Around Saia
This month's Around Saia features CGO region's winning participation at the Illinois Trucking Association's Annual State Championship, the NWK terminal achieving over 33 days of injury-free operation and the retirement of veteran ACO dispatcher — Phil Fleming. Also, featured are employees from our HST, SHM and WAC terminals during the May Employee Meeting Safety Award Presentations.
More Featured Stories
Executive Forum:
Striving for Excellence: Appointment Deliveries
2016-2017
Safety Awards
Wellness Spotlight: Natalie Alcafaras
Safety Source:
Moving Hazardous Materials Safely and Responsibly
Go Team Saia!
Five years ago, the CGO region started planning a team-building event to allow employees to enjoy each other, show off what they do daily as professionals to their families, and drive a little friendly competition between them.
The first competition was held at the CGO terminal and we had folks from our MKE, CGO, SBN and CRD facilities compete. Fun was had by all and some bragging rights were earned along with some smart-looking trophies.
Since then, the CGO regional championship has continued and we've sent its leaders on to represent Saia at the Illinois Trucking Association's Annual State Championship.
For those who are not familiar with the state championships, each state holds one every year. They focus on safety and driving skills, pre-trip inspections and knowledge of regulations. To compete at the state level, drivers must have a minimum of one year driving with a clean safety record. Only the best of the best are there.
Our first year at the state level, we had six men compete. At that point, one man, a rookie, came very close to placing and challenging the other companies in attendance. This year, our fourth of competing at the state level, showed just how far "Team Saia" has come.
Earlier this month, more than 200 contestants from carriers such as AAA Cooper, ABF, XPO, UPS, FedEx, YRC, Old Dominion, JB Hunt, and a host of flatbed, bread delivery, tanker services and the like were all on hand to show their level of skill and prove they were the best. Categories for entry included straight truck, tanker, 3-axle, 5-axle, and doubles. The top person in each class would move on to represent the state in the national competition in Florida.
The 2017 team representing Saia was comprised of GLK City Driver Doyle Wismer, CGO City Drivers Rick Campbell and Kelvin (T-Rex) Gassion.
The Saturday morning began with meetings, a hefty written exam, then a pre-trip inspection (finding the defects) and a skills course — done while hundreds of spectators watch. Some are cheering for you and some are rooting against you as you compete against their teams.
The breezy 90 degree day began for our team around 6:30 a.m. with the end of the skills course coming around 4 p.m. It was a long stressful day where each of the competitors was left without knowing the outcome of their hard work. At 5:30 p.m., there was an awards banquet, where everyone found out their results by class. (Results can be reviewed on the Illinois Trucking Association's Facebook page.)
Winners were announced in each category after we'd all had a nice meal with friends, family and competitors. After making their way through the various classes, they announced that, in third place, meaning the third best in the entire state of Illinois was Saia LTL Freight Driver Rick Campbell! It was no surprise to many of us! With the enthusiasm he has shown from the start, Rick ran to the stage to accept his award and represent Saia! The smile on his face (that is still there at this moment) was contagious to the room. A cheer went up not just in that room, but across the CGO region as one of their own did it! He made Saia proud on so many levels! A dream he has had from childhood, as his father too was a top player in this competition, came true and Rick carried on the family tradition.
So what's next?
Well, as folks in Chicago have been known to say, "Wait till next year!" It's worked for the Cubs and it will work for Saia. Rick has his goal set; representing Saia on the national level. Just one thing for us…more Saia competitors!
As the sun set at the state championships, the warm breeze murmured through the trees at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Ill. If you listened closely, I swear you could hear…“We Are Saiaaaaa!”
We look forward to next year, with a gleam in our eye, pep in our step and a reflection of the shiny gold trophy collected by one of our own — Rick Campbell.
Congratulations Rick! And, congratulations Team CGO region and Saia!
Proud to be injury-free at the NWK terminal!
ACO Dispatcher Retires
Phil Fleming, a dispatcher at the ACO, retired at the end of May. According to our vice president of Linehaul, Rob Bulick, pictured right, Phil began his career at the company on the dock back in 1987. He then became a city driver at the BRG terminal and finally a dispatcher at the ACO about 12 years ago.
Phil has two sons, one of which works in the industry. His wife, Beverly, travels for work so they plan to sell all their belongings, buy an RV and travel while she works.
Phil, we'd all like to wish you a long and very happy retirement! Happy travels to you and Beverly.
May Employee Meeting Safety Award Presentations - HST, SHM and WAC Terminals
The HST terminal's inbound dockworkers have a combined total of 391 years of safe working. This includes Reggie Caldwell, 42 years; Johnny Mathis, 19 years; Jonathan McCully, 19 years; Mitchell Leonard, 21 years, Carlos Pardue, 26 years; Donald Gibson, 21 years; Raul Martinez, 28 years, and Gary Lockhart, 22 years. It's not always easy to work safely on the dock and all of these employees do an outstanding job!
