1201353 2002 spring amp3.qxd - Atlas Van Lines

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Cover StoryBetween the LinesAtlas drivers keeping minds open on Tariff 400-NWhat’s in store for drivers under Tariff 400-N? The Amplifier spoke with afew of Atlas’ more seasoned service professionals to get their thoughts aboutworking with the new rating system.“I have three shipments on right now that are under the new tariff,” saysDennis Ruel, driver for Collins Bros. Moving Corporation, Larchmont, NewYork. Although it’s too soon to evaluate the effects on his paycheck, he seemsnot to be worried. “I haven’t been settled yet, but it doesn’t look bad.”Dennis is assisted in business by his wife, Janet. “I was confused by the waythe linehaul charges were listed on the bill until I talked with the agent,” saysJanet. “For me, it’s important to understand the charges so I can respond if acustomer says, ‘Wait a minute, I think you’ve made a mistake.’”The Ruels carry a laptop with them and are using it to familiarize themselveswith the ins and outs of the new rating system. “It helps to be able to look upwhat can or can’t be charged,” says Janet. “Once we understand the tariff, wecan explain it to customers. When a customer asks for services on the spot orwants to know if there is an additional charge, we want to give them the correctanswer.”“I’m willing to give the new tariff a chance,” says Dennis. “You can’t drawconclusions about something until you see how it works.”“Financially, I don’t think the new tariff will hurt,” says Robert Warren, BeanMoving & Storage, Inc., Hattiesburg, Mississippi. “If it works the way it’s supposedto, we should be all right.”Robert says he still has questions about how extra services will be taken intoconsideration for settlement, and he’s reserving judgment on how his incomewill be affected until he has several jobs under his belt. But he remains optimistic.“It will take me several moves to see how well I’m doing with the new tariff,”says Robert. “But I think that anytime you can improve something and givethe customer better service, it’s good for business.”“Financially, it looks like I will basically be the same in the long run,” saysJohn Dean, driver with Ace (Relocation Systems). John says he has completedone load under the new tariff, and so far he doesn’t see much difference. “Somejobs I’ll lose on, some I’ll gain on,” says John. “But I should come out close tothe same at the end of the year.”John believes that, once he gets accustomed to it, working with 400-N willbe easier than working with 400-M. He says the big question is whether otherswho are used to the old pricing method will be willing to change.Tariff 400-N is available on CD-ROM from Atlas Pricing at ext 2385.See page 21 in this issue – Atlas World – for details.Tom explains that Atlas cankeep its primary layer fairlyimmune to market forces formost programs, including auto,general liability, and worker’scomp.“Essentially, we can providecoverage from our own pool upto the basic limits,” says Tom.But the rub comes when Atlasmust purchase what’s called“excess insurance,” that is, coveragefor losses beyond the primarypolicy limits.“The market since September11 has reflected a considerableamount of knee-jerk reaction,”says Tom. “I am hopeful that, aswe get further away from thatdate, the more likely we are tosee sound underwriting and reasonablerates.”To prepare for almost anyeventuality, Tom and his teamhave developed contingencyplans based on widely differentscenarios. Their intent is toachieve the most favorable costspossible. Above all, they arekeeping in mind their responsibilityto provide sound insurancechoices to their agent customers.“We’ll continue to do everythingwe can,” says Tom, “so wemay offer members of our networkthe insurance options thatdeliver solid value for their businesses.”6 Amplifier Spring 2002
“We are doing everythingwe can and should, not onlyto anticipate the demands ofour agents and customers,but to give them solutionsthat reinforce Atlas’commitment to quality,world-class service.”– Jim Stamm,president and COO,Atlas Van Lines, Inc.RespondingwithAdded ValueJust what the coming yearholds for the relocation businessis anyone’s guess. But in the faceof uncertainty and change, atleast one thing is constant: Atlasis helping its agents worksmarter.For example, Atlas’ sleek newonline claim form went live inDecember, marking a majoradvance in the application ofinformation technology. For all ofthe details on this exciting newonline feature, see the followingstory, “Introducing a Sleek NewForm.”Atlas web-basedestimating: newand improved.With its first release scheduledfor the end of February, the newshipment rating program willoffer the same features as theAMSA program, plus some additionalbenefits for Atlas agents.Not only will users get anaccurate pricing estimate, theycan also access other informationthey have on the Atlas server.For example, an agent may find itconvenient to review their otherestimates on file with Atlas.Refinements are alreadyunderway for the program’ssecond released in April – wellahead of the busy season. Thenext release will allow the userto view more detailed pricinginformation, including incomedistribution.Anticipatingagent demandsin a period ofuncertainty.“Everyone in business todaysees challenges and uncertainty,”says Jim Stamm. “Atlas iscertainly not unique in thatrespect. But I think ourorganization is uniquely preparedto handle whatever the 2002season serves up. We are doingeverything we can and should,not only to anticipate thedemands of our agents andcustomers, but to give themsolutions that reinforceAtlas’ commitment to quality,world-class service.”Spring 2002 Amplifier 7
Page 1 and 2: IntoTheMixWho’s eversampled a sea
Page 3 and 4: Volume 50 • Spring 2002FeaturesOn
Page 5 and 6: Who’s eversampled a seasonlike th
Page 7: for damage or loss. A declaredvalue
Page 11 and 12: Many new screens are available to h
Page 13 and 14: When you’re on the road, whichof
Page 15 and 16: 80, encompasses 6,000 sq. ft. ofoff
Page 17 and 18: Atlas Agent, Are You Ready?Gear Up
Page 19 and 20: Atlas Van Lines International Corp.
Page 21 and 22: Moved? Don’t Miss Your Tax Refund
Page 23 and 24: Headquarters Annex Receives a Facel
Page 25 and 26: TracksAtlasWorld-Class Service is A
Page 27 and 28: A Requesting information onelder ca

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