve night, Road Scholar is delivering those cookies and milk fresh with our temperature-regulated reefers, preventing contamination issues and unsellable products.

*With Santa in the sleigh guiding his 9 reindeer, Road Scholar President Jim Barrett guides the sales reps as they share their expertise in the transportation industry, providing you with solutions to your shipping problems.  On Jean, on Jen, on Kristina and Paul, on Craig, on John, on Larry and Rich.  And do you recall, the sales manager of them all…Jim Friel.

*Santa needs to travel at lightning speed to deliver presents all around the world in one night.  Although Road Scholar can’t travel that fast (our drivers abide by the speed limit) we offer expedited shipping to get your freight where it needs to be on time, every time.

cystic fibrosis

*And let’s not forget what makes Santa stand out…his long white beard, little round belly, and bright red suit.  You’ll be sure to spot Road Scholar on the road, cruising in our bright red tractor trailer supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation via our awareness program, driven by our neatly kept and uniformed drivers.

So if you are looking for an asset-based carrier who gives you what you want in a transportation company not only for Christmas, but every day of the year, look no further than Road Scholar Transport.  Visit www.roadscholar.com to get a quote.

For safe traveling tips this season from drivers such as yourself visit http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/truck-drivers-offer-safety-tips-for-holiday-travel-183735411.html.

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Posted in Awareness Campaign Articles, Freight Quotes, LTL Freight Quotes, LTL freight, Northeast Regional Freight Quotes, Services, Trucking Industry News | Comments Off

Accidents/Road Closures Lead to Missed Shipments/Delays, Road Scholar Can Help

Tuesday, December 11th, 2012

Tuesday, December 4th: A tractor-trailer heading southbound on Interstate 81 in Broome County, NY rear-ended a car carrier, losing one of the SUVs it was hauling, bursting into flames.  In an attempt to miss the accident, a second tractor-trailer swerved, hitting a third tractor-trailer and causing the vehicle to lose fuel.  The Interstate was shut down for over 3 hours for cleanup. 1

Thursday, December 6th: Baton Rouge, LA I-10 East was shut down for over 5 hours during rush hour (~8:45 a.m.) when a tractor-trailer overturned.  The tow truck was not able to clear the truck away until 2:15 p.m. 2

Monday, December 10th: A crash in Monroe County, PA around 3:30 a.m. closed Interstate 80 eastbound lanes for 15 hours after a flatbed tractor-trailer lost control, losing a pre-fabricated concrete wall from its load, striking two tractor-trailers and a car.  A fourth tractor-trailer hit one of the tractor trailers, resulting in a fatality. 3

Accidents such as these occur every day due to weather conditions, speeding, distractions, and other circumstances, resulting in tie-ups that can last several hours.  These circumstances can result in great consequences for those involved in the supply chain including:

*HOS: Eating up a driver’s hours-of-service, thus preventing the driver from keeping their schedule without exceeding their 11 hour driving time and leading the trucking company to either find another driver with hours to take over on the load or delaying/losing the shipment.

*Missed Appointments: Many companies have strict appointment times in which a driver must pick up/deliver.  If late, the driver may be forced to postpone the shipment or worse, face a cancellation in the load.  Now imagine if a driver’s first stop had a strict 8 a.m. appointment but an accident caused the driver to be over an hour late, thus rescheduling the delivery until the next day.  Being that the delivery was the driver’s first stop, the driver now has to take the shipment back to the terminal to rearrange the freight in order to deliver to the other stops onboard the trailer.  This costs the driver and company both time and empty miles.

*Detention: In the event that a consignee with a delivery appointment decides to allow the driver to deliver late, the driver now faces detention as the company will unload those trucks with delivery appointments first.  Detention, which has been called the “biggest productivity or efficiency problem in trucking” by the Owner-Operator Independent Driver’s Association (OOIDA), costs the trucking industry $3 billion a year.

*Delays: For LTL carriers, accidents/delays do not just affect one shipment, but every delivery on the truck and every pick up scheduled for that driver, leading to a trickled down delay affect and resulting in a loss of productivity.

*Loss of Productivity: Not only do carriers and drivers face a loss of productivity, but manufacturers as well.  Many manufacturers need their products delivered on time for use in the manufacturing process that day.  If even one shipment/product is delayed, it can result in a production hold-up, costing money and potential customer loss.

Although there is no stopping accidents from occurring, bad weather from falling, or unexpected tie-ups from occurring, Road Scholar Transport incorporates technology onto our fleet to help prevent delays.

showme

click to enlarge

Road Scholar has the ability to monitor and react to road conditions/reroute equipment.  Our ShowMe feature allows us to use the Google Maps traffic congestion overlay to see where our trucks are and where traffic may affect delivery in order to choose the best route to avoid delays so that your product line in not on hold or reputation with your customer is not tainted.

Additionally, Road Scholar is preventing delays and damaged or loss of freight with our anti-crash technology.  Road Scholar has an ACB system (Active Cruise with Braking) installed on our trucks that allows us to maintain a set distance of 8/10ths of a mile marker behind a forward vehicle.

When cruise control is off, the ACB will deliver a beeping alert, which gets faster and louder when closing in on a vehicle, as well as a visual warning on the dashboard showing how far the vehicle is from your truck.

When cruise control is on, the ACB will automatically reduce the throttle, use the engine retarder, or apply the brakes (delivering 1/3 the vehicle’s power but the driver can apply the rest if needed) in order to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead.

Not only does Road Scholar incorporate the Bendix Wingman ACB on its trucks, but ESP (Electronic Stability Program) as well.

This system is especially good for icy or wet weather conditions where wheels lose their grip, or taking a curve too quickly, which can result in a rollover.  Drivers may not sense a rollover could be starting, which is where the ESP’s row and yaw stability sensors come into play.  The row sensors work to prevent rollovers while yaw sensors prevent slide, spin, or jackknife situations.

The ESP automatically distinguishes the problem and quickly corrects it by reducing the engine throttle and applying the brakes.

Bendix explains the many sensors that supplement the wheel speed sensors which include:

-The steering angle sensor, which detects steering input, the first indicator of a maneuver.

-Brake pressure sensors, which monitor the amount of an operator’s braking.

-Lateral acceleration sensor, which detects the side force that could make the vehicle rollover.

-Yaw rate sensor, which helps determine if the vehicle is responding properly to driver steering input.

These are just some reasons why Road Scholar has a low damage claim rate of just 0.0003%, in addition to qualified drivers and safe equipment.

Are in transit delays from your current carrier becoming an issue of concern?  Let us know.  Road Scholar Transport will do a free audit of your lanes and offer some suggestions on route optimization.  Visit www.roadscholar.com today.

1http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20121204/NEWS01/312040027/One-injury-fiery-81-crash?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

2http://www.nola.com/news/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2012/12/i-10_east_to_be_reopened_soon.html

3http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/Youngstown-Man-Killed-in-I-80-Crash-in/zhp5NUVa_0OEEbW3xCeEdw.cspx

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Posted in Freight Quotes, LTL Freight Quotes, LTL freight, Northeast Regional Freight Quotes, Services, Trucking Industry News | Comments Off

“Find the Freight Phantom Ghost” Halloween Contest!

Thursday, October 18th, 2012

At this time of year, you will find lots of masks, candy and people having a good time.   Sometimes, however, people are up to no good.  Masked critters, like the Freight Phantom, will look for opportunities to steal your goods in transit.

Road Scholar Transport is known throughout the industry for having tools such as Internal Locks, Satellite Tracking, Geofencing, Door Alerts, and Navalock to prevent theft…but that does not deter the “Freight Phantom!”

Over the next few weeks leading up to Halloween, we have been warned that the “Freight Phantom” will be after our Awareness Trucks!  Each day on www.roadscholar.com and our Facebook Fan Page, a picture from our security cameras will capture the “Freight Phantom” lurking around one of our Awareness Trailers.  The first person to respond on our Facebook Fan Page identifying which Awareness Trailer the Freight Phantom is after will be awarded a point.  The person with the most points on 10/31 wins a Gertrude Hawk prize package!

The contest runs weekdays beginning Monday, Oct. 22nd through October 30th.  Check everyday for a new security snapshot and be sure to “Like” us on Facebook!

Example

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Does it Pay to Save? Cost Reduction Ranked Top Priority in Supply Chain

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

IDC Manufacturing InsightsLast month, IDC Manufacturing Insights released the results of a study that surveyed over 300 manufacturing supply chain professionals, grouping individuals by “asset-oriented (e.g., chemicals), brand-oriented (e.g., consumer goods companies), engineering-oriented (automotive, aerospace), or technology-oriented (e.g., high tech).” 1

When asked what they considered their largest supply chain priority, 82% of respondents stated overall cost reduction, which they planned to achieve from “better procurement effectiveness.” 1

How do they plan to cut supply chain costs?  35% stated reducing procurement costs, making it the number one strategy, while nearly 18% acknowledged cutting transportation/logistics costs, the third most common tactic. 1

But does it always pay to cut costs especially when it comes to choosing a quality carrier to transport your freight?  Let’s take it a step further.  Would you be willing to put your $1.7 million high-risk shipment on a truck with no tracking devices?

That’s what happened last December for a load of electronics destined for Ontario, Canada.

The truck, carrying 22 pallets filled with 5,000 of RIM (Research in Motion)’s BlackBerry PlayBook tablets valued at $1.7 million, was traveling from a distribution center in Plainfield, IN when its driver decided to stop at the Pilot Travel Center in Daleville for food and a shower, only to find the truck missing that afternoon when he returned.

According to The Herald Bulletin, the distribution center told police that “the shipment did not have any tracking devices,” and therefore, the chances that the truck and its cargo would be recovered are considered slim.

Now are cutting costs worth the gamble?

Following cost reduction as the top supply chain priority was supply chain agility (~55%), product quality and safety improvement (52%), and improving customer service (~50%). 3

You will never reach an automated system when calling Road Scholar.  A friendly and helpful customer service member is always available to help you both via phone (800-542-2301) or online with our e-mail and live chat options (www.roadscholar.com).

Road Scholar doesn’t stop there.  We are continuing to service our customers with the latest and most effective security features on our fleet.  Road Scholar security features include:
- SkyBitz Monitoring and Tracking  (We have the ability to track the movement of a power unit from startup to shutdown as well as its history and have independent power unit and trailer tracking)

-Electronic door monitoring  (Providing you with a history of every time the trailer door was opened and closed)
-Reefer tracking

-Ability to “ping” a specific power unit for details on its location, which can be updated as frequently as every minute

-Qualcomm Distress/Panic Messaging  (Panic buttons with vehicle disabling systems to remotely prevent the operation of a vehicle)

-Roof decals for aerial tracking
-Navalock
-Full fleet visibility via computer as well as two 50-inch screens constantly monitored in headquarters

-Facility Security
-Policies, Protocols, and Compliance
-10 year criminal background check on all drivers and drug test every new hire
-Verify Driver ID badges via Regiscope Online
-Digital communication to and from drivers

What security feature would you like to see incorporated on tractor trailers?  Do you feel that cost reduction should be the number 1 priority in the supply chain?  What is your priority?

We challenge you to ship with Road Scholar Transport and bear witness to our capabilities of securing your load from the moment it’s picked up, to the moment it arrives for delivery.  Click here to get a rate today!

1http://www.scdigest.com/ASSETS/ON_TARGET/12-08-14-1.PHP?CID=6096

2http://consulenza-iso9001-eng.blogspot.com/2012/02/lean-six-sigma.html

3http://www.mhia.org/news/industry/11699/reducing-overall-supply-chain-costs-is–1-priority-among-manufacturers

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Posted in Freight Quotes, LTL Freight Quotes, LTL freight, Northeast Regional Freight Quotes, Services, Trucking Industry News | Comments Off

Road Scholar Makes Shipping Quicker and Easier on RoadScholar.com

Friday, August 3rd, 2012

Road Scholar Transport is dedicated to providing quality transportation, immediate customer service, and making shipping fluent and stress-free to our customers.  That’s why we’ve built our website with a wide variety of tools and services that provide shippers with a quick and convenient way to communicate and gather information regarding their shipments with just the click of a button.  Let’s take a tour of the options you have available at www.roadscholar.com.

Live Chat with a Transportation Expert: Have a question about a shipment?  Need to get a quote ASAP?  Then use our live chat to get answers to your questions instantly.

chat

Access to Documents/Certifications: Including our liability insurance, hazmat credentials, SmartWay Certification Certificate, and much more.

Instant Rates & Quotes Online: Get rate quotes in a matter of minutes through our quote form (http://www.roadscholar.com/freightquote.php) or via the live chat option.

quote

Online Tools: Sign up to gain access to:

-Real time satellite tracking of your freight anywhere via your computer or mobile device!

-Scheduling a pickup online

-Retrieving documents online

-Printing a BOL

-And much more!

Sign up today at http://www.vlmtools.com/trucking/login.php?a=19.

Company News/Blogs: Stay informed with the latest news in the trucking industry, awareness campaign articles, and company news at http://www.roadscholar.com/blog/.

blog

Live Mapping of Equipment Availability Areas so you know where are vans and reefers are currently located at http://www.roadscholar.com/equipmentavailability.php

Employment Opportunities: Want to become part of a winning team that strives for excellence?  Then visit http://www.roadscholar.com/employment.php.  Here are some things Road Scholar has to offer:

-A reputable carrier

-Excellent pay and benefits

-Flexibility in your work schedule (both part-time and full-time positions available)

-Home time

-A great work environment

-Excellent equipment

-And the chance to make a difference

apply

Testimonials-Don’t take our word for it.  View testimonials from freight and auto hauling customers just like you about our service at http://www.roadscholar.com/freighthaulingtestimonials.php

Join our Mailing List so never miss contests, special discounts, and trucking industry news.

mailing list

Verify Driver ID Badges via Regiscope

Contests and Games: Check back often for new contests and games to be posted for your chance to win prizes!  Featured right now is Road Scholar’s NFL Challenge.  Whether you are a die-hard NFL fan or just trying to learn more about and get involved with the games, this is the contest for you.  Just  pick the winner of each game.  It’s that easy!  http://www.roadscholar.com/nfl/ Other popular annual contests include the NASCAR Challenge, PGA Challenge, and March Madness.

football pool

Quick access to our social media sites by clicking the blog, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, and LinkedIn icons at the bottom of the page.  Follow us regularly to be informed of contests, special discounts, and trucking industry news.

Awareness Campaign: Road Scholar has vowed to travel ten million miles, spreading awareness of the many diseases/conditions battling lives today, through the use our trucks’ rolling billboards.  View pictures of our awareness trailers and learn more about Road Scholar’s Ten Million Miles to a Cure Campaign at www.roadscholarawareness.com.  Our awareness trucks currently include:

-Alex’s Lemonade

-Autism Speaks

-American Breast Cancer Foundation

-Children’s Tumor Foundation

-Prostate Cancer Awareness

-International Rett Syndrome Foundation

-St. Joseph’s Center

-American Foundation for the Blind

-Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

-Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN)

-The Flight 93 National Memorial

-The American Red Cross

-Clayton’s Hope (benefiting epilepsy)

-Children’s Craniofacial Foundation

-Make a Wish Foundation

-Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation

-Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (Rock on Judi H)

-Stop Bullying

-Parkinson’s Disease

-Marley’s Mission

-9/11 Rolling Memorial

-Miracle for Ava…a Cure for Brain Tumors

-Lyla’s Hope-Spina Bfida

awareness campaign

While your at our Awareness site, don’t forget to play our Awareness Matching Game at http://www.roadscholar.com/contestgames.php and send an awareness e-card. There are times in everyone’s life when something unfortunate happens to someone we love and we wish we could have done something about it.  Show someone you care by sending them an awareness e-card, demonstrating to them how much they mean to you and reminding them to get a check-up.  Currently, there are awareness e-cards for the following organizations:  American Foundation for the Blind, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Autism Speaks, American Breast Cancer Foundation, Children’s Tumor Foundation, Prostate Cancer, St. Joseph’s Hospital, International RETT Syndrome Foundation, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Flight 93 Memorial.  Send one today at http://www.roadscholarawareness.org/awareness-campaign/tell-a-friend/.

We are constantly working on building our site to reflect the needs of our customers so check back often for new tools and options!

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Posted in Awareness Campaign Articles, Company News, Freight Quotes, LTL Freight Quotes, LTL freight, Northeast Regional Freight Quotes, Services, auto hauling | Comments Off

Challenges the Trucking Industry can Expect to Face in 2012

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

As 2011 quickly comes to an end, experts are providing their knowledge and input on what challenges the trucking industry can expect to undergo in the New Year.

Among these is the high price of diesel.  Although the national average of diesel has dropped 6.6 cents to $3.82/gallon, the lowest we have seen since Oct. 24th, prices have risen as high as $4.12 last May.  As the Department of Energy forecasts, “diesel fuel will average $3.73 per gallon in 2012,” which although is lower than we are currently experiencing, is still 25% higher than 2010 averages (http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/20111219top_10_logistics_challenges_for_2012/).

Along with higher diesel prices comes rising truck rates.  According to Transport Capital Partners, LLC’s fourth quarter business expectations survey, 70% of carriers expect to raise their rates over the next year, while half of those surveyed have already done so.  Logistics Management explains that most major LTL carriers raised their rates this quarter by between 5.9 and 6.9 percent.

One of the reasons for higher rates is the current capacity shortage facing the industry.  With issues including the rising costs of healthcare and equipment (which is up 20% this year), new safety restrictions such as CSA 2010 and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours of service proposal, the lack of available credit, generation x drivers retiring, and rising fuel prices mentioned earlier, many trucking companies are keeping their fleets small due to the difficulty they are having qualifying for a loan and keeping up with surging costs, while others are being forced to close their doors for good and sell their assets.  Learn more about the Perfect Storm for Capacity Shortage by clicking here.

unemployment rate

On top of capacity issues, the economy poses another challenge to the industry, demonstrating a weak growth period.  Unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with trucking companies continuing to struggle with finding drivers to meet capacity issues.  Drivers looking for a rewarding career can apply here.

Experts also predict challenges pertaining to truck regulations in 2012.  In order to account for capacity shortages, The Safe & Efficient Transportation Act is encouraging raising the current 80,000 pound weight limit of trucks to 97,000 pounds. This, however, would only be acceptable on certain roads and only on trucks equipped with six axles instead of five, allowing the extra axle to account for the additional weight.

Among truck regulations includes a stronger effort to go green, decreasing gas emissions in order to achieve a cleaner, healthier environment, the way that Road Scholar Transport does with its new trucks, which give off 1/42 the amount of diesel particulate as the 2007 engines.

Finally, a stronger emphasis on security can also be expected in the New Year.  As DC Velocity states, “the idea of guaranteeing that every package and every container is safe boggles the mind,” but that’s what Road Scholar Transport aims to do.

Road Scholar Transport applies security features which include electronic door monitoring, reefer and power unit tracking, Qualcomm distress/panic messaging, roof decals for aerial tracking, navalock, facility security, and much more.

As a member of CargoNet, a group dedicated to theft prevention and recovery, Road Scholar Transport is continuously pushing the performance envelope with new products and technologies to keep your freight safe.

Visit Road Scholar’s University page on our website (www.roadscholar.com) for valuable information regarding cargo security.

What challenges do you feel the trucking industry will face in 2012?  List your comments below.

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No Tracking Device Offers Little Hope in Recovering $1.7 Million Electronic Shipment

Monday, December 19th, 2011

BlackBerry PlayBook tablets Electronics have always been a high-risk target among thieves, especially around the holidays, ranking in as the number one stolen commodity between February 2010 and January 2011 (21% of all stolen goods) according to FreightWatch.  Knowing this, it would come as no surprise that shippers are taking extra precaution when it comes to transporting their cargo, choosing carriers such as Road Scholar Transport, who provides high security features that ensure the safety of your freight.

Then again, maybe you are a gambler and would rather play with price than safety.  Would you be willing to put your $1.7 million high-risk shipment on a truck with no tracking devices?

That’s what happened last Thursday for a load of electronics destined for Ontario, Canada.

The truck, carrying 22 pallets filled with 5,000 of RIM (Research in Motion)’s BlackBerry PlayBook tablets valued at $1.7 million, was traveling from a distribution center in Plainfield, IN when its driver decided to stop at the Pilot Travel Center in Daleville for food and a shower, only to find the truck missing that afternoon when he returned.

According to The Herald Bulletin, the distribution center told police that “the shipment did not have any tracking devices,” and therefore, the chances that the truck and its cargo would be recovered are considered slim.

Although no suspects have been named, the police are looking at up to five people involved with potential fingerprints of one of them, believing that the load may be headed for Miami (http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2133759/usd17m-worth-playbooks-stolen-truck).

RIM’s name has been in the news lately with questions referring to its Blackberry as a “setback” and a “need to ditch the Blackberry for survival.”  Just last week the company announced its financial burden, selling only 150,000 Blackberry Playbook tablets in the third quarter, and therefore, delaying “the launch of smartphones running its Blackberry 10 operating system amid disappointing financial results,” from the beginning of 2012 to a later date, according to The Inquirer.

showme

Now the company has to deal with a $1.7 million loss.  With Road Scholar Transport, however, the shipper can track and receive live status updates and precise locations on their shipments via computer or mobile phone with our ShowMe tracking feature.

Road Scholar’s tractors are also equipped with Qualcomm which provides:

-Panic buttons with vehicle disabling systems to remotely prevent the operation of a vehicle

-Full fleet visibility via computer as well as two 50-inch screens constantly monitored in headquarters

-Digital communication to and from drivers

-The ability to track the movement of a power unit from startup to shutdown as well as its history

-Ability to “ping” a specific power unit for details on its location, which can be updated as frequently as every minute

awareness trucks

If that’s not enough, Road Scholar has roof tracking decals on their trailers and with our colorful awareness trucks, it becomes very easy to pinpoint one of our trucks, and more importantly, harder to steal without going unnoticed.

All of our trailers also contain break locks in which once a key is dislodged, the trailer cannot be moved since the air brakes are locked up, protecting the trailer from being stolen.

With electronic door monitoring alerting of every door opening/closing, our team will be constantly on guard of any irregular activity.  Not to mention Navalock capability which is bolt cutter, sledgehammer, and chisel proof to prevent the tampering of your freight.

Simply put, when your LTL and truckload freight is onboard a Road Scholar truck, you will not have to worry about receiving a call from someone that says, “I’m sorry, but we don’t know where your freight is.”

Visit www.roadscholar.com today to learn more about what Road Scholar can do for you.

What do you think of a shipper choosing price over service when transporting their high-valued freight?  List your comments below.

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Stories from a Sales Rep…Lori Bruno

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

I started working in the trucking industry in 1984.  After 15 years, I got out of the industry and reentered it in February of this year working for Road Scholar Transport.

lori

I can’t help but notice the difference in technology from when I first started out and now.

Back then, our inbound and outbound manifests were paper format versus today with Road Scholar’s great tracking abilities such as Qualcomm, ShowMe, and all of the technology we have…things are so different.

In the past, to reach/contact someone was not as convenient as it is now.  There really was no e-mail.  To contact people we used beepers and had to wait in line at a pay phone to return a customer’s call.  Now we have luxuries such as the iphone, cell phones, e-mails, etc., with the ability to get in touch with someone almost immediately.  Even written communication and fax machines have been replaced by e-mail since we are a paperless “go green” society.

When it came to tracking inbound and outbound manifests, you basically told customers that you were not really sure when they would get their shipment because everything was beepers or pay phones…you didn’t have the GPS tracking you have today.

In other words, you were basically lying to a customer…playing guessing games.  Today there are no guessing games.  The customer knows exactly where their shipment is right up until the moment we are bumping their docks.

Road Scholar offers all of this with technology that allows the live tracking of freight, not only showing where a shipment has been like many companies do, but exactly where it is at that precise moment, accessible both on the computer or by cell phone.

Back then things were definitely different.  Today there is so much better technology out there and Road Scholar certainly does a good job incorporating and improving that technology on our fleet.

Technology is “literally” at our fingertips today and Road Scholar is right in line with the times!

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Santa Trusts Only One Elf to Deliver His Presents This Christmas

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Hi, I’m Leroy and I’m head of Santa’s musical toy department here at the North Pole.  It’s my job to make sure each elf is on task, creating toys that play just the right melody in just the right key.

elf

Each year we make billions of toys for children all over the world for Santa to deliver to good girls and boys on Christmas Eve night.  But we also make toys for stores all across the nation and when it’s time to deliver them, there is only one elf we trust to deliver the gifts we work hard all year creating…Road Scholar Transport.

You see, when working for Santa, you have to be quick and productive.  Maybe not traveling at lightning speed like he does, but fast enough to produce and deliver toys just in time for Christmas, not a minute after midnight.  That’s why we turn to Road Scholar Transport.
Road Scholar’s 24-hour expedited service and 48-hour west coast service, allows us to deliver dolls, trucks, stuffed animals, and other fun toys to stores nationwide so your products are always in stock.

We don’t want our toys to be damaged or else we have to hear about it from the big guy, so it’s a good thing Road Scholar has a 0.0003% damage claim record.

When it comes to transporting electronics, Santa likes to keep an extra close eye.  So many people want to grab our latest DVD players, televisions, video game systems, and cameras.
But with Road Scholar’s satellite tracking, Santa can view our creations whenever and wherever they are, right down to their live location.

The same goes for all of the candy we make to fill each boy and girl’s stocking.  Santa not only can track Road Scholar’s reefers, but is able to obtain a history of the temperature within the trailer at any given time to make sure his chocolate goodies don’t melt.

With Road Scholar, Santa knows when the trailer door has been opened.  He knows when it’s been closed.  He knows if the temperature was bad or good, so you better choose Road Scholar for goodness sake!

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Thanksgiving Accounts for Largest Holiday Theft Activity Last Year, Prevent Your Cargo from Being Stolen with These Tips

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

One thing that no one is thankful this Thanksgiving is cargo theft.  Unfortunately, while many are celebrating the holiday season, others are dealing with the problem of a full cargo loss.

Thanksgiving

Last year, 14 cargo thefts were reported during Thanksgiving, making it the number one holiday weekend for cargo theft activity, according to FreightWatch International.

As FreightWatch demonstrates in its reports, US cargo theft rate increases 28 percent during holidays.  This is because cargo sits during the holiday weekend.  Those members of the trucking industry are well aware of the golden rule that applies here, “cargo at rest is cargo at risk.”  That’s why Road Scholar Transport is on the road 24/7 365 days a year, so your cargo is not just sitting, waiting to be stolen.

As a result of previous holiday theft statistics, shippers and carriers are asked to remain on guard this season and take preventative measures.  Below are a few tips offered by CargoNet to help keep your freight secure (tips provided by http://www.americanshipper.com/Main/News/Tips_to_combat_holiday_cargo_theft_47716.aspx).

*Over half of holiday cargo thefts took place in unsecured areas with a few occurring in a secured lot, which is why CargoNet stresses the need to park in protected areas only. FreightWatch further emphasizes the need for cargo to never be left alone and for drivers to remain vigilant and maintain communication with their dispatch when stopped at high-risk areas such as truck stops and rest areas, the way that Road Scholar’s drivers do (http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2011/Nov11/112111/112211-01.shtml ).

*Utilization of tracking devices on both cargo and trailers.  Road Scholar Transport, a member of CargoNet, takes this a step further with independent tracking on both tractors and trailers.

*“Secure all trailers (loaded and unloaded) with high-security ISO 17712 compliant barrier seals in combination with hardened padlocks. Utilize king pin locks for unattached trailers.”  Road Scholar not only utilizes Navalock, a strong, resistant, tamper-evident steel locking bar that acts as a barrier against thieves, but is also alerted of any door openings/closures, proving that your freight was not tampered with during transport.

*Facility maintenance/security.  Road Scholar Transport has just that with a digital surveillance system of our entire property that is monitored 24/7, protecting our trucks and your freight from intruders.

*Never leave keys inside the vehicle.  In fact, with Qualcomm, Road Scholar drivers can utilize the panic button feature to prevent operation of their vehicle.

The above steps are suggestions on what companies should do to prevent theft…now this is what Road Scholar is doing…

-Provide satellite and reefer tracking for live monitoring of your freight down to the street level.  You’ll always know where your freight is and who has it.

-Qualcomm distress/panic messaging allows disablement of the vehicle to prevent your cargo from taking off with the wrong person(s).

-Navlock, bolts, and seals protecting the contents of your freight.

-Background/drug checks and online driver verification to ensure that only the safest drivers are transporting your freight.

awareness trucks

-Brightly colored awareness trucks that make our trucks easily recognizable and harder to steal.

And that’s not all.  Road Scholar is constantly improving our security features to have only the most innovative and resourceful tools accompanying your freight.  Visit www.roadscholar.com to learn more.

Will your freight be safe this holiday season?

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