Brokers have been warned about a new type of cargo crime. It has turned up in the Southeast USA and has been reported by several trucking and broker organizations.

    This is how the scam works. A broker receives a call from someone allegedly representing a trucking company with name recognition. The caller says he is interested in a particular load. He may ask many questions about the load, which the broker would not find particularly unusual.

    The caller will indicate interest in moving the load and provide phone and fax numbers. They will be different from the numbers generally used by the company he says he represents. He explains that he is in a branch office of the firm.

    The wise broker will call back to check. The phone will be answered professionally but the broker is actually reaching a pre-paid cell phone. If the broker sends a fax, he will get a professional response there too - never knowing that the fax was actually received by a business service firm or copy house that provides mailboxes for businesses.

    Feeling assured that he is dealing with a legitimate trucking company, the broker issues the proper documents, sends it by fax and notifies the shipper. A truck arrives at the shipping site. The driver has the proper documentation so the shipper loads the truck.

    As it drives away, the shipper has no idea that he will never see that truck again. The trucker may even call the broker later, or the next day, to report a break-down. While the broker is informing the consignee of the delay, the thieves have just bought themselves a few more hours before anyone realizes that the load has been stolen.

    The Transportation Intermediaries Association warns brokers, "Before you give a load to anyone, make sure you know with whom you are doing business. Watch for this scam, check with known offices of the company you think you are dealing with. If you have problems, notify the police and TIA immediately!"

    How many images of this great country have we seen in recent weeks? Snapshots of greatness, horror, death, sacrifice, determination, honor and cowardice are everywhere. We have seen everyday people become heroes. The news media has explored every possible avenue and angle of this drama; in fact, they have dissected it to death.

    We know both sides of the story. Our children know as much as we do. Televisions are kept on in our schools.

    It's not looking good. Our leaders are rattling their sabers; the villain has been identified. Both sides have declared war and innocent civilians are the first victims.

    There are hundreds of e-mail messages being circulated as a result of the terrorist attacks: letters, prayers, notes, appeals, even a note supposedly from NASA about taking a picture from space of people across America holding up lit candles at a designated time. Speculation about tomorrow is everywhere.

    Good and evil seem to be taking sides, quickly. Our great president delivered one of the most important speeches ever given to Congress. Now, we have hope, but also fear.

    The stock market has fallen, yet we're told not to worry - it only appears bleak. "Now is a good time to buy!" is what some are saying.

    We have been admonished to hug our children and be prepared for whatever may come. Suddenly firemen, policemen, emergency medical technicians and soldiers have taken the place of rock stars and athletes as our special heroes. Now, we take comfort in their presence and appreciate their sacrifices.

    The American flag is everywhere - proudly proclaiming our united spirit and patriotism. In some towns there has even been a rash of flag thefts from homes - apparently our nation's icon is in short supply!

    The American eagle is on everyone's computer screens, with a tear in its eye as a grim reminder of the September 11th attacks.

    So, with all these images, what do we do? What does it all mean? President Bush said it best when he said, "Go home. Live your lives. Be productive." So that's what we will do.

    How about this for an image? Being able to move more freight cheaper than ever before and finding innovative ways to produce and generate profit at record levels. Let our image focus on the individual, not on the bottom line. This will make our companies rock solid. If we are rooted in these ideals, worldly events will have less of an impact on us.

    As our leader proclaimed, "They shall not disrupt our lives!" Let's get behind that declaration and push hard. Be the image of control and confidence. Not only can we survive this depressing period in American history; better yet, we can triumph over it.

Rick Jones, CTB is President of Meadow Lark Companies, a freight brokerage in Billings, Montana.

Details: www.meadowlarkco.com

On Monday we emailed jokes.
On Tuesday we did not.

On Monday we thought that we were secure.
On Tuesday we learned better.

It is sadly ironic how it takes horrific events to place things into perspective. The lessons learned in this God-awful time of suffering, the things we have taken for granted, the fine things that have been forgotten or overlooked, hopefully will never be forgotten again.

    Those of us who have lived through more than one economic cycle know that third-party transportation providers (brokers) prosper in down times as well as boom times. Although it's been many years since our economy has been in recession--and there is little doubt it's in recession now-surviving tough times is not impossible.

    For freight brokers, there is one thing to keep in mind--we're all in this together. Now that the savage winds of economic reality have leveled the peaks of the so-called "New Economy", the "Chicken Littles" are crowing about falling financial skies. Added to the general air of uncertainty is the war with terrorism. Customers, carriers and competitors are all feeling the effects of this recession. Yet this is not a time for fear, and the sky is not falling.

    Some business folks sit in the corner, wringing their hands over losses on dot-com stock market speculations. Like "Chicken Little," they are more concerned with what's gone wrong than with making things right. Many have never been through a down time in the economic cycle, too young or too removed from the lessons of eight or nine years ago.

    If this sounds like your customers, you have an opportunity. If this sounds like your carriers, watch them carefully. If this sounds like your competitors, you're lucky. If it sounds like you, WAKE UP!

    Now is the time to look carefully at your customers, carriers, competitors, employees, and even yourself.

    Is your customer base diverse enough? If all your revenue comes from one or two customers, or within just one or two industries, your business survival may be at risk. If one of those big clients fails, changes business strategy, or just slows way down, you lose revenue-not to mention profit. Don't get conservative with sales expenses. Don't layoff sales people to save money. Find new customers, aggressively, in other markets. Diversify your customer base to survive now and grow quickly when the business cycle swings upward.

    What opportunities are there to increase the amount of business you do with existing customers? In tight times, you may want to offer extended credit terms to help your customers get through all this, if you're able. Maybe you can receive higher freight rates and/or additional traffic lanes in return for concessions on payment terms. Go after other shipping points, inbound or outbound, that you once conceded to other service providers? Go after them vigorously. The more marbles you pick up today, the more you'll have to play with later, when the economy rebounds.

    What about your carriers? The motor carrier is as important to your success as the shipper and consignee. Predictions for the long-term survival of many small and mid-size motor carriers have never been this dire.

    Find ways to support the strong carriers and eliminate any dependence you might have on the weak. Take a new approach with those you want long-term relations with. Ask for rate concessions in return for more predictable and larger business volumes, shorter payment cycles, or automation of dispatch functions. Find new ways to help your carrier stabilize its revenue or increase its profit.

    Who are your competitors, and what are they up to? Make sure you know all your competitors, not just other brokers. Who are your customers and prospects doing business with when they aren't doing business with you? Find out if those competitors are doing something different or better than you, and steal every good idea you can for your business. Competition is a great teacher.

    Do your employees know their role? Employee loyalty, energy, passion, creativity and commitment are critical to the survival and success of your business in these tougher times. Look critically-but fairly--at every one of your employees. President Bush recently said, referring to other nations during this war with terrorism, "You're either with us, or you're against us." Your team of employees does not need a neutral player right now, much less someone that--for whatever reason-is fighting against you.

    With your team of employees committed and ready to go, be sure to share with them. Share everything. Share your goals, financial and otherwise. Share your concerns, financial and otherwise. Most importantly, share your successes, financial and otherwise.

    How about you? Have you WOKE UP? With the right staff, tested and strengthened by adversity, your business will enjoy unprecedented prosperity when good times roll again-and they will roll again. Your competitors, many of them anyway, will be left in the dust by your efforts. Your carriers will have an even better business partner, and will ride your coattails to success. Your customers, a diverse and loyal group, will remember your efforts to help them through the tough times and will reward you with ever increasing business.

    Times are tough. Some businesses won't survive the bottoming out in this economic cycle. But keep your priorities straight, pay very close attention to everything that's going on, believe in yourself, and your business will prosper.

    Steve Fernlund heads the Las Vegas office of Flynn Transportation Services, Inc., headquartered in Delray Beach, FL.

Details: www.flynntrans.com

    A huge portion of the National Crisis Center at the Pentagon is devoted to the trucking aspects of Homeland Security. Officials are determined that trucks will not be used in the same way that airplanes were used on September 11. New security is resulting in delivery scrutiny and delays. Brokers have to build in even more contingency plans than ever.

    Freight moving in the future will require even more problem-solving than brokers usually have to handle. You need to know where trucks are being held up and what new concerns will demand our attention.

    These will constantly change, so brokers must be constantly aware. As they always do, customers will turn to their transportation intermediaries for the facts, the inside information, the advice. You must be up to the task.

    "We talk with our carriers about such things as your truck being hijacked and being reloaded with dangerous cargo to cause mass destruction," said Boe Davis, president of L&M Transportation Services in Raleigh, NC.

    "I ask the carrier to think tike a terrorist. I ask the carriers to make regular check calls. Do not separate yourself from any group of trucks. Do not be a lone wolf type personality. Think how a terrorist could use your truck or cargo and avoid the situation."

    One of the most daunting tasks brokers may have in the near future is helping customers separate fact from fiction. Since September 11, the Internet has spawned rumors among millions at the click of a mouse. Some are factual and worth following, others are pure bunk. Many of those rumors have been circulated in the transportation community. When it comes to transporting freight, brokers will be expected magically to be able to separate fact from fiction.

    Customers will turn to you for help. They'll expect you to be able to assist them in navigating through this new way of business life. As always, they'll expect you to have the answers.

    Become familiar with where to find the answers. Check out the DOT website. Watch for Crisis Center bulletins. See where the security stops are and how long they are adding to delivery. Talk to other brokers. Keep your ear to the ground to find out what's really going on. Create company strategies and talking points so everyone is speaking from the same page.

    The business gets more complex every day. Those who have staked their future here simply become more attuned, better informed and more grounded, as the demands increase. The community of best practice brokers has always shared information and advice. That's the trait of the true broker success story. Now this culture will be more important than ever, as hands extend to help fellow Americans in new ways.

    On September 12, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) placed an urgent call to trucking associations and companies posing what seemed an impossible mission: Find 500 readily available New York-area reefers. Carriers and brokers immediately began working the phones and fax machines, scouring the region for equipment.

    Veteran Internet freight-exchange user GST Corporation knew of a more efficient way to get the job done. The Memphis-based transportation services company turned to one of its information/technology vendors, TransCore's DAT Services, for assistance. At GST's request, TransCore quickly used their electronic marketplace to direct FEMA's call to action to carriers east of the Mississippi via the live network. They also posted the request on their load monitors at every truck stop within a 200 mile radius of New York City.

    Within two hours, GST Corp. and TransCore's DAT Services had helped route 700 reefers for deployment by FEMA. Best of all, and an early indication of the industry's current pride, 90% of the carriers were willing to donate their services for free.

    One of the major sources for providing free services is Gifts in Kind International. They are the world's largest product philanthropy. Through them, Sears Roebuck has donated 3,000 steel-toed shoes. Burger King sent out 300 hamburgers every hour, to the rescue workers. Days Inn donated rooms. Clorox sent over 4,000 boxes of trash bags.

    A week after the WTC disaster, Gifts in Kind contacted Trinity Transport, Inc. in Bridgeville DE. They needed relief supplies sent to Manhattan and were looking for someone to donate their services. Trinity contracted Bonded Carriers of Martinsburg, West Virginia to pick up the supplies and ship them to the United Way of Essex & West Hudson in Newark, NJ. Bonded volunteered their services. The driver also volunteered in the off-loading of the supplies. He worked with other United Way volunteers and the supplies where later shuttled to the World Trade Center Disaster area.

    Later in the week, Trinity got the call to volunteer again. Seven more loads of relief supplies were on their way to New York City but storage space there was maxed out. The supplies needed a temporary home, en route to the Big Apple. Trinity Distribution Service in Seaford offered free warehouse space to Gifts in Kind. The supplies are being shipped to New York as they are needed.

    In Pittsburgh, GMI's President Dave Snyder called the American Red Cross and signed on as a volunteer to provide transportation service whenever and wherever needed. They have not yet been called on, but they're ready to roll, when they are.

    "United We Stand Strong" reads the copy with this graphic, created by Petrick Outsourcing to support the nation's determination to repel the terrorists. The graphic was distributed to transportation companies throughout the company with the invitation to use the animated version on their websites and the static version in print.

    "It was something we were able to do here, to help," stated Annette Petrick, president of the firm. The original graphic was designed by Aaron Collegeman, website designer for Petrick Outsourcing. It appears on websites throughout the transportation community, including the firm's own website at www.transportmarketing.com.

    A Voluntary Transportation Resources Desk has been established by the Department of Transportation to receive spontaneous offers from the transportation community to assist with ongoing efforts. This is the single location within DOT to receive and process such offers.

    Said a DOT representative, "All offers are appreciated. They will be screened, recorded and redirected quickly, responsively and appropriately. "

    The Voluntary Transportation Resources Desk is operational from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is staffed by personnel, who have volunteered for this duty, from NHTSA and RSPA. The Desk will be in operation until further notice.

Details: 202-366-2547.

    Imagine being on the 55th floor of the World Trade Center the morning of September 11. That's just where Bill Hay was, teaching a class on Mexican Logistics at Pace University. Bill is president of Bill Hay International in San Diego, CA. Billing his company as "the Mexican Connection," he has a nationwide reputation as a key cross-border broker with Mexico.

    Bill was caught in the midst of the terror, as he and his class walked down 33 flights of stairs to escape the carnage in the first building to be hit by the terrorist attack. He was on the sidewalk when the second building was hit and felt the clothes being torn right off his body, by the shower of debris.

    Without wallet, laptop or briefcase, Bill was one of the survivors who were aided by strangers and made it safely back to his hotel and eventually cross country to home and his wife, Mary.

    The following is Bill's own account of his harrowing experience which also appears on his company website.

55 Flights of Stairs by Bill Hay     On September 11, 2001 at approximately 8:48 am/et, an evil atrocity against the United States was committed. The responses to these attacks have varied from anger, rage, fear, to uncertainty. Others have responded with acts of compassion and bravery, some sacrificing their own lives to save others. President Bush told the Nation: "We’re at war".     As some of you might know, I witnessed this attack and also was a party to this terrible event. While a U.S. Marine, I had been shot at in three wars and hit in two—at least in those instances I knew who the enemy was. This atrocity was unlike anything I have seen in my 73 years, and God willing I will never have to experience anything like it again.     I would like to take this opportunity and means to relate my experiences as they unfolded on 9.11.2001, the day that changed a Nation.     The World Trade Institute (WTI) of Pace University invited me to be a guest lecturer on Mexican Logistics. At 8:30 am/et on September 11, I was standing behind a podium at their facility on the fifty-fifth floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center (WTC) and began presenting an eight-hour seminar. We had just completed self-introductions when suddenly we heard an explosion that was followed by the rocking of the tower. The explosion did not register with me, but the rocking did - first thing that went through my mind was an earthquake. I soon realized that this was not the case when I looked out a window and saw flames and debris falling from the floors above.     My next words were, "Pick up your personal effects and lets get the h*ll out of here!" I did not follow my own instructions. I left my laptop, course outline, and briefcase containing everything I owned of value. Still, I got out with my life, what else could I ask for? Everything else is replaceable.     The class started down the fifty-five flights of stairs along with hundreds of other people. There was no panic; people were taking their time and helping those who needed it along the way. At about the thirty-second floor, we met firemen that were on their way up. They were laden with hoses, axes, crowbars, etc. These brave firemen were the first ones to tell us that a plane had hit the building. Somewhere along the way down someone must have opened a water vending machine, because all of a sudden small bottles of water were being passed up and down the stairs. People were taking a sip and then passing it on to the next person. Up until the twentieth floor, the stairwell was full of smoke and some water.     We did not hear the second explosion when the other plane hit the South Tower. It took about thirty minutes to exit the North Tower and get onto the street. Upon exiting this building, we were immediately ushered over to Broadway. It was not until two days later that I found out and I thank the Lord that all my class members and the WTI staff were safe and accounted for.     Once out of the building, I thought I was now out of danger. I was wrong—I then heard another explosion. Looking over my shoulder I saw both towers in flames and a giant ash and debris cloud coming down Broadway at hurricane speeds. I turned down at what I believe to Ann Street in hopes of avoiding the raging cloud. A few minutes later, I was engulfed with ash and debris from the top of my gray hair to the bottom of my cowboy boots. Thank God I wear glasses; they are the only things that saved my eyes. The dust was so thick; I could not see my hand in front of my face. Everything and everybody was coated with a layer of soot.     After what seemed like an eternity, the cloud finally dissipated enough that I could see three men coming towards me. I was informed by one of them that I could not exit that way and would have to go back to Broadway. It was in this street that I met Ellen. I took her in hand and we headed back towards Broadway. Ellen too was in the North Tower and had walked down from the seventy-second floor. When we reached the corner Ann Street and Broadway, a man I assume was the manager of the Starbucks was all but dragging pedestrians off the street and into his coffee shop. He and his associate were providing tap and bottle water, paper towels to clean our faces, plus anything else we may have needed without cost. I will always remember the kindness and generosity of these Starbucks employees.     A short time later, a city bus pulled up in front of the Starbucks. Wanting to see the sun and sky again, Ellen and I got on the crowded bus without any idea as to the destination. The first stop the bus made was at the edge of Chinatown. Not knowing my way around the city, I did not want to get too far from what is now known as "ground zero" so we got off the bus here. It was not more than two minutes later, when a young lady named Pam Lundquist came up to us, saw our appearance and offered the hospitality of her apartment. Over three hours had passed and this was the first opportunity that I had to call and let my wife Mary and my office staff know that I was fine and that I would give them all the details later.     For the next four hours we did little but watch the demise of the World Trade Center on television. Ellen and I were fed and loaned some clothing. Late in the afternoon, Pam and Keith, one of her roommates, escorted us back down to "ground zero" along the river waterfront. By this time the ferryboats were running. We took Ellen to the pier so she could get home to Bayonne, NJ. Pam and Keith then walked me back to my hotel on Gold Street, the Holiday Inn Wall Street. After that, they then had a good five-mile walk back home. Just for the record, Pam Lundquist is my guardian angel. To this day I do not know what I would have done if it had not been for her generosity and kindness.     The scene of lower Manhattan walking up from the river is almost indescribable. The streets were covered with one to four inches of ash and debris. Not a single taxi, bus or automobile was moving on any of the streets. The only things on the roads were emergency vehicles. Your legs were the only means of transportation, and the number of pedestrians could be counted on two hands. Nothing was open. Nothing was moving. This part of the city was dead.     Less than an hour after I got back to my hotel, the power went off. The gas and water were the next to go. Dinner that night was half of a tuna sandwich and a beer that I shared with another hotel guest. On Wednesday morning, the hotel conditions had not improved other than somehow the kitchen staff managed to serve coffee, danish and orange juice. For $9.95, you could have cold cuts, hard rolls, and cold cereal. I passed.     I checked out of the hotel and went looking for better accommodations with two other guests. We walked up to Canal Street, a distance of about three miles. From there, we took a subway up to "Time Square" (Forty-seventh and Broadway) and checked into the Doubletree Hotel.     I spent the better part of the next two days on the phone trying to get a flight back to San Diego. As everyone knows, all the flights were cancelled and the airports were shut down and nothing was moving or flying into or out of New York. I couldn’t even get a phone call through to any living person at the airlines and only got recorded messages telling me what I already knew: "All flights have been cancelled. All airplanes are grounded until further notice."     Around 6:30 am on Friday the 14th, my luck changed for the better. I finally got through to Ms. Irene Baker, an America West agent in Phoenix, AZ and told her my sad tale of woe. Again I received the same response as before - no aircraft are flying in or out of the New York area. Then, I got a great idea: if got down to Philadelphia, could she get me home from there? The answer was yes, but you definitely could not consider it a direct flight. I would leave Philadelphia at 6:47 pm/et and travel by way of Columbus, OH and Las Vegas, NV. I would have to layover in Las Vegas that night and take a 9:10 am/pt to San Diego and home the next morning. After a few minutes of waiting, she was back on the line with confirmations and seat assignments. I was going home.     Ms. Baker called my wife Mary with my itinerary and instructions to call her at her home if I had any problems along the way. I took a quick shower, checked out of the hotel, walked ten blocks in the rain to the Greyhound Bus Depot, and left New York City at 11:30 am on the Philadelphia Express. When I arrived at the Philadelphia station, I crossed the street and took the subway out to the airport. I checked in with America West using only a credit card with my picture on it and a faxed photocopy of my passport the office had sent (the original lies beneath the WTC Tower 1 rubble, along with anything else I had with me on September 11). My bag was inspected by security, I got something to eat, got on board my flight, and began my trip home. Next stop Columbus, then on to Las Vegas. I checked into another Holiday Inn at 11:30 pm/pt that night.     Saturday at 6:30 am/pt, I joined hundreds of other passengers waiting in the America West check-in line. It began outside the Las Vegas International Airport on the street. After two hours I had just gotten inside the terminal building and my flight was scheduled to leave in forty minutes. There were still dozens of people ahead of me in line but I knew I had to do something if I wanted to get on this flight. I walked to the first class check-in agent, gave her my name, and asked her if she could help me. The agent told me not to worry and that they had been looking for me. She assured me that I would get on the flight even if they had to hold it a few minutes (they didn’t need too). Upon arrival in San Diego, I don’t know who was the happiest: Mary and my family or I.     My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this horrible tragedy on September 11, 2001. Thankfully, events of terror like this are infrequent and definitely not "the norm". However, questions will still remain and be asked by many like: Where is God in all of this? How could He allow such evil to happen? Although we do not always understand God’s ways, we can still trust that He is in control of the world. We know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting onto His plan (Romans 8:28).

Details: www.billhayintl.com/logistics.htm

    In a show of patriotic unity, the transportation professionals of International Commodity Carriers, Inc. in Medford, OR turned out in force and showed the colors of the U. S. of A. on Columbus Day.

    "It was a time for us all to show that we could come together and conquer whatever threats face our beloved homeland," said Marc Medeiros, Senior Dispatcher, speaking for all staff members.

Two great American symbols appeared at the
I.C.C.I. Red, White and Blue Day.
Uncle Sam is Sam Sona, Sales Manager for Flatbeds.

I.C.C.I. told its customers in its last company newsletter,
"I.C.C.I. is here for the long run. We have invested in America
and we are standing by that investment. Come and join us. "

Dewey Wilson

Red Foley wears the special I.C.C.I. stars and stripes cap.

Ron Startiforth waves the flag even as he moves freight.

Details: www.icci-trucking.com

    Megatrux, Inc., a nationwide transportation company, has opened a satellite office in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Karen Pelle, President, has made the announcement of the new location.

    Georgia Russell Holmes, CTB, who brings 23 years of transportation experience to the table, heads the new office. Holmes has achieved certification as a transportation broker from the Transportation Intermediaries Association.

    From their headquarters the new satellite office will provide all means of transportation and all types of trucking equipment. Domestic and cross-border transportation will be arranged, to Mexico and Canada. Consistent with the company's operating strategy, this office provides live service 24/7.The office will benefit from the extensive technology developed by Megatrux as well as its worldwide contacts and its dedicated truck line.

    Megatrux is in the top 10% of transportation brokers nationwide. Says Pelle, "One of the three principles of our mission statement is to continually expand service through the Team Megatrux philosophy. Opening this office is a way of keeping that promise to our customers and clients."

    The Indiana office will expand the Megatrux presence from its headquarters in Brea, California into the Midwest. In recent months, Megatrux also opened satellite offices in Nevada and Florida.

    Pelle stated that Holmes carries out the Megatrux tradition of going the extra mile for each customer. She adds, "We've earned our stripes as transportation professionals. We do it with style, grace and a smile. It's more than just business. We enjoy it - and it shows."

Details - www.megatrux.com. 866-435-4470

    A delegation of U.S.-based transportation intermediaries attemded the annual meeting of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) in Cancun, Mexico. Held at the Cancun Convention Center, the conference and exhibit attracted 750 transportation professionals from around the world.

    At their national convention in March, members of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) chose to form an International Conference for those who move freight globally. Dewey Wilson of International Commodity Carriers Inc. in Medford, OR was appointed chair of the conference, which had its inaugural meeting earlier this year in Oregon.

    At the meeting in Cancun on October 13 to 17, TIA was ratified as the official United States representative to the international group. FIATA consists of national associations for transportation intermediaries in 150 countries.

    Wilson explained that "FIATA represents an industry covering approximately 40,000 forwarding firms. The activities of the organization are designed to help the optimal functioning of international freight forwarding; in other words, the smooth flow of international trade."

    The Internet Truckstop has introduced PINTAC - a visual search tool that allows users to zero in on the availability and capacity of freight in a specified state going to a particular region.

    "Through this product, we provide the kind of visual displays that transportation professionals appreciate," stated Scott Moscrip, president of the firm.

    Using PINTAC, brokers and carriers can visually see imbalances in the availability and capacity of freight by state to region. The information can be broken down by trailer type. PINTAC can be used by those posting freight or searching for freight.

    PINTAC operates exclusively with The Internet Truckstop, the oldest and largest freight matching service on the Internet. It has direct links into the load, truck, and hot prospects searches. This is the first tool developed by the Internet Truckstop that takes entire regions into account.

Details - www.truckstop.com

    Schneider National, Inc., a leading provider of premium truckload and intermodal transportation solutions, earned "best of the best" rankings in the Bulk Motor Carrier category and in the Dry-Freight Carriers category in Logistics Management & Distribution Report's annual "Quest for Quality" readers' survey.

    In its twelfth year of winning "Quest for Quality" awards, Schneider National was recognized for its on-time performance, value and overall customer service.

Details - www.schneider.com

    TransComp 2001 will be held on November 10-13, 2001 in Charlotte, NC. This is a combined meeting of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) and the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) and the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). This is the only industry gathering of shippers, intermediaries, carriers, receivers and intermediaries. Events include an exhibit and a series of educational seminars - together and separately.

    Details: www.tianet.org