UPS Freight Increases Rates By An Average 5.9%

Latest US LTL carrier to increase rates

UPS Freight, the fourth largest less-than-truckload carrier in the US, has announced a general rate increase averaging 5.9% covering non-contractual shipments in the US, Canada and Mexico. The rate adjustment takes effect on July 16, 2012, and applies to minimum charge, LTL rates and accessorial charges.

The move follows an announcement, made on 08 June, that FedEx Freight will increase shipping rates by 6.9% effective July 9, 2012. That rate change applies to FedEx Freight shipments within the contiguous US, between the contiguous US and Canada, and within Canada.

On 21 June, Con-way Freight, the nationwide less-than-truckload carrier of Con-way Inc. announced that it will institute a general rate increase averaging 6.9% applicable to non-contractual business effective July 9.

John Hodges with UPS Freight Named WV Grand Champion

Professional truck driver John Hodges was named Grand Champion of the West Virginia Trucking Association’s 57th Annual Truck Driving Championship, held Saturday, June 23 in Charleston, association representatives announced.

Hodges, a driver for UPS Freight, took the top honor after competing in variety of skill and safety tests.  This is the third time Hodges has won the Grand Champion Award, placing first in 2008 and 2010.

Jan Vineyard, President of the association, said, “The purpose of the Truck Driving Championship is to give trucking professionals the opportunity to test their driving and safety skills against their West Virginia peers. The competition mirrors what professional truck drivers must do day-in and day-out to maintain safety records unmatched by any other segment of the driving public.”

In addition to the driving competition, which included over 50 professional truck drivers representing 11 West Virginia-based motor freight companies, the association recognized drivers for their 2011 safety accomplishments during an awards banquet Saturday evening.
 
Vineyard said Paul Gray, a Mt. Nebo, West Virginia resident who drives for Petroleum Transport, was honored with the WV Professional Driver-of-the-Year Award.  Gray has driven over 2.6 million miles in his 35 year career with no accidents.

Keith Miller, a Marlinton, West Virginia resident employed by Burns Motor Freight, was honored with the State Police Safety Award.  Miller has driven for 33 years and 3 million miles without any accidents.  He was named Driver Of The Year in 2007, has won Driver Of The Month five times and received the Outstanding Driver Award four times.

Randy Johnson, a driver with Petroleum Transport Inc. and a Summersville, West Virginia resident, earned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Driver of the Year Award.  Johnson has driven for nearly 27 years and has logged over 2.7 million miles without an accident.

Other winners include:

Rookie of the Year:  Eric Johnson, FedEx Freight
Team Champions - UPS Freight
1st Place Straight Truck – James Priddy, FedEx Freight
1st Place 3-Axle Tractor Semi-trailer – John Hodges, UPS Freight
1st Place 4-Axle Tractor Semi-trailer – Tim Hodges, UPS Freight
1st Place 5-Axle Van – Clarence Jenkins, Jr., UPS Freight
Tank Truck – John Gibson, ABF Freight Systems
Flatbed – Kenneth Grimmett, Con-Way Freight
Twin Trailers – Richard Spaur, Con-Way Freight
Sleeper Berth – Steve Looney, Petroleum Transport 
First Place Step Van – Tim Bailey, Jr., UPS Ground
Pre-Trip Inspection Award – Gerald Pugh, FedEx Freight
Written Test Score Winner – Kenneth Grimmitt, Con-Way Freight

All first place drivers will compete in the American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving Championship – also known as the Super Bowl of Safety – taking place in Minneapolis, MN, August 7-11, 2012.

YRC Freight Sets 6.9% Rate Increase

YRC Freight said it is raising its rates 6.9%, following recently announced rate hikes of the same amount by several less-than-truckload competitors.

The rate hike will cover non-contractual shipments in the United States, Canada and Mexico and will become effective July 9.

Domestic Canadian rates will not be adjusted, YRC said in a statement on its website.

FedEx Freight and Con-way Freight recently announced 6.9% rate increases.

Holland Professional Driver David White Wins Division Title at Ohio Truck Driving Competition

Holland professional driver David White has won a division title, placing first in the tanker class, at the Ohio Truck Driving Championships. He will go on to compete in the 2012 National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis, Minn., in August.

White has worked in the transportation industry for 22 years, the last 12 years with Holland. He has 12 years of accident-free driving with Holland. White is a linehaul driver and is based at the Holland facility in Akron. Holland drivers are encouraged to use driving competitions as a way to sharpen their safe-driving skills. White has competed in state driving contests three times. He also won the same title to qualify for the national competition in 2011.

White enjoys competing and the opportunity for fellowship with other professional drivers. "It encourages me to drive safer every day to keep myself and others on the road safe and also to be able to compete in nationals," said White, who is active in his church and is a regular blood donor to the American Red Cross.

Another Holland driver, Russ Simpson, placed second in five-axle class at the Ohio Truck Driving Championships. Simpson is a city driver at the Holland facility in Columbus.

"Participation in these contests reflects our drivers' commitment to protecting the motoring public. When we look at what it takes to make Holland a better and safer transportation provider, we look at professionals like David and Russ who practice and prepare for driving competitions. We congratulate them for their safety achievements," said Scott Ware, president of Holland. "Their dedication to safety is also a commitment to service as they continually deliver their customers' shipments damage free and on time," added Ware.

To qualify for the national championships, drivers must place first in their class at state competition. Both the state and national competitions include challenging driving skills and maneuvering tests, a pre-trip inspection, and a written examination covering vehicle operation and federal safety regulations.