ReedTMS hiring in accounting!

Reed Transport, a division of ReedTMS, is hiring to fill immediate openings in the accounting department. Individual will share responsibility for Payables and Receivables including General Ledger Coding, Inputting invoices to payable system, writing checks and posting to customer accounts. Specific duties include:

• Apply checks to customer accounts
• Process refunds, returned checks and bad debts.
• Must be proficient in processing invoices (incoming & verifying PO's or receiving tickets), posting to vendor accounts and processing cleared checks.
• Perform Journal entries and month-end for AP and AR areas

Check out the listing on their website for more information here.

 

U.S. Dept. of Transportation says plan for 54.5 mpg averages by 2025 will be completed 'soon'

The Obama administration plan will require automakers to have a fleet average of 54.5 miles per gallon

The U.S. government said on Wednesday it plans to complete rules "soon" that significantly boost automobile efficiency, despite calls from some Republicans for further evaluation of the regulations.

The Obama administration had planned to finalize standards last week that would require companies to reach an average fuel efficiency across their U.S. fleets of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, but the release of the regulations was delayed.

While declining to provide a specific timeline, the Transportation Department stressed the rules are moving forward.

"The rule is still undergoing interagency review and we expect that process to be completed soon," department spokeswoman Lynda Tran said in a statement.

Read more here.

Highway Angel Helps Fellow Driver Survive a Heart Attack

The Truckload Carriers Association added a new name to its roster of Highway Angels. Steven Huett of Orion, Ill., a professional truck driver for Tennant Truck Lines of Colona, Ill., is being recognized for helping a fellow truck driver survive a medical emergency.

On June 26, Huett was driving along Highway 50 near Peabody, Kan., when he came upon another Tennant truck parked on the side of the road. Knowing that Tennant's home terminal was hundreds of miles away, he stopped to see if the driver needed any help.

The man inside the vehicle, Jackie Kinley, said he had been working all day and now felt very hot. He had pulled over to cool down, but did not seem to be getting any better. Kinley was wringing his hands and rubbing his left arm. Huett asked if he was experiencing a tingling sensation in his fingertips and was told "yes."

Recognizing the signs of heart trouble, Huett quickly called 911 and gave Kinley aspirin and water while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive. During the 10 minutes it took for authorities to arrive, Kinley's condition deteriorated significantly. He was clearly in great physical distress by the time he was rushed away by ambulance.

With Kinley now getting the medical attention that he needed, Huett turned his attention to the equipment the man had been driving. He drove the rig to Peabody, secured it in a protected location, and then asked a police officer to return him to his own truck. He drove to the hospital - and then to a second hospital because Kinley had been transferred - until he found his fellow driver. Kinley was just being wheeled out of surgery and was able to briefly thank Huett for saving his life.

"When I was a new driver, more than 40 years ago, an old guy I looked up to told me it doesn't matter where you are, you never drive by one of your own trucks parked on the side of the road," said Huett. "I've lived by that ever since, and this time, it paid off. Kinley is only one year older than me. I am so glad he's going to be okay."

For his efforts that day, Huett has received a Highway Angel lapel pin, certificate and patch. Tennant Truck Lines also received a certificate acknowledging that one of its drivers is a Highway Angel. The Highway Angel program is sponsored for TCA by Internet Truckstop. Since the program's inception in August 1997, hundreds of drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for the unusual kindness, courtesy, and courage they have shown others while on the job. TCA has received letters and e-mails from people across North America nominating truck drivers for the program.
Story from truckinginfo.com

Reduced supplies cause gas prices to skyrocket in Tampa area

Gas prices around the Tampa region have reached above $3.60 at many stations, and could creep up further until winter kicks in.

That's up about 25 cents per gallon in the last month.

European sanctions on Iran are curtailing oil supplies, as are disruptions at some West Coast refineries. Some tropical storms also helped push oil up to $92.87 per barrel last week, up $1.47 from a week before.

"Hopefully, retail prices will drop after the Labor Day holiday when demand tends to fall and we switch to a cheaper fuel blend," said AAA Spokeswoman Jessica Brady. That winter blend is less expensive for refineries to produce than summer blends that are tuned to reduce emissions. That switch often cuts 5 to 10 cents from each gallon at the pump.

Nationally, a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline now averages $3.692, up from $3.388 a month ago, but even with last year.

That's thanks to "an onslaught of refinery problems – mainly in the Great Lakes and California," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "While these situations are temporary in nature, it goes to show this nations dependence on domestic refineries."

Story from TBO.com

Spot Freight Index Defies Economic News

TransCore's DAT Freight Index, which monitors the spot freight market, continues this year's trend of record same-month freight volumes and a double-digit increase on a year-over-year basis.

July marked the fifth instance of a same-month record in 2012 and the DAT Index outpaced July 2011 levels by 12%, but lagged June 2012 by 20%, says TransCore. The decline follows a consistent pattern seen since the Index began in 1996.

Truckload freight rates on the spot market also followed historic, seasonal patterns, beginning their decline in mid-July.

Rates for dry vans fell 1.4% compared to June, while refrigerated ("reefer") van rates slid 2.8%. Flatbed rates rose in the first half of July before giving back their gains in the second half, resulting in a flat month compared to June.

Despite the month-over-month variances, rates were up from this time last year: 6.8% for vans, 11% for reefers and 3.4% for flatbeds.

Rates are derived from DAT Truckload Rate Index, and do not include fuel surcharges. Spot market rates are paid by brokers and 3PLs to the carrier.

Looking ahead to September, carriers are likely to find relatively high freight volumes and a favorable ratio of outbound loads emerging in the Midwest, including Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.

Story by truckinginfo.com, read more here.

ReedTMS is hiring!

Reed Transport is currently hiring to fill openings at its Florida location. The opening is an entry-level position and the ideal candidate is a recent college graduate. This operational position is in a fast-paced, customer service focused environment in the dynamic transportation services industry. Industry knowledge is not required or expected. Goal of the position is to learn the industry through detailed training and develop relationship and sales skills, with opportunities to grow into a Senior Logistics Coordinator role or internal/external sales role.

Candidate must be goal oriented, self-motivated and possess strong negotiation skills. Outgoing personality and competitive attitude is a must. Familiarity with Microsoft and related software is a plus.

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Visit their website for more information and how to apply!

www.ReedTMS.com

Diesel, Gasoline Prices Rise Again

Diesel prices rose again last week, with the U.S. Department of Energy reporting a national average of $3.85, up 5.4 cents from last week, while gasoline price surged by 13.7 cents per gallon.

Diesel prices topped the $4 mark in California, where the average price was up 5.6 cents to $4.023, driving overall West Coast prices to an average of $3.959. The lowest prices were in the Gulf Coast region at $3.752. Prices rose in every region of the country.

Gasoline prices are on the rise as well; the average price rose in every region of the country except the Rocky Mountain region. The national average is $3.645, up 13.7 cents over the previous week. The jump was driven by a more than a quarter-per-gallon hike in the Midwest region to $3.772.

Future prices for light, sweet crude for September delivery rose 80 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at $92.20 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange Monday, the highest settlement price since July 19. Crude oil future prices have risen nearly 20% since hitting a low of $77.69 in late June.
Story from truckinginfo.com

Toll discount bill passes House, but not a done deal

A bill designed to give local commuters a toll discount while making truckers and out-of-towners foot the bill has passed the U.S. House. While the intent of the bill is noble in an ongoing battle over excessive tolls, highway user groups say it ignores the negative consequences the action could have on interstate commerce, tourism and the economy.

HR897, which was introduced more than a year ago by U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, R-NY, aimed to give Staten Island residents a break from excessive bridge tolls. The bill passed by voice vote in the House on Wednesday, Aug. 1.

Greg Cohen, president of the American Highway Users Alliance, says the idea of cutting people a break on tolls is one thing, but the bill has far broader consequences in the way it is written.

“The language of the bill is drafted so broadly as to give the green light to any state or private tolling entity that wants to create separate tiers of pricing based on the residency of the drivers,” Cohen told Land Line.

I like the general idea of the bill. There is a toll road that makes my morning commute much more pleasant, but I rarely take it because I'd end up spending over $500 a year in tolls! I think locals should get a break. Tourists plan on spending money and won’t mind the one-time charge. But it can definitely take a toll on daily commuters, no pun intended. The part I disagree with is that truck drivers will also face higher tolls. Although they may not be daily commuters, they are just trying to do their job and with the rises cost of transportation, they have enough to worry about! What do you think?

Read the full story here.