Unsafe At Any Speed: 2014

Monday, August 11, 2014

Important Information Regarding This Blog - We Have Moved!!

We Have Moved!!

11 August 2014

On August 1, 2014, RightTurnMedia2014 has assumed control of the following blogs:

“It’s Not Sam’s Walmart……Anymore”

“RailcrewXpress Facts”

“Mark’s Unsafe At Any Speed”

“It’s Not Sam’s Walmart…..Anymore” will remain on its dedicated blogsite

“RailcrewXpress Facts” has moved and can now be found on the RightTurnMedia2014 Blogsite at: railcrewxpressfact.blogspot.com

“Mark’s Unsafe At Any Speed” has become “Unsafe At Any Speed – Nebraska”, you may find the blog at: unsafeatanyspeednebraska.blogspot.com

“Mark’s What The Bleep!” will be relauched later this year as “The Fremont Conservative”

Material currently hosted on the 470MediaGroup blogsites for “RailcrewXpress Facts” and “Mark’s Unsafe At Any Speed” are in the process of being moved to their new homes on the RTMedia2014’s blogsite.

All 470MediaGroup blogs will be taken down by August 31, 2014.

We encourage you to share this social media post, however, publication without consent for profit is prohibited. Unlike other bloggers, we share information with the world in the efforts to educate our readers, not to make advertising money.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Prey For Us, We Drive Highway 30

“Prey For Us, We Drive Highway 30!”

Dangerous US Highway 30

Fremont to Schuyler, Nebraska

4 May 2014

Delays, Delays, Delays, the story of building the final 15 mile four lane section of the Omaha to Columbus, Nebraska Expressway.

First, it was the Corps of Engineers. Yes, those fine folks that excellently engineered The Great Missouri River Flood of 2011, and their study of some critter who’s habitat was along the route of the proposed realignment of US Highway 30 from west of Fremont to east of Schuyler, Nebraska.

I’m sorry environmentalists, but when we put a critter ahead of human lives, there’s a serious issue with priorities. Mother Nature has shown for centuries that she can adapt, without human intervention. It is when humans intervene, damage to the ecosystem occurs.

Then came Nebraska’s LB 84, The Build Nebraska Act, put the project on a timetable.

Next, Nebraska’s DemoRat infested Unicameral had an opportunity during the 2014 session to issue bonds to fund the remaining LB 84 projects, including the US Highway 30 project, and take advantage of these incredibly low interest rates, shaving millions of dollars off the costs of these projects, and getting them underway almost immediately.

Great deal for the taxpayers, but DemoRats are DemoRats, and with any great Conservative, Money Saving Idea, that also adds good, high paying jobs, the DemoRats who want you to be totally dependant on Government instead of succeed in life on your own, strike these ideas down.

As you will see, waiting for this project to get underway in 2016 is simply not an option.

This 15 mile stretch of US Highway 30, The Lincoln Highway, is sub-standard, and for the most part is the original alignment of the highway built decades ago.

Lanes are narrow and sub-standard, there are no shoulders, and the speed limit is too high through the entire 15 mile stretch.

Simply put, this is one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in Nebraska.

Just this year, there have been six accidents in a six mile section from where the expressway portion currently ends west of Fremont to County Road 14 in Dodge County.

Two of these accidents resulted in fatalities, the remainder in injuries.

In a recent accident, a family on the way to an accident scene on County Road 14 in Dodge County was rear ended when they slowed to turn off US Highway 30 at County Road 14. This family lost their Father in the original accident, and the family ended up being transported to the hospital with injuries.

Just this past Friday morning, and eastbound truck, applied hard braking to avoid rear ending slow moving vehicles ahead just east of Country Road 19, and went off the highway into a ditch, taking out a power pole. Traffic was shut down on a one and one half mile stretch of highway for over four hours, with no easily used detour route, while the power lines and pole were cleared, and the truck extracted from the muddy ditch.

picture credits - Mark Stevens eight-forty-four photography

Due to its 1940’s design, this highway is extremely dangerous during the winter months. With no shoulders, there is no margin for error when the highway becomes ice, slush, or snow covered. Numerous roll over accidents occur every Winter. Fortunately, the lack of snow this Winter spared us this danger.

Other daily hazards on this stretch of the Lincoln Highway include:

Speeding Drivers – who are well above the posted 60 MPH limit, which is too high considering this highway was designed and built almost three-quarters of a century ago. Numerous times, I have witnessed drivers well in excess of 75 MPH. Friday’s accident clearly shows the dangerous of the speed limit being excessive for the design and vehicle load this stretch of highway carries.

Aggressive Drivers – those who follow too close are a danger on the roadways. In this stretch of highway, they are beyond dangerous.

This is life for those of us who live along, and/or must travel this dangerous stretch of The Lincoln Highway on a daily basis. We take our lives literally in our hands each time we must proceed on to this highway named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln

In all likelihood, 2016 will be when the bulldozers begin this project which will easily take over two years to complete.

In the meantime, The State of Nebraska Department of Roads needs to step up and take immediate actions to reduce the critical issues on this stretch of road, these items include:

Reducing the Speed Limit to 55 MPH for the entire stretch with the following exception:

Reducing the speed limit from 65 MPH to 55 MPH from the intersection of West 23rd Street (Business 30) in West Fremont to where the four lane section reduces to two lanes. This is a very confusing and not well marked transition, where two of the fatal accidents this year occurred.

Fremont Lakes Region in Dodge County – from where the four lane section ends at the curve southwest of County Road 20 ¼ (CR 20 Ave), westward to one mile west of County Road 18, a speed limit of no greater than 45 MPH, with absolutely no passing allowed. Two injury accidents occurred along this stretch from just east of County Road 19 to east of the former Lake Sunset Motel.

Already, traffic along this stretch is extremely heavy due to the construction project which will have sections of Military Road from the BNSF Railway crossing in Fremont westward to The Fremont Lakes, closed. Highway 30 is the only detour.

State of Nebraska needs to allocate special funding to provide for Aggressive Enforcement of the traffic laws by the Dodge County Sheriff and Nebraska State Patrol along the highway in The Fremont Lakes Region during the Spring and Summer of 2014, focusing on speeding, those following too close, or driving aggressively.

Hint, Hint law enforcement, you can write lots of sweet fines if you just spend an hour or two a day out on this stretch of road.

Building Right Turn Lanes at:

Westlake Trailer Court
Eastbound at County Roads 18 & 19, and the entry to the Fremont Lakes.
Westbound at County Road 18
All other remaining County Road intersections between County Road 18 and where the four lane section resumes east of Schuyler, Nebraska.

Tens of Thousands of vehicles travel US Highway 30 daily westward to Grand Island.

It is beyond time for The State of Nebraska Department of Roads to step up and take action to increase the safety along this out of date, dangerous stretch of the great highway named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln.

President Lincoln freed the slaves.

Now, The State of Nebraska can free those who travel this stretch of roadway from the fear of being injured or killed, this year, instead of waiting until whenever the replacement four lane stretch is completed.

How many more people must be injured or killed before action is taken?

“Prey For Us, We Drive Highway 30! Dangerous US Highway 30 – Fremont to Schuyler, Nebraska!” is copyrighted 2014 by 470Media

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Railcrew Xpress - Part Two

Railcrew Xpress

Part Two

5 April 2014

In this installment on our look inside RailcrewXpress, we are going to dive into the lack of leadership in the company’s operation at Fremont, Nebraska, as well as locations attached to Fremont, those being Columbus, Nebraska and Missouri Valley, Iowa.

Let’s first review the Job Description of the Area / Location Manager position from the RailcrewXpress web site:

“This position is responsible for the overall performance of the location and/or area assigned. The Area/Location Manager is responsible for the recruiting, hiring, mentoring coaching and discipline for all employees within the location. Additionally, this position is responsible for maintaining positive and professional relationship with the railroad management at the location. This position is responsible for the 24/7 service and coverage to RCX railroad clients.

Primary Job Responsibilities

· Conducts regular observations to ensure proper procedures are followed by drivers

· Conducts pre-employment and all random drug and alcohol tests, including mailing to lab

· Responsible for initial investigation of employee allegations. Coaching and disciplining when applicable or escalating to HR.

· Responsible to ensure all drivers are scheduled and work within their Hours of Service (HOS)

· Engages railroad to determine possible hub closure due to weather conditions and keeps dispatch informed

· Responsible for obtaining statements and pictures of all accident incidents and forwarding to Risk Department

· Direct employees that have been in accidents to approved facilities or providers for Work Comp injuries/claims

· Communicates with injured drivers to schedule return to work

· Reviews camera clips daily and provides coaching regarding performance captured in the reviews

· Conducts Job Fairs, interviews and hires for Drivers, Lead Drivers and PDS’

· Organizes and schedules all training facilities and materials

· Trains all newly hired starters

· Conducts day 1 of driver training

· Conducts ride-along evaluations

· Provide supervision of all positions in location

· Ensures all training documentation is completed and submitted to the appropriate department

· Mentor and coaches all positions within the location

· Responsible for disciplinary actions and terminations with staff and providing documentation within 24-hours to HR.

· Schedules and leads monthly employee meetings

· Builds and manages all Professional Driver drive time schedules and days off

· Controls and submits all non-revenue payroll adjustments

· Update driver boards and keeps dispatch informed of changes

· Works directly with dispatch to cover road trips

· Provides Worker Comp reporting to Risk

· Fax all shift/MPV paperwork to appropriate department

· Works with railroad regarding reported Yard Safety issues

· Initiate approval from fleet for all vehicle repairs

· Responsible for scheduling and ensuring regular maintenance and repair of all vehicles in location

· Arranges transport of all vehicles for repairs and maintenance work

· Regularly inspects vehicles to ensure all documentation is current and present

· Performs and submits monthly safety vehicle inspections

· Distribute payroll checks and other company communications

· Responsible for taking employee call-ins when drivers can’t work

· Maintain professional relationship with railroad personnel

Secondary Job Responsibilities

· Shuttle applicants to mine sites where applicable

· Conducts ride-along evaluations of all drivers

Minimum Requirements

· Current valid state issued Driver’s License issued by the State of Residence

· Employees can have no active warrants or undisposed charges – felony or misdemeanors

· Employees can’t have a felony conviction within the past 7 years

· Employees can’t have an incarceration, or release within the past 5 years

· No more than 2 non-violent class misdemeanors, including DWI/DUI, within the previous 7 years

· No record of Drug or Alcohol related convictions, including SWI/DUI, within the previous 7 years

· No more than 1 preventable accident in the last 3 years

· No more than 1 moving violation within the last 3 years

Physical Qualifications

· Must be a minimum of 21 years of age

· Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

· Position requires extended periods of time sitting, usually driving

· Employees must be able to meet the physical requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act’s, Section 391.41

· Pre-employment of drug and alcohol test must be passed

· Random drug and alcohol tests must be passed

· Must submit to and pass a DOT Physical examination when required due to job performance

Personal Qualifications

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Strong attention to detail

· Strong organizational skills

· Previous management experience preferred”

As an individual who has held various leadership positions over the last 36 years, I will do a review of the Fremont, Nebraska Location Manager using these “Primary Job Responsibilities” and observations over a two (2) day period:

· Conducts regular observations to ensure proper procedures are followed by drivers

This function is delegated to lead drivers, and not done often, from what I observed and heard the lead driver and other drivers.

· Conducts pre-employment and all random drug and alcohol tests, including mailing to lab

Conducted by the Location Manager, but the delivery was delegated to the lead driver while taking the application on a test drive. This opens the potential for the test to be tampered with, or otherwise compromised.

· Responsible for initial investigation of employee allegations. Coaching and disciplining when applicable or escalating to HR.

The Location Manager’s observed conduct, asking a lead driver if an applicant had become his “bitch” does not qualify her to hold this position, period.

· Responsible to ensure all drivers are scheduled and work within their Hours of Service (HOS)

Based upon comments from other drivers, the Location Manager failed in insuring that HOS rules were being followed.

· Engages railroad to determine possible hub closure due to weather conditions and keeps dispatch informed

No behaviors observed

· Responsible for obtaining statements and pictures of all accident incidents and forwarding to Risk Department

No behaviors observed

· Direct employees that have been in accidents to approved facilities or providers for Work Comp injuries/claims

No behaviors observed

· Communicates with injured drivers to schedule return to work

No behaviors observed

· Reviews camera clips daily and provides coaching regarding performance captured in the reviews

Delegated to Lead Drivers or anyone who has the log in and password to the site.

· Conducts Job Fairs, interviews and hires for Drivers, Lead Drivers and PDS’

No behaviors observed

· Organizes and schedules all training facilities and materials

No behaviors observed

· Trains all newly hired starters

No Observed Behavior

· Conducts day 1 of driver training

Location Manager escorted the new hire to the Yard Office Conference Room, set up a laptop computer, DVD’s, and instructed the new hire to watch all three DVD’s and let her know when the new hire was done.

Laptop computer provided to the New Hire had open access to the internet and any files on the computer.

New Hire could have easily accessed e-mails and/or files which could contain confidential or personal information (potential Identity Theft & PCI Compliance issues), which if the New Hire accessed could expose the company to litigation and damage to the company’s reputation.

Additionally, since the Location Manager did not check up on the New Hire at any point during the time the New Hire was to be watching the training DVD’s, she had no way of knowing if the New Hire did view them, or if the New Hire accessed files on the computer, used the internet, or just watched trains pass by through the window.

· Conducts ride-along evaluations

No Observed Behavior other than delegating the New Hire to be observed by a Lead Driver, and Hourly Road Driver.

· Provide supervision of all positions in location

Only observed behavior of the Location Manager is seeing her sit in a chair and talk about how much overtime she could collect for doing nothing.

· Ensures all training documentation is completed and submitted to the appropriate department

Documents regarding the New Hire and his training were more than likely falsified and submitted to the Lenexa, Kansas company headquarters.

· Mentor and coaches all positions within the location

Only observed behavior of the Location Manager is seeing her sit in a chair and talk about how much overtime she could collect for doing nothing.

· Responsible for disciplinary actions and terminations with staff and providing documentation within 24-hours to HR.

No observed behavior

· Schedules and leads monthly employee meetings

No observed behavior

· Builds and manages all Professional Driver drive time schedules and days off

No observed behavior

· Controls and submits all non-revenue payroll adjustments

No observed behavior

· Update driver boards and keeps dispatch informed of changes

No observed behavior – more than likely delegated to the Starters

· Works directly with dispatch to cover road trips

No observed behavior

· Provides Worker Comp reporting to Risk

No observed behavior

· Fax all shift/MPV paperwork to appropriate department

No observed behavior

· Works with railroad regarding reported Yard Safety issues

No observed behavior

· Initiate approval from fleet for all vehicle repairs

No observed behavior – more than likely delegated to Lead Drivers

· Responsible for scheduling and ensuring regular maintenance and repair of all vehicles in location

Delegated to Lead Drivers

· Arranges transport of all vehicles for repairs and maintenance work

Delegated to Lead Drivers

· Regularly inspects vehicles to ensure all documentation is current and present

No Observed Behavior

· Performs and submits monthly safety vehicle inspections

No Observed Behavior

· Distribute payroll checks and other company communications

No Behavior Observed

· Responsible for taking employee call-ins when drivers can’t work

No Observed Behavior

· Maintain professional relationship with railroad personnel

Her observed conduct, as previously noted, shows she has no professionalism what so ever.

Overall Observations

The Location Manager in Fremont, Nebraska has little, if any leadership skills. The Location Manager mostly delegates tasks to others, and does little, if any follow up. Conduct around employees is not professional, in fact, some of the observed conduct could be in violation of Federal and State laws. At most, this Location Manager is in this location for four (4) hours, this is grossly inadequate for a location of such size and importance to the contractor.

Recommendations

The Fremont, Nebraska location is in need of a qualified person in the leadership role of Location Manager.

Having a person with leadership and people skills in the role of Location Manager in each and every location is vital.

Additionally, with the importance of Fremont, Nebraska to the contractor, Union Pacific Railroad, as a crew change point, and the additional traffic that will come through this facility due to the double track project underway on the Blair Sub, it is vital the Location Manager be there more than four (4) hours per week.

This Location Manager does not only lack the basic leadership and person skills for this role, through her observed behavior, it is clear that she is the root cause of the high turnover at this and other locations she has responsibility over.

This is very clear in the conduct and personal appearance of the employees at this location, both sorely lacking any level of professionalism.

Additionally, the Location Manager’s behavior, plus allowing a New Hire to free and open access on a company provided laptop, opens up the company to the possibility of litigation from employees, the contractor, and other parties.

In conclusion, it should be noted, that this is not all The Location Manager’s fault.

Also at fault are the Individual or Individual(s) that have charge of supervising this Location Manager.

To close this article I would like to note that RailcrewXpress had someone with leadership skills, that person being this article’s writer, and was that New Hire who observed the Location Manager’s behaviors for two (2) days.

In Part Three, I will give you a look at how safe your personal information is with this company.

You will be quite shocked at what was found.

“Railcrew Xpress – Part Two” is copyrighted 2014 by Unsafe At Any Speed & 470Media

One last word, if you are considering applying for a driving job at this company, do not waste your time, there are far better opportunities out there!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Railcrew Xpress

15 February 2014

This is the story of Railcrew Xpress, and in particular one location, that being Fremont, Nebraska.

A company and location that is wrought with problems.

Late in December of 2012, despite all of the negative comments on the internet about the company, I filled out an application for employment, and waited.

I already knew the basics of the railroad crew transportation business from my time in Sioux City as a dispatcher and driver for a taxi company in the mid-1990’s. During that time, I negotiated an agreement to be a back up for one of the railroad crew car companies of the era, and transported a few crews myself when we were short of drivers.

It was not until February that I was initially contacted by their Location Manager, an interview was set up in mid-March.

It was probably the oddest interview ever in my work life, and I will preface this by noting I currently interview candidates and recommend those I believe would be a good fit for the company work for as well as my prior part time employer.

I reported that morning to the railroad’s yard office in the city which I would hopefully work for, this was not the railroad company that offered me this project.

This interview went down just as follows:

Local Manager stated as long as you pass the drug test, the test drive in one of the company’s vans, and background check, your hired.

Test drive was with a Lead Driver, to deliver the drug test to FedEx for shipping and processing, then down the road to one of the crew change off points, and back to the railroad’s local yard office.

It is here where I got my first negative encounter, being told its long hours and minimum pay, and not really anything positive. Hmmmm? Do I really want to work here? Well, lets play along, maybe the person was just having a bad day.

All passed with flying colors, and day one of training occurred, basically filling out papers and watching training videos. Later a trip to get a physical which is a DOT requirement.

Day Two of training into April, due to some events in my family and my full time career.

Day two of training (there is three days total) consisted of trips around the yard, shuttling one of the vans back from a body shop, being exposed to things that would have landed the people doing them in the HR office at my full time employer, and probably an escort out the door after the meeting, and a long trip to West Des Moines and back, carrying one crew to a train in Omaha, and the crew coming off that train to their rest period.

All of the crews I was honored to ride or drive were awesome, and they related some of the tales from their journeys in the Railcrew Xpress vans.

Now for the highlights on Day Two:

Illegal backing of the van - The railroad companies contracting with Railcrew Xpress has rules in place that prohibits the backing of a van with crew aboard. Multiple violations of this occurred, one being the lead driver who just didn’t want to follow the road leading out of the railroad’s right of way to a public road. Sad fact of that one besides not being safe, was, stopping, backing up, and going back the way he came in from was longer than just continuing on.

Talk in the Starter’s Office from the “Location Manager” of me being someone’s B#(@* basically for the fact I was assisting with getting vans out for service or body repair picked up and returned. Talk like that and the fact it was tolerated by the leadership of that business what the reason I gave up my part time job, and income.

Smoking on railroad company property – this occurred on the first leg of the journey to West Des Moines. While waiting for the train to arrive at a yard location in Omaha, the driver along with me observing got out of the van, and asked if it was ok that she smoked, I nodded my head and said no as being around anyone smoking usually lands me in urgent care or an ER, apparently she did not hear or care, or for that matter know that is was a railroad company rule, and smoked, with the doors on the van open.

The crew on the next leg of the journey, from Omaha to West Des Moines, stated that
the dangerous part of their day was beginning, the trip on the van”. Of course, I did not query any further, after all, I have a talent of being able to find out information without asking.

The observing driver said time and time again, “they (Railcrew Xpress) does not pay anyone correctly, they try to screw you out of money”…..”to get paid right, you have to join the union, we have one in the city we work, but in Council Bluffs they don’t.

Our crew onboard related the story of one of the drivers being so tired on a trip, she asked if she could take a break and a quick nap. Crew said fine, she fell asleep in the back seat, and the crew ended up driving the van to where they were suppose to be.

“Going Off The Reservation” – this is my term for not following an assigned route. The Railroad stipulates which route you (the contract company/driver) take from for say Omaha to West Des Moines, and back to where you began. On the route back you can either go south though Omaha or north through Missouri Valley. This railroad requires you make the return journey from West Des Moines to Fremont via Council Bluffs/Omaha. Route going west and north via Missouri Valley is longer, and considerably much more dangerous due to deer. Two drivers had done that in the week(s) prior and both had accidents involving deer.

Long Hours, Little Rest (Safety) – the observing driver stated that many times she had done 10 to 12 hours only to get home and be called back in a few hours later. Being well rested and ready is vital, this company harbors an environment that does not promote such. They allow drivers to work up to 70 hours in a seven day period. This is excessive by any means, and something the Iowa Legislature attempted to address in the 2013 session, sadly the bill died.

Of course, more borderline talk, none of which was appreciated, that would have landed you in the HR office meeting with Managers and probably the Director at my full time employer.

In that one trip, I got so much data, I thought should I make anymore trips, or report this to the company’s office in Lenexa, Kansas?

Well, Railcrew Xpress would pretty much cement that decision. Day two was 11 ½ hours, and when the payday came and passed, no payment was received for that day’s work.

This required sending a certified letter to the company’s headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas along with the details about the issues about Day Two of training.

Pay due me was somewhat received, for the hours, but not the mileage part.

Despite the initial letter mailed on April 30th, and follow ups on May 18th and June 1st, absolutely no follow up on the other issues was ever received.

In between the April 30th and May 18th letters mailed to Railcrew Xpress headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas, an form e-mail popped in, stating that it was decided not to proceed forward in the process. Apparently, they did not like me reporting serious issues that they did not want to deal with. This is how the hostile workplace environment begins, thrives, and gets out of control. I am along the lines of thinking it is out of control here.

Now for the rest of the story.

During the summer months, I had to step aside from my projects due to illnesses with members of my extended family, not to mention do something I’ve not been able to do for a long time, work as a pit crew member and photographer for IMCA Hobby Stock team.

This past week another reply to that seemly automated May 14th Railcrew Xpress email, just to see if a response would be made. My initial response, like the three letters, were ignored.

Here is the reply received within hours from Jack Lowe, Field Recruiting Manager for Railcrew Xpress:

“Mark,

I am sorry that you feel this way after only an interview with us. I can only apologize for not having a better interviewing experience thought.

I appreciate the concerns and comments, but I must confide that I am taken aback that you would send this information about 4 months after receiving the notification.

Best of luck in your job search.

Thanks,

Jack

Jack Lowe

Field Recruiting Manager

Office-913-928-5012

Fax-913-928-5016

jack.lowe@railcrewxpress.com

I was there for a wee bit more than an initial interview….Jack!

Would it not be interesting to know what the so called “Location Manager” who should not even have that position, or a job with this company, noted about me.

Railcrew Xpress has not a very good reputation, you do not have to go far to find negative comments and reviews on line. Sadly, this is another one.

If you should be considering applying for a job here, do yourself a favor, do not do it!

“Unsafe At Any Speed – Railcrew Xpress” is copyrighted 2013/2014 by 470Media