Category: Uncategorized

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

 

 

 

October is be supportive, caring, understanding and strong while thinking PINK and spread the awareness month!!!

Not only will the women suffering from the illness be affected, so will their friends and family who love them. Breast cancer is no joke. It is expected to kill 40,290 women this year. Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women.

Seeing loved ones diagnosed with breast cancer can be very hard to deal with. How do friends and family cope with cancer? The American Cancer Society provides support groups for patients and family members who are going through the battle. These support groups provide personal therapists or allow the patients to be in group therapy with other patients dealing with the same illness. Families are allowed the same benefits.

Many different feelings and emotions will occur during the diagnosis of breast cancer such as: frustration, anger, sadness, confusion and fear. Fear is the biggest emotion caused by cancer’s influence.

According to the American Cancer Society, Statistics for men and women are:

  • About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12.4%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
  • In 2018, an estimated 266,120 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 63,960 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
  • About 2,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2018. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000.
  • 460 men will die this year from breast cancer.

 

Active Family Trucking

 

FAMILY!!!!

Long distance work can sometimes put a strain on family life, but it does not have to. It is so easy to come home after weeks on the road and either vegetate or be so involved with household chores that you could be with your family and not actually “with your family.” Happy at home makes it easy to be happy on the road. Think about this; one way to connect with your family while home is share stories of your travels and pictures you take along the way. On your journey there are always little bits of time that something fascinating caught your eye, the perfect sunrise or sunset on the horizon or maybe it was more like a “I can’t believe I just saw that” as your jaw hits the truck floor.

If you have school age children at home, tell your children in advance where you will be driving. Have them Google a couple of places, or landmarks that you will be driving by. Then you can take pictures of those areas.  Away from home or not you can ALWAYS share your day and be connected!  Also, make a game out of it.  When they know where your truck is about to head and the part of this amazing nation you are about to see, make it like a Waldo game.  Example: You are going through Colorado so you are challenged to see Elk and get a picture.  Maybe you are traveling south and you are challenged by seeing that perfect cypress tree that looks like it was drawn from a story book or Harry Potter movie.  Think about how many landscapes you travel across. Black dirt, red rock, red clay, sand from desert areas and then the Utah salt flats, etc. Bring it home so they can see, touch and feel the difference of traveling across country.  When you return home, set aside time, at least an hour, and have the kids, grand-kids, or whoever tell you all they learned and then you, in turn, share the pictures you took. It will be a learning experience for them, and you can bond while you do it. It will be like you worked and traveled together.

Melissa Jensen

For Truck Drivers, Depression is Real

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sun is shining, you got a great night’s rest, and the route in front you for the day seems manageable as you pull away from last night’s resting place. All should be right with the world. But, in an instant, you find yourself overwhelmed with that nagging feeling that everything around you is a miserable mess.

Chances are depression has not crossed your mind.

The familiar pit in your stomach returns, you feel guilty about being away from your family again. It seems as though every driver on the road makes you mad. You are afraid all the work you need to do to feed your family is going to suddenly disappear. You constantly have a hard time focusing or concentrating. For no reason, you find yourself feeling very sad and alone.

And the thoughts you have are, “What is wrong with me? I need to get over this!”

Does this sound like you? While you may think it’s all in your head, there’s a chance it could be more. What if I told you that you might be suffering from a diagnosable and treatable medical condition, clinical depression? For whatever reason, depression impacts professional truck drivers at a far greater rate than those in the general population. Living through depression myself, my guess is your first reaction might be that real men, especially truck drivers, are tough and don’t get depressed.

My reply, “Even tough guys get depressed—just ask Terry Bradshaw, Junior Seau, Daryl Johnston, or any of the hundreds of NFL, NHL, or MLB players who have come forth to admit they have suffered from depression.”

Depression is not just in your head and it is certainly not a sign of weakness. Depression is a real medical condition that impacts about 6 percent of men in general and has been shown to impact upwards of 15 to 20 percent of professional truck drivers.

Know the Signs of Clinical Depression

According to the Mayo Clinic, depression is characterized by the following symptoms;

  • Feelings of sadness
    • Irritability
    • Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
    • Sleeping too much or too little
    • Tiredness and lack of energy
    • Unintentional weight loss, or weight gain
    • Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
    • Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements
    • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, or blaming yourself for things that are not your responsibility
    • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
    • Frequent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide
    • Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

Steps to Take to Get Help with Depression

If these symptoms sound like you, there are several steps you can take:

  • Make an appointment with your doctor: A common place to begin is an appointment with your family doctor. This person is well-versed in understanding, identifying, and treating depression.
    • Seek out help through your company
    : Talk to a representative from your company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). An EAP is designed to offer you confidential support and information with issues such as depression.
    • Learn more about the condition: To learn more about depression, available resources, or connect with another man who has dealt with depression, visit the Face it Foundationwebsite.
    • Don’t suffer alone: What’s really important is that you take action and seek help. Remember, depression doesn’t mean you are weak!

——————————
1. Risk Factors for Depression in Truck drivers. Silva-Júnior FP, Pinho RS, Mello MT, Bruin VM, Bruin PF. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2009 Feb;44(2):125-9

  1. Trucking Organization and Mental Health Disorders of Truck Drivers. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 33:436–444, 201
  2. The Epidemiology of Major Depressive Disorder. Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Journal of the American Medical Association, June 18, 2003-Vol 289, No. 23.

Mark Meier – Founder of Face it Foundation

 

THE DANGERS OF HAVING MICROSLEEP

Each year, over 110,000 people are injured and more than 5000 are killed in the United States in motor vehicle accidents involving commercial trucks. Estimates of the percentage of crashes that are partially or completely attributable to fatigue range. Driver fatigue was recently judged to be the number-one problem in commercial transportation.

What is microsleep?

Microsleeps are short bursts of sleep, often experienced without the person even being aware they took place. They can be experienced by anyone who is tired, but the individuals most at risk are those who work night shifts, have a sleep disorder like insomnia or sleep apnea, or are sleep deprived.

What causes microsleep?

One cause for Microsleep is extreme sleep deprivation. Sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea or narcolepsy, or because of environmental factors such as night shifts or over work. Some medications can also induce feeling of excessive daytime sleepiness or drowsiness, which can result in Microsleep.

Boredom or very monotonous, repetitive tasks can induce microsleep in a non-sleep deprived individual, too. Microsleep is most likely to occur during times when the circadian rhythms dictate the body should be asleep, such as around dawn, very late at night, or in the midafternoon.

When the brain is tired, it rests the parts of it that aren’t currently needed – this is referred to as local sleep. Microsleep is when local sleep goes too far and takes over parts of the brain which are currently in use.

 What are the symptoms of microsleep?

–           You feel sleepy

–           You have trouble keeping your eyes open.

–           Your eyelids droop or close, present a blank expression, or are constantly blinking.

–           You have difficulty focusing on where you are going or what you are doing.

–           You yawn a lot.

–           Your thoughts wander.

–           You feel moody or irritable.

–           If you’re driving, you drift off to the side of the road or have trouble keeping in your lane. You miss your exit.

–           Your head nods gently with a sudden jerk to wake you. The head jerk is often what makes people realize they experienced a microsleep episode, since the brain won’t recognize the short sleeps as sleep.

What are the risks of microsleep?

According to the AAA Foundation, 16.5 percent of fatal crashes are a result of drowsy driving.  Sleep deprivation reduces a driver’s reaction time, alertness, and judgment similar to impairment from alcohol or drug use. In fact, studies have shown drunk driving can be as dangerous as drowsy driving.

What are ways to prevent microsleep?

  1. Avoid driving during times when you feel less alert.

This will include nighttime, when your circadian biological clock wants you to be asleep, or during the afternoon dip. This could also include early evening for morning larks or early morning for night owls.

  1. Get sufficient sleep before a long road trip.

Don’t drive when you are sleepy, and pull over for a 20-minute power nap whenever you need a break. Turn the car off by taking the keys out of the ignition, as some states have laws against sleeping while a car is still in operating.

  1. Keep your mind engaged.

Listen to upbeat music or an entertaining podcast or radio show to help your mind stay focused. There are many apps designed to help you sleep, and there are just as many anti-sleeping apps that will make a noise or vibrate to help you stay alert. Just be careful that you don’t become a distracted driver by looking at your phone.

4 Reasons to be Thankful for Truck Drivers this Thanksgiving

Truck Drivers During Thanksgiving

With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to share our joy with loved ones. At Gray Transportation, we salute all the drivers that make this time of year possible. In appreciation of their personal commitment, here are our four reasons to be thankful for truck drivers this Thanksgiving.

  1. Every year, the day after Thanksgiving signals the start of a shopping extravaganza. Fighting your way through the lines to get the latest deals may make you lose focus about the meaning of the season. Truck drivers fight sleet, snow and ice every year to deliver the goods in the bleak early morning hours, working on sleepless nights and crushing deadlines. Don’t forget to take a moment to show your gratitude.
  2. When you stop by the supermarket to pick up your annual turkey, it’s easy to take for granted the aisles of frozen foods. 88 percent of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving resulting in the delivery of about 50 million birds to your local grocery stores. Without truck drivers, your plate and your table would be a whole lot emptier.
  3. The next time you are stuck during a holiday traffic jam, remember that drivers have to deal with it as well and to a greater degree. Deadlines add extra pressure, and hours of driving during the holidays can take its toll. As you make your way to holiday parties, be sure to give space to the trucks on the road. After all, it’s their commitment to transportation that makes this time of year so special.
  4. During the holidays, families gather together to enjoy the annual parades. However, truck drivers are one of the main reasons it is possible. Each Thanksgiving Day parade balloon is filled with approximately 12,000 cubic feet of helium. Without truckers to haul the helium tankers and other parade supplies, one of our oldest holiday traditions would cease to exist.

 

At Gray Transportation, we know our most important asset is the one sitting in the drivers’ seat. If you think you have what it takes to join our team, view our open positions and apply today for your chance to make a difference this holiday season.

3 Tips to Keep You Alert While Driving

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Temperatures dropping, shorter days and longer nights – all signs that fall is officially here. At Gray Transportation, we understand it’s harder to stay awake and alert when the weather is putting you to sleep. That’s why we are sharing the top ways to bring your A game when on the road.

  • You are what you eat. Energy drinks, caffeine pills and sugar will raise your alertness for a reasonable amount of time, but not indefinitely. Instead of filling your body with sugar, consider munching on an apple, orange or even a lemon to keep your taste buds awake. However, whatever you decide to intake, make sure to pace yourself. If you eat, take small bites. If you drink, take small sips. The more active you are, the easier it will be to stay awake.
  • Keep it cool. The temperatures are getting lower each day, but that is no reason to crank up the heat! Set the temperature in your vehicle to just a bit colder than you would like – that way your body has to work harder to keep you awake and will help you be more alert.
  • Sing along! It’s hard falling asleep in a loud car, but it’s even harder falling asleep when you are singing along to your favorite music. Make a playlist of your favorite songs and rock out! If music is not your thing, talk radio is another good option. It keeps your mind working by offering an endless variety of viewpoints and ideas.

Being a truck driver is not easy, and it can really take a toll on your sleep patterns, but we hope these tips help improve your time on the road. Do you have any other tips to stay alert when driving long distances on little sleep? Leave them in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!

Top New Driver Tips

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Are you brand new to truck driving?  We’ve all been there, and we want you to succeed.  See what the Gray Transportation experts say about how to have a successful start in driving truck.

Be Timely
Stay on schedule and show your carrier your dedication to timeliness.  Always call ahead to inform the customer of your arrival time and arrive early if possible.  If you want to impress the customer and your carrier, run your truck like you’re the owner.

Stay Safe
Keep your safety training in mind each time you drive.  Don’t forget to get out of your truck and look before backing up, comply with your safety department’s requests and always practice overall safe driving.

Stay Healthy
One of hardest lessons to learn for new drivers is how to stay healthy.  Create a plan for maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regularly.  We recommend keeping your carbs low and exercising for at least 15 minutes before your shift and during your mid-day break.

Work Hard
The transportation industry recognizes hard work so you’ll get what you put in.  If you work hard, you’ll be considered for promotions for important jobs. If you do the bare minimum, you’ll be given the bare minimum.

Dispatcher Dedication
Your dispatcher is your lifeline to more loads.  Get to know your dispatcher and learn how you can get the priority loads.

If you would like to grow your career in truck driving, apply now to work for Gray Transportation.  We offer driving careers with various pay grades depending on experience, miles and more.  We also offer great pay and bonus programs!

Top Tips to Stay Cool on the Road

GrayTransportation_Blog_TipsToStayCoolOnTheRoad

Contrary to popular belief, winter is not the most dangerous season for driving. Research shows that the number of fatalities increases substantially between July and September. At Gray Transportation, we want all drivers to be as safe as possible while on the road, so we are sharing some top tips and tricks on staying cool while you’re on the road, without turning the AC on.

  1. Protect your truck from the sun.

You shouldn’t be in the sun without protection, and neither should your truck. Try finding shade when you pull in the truck stop. If covered areas are unavailable, buy a sun shade. This little metallic accessory is inexpensive but will stop sun from getting trapped in your car and the temperature from rising. An alternative is putting a blanket over your seat – the blanket will be exposed to direct sunlight but your seat will not be.

  1. Let your truck air out.

Leave your window a few inches open to let the air out when you are not in the truck. Inside temperatures can rise up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit when it is 80 degrees outside, so letting even a little air out can help a lot and save you from a potential heatstroke when you enter the cabin.

  1. Give your truck time to cool off.

Don’t enter the truck straight away. If leaving the doors open is not an option due to security reasons, wait a little while before entering the cabin. Having the door open just for 5 minutes can decrease the temperature significantly and give you enough time to stretch or check on the rest of the truck before you hit the road again.

  1. Protect yourself from the heat while driving.

If the AC makes you feel unwell, seek alternative ways of cooling down while driving. A spray bottle filled with ice and water will keep you hydrated and keep your body temperature low even when the temperatures are high. Another possibility is a cooler full of not just cold drinks but also frozen wash rags or bandanas that you can wrap around your neck while driving.

Do you have other ways of staying cool while on the road? Let us know by leaving them in the comments section on our Facebook page or sending them straight to our Gray Transportation team. Also remember, making sure you are cool while driving is just the start when it comes to summer road safety.

Keeping Your Home Safe While on the Road

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Summer is here and that means it is primetime for home burglaries. FBI reports that 1 in every 36 homes is broken into every year, with an average of $2300 stolen. So how do you keep your home safe while you are on the road? Gray Transportation has some easy tips on how to make sure all of your things are still in place when you come back from a long trip.

  • Secure all entrances

Most burglars enter the house through the front door, so making sure it is unbreachable is key. Fasten all windows and if you have sliding doors leading to the back yard, leave a pole or a nail in the track to prevent it from being open by force. In case your front doors have decorative glass, check if the security alarm is not visible from outside. That way burglars won’t be able to see if your alarm is on or off.

  • Check what’s under your windows

Planting roses is a good long-term way to prevent burglaries. Thorny shrubs such as rosebushes under your ground-floor windows will not only add beauty to your house, but also deter burglars. If you have a two-story house, don’t store firewood on the side of the house, as it can serve as a ladder to the upper windows.

  • Make the house look alive

No one except for you needs to know the house is in fact empty. Cancel the newspaper subscription to avoid it piling up at your doorstep. Set up timers to turn on lights, to give the impression that someone is home. Go the extra mile and put your radio on timer or simply leave it on during your entire absence. No one has a perfectly silent house and neither should you.

Burglaries aren’t the only thing that can happen to your home if you’re gone for an extended period of time. Here are some tips on what to check in order to avoid any accidents:

  • Unplug unnecessary appliances

No one will be using the microwave or the TV while you are gone, so why keep them plugged in? Unplugging them takes only a few extra seconds and can save you from an electrical malfunction that can start a fire.

  • Turn off the water

The water hose attached to the washing machine can often leak water when unused for a long period of time. To avoid flooding, just turn the valve off.

Gray Transportation wants to keep you on comfortable the road while traveling, and we know the importance of coming back to a safe home.

Top Summer Truck Driving Tips

hot summer roads

It’s May which means summer is fast approaching, and the dangers of driving in high temperatures are coming right along with it.  If you’re a full-time truck driver, the experts at Gray Transportation want you to be aware of these top 5 summer driving dangers and how you can avoid them:

Brakes – It has been proven that higher temperatures cause loss of friction for brakes.  Brake components can’t absorb extra heat, which leads to brake fading.  Be sure to check your brakes throughout the summer.

Blowouts – The summer heat is also hard on tires.  Extreme heat can cause tire blowouts and when tires are deflated, the risk for a blowout is increased.  Check your tire pressure often to avoid a blow out this summer!

Trucker’s Arm – For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term “Trucker’s Arm,” it is the strange tan line on one’s left arm, caused by exposure to the sun on just one side while driving truck.  This occurrence is dangerous in the summer because of the risks of skin damage or even skin cancer.

Severe Summer Weather – Summer weather can be unpredictable.  While winter poses its challenges, summer weather can change quickly and produce the most severe storms our cars have seen.  Stay informed of weather at all times so you’re not caught in a sudden thunderstorm, hailstorm or tornado.

Construction – Possibly the worst thing about summer driving is the unbelievable amount of road work you can run into.  In order to avoid a speeding ticket or even a crash, you’ll need to be extra careful around any work zones.

If you can think of summer driving dangers not mentioned above, please leave them in comments on our Facebook page or send them to our Gray Transportation team!