Cell phone users: deadly dangers on the road Cell phones have forever changed our lives. Thanks to the cell phone, people can make a phone call from just about anywhere. Unfortunately, that convenience created distracted drivers. When cell phones were first introduced, they actually aided motorists in emergency situations, such as an accident on the highway. Motorists could call for help on the scene of the accident. Fast forward to present day when the number of cell phone owners surged to epic numbers. Nowadays, it is more common to see drivers with one hand on the wheel and one hand holding the phone rather than both hands on the wheel. Numerous studies repeatedly find the same results: drivers using cell phones are more likely to crash and cause injuries than drivers not talking on phones. Even when using hands-free devices, motorists are still likely to have an accident. The reason? Drivers pay more attention to their conversations than their driving. When drivers are talking on the phone, their reaction times to situations are delayed. The few seconds a motorist uses to dial his or her phone is all the time it takes to rear-end another driver. As a truck driver, you have to realize in those precious seconds, another motorist can cut over in your lane, and you may not be able to stop in time before hitting the car. Using cell phones when driving does not just affect drivers’ reaction times. Driving behaviors suffer when motorists drive and talk. Unless drivers use handsfree devices, they are driving with only one hand on the wheel. They will switch

lanes without looking and without using a turn signal. Often they are unable to maintain the legal driving speed; they will quickly speed up or suddenly use their brakes. Cell phone motorists also have trouble staying in their own lanes, and they often cut over at the last second to make the highway exit. Another rapidly growing problem is driving while texting (DWT). Truckers should never text while they drive; texting requires too much of your attention, and your eyes need to be on the road at all times. In the five seconds it takes you to send a quick text, you can miss seeing the brake lights on the car ahead of you. Reports increasing show DWT is especially popular with the 16 to 27 crowd, an age group with the least amount of driving experience on our roads. Of all the cell phone functions, texting appears to be the most dangerous be-

cause it requires more interaction from the cell phone user. When texting, a person has to push more buttons on the phone than a normal seven-digit phone number. This means more glancing up and down from the road to the phone. The person usually gets a response from their sent message, which requires him or her to look down at the screen. You have to be are aware that other motorists are DWT because their actions can put you at risk of an accident. Driving and cell phone usage should be avoided. If the phone call is that important or urgent, you should pull over in a safe area and then make the call. The same is true for using your truck’s Qualcomm. If you need to send or view a message, Tango wants you to wait until you are safely stopped before you operate the Qualcomm.

a message from the Gormans We understand its been a tough year for truckers, and we appreciate you for sticking with Tango. From our drivers to our mechanics and driver managers, everyone has been affected. But despite the rough times, our teammates have pulled together to do the best they can. We are fortunate to have such determined and dedicated teammates. Because Tango is working together to stay strong and ride out the economic storm, we know Tango will continue to be a successful company. Tango is pleased to announce a new single source and dedicated deal with Flakeboard, located in Simsboro, La. The operation consists of an on-site manager and five drivers. Tango will be responsible for all outbound transportation from Flakeboard’s Simsboro facility. A special thanks goes to our sales team for working with this new account. We’ve said this before, but it is certainly worth repeating. Please continue to provide excellent service to our customers and pay attention to all safety policies. Customer service and safety will help Tango expand its business with existing customers and attract new opportunities. As always, we thank the Lord for His many blessings, our employees for their loyalty and our customers for their trust. Robert E. Gorman Chairman and CEO

BJ Gorman President

inside this issue

safety: you have to keep at it 3 Safe drivers know you have to practice good driving skills, follow all laws and company policies all the time. If you have newsletter ideas, suggestions or pictures, please contact: Dawn Cross Tango Transport 6009 Financial Plaza Shreveport, LA 71129 Ph: 800-368-0599 ext. 6685 [email protected]

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September 2009

4-5 knowing the law Reviewing the Hours of Service regulations and understanding the Department of Transportation’s authority and how it affects you, the driver. 6 tango news briefs Tango brings back its Driver Referral Rewards Program; Louisiana State Police start enforcing new left lane law; and a list of Tango’s Qualcomm macros.

7 on the move Teammate anniversaries and drivers receiving no log violations. Tango wants to hear from our drivers’ families. Tell us who the best Tango driver, employee or mechanic is. 8 company store Tango has new apparel in its company store. For more information, call 318683-6685.

Being a safe driver all the time, every time A fortune cookie once read, “Customer service is like taking a bath, you have to keep doing it.” Who knows who wrote that two-line fortune, but the analogy is effective and a bit different. Perhaps the fortune cookie was onto something. The fortune could be altered to fit many situations, say even safety. What about, “safety is like taking a bath, you have to keep doing it.” safety and truckers go together like peanut butter and jelly or peanuts and Cracker Jacks at a baseball game or well, the clichés are endless. You can’t say you’re a safe driver if you follow the safety rules, but you don’t complete your pre-trip inspection. It doesn’t work that way. If you don’t wear your seat belt, but you haven’t gotten caught yet, you’re not a safe driver—you’re a risk taker. It’s not enough to have the attitude, “This is how I do things, and I haven’t been in an accident yet.” That mind-set is like playing Russian Roulette with your truck and the general public’s safety. Just because you got lucky in the

past doesn’t mean the same will be true the next time you get in behind the wheel. It’s like your mom would say when you were younger, “You have to use soap and water to wash your hands, otherwise you’re just getting your hands wet.” Being a safe driver means you do all the required steps all the time, every time. It means improving bad habits like skipping pre-trip inspections to allowing time to complete the inspections. Becoming a safe driver or maintaining your safety skills requires time, dedication and a willing attitude. sure you could get in the truck and drive down the highway. However, the real challenge is delivering your loads on time while obeying all laws and policies. safe and experienced truckers know this: if truck driving was easy, then everyone could drive a big rig. Remember this the next time you get in your truck: your driving career and CDL are at stake whenever you drive. If you are caught breaking the law or you are involved in an accident, that in-

cident is listed on your Motor vehicle Record (MvR). Your CDL and MvR are your only lifelines in the trucking industry. Obviously you need a CDL to drive, but a clean MvR is vital to keeping your current job or finding a job elsewhere. For the sake of your driving career, if you haven’t committed yourself to safety, start today. Realize you are investing in your future when you obey all laws and when you make time to ensure your equipment is safe. Employees in our safety department are available to help you be safe and successful at Tango.

BEINg A sAFE DRIvER means you do all the required steps all the time, EvERY TIME. tANGO tOpICS

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Knowing and obeying the law Recently, Tango’s operations staff experienced a DOT roadside inspection when representatives from the Louisiana State Police Department visited the Shreveport office. Tango driver Rich Arrington, truck no. 8108, brought his truck by to use during the demonstration. It is your responsibility to be safe when driving on the roads and highways. Like all trucking companies, Tango and our drivers are required to obey the Hours of service (HOs) regulations created by the Federal Motor Carrier safety Administration (FMCsA). According to the FMCsA, the law states Tango cannot permit or require any of its drivers/owner operators to drive a truck, nor can a Tango driver/owner operator drive a truck if it would violate the HOs. As a driver, you have to pay close attention to your HOs and know what loads you can haul safely and legally.

Driving time, as defined by the law Within the 14-hour on duty limit, you can only drive 11 hours before you are required to take a 10-hour break. Once you drive your 11 hours, you have reached your legal limit. By law, you are now required to take an uninterrupted break before you can legally drive again. FMCsA clearly defines what it means by a 10-hour uninterrupted break. Of the 10 hours, you are required to be in the sleeper berth at least eight hours uninterrupted. Legally, you have six ways to fulfill this requirement.

HOS definitions A violation happens when: 7 You drive more than 11 cumulative hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty. 7 You fail to meet the 10 consecutive hours break, which requires you to be in the sleeper berth for eight consecutive hours and two hours off duty. 7 You drive anytime after the end of the 14 hours on duty following 10 consecutive hours off. 7 You were on duty 70 hours in any period of eight consecutive days. 4

September 2009

FMCsA clearly defines its HOs regulations so you will know exactly how your logs should be filled out. 7 Line 1 – Off Duty: time spent at home, days off, on vacation or sick. 7 Line 2 – sleeper Berth: time spent in the sleeper berth. 7 Line 3 – Driving: time spent at the driving controls of a commercial motor vehicle. 7 Line 4 – On Duty: all time from the minute you begin work or you are required to be in readiness to work until the time you are relieved from work and all responsibly.

According to the law, it does not matter how few hours you drove in that 14-hour time limit. When the time runs out, you have to take a break. Once you log On Duty for time spent loading, unloading and waiting on dispatch, that time counts against your 14 hours. FMCSA also defines what it means by On Duty. 7 Time spent waiting to be dispatched

Keeping your Permit Books current

7 Inspecting, servicing or conditioning any Tango truck 7 Time spent loading or unloading 7 Repairing or in attendance of a disable vehicle 7 Providing drug and alcohol samples, including travel time 7 Time spent on the scene of an accident 7 Time spent during a DOT inspection

What can DOT do? A DOT officer can inspect your truck for any reason, anywhere. During the inspection, if you are found in violation, the officer can place you out of service for 10 hours. violations result in fines. Not only will you lose valuable drive time, which affects your weekly pay, you’re also paying for the offense. Double whammy. The most common violations spotted by DOT during roadside inspections are within your control. Those violations are: log violations; record duty of status not current; and vehicle defects, which you would have discovered during your pre-trip inspection. Lately DOT officers have expanded their interpretation of the HOs and compliance—and this has not gone unnoticed by truckers everywhere. In some areas, if a DOT officer deems you to be fatigued, you can now be put out of service, even if you are current with your HOs. Yes, you are obeying the HOs and spending eight uninterrupted hours in your sleeper berth, but based on recent actions by DOT, officers want you to actually rest during those sleeper berth hours. For example, you may have heard about the Minnesota DOT creating a fatigued driving checklist. Officers use this checklist to look for items such as the condition of your cab; they will check if you have debris in your cab; if your wastebasket is full; if you have empty food wrappers or soda cans in your cab; and if you have debris on your mattress. It does not matter if you think the checklist is fair, DOT is using their authority to make sure you are getting proper rest. You should always be ready for a roadside inspection. It is safe to assume each time you head out, you will be stopped by a DOT officer. Being prepared for a roadside inspection means having your paperwork current, obeying HOs and having a respectful attitude toward the officer.

Do not let an expired Permit Book cause you to get a roadside inspection violation. Take a moment to check your Permit Book to see if the information is current. Here is a list of the items that need to be in your book and the dates that should be listed. Louisiana Liability Insurance State of Louisiana 02/01/2009 – 02/01/2010 Louisiana Cab Card and Vehicle Registration Expires 12/31/2009 Unified Carrier Registration Receipt Registration Year 2009 Interstate Commerce Commission Service Date February 22, 2008 Alliance For Uniform Hazmat Issuance Date 19-May-2009 Federal Hazmat Hazardous Materials Certificate Issuance Date 05/06/2009 International Fuel Tax Agreement IFTA License License Year 2009 California Hazmat License Expiration Date 11/30/2009 Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission License Expires 10/20/2009 Colorado Hazmat Permit Valid November 2, 2008 through November 2, 2009 Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Commission Permit 2009 Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Permit Expiration Date 11/10/2009­ If any permits in your book are expired or your book is old and dirty, contact our safety department immediately so they can get your Permit Book current and readable. For more information, call Sherry Stoneking at 800-368-0599 ext. 6682. tANGO tOpICS 5

Tango news briefs Driver Referral Rewards Program back in action Tango is pleased to announce the return of our Driver Referral Program. Here is how it works. You earn $250 for every hired owner operator or driver you refer to Tango. The referral program is limited to our drivers and owner operators. “This is a great program for our drivers because they can earn extra money by telling other drivers about driving for Tango,” Joe gabbard, vice president of capacity development, said. “This is our way of rewarding drivers who help us recruit new hires.” Payment for referrals is paid at one time. You receive $250 after the driver or owner operator you referred completes 60 days of employment with

Tango. The best part is you are not limited to how many referrals you make or the referral rewards you earn. “Our drivers truly contribute to our recruiting efforts. They talk to a lot of drivers, and they share their driving experiences about Tango,” gabbard said. “For other drivers to hear what it is like at Tango from one of our drivers is an excellent way to attract qualified drivers to join our team.” Referred drivers must meet Tango’s driver applicant and safety requirements and complete the three-day orientation in shreveport, La. Tango company drivers benefit from driver-friendly and no-touch freight, consistent miles, experienced dispatchers, fuel discount

Louisiana enforces new left lane restrictions As of Aug. 15, law enforcement officers in Louisiana are allowed to pull over drivers who linger in the left lane and block traffic. The left lane should be used for passing, and slower moving traffic should use the other lanes. Louisiana state Police will issue tickets to violators. Exceptions to the lane rule will be made for preparing to turn at an intersection or when the right lane is congested. Louisiana already had a separate law in place prohibiting drivers from using the left lane if they are moving at less than the normal speed of traffic. state Police are taking an aggressive stance on preventing motorists, whether they are driving cars or semi trucks, from creating rolling roadblocks. When motorists linger in the far left lane, they create a clutter of traffic, which causes other motorists to get impatient and make impulsive driving decisions. Motorists then start using the middle and right lanes to pass vehicles, 6

September 2009

which can lead to accidents around highway entrances and exits. Louisiana joins 20 other states with left lane restrictions. Oklahoma, has a similar law that prohibits drivers from lingering in the left lane, clogging traffic. Officers will ticket motorists if they stay in the left lane and do not use it as a passing lane. In other law making news, earlier this year, Arkansas implemented a law banning text messaging while driving. This applies to drivers of all ages. starting Oct. 1, officers can stop drivers for using cell phones while they drive, meaning you can be stopped for texting without committing any other traffic violation. Tennessee also bans texting while drivers; offenders face fines and court costs. Illinois is working on a law that would increase the state’s idling fines. The state wants to limit diesel-powered vehicles of gross weight of 8,000 lbs. or more from stationary idling for more than 10 minutes in Chicago and East st. Louis.

cards, safety incentives, health insurance and competitive pay with scheduled home time. Owner operators who lease with Tango can expect paid tolls and scales, non-forced dispatched, satellite communication, layover and detention pay, consistent freight, a fuel price protection program as well as furnished base plates and permits. “When you refer a driver or owner operator to Tango, make sure you get the credit for it,” gabbard said. “give them your name and truck number and let them know to give your contact information to the Tango recruiter.” For more details, contact a Tango recruiter at (866) 873-9135.

Tango’s QualComm Macros Macro #0 Macro #1 Macro #2 Macro #3 Macro #4 Macro #5 Macro #6 Macro #7 Macro #8 Macro #10 Macro #11 Macro #14 Macro #22 Macro #23 Macro #24 Macro #38 Macro #39 Macro #45 Macro #46 Macro #47 Macro #51

Free form messages Arrival at shipper Loaded call Arrived at additional stop Loading or unloading call Arrived at consignee Empty call (final destination) Hours of service Request for directions Preplan committed Termination call Detention Flatbed weekly inventory Change my ETA Change my PTA In line for service Service complete Breakdown RDO Request Accident 34 hour reset

On the Move

with teaM tango

Teammate anniversaries 11 years Jonathan Cooper 9 years Donald Black James Coleman Richard Durban Kellye Durrance Jan Kyker Robert Moore 7 years JoAnn Carter 6 years Darrell Gorman 5 years Aundrea Brown 4 years Melissa Boje Steve Crymes Corey Gordon Clayton Kibler Jonathan Larkin Diana Sexton Jonathan Thomas Gillam Tinsley Memore Winston Michelle Woodburn 3 years Vincent Brown Lonnie Detrick Wilie Dunbar Marion Freeman

3 years Annie Jennings James Jennings Ronald Marchand Roy Paige Daniel Stehm Desmond Wells Ruben Whittle 2 years Keith Cason Damon Daigre John Davis Kathleen Dickens Maurice Efferson James Green Gary Hull Melvin Jackson Woody Jenkins Jr. Dennis Johnson Willie McGee Franklin Novinger Robert Pietsch Bill Singleton 1 year Charles Bostick Johnnie Donald Ronald Gibbs John Godfrey Terrance Smith Hardy Stevenson Arthur Stewart Eric Tucker Tracy Vaughan James Ward Jr.

Visit us online Check out Tango’s redesigned Web site at www.tangotransport.com. There you will find links to Tango’s transportation services, driving opportunities and company store. If you would like to have Tango’s newsletter e-mailed to you each month, send your e-mail address to: [email protected] or call 318683-6685.

No log violations: Congratulations to our drivers for receiving a no violation in May, June and July. Johnnie Alexander Malcolm Anthony Matthew Arnett Arthur Brown Lonnie Detrick Candi Dugan Robert Faulcon Anthony Francis Lloyd George Isaac Guest Joseph Hamilton Glen Helton Timothy Hicks Sammy Houston Alan King

Izet Kudic Howard Lancaster Robert Lewis Margie Long Dedrick Lucas David Marsh Cordette Matheny Thomas McCain Jr. Kathryn McCollum Lyndal McDaniel Malvin McKinney Jr. Timothy Merritt Walter Moss Jr. Kevin Overton Armond Ownes Jr.

TH Palm Teddy Parker Deborah Powell Swanda Powell Douglas Rissman Freddie Sanders Kenyatte Seals Richard Slang Michael Smith Tommy Stratton Ray Trussell Michael Williams James Wilson Jr.

Congratulations to these drivers for their multiple no violations: Tommy Stratton: Texas and Arkansas Jerry Long: Kansas and Mississippi

Searching for Tango’s best Whenever I attend Tango’s safety meetings, I always talk to our drivers, and I get to hear all kinds of tall tales. But I also get to hear the drivers talk about how special their families are. I know Tango has great drivers, but I’d like to hear from our drivers’ families. Tell me why you think your husband, wife, dad, mom or grandparent is the best driver, employee or mechanic Tango has in 300 words or less. Entries can be sent to Dawn Cross through e-mail at [email protected] or they can be mailed to 6009 Financial Plaza, Shreveport LA 71129. Deadline is September 11; entries will be published in Tango’s newsletter. Please include: • your name • the name of the Tango driver/employee • your relationship to the Tango driver/employee • your phone number • age (if 14 and under) Prizes will be awarded for the best entry. For more information, please call 800-368-0599 ext. 6685.

The doctor is just a call away... Tango employees and company drivers enrolled in Tango’s medical insurance and TelaDoc can call 1-800-835-2362 to receive medical consultations over the phone. Participants can call from anywhere—work or on the road—and speak with a physician. TelaDoc is a national network of licensed, board certified primary care physicians. Each time you call TelaDoc, you are charged a $10 copay that is separate from Tango’s medical insurance fees. tANGO tOpICS

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Tango’s company store Name Truck # Phone # ( ) Item(s) can be sent to a Tango terminal. Circle one: West Memphis Sibley You will be contacted when items are ready. Forms can be sent in your log envelopes. QTY

New! Black Flame Cap $10.99 Adjustable velcro size strap.

New! Navy Blue Stripe Cap $10.99

Medium $10.99 3XL, 4XL $12.99 Adjustable velcro Large, XL $10.99 5XL $13.99 size strap. 2XL $11.99 For more company store items, visit the Shreveport office, or go online at www.tangotransport.com to download a catalog. Forms are also available at our terminals.

ITEM

COLOR

I authorize Tango Transport to deduct the purchase amount from my paycheck. Signature For more information, call 318-683-6685.

6009 Financial Plaza Shreveport, LA 71129

New! Truck Pocket T-Shirts Cotton pocket T-shirt. Tango logo above the pocket and a Tango truck on the back. Colors/sizes: Black: Med. — 5XL Tan: Med. — 2XL Navy: Med. — 3XL Dark Green: Med. — 3XL

SIZE