Pilot Company

The Log Book: Pilot gifts custom Peterbilt to 40-year driver

The Log Book is a weekly rundown of human-interest stories related to the transportation industry. This week: Pilot gifts throwback Peterbilt to driver after 40 years of safe driving, AIT Worldwide Logistics stays committed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and J.B. Hunt gives additional $5 million to Arkansas Children’s health care initiatives. 

Pilot gifts custom Peterbilt to 40-year driver

In 1971, Daniel Abshire’s father, Jim, was the second driver to be hired by the trucking firm Pilot Co....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/the-log-book-pilot-gifts-custom-peterbilt-to-40-year-driver

Pilot fuel rebate scandal spurs unusual legal fight over racism — Long-Haul Crime Log

Trucks parked at a Pilot truck stock at night-time.

In April 2013, agents from the FBI and IRS raided the Knoxville headquarters of the largest truck stop chain in the United States: Pilot Flying J. It was part of a massive investigation into a fuel rebate scam. In all, 14 former Pilot employees pleaded guilty in what was known as “jacking the discount.”

Eight years later, the story is far from over as the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the convictions of former Pilot President Mark Hazelwood and two of his staffers, who are...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/pilot-fuel-rebate-scandal-spurs-unusual-legal-fight-over-racism-long-haul-crime-log

Truck Talk: Deal or no deal edition

This week, we’re following TuSimple Holdings Inc.’s $1.1 billion IPO as well as merger prospects for Tula Technology, which makes cylinder-skipping engine controls that dramatically reduce planet-warming greenhouse gases.

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Safe at home

TuSimple’s (NASDAQ: TSP) big news this week was, of course, its initial public offering as it became the first autonomous trucking software developer to go public. With enough money in the bank to get the company to its...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/truck-talk-deal-or-no-deal-edition

Tennessee lawmaker to pursue vaccines at truck stops

A Tennessee lawmaker said he would look into the potential for making vaccines available at a major truck stop operator after hearing about concerns faced by small-business truckers.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett made the offer on Thursday in response to testimony from Lewie Pugh, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), who explained the difficulties drivers will be facing particularly with vaccines that require a follow-up second shot.

“One...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/tennessee-lawmaker-to-pursue-vaccines-at-truck-stops

Love’s joins companies incentivizing workers to get COVID vaccine

Editor’s Note: Updates 5th paragraph with Pilot Company statement

The Love’s Family of Companies is paying a $75 bonus to its 28,000 employees to get the COVID vaccine. The truck stop operators joins businesses offering paid time off to allow workers in close contact with customers to get inoculated.

Oklahoma City-based Love’s operates more than 500 truck stops and travel plazas in 41 states. They are deemed essential businesses during the coronavirus pandemic because they serve truck drivers...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/loves-joins-companies-incentivizing-workers-to-get-covid-vaccine

Feds urge appeals court to reconsider ruling in Pilot fraud case

Prosecutors seek rehearing by appeals court in Pilot fraud case

Federal prosecutors are asking an appeals court to reconsider its recent ruling that tossed out the convictions of former Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood and two members of his sales team for their alleged roles in an elaborate $56.5 million fuel rebate scheme.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Hamilton filed the petition late Monday seeking a rehearing by the same three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit.

The government did not seek a judicial review by the full 6th...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/feds-urge-appeals-court-to-reconsider-ruling-in-pilot-fraud-case

Meet Pilot Company’s new CEO-to-be Shameek Konar – FreightWaves Insiders (with audio)

MEET THE NEW CEO

Shameek Konar is about take an unprecedented step at Pilot Company as he assumes the role of CEO in January. Find out the challenges and triumphs of leading an energy, data and hospitality-obsessed company that is striving to put the driver first.

Visit Pilot Company

Listen to more...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/meet-pilot-companys-new-ceo-to-be-shameek-konar-freightwaves-insiders-with-audio

5 ways to promote driver well-being on the road

Close-up of phone with driver app in front of Pilot gas station

Today’s 3.5 million professional drivers form the backbone of North America’s supply chain — a truth  made apparent when COVID-19 first impacted our country six months ago. 

In April, #thankatrucker went viral on social media with photographs of roadside lunches and children holding posters with encouraging messages. Now, during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW), companies across the industry are showing even more gratitude for the professional driver community.

Professional drivers...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/5-ways-to-promote-driver-well-being-on-the-road

Pilot names new CEO to succeed Haslam

CEO succession at Pilot Co.

The family-owned Pilot Co. gets its first outside CEO in January when Shameek Konar succeeds Jimmy Haslam in operating the nation’s largest network of travel plazas and truck stops.

Konar joined Pilot in 2017 to grow its energy business. He is currently chief strategy officer. Konar will ease into the new role over the next six months. Jimmy Haslam will become chairman of the board, which he joined at age 20 in 1975 when annual sales were around $50 million. 

Pilot today is ranked No.10 on...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/pilot-names-new-ceo-to-succeed-haslam

Spare change: Pilot Co. helps vets while easing coin shortage

Trucks under PIlot canopy

The Pilot Co. is inviting customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar at its travel plaza stores, with proceeds helping veterans through the nonprofit Call of Duty Endowment while easing a coin shortage brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Pilot and Flying J travel centers, and One9 Fuel Network stores are participating in the two-week campaign through July 13. In all, 700 company-operated stores in the U.S. are taking part, including EZ Trip, Mr. Fuel, Stamart and Pride....

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/spare-change-pilot-co-helps-vets-while-easing-coin-shortage

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