Newsletter

Ghost Transportation Services would not only like to keep you, our customer, informed but would like you to keep visiting our site with a newsletter that will be published on this web site quarterly. This newsletter will contain local and national information that customers may find helpful, informative or simply enjoyable articles as well as "what's new" and latest innovations regarding servicing our customers at Ghost Transportation Services.

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Hello all and welcome once again to our newsletter “Ghost Stories”.

Corporate Identity

Since 1987 Ghost Transportation Services has become a well recognized and reputable transportation service provider, through both its asset and non-asset based operating divisions. The daily operations of Ghost Transportation Services are so wide ranging and varied, people are often not aware of what we can do or better yet what very few things we can’t do.

There is a misconception in regard to our operations in that we are seen to be a “trucking company”. This could not be further from the truth. Our abilities range far beyond asset based road transportation in that we offer Globally, virtually any mode of transportation. Working closely with our industry specific partners further allows Ghost Transportation Services to be a “single source” supplier to our customers' diverse supply chain requirements. Air, Ocean, and rail greatly complement our over the road abilities, as well as warehousing, distribution and various customized administrative functions round out our abilities.

Our creativity is limitless in providing transportation solutions to a variety of customer requests. The understanding of our customers' supply chain requirements sets us apart from the competition is such a way that we often consider ourselves to be in the “relationship” business. From the movement of raw materials to the movement of finished goods virtually anywhere in the world Ghost Transportation Services strives to eliminate the challenges customers face when sourcing on time, claims free transportation.

The Impact of the New U.S. Hours of Service Regulations and “Proposed” regulatory changes in Canada.

As you may or may not be aware, there have been some significant changes to the Hours of Service Regulations as they relate to commercial transport operators specifically in the United States of America. Furthermore there are proposed changes to our Canadian regulations that may become reality as early as September 2004.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding this topic both in Canada as well and below the 49th Parallel. In layman’s terms the changes increase the “on-duty” time a driver can record however limits the manner in which it can be recorded relative to the also important “off-duty” time. Time spent loading and unloading for example used to be able to be logged as “off duty” however it now must be recorded as “on duty”. The amount of “on duty” time has been increased but the controversy surrounds whether or not it is sufficient enough to balance. In essence, once an operator's 14 hour cycle begins during any 24 hour period, he is considered “on-duty” regardless of whether he is driving or waiting to load. Although the proposed regulatory changes in Canada do not directly coincide with the changes already made to the U.S., they do however pose the same challenges in lower productivity. The effects of these changes are far reaching to the extent that with the two National specific sets of regulations things such as parking space may even be challenged as operators take the necessary rest periods to meet the regulations when crossing the border.

At an hours of service Productivity Summit held at Georgia Technical Institute in October delegates said they expected to see productivity decreases for carriers ranging from 2% to 19%. Other industry insiders have suggested the productivity decline may be as high as 25%. A recent (Wall Street Journal) article appeared to confirm the prediction, adding trucking rates are expected to increase as a result. As these current changes as well as the proposed Canadian changes unfold we will be sure to keep you as informed as possible in regard to any price sensitive challenges that may arise.

C-TPAT, F.A.S.T. and P.I.P.

No, this is not some foreign language, top-secret code or ancient form of hieroglyphics. These acronyms actually represent several initiatives being taken by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Transport Carriers, as well as Importers and Exporters on both sides of the 49th Parallel. Ghost Transportation Services is currently completing the required documentation to be considered as part of these programs.

The proposed benefits of these programs and becoming involved in them are first and foremost added security at our borders. Both importers and exporters (as well as U.S. and Canadian Customs Officials) express considerable concern toward the idea of their product and/or it’s packaging being used for terrorism. Other benefits of the programs include the proposed speed in which totally compliant shippers, carriers and importers of record should see in the clearance of goods at our borders.

C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism): C-TPAT is a joint government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen overall supply chain and border security (U.S. initiative).

F.A.S.T. (Free And Secure Trade): F.A.S.T. is the harmonized commercial process for pre-approved low risk importers, carriers and drivers. In essence the proposal would eliminate the need to stop at the border with certain shipments providing all parties involved are compliant (joint U.S. and Canadian initiative).

P.I.P (Partners in Protection): P.I.P is relatively similar to the C-TPAT initiative where all involved look closely at their current security measure but has a wider participant base which includes other entities in trade such as warehouse operators and brokers. (Canadian initiative)

As there are many different levels to which someone such as an importer or exporter can become involved in these programs it is very likely that some of you are not that familiar with them if at all. Ghost Transportation Services is committed to the betterment of our industry as well as the success and strength of the relationships with our clients and would be more than willing to provide you with what ever information or assistance we can in regard these programs.

New Team Members

We would like to take this opportunity to both welcome two new additions to our team of professionals as well as introduce them to you.

Glenn Wallace joined Ghost Transportation Services in January of this year in the capacity of Marketing Representative. Glenn’s extensive experience within the transportation industry will certainly prove advantageous to our team. Feel free to contact Glenn through our office for his assistance in providing a solution to your supply chain needs. He would be happy to take the time to understand your business and it’s relative transportation requirements.

More recently, in February, Quint Stacey joined our team in the capacity of Manager, Operations and Assets. Quint’s responsibility will be the utilization and growth of the asset based portion of our business as well as all licensing, insurance and safety related requirements. Our warehouse, tractors, trailers and 3 ton equipment have the ability to greatly compliment our non-asset based abilities and Quint’s experience in these area’s further expands our already diverse abilities. Please feel free to contact Quint directly through our office at any time.

Missing Person

In our previous issues we have featured a story about a young man named Trevor Angell who went missing in September of 2000, and now over 3 1/2 years later we are no closer to knowing where he is. In hopes that someone will recognize his photograph and contact the authorities, Ghost Transportation Services will keep his story and photograph right here in our newsletter.

Ghost Transportation Services would like to support one of our valued suppliers in assisting in the search for Trevor Angell (as seen in the photo to the right).

Trevor Angell is the son of Pat and Jim Angell who drive for Toth Trucking of Leask, SK. Trevor is 30 years of age and is 5' 11" in height with medium build and brown hair.

Trevor abandoned his truck in Primm, Nevada on September 22, 2000 and has not been seen or heard from since. There are reports that Trevor was seen in Texas in December 2001 but the reports at this time are unconfirmed and there have been none since.

Should you have any information at all in regard to Trevor, you are asked to call Pat and Jim Angell @ 403-749-3085 or Ghost Transportation Services @ 800-667-4900.

Ghost Transportation Services
715E - 46th Street West
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
S7L 6A1
Tel: (306) 249-3515
Fax: (306) 249-3335
customerservice@ghosttrans.com