It's a Team's Life
2013 TA/Petro Truck Service Expo
When we were asked if we would like to
attend the Expo we gave a resounding yes! What a great opportunity to
give a drivers perspective to all of the TA/Petro Service Centers at one time.
Jim Reed, Director of Truck Service Marketing & Recruiting took on
the duty of getting the customer panel to where we needed be and at the correct
times. I am sure at times he felt as if he was herding a group of
cats. Jim did an awesome job and all the details were taken care of
and everything went smoothly.
We arrived at the Expo on Thursday and were given free rein to attend the
vendor’s exhibits and also to sit with Road Squad Connect and the Technical
Support Center. We took advantage of the offer and spent Wednesday
talking to vendors and listening to live calls from drivers to Road
Squad. We are usually working truck shows and so this was great to be
able to take our time and really talk with the exhibitors.
One of our favorite people we like to visit with was also in attendance, Homer
Hogg, Senior Technical Trainer for TA Truck Service and Petro Lube. Homer
is always interested in our fuel mileage and our experiences as drivers.
Dave Nemo was broadcasting live from the event and we were on the radio show
Thursday morning talking about Team Run Smart, Trucking Solutions Group, as
well as the Expedite Expo.
There were also a lot of activities at this event and we were able to watch
each of the 31 districts compete in the Pine Wood Derby truck races. We
stood amongst many of the attendees rooting for our favorite trucks. Some
of the districts created some amazing racers with a few having an
over abundance of chicken lights.
On Friday we prepared for our customer panel discussion that was led by Dave
Nemo. We sat with three other owner operators with one being Jason
Johnson one of the finalists for Worlds Toughest Trucker. Jason at
6'10" towered over me and I found him very interesting to talk with and
hear about what the competition was really like. On the fleet side there
was Robert McConnell - Maintenance Manager with Bennett Motor Freight, Martha
Bertrand - Director: On Road Maintenance with CR England, and Mike Kerschner -
VP of Operations with RJW Inc. / Bestway.
We had one hour of questions and answers, which ranged from what we like in a
shop to what frustrates us at a shop. The time flew by quickly and before
we knew it we were all getting a standing ovation by the 500 plus managers and
assistants of the truck service centers. After the session we answered questions
from several people and different district managers.
In the evening we attended the awards night that sounded a little boring, but
wow do these guys know how to put on a show! Mixed in with the different
awards was the videotaping of service techs going over and beyond to help
another human. There were over 300 stories submitted and these were
deemed the best of the best. We listened as each tech explained how they
helped drivers in bad situations to make something right. The best story
was three techs that helped a team make it home for Thanksgiving and to see
their new grandchild. They had to create a part to fix an exhaust leak as
there were no parts available to be found and we listened in amazement to the
lengths these three guys went to fix this truck and to fix it right and sent
this couple on their way. These were all great human interest stories
about one person helping out another person above and beyond their job duties.
Our local TA shop was one of the finalists for Service Shop of the year.
What we took away from this event is
that not only does TA/Petro empower their employees to do a better job they
also are enabling drivers to rise to the top with respect. Will every
experience be perfect at a TA/Petro? NO but what we learned was that they have
leadership support to always strive to improve their service.
Everywhere was their motto
"Q-Force" with the four pillars - Know their name - Fix it Right -
Value their Time - Wear the cape. We talked with many of the employees
and I believe this was one of the most positive groups of people we have
met. They believe in their leadership and the leadership believes in
giving their people the ability to make decisions.
We listened to the future plans for TA/Petro and it is no wonder the employees
are happy. TA/Petro is a stable organization with a leader, Tom O'Bryan,
who likes change and who is not afraid to take chances. We as drivers
will benefit greatly by CEO Tom O'Bryan's plans and we consider ourselves very
lucky to have had a small part in giving feedback.
Bob & Linda Caffee
TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO
Expediters 8 years been out here on the road 13 years
Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle; 

Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;

Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;

Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.