#streamline trucking operations

[artisticdivasworld]

Streamlining Trucking Finances with Digital Invoice Management

Let’s talk invoices. I know, it might not be the most exciting topic when you’re out on the road, but stick with me for a minute—it’s actually smart for your business. Tired of handling stacks of paper invoices? It’s like trying to navigate rush hour traffic with a broken GPS. Papers get lost, numbers get messed up, and chasing down payments can feel like an endless loop. But here’s some good…

[whirligig-girl]

Commission for @trydianth of Entrapta operating tiny trains (since she loves tiny food so much!)

Image ID: Entrapta from She-Ra is grinning and fiddling with some train cars on her model train set. Entrapta is a tan-skinned woman with pink hair in large prehensile tentacle-like pony tails. Her regular hands are on the train layout table but she’s messing with the train cars with her hair. She’s also using her hair to control the model railway’s power transformer, which is hooked up to a First One’s crystal. The train layout contains a yard with three sidings with five freight cars and a purple tank engine. It also contains a loop that goes back and forth between a simplistic diorama of dark purple Dryll castle on the left and of Brightmoon castle on the left, with a small diorama of the Whispering Woods’ dark blue trees in the foreground. There’s a spur track that runs off-screen with the ominous reddish glow of the Fright Zone. A pretty streamlined tan, white, and gold train is coming from that line. On the loop line near Entrapta is seven freight cars and a scary looking military-green diesel with a Horde insignia. End Image ID.

Under the cut are some detail close-ups and artist’s notes.

Flatbed of First Ones Tech, FZR Boxcar, two unnamed vans, a refrigerated Salineas Fisheries boxcar, an unnamed tank wagon, a gondola of snow from the Kingdom of Snows, a Fred Pelhay Coal Co. truck for some reason, a Plumeria Products boxcar, and a Freight Zone Rail Road boxcar with graffiti reading She-Ra was Here.

A Freight Zone Rail locomotive and an old industrial shunter tank engine from Dryll Quarry.

Bright Moon Railway’s cab-forward streamliner, coming from the Fright Zone. Does that make sense? Perhaps not, but I hasten to remind the viewer that this is just Entrapta’s toy model.

I definitely put more detail into this than I intended to! It was going to be a lot simpler, but by the time I got to drawing and then perspective-skewing an actual model railway layout with sidings and switches I realized this was going to take a while. I wasn’t quite sure what to do for the engine visual style. At first the locomotive positioned next to the Dryll tank engine was going to be a big Dryllian steam engine, but I decided it’d be better to show a big scary Horde diesel.

I used steam engines for the good guys and a diesel for the bad guys soley and completely because i am thomas the tank engine-brained because I just like the look of steam engines! There’s no realistic reason why there should be steam traction in Etheria, rather than something entirely magical--but then, steam engines just look better in fantasy settings in my opinion! I can justify it, after-the-fact though: magic is everywhere in Etheria, but it can’t be harnessed by everyone (during the events of the series). Sometimes transportion has to be done through mundane means. And it’s not like we see any big power plants on Etheria, so electricity is out. Entrapta’s one of the only people who uses first one’s tech to power her inventions--otherwise we see no powerplants in Dryll. So. Wood or coal or magic-crystal powered steam engines! Yipee!

Obviously they’re all electric powered in this model, though.

[britsyankswheels24]

🇺🇲🤝🇬🇧 Embark on a captivating journey through the history of the American Austin Car Company, a pioneering force in the automotive industry that left an enduring legacy on American roads!

🔍 Founded on February 23, 1929, in Butler, Pennsylvania, the American Austin Car Company Inc. aimed to revolutionize urban mobility during the Great Depression by producing affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles tailored to American drivers' needs. Licensed from the renowned British Austin Motor Company, the company drew inspiration from European compact cars to create its own unique models.

👑 The parent company, Austin Motor Company Limited, established by Herbert Austin in Longbridge in 1905, experienced significant growth during World War I, fulfilling government contracts and expanding its workforce. Despite its illustrious British roots, the American Austin Car Company faced challenges in marketing tiny Austin cars in the US market.

💡 In 1930, the company introduced its first model, the American Austin, featuring a compact design and economical performance that quickly appealed to urban commuters. With its diminutive wheelbase of only 75 inches and track width of 40 inches, the American Austin stood out as one of the smallest production cars in the USA, gaining popularity for its efficiency and agility.

⚙️ The American Austin Car Company's innovative approach to automotive design paved the way for iconic models like the American Austin Coupe and Roadster, renowned for their streamlined silhouettes and nimble handling. Despite initial success, the company faced challenges during the Great Depression, leading to a decline in sales and eventual suspension of production in 1932.

📉 Despite attempts to diversify production, including the introduction of small-scale pickup trucks in 1934, the company struggled to regain momentum. By 1935, the American Austin Car Company was liquidated, with its assets acquired by Evans Operations, Inc. The formation of the American Bantam Car Company in 1936 marked the end of an era for the American Austin brand.

[saydams]

("...humanitarian aid FOR GAZA" is how that headline should end. it got cut off)

February 02, 2024

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) on Friday led 21 colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging the administration to encourage Israeli officials to take five specific steps to significantly increase urgently needed humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.

“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire and the civilian suffering is at an unacceptable and staggering level.  Ninety-three percent of Palestinians in Gaza are facing crisis levels of hunger. Eighty-five percent of the population is displaced. Seventy percent of those killed are women and children,” the senators wrote. “While the scale of the crisis is massive, the humanitarian assistance that is entering Gaza is just a fraction of what is needed to save lives. Since aid operations resumed on October 21, delivery of lifesaving assistance to Gaza continues to be hampered, despite no evidence of Hamas theft or diversion of humanitarian assistance provided via the United Nations or international non-governmental organizations (INGOs).”

In order to significantly increase the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, the senators recommended the administration work with Israeli officials to take five specific steps (recommended steps under the "keep reading" at the end)

U.S. Senators who wrote letter and/or signed it (arranged by state):

Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)

Tom Carper (D-Del.)

Chris Coons (D-Del.)

Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.)

Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)

Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)

Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)

Angus King (I-Maine)

Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)

Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)

Ed Markey (D-Mass.)

Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)

Tina Smith (D-Minn.)

Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)

Cory Booker (D-N.J.)

Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.)

Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)

Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)

Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.)

Jack Reed (D-R.I.)

Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)

Tim Kaine (D-Va.)

Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

Patty Murray (D-Wash.)

Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.)

if your senator isn't on this list, call them!

here are the recommended steps referenced above:

Repair and open a third border crossing at Erez to provide additional aid to north Gaza. Planned missions by humanitarian actors to reach north Gaza from the south have repeatedly not been allowed to proceed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) due to cited security concerns, leaving hundreds of thousands living there stranded without enough food, water, and medical supplies and equipment.

Streamline the convoluted inspections process for aid entering via the Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings, and issue a pre-approved list of items for entry.

Establish a clear, enforceable deconfliction process inside Gaza to ensure humanitarian organizations can operate safely. Hundreds of health and humanitarian workers have died in Gaza, including humanitarian aid workers who have been killed in areas deemed “safe zones” by the IDF. Israeli authorities should establish a direct line of contact for the humanitarian community to the IDF, as well as hold regular meetings to review incidents and make improvements.

Increase capacity for processing humanitarian aid and restart the import of commercial goods via the border crossing at Kerem Shalom. Before October 7th, hundreds of trucks filled with commercial goods crossed through Kerem Shalom into Gaza every day. The current humanitarian trucking operation can help reduce the suffering, but it cannot substitute for a functioning commercial sector.

Open additional supply routes for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Every option must be explored to increase the amount of humanitarian and commercial goods going in, including via Jordan, the West Bank, Ashdod, and maritime routes. To the extent feasible, we also encourage you to explore whether U.S. military assets could help support humanitarian deliveries, via maritime or air routes.

“The largest daily amount of humanitarian aid entered Gaza on November 28th, during the seven-day humanitarian pause. Additional and longer humanitarian pauses are needed to enable a surge of assistance to enter Gaza and the safe movement of goods and people within Gaza. A humanitarian pause will also allow people to safely return to their homes in north Gaza. These steps will not solve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but taken together, they will alleviate the suffering for millions of people,” they concluded.

[cashcountingmachinebybankomat]

Billing machines have become an essential tool for businesses across various sectors, streamlining the invoicing process and enhancing operational efficiency. This article explores the features, benefits, and types of billing machines, as well as their significance in modern commerce.

What is a Billing Machine?

A billing machine is a device specifically designed to generate invoices and manage transactions efficiently. It automates the billing process, allowing businesses to issue receipts quickly and accurately. Available in various forms such as portable, handheld, and point-of-sale (POS) systems, these machines cater to the needs of small businesses and large enterprises alike.

Key Features of Billing Machines

User-Friendly Interface: Many modern billing machines come with intuitive touchscreen interfaces that simplify the transaction process, making it easy for staff to operate without extensive training.

Fast and Accurate Billing: These machines are designed to process transactions rapidly, significantly reducing customer wait times and enhancing service efficiency.

Customizable Invoices: Users can personalize invoice templates to reflect their branding, including logos and business details, which adds a professional touch to customer interactions.

Comprehensive Reporting: Billing machines often provide detailed sales reports, inventory tracking, and financial records, enabling businesses to monitor performance and make informed decisions.

Tax Compliance: Many billing machines are equipped with features that ensure compliance with tax regulations, making it easier to calculate applicable taxes like GST or VAT.

Multiple Payment Options: They support various payment methods, including cash, credit/debit cards, and digital wallets, providing convenience to customers.

Benefits of Using Billing Machines

Increased Efficiency: Automating the billing process reduces manual errors and speeds up transactions, leading to improved cash flow and customer satisfaction.

Enhanced Security: Billing machines help in maintaining secure records of transactions, reducing the risk of loss or theft associated with cash handling.

Improved Inventory Management: Many billing machines come with inventory management features that allow businesses to track stock levels and set up alerts for low inventory, ensuring timely restocking.

Cost-Effectiveness: While the initial investment in a billing machine may be higher, the long-term savings in time and labor can be substantial, making them a cost-effective solution for businesses.

Types of Billing Machines

POS Systems: These are comprehensive solutions that combine billing, inventory management, and sales tracking, ideal for retail environments and restaurants.

Portable Billing Machines: These compact devices are perfect for businesses that require mobility, such as food trucks or market vendors.

Handheld Billing Machines: Designed for ease of use, these machines are often used in smaller retail settings or for on-the-go transactions.

Touchscreen Billing Machines: Featuring advanced technology, these machines offer a modern interface and are designed for high-volume transaction environments.

Conclusion

Billing machines are vital for modern businesses, providing a range of features that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. By automating the billing process, these machines not only save time but also contribute to better financial management and operational transparency. As technology continues to evolve, the capabilities of billing machines will likely expand, further transforming the way businesses handle transactions. Whether for a small shop or a large retail chain, investing in a reliable billing machine can significantly improve business operations.

[piratetransport]

Oil Field Hot Shot Trucking Services: Efficiency and Reliability

Experience top-tier logistics with our specialized oil field hot shot trucking services. Our dedicated team ensures timely and secure transportation of essential equipment and supplies, meeting the unique demands of the oil and gas industry. With a focus on efficiency and reliability, we streamline your operations, allowing you to focus on what you do best. Trust us to deliver excellence every mile of the way.

Expanded Content:

When it comes to the oil and gas industry, timing and reliability are everything. That's where our specialized oil field hot shot trucking services come into play. We understand the critical nature of your operations and the importance of having the right equipment and supplies delivered on time, every time. Our fleet of modern, well-maintained trucks is equipped to handle a wide range of loads, from small, urgent deliveries to larger, more complex shipments.

Our team of experienced drivers and logistics professionals are experts in navigating the unique challenges of oil field transportation. Whether it's delivering to remote locations or ensuring compliance with industry regulations, we have the knowledge and expertise to get the job done right. Our hot shot services are designed to be flexible and responsive, adapting to the changing needs of the industry.

[nonhumanresources]

Normalcy

Alright y'all, gonna start posting my writing here I think! Starting off with one of my personal favorite stories. I wrote this one a while back and iirc the ending is rough but it was well over the assignment limit oops so here we are lol. I'll streamline the formatting and such as I go so it's not all this clunky.

Summary: Laney is a dragon, which is a new experience for her. Fortunately, dragons can still operate cell phones, so at least she can tell someone else.

What to expect: dragon post-transformation POV, "how does a giant lizard navigate inside of a household," several questions about glass eyes, government agents, poor choices in drinkware, and a few space werewolves.

Length: 5.6k words

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laney was a dragon. 

That was not normal. 

She knew normal, somewhat; it was driving a truck, picking up groceries, sitting with friends, watching TV and complaining about corporations ruining TV then watching it some more, buying cheap meals at the lab cafeteria. Being a dragon was exactly none of those things, last time she checked. 

The only light in Laney’s room was the bluish glow of a cell phone, flashing on and off. Shards of glass were all over her head from when she’d tried to stand and slammed a horn directly into the lightbulb. Her tail slapped the ground in frustration as the phone shut off again, leaving her in darkness but for the sickly streetlamp glow behind her curtains. 

Laney was a dragon, but she wasn’t panicked. She wasn’t. Things were going to turn out okay, she told herself. Over and over. Just like a not-panicked person would do. Okay, maybe a little more than that, but that was just nervousness. It was understandable to be nervous. If she could just get the dang phone to stay on, then things would be alright. The remains of the bed groaned as she shifted side to side, haunches settling into a slightly more comfortable position, reaffirming the discovery that a small room was not, in fact, that most comfortable place for a dragon to sit. 

Rest of the story is in the read more! If you'd prefer to read it in a more convenient fashion, the google drive link is here. As always comments, questions, and thoughts are always appreciated.

Lots of discoveries were coming to light, actually. The aforementioned dragon-in-a-small-room theory; the weight limit on a standard Ikea bed frame (plus mattress and mattress pad); and most distinctly, that dragon claws did not, in fact, work on a modern touch screen device. 

Growling came from deep inside her sternum, startling her. Another discovery! Laney was finding out so much - her bosses at the lab would be proud, as long as she wrote it all down, of course. 

She shook her head. Being decidedly not panicked was getting distracting. She had to keep focused.

The phone screen illuminated the sharp curve of her snout as her claws, many times bigger than the small device, managed to snag the power button. That was a small success - now she just needed to follow it up. Her tail rose up from its position wrapped around her paws, a quick swipe across the screen bringing up the keypad for entering her password. The tip of her tail worked somewhat with a touchscreen - it just required careful precision to actually push what she wanted. 

Laney snagged her tail tip in between two fingers, paw curled awkwardly to accomplish the feat. Caution was key, here. The paw shook as she tried to manipulate her tail into pushing the keypad. Lower… closer…. 

The top of the screen lit up with a glorious, wonderful 5, and Laney nearly roared in triumph. First success, after half an hour of fruitlessly trying to even reach this point! Next was a four, just a touch to the left…. 

8.

“Oh, GOD wh—”

Laney was a dragon. She was also speaking English. Needless to say, that was more than a little shocking, and she just about choked on her words, letting out a massive, hacking gag, like an oversized, hissy dog. How did that even WORK?

Wh… whatever. Didn’t matter that an enormous reptile was somehow speaking a human language perfectly; if she could just open her phone and contact the lab, they’d help her. Sure, she was just a delivery driver, but they were working on some pretty advanced stuff - there was bound to be something that could… could help….

Her thoughts stuttered as she glanced back down and realized her phone had shut off. 

Another discovery: being a dragon did not, apparently, limit Laney’s use of swear words. 

It took another fifteen minutes to get back to the lock screen. Granted, five of those were spent panicking as a sharp crack rang out, then calming down as Laney realized it was just her bed frame, and not the phone. Right now, that was way more important. 

She took a deep breath, chest almost ballooning outwards, scales rattling against each other. Laney held it for a moment, surprised, before letting it slip out, whistling between teeth and out the sides of her maw. Being a dragon was so… odd. Or something. Laney realized she’d unconsciously been suppressing her physical feelings, or at least forcing them to the back of her mind. Air trickling over her back as she shifted her wings; the wings themselves, like an extra, unruly pair of arms with a rubber flap; her paws on the carpeted floor; her tail shifting and swaying, soft scales on its underside slithering over the carpet. It was all so alien. Some things were familiar, but even brushing a paw against her front, where she expected to feel something like a hand on a stomach, it felt like her old skin was… stretched over this new shape, brain awkwardly trying to reinterpret nerve signals to fit her narrow view of life. 

Laney glanced down at her lifted paw. Its green scales gleamed dully in the almost-darkness. It almost didn’t feel like hers. 

She looked downwards and almost punched her tail right through her phone screen as it darkened, about to turn off. Too many distractions; she needed to call someone, now.

Focusing hard, she hunched over her phone intently. Using her tail like a stylus again, Laney managed that first five again, and even the four after it, with little trouble. Nine was next; an accidental six showed up, but she managed to hit the delete button this time, snagging the nine with the softest touch from a scale. Just a two left….

As her phone flashed and took her to the home screen, Laney nearly shrieked with joy. It worked! Finally! She was almost saved! The cellphone app was right at the bottom of her screen - another careful tap, and there was a list of contacts. One swipe, two, all the way down to S - and there was the prize: Stentson Laboratories, Inc. She immediately poked it, sighing with relief. 

Luckily for her, although she didn’t realize it, she missed. Her phone displayed a name at the top, and it was decidedly not Stentson Laboratories, Inc. It was Sula Reiner. Laney groaned. Sula was a good friend - and also not who she needed right now. She couldn’t risk hanging up, though - obviously, the less actions on her phone, the better. It would go back to her contacts after the phone call went through; besides, it was nearly two in the morning. There was no way Sula would answer this late, so it was totally safe. She could relax for a moment, and—

“Hello?”

She almost choked on her own tongue, again.

“Laney? Everything alright? It, uh. Definitely sounds like you’re choking.” 

“F-fine,” Laney choked out in response, clearing her throat (although it sounded more like a cat hacking up something behind the couch). “I’m fine, not choking.” 

Sula laughed, her light voice coming through the speaker with a tinny quality. “Good, good. What’s up, then? You need something? You sound kinda sick” 

“I…” What were her options, really? Laney was basically stuck in her room, covered in scales, with nowhere to go, and she couldn’t even operate her phone properly. Calling Sula was a mistake—but having someone else to help out… maybe that would be better. Sula was a pretty open person; maybe she’d be able to do something? 

“Uh… yeah. It’s a lot to ask, but can you come over and help me? I’m… well, you’ll see. It’s not a prank or anything, promise.” 

“Sure, I’ll be over there in a minute. Need me to bring anything?”

Laney blinked, staring at the phone as if by doing so she could see Sula’s face. “Wait, seriously? Just like that? It’s… I mean, it’s important, but—”

“Oh, yeah, no worries. I’m not getting any sleep anyway, trust me.” Sula sounded conversational, but that was a little odd. She acted as if she was nocturnal or something. 

“Okay. There’s a key behind the mailbox on the wall.” Laney felt apprehensive, but the more she thought about it, the more this felt like the best solution. 

“Be right there.” Click. 

The dragon sighed, settled in, and waited.

—

Sula hummed as she walked through the dark towards Laney’s house. Streetlamps and the odd house light threw molten globs of light in all sorts of shades of yellow out onto the sidewalk. Her and Laney lived closer to the edge of town, in the rural neighborhood where they’d grown up. Sula had the patterns and shapes of the streets ingrained in her memory, the way the straight lines bent around the park and its surprisingly large lake. 

Lately, though, she was more used to seeing them at night. It was her element—more so than most college students her age staying up late, working on essays. Their taste of the night came from breezes in windows and fleeting jaunts after sports games and club events. Sula had dove into the night head first, becoming a specter in the fleeting lights, a ghost to the daytime world. 

That’s how she liked to think of it, anyway. It was a lot more interesting when she thought of it that way. Not that the truth was boring; it was really quite the opposite. ‘Alien by contract’ was a serious job title, but it wasn’t quite the aesthetic she was going for. Plus, she knew she wasn’t really a ‘specter to the daytime world.’ That implied people seeing her; that hardly ever happened, because most people were sensibly asleep at two in the morning. Not to mention she was wearing her oversized pajama top with a bunch of cute rabbits and a fleece bottom. That kinda took away from the whole specter look

The hum became a whistle—she was a great whistler—that echoed off the garage doors and vinyl siding of the neighborhood. A near-perfect rendition of the opening song to an anime she liked bounced off lawns and doors and into the sky. It petered off, though, as Laney’s house came into sight. 

All the lights were off, which wasn’t really unusual for this time of night, but Sula already knew Laney was awake. Maybe she was just in the basement? Her parents were gone for the week on a business trip, so it was just her friend there at the moment. Still, her feet slapped against the pavement a little faster, her hands shaking slightly as they lifted the hanging mailbox away from the wall to snag the key underneath. 

Maybe nothing was wrong, and it was just a panic attack, or something? Sula knew Laney’s tendency to clutch her emotions tight like they were birds trying to escape, and when one got away, they all erupted into the air in a storm of tears and feathers.

Yeah, it was probably nothing to worry about. 

—

It was definitely something to worry about. 

When she heard Sula yelling her name, Laney called out from the bedroom. She crouched down in front of the door, trying to look as nonthreatening as possible. Her paws shook - what if Sula….

Stop thinking of what if’s, she commanded herself, gulping a big breath of air and breathing it out slowly. I’m calm. I’m not panicked. I’m calm.

Sula’s ungodly screech upon opening her bedroom door nearly pushed her into being not calm. 

“Sula, I—” 

“LANEY! ARE YOU IN THERE?!” she screamed over her, hands held up warily, but thankfully not running away yet. 

“Yes, I’m—”

“I’M COMING IN THERE!” Sula gritted her teeth, glaring right into Laney’s eyes so fiercely that Laney recoiled, shocked. Was she about to try and fight her? She was… oddly flattered, but no no no this was bad.

“Sula! It’s me! Stop!” Laney’s cries made her friend hesitate. 

“I—well yeah, I certainly hope it’s you! I’m gonna come save you from the dragon that’s in your bedroom!” Her voice wavered a little. She was unsure, hovering in the doorway, eyes gleaming. She looked… wild. And the pause was because of Laney’s request, not because of the dragon. 

Laney began to question a few things about her friend. 

“No, I mean—Sula, I’m the dragon, don’t punch me, okay?” Her voice cracked a little on the word dragon. The smoldering, blue-green heat in Sula’s eyes burst alight into crackling curiosity. 

“You’re the dragon?” 

“Yes.” Laney hoped she sounded convincing enough. 

“And this is… not normal?” 

“Of course it isn’t normal, Sula! Are you high?!” 

Sula barked out a laugh, to Laney’s chagrin, then put her hands back down to her sides and stepped up to Laney’s snout. “Weird things happen at two AM, dude. For some people this would totally be the opposite of a problem.” 

Laney growled. “Doubtful! I can’t see why anyone would view this as anything but directly negative! I can’t even get out of my room!” Something about Sula’s presence kept her talking, as if this were an everyday conversation. Sula did that to everyone, she’d noticed - something about her made it feel like you could let your guard down, for a bit, and talk about whatever weird topic she was obsessed with this week. 

“Yeah… this was, uh. Not the greatest place to change, huh?” Sula reached out a hand, hovering it over Laney’s snout. “May I?” 

Laney snorted, but nodded. “Obviously not. And sure. Look, I need some serious help.” She felt her muscles tense as Sula’s cold hand lightly ran along the scales on the bridge of her snout, from her nose all the way up between her eyes. She ran her knuckles over it, harder this time, and Laney felt an intense shiver rattle her spine from head to tail. Her scales clicked and clacked lightly against each other like change in a pocket, and she could feel spines bristle across the center of her back. She felt like… how she imagined a cat, or something. 

Sula just kept talking as if she didn’t notice Laney’s tail slapping the ground happily (a physical sensation Laney was not feeling emotionally). “Help… yeah. Why’d you call me for it?” 

“B-be… becah… S-Sula, ssstop!” She yanked her head up and away from Sula’s hand, who let out a soft eep and stumbled backwards. “I can’t think when you’re doing that, geez… I didn’t mean to call you. You’re just right under the contact for Stentson and I misclicked it with my tail.” 

Sula drew in a sharp breath. “Oh. Okay. Thank goodness I’m here and not them.” 

“What? What’s wrong with Stentson Labs?” Laney tilted her head, what felt like a natural response to confusion in this form. “You worked there for a month or two last summer - it’s not like they’re THAT bad. Uptight, sure, but….” She trailed off as Sula shook her head.

“Nah. Nah, they’re bad news, Laney. I’d bet a whole lot of money that they were the ones who caused this—and that they’ve got someone sitting at the phone, waiting to pick up when you inevitably call.” Sula sounded… grim. It was unsettling. Laney could feel her scales rising again. 

“You… you don’t know what you’re talking about. Just get my phone and, and call them, okay? Please?” 

“This happened tonight, right?” 

“Sula.” 

“So yes, then. And you’re still on delivery duty—what were you delivering?” 

“Sula!” 

“Something important, then.” Laney stomped a paw, frustrated. Why couldn’t she have less stubborn friends? 

“Yes! Fine! I’ll play your game!” Laney snapped, knowing it would be the only way to get Sula off of her tangent. “It was a new experimental compound we were shipping to the military again. It’s a government run lab after all. Probably just some new high-efficiency civilian eliminator. It’s  not my job to care about it.” 

“Did you like… spill it on yourself, or eat it, or something? Stentson has weird stuff going on behind closed doors, Lan.” Sula using her nickname was uncommon, these days - it was all she’d call her back in high school. 

“Yes, Lu. I’m sure. We transported it in one of the freezer boxes. I had to take it out to replace the ice, but it’s not like it spilled—those capsules are air and water tight. I should know, my water bottle is one of the decommissioned ones.” 

Sula opened her mouth to respond, then snapped it shut with a clack. “Where’s your water bottle?” 

“If I tell you where it is, will you drop the silly idea?” Sula nodded. “Okay. Thank goodness. It’s next to the kitchen sink. I was gonna wash it later.” 

Sula slipped out, shoes knocking across the wooden floorboards. She always walked so heavily. Laney’s mom used to tell her that was going to stomp so hard she broke right through the sidewalk one of these days. Well, those days, now. 

Sula’s stomping came back in a moment, and she reappeared, illuminated from behind by the hall light, a large, pill-shaped hunk of metal in one hand. “You’re not gonna like this, Lan.” She tapped a finger on the side of the capsule, reading from a label. “3M E.C. (aq). Probably ‘Three molar aqueous Experimental Compound,’ if I had to guess, since scientists aren’t known for creative naming.” 

“Give me that!” Laney shifted her weight, holding out a paw. Sula dropped the capsule onto it, and she curled her claws over it, turning it over to read the label herself. 3M E.C. (aq).

Great. 

Sula spoke softly. “Did someone do this to you, Lan?” 

Laney growled, a deep primal noise. “No.”

“Are you sure…?” 

She sighed, nodded, and smacked her head on the ground. “Hopefully that military base appreciates the can of Monster they’re getting in the mail tomorrow.” 

—

What a stupid mistake. Laney knew she hadn’t been getting enough sleep, but a slip up this bad could have cost her her life! Drinking out of random laboratory containers—aargh, just thinking about it made her want to slap her past self. 

Sula was sitting against her side, humming. Laney’s declaration had caused her to burst out laughing, to which Laney politely requested she shut up for a minute and let her deal with this. Sula apologized and politely did so. 

It was just… this mistake might have actually cost her life, in a different way. Laney was officially some sort of lab mutant now, ripe for experimenting on. She knew better than to believe sci-fi movies - she wasn’t going to be immediately dissected or something. That was a token comfort, though, against the reality that she would be locked in a secret lab (which were very much real) and run through test after test after test. More than likely to develop a weapon. That was one thing that sci-fi got right: the US was always looking for another weapon. 

More than anything, she just felt… stupid. Her wings drooped on either side, trailing over her ruined bedroom’s floor, and even her tail had stopped moving. She had laid flat on the ground “to pout,” according to Sula. 

Sula’s humming stopped. “May I speak now?” 

Laney took a deeeeeep breath, in and out. “Permission granted.” 

“Nice!” Sula pushed herself off of Laney’s enormous side and up to her feet. “You’re suuuper warm, by the way. I dunno if you can breathe fire, but I’d believe it. Now,” she said, walking over to Laney’s snout, hands on her hips. “Up! Let’s go!” Laney rolled her eyes. 

“Where are we going?” she drawled. 

“The park!” Sula sounded much too eager about this. What was she trying to do? 

“I’m not going to the park when I can’t even make it out of the doorway.” Laney tried to make her words sound as dully disinterested as possible. 

“You’re a lot longer than you are tall, Lan. Besides—I’m helping!” 

“How.” 

Sula winked, and Laney rolled her eyes. “Let’s just say that you’re lucky you called me instead of Stentson.” 

“Look, Sula, I appreciate you coming over. I really, really do. But I don’t see how—”

“I’m a werewolf.”

Sula talked over her. Like, actually, honest-to-god just interrupted her mid sentence. She never did that. Not only that—it was also nonsense. 

“Sula. Don’t.” 

“Lan, you gotta stop being so dreary.”

“Sula, my whole body and life just got upended!”

She had the audacity to shrug. “You get used to it after the third or fourth time.” 

“Stop trivializing this!” Laney growled again, the sound rattling hollowly through her throat and chest, powerful and menacing. She started to push herself to her feet - then ground to a halt as something large and furry slapped down on her snout with a wet plap!

Sula tried to keep talking conversationally, but Laney could hear the grin in her voice. “It’s contractual, but it totally wasn’t the first time—”

“Damn it Sula, what the—”

“It’s a pretty nice gig, really—”

“Sula what the ACTUAL hell is on my face?!”

“It’s my paw!” Laney could see where the fur thinned and lead into Sula’s regular, definitely human arm. 

“It’s your—SULA. EXPLAIN RIGHT NOW. WHERE IS THIS FROM AND WHY IS IT SOAKING WET.” Laney had to force the words out gruffly, one at a time. This was too much. This… no. What was even going ON?

“I told you. Werewolf. Full shapeshifting, the whole jazz. Plus, I’m an alien werewolf, which is even cooler.” Sula pulled her paw back, revealing glowing green pads on her palm as it quickly turned back into an underwhelming human hand. 

“Alien… excuse the hell out of me?” It was gibberish. Nonsense. She was crazy. Laney was stuck as a dragon with her insane friend. Or she herself was crazy. Because that was so… so absolutely, utterly, undeniably dumb.

“It’s awesome,” Sula stated. 

—

“Let me—urf—get this straight,” Laney grunted, chest tight as her hind claws scrabbled against the wall of her bedroom, trying to push her sideways through the doorway. It was the only direction her shoulders could hope to fit. 

“Go ahead,” Sula replied, splayed out like a starfish over Laney’s back on the other side of the wall, keeping her wings tucked in tight. 

“You got abducted and turned into an alien… wolf… squid… thing.” Laney let out a yelp as the shoulder on bottom caught against the doorframe, forcing her to scoot backwards and wrangle it back into position. 

“Correct.” Sula’s head poked through the doorway, around the bulk of her shoulders and chest. “Call me a specter of the night, if you so please.” Laney threw a derisive glance at her cheeky smile, and Sula took the hint, popping back into place. 

“And the aliens were… rouge scientists.” Gods above, that sounded stupid every time. 

“Correct again.” Sula shoved at Laney’s body, succeeding in helping her get one arm through. That was progress. 

“So you made a contract with them.” Laney bucked herself upwards and slid the arm through, collapsing onto her side, panting, her whole upper body successfully extricated. 

“Yep. Taught them the concept of a long term study, and then offered to participate if they stopped kidnapping people.” She slipped her head back through the doorway again. “It sounds way more noble than it actually is. I just can’t stand bad science.” 

That was something Laney understood. They were both STEM majors, and she was just as frustrated by malpractice as Sula. Laney, however, was not insane like her friend apparently was. 

Stay calm. No big emotions. They’ll get away from you.

Deep breath. OW wait okay maybe not that deep - she nearly snapped a rib pushing it against the doorframe. She skittered forwards like some sort of awkward crab. Luckily, the hallway split halfway down - if she maneuvered her top half into the split, she could pull her hips and legs through despite their awkward shape, then maybe… pull her top half back, bunch up like a worm, and she was home free. Or free from home, rather. The back of the house had a sliding glass door - it opened wide enough to carry a table through, and was, by extension, wide enough for a dragon. Perhaps not the intended use, but she wasn’t about to complain. 

“And now… grk… we’re heading to their lab. Which is a giant fish-spaceship.” 

“The Fiship, yeah.” Laney groaned, and Sula giggled somewhere near her tail. “Love calling it that.”

Laney shook her head. “Stupid….” Pulling herself forwards another few feet, she bent her upper body into the L of the hallway, her head pressed upside down against the floor. She was pleased to find that pulling her legs through the door was the one easy task she’d had all night, although she felt like a yoga instructor. While steadying herself after both hind paws made it through, Sula left the bedroom, skirting the wall beside the lengthy dragon. 

“I’m gonna go make a path, move anything breakable.” Laney nodded, and Sula placed a hand against her neck, letting it slide along her scales until she was too far away and it slipped off. 

They’d been friends since either one could remember. Laney and Sula, or Lan and Lu, or Loony and Sucker, depending on who you asked in middle school. Laney remembered her dad always saying he was shocked they stuck together - he could never tell if they were fighting or not, he said. In fifth grade, Sula called it their “forever-bond” and refused to explain what that meant. Sula’s parents encouraged it, even as Laney’s were skeptical, but neither one could disagree on the positive impact this weird child was having on their poor, shy little thing. Everyone tried to explain the friendship between the two seemingly incompatible children.

Sula never referred to her as a poor little anything. That was good enough an explanation for Laney. She was a chemist, not a psychologist. 

Inching her way down the hall, trying not to scratch the paint on either side, Laney was surprised to see Sula before she heard her. Before she could comment on that, though, Sula held a finger to her lips and gestured behind her. 

“We got company,” she whispered. 

“Stentson?” Laney asked. Sula gave her a thumbs up. “Oh, great….” 

“Listen—I’ll distract them.” Sula looked more scared about that than she had facing an actual dragon earlier.  “You get yourself outside. Go through the Black’s backyard and turn right, it’s the fastest way to the park, if you shortcut through the irrigation ditch next to Teddy Morris’s house.” Laney was surprised by the detailed instructions, but nodded affirmatively. 

“Got it. Stay safe.” What she wanted to say was Thank you, please don’t get hurt, this is my fault, I’m so sorry.

Sula kissed her palm and planted it on Laney’s snout, gave another thumbs up, smiled in a way that crinkled her blue-green eyes, staring back into Laney’s—oh. She… didn’t know her eye color anymore. 

She blinked, and Sula was already heading back up the hallway as the front door rang with three sharp knocks. Laney had a sneaking suspicion that somehow, Sula knew exactly what she was thinking, and had already accepted and forgiven her apology. That girl….

 Laney let a shiver run from her snout to her tail, letting herself feel her form again, for a moment. Sides brushing the wall as she breathed in and out. Long, forked tongue that picked up the taste of the air. Eyes that pierced every shadow. Powerful muscles flexing and relaxing under her scaled hide. Long, sinuous tail curling and uncurling. 

As soon as another, louder knock hit the front door, Laney began to move. 

—

Sula faked a yawn and tugged open the door with the slow, contemplative weight of someone who wasn’t always awake at three in the morning. 

Cars with lights pointed at the front of the house lined the driveway and road. A man, dressed in a military uniform of some sort, a pair of dark sunglasses on his face, stood stock still on her porch, left hand rest near a hip holster. Sula could see the puff of a bulletproof vest under his shirt. 

“Yyyeah? Wuzzat?” she mumbled, eyes half-lidded. The soldier looked her up and down. 

“This is the Geralt residence?” he said in short, clipped syllables. It wasn’t a question. Sula let herself ponder what must be going through this man’s mind - stalling, and acting like a tired, mussy-haired student. 

“Ma’am?”

“Oh! Uh. Think so, yeah.” Sula’s drunken slur was a direct opposite to the sharply-spoken man.

“You… think so,” he said, raising an eyebrow, hand drifting away from the holster. Good. Sula wasn’t worried about getting shot—the xenocanids had solutions for that sort of thing. She was more worried about Laney’s parents coming home to bullet holes in the walls. 

“Thas’ wha’ I said, yeh?” She swayed against the door, clutching it, and spoke again as soon as the man opened his mouth. She saw his eyes crinkle with displeasure under the sunglasses. “Pretty sure, at least. Was las’ time I checked. I can go ask, if ya want…?”

Shades shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. Are you Laney Geralt?” 

Sula shook her head. “Why would I be a Geralt? Sssay… wha’s with those shades, anyway? Moonlight too bright for ya?” She hiccuped and giggled, then—hearing the sound of something getting knocked over—broke into a full laugh. Shades tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for her to finish. Finally, wiping her eyes dramatically, she sighed and fell silent. 

“If you must know,” Shades said, voice abrasive and irritated, “these are prescription. As it turns out, some people are judgemental about my lazy eye.” 

“Oh.” Huh. Sula had figured it was just some sort of… intimidation tactic. “Ssorry, dude. You c… considered surgery? I h-HIC-heard there was a good one developed lae’ly.”

Shades tilted his mouth in a curious frown. “Wait, really? Where do they…” he seemed to catch himself, straightening back up and clearing his throat. “If you’re not a Geralt, what are you doing in their house?” 

Sula heard the unmistakable sound of a sliding glass door slipping closed. Anyone in the neighborhood would have recognized it. She grunted, putting on a look of feigned surprise. 

“Y… oh, you know what? You’re totally right. I don’t live here. My bad.” 

And she slammed the door closed in Shades’ face. 

—

Laney paced back and forth on the lakeshore, not caring who saw her. Where was Laney? She’d been waiting for over fifteen minutes. Which didn’t sound like a lot, but she was tired and stressed and NOT PANICKEDand it felt much longer than fifteen minutes, alright? 

A splash in the water behind her. Laney spun, growling, and watched as a figure emerged from the water. “Sula?” 

The only reply was garbled nonsense. 

“L… Laney, don’t mess with me.”

“Grrrlllbrbb,” went the figure. 

“I WILL bite you!” Laney yelled, backing up as four glowing green eyes opened along the creature’s vaguely canid face, fins framing it on either side. Its form was shambling and awkward on land, feet hardly more than two masses of tentacles, paws glowing and grasping, hunched over, odd looking tendrils curling from its back. 

“Bbbllrbbb,” was her reply. 

Laney was about to make a break for it when she heard Sula’s voice calling out. She whipped her head around, hissing, still stumbling backwards away from the monstrosity. 

“WHERE WERE YOU?” Laney nearly roared, dragon lungs panting and huffing, smoke pouring from her nostrils. So I can breathe fire, then….

Sula ran out of the treeline, towards Laney and the monster. “Sorry, I had to give a bunch of grunts the slip!” She stopped and smiled that constant smile of hers once she was a few feet away. “And I see you’ve already met Nthrya!” 

“Nith-what?” Laney growled, glancing at the monster, which had stopped in place. It was… waving at Sula. “You know this thing?” she asked, incredulous. 

“Yeah, it’s Nthrya.” The word came out strange and hissing. It sounded like ‘nith-ri-a’ to Laney, which meant jack squat. 

“What is a nith-ra?” Laney questioned. Sula wasn’t listening, though - she was staring at the monster, who was garbling at her.

“Nah, she’s not a normal creature. Yeah, that’s why you haven’t seen her. Yes, she’s a she.” It was like a one sided conversation, interspersed with garbling nonsense. “Yeah. Yes. Oh, yeah, it’s good to see you too! Look, Nthrya - we’re in a hurry. Can I bring her on the ship? I’ll explain it. Please? Yeah, you can.” Sula clapped her hands and turned to Laney. “That’s that, then!” She paused at the blank look on the dragon’s face. 

“Oh, I forgot you, uh. Can’t speak their language.” She rubbed an arm sheepishly. 

“Not at all,” Laney said dryly. 

“Yeeeah. Well, he said you can spend some time on the ship, and they’ll work on a way to help us out. It’s even docked right now!” Sula pointed at the lake, which was very clearly empty. 

“...Sula.” 

“Oh! Sorry. Uh, these guys see in a different spectrum - the ship is pretty much invisible to you, but it’s right there saying hello for us. Just, uh….” She walked to the lakeshore, then out onto the water, floating above it. “Here, I’ll just guide you in.”

Well. It’s not the weirdest thing to happen tonight. 

Laney was standing halfway on an invisible fin before a thought struck her. 

“Wait, Sula, you can turn into one of those… things?” 

Sula’s grin was as expected as it was cheesy. “I’ll show you sometime. It’s super gross.” 

Laney couldn’t help but give a weak smile back, her emotions starting to cave in. She was gonna break down and cry, she thought. 

At least Sula was here to let her. 

“I’m sure it is,” she said, taking a deep breath and pushing forwards into the Fiship. 

Laney was a dragon. 

And that wasn’t normal. But it was alright, for the moment.

[alightinthelantern]

Parlor-Observation car "Juno" on the Nebraska Zephyr, a daytime passenger train operated daily by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) between Chicago, Illinois and Lincoln, Nebraska. Beginning operation in 1947, the train was typical of streamlined trains of the postwar period in that its carbodies were built of stainless steel and featured an all-silver exterior, the trademark of the Budd Company, but it was also notable in that it continued the CB&Q's unusual tradition, which began in the 1930s, of articulated, unified trainsets, with all passenger cars in each consist sharing bogies (wheel-trucks) and permanently coupled together.

The Nebraska Zephyr operated once-daily in each direction, with Westbound #11 departing Chicago at 12:45 PM and arriving in Lincoln at 10:30 PM, while Eastbound #12 departed Lincoln at 11:00 AM and arrived in Chicago at 8:45 PM. The 551-mile (887 km) trip took 9 hours and 45 minutes, and its average speed was 56 miles per hour (90 km/h) including stops. Service utilized two trainsets which each operated one direction on day and the opposite direction the next. One trainset's cars bore the names of Roman female gods, and was nicknamed "the train of the goddesses" (Venus, Vesta, Minerva, Psyche, Ceres, Diana, and Juno), while the other trainset's cars were named for male Roman gods, and was nicknamed "the train of the gods" (Apollo, Mars, Neptune, Cupid, Vulcan, Mercury, and Jupiter). The trainsets were in fact built by the Budd Company back in 1936 as the second pair of Twin Zephyrs, for CB&Q service between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, making them some of the first stainless-steel trainsets built by Budd, and as such they initially bore the same style of locomotive as the other CB&Q Zephyrs from the 1930s, of a smooth, semicircular front curving seamlessly into the roofline at its top, but these locomotives were later replaced with the stainless-steel-bodied, shovel-nosed diesel locomotives of the 1950s which all the CB&Q's Zephyr trains later received.

Each of the Nebraska Zephyr's two trainsets consisted of several coaches and parlor cars, a coach-dinette, dining car, cocktail lounge, and parlor-observation car. The parlor-observation car on "the train of the gods" was named Jupiter, while its goddess counterpart was named Juno. The locomotives were named Pegasus (CB&Q #9904) and Zephyrus (CB&Q #9905). The trains were generously appointed and provided comfortable travel throughout the 1940s and '50s, and the high level of service was maintained until 1963, when the cocktail lounges were removed in favor of additional seating. In 1966 the dining cars were rebuilt as "cafeteria cars" with vending machines for additional cost-cutting. The aging trainsets were retired from service entirely in 1968, although CB&Q continued to operate the Nebraska Zephyr train with other rolling stock until 1971, when the newly-birthed Amtrak took over all remaining passenger rail service in the US.

[andrusi]

rating lego firetrucks: rise of the nineties

#515 Basic Building Set, 5+ (1990)

it’s not 1964 anymore, lego.

#735 Basic Building Set, 7+ (1990)

see? much better. there are three different options here for what kind of firetruck you want to build and all of them are good even if the ladder ends up looking oddly puny on the big one. also it makes light and sound--sorry, I mean it makes electric. 3️⃣3️⃣3️⃣3️⃣3️⃣

#1679 Basic Building Set, 5+ (1990)

no

#6389 Fire Control Center (1990)

another variation on the same basic fire station accompaniments, now joined by a helicopter but we don’t care about helicopters here, only trucks. there’s a new, more compact hose reel that can retract into the pumper truck, which is a neat trick (not unlike spinning). the streamlined look is odd but it kind of works. 🚒🚒🚒🚒 meanwhile the other truck is solid. 🚒🚒🚒

#1656 Evacuation Team (1991)

the offroad truck here is okay. the other truck isn’t really a fire truck so much as it’s a regular flatbed that happens to be fire department operated. not entirely sure how you’d use this to evacuate anyone but /shrug. 🚒🚒🚒

#6440 Jetport Fire Squad (1991)

6 wide? did city secretly start all the way back in 1991??? anyway aside from being cool this adds some nice variety to a lineup that was in danger of becoming monotonous. ✈✈✈✈✈

#6393 Blaze Battler (1991)

basically the non-electronic equivalent of #6480. that sounds like a negative but it isn’t, this one is good. this is in no way influenced by how I had it as a kid. 🚒🚒🚒🚒

#9354 Town Street Theme (1991)

nah.

#2940 Fire Truck (1992)

toolo was weird.

#6350 Hook & Ladder (1994)

after taking a couple of years off, firefighting comes back to lego town with fancy new outfits and breathing apparatus, and we have a nice big truck to use them with. long ladder is very long.  🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒

#6571 Flame Fighters (1994)

reasonably solid truck overall, like the gauge and the storage, but I’m not a fan of how the front comes together. 🚒🚒🚒

#2691 Fire Engine, #2693 Fire Station (1995)

👶

[avaaltechnologysolutions]

The trucking industry is one of the most regulated in the U.S. and Canada, which means compliance is always a top concern for transportation industries. This is especially true when it comes to cross-border freight. These days, border officials rely on digital documents to make the customs process smoother. Having the right software can make this process easy and reduce the risk of errors. Here are a few ways AVAAL eManifest software can make border crossing easy for your business.

Compliance Made Simple

To run a successful trucking business, compliance always needs to be a top priority. Not following the required customs process or accurately filling out documentation can result in lost time, reduced profits, and even legal consequences. Both Canada and the U.S. require carriers to submit their eManifests one hour prior and send their paperwork to customs brokers two hours prior to a driver’s arrival at the border. With AVAAL’s eManifest software, submitting this has never been easier. Our software is tailor-made to meet all the requirements so that you can cross the border without any hassles and be confident that you’re complying with all regulations.

Easy to Use Platform

Both the U.S. and Canada currently offer their own free eManifest portal. Unfortunately, these are difficult to use and not designed to support carriers that regularly cross the border. These platforms also don’t share data between ACE and ACI, creating issues for cross-border trucking companies. AVAAL eManifest is easy to use and reliable. It’s web-based software, meaning you can submit your manifests at any time and from anywhere. Our software also comes with 24/7 support, so we will be available to help you if any issues arise.

Tailored to Your Business' Needs

Not all trucking companies have the same needs, even when it comes to border-crossing. One thing that sets our eManifest software apart from others is that it can be tailor-fit to meet your company’s needs. Whether you’re a single operator or a multi-national company, we offer the greatest level of flexibility and have an eManifest plan to suit your requirements. We have a team of experts on hand ready to help you with all your businesses’ needs.

PAPS and PARS: How to Speed Up Your Cross-Border Shipments

PAPS (Pre-Arrival Processing System) and PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System) are essential components in cross-border trade between Canada and the United States. Let’s explore what they are and how they facilitate the movement of commercial goods across the Canadian and U.S. borders:

PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System):

Designation: PARS is used by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to clear commercial goods through customs.

Functionality: It involves bar code labels placed on commercial invoices. CBSA agents scan these labels to determine whether goods need immediate release or further inspection.

Integration: PARS works with the ACI (Advance Commercial Information) electronic manifest system in Canada.

PAPS (Pre-Arrival Processing System):

Designation: PAPS is the U.S. counterpart of PARS.

Functionality: Similar to PARS, it allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to process goods as they cross the border.

Integration: PAPS operates within the ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) electronic manifest system in the United States.

Similarities and Differences:

Both PARS and PAPS serve the same purpose: facilitating the movement of goods.

The main difference lies in their geographical scope: PARS for Canada, PAPS for the USA.

Having similar systems streamlines importing and exporting between the two countries.

When Do You Need PARS or PAPS Numbers?

Any commercial shipments entering Canada or the U.S. by truck use PARS or PAPS numbers as the default shipping type.

The PARS/PAPS process involves carriers, shippers, and customs brokers working together to ensure smooth border crossings.

Here’s how it works:

A carrier assigns a PARS or PAPS number to a shipment.

The customs broker uses this number to request the release of the shipment from customs.

The carrier prepares an eManifest listing using ACI (Canada) or ACE (U.S.), referencing the PARS or PAPS number.

Only when both the broker’s entry and the carrier’s eManifest listing are accepted can the goods proceed to the border.

Customs officers verify the PARS or PAPS number to release the goods or refer them for inspection.

In summary, PARS and PAPS play a crucial role in expediting cross-border trade, ensuring compliance, and enhancing efficiency for carriers and importers.

For more information kindly visit – ACE/ACI emanifest Portal

[wedelivergravel01]

Stone Slinger Services and the Role of Technology in Modern Construction

In today's fast-paced world, the construction industry is constantly evolving, driven by advancements in technology that aim to enhance efficiency and productivity. One such innovation that has revolutionized material placement in construction projects is the stone slinger service. In Toronto, WeDeliverGravel.com has emerged as a leading provider of stone slinger services, combining cutting-edge technology with exceptional customer service.

Cutting-Edge Technology for Precise Material Distribution: WeDeliverGravel.com's Advanced Fleet

A stone slinger service involves the use of specialized trucks equipped with conveyor systems that can precisely and accurately distribute a variety of construction materials, such as stone, gravel, sand, and soil. This innovative approach eliminates the need for manual labor-intensive processes, saving time and reducing the risk of injuries on the worksite.

WeDeliverGravel.com utilizes state-of-the-art stone slinger trucks that are operated by highly skilled professionals. With our expertise, we can maneuver the equipment to deliver materials to even the most challenging and inaccessible areas, such as steep slopes, tight spaces, or elevated surfaces. This level of precision and versatility allows for more efficient and effective material placement, ultimately enhancing the overall construction process.

Maneuverability and Accessibility: Overcoming Construction Challenges with Stone Slinger Services

The role of technology in stone slinger services goes beyond the vehicles themselves. WeDeliverGravel.com leverages advanced software systems to optimize routing and scheduling, ensuring prompt and reliable delivery to project sites. This streamlines project timeline and minimizes delays, enabling construction teams to work with greater efficiency and stay on track.

Efficient Delivery Management: Streamlining Project Logistics with Technology

Moreover, technology plays a vital role in the monitoring and maintenance of stone slinger trucks. WeDeliverGravel.com utilizes telematics and GPS tracking systems to monitor the performance and location of our fleet in real time. This proactive approach allows for timely maintenance, reducing the risk of breakdowns and ensuring uninterrupted service.

Proactive Fleet Monitoring and Maintenance: Ensuring Reliable Service and Minimizing Downtime

The adoption of stone slinger services with advanced technology offers numerous benefits for construction projects in Toronto. It eliminates the need for manual material handling, reducing physical strain on workers and enhancing safety on the job site. Additionally, the precise and accurate material placement provided by stone slinger trucks improves the overall quality and consistency of the construction project.

WeDeliverGravel.com, with its commitment to leveraging the latest technology, stands as a trusted partner for stone slinger services in Toronto. we combine the power of innovative equipment with experienced operators to provide exceptional service tailored to the unique needs of each project.

In conclusion, stone slinger services have redefined material placement in modern construction. 

By embracing technology and utilizing advanced equipment, companies like WeDeliverGravel.com are revolutionizing the construction industry in Toronto. With our precise and efficient material distribution, we enable construction teams to work faster, safer, and with greater precision. When it comes to stone slinger services in Toronto, WeDeliverGravel.com stands at the forefront

[xpresslifttool]

Maximize Efficiency on the Road with XLT Trailer Drill Kit

Empower your trucking operations with the XLT Trailer Drill Kit. A versatile tool designed to streamline trailer maintenance, making on-the-road repairs faster, easier, and more efficient.

[lunaavaa]

Best Logistics Fleet Management Software

In the rapidly evolving world of logistics, effective fleet management is the key to success.

 Whether you oversee a fleet of trucks, delivery trucks, or a combination of vehicles, having the right logistics fleet management software can be a game changer. These software solutions are designed to streamline operations, reduce costs and improve overall efficiency. In this article, we'll explore some of the best logistics fleet management software options available, each offering unique features to help businesses navigate the path to efficiency.

1. Geotab: 

Geotab is a comprehensive fleet management software known for its real-time tracking, route optimization, and maintenance tracking. It's a versatile solution suitable for fleets of all sizes.

2. Samsara: 

Samsara offers a robust fleet management platform with features like real-time GPS tracking, driver safety monitoring, and vehicle diagnostics.

 It's a favorite among businesses looking to enhance safety and compliance.

3. Teletrac Navman: 

Teletrac Navman provides fleet management software focused on real-time tracking, compliance and driver behavior monitoring.

 This is the preferred choice for companies looking to improve driver performance and reduce fuel costs.

4. Fleet Complete: 

Fleet Complete offers a comprehensive suite of fleet management tools, including GPS tracking, dispatching and asset management. It is highly adaptable and can cater to different industries.

5. KeepTruckin: 

KeepTruckin is known for its user-friendly fleet management software. It offers features like electronic logging, IFTA reporting, and vehicle inspections, making it a great choice for small to medium fleets.

6. Verizon Connect: 

Verizon Connect provides GPS fleet tracking software focused on route optimization, fuel management and field service automation. It is ideal for businesses looking to reduce costs and increase productivity.

7. Route4Me: 

Route4Me offers advanced route optimization software, perfect for last-mile delivery operations. It offers real-time tracking, geolocation, and route planning capabilities, making it an essential tool for businesses delivering  to customers.

8. WorkWave Route Manager: 

WorkWave Route Manager is a cloud-based fleet management solution designed for mobile workforces. It offers route optimization, GPS tracking, and reporting, making it an ideal choice for delivery businesses.

Selecting the right logistics fleet management software is crucial for businesses seeking to stay competitive and efficient in the logistics industry. These software solutions cater to a wide range of needs, from real-time tracking and route optimization to driver safety and compliance.

As the logistics landscape continues to evolve, having the best fleet management software can put your business on the path to success.

[guerrerense]

DL 190 - ALCO PA-1 at Kansas City, KS por Zach Pumphery Por Flickr: On its way to new owner Genesee Valley Transportation Company is the famous ALCO PA-1 restored by preservationist Doyle McCormack over the past 2 decades in Portland, Oregon. The locomotive began moving east in late April from the PNW on BNSF Railway, arriving at Kansas City early this morning on BNSF Train H PASKCK9 25A, appropriately behind a warbonnet painted Dash-9. In this view, the locomotive is at the "Tall Tower" at BNSF Argentine Yard. The unit is on home rails at this former Santa Fe facility. This engine was built for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway by the American Locomotive Company in 12-1948 as ATSF 62-L, builder number 76541 wearing the famous red and silver Warbonnet paint scheme leading famous trains such as the "El Capitan" between Chicago and California. On 4-5-67, the Santa Fe retired the unit and sold it to Morrison–Knudsen in Boise, ID. 4 Ex-ATSF units including this one were rebuilt by MK with the "PA-4" classification, for the Delaware and Hudson on 8-11-75, with this one becoming D&H 18. Under D&H ownership, they were used by Amtrak for the "Adirondack", and later by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority hauling commuter trains around Boston. The last PA's to operate in the United States, they were sold in 1978 to the NdeM, where this one ran as DH-18 until 1981. All 4 of those PA's remain, 2 at the National Museum of Mexican Railways, and 2 in the US. In 2000, McCormack of American Freedom Train and SP 4449 fame worked with the Smithsonian Institution to bring two of these engines back to the United States. What was left of the 16 and 18 came home on flat cars to Oregon. Doyle bought a set of trucks in Canada to replace the ones that were missing when it arrived from Mexico, and the hulk of a BC Rail M420B for its 251 prime mover, electrical cabinet, and traction motors. 16 later wound up at the Museum of the American Railroad in Texas where it is steadily being restored to its Santa Fe appearance. McCormack's father worked for the NYC&STL, better known as the Nickel Plate Road, and his first cab ride when he was 12 was aboard the real NKP 190. Doyle later worked for the N&W in Ohio and an operator, eventually becoming a fireman before moving to the Pacific Northwest in the 1970's. He hired out on the SP, worked freight an passenger service for Amtrak, and has retired from the UP, all the while being heavily involved with the 4449 organization. When he restored the PA it was only natural for him to restore it to an NKP appearance, which took the better part of 2 decades to complete. The engine traveled to Spencer, NC in 2014 for the "Streamliners at Spencer" event featuring a plethora of locomotives from that era. Now in his 80's, it was announced in March 2023 that he had sold the engine to GVT after years of talks. The engine will be put into excursion service by GVT and will pull excursions in Northeastern Pennsylvanian, including former D&H track the engine ran in revenue service. Assigned "DL 190" for movement to GVT's Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad in Pennsylvania, it retains its Nickel Plate Road paint scheme. The real 190 was built in March 1948 and carried builder number 75457. For what was regarded as one of the most beautiful locomotive designs ever built, not many of these were preserved, and half of those units suffered what had been a grim fate for decades. It's nice to have a few left to enjoy. Locomotive: DL 190 5-3-23 Kansas City, KS

[lifecarelogistic]

Efficient Loading Techniques to Improve Logistics Operations

Introduction:

When it comes to logistics operations, efficient loading plays a crucial role in ensuring timely and cost-effective deliveries. By optimizing the way goods are loaded into trucks or containers, logistics companies can maximize space utilization, reduce transportation costs, and improve overall productivity. In this beginner's guide, we will explore some of the best loading techniques that can enhance logistics operations, focusing on how they can benefit the Best Logistic Company in Indore.

 The Importance of Efficient Loading

Efficient loading is a key aspect of logistics operations that directly impacts a company's bottom line. By employing optimized loading techniques, logistic companies can achieve the following benefits:

Enhanced Space Utilization: 

Properly utilizing the available space within a truck or container ensures that more goods can be transported in a single trip, minimizing the number of journeys required and reducing fuel consumption.

Improved Inventory Management: 

By loading goods strategically, logistic companies can organize inventory in a way that facilitates easier unloading and inventory checks, leading to streamlined operations and reduced handling time.

Minimized Damage Risks: 

Careful loading techniques can help prevent damage to goods during transportation, reducing the risk of losses and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Best Loading Techniques for Logistic Operations

 Unitizing and Palletizing:

Unitizing involves consolidating individual items into larger units, while palletizing refers to loading these units onto pallets. This technique helps maximize space utilization, simplifies loading and unloading processes, and provides stability during transportation. The best logistics companies in Indore utilize unitizing and palletizing to optimize their loading operations.

Stacking and Securing:

Stacking goods strategically ensures that the available space is utilized efficiently. Larger and heavier items should be placed at the bottom, while smaller and lighter ones can be stacked on top. Additionally, using straps, ropes, or stretch wrap to secure the load helps prevent shifting or damage during transit.

Load Planning and Sequencing:

Careful load planning involves analyzing the dimensions, weight, and fragility of goods to determine the most efficient way to load them. Prioritize loading high-demand items closer to the front for easier access during unloading. Furthermore, sequencing the loading process based on delivery routes can minimize the time spent searching for specific items at each stop.

Technology and Automation in Loading Operations

Forklifts and Conveyor Systems:

Investing in forklifts and conveyor systems can significantly enhance loading efficiency. Forklifts enable the quick movement of heavy goods, while conveyors assist in loading and unloading processes, minimizing manual handling and reducing the risk of injuries.

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS):

Implementing a robust WMS can optimize loading operations by providing real-time visibility of inventory, enabling better load planning, and automating document processes. Leading logistics companies in Indore rely on advanced WMS to streamline their loading operations.

Conclusion:

Efficient loading techniques are instrumental in improving logistics operations and ensuring timely and cost-effective deliveries. By maximizing space utilization, minimizing damage risks, and employing innovative technologies, logistics companies can enhance their overall efficiency. The best logistics companies in Indore understand the significance of efficient loading and utilize these techniques to provide exceptional services to their clients. By adopting these practices, your logistics operations can achieve new heights of productivity and customer satisfaction.

[onlineemenu-software]

More and more consumers today expect to be able to order food online quickly and easily. Our online food ordering system is dedicated to helping restaurants of all sizes. From small, medium and large, we help you streamline your online ordering process and drive sales.

Our user-friendly system allows you to create a customised setup, accept online orders and manage them with ease. Take your restaurant to the next level whether you are a restaurant, cafe, food truck etc.

Over 52% of customers trust a restaurant's own branded app. Instead of third-party food portal mobile and web apps. Convert your website visitors to online customers and receive unlimited orders with zero commission. Our online food ordering system is designed to help food businesses streamline their online ordering process.

In today's fast-paced world, consumers expect to order food online quickly and easily. Thus, businesses require a reliable and efficient system to manage orders, payments and customer data. Our restaurant ordering system is highly customizable. It is tailored for you to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Our Restaurant Online Ordering System can help you create a customised solution. From menus, and accepting online orders, to manage your operations seamlessly.