November 20, 2017
Today and every day, we are thankful for our customers, associates and partners. Happy Thanksgiving from Penske!
Truck Rental
Planning to travel over the river and through the woods on your cross-country move this Thanksgiving?
When you load up your rental truck, make sure to pack a heaping helping of patience.
expects more than 50 million holiday travelers – the highest amount since 2005 – to travel from Wednesday, Nov. 22, to Sunday, Nov. 26, by train, plane and automobile to holiday destinations.
“Thanksgiving kicks off the start of a busy holiday season, and more thankful Americans will travel to spend time with friends and family this year,” said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president, travel and publishing.
For consumer renters as well as professional truck drivers, that means sharing already-congested roadways with more motorists than usual.
Key Factors Driving Holiday Travel
Source: AAA
AAA estimates that 50.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more, representing a 3.3 percent increase over last year. Overall, AAA expects 1.6 million more travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
What is driving the increase?
“Right now, we are in a strong economy and labor market, which is generating higher incomes and more disposable incomes,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson.
Of those travelers, the majority – 89 percent or 45.5 million – are planning to travel to their holiday destination by roadway. Another eight percent are expected to travel by airplane, with the rest taking another mode of transportation such as trains and buses, according to AAA.
The increase in holiday road trips – 3.2 percent – is despite the rise in the national average for gasoline prices when compared to this time last year. “We had some pretty low prices early on in 2017, and then the hurricane hit and prices have remained unseasonably high for the fall,” Casselano said.
Although gas prices during the Thanksgiving travel period are up 40 cents over last year – the highest they have been since 2014 – AAA does not expect the price to deter holiday travelers.
“When it comes to the holidays, people want to spend it with families and friends and looking forward to the time off and seeing what they can afford and how far they can go when taking their cars,” Casselano said.
Survival Tips for Holiday Travelers
AAA offered some tips for anyone traveling the roadways this Thanksgiving.
“We want to make sure everyone is safe on road, so definitely pack your patience. We know that from Thanksgiving to the end of the year we see increased travel volumes on the roads, so the number one trip is to pack your patience,” Casselano said.
Before you begin traveling to your destination, remember to pack an emergency kit to include a snow shovel, flashlight, ice scraper and jumper cables. “Even consider warm clothes and food just in case you get stuck on the side of the road,” she said.
Make sure to get plenty of sleep before hitting the road. “If it is a longer trip, make sure to pull over every two hours or 100 miles to take a little rest and recharge,” Casselano said.
The roadways will be filled with more than just cars over the extended holiday travel period with commercial vehicles, vans and buses sharing the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed the “Our Roads, Our Responsibility” program featuring for passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.
Penske’s 24/7 Roadside Assistance will be here throughout the Thanksgiving holiday travel period to provide assistance for consumer renters and our professional truck drivers in the unlikely event your Penske truck experiences mechanical difficulties.
Do you have a favorite holiday travel memory? Share it with us in the comment section below.
Are you planning an end-of-the-year move? Penske Truck Rental offers on all one-way truck rentals, for AAA members, college students and members of the military as well as packing supplies and 24/7 roadside assistance. Are you ready to make a reservation? Visit the Penske Truck Rental for more information.
By Bernie Mixon
Just a few months into his Army enlistment, Steve Carollo watched as the Berlin Wall, an iconic Cold War symbol, was brought down in both crumbles and chunks.
A Military Police officer, Carollo, 19 at the time, was assigned to guard a checkpoint separating East and West Germany in the event of unrest. Instead, he witnessed jubilation as crowds chipped away at the wall, which would eventually fall on Nov. 9, 1989.
“As I look back on it now, I was there witnessing history,” said Carollo, now a driver for “It was the end of the Cold War. Even 28 years later, it is so surreal that I lived through a part of history.”
From the Vietnam War to the Global War on Terrorism, Penske's more than 1,700 veterans have served on the frontlines to some of the most significant changes in world history.
As Penske pauses this week to thank the more than 18 million U.S. veterans for their service and sacrifice, our associates reflected on how their time in the military helped prepare them for their current roles with and Penske Logistics.
It all began with a call to serve.
Steve Carollo
Like many veterans, Carollo was first inspired to join the military by his father, a Korean War veteran.
“The Army kind of makes you who you are, and I wanted to emulate that,” Carollo said. “He went in when he was 17, and I went in when I was 18.
“He's been gone 11 years, but I still have a shadow box of all his medals,” Carollo said. “It was a proud moment for me because his name is on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C.”
Carollo sees many similarities between his time with the military and his role with “Learning to overcome has prepared me for the always changing needs of the customer,” he said.
Willie Reeves
Willie Reeves, a maintenance supervisor in Dallas, Texas, helped train and develop soldiers for real-world deployments during his time in the Army. Reeves, himself, would be deployed to Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq and Kuwait.
“I joined the Army so that I could serve my country,” said Reeves. “The military provides so much structure and teaches you how to prepare for day-to-day activities as well as how to cope with adversity.”
Reeves said his time in the Army also taught him about working with others among different points of diversity as well as how to maximize each person’s strengths on a team to achieve an overall goal.
“The military prepared me to get the job done on time, to standard and on budget,” Reeves said. “Safety is second nature. Veterans have an ingrained respect for policies and procedures.
“We are experts at teaching, coaching, mentoring and counseling subordinates,” he said. “We are dedicated to helping and serving others and being consummate professionals who will represent the organization in the highest esteem.”
Stacey Swiney
Stacey D. Swiney, a technician II in North Tyler, Texas, was fresh out of high school when he enlisted in the Army. After a time in South Korea and back stateside, Swiney would serve one tour in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq.
“You had to watch your back and others’ backs all the times,” said Swiney, who was a mechanic during his time in the Middle East. “You didn’t know when you were going to get shot at or anything. Once you were there for a while, your nerves calmed down, but you still watched your back.”
While in Afghanistan, Swiney worked on combat and supply vehicles to make sure they were ready to operate at any time. “We did complete engine swaps, changing a light bulb and anything down to changing a tire – all in the middle of the desert,” he said.
Swiney credits his time in the military for teaching him life-lessons that transfer to his current role with “The military gave me training in management and a better knowledge of vehicles that I most likely would have not received otherwise,” he said.
Alex Shinabarger
Alex Shinabarger, a maintenance supervisor in Wixom, Michigan, served as a boat mechanic and then as a heavy equipment mechanic working on construction equipment in the Marine Corps.
“Making sure that your entire team is taken care of and has your full support is imperative to an operation like Penske,” Shinabarger said.
“From problem-solving techniques, small-unit leadership, public speaking and getting to know and understand what makes your technicians tick in order to get the most beneficial productivity out of them are all attributes that I can credit the military for,” he said.
Those qualities, along with composure under pressure, strong attention to detail and a big-picture view, make veterans such a great fit for roles with Penske and Penske Logistics.
“The military does a phenomenal job of teaching skills that relate to our business,” said Ron Schwartz, director of staffing services. “Our outreach efforts to veterans continues to grow each year.”
Both and Penske Logistics are committed to hiring veterans and have been named 2017 Military-Friendly Employers by Victory Media, the publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine.
In addition, Penske partners and supports military-friendly organizations, including: , , and .
Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics offer a range of career opportunities, including: truck fleet maintenance technicians, truck drivers, fleet maintenance supervisors, operations management roles, logistics and supply chain operations roles and many others. Visit for more information on career opportunities.
By Bernie Mixon
When you hit the road as a professional truck driver or as a consumer with a car or , you may encounter roadside work or emergency responders working along the way. Did you know there is a correct way to approach these situations? According to the , 71 percent of Americans do not know this.
On multi-lane roadways, “move over” laws require drivers to merge away from vehicles working alongside the highway. This helps provide an empty travel lane of safety for emergency responders, tow truck drivers or other workers. In some states, this is called a “steer clear” law.
Credit: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Being alert and knowing what to do in case an emergency or stopped vehicle is parked roadside is something Penske takes very seriously.
“Penske Logistics is committed to providing safe conditions for both our drivers and the general motoring public,” said Rob Helstrom, Penske Logistics’ safety and training director.
When changing lanes is not possible, drivers must reduce their speed while they are passing the roadside workers. The American Safety Commission encourages you to slow down or merge as far away as possible from roadside work when you see flashing lights or signs.
Helstrom says that when it comes to approaching a stopped vehicle on the side of the road, Penske Logistics drivers proceed with caution and continue safe driving habits. One way they do that is by following the five-step process known as the .
“The Smith System fundamentals of space cushion must be applied by the driver, and we encourage drivers to move over safely to give the stopped vehicle room,” said Helstrom.
The five steps to the Smith System include:
- Aim high in steering. Look beyond the vehicle that is in front of you.
- Get the big picture and look for surrounding hazards.
- Keep your eyes moving and use your peripheral vision.
- Know the space around you. Leave yourself an out.
- Make sure other drivers see your signals (headlights, brake lights and directional).
In addition to knowing their surroundings, motorists driving through the U.S. and Canada should keep in mind that each state and province has different “move over” laws. They may not be consistent with another state’s or province’s law.
For example, according to Florida’s state law, drivers are required to reduce their speed to 20 mph under the speed limit. They must also move out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicles. While in West Virginia, state law requires drivers to move to the farthest lane away from the accident or slow down to 15 mph on a non-divided highway or 25 mph on a divided highway.
In Canada, only some provinces require drivers to move to the farthest lane away from the accident or emergency vehicle. British Columbia’s law requires drivers to reduce their speeds, but if traffic permits, they can drive in the lane next to the accident in order to pass.
In the Northwest Territories, drivers passing within 120 meters of a stopped emergency vehicle must reduce their speed to half the posted speed limit. In the Yukon, however, there are no “move over” laws.
Regardless of which country you’re driving in, professional truck drivers and consumers with Penske rental moving trucks should know the importance of finding a safe place to pull over if an emergency arises. Helstrom makes note of one option in particular.
“Select a location that allows the vehicle to be fully off the roadway and completely away from traffic,” said Helstrom. “The preferred option is for drivers to utilize designated areas such as rest stops, truck stops and emergency pull-off areas. This will help ensure they are free and clear of moving vehicles.”
Failure to follow each state’s or province’s procedure can result in a fine or, worse, an injury.
Remember to drive safe and know how to react when you see the flashing lights. Check out the American Safety Commission’s and AAA’s breakdown of each to learn more.
Are you an AAA member planning a household move? Penske is AAA’s exclusive truck rental partner offering AAA members on truck rentals and moving supplies. Penske Truck Rental offers free unlimited miles on all one-way truck rentals, discounts for college students and members of the military as well as packing supplies and 24/7 roadside assistance. Are you ready to make a reservation? Visit the Penske Truck Rental for more information.
By Chris Abruzzo
A Halloween cross-country move shouldn't mean missing out on all the tricks and treats on the scariest day of the year.
For the littlest ghouls and goblins, keeping the Halloween spirit during your move becomes even more important.
With a pinch of planning mixed with some tips from consumer renters can conjure up a frightfully good time while on the road.
As you pack up your Penske truck, remember to set aside your child's Halloween costumes, trick or treat containers and decorations. When you stop at night, encourage your child to decorate their temporary living space with their favorite Halloween images to give it a homey feel.
When meal-planning for the trip, don't forget to pack some Halloween-inspired snacks like apple mummies, banana ghosts and spider cheese snacks. Check out for some frighteningly healthy snack ideas.
Long road trips can try the patience of the best of us and kids are no exception. Keeping them occupied and not focused on the time they are spending in the car will be crucial.
Make sure tablets and phones are charged before you leave so they can play their favorite digital games. Car games can be fun. Check out for ideas as well as some free, printable games.
When boredom sets in, have a few age-appropriate Halloween movies at the ready. Here are some to get you started.
A cross-country road trip would not be complete without time for sightseeing. Here are some Halloween-inspired locations to get you in the spirit:
When you arrive at your new home, check out any community-sponsored Halloween events. Social media will be a great place to start.
Before venturing out for tricks or treats, check out these tips from :
- Ensure an adult or older, responsible youth is available to supervise children under age 12.
- Trick-or-treaters should wear retro-reflective tape on costumes and treat buckets to improve visibility to motorists and others.
- Carry a flashlight containing fresh batteries, and place it facedown in the treat bucket to free up one hand. Never shine it into the eyes of oncoming drivers.
- Look both ways and listen for traffic before crossing the street.
- Cross streets only at the corner, and never cross between parked vehicles or mid-block.
Cross-country moves offer great family time for you and your loved ones, so remember to have a howling good time.
Do you have any Halloween-themed family traditions or memories from your childhood? Share them in the comments section below.
It’s not too late to plan your fall move. Penske Truck Rental offers free unlimited miles on all one-way truck rentals, discounts for AAA members, college students and members of the military as well as packing supplies and 24/7 roadside assistance. Are you ready to make a reservation? Visit the Penske Truck Rental for more information.
By Bernie Mixon
Amber, burgundy and gold – the deep, rich signature hues of fall are filling trees in parks, forests and neighborhoods across the country as fall foliage season begins to bloom.
For household movers and traditional leaf peepers alike, the changing leaf color palette also offers travelers the opportunity to pause to sample local s, from pumpkin picking to cider tasting.
While the fall leaf change occurs nationwide, New England has become a fall tourist destination as much for its foliage displays as for the festivals and activities offered during the season.
“Fall foliage in New England is both the headline but also the backdrop for everything else that happens in New England,” said Jim Salge, fall foliage expert for . “We have orchards for apple picking, farmers markets and all these great activities.”
Nestled between the last blush of summer and promise of winter's chill, fall – with its signature foliage season –is a symbol of change.
“It is so much about tradition. It’s getting back to the land and the forest, recognizing the natural world around us. One of the biggest things is it is fleeting. It doesn’t last long,” Salge said. “Once it begins, you have just a week or two at any location where the colors are going to be beautiful. It is a reminder of the fact that winter is coming and the preparations for that as well.”
The season usually lasts about eight weeks from the areas that turn earliest in the mountains to the latest near the coast. Yet while it is here, experts predict some of the richest colors in New England in years, offering another reason for leaf peepers to rejoice.
“You can’t get great fall foliage without a good setup. This year we have had great weather,” Salge said. “The lead-up has been exceptional, and now we just need typical New England weather to really bring us over the finish line for that great fall color that we are hoping for.”
What colors can leaf peepers expect?
“A good year in New England has lots of reds, bright oranges and bold yellows. And a lesser year has fewer reds, muted yellows and oranges and more browns,” Salge said. “We really need a good setup followed by typical New England weather – sunny warm days and cool nights to bring out those bold colors.”
Salge suggested these locations for prime leaf peeping:
Early Season: The resort in Vermont, the in New Hampshire and
Middle of the Season: The in Massachusetts, New Hampshire's and in Maine
Late Season: and and and , Connecticut.
For movers and others looking for suggestions, has a free leaf tracker app that can help leaf peepers find great places to visit.
But, your best bet may be to talk to the locals, who will be more than happy to help.
“When you come up here, go to events and talk to people. It’s a really nice community when fall hits. Everyone is chatty at the fairs. It is a good time,” Salge said.
Are you planning a fall move? offers free unlimited miles on all one-way truck rentals, discounts for AAA members, college students and members of the military as well as packing supplies and 24/7 roadside assistance. Are you ready to make a reservation? Visit the Penske Truck Rental for more information.
By Bernie Mixon
Dozens of high school students put aside their textbooks and paid a visit to Penske’s corporate headquarters in , as part of the Students Interacting with Business program.
Sponsoring this three-day event, from Sept. 26-28, the (BBEC) facilitates the program that kicks off with a morning assembly at each school. The assembly helps expose students to potential career opportunities in the area.
The BBEC’s goal is to strengthen the relationships between organizations and schools in the county. This day is about getting students exposure to different work environments. Penske was among 25 participating Berks County, Pennsylvania, businesses in the program.
On Tuesday, Sept. 26, ninth-grade students from Carl Schupp’s business class at Reading Intermediate High School visited Guided by several Penske Truck Leasing professionals, students were able to learn more about Penske, hear what we do on a daily basis, sit in a and sharpen their interviewing skills.
“The students and I really look forward to this event,” said Schupp. “This program shows the students what different opportunities are available to them locally.”
The program at Penske started with a brief introduction conducted by Mike Duff, Penske’s senior vice president of government relations and chief compliance officer. He jumped right into the presentation with a question that stumped a few students in the crowd.
“What comes to mind when you think of Penske?” Duff asked.
One student raised his hand and responded, “Trucks.”
Although trucks are a big part of our brand, Duff went into detail and described the different branches of the Penske Corporation, a little history behind the company and the corporate values.
“We really do believe that the most important asset that we have is our people,” said Duff.
Once the introduction was over, the class split into two groups. One group stayed put to perform interviewing exercises with Karyn Troxell, Penske’s director of corporate human resources and organization effectiveness, while the other group went on a tour of the building and checked out a Penske truck. Then, the two groups switched places.
“Interviews can be very intimidating, and we wanted to make sure they left today feeling more comfortable with their interview skills,” said Troxell.
Troxell explained to the students that interviewing is something that many people struggle with and that practice makes perfect.
“We’re going to help you structure your answer around some difficult questions,” Troxell said. “One of the scariest questions you may be asked it to tell someone a little bit about yourself.”
To practice, the students participated in an exercise called “speed networking.” Each student had 45 seconds to share something about themselves to Penske associates. When the time was up, the associate provided feedback to the student.
“I think this provides a boost of confidence and helps them improve their interview skills,” said Troxell.
After a couple rounds of practicing, the time quickly came for the students and their teachers to board the buses back to school. A morning full of conducting mock interviews, touring Penske’s South Building and sitting in the front seat of a Penske rental truck was an experience the local high school students would have plenty to talk about when they got home.
In addition to welcoming students from Reading School District, Penske also hosted students from Daniel Boone Area High School, Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, for similar presentations and tours of the company’s area.
By Chris Abruzzo
Summer has come to a close, and that means shorter days and longer nights for Penske’s professional drivers and drivers everywhere.
Summer’s end may leave you feeling more tired than usual in the mornings from the decreasing amounts of daylight, causing the days to feel much shorter as autumn nears. All pose as major risks and could lead to drowsiness on the road.
The recommended amount of sleep is seven hours. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 35 percent of drivers in the United States sleep less than the recommended amount.
According to the , drivers who lose up to two hours of sleep in a 24-hour period nearly double their risk of a car crash. Drivers who only get between four to five hours of sleep have a crash rate of approximately 4.3 times the regular amount.
How do you know if you are feeling drowsy while driving? Some symptoms include struggling to keep your eyes open, daydreaming and missing road signs.
Falling asleep behind the wheel of a truck or car is extremely dangerous to you and others on the road and puts everyone at risk. Fatigue and exhaustion affect your reaction time when driving. Tamra Johnson, public relations manager for AAA, emphasizes the importance of taking the time to sleep before you hit the road.
“AAA urges drivers to not rely on their bodies to provide warning signs of fatigue and should instead prioritize getting plenty of sleep (at least seven hours) in their daily schedules,” said Johnson.
AAA has many suggestions to avoid drowsy driving while on the road:
- Take turns and share the driving load with an alert passenger
- Schedule a break every two hours
- Avoid heavy foods
- Drink something with caffeine
- Stop driving if you feel sleepy
Penske is the exclusive moving truck rental provider for AAA and CAA members. Be sure to show your AAA or CAA membership card to on your next rental truck with So remember, Penske Truck Rental and AAA save you more on your moving budget.
By Chris Abruzzo
