TransportFool

Can Teamsters regain credibility?

Teamsters has released a press release announcing their alliance with Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS) to jointly go after non-union carriers. It appears to be an effort to regain some of the credibility they lost when the “Damaged When Delivered” report was released. The press release continues the Teamsters pattern of inflammatory statements like; “Both groups have concerns about the quality of service being performed by automobile transport companies Fiat/Chrysler has started using, after moving the work away from experienced, professional carriers.”. Since the press release shows no signs of any real influence by the new watchdog group we will have to wait to see if they can really make the necessary changes in this campaign. If CARS can make this a crusade against unsafe and dangerous practices by any car hauler rather than an all out attack on any carrier that has not unionized they will have done the public a great favor. As long as the Teamsters are leading the fight I believe it will stay focused on non-union carriers regardless of how experienced or well trained their operators are

Calif. Car carrier Crash in the news

Over the weekend  a westbound car carrier experienced a blown tire on the westbound 60. The result was an exit to a Puente Hills Ford dealership by mowing down the fence separating the service road and the freeway.  Although several cars on the lot were damaged there fortunately were no injuries in the mishap.

TEC becomes Cottrell dealer

TEC seems to me moving forward rapidly to fill the void left when Boydstun closed. They have signed an agreement to become a full service Cottrell dealer

Zuckerman on Union vs Non-union

Are the teamsters taking the right approach?

Loaded auto transporter strikes stalled toyota

10 News in R,I. reported:

HOPKINTON, R.I.—Three people were hurt Thursday when a car carrier crashed into a car in Hopkinton.

Police said a car carrier struck a disabled car in the climbing lane of Interstate 95 south at about 3 p.m.

EMT’s took three men to Westerly Hospital. None of the injuries was considered life-threatening.

Three cars fell off the car carrier when it jack-knifed.

Transporter flips in Florida

This is off of the NewsSun.com website. The driver appeared to have no injuries. Can’t say the same for the cars he was hauling though. He is probably going to spend some change at a body shop.

Another tragic day for carhaulers

Cassens driver Edward Baer was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while unloading at Criswell Chevrolet in Gaithersburg Maryland

Baer, 44, was to celebrate his 20th wedding anniversary next year.  He and his wife have two daughters and a son, ages 15 to 9

Tragedy at Bay Cities Auto Auction

An auto transporter and a security guard both lost their lives in an incident at Bay Cities Auto Auction.  63-year-old Angelito Erasquin, a security guard and 56-year-old Jim Wightman, a trucker from Central Point, Ore have been identified by the police as the victims.  Our prayers go out for the families and co-workers as they deal with the loss. We also pray that the responsible party is brought to justice as well.

UPDATE: An arrest has been made and Karl George Sanft, 34 has reportedly confessed to these killings. Pictured below is Jim Wightman who was killed just because he “might” have been a witness to the murder of security guard Angelito Erasquin!

4-car burns in Calif

this is off of KSBY.com

Santa Barbara County firefighters put out flames on Highway 154 after a car carrier catches fire.

Fire crews found a car carrier towing four vehicles that was fully involved. Firefighters knocked down the fire quickly and saved the four vehicles.

However, the tow vehicle could not be saved. No one was hurt.

Truck stolen from Manheim Statesville, NC

$1000 reward is being offered by Reeves Auto Transport 336.492.7996

Keep your eyes out for a stolen 2005 Peterbilt it didn’t have any lettering on it when it was stolen. It has unit#108 on the hood and the last of the vin is 5N848819. The trailer is a 05 Cottrell 5G005629. If you see this truck contact the Iredell county Sheriff dept at 704-878-3100