[Bruno]

I'm sorry to say that I was told the Skills Challenge at FedEx Custom Critical was cut from the budget next year to do other things for the FedEx Drivers. So this past years one was the last one unless they bring it back. It was at FedEx Custom Critical for 10 years and Michelle T. did a great job with it every year. Thank you Michelle for all your hard work.

[iceroadtrucker]

Originally Posted by Bruno

I'm sorry to say that I was told the Skills Challenge at FedEx Custom Critical was cut from the budget next year to do other things for the FedEx Drivers. So this past years one was the last one unless they bring it back. It was at FedEx Custom Critical for 10 years and Michelle T. did a great job with it every year. Thank you Michelle for all your hard work.

You got to be kidding there cutting it ??? Why???

What other things, I hope at least to increase the money on the runs.

It seems if one keeps taking (chipping away so to speak) Ur going to end up with nothing. Just like Big Govt and all the political J A did to the military. Chip away the Benefits Free Med if ya retire ect. Took it all way an then Charge ya for it.

Well I seen it all in the 23 years I was active. Now here too you say. Well Im not an employee so I dont get any Benefits.

But then again I said it along time ago u mess some one over, it dont matter how big of a comglomerate U are there is some body always pulling the strings (ever seen the Movie the puppiteer) Hmmm Good Movie. Take that for a Hint.

There is always a bigger fish in the Sea.

[TeamCaffee]

We attended the Skills challenge two years ago but I do not remember seeing you guys there. We had a great time at that skills challenge, particularly since I beat Bob's second place driving award by placing first. Due to fuel prices and not being really close to Green, we made the decision this year not to attend. I believe from hearing about the low attendance this year, less people are willing or able to drive a great distance to attend this event.
I found out from my contact that yes, the Skills Challenge has been discontinued because it is not a cost effective way to interact with a large group of contractors. There are more initiatives being discussed and tested at this point that will provide a greater benefit to more contractors than the small attendance of the Skills Challenge. Some of the tools that the company uses to communicate with contractors are the weekly e-bulletin, the quarterly CD reports, the quarterly DVD road reports and the quarterly On-Times news magazine. More recently the new Fleet Safety Liaison, former forum member Terry O’Connell, is getting to see many drivers in the field, hand out goodies, answer lots and lots of questions, do truck inspections and driver training and relay driver concerns to the appropriate company contact.
I want put thanks to Michele at the skills challenge we attended!!

[ATeam]

Originally Posted by TeamCaffee

I found out from my contact that yes, the Skills Challenge has been discontinued because it is not a cost effective way to interact with a large group of contractors. There are more initiatives being discussed and tested at this point that will provide a greater benefit to more contractors than the small attendance of the Skills Challenge.

Free beer will improve event attendance.

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by TeamCaffee

We attended the Skills challenge two years ago but I do not remember seeing you guys there. We had a great time at that skills challenge, particularly since I beat Bob's second place driving award by placing first. Due to fuel prices and not being really close to Green, we made the decision this year not to attend. I believe from hearing about the low attendance this year, less people are willing or able to drive a great distance to attend this event.
I found out from my contact that yes, the Skills Challenge has been discontinued because it is not a cost effective way to interact with a large group of contractors. There are more initiatives being discussed and tested at this point that will provide a greater benefit to more contractors than the small attendance of the Skills Challenge. Some of the tools that the company uses to communicate with contractors are the weekly e-bulletin, the quarterly CD reports, the quarterly DVD road reports and the quarterly On-Times news magazine. More recently the new Fleet Safety Liaison, former forum member Terry O’Connell, is getting to see many drivers in the field, hand out goodies, answer lots and lots of questions, do truck inspections and driver training and relay driver concerns to the appropriate company contact.
I want put thanks to Michele at the skills challenge we attended!!

Very good post Linda and Bob. I was sad to see it go too. Michele aways did a great job with the Skills Challenge. They need to put her as the head of the safety department to get it back to where it once was.

[arkjarhead]

I think you are right Linda. It doesn't sound like a very cost effective way to mingle with the O/Os. If they are trying to get out amongst the O/Os they could do like Tri State. T State used to have a RV and they would send a fleet message of where it would be be. Mainly a truck stop. You could come by and visit, get materials such as log books and different blank forms of paperwork. I also think there was something else to do with it, but I don't remember. Maybe the Rev or someone else that knows better about it could say.

[iceroadtrucker]

Originally Posted by TeamCaffee

We attended the Skills challenge two years ago but I do not remember seeing you guys there. We had a great time at that skills challenge, particularly since I beat Bob's second place driving award by placing first. Due to fuel prices and not being really close to Green, we made the decision this year not to attend. I believe from hearing about the low attendance this year, less people are willing or able to drive a great distance to attend this event.
I found out from my contact that yes, the Skills Challenge has been discontinued because it is not a cost effective way to interact with a large group of contractors. There are more initiatives being discussed and tested at this point that will provide a greater benefit to more contractors than the small attendance of the Skills Challenge. Some of the tools that the company uses to communicate with contractors are the weekly e-bulletin, the quarterly CD reports, the quarterly DVD road reports and the quarterly On-Times news magazine. More recently the new Fleet Safety Liaison, former forum member Terry O’Connell, is getting to see many drivers in the field, hand out goodies, answer lots and lots of questions, do truck inspections and driver training and relay driver concerns to the appropriate company contact.
I want put thanks to Michele at the skills challenge we attended!!

Thats right thats right 2 years ago 2005 May 31 I just left 23 years of Service, On June 8th I started driving for the Fed July of 06 I went to the 4 Star but never Never got the Newer Truck I was promised. Im still driving the same FLD 120 2001 Old Coventant Fleet Truck.
Ya your right you sure didnt. Needless to say, I know I can take this old truck and put many of the OLD Salts to shame that have been driving for Many Many MOONS or Decades.

But then again I was around Trucks all my life. Being A Farm Boy and all.

It dont matter BOB Linda this year I give all the Perty boy trucks the reins and let them drive in the Snow. As last year and the Year Before They wouldnt go.. By the Way my friends Straight Trucks dont count. Heck my Wife who was a farm girl could handle a 40 foot boxed slate side straight truck for haulen livestocks. Any Case. Good Job in taking the Compatiation. Ya Peoples I married a Farm Girl and what a girl she has been for the last 28 years.
Been together for 28 and married for 26 high school sweet hearts but never went to the same high school.
HG