1201353 2002 spring amp3.qxd - Atlas Van Lines

Atlas World9/11:Atlas Driver Answers Unusual RequestSeptember 11, 2001, started outmuch like any other day forRaymond Way, driver forNelson Westerberg in Atlantaand a thirty-year veteran hauler.Raymond and his crew were inthe process of loading householdgoods for transport from Bowie,Maryland to Chicago, Illinoiswhen the customer, ScottPerdew, alerted him to the horribleevents unfolding on live television.“Within minutes, the Pentagonwas under attack,” recallsRaymond. “We were about ninemiles away and could see thesmoke.”With air traffic grounded,Scott’s flight to Chicago was cancelled.Buses and trains wereswamped. So he turned to hisAtlas driver with a very unusualrequest.“The next morning, Scottcalled me and asked if he couldride with me on the truck toChicago,” says Raymond. “So Icalled Mitch Borske (NelsonWesterberg Vice President andGeneral Manager) and asked if itwould be okay. He called Atlasand, as I understand it, got permissionsince there was a nationalemergency.”Atlas faxed the necessaryforms, Raymond collected thesignatures, and he and Scott wereset to go.“I picked Scott up at his hotel,and tried to make him feel ascomfortable as possible,” saysRaymond.The passenger was delivered,as Raymond puts it, “safe andsound” to his waiting wife. Scottwas so appreciative, that hewrote a letter of commendation,excerpted here.“. . . I spent two days ridingwith Mr. Raymond. He madesure I was comfortable at alltimes and even paid for mylunch. Mr. Raymond’s outstandingcustomer skills and just beinga nice guy is greatly appreciatedby me and my family. Mr.Raymond and Atlas Van Lineswill always be one of those memoriesyou don’t forget. I hopethat Atlas Van Lines willdo something nice forMr. Raymond, as hedid for me. Thanksfor everything,Raymond.”18 Amplifier Spring 2002