I-75 South in Pasco closed after trucks crash

Update: Due to the damage to the road, the southbound lanes are expected to remain closed until at least 6 p.m., troopers said. Asphalt must be replaced.

Southbound traffic on Interstate 75 in Pasco County is shut down this morning after a fiery crash involving a semitrailer and dump truck near State Road 56.

Neither driver was injured, troopers said.

Southbound lanes are expected to remain closed until noon, troopers said.

Motorists will be diverted onto State Road 54 (exit 279). Traffic south of that exit and north of the crash will be diverted back to State Road 54 or southbound on the shoulder to State 56 to exit.

Other motorists should avoid roads in the area.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash occurred about 6:30 a.m.

According to investigators, the tractor-trailer was traveling south in the outside lane of I-75 in a construction zone, where it collided with a crash attenuator, troopers said.

The collision caused the truck to partially jackknife and collide with the center median guardrail, troopers said.

The dump truck, traveling behind the tractor-trailer, was unable to stop or avoid a collision, striking the rear of the tractor-trailer, troopers said.

Both drivers were able to exit their vehicles before a fire erupted on the tractor-trailer.

The tractor-trailer, operated by Pat Salmon & Sons of Jacksonville, was transporting mail, troopers said.
 

Business Development Coordinator Position Available at Reed Transport

Position overview: The role of a “Business Development Coordinator” is to manage the sales process for a targeted group of customers while working in conjunction with the Business Development team. This individual will also provide business critical information to their respective customers and assist in developing strategies to create efficiencies while adding value to the client relationship for continuous and sustainable growth for ReedTMS.

Primary duties:
- Proactively develops and improves services for our customers.
- Understands clients' needs.
- Build and maintain excellent relationships with colleagues and clients.
- Administering accounts, customer websites and sending customer updates.
- Provide market feedback to BD and Transportation Sales Teams.
- Maintains customer records by updating account information.
- Be a team player by supporting the overflow call volume and operational needs of the Business Development Team.
- Provide support for BD reps during travel.
- Assist in customer bids, rates and problem resolution.
Working relationships: 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 and 2 years trucking/logistics experience required.

Submit resume to: kpein@reedtransport.net

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

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

Secret Service announces RNC security restrictions in Tampa

The Secret Service today released a plan restricting where residents and visitors can drive, park, walk or take a bus during the 2012 Republican National Convention.

That doesn't mean people should avoid downtown, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said.

Catching a glimpse of history will have its challenges. Many of the roads near the Tampa Convention Center and Forum, including the lower level of the Selmon Expressway, will be shut down before the convention begins on Aug. 27 and remain closed until after the event ends on Aug. 30.

No offense to the police chief, but if I could I would be avoiding downtown if I could, but unfortunately I live right next to all this madness. My morning walk with my dog will be affected by the RNC. Hopefully they will cut a little slack to residents of the surrounding neighborhoods... Or I’m in for a very long week.

To read more and see the other maps for closures, click here.

ReedTMS community service

ReedTMS has recently partnered with the Southeast Produce Council (SPC) to join their initiative to assist RAMP America, a non-profit organization which aids poverty-stricken families in the Appalachian region of the United States.

Martin County, located in rural Appalachia, is home to some of the most impoverished people in the United States and continues to face many challenges. Access to healthy food and economic opportunity is scarce. Moreover, the county’s isolation makes it difficult to access federal and other assistance programs: currently there are little to no human or social services available in the area.

RAMP works with the Martin County community to identify critical needs and create solutions focusing on nutrition, economic development, and emergency relief intervention, with a special focus on children and families. They also connect resources locally and nationally to address basic human needs where other resources are limited or inaccessible. For more information on RAMP, click here.

RAMP has partnered with the SPC to collect donations from their members and ReedTMS has joined the cause and will help with the efficient delivery of resources.

ReedTMS has pledged to send our drivers and pick up donated goods from various locations and deliver them to the Appalachian region on our trucks at no charge, and currently we have moved one load from the Washington, D.C. area to Martin County. We are all proud to be involved with such an honorable project and look forward to moving more loads in the future!

Tropical Storm Debby

After hitting the Tampa Bay area with high winds and rain, Tropical Storm Debby promised to bring more of the same in the coming days as it continued to hover in the Gulf of Mexico early today, in no apparent hurry to make landfall.

A tropical storm warning remained in effect Tuesday morning for about 450 miles of coastline, from Mexico Beach in the Panhandle to Englewood, south of Sarasota. The warning includes the Tampa Bay area.

Many areas across the Bay area are completely flooded and water levels continue to rise. Travelers need to be aware of road closures to reach your destination with ease and without frustration. 

Currently the Sunshine Skyway is still closed due to high winds, Bayshore Blvd in downtown Tampa remains closed due to flooding, the Suncoast Parkway at State Road 50 is closed due to flooding and state Road 54 is blocked at Little Road due to flooding.

Let’s all continue to drive with caution and try to stay dry out there!

ReedTMS is hiring Carrier Sales Assciates!

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Reed Transport is currently seeking self-motivated, dedicated personnel with interest in the transportation industry!

About the position: Purpose is to strengthen operational coverage and to provide an account management training ground for future Senior Logistics Coordinator staff. Essential duties & responsibilities include: negotiating with carrier partners, daily load volume coverage targets, creating regular carrier partners, periodic dispatching, check calls & order entry.

Will have flexible work hours – Afterhours assignment will periodically occur based on opportunity and coverage need. Should have attention to detail with accuracy, a team-oriented attitude, strong problem solving and analytical skills. 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. Bachelor’s degree required.

Visit the website at http://www.reedtms.com/ for more information!

Submit your resume to kpein@reedtransport.net and start your new career today!

Driver being sought in a hit-and-run in Plant City, Florida

Car accidents are always a tragedy. No matter the circumstance or the people involved, they are always a tragedy. This past Wednesday, May 2^nd a married couple driving on Interstate 4 near Plant City was cut-off by an aggressive driver. I have previously shared my feelings about road rage and this is the main reason I feel so strongly about it. What was so important to the driver of this unidentified car that they needed to cut-off a SUV while driving on the interstate? The answer is nothing. NOTHING is so important that you need to drive aggressively.

The couple swerved into the emergency lane trying to avoid a collision with the car that cut them off, then overcorrected and collided with a semitrailer. Neither of them were wearing their seat belts and they were both ejected from the vehicle and died later at the hospital. The driver of the semitrailer was not injured.

And what did the person do that caused this ghastly crash? Kept right on driving. They had to be aware of the accident they just caused and they didn’t even have the decency to stop. Two people are now dead and this aggressive driver is the cause. My heart goes out to their loved ones and I am sending this out as a friendly reminder that being on the roads can be a dangerous place and running a few minutes late is not the end of the world. If you’re late, then you’re late. Drive carefully and think about the other drivers on the road as well as yourself.

Authorities in Tampa are searching for a dark colored compact car in connection with the crash. Witnesses should call troopers at 813-631-4020.

Read the full story here.

Drinking and driving

We’ve all heard it time and time again, don’t drink and drive. It's a simple concept. If you drink alcohol, call a cab. It’s really not rocket science. But too many times someone will think of some completely illogical reason they need to get behind the wheel after they’ve had a few. Some excuses I’ve heard:

1.       It’s not that far, I can definitely make it.

2.       I have no cash for a cab.

3.       I need my car first thing in the morning, so I can’t take a cab.

4.       I’ll just drive really slow.

5.       I only had a few, I’m 95% sober.

6.       It won’t happen to me, I’ll be fine.

7.       There are not even any cops out tonight/on the side of town/looking at me.

8.      My car will be towed if I leave it overnight.

And the excuses go on and on. It seems that constantly there are stories in the news about a drunk driver that killed someone, destroyed public property, caused never ending traffic backups, and even killed themselves. But for some reason, certain people drink and drive. Even worse are those who actually plan to drink and drive! They go to the bars and try to keep their drinking to a "reasonable" limit and then drive home. It’s insane and completely irresponsible.

I get it. You think you’re invincible or just super special and nothing bad will ever happen to you. Well give it time, it’ll be you eventually.  The only system that I have found that works is planning on not having a car to begin with. If you take a cab there, then the problem is always solved. You have to figure out a way to get the cash for the cab, you’ll have your car in the morning, you won’t have to try to monitor your alcohol intake and you will NEVER get a dui. Granted, you’re still not safe... although you’re in a cab, the jerk next to you thinks he’s invincible and just got in his car…

Spread the word. Plan ahead – Take a cab – Don’t drink and drive.

Click here for more reasons not to drink and drive.

Inside sales associate needed at Reed Transport

Reed Transport is currently seeking applications from self-motivated, dedicated personnel with experience or interest in the diverse transportation and logistics industry. Primary duties include: Assisting in lead identification, initial lead contact and qualification and development of lead throughout process up to closing of new business.  Heavy phone based sales position with potential to grow into multiple roles within growing business (outside sales, operations coordinator/manager, inside sales manager or account manager).

Our employees are part of a growing, dynamic, entrepreneurial business that offers above market compensation packages including:

·         Competitive base pay

·         Incentive driven bonus plans

·         Company performance bonus plans

·         Retirement plan

·         Health, dental, vision and other benefits

·         Lunches and beverages

·         Employee outings

For more information on Reed Transport: www.reedtms.com

For information about the position: http://www.reedtms.com/Careers-ReedTMSLogistics.php

Devastating Crash in Florida on I-75

After having a rather eventful weekend in Tampa for the Gasparilla celebration, I had a friend visiting from Atlanta and he left bright and early Sunday morning around 10 a.m. to head back home. After speaking to him again at 4 p.m., I was baffled to find out he was not only still in Florida, he had just passed Gainesville in a very confusing detour off I-75 through side roads, then eventually back on the interstate. My curiosity got me wondering and I began scouring Google to find out what the holdup was. Then I saw the pictures…

One of the most horrible things that can happen on a highway happened early yesterday morning. Living in Florida, and more importantly Gainesville for many years, the crash hits very close to home. The wreck happened after a long line of cars and trucks collided before dawn Sunday on a stretch of Interstate 75 south of Gainesville. The highway was closed Saturday night because of blinding fog and smoke that caused a three-way crash, and then reopened before the chain collisions started around 3:45 a.m. Never have I seen anything quite like the photos. At least a dozen cars and six tractor-trailers were involved, and some burst into flames. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of these crash victims.

Read the story here:

http://www2.tbo.com/news/news/2012/jan/30/1/i-75-pileup-witness-it-looked-like-the-end-of-the--ar-352882/