Thats a Wrap on 2022!
Happy New Year!!!
As 2022 comes to a close, we want to thank our employees for a tremendous job keeping up with the increasing pace of todays logistics environment. We would also like to thank our customers for consistently trusting PTI to handle their logistics needs.
From Brooklyn, to Houston, to Los Angeles, and even Anchorage, PTI has delivered all over in 2022. Here are some stats from this year that are fun and show some of the hard work our team puts in.
Between both our carrier and brokerage divisions, we have hauled about 84,115,492lbs in 2022. That equates to hauling roughly 1051 fully loaded tractor trailers or 280 adult Blue Whales. This averaged to roughly 30,000lbs per shipment this year. Not bad considering we haul many LTL shipments throughout the year.
In 2022, we delivered to 46 states, the District of Columbia and four Canadian Provinces. The only states not to receive a delivery this year were Hawaii, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Oregon. One delivery already on the schedule to deliver in Oregon in the first weeks of 2023! Nxt year it would be nice to hit all 50. Do I hear a sales trip to HI in the future? ? ?
This year, we were loaded for 1,416,304 miles. That is 56.877 times around the world OR to the moon and back three times!
The office received approximately 140,000 email messages, sent about the same and sent and received countless phone calls.
All in all, a successful year and very proud of our team. Cheers to everyone out there. I wish you a very happy, safe and prosperous 2023 and beyond. Keep. On. Truckin’.
-Mike
Thanks a latte, summer of 2022!
Some highlights of 2022 so far here at Preferred Transportation.
As the sun begins to set on our East Coast Summer and the kids go back to school, we should all grab a few more iced coffees, or ice creams, and enjoy the rest of the warm weather the Northeast has to offer. Though this year has come with many challenges and difficult decisions, it also brought new opportunities and success. Here are a few cool stories from this year so far.
The Longest trip
Me watching the freight move from Pennsylvania to Anchorage, AK- Circa 2022.
It isn’t every day that your customer tasks you with moving equipment to Anchorage, AK. Road expansion, temporary traffic improvement, and site safety are some of the solutions our customer offers to the United States and Canada. When we got the call to schedule such a shipment, our team was excited for the challenge. After all, it isn’t every day you get to focus on a project that takes hours of research, weeks of planning, and careful coordination to get right. The units were going to be available to ship only a few weeks before the delivery date so the margin for error was slim. At about 4300 miles, it would take roughly 80-90 hours driving time or roughly 2 weeks to drive a truck from the shipper in Pennsylvania to the final destination in Alaska. Only a few carriers in the United States or Canada are equipped or even capable of performing such a haul. Drivers need to equip their trucks with extra tools, tires, equipment, and possibly fuel to be comfortable traveling some of these remote areas. Fuel stops can be hundreds of miles apart and parts and truck services are very limited. Due to the complexity and cost, the team decided it was most efficient to send the equipment to the West Coast, transloaded into a container, hitch a ride on a barge, and sail the rest of the way North. The next leg was a short final delivery via local flatbed to the customer in Anchorage. It’s no next day air, but sure beats a breakdown in the middle of the Yukon Territory. . .The units were delivered ahead of schedule by a few days and everyone was happy. We are looking forward to the next big challenge.
Trips to Space!
This year PTI also moved a few shipments for our customers that will be used in space travel! So along with Alaska and Hawaii, mark space off of the list of PTI delivery locations!
Night deliveries to Penn Plaza
Our customer requested multiple deliveries to Penn Plaza for this cantilevered addition. It will add 88,000 square feet to the building. This is an artist rendering of an outdoor terrace the space could be used for. Article
Honorable mentions:
Over dimensional 300 Ton hydraulic press from Mississippi to Nevada.
Extraction of a disassembled vault from NYC at 2AM . We called it the jewelry heist. (No jewelry was leftover)
We delivered a shipment of construction material to the furthest corner of Nova Scotia. Sydney, NS.
Our straight truck delivered to the Fort Kent, ME. To paint a picture, Portland, ME is just over half way to Fort Kent. Next stop Saint-François de Madawaska, NB. . .
Can You Believe Its Labor Day already!?
Where has the year gone? Labor Day, the first Monday of every September since 1894. The unofficial end of the summer season, unofficial end of hot dog season, white clothes season, the start of the NFL regular season, as well as a few other unofficial titles. The holiday really got momentum on September 5, 1882, when thousands of union leaders and disgruntled workers marched through New York City to protest long hours and unsafe working conditions. A little over a decade later, Labor day became a federal holiday. 140 years after the March through NY, the L:abor Day parade and various others still take place and workers from around the world celebrate the holiday.
In the United States, about half of the country has some form of travel plans. Some holiday travelers are taking advantage of flexible working environments and have extended trips planned for the weekend. Columbus, OH, Raleigh, NC, Tampa, FL, North Kingstown, RI, and Jacksonville, FL are some of this years trending destination cities.
Whatever your plans for the holiday, enjoy the long weekend with family and friends, be safe, and we’ll see you at the next Truckstop Coffee Shop.
Until next time. . .
Tutus and forklifts. We’ll have to work on her PPE. My oldest getting familiar with the controls.
Turkeys, Trucks and a Thanks
A quick thanks to our customers and a much needed brief intro for new team members Rick and Laura.
Turkey time is here again and if you haven’t thawed out your bird, you better start making the lasagna! Pour your favorite blend of coffee and grab a slice of your favorite pie. We’d like to tell you how thankful we are that you, our customers, trust Preferred to handle an intricate part of your business. Some have been trusting us for years, even decades and that is the biggest compliment we can receive. For our newer friends to PTI, we are thankful you are giving us the opportunity to be a part of your logistics processes and hope to continue to grow with you. We wish everyone a peaceful and relaxing, if possible, Holiday. Eat, carry on and spend time with your loved ones.
Over the past year, we have had some major changes to the organization. With the addition of team members Rick and Laura this year, the team is working like a well oiled machine. They have both excelled in learning the ins and outs of a new industry. Especially in today’s market, where costs have skyrocketed, the pace is quicker than ever and the industry has more unanswered questions than, well, your favorite conspiracy theory. . .
Most of you have had the chance to chat with them about something, but if you haven’t give them a quick shout!
As with everyone else this year, we are hiring. If you know of anyone looking for a career, and you think they might be a good fit with team Preferred, please let us know! We are looking for CDL class A drivers as well as a team member to join the office. Please have them reach out to Mike for more information.
Visit to IA and Truck Driver Appreciation Week!
It doesn’t come at a surprise to see trucks in the Midwest but it may seem like a surprise if you caught one of PTI’s local trucks skirting along the Mississippi River last week.
Well I'll kick this off by saying I finally tried the Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Beyond Black roast. It is a tasty cup of joe. Although I will admit I do put a little less ground in the coffee maker than your standard coffees. So grab a cup of your favorite, sit back, relax and enjoy another cup at Preferred’s Truckstop Coffee Shop with us to take a load off.
It doesn’t come at a surprise to see trucks in the Midwest but it may seem like a surprise if you caught one of PTI’s local trucks skirting along the Mississippi River last week. Normal routes for our company owned trucks are within 250-300 miles from our shop, so the 2000+ mile round trip was about as common as a $1,000 dollar bill. Without looking, who's on the front of that denomination? (Answer at the end)
When our driver got his dispatch info, he realized his last stop was right across the river from the American Pickers’ Le Claire, IA store. He was almost giddy when he hinted that on the phone and asked if there was any way to stop in there. Due to the time constraints and on this particular shipment I wasn’t sure. Since he wasted no time in delivering the first two in OH and IL I thought, perfect. It was only a few miles out of route and from the next morning’s delivery. It was driver appreciation week after all. He was excited and got to cross that off of his bucket list. When I asked him how it was, he said “I touched as much as I could and bought a few things before they closed.”
Maybe being a little envious of the long run, another driver shot back the next morning with a picture of his own: “The real American Picker.”
“It’s not garbage, it’s recycling!” I told him when he joked he was hauling garbage for us. Might not have been as glamorous as the 2000 mile trip, but definitely an important back haul from a delivery we made.
It’s fun to see a little banter now and again. All kidding aside, last week was Truck driver appreciation week. It is all too easy to give drivers an assignment and expect it to be completed safely and efficiently. It is also very easy to not praise as much as you should. So hats off to the drivers in our company for grinding through the year hot, cold, early, and late. For dealing with people yelling at them at construction sites, shippers, receivers, and for tarping loads that might just sit outside at their destination. Hats off to the other companies’ drivers that we work closely with. Thank you for working hard and keeping America, even the globe, moving forward.
Stay tuned for another edition of Truckstop Coffee Shop and, MAYBE, even a return of Brother Truckers.
-Grover Cleveland is on the $1,000 dollar bill. It was first Alexander Hamilton. After it was realized it might be confusing to have him on multiple denominations, they changed it to the 22nd and 24th President, Grover Cleveland. If you have a $1,000 note, hold on to it. Currently, they could be worth anywhere from $1,500 to tens of thousands of dollars depending on when it was printed and the condition.
Mic Check... Testing. Testing. Can you hear me in the back?
Hello readers, coffee drinkers, procrastinators, and everyone that may have veered off the beaten path to find us here! Grab a cup of joe, sit back and take a quick coffee break with your favorite NJ flatbed company.
I wanted (needed) to update on our operations and what we have been up to in the past few months. The short story, we are all systems go.
Hello readers, coffee drinkers, procrastinators, and everyone that may have veered off the beaten path to find us here! Grab a cup of joe, sit back and take a quick coffee break with your favorite NJ flatbed company.
I wanted (needed) to update on our operations and what we have been up to in the past few months. The short story, we are all systems go. Full steam ahead. Rocking and rolling through the dog days of summer. It was hotter than the Georgia asphalt outside for a few weeks but fortunately, and thankfully, we have been keeping busy. We are not taking this for granted. There are so many unknowns at this time but for now, we are very thankful to be in business, fully staffed, and moving forward. Over the past few months, our drivers have braved the unknown, gone into “Covid hot spots” donning masks and other PPE, delivered in the NY Boroughs around protests, traveled up and down the East coast, avoided the crazy drivers that were left on the highways and whatever else it took to get us here. I am not surprised by this. The men and women that drive for companies across the country are some of the most resilient and hardest working individuals that you may come across. My hat is off to them and the countless other people that worked through these difficult times to keep our shelves stocked, hospitals running, and streets safe among others. We were fortunate enough to work from home for a few months, as difficult as that is. I myself had a 4 month old baby when we decided to work from home. Others had their own hardships but, here we are trucking along.
Protests near one of our deliveries in NYC.
Delivery to a jobsite when construction was permitted to continue in NY Boroughs.
Delivery next to “Black Lives Matter” sign outside of Trump Plaza. It has been a very different environment in NYC over the past several months.
What else has been happening these past few months you ask?
Zebra Three Goes Fishing
Unit 1061 got its nickname “Zebra Three” from the show Starsky and Hutch. (Even though I get some kickback from others that call it the “Kenny Cane”) Zebra Three was the radio call sign for the Ford Turino in the show. Otherwise known as “Striped Tomato” because of the Red paint with white stripe. This unit has a very similar look. A few decades later, 1061 hauls up and down the opposite coast from the original Zebra Three. On a recent pickup in Virginia Beach, our driver was delayed at a shipper. Fortunately for him, the pickup was on a bridge. The driver is a fishing enthusiast and has a travel pole in the truck. He got to make a few casts while he was waiting. We try to keep this fishing loving enthusiast far enough away from any fish-able waters. If we didn’t, we might have to open up a fish market with all the fishing he’d do.
‘Ole Bessie hits a Milestone
Our oldest truck in the fleet, 9901, has achieved what some others do not. Over the last few months, it has surpassed a million miles. The company purchased this truck back in 1998 to support our customers local flatbed LTL deliveries. “I saw that odometer close to zeros twice in that truck’s lifetime. Once when it was new and just recently” Bob said. A big shout out to Bob and the drivers for keeping the trucks in great shape to have a chance of staying on the road for 20+ years. Other trucks have come and gone but 9901 keeps on truckin’. . .
Pull ahead, Driver.
9901 reaches 1,000,000 miles and counting.
Other peculiar deliveries to check out that took place since Covid took over. . .
This took place at a job site in New Albany, PA to repair a washed out bridge in July for one of our main clients. The driver was tasked to back down this stretch of dirt and gravel for over two miles. He said “I waved to the barking dog at the farm, and kept going and going and going until I finally reached the site.” To check out for yourself where in the world New Albany is, plug in 41°33'13.9"N 76°33'15.2"W to google maps.
This was a delivery of Brazilian Teak flooring to be installed in this house in Lincolnville, ME for one of our customers. Scott said the driveway was steep and S shaped but was worth the view once he was at the top. When I asked what he remembers from that trip “It was so windy they had to tie down the port-o-john, they hated me because I was from NJ during the heart of Covid, and it was pretty darn backwoods.”
Another view from the driveway of Lincolnville, ME delivery.
If you have any topics that you would like to see discussed, let me know @ mikev@preferredtrucking.com or comment below.
Catch you on the next edition of Truckstop Coffee Shop. Be safe out there!
PTI Operations during coronavirus
I think I can safely say, we’ve all been through a lot lately. There’s so much going on and information changes daily about COVID19. These are trying times for sure and we want you to know that the safety and health of our employees, our customers, and our country is of the utmost importance to us.
Here are a few updates on our operations keeping you informed and all of us as safe as possible.
I think I can safely say, we’ve all been through a lot lately. There’s so much going on and information changes daily about COVID19. These are trying times for sure and we want you to know that the safety and health of our employees, our customers, and our country is of the utmost importance to us. We are following CDC, WHO, and local and federal government regulations closely to help us best proceed with our day-to-day operations and keeping everyone safe.
A few updates on our operations:
First, our physical office is closed, but we are still operating from our homes. We are still answering calls and emails, and here to help with your needs. You can call our normal office number, 908-534-1511 and dial our extensions to get in touch with us. Ray 102, Bob 104, Mike 105, Karen 107 and Krystal 108. We will also always respond to dispatch@preferredtrucking.com and may currently be our most preferred method of communication.
Our trucks are still on the road
Our drivers are taking all precautions to stay healthy and to limit exposure to our customers and the general public. They are implementing safe distances from other people, disinfecting their trucks daily and throughout the day as necessary, and they are wearing gloves and masks when at shippers, customers and all sites. We are also suggesting “no contact” structure for deliveries where we would like to see no contact BOL transfer. Some of our customers have already implemented such processes.
We are available to take on new freight shipments
Despite the changes and precautions we have had to make, we are still able to take on more local freight shipments. We want to keep our customers covered, our drivers happy, and the economy moving forward.
Are truck stops still open?
This is the most common question we’ve been getting since the initial spread of coronavirus. As of now, trucking is still deemed “essential” by the government so truck stops are staying open to allow drivers to take appropriate breaks and fuel up. This is helping America by ensuring trucks are moving much needed freight.
Everything is still running efficiently and on schedule
With our trucks continuing to be on the road, we are able to keep our customers on schedule. In order to keep our drivers safe, we do have an exception that is a temporary pause on overnight deliveries. This keeps our drivers out of hotels and limiting their exposure until more information is available from proper agencies about travel. We do work with many carriers that are still traveling over the road for us. These carriers have been delivering to TX, OK, TN, SC, NC, IL, MA, NH, and anywhere you need them to.
Tolls are now electronic only
An effort made to help stop the spread of coronavirus is that most tolls are not currently accepting cash exchange. If you do not have some sort of EZ-Pass, you will be charged by license plate.
We want to help however we can!
We just started delivering grocery items into a New York distribution warehouse. We’ve seen it here and we know the rest of the country is really feeling it too - empty shelves at the grocery store are leaving people pretty panicked. Seriously, where did all the toilet paper go? We have stepped in to take on deliveries to help restock the grocery shelves.
“How can we help?”
People everywhere are asking the question, how can we help businesses during this hard time? An easy way to help (that also keeps you safe at home) is showing us support online!
Share this blog post with friends, on Facebook, etc. Just copy this link and paste to your favorite place to share: http://www.preferredtrucking.com/truckstop-coffee-shop/2020/3/26/operations-during-coronavirus
Leave us a review! Reviews are so helpful in spreading the word about us and bringing more traffic to our website which keeps us going. Reviews are the best way for someone to get to know who we are, what we are about, and what we do before they even get in touch with us for the first time. “Word of mouth” is one of the best ways you can support us right now and the best part is that you can do it from your couch! Leave us a review on Google here.
Like and follow us on social media. The more you interact with our page and posts, the more we feel your love! But also, it actually does help algorithms and getting our business in front of more people. Find us here.
As always, if you ever have any concerns or questions feel free to reach out any time. Drop a comment below, like this post, but most importantly, stay healthy, stay safe, and stay sane!
Just Breathe Challenge
We’ve seen lots of fun challenges going around the internet lately while most people are stuck at home. There have been push-up challenges (do 10 push ups every day), other daily workout challenges, people getting creative and making dance videos with their families. It’s so awesome to see how people can turn “stuck at home” into a fun and positive experience. If you’ll join us, we would like to invite you to a daily challenge. Read more to find out what we’re up to!
First and foremost, we hope you have all been staying healthy physically and mentally. Beyond hand washing, we know that continuing to move the body, deep breaths, eating healthy and drinking plenty of water help your immune system. We’ve seen lots of fun challenges going around the internet lately while most people are stuck at home. There have been push-up challenges (do 10 push ups every day), other daily workout challenges, people getting creative and making dance videos with their families. It’s so awesome to see how people can turn “stuck at home” into a fun and positive experience. If you’ll join us, we would like to invite you to a daily challenge of a deep breath mediation.
For one minute each day practice this breathing meditation:
To start, Get in a comfortable seated position
Take a deep breath in and release all the air from your lungs as a “cleansing breath”
Next, inhale while counting to 4
Once you’ve counted to 4, pause and hold the breath in your lungs for 2 counts
Then slowly exhale the air from your lungs for 4 more counts
Repeat.
So it should go like this… inhale 1..2..3..4 pause 1..2 exhale 1..2..3..4 and repeat. You can time yourself for a minute (or longer) or really however long you can do it. If you have the capacity to inhale for a longer count, go for it. Everyone will be able to do this a little differently. What matters is just taking the time to pause everything and get some valuable deep breaths in. Get those lungs working! Our best tip is making this a habit that compliments another part of your routine (before you get out of bed in the morning, while you wait for your coffee to brew, while you wash dishes, while you wait for the water to heat up for your shower, etc.) The idea is to add it seamlessly into your day and not make it feel like a chore so that it sticks!
Whatever you’re capable of doing, we encourage you to do something that keeps you smiling. Whether it’s being creative, reading something funny, getting your blood pumping, or finding an opportunity to have a quiet moment with a book or podcast - give yourself that much needed self care!
This guided meditation brought to you by Christine Tustin, a dedicated yogi practicing for 10 years, yoga teacher for 5 years, RYS 300 hour YTT certified, Real Balance Wellness and Health Coach Certified.
Brother Truckers Introduction and Happy St Patrick’s Day
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
With everything going on in the world currently, we all need a little sunshine to keep us going. Take a break from hoarding paper and cleaning products and socially distance yourself with us in the virtual Truckstop Coffee Shop!
Its that time of year again for corned beef, cabbage, carrots and your favorite Irish fixin’s. You’ll may also see some spilled green beer and increased shenanigans from your local pubs…
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
With everything going on in the world currently, we all need a little sunshine to keep us going. Take a break from hoarding paper and cleaning products and socially distance yourself with us in the virtual Truckstop Coffee Shop!
Its that time of year again for corned beef, cabbage, carrots and your favorite Irish fixin’s. You’ll may also see some spilled green beer and increased shenanigans from your local pubs. But why is it that we celebrate St Patrick’s Day? The Irish have celebrated Saint Patrick for over 1000 years starting in the 10th century. Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, is credited to bringing Christianity to Ireland. The legend of St. Patrick tells the story that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) with a 3 stemmed Irish Clover, otherwise known as the shamrock.
Coming to America- It wasn’t always fun and games for the Irish in America. Many were despised for their religious beliefs and being uneducated among other things in the early years. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s when the Irish had a stronger voice with their growing numbers and growing political clout. - CREDIT https://www.history.com/news/st-patricks-day-origins-america
People from all over the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in some form or another. Are you celebrating? Leave us a comment below with any fun traditions you might have.
Looking for a good recipe to help celebrate the holiday? Try this “Pops Irish Soda Bread”
4 cups flour
6 tsp sugar
2 cups buttermilk (use 2 1/4)
1/2 stick margarine
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup raisins
Mix ingredients. 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees in a 9" cake pan
St Patrick’s day is also our driver, Patrick’s, birthday! Coincidence? We think not. Give him a shout if you see him on the road in 1061 aka the Kenny Cane aka Zebra 3.
BROTHER TRUCKERS!
Your periodical Truckstop Coffee Shop funny section and first edition of Brother Truckers!
Thanks for the new comic by our driver and resident artist, Ryan Bleck.
Looking forward to the next edition.
National Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss Day) March 2, 2020
Happy National Read across America Day! Of course you might ask, why aren’t you starting off your first post with a trucking related topic? Because we all need a break from our daily lives and here at PTI, we aren’t any different. Our first post will visit our first of many National What Days.
Happy National Read across America Day! Of course you might ask, why aren’t you starting off your first post with a trucking related topic? Because we all need a break from our daily lives and here at PTI, we aren’t any different. Our first post will visit our first of many National What Days.
National Read Across America day was first started on March 2nd, 1988 by an initiative of the National Education Association. It is designed to encourage reading in children and is carried out by schools across the country. Can’t everyone remember reading Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, or even the Lorax when they were younger? The latter may be the closest resemblance to myself when I have a mustache. Just ask my sister in law.
I believe everyone knows the benefits of reading but here are a few to get you motivated to pick up a book. ANY BOOK!
It can sharpen your mind by stimulating parts of the brain that are responsible for concentration and critical analysis
It can increase your vocabulary by forcing you to discover words that you have once forgotten about or never knew
It can LOWER STRESS! The act of reading and focusing on the written word can help relieve your mind off of daily pressures.
Reading self help books can help ward off depression.
Reading improves your memory and focus.
Strengthens your writing abilities. (Which may just come in handy for all of us and future generations that are relying more on technology)
Enhances your imagination.
Reading is even related to boosting your sleep! By helping relax and de-stressing, reading is related to helping you get into a deeper and peaceful sleep.
These few benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. Since having a daughter 3 months ago, I am realizing how important reading is and enjoying reading to her and one day will enjoy her learning to read her favorite books. Some people like to read more than others, but the benefits are real!
Preferred, how are you going to tie this into your business? Easily of course. The trucks delivered the raw material to the pulp mill, who then turned that material into paper, the trucks pulled the paper products from there to the publishers, and then they picked up the books and delivered them to the stores and libraries across the country! Ha I knew we could do it.
So grab your kid and teach them the importance of reading. If you don’t have a kid of your own, borrow one from your brother or sister! Of course you could just read for your own benefit as well. Let us know below some of your favorite authors or books.
Driving Off,
Your Preferred Truckers
P.S. Thanks to Karen, we will be letting the masses know about National What Days like this one.
Welcome to the Truckstop Coffee Shop
We’ll talk about anything and everything to help you unplug and “unload” from your busy day. Don’t mind the truck puns that may be mixed in throughout! Stay tuned for our first post to publish on Monday March 2nd for our first of many National What Day series.