The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck is just around the corner. The 72-hour enforcement event is set to take place Tuesday, May 17 through Thursday, May 19. At Oakley, we are all about safety and making sure our drivers are happy. Each team member in our Oakley Family plays an important role in keeping our equipment in tip-top shape so we can keep moving and stay on the road. Oakley Transport Director of Safety, Kelly McDowell says, “Safe and efficient productivity is the name of the game in trucking.”, which is why we take the annual CVSA International Roadcheck very seriously. This year, inspectors will pay close attention to wheel-end compliance, which includes the wheels, hubs and tires on a commercial motor vehicle. According to the CVSA, these violations historically account for one quarter of the vehicle out-of-service violations discovered during International Roadcheck. In addition to wheel-end compliance, inspectors will be looking for any critical vehicle inspection item violations, such as coupling devices, tires, wheels, windshield wipers, and brake systems. Non-compliant vehicles will be placed out of service and those trucks will not be able to be legally be operated until the issues are corrected. Inspectors will also be on the lookout for proper seat belt usage and visual signs of fatigue or drug/alcohol abuse or impairment. Drivers should make sure to get plenty of rest and to follow all of the rules of the road. Some of the top things inspectors will be looking at during inspection of wheel-end compliance are:
For a complete list of 2022 Roadcheck Focus Area items, visit the CVSA website here https://www.cvsa.org/programs/international-roadcheck/focus-area/.
With this year’s Roadcheck just a month away, now is the time to prepare and ensure that we are all operating as compliantly as possible.
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Keeping your cab clean and organized is always helpful, but limited space organization can be tough. With busy schedules, finite cabin space, and all the equipment a truck has, your truck can go from squeaky clean to a scattered mess in 0-60. We have six simple tips to help you keep your rig organized while you’re on the road.
1. Set up a Mobile Office Accurate record-keeping means you need a space for a laptop or tablet and organized file folders. Oakley Transport’s fleet of Volvo VNL trucks offer working and living spaces optimized for comfortability and productivity. Our VNL trucks include a designated workspace in your bunk area. Utilize the built-in office space as a desk for your laptop or tablet and an accordion folder to keep all of your important papers in one space instead of scattered about the cab. 2. Keep your paperwork organized A well-organized accordion folder in your truck is the perfect compact filing system for receipts, and other important documents that won’t send paperwork spilling out if it gets knocked over. Having all of your documents organized in one place not only keeps your cab tidy, but it can be helpful during roadside inspections, allowing you to have essential documents all in one convenient place to get you back on the road smoother and faster. 3. Extra Storage / Organization Stackable mini crates or a collapsible car trunk organizer with multiple compartments are great ways to keep items from being shuffled around during a drive and will help you keep everything organized. Using crates that are less than a square foot, stackable, and securable will create a vertical storage option for your cab, while a soft collapsible car trunk organizer with separation barriers that create compartments for your storage needs can be collapsed and easily tucked away when not in use. You can store food, CDs, DVDs, clothing, books and anything else that needs a home inside your cab. 4. Wipe Everything Down When you stop to fuel up or to take a break, take a minute to quickly wipe down the inside of your truck with a wet wipe. Keep wet wipes and other handy cleaning supplies in a seat back organizer. They hang from the back of your seat and do a great job of organizing items such as cleaning supplies, flashlights, gloves and tools. Seat-back organizers take up very little space in your cab. 5. No Trash Left Behind Don’t wait for every few days to clean out your trash. Every time you stop to fuel up, take a few more minutes to collect and get rid of any trash after you wipe down the inside of your truck. Make emptying your wastebasket a priority. We also recommend shaking out your floor mats to get rid of any dirt tracked in. You’ll never have to worry about your trash bin getting full or a stale cab with littered, dirty floors. 6. Toolbox/Bag Organization Nothing is more frustrating when you can’t find the tool you need. Don’t leave your tools scattered around your cab, keep your toolbox/bag fully stocked and put all tools back in their correct place. This will save you time and frustration when you need something. Depending on the size of the toolbox, you can keep it in one of your side storage compartment. Implementing these six simple tips will save you time, get you organized, and keep your cab sparkling clean, helping you to really get your #OakleyShineOn! Even OTR drivers need to receive the occasional package. Amazon is designed to make our lives easier with 1-click ordering available 24-hours a day, convenient order tracking, and free shipping. But where do you have your order shipped to when you’re not home for days or weeks at a time? If you haven’t heard about Amazon Hub Lockers yet, today is your lucky day!
Have you noticed Amazon lockers at truck stop locations such as Flying J, TA, Texaco, maybe even Nobles in Kentucky? Getting what you need delivered to a truck stop is a new Amazon Prime convenience. While it isn’t available at every truck stop yet, more and more are offering Amazon hub lockers as an amenity. Amazon has Hub Lockers in over 900 cities across the United States, so they are bound to have a Hub Locker located along your route. There is no need to wait for home-time to order those extra toiletries, socks, work gloves or the newest lumbar support pillow. Amazon Hub Lockers are a fully automated, secure, and convenient delivery solution for Amazon Prime customers to pick up packages rather than have them delivered to their homes, and the process is simple. When choosing a delivery address at checkout, select “Search for a Pickup Point Location Near You” and ship to that address. When your package is ready Amazon will send you an email with the pick-up information. Collect your package within three days after delivery. If you get delayed or rerouted and can’t get to the locker, no worries. After the third day, Amazon will take the package back and issue you a full refund. Click here to find an Amazon Hub Locker location along your route. January is all about fresh starts. Here's to a new year of setting goals and making them happen, Oakley Family!
Simple everyday changes can make for a more productive and rewarding day in the cab. Check out our smart snacking suggestions inspired by the VA's Healthy Eating Tips for Truck Drivers. We were so excited to share the winners of our annual Christmas Card Contest from the littlest members of the Oakley Family, showcasing their artistic talents. This year, we decided to forego voting and awarded all artists with a $25 gift card for their submissions. Please take a moment to enjoy the beautiful and colorful executions from our contestants this year! The littlest members of the Oakley Family really help us to remember what this season is all about- family, freedom, togetherness, and gratitude! Entries: Scarlett Boswell- (Age 1) Granddaughter of Judy Sherry in our breakdown department Sonny Josefik- (Age 6) Son of SAV terminal manager Jay Josefik Wyatt Josefik- (Age 9) Son of SAV terminal manager Jay Josefik Drake Rodriguez- (Age 10) Grandson of Driving Professional Daryl Selby, Truck 4149
Have you completed your active duty? Wondering what comes next after discharge from military? Use the skills you learned serving your country and transform them into a fulfilling and successful career at Oakley Transport.
Veterans are a vital part of the Oakley Family. The same hard work and dedication you learned in the military is great preparation for a career in the trucking industry. If you were a Motor Transport Operator, you’ve already got additional experience with large vehicles that puts you ahead of others. Most military personnel are technically savvy, driven, and hard workers, and often have worked with heavy equipment. Even those who haven't worked with heavy equipment possess the grit and work ethic that many trucking companies are seeking in a Professional Driver. These are the qualities that allow veterans to promote more quickly through the company than most. Michael DeLucia is a Veteran and Professional Driver at Oakley Transport. He got a new truck to take on his OTR routes in Iowa. Check out what he has to say about being a driver at Oakley:
Oakley offers steady pay and great benefits. Most of our Professional Drivers earn on average $70,000 and more. As a Veteran, we offer potential drivers a military sign-on bonus paid out over 18 months from the date of hire.
You must provide one year of verifiable tractor-trailer experience and DD214 honorable discharge for the bonus. Learn more about our Veteran benefits and driving opportunities at Oakley Transport now: https://www.oakleytransport.com/employment.html#openpositions When it comes to over-the-road (OTR) driving, you spend a lot of time cruising through different cities at all hours of the day and night. Here are a few benefits of being an OTR driver with the Oakley Transport Family:
You get to know your truck When you’re an OTR driver, you get familiar with your Volvo pretty quickly. You’ll need to know (or learn!) things like how to complete a simple repair, change a tire, track your mileage, stay on track with your loads, and so much more. OTR driving requires time management, safety management, and efficiency more than anything. Exploring scenery One of the best things about OTR driving is taking in the different cities on your route. From driving down endless roads of trees and greenery to navigating through sandy terrains, there’s always something new to admire from your windows and at rest stops. Be sure to take a minute, press pause, and look around. Snap a photo and enjoy the destination when you’re there. Take advantage of those breaks. Establishing trust As you gain more experience as an OTR driver, you’ll add credibility and longevity to your career, which could lead to more flexibility in your routes and deliveries. The key is to show up, get the job done, and drive safely. Practicing safe driving and timeliness can go a long way. Ready to join the Oakley family? Check out our open positions and apply today! Oakley Transport celebrated Driver Appreciation Week Sept. 12-17. It’s an important time for the nation to show its appreciation and thank all the professional drivers around the country for their commitment to delivering goods timely, securely, and while also maintaining safety on the highways. It’s especially important to thank our Professional Drivers due to their significant role in keeping America fed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year. We had a blast celebrating Driver Appreciation Week! From the numerous social media contests and virtual scavenger hunts to the delicious breakfasts at all our terminals each morning. Our main goal was to ensure every one of our drivers felt appreciated and had some fun. Everyone enjoyed the #OakleyShineOn contest, funky face mask selfies, spirit day costumes, wear RED and Military-inspired outfit days and so much more. Thank you endlessly, Oakley family for a great week and more importantly, for your daily commitment to excellence and dedication to keeping our country running. We couldn’t do it without you. Check out some of the highlights from the week below!
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Brake Safety Week is August 22-28 and during this week, commercial vehicle inspectors highlight the importance of functioning brake systems by conducting inspections and removing commercial motor vehicles with brake-related violations from the roadways. August also happens to be Brake Safety Awareness Month.
During this week, enforcement officials will inspect trucks and place any vehicles out-of-service if they see that your brake system efficiency falls below the minimum of 43.5 percent. All vehicles that passing inspections will receive a CVSA decal certifying a passed inspection. Pay close attention to your brake hoses and tubing, which must be properly attached, without leaks, corrosion, or any type of damage. While it’s always important to check all tubes during your pre-trip inspection, really take the time to slowly inspect your air brake system and all brake components, contacting your supervisor if you come across any red flags. Here are the top items to visually check on regularly and during your pre-trip inspection:
CVSA provides a helpful brake inspection checklist. Check it out online and save it to your phone for easy reference before a trip. Properly functioning brake systems are crucial to driver safety and everyone else on the road. Remember, save the date: August 22-28 and be safe out on the roads, Oakley Family! We view every employee like family. When you join the Oakley family, you’re welcomed with open arms, professional training, and great benefits. Here are four reasons why you should join the Oakley family.
1) Family-first Culture When you work with Oakley Transport, you’re not just a number, you always have a support team who’s got your back. We’ll even give you a call on your birthday. As an employee, you’re our most valuable asset, and we’re committed to offering you a better quality of life with better benefits, better equipment, and better pay. 2) Benefits As a member of the Oakley family, you’ll receive great benefits, competitive pay, safe and advanced equipment, and plenty of other perks. Here’s a look at just a few of your benefits as a member of the Oakley family:
3) Great Equipment We believe in investing in the best equipment possible to keep drivers and customers happy. Oakley’s Volvo tractors are on a regularly scheduled preventative maintenance and trade cycles, keeping our fleet near 600 tractors fresh, up to date and ready to keep you rolling. We also have a state-of-the-art tractor repair facility, with more than 20 well-trained and qualified technicians to take care of maintenance repairs. Our technicians can acquire Volvo certification on-site through the customer service portal (known as Volvo University). 4) Ongoing training to keep you safe Your education is the foundation for future success. When you’re part of the Oakley family, training is ongoing. You’ll have access to advanced training courses to make sure you’re safe and confident on the job. You have the opportunity to experience operational training and our driver training program known as X Class. With exceptional courses, we can improve the transportation industry together and you can continue learning throughout your career. Ready to join the Oakley family? Check out our open positions and apply today! |
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