Your Voice Is Heard: Recent Episodes
CFI
Former professional drivers Adam Sparlin and Jeff Thurlow host a monthly podcast where they discuss a variety of transportation and trucking industry topics.
More information on the COVID-19 closing safety message available here https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
https://www.cvsa.org/news-entry/2020-roadcheck/
https://www.agweb.com/article/dot-finalizes-new-hours-service-rules-truck-drivers
- https://www.cvsa.org/program/programs/operation-airbrake/brake-safety-campaigns/
- https://cdldigest.com/cdl-pre-trip-inspection-brake-check/
- https://www.joc.com/trucking-logistics/truckload-freight/comcar-truckload-asset-deal-expands-canada%E2%80%99s-tfi%E2%80%99s-us-reach_20200629.html
https://trucking.org/news-insights/ata-welcomes-new-hours-service-rule
https://trucking.org/COVID19
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/hurricanepreparedness/index.html
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It's time for the April edition of the Your Voice is Heard Podcast. This month we are tackling the latest COVID-19 news and how it is impacting drivers out on the road. We are joined by CFI's V.P of Sales Mike Cervin and CFI's V.P. of Operations Michael Hinz to talk about how the health crisis is effecting the trucking industry.
Please visit these links to keep up to date on what is going on with truck stops that you are visiting and what they are doing about the Covid-19 Pandemic. These websites will be the best place to get information on what they are doing and what closures they have.
https://www.ta-petro.com/newsroom/covid-19-response
https://pilotflyingj.com/covid-response
https://www.loves.com/covid19
http://www.sappbros.net/covid-19-notice
https://www.roadrangerusa.com/
https://www.grandamerica.com/grand-america-hotels-resorts-covid-19-update/
(remember that LIttle America Travel Centers are a part of the Grand America family of hotels, so their response page is tied to the whole company, not just the travel centers)
Your hosts Adam Sparlin and Jeff Thurlow are joined by CFI President Greg Orr and V.P. of U.S. Truckload Dustin Quesenberry to discuss how the COVID-19 outbreak is impacting the trucking industry, but first, they share some tips on how you can stay safe.
This month we are back in the Driver’s Seat with Professional Drivers Greg and Stephanie Klang. Between the two of them, the couple has more than 6 million miles on the road.
Listen in as Greg and Stephanie talk about how they met at CFI and got married, how truck driving has provided them with a wonderful life, and how the industry has changed since they first got behind the wheel over 30 years ago.
(3:40) Greg and Stephanie.
Welcome to 2020 everyone! Time sure flies doesn't it? With the changing times comes changing technologies. Gabby Francisco joins the show to talk about Workplace by Facebook and how this technology is helping improve communication for professional drivers.
(4:45) Gabby Francisco
Can you believe its already December? Its been a tumultuous year for the trucking industry. CFI President and EVP of US Truckload for TFI Greg Orr sits down with the guys to talk about 2019 and gives some insight on what he sees for CFI and the industry in the year ahead.
Your calls. Our executives' answers.
Tune in to hear the executive team give the state of CFI before taking YOUR questions.
Welcome to a special epi--hey wait a minute! What are you doing?
Get out of here fellas! This is Gretchen and Mandy and we are taking over the show this month! October is Women in Trucking month as well as Brest Cancer Awareness month.
Senior Manager of Road Service Traci Crane joins the show to talk about how the transportation industry has changed for women and share some of the amazing things that CFI's Women In Leadership group has been doing.
Adam Sparlin sneaks back on the show and tells us about some of the changes coming to be aware of for fuel.
(3:53) Traci Crane
(14:32) Adam Sparlin
Welcome to a special bonus episode of YVH! Senior Maintenance Service Adviser James Grant joins the show to talk about tips for getting your truck ready for winter and shares his list of items to put in your truck now before winter weather hits.
Frequent guest and Senior Manager of Safety Andy Standefer pops in with the guys to share his winter driving stories and safe driving tips when winter strikes.
(1:49) James Grant
(20:32) Andy Standefer
Helpful Youtube Videos:
Winter driving tips with Stephanie
https://youtu.be/VUHqAF-JEgM
Weather shutdown app
https://youtu.be/JyAosv1YfDs
Hey professional drivers, we have a BIG episode for you this month!
Adam and Jeff fill you in on the latest announcements including everything you need to know about Truckloads of Treasures.
Tim Hicks joins the show to talk about some CFI history and the ways we currently support our professional drivers.
Friend of the show Brett Schwab stops by to talk about the new changes to operations and how these changes will better serve our professional drivers.
Don't miss Benefits Manager Candice Pickett who joins the show to introduce the new 2020 benefits package!
(1:34) Truckloads of Treasure
(16:05) Tim Hicks talks about CFI history and planning
(41:55) Brett Schwab introduces the new changes in operations
(1:05:03) Candice Pickett unveils the new 2020 benefits
Welcome to our military tribute episode! Today we are joined by Neil Lamont, veterans advocate at CFI along with Army Captain Andy Hyers to discuss upcomming military events and CFI's committment to being True to the Troops.
Dont miss professional driver Darrell Bogan, driver of one of our military wrapped trucks, joining us to talk about his background in the military and his stories from the road about what its like when people see the military tribute on his truck.
Finally, Kevin Wagner joins us to talk about the Wreath Ride and what it means to military families not only in Ft Scott Kansas, but across the nation.
Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations Mike Hinz joins us to talk about the state of the industry and what to expect in the coming months, then we open the lines and take your calls!
Have a question or feedback you would like to provide? Send an email to communications@cfidrive.com to have it featured on the quarterly IC Your Voice is Heard.
Join us for a idle myth-busting session with Kris Ptasznik, Product Manager, Heavy Duty on Highway, Cummins. Becky Kerr stops by with perspective from the driver's seat and SVP Sales & Operations Michael Hinz gives the transportation industry update.
This month’s YVH is all ELD all the time. Adam and Jeff are joined by Andy Standefer from the Safety Department, Bryan Robertson from Training, and CFI Professional Driver Albert Arriola to discuss the new ELD program and when driver can expect to have it in their trucks.
Our quarterly Independent Contractor edition of the podcast is here with the gang ready to answer YOUR questions!
Executive Q & A
Safety message
• Andy Standefer, manager safety
President
• Greg Orr, president
• Mike Hinz, svp sales and operations
Safety
• Andy Standefer, manager safety
Maintenance
• Randy, vp maintenance
IT
• Tom Anderson, vp it
Operations
• Dustin Quesenberry, vp operations
Marketing
• Katlin Owens, sr marketing mgr/Angie Ridge, vp hr tag team
o Workplace is coming the 20th professional communication tool
Safety Message & Intro
• Hands Free Device
o Talk about the safety sandwich initiative
News/Announcements
• Teaser about new wrapped trucks coming
o 2 Military
o 2 SheDrivesCFI
o 1 First Responder
o 2 new Military Trailers
• Quick Reference Guide available at the Terminals
• Cat Scale App
o Save time by not having to get out of the truck
• Transflo Mobile Plus
o Low data use
o Scan before you drop a relay
• Team Match program
o Link on the documents tab of the Driver Dashboard
Customer Service
• Brian Taylor, Sr. Manager, Operations
o Talking Freight
o Team Lanes
MPG/Fuel & Route
• Randy Cornell, VP Maintenance
o Randy’s background
o Why MPG is important
o What the company does
o Driving habits
o Idle
o Fuel & Route
Guest Segment
• Greg Orr, President CFI and Transport America
o Current delays on freight coming from Mexico
o Growing Mexico & Canada
o Looking ahead for CFI & Transforce US Operations
Closing
• New Detention policy in place
o $16 instead of $12
• Safety Message
o Turn Around, Don’t Drown
o Most vehicles will float away in 18-24 inches of running water. The weight and ground clearance of your vehicle do not improve the odds.
o It only takes 6 inches of running water to be capable of sweeping you off your feet
This month we start off with a safety message from the Joplin Police Department.
News/Announcements
• Fleet Insurance Card now available on the Driver Dashboard
• Quick Reference Guide available on Dashboard, and soon for pick up at CFI Terminals
• Wilmer Yard – reach out to Patrick
CFI Recruiting
• Marcus Edwards, Sr. Director Driver Resources
o What is a director of driver resources
o Marcus’ background
o How he came to CFI
o Driver Referral program
Drivers are the best recruiters
o Detention Pay update
Guest Segment
• Bill Carter, Vice President CFI Logistics
o Bill’s background
o Starting CFI Logistics
o Current State
o What the future holds
Talking about Driveway
Jeff Yarnall, Director of Safety, joins us to talk about event recorders.
Reminders include 1099s went out in the mail on Jan 25 contact settlements extension 22410 if a reprint is needed. Going to be off the truck a month? The only insurance we require through the contract hauling agreement is non-trucking liability, you can save by adjusting when not driving.
Opening
• Intro’s
o Jeff and Adam's first experience with a truck, when you started in the industry, and a history of your experience to today
• Why the change from the live call in with the executive team
o Still an open door policy, and the executives are as approachable as ever
o We now have multiple lines of communication, and a middle management team that listens and responds to driver concerns
• Format of the podcast
o Mix of YVH questions, industry news, interviews, and some fun joke segments and YouTube gags
• How to notify YVH and DAP
President’s Update
• Short update on CFI from Greg or Mike
Guest Segments
• Greg Garton & Scott Robbins
o Who/What/When/Where(background)
o Relationship of MHC & CFI
Early days
Con-way/mixed fleet
Return of CFI
• Return of the red racer
o Tech changes since our first T-600 in 1986?
Trucks
Powertrain (engines & transmissions)
Safety
• Side radar, collision mitigation, lane departure, future technology
Answering concerns about Driveway
• Guest Andy Standefer
You laugh you lose – Dad Joke Challenge