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FedEx to Send Ninety-Eight Drivers to National Truck Driving Championships
Dépèche transmise le 14 juillet 2009 par Business Wire
FedEx to Send Ninety-Eight Drivers to National Truck Driving Championships
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ninety-eight drivers from 42 states representing the FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) operating companies will compete in the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Pittsburgh Aug. 18-22.
Each FedEx driver earned the right to compete in the NTDC by qualifying at state-level truck driving championships. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the NTDC, which is designed to recognize industry leadership in safety and to promote professionalism among truck drivers.
“The backbone of our company is made up of thousands of professional drivers and contractors who not only strive to deliver every shipment on time but also ensure that safety remains a fundamental priority in everything they do,” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Corp. “The overall performance of the more than 1,400 FedEx drivers, couriers and contractors who competed in their respective state championships and the accomplishments of our 98 NTDC competitors in particular exemplify the commitment of our entire driving force to safely share the road with other motorists each day.”
Here are some facts about the 2009 FedEx NTDC competitors:
- Collectively, the drivers have more than 1,880 years of professional driving experience among them.
- In total, the team has safely driven more than 96 million miles during their careers – enough to circle the globe almost 3,855 times.
- Forty-eight of the FedEx competitors have driven professionally for 20 years or more.
- Forty-one of them have each accumulated at least one million miles of safe driving.
- Eight of them have won five or more state championships.
At the NTDC, the FedEx drivers will be among nearly 450 competitors who will vie for national titles in nine different classes of vehicles and for the National Grand Champion title. The drivers accumulate points by demonstrating their driving skills and knowledge of the industry through a written exam, pre-trip inspection and field test.
John Smith Jr., a contractor for FedEx Ground based in Tupelo, Miss., will be competing at his fifth NTDC. The reigning National Champion in the Tank Truck class and the National Flatbed Co-Champion in 2007, he has driven more than 1.7 million miles during his 17-year career without ever having had an accident.
“Competing at the NTDC is like playing in the Super Bowl,” said Smith. “The competitors at this event represent the safest and most professional drivers on the road today. To be counted among them is truly an honor.”
The 2009 FedEx National Truck Driving Championships team includes:
