Divorce Lawyers Attorney

Virginia Norfolk City Desertion Divorce Lawyers Attorney - By: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah



KATHERINE O'BRIEN SMITH v. HARRY LEE SMITH, JR.
Supreme Court of Virginia
September 2, 1960

Facts:

This suit was instituted by the appellant, Katherine Anne O'Brien Smith, against her husband, Harry Lee Smith, Jr., alleging that he had been guilty of cruelty and desertion, had refused to support her and their children and establish a home for them. She prayed for a separation, not a divorce, and for support for herself and the children. The couple lived in Puerto Rico while the husband was in the army. The wife was hospitalized after an epileptic seizure rendered her unconscious. Her mother testified that the husband telephoned her in Norfolk and told her to come and get his wife or the army would put her in a straitjacket. The parents brought her and the children back to Norfolk and the husband did not see them for three years. He withdrew all of the money in the couple's joint bank account and failed to pay support. The trial court found that the wife failed to show that the husband had constructively deserted her by virtue of cruelty but that her failure to return to her husband upon recovery from her illness was desertion.

Issue:

Whether the trial court had erred in granting the divorce on the ground of desertion of the wife?

Discussion:

This court held that the parties' separation when the wife returned to Norfolk not only was with the husband's acquiescence and consent; but also, was at his request. He did not prove her intent to desert him. Therefore, the husband was not entitled to the divorce and the wife did not forfeit her right to reasonable support and maintenance, which continued until he showed that she had deserted him. The complainant did not thereby forfeit her right to reasonable support and maintenance, which right continues to exist until it is shown that she has in fact hereafter deserted him by refusing to live with him without just cause. The proper amount to be allowed for her support and for the support of the children should be determined by the court below upon evidence as to the situation and circumstances of the parties at the time of such hearing.

Conclusion:

This court hence reversed the decree appealed from so far as it grants a divorce to the defendant and denies support and maintenance to the complainant. The divorce so granted to the defendant is annulled, and the cause is remanded to the court below with direction to hear evidence and fix a reasonable amount which the defendant shall pay for the support and maintenance of his wife and children.

Disclaimer:

These summaries are provided by the SRIS Law Group. They represent the firm’s unofficial views of the Justices’ opinions. The original opinions should be consulted for their authoritative content



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Virginia Albemarle County Separation Agreement Reconciliation Lawyers Attorney - By: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah



VIRGINIA K. YEICH v. LLOYD GEORGE YEICH
COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA
December 18, 1990, Decided

Facts:

Virginia Klumpp Yeich and Lloyd George Yeich were married on December 30, 1977. Because they had considerable assets and each had previously been divorced, they entered into a premarital agreement. The couple experienced marital problems, they separated and signed a separation agreement hereinafter referred to as the "1983 agreement". In this agreement, the parties agreed to waive all support and maintenance payments from each other. The parties reconciled, but the wife subsequently brought a divorce action against the husband. The husband filed a motion to establish the validity of the divorce decree, and the trial court granted the motion, awarding no http://lynchburgvirginiadivorcelawyer.com/" target="_blank" title="Virginia Page County Divorce Lawyers">alimony to the wife. Plaintiff wife challenged a judgment of the Circuit Court of Albemarle County (Virginia) entering a divorce in her action against defendant husband and establishing the validity of a previous separation agreement entered into by the parties.

Issues:

Whether the reconciliation between the parties abrogated the 1983 agreement in whole or in part?

Whether the trial court erred in excluding certain letters between the parties concerning their intent in regard to the 1983 agreement?

Discussion:

This court held that the provision in the agreement whereby the wife waived all right to spousal support, an executory provision, was abrogated by the reconciliation. the 1983 agreement stated that the parties intended to live separate and apart on a permanent basis. The agreement also provided that there would be no support payments made in the future. The provision waiving the right to support was, necessarily, executory. Therefore, under the rule that reconciliation abrogates executory provisions, this portion of the agreement was nullified. Since the agreement concerning alimony was abrogated upon reconciliation, Mrs. Yeich may obtain alimony when suing for divorce. We, therefore, reverse the trial court's ruling declaring the 1983 agreement valid and ratifying and incorporating the 1983 agreement into its decree.

This court held that the trial court did not err in excluding certain letters between the parties concerning their intent in regard to the 1983 agreement. Since it is decided that the "factual proof of intent" doctrine is not the law in Virginia, the exclusion of the letters was harmless error because the legal effect of reconciliation is not determined by the intent of the parties. Therefore this court reverses the decree of the trial court declaring the 1983 agreement valid and remands to the trial court for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.

Conclusion:

This court hence reversed the judgment establishing the validity of the separation agreement in the divorce action between the husband and wife and remanded to the trial court for further proceedings.

Disclaimer:

These summaries are provided by the http://lynchburgvirginiadivorcelawyer.com/" target="_blank" title="Virginia Patrick County Divorce Lawyers">SRIS Law Group. They represent the firm’s unofficial views of the Justices’ opinions. The original opinions should be consulted for their authoritative content


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Virginia Roanoke County Divorce Insanity Lawyers Attorney - By: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah



Oakey Horsley Gearheart v. Alfred Clarence Gearheart
CIRCUIT COURT OF ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA
March 24, 1967

Facts:

The parties have lived separate and apart since the year 1941; that prior thereto the husband, who had been committed to a mental institution as an insane person, about thirty-four years ago, came home on a furlough, and in 1941 tried to kill the complainant and was sent back to Western State Hospital and has remained there ever since. The husband had been committed to a mental institution as an insane person for over two years. Plaintiff wife filed an action for divorce against defendant husband.

Issue:

Whether a http://hamptonvirginiadivorcelawyer.com/" target="_blank" title="Virginia Portsmouth County Divorce Lawyers">divorce can be granted under Section 20-91(9) of the 1950 Code of Virginia, where one of the parties is insane?

Discussion:

This court held that under Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(9) (1950) a divorce could be granted where one of the parties was insane. Under § 20-91(9), fault in bringing about the separation was not material insofar as the granting of the divorce was concerned. Section 20-91(9) did not make any exceptions as to why the parties had lived separate and apart without any cohabitation and without any interruption for two years. Section 20-91(9) granted a divorce to either spouse when they had lived separate and apart without interruption for two years regardless of fault, on the theory that society would be better served by terminating marriages in law that had ceased to exist in fact. Va. Code Ann. § 20-93 indicated a legislative intent to relax the former strict rule that insanity at any time would bar the obtaining of a divorce.

Conclusion:

This court hence decreed that the divorce be granted.

Disclaimer:

These summaries are provided by the http://hamptonvirginiadivorcelawyer.com/" target="_blank" title="Virginia Suffolk County Divorce Lawyers">SRIS Law Group. They represent the firm’s unofficial views of the Justices’ opinions. The original opinions should be consulted for their authoritative content

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Virginia Northumberland County Will Execution Divorce Lawyers Attorney - By: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah



ALICE CLAYTON PAPEN, INDIVIDUALLY, ETC., ET AL. v. MARIE-BERTHE PAPEN
Supreme Court of Virginia
April 23, 1976

Facts:

The husband executed a will, bequeathing the husband's entire estate to the wife. Thereafter, the husband and the wife divorced, but the husband failed to change the will. Following the husband's death, the wife attempted to recover the bequest. When the trial court held the divorce had revoked the will under § 64.1-59, the wife sought review, claiming § 64.1-59 did not control because it had not been enacted until after the divorce. Appellant wife sought review of a judgment from the Circuit Court of Northumberland County (Virginia). Upon review, the wife claimed § 64.1-59 could not revoke the will because the statute had been enacted after the divorce.

Issue:

Whether a will executed by a married man was revoked by the provisions of Code § 64.1-59 (Repl. Vol. 1973),enacted after his http://hamptonvirginiadivorcelawyer.com/" target="_blank" title="Virginia Accomack County Divorce Lawyers">divorce but before his death?

Discussion:

This court rejected the contention that because the divorce had been obtained before § 64.1-59's effective date, revocation was to be determined by the law in effect at the time of the divorce. In holding that the will's revocation depended entirely upon § 64.1-59, the court interpreted the statute and found it applied to wills executed and divorces obtained before, as well as after, the statute's effective date. This court held that Code § 64.1-59 applies to wills executed and divorces obtained before, as well as after, the effective date of the statute. Therefore, because of Papen's divorce, the Papen will was revoked by operation of Code § 64.1-59.

Conclusion:

This court hence affirmed a judgment which statutorily revoked the husband's will because of the husband's divorce, notwithstanding that the statute had been enacted after the divorce.

Disclaimer:

These summaries are provided by the SRIS Law Group. They represent the firm’s unofficial views of the Justices’ opinions. The original opinions should be consulted for their authoritative content



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Virginia Clarke County Involuntary Separation Divorce Lawyers Attorney - By: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah



Stella Chapman Sealock v. Howard Lee Sealock
CIRCUIT COURT OF CLARKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA
January 13, 1971

Facts:

The defendant in this divorce suit was sentenced to the penitentiary for statutory rape in the early 1950's. In 1963 while he was a parolee, apparently for the second time, from this sentence, he and the complainant were married. In 1967 he was reincarcerated for parole violation. More than two years after this reincarceration and while it continued to exist, the complainant instituted this suit praying for divorce on the ground stated in § 20-91(9), Code 1950 as amended. Presumably, at the time of marriage, the complainant knew of the defendant's previous conviction, or at least there is no allegation to the contrary, nor is the divorce sought on the ground of Section 20-91(4) where prior to marriage, a party without the knowledge of the other has been convicted of an infamous offense.

Issue:

Whether involuntary separation for a period greater than two years without cohabitation and without interruption affords ground for divorce under Section 20-91(9)?

Discussion:

This court held that the complainant is entitled to a divorce on the ground of this separation. This court held that when the legislature reduced the separation period between spouses to a period of two years, then in the repeal of the two-year fugitive provision, its intent became clear that this type of separation was to be includable as a separation contemplated under Va. Code § 20-91(9) which served as grounds for divorce. Therefore, no policy ground existed for not also so including a separation of the required physical characteristics which was occasioned by the culpability of the husband resulting in his reincarceration for a serious criminal offense for which he was convicted and sentenced, albeit before marriage and with the knowledge of his wife.

Conclusion:

This court hence accepted the proof provided by the wife that she had valid grounds to accept the proof provided by the wife that she had valid grounds to parole violation.

Disclaimer:

These summaries are provided by the SRIS Law Group. They represent the firm’s unofficial views of the Justices’ opinions. The original opinions should be consulted for their authoritative content

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Virginia Richmond City Divorce Decree Adultery Lawyers Attorney - By: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah



WILMOT THEODORA TARR, JR. v. BESSIE SARAH TARR
Supreme Court of Virginia
October 8, 1945

Facts:

The wife filed a bill seeking to set aside and vacate the divorce decree entered on the ground of her adultery. The wife alleged that she had not contested the divorce suit because the husband led her to believe that the suit would be withdrawn and also alleged that she had sexual intercourse with the husband during the pendency of the suit. The trial court entered a decree setting aside and vacating the divorce decree and also awarding support and maintenance for the wife and child. Respondent husband sought review of a decree from the Law and Equity Court of the City of Richmond (Virginia), which set aside and vacated the decree of divorce, declared that complainant wife was the husband's lawful wife, and declared that the child was the legitimate offspring of that union. The wife cross-appealed as to the amount of the trial court's award for support and maintenance.

Issue:

Whether, in obtaining his decree for divorce, the husband perpetrated a fraud upon the court and upon his wife?

Discussion:

This court found that the husband had led the wife into a position of false security and concealed their true relations from the trial court and the court affirmed the trial court's decree. This court held that before Tarr was free to contract a second marriage, he, due to his breach of the moral code, was confronted by the demands of two women, each of whom, to his knowledge, was with child by him. As soon as the legal restrictions were removed, he elected to marry the second woman. This change in his status was occasioned by his own acts and by his own incontinence. It was not caused by the delay in bringing this suit. This court determined that the wife had an absolute defense to the divorce proceedings. This court found that the wife had reasonable grounds to believe that it was unnecessary for her to appear and make defense. This court rejected the husband's claim that the wife was guilty of laches in bringing the suit. This court found that the husband's second wife and child were not necessary parties. This court also found no reversible error with respect to the support and maintenance award.

Conclusion:

This court hence affirmed the trial court's decree, which set aside and vacated the decree of divorce, declared that the wife was the husband's lawful wife, declared that the child was the legitimate offspring of that union, and awarded support and maintenance. This court amended the trial court's decree to include the additional compensation allowed the wife's counsel. This court remanded the case for such further proceedings as were authorized by law.


Disclaimer:

These summaries are provided by the SRIS Law Group. They represent the firm’s unofficial views of the Justices’ opinions. The original opinions should be consulted for their authoritative content


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Virginia Divorce Adultery Custody Best Interest Lawyers Attorneys - By: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah



FACTS:

Appellant wife and appellee husband separated and instituted a divorce proceeding. The domestic relations court initially entered a custody order granting sole custody of the children to appellant. Another judge in the same court later granted appellee sole custody of the children because appellant lived in a house with a man to whom she was not married. On appeal to the circuit court, the trial judge awarded sole custody to appellee. The court reversed that decision and returned custody to appellant. The trial court subsequently ruled orally that he was granting appellee a divorce on the ground of adultery. Appellee then petitioned for a change in custody. The trial court granted the petition. Appellant sought review.

ISSUE:

The issue here is whether adultery, not a new circumstance since the earlier order, constituted a change in circumstances for modifying an order of custody.

DISCUSSION:

The trial court erred as a matter of law in granting a change in custody based on changed circumstances because no new facts were proved in the most recent custody hearing that showed any change in appellant's living arrangements, and the court was reversing the final decree of divorce in which the trial court made the finding of adultery. In matters concerning custody and visitation, the welfare and best interests of the child are the "primary, paramount, and controlling considerations." The authority vested in a trial judge to decide issues concerning the care and custody of children, the visitation rights of the non-custodial parent, and the extent to which those rights and responsibilities shall be apportioned between estranged parents is a matter of judicial discretion which courts must exercise with the welfare of the children as the paramount consideration. This best interests standard applies both to an initial determination regarding custody and to any subsequent requests for modification of custody. The party seeking to modify an existing custody order bears the burden of proving that a change in custody is appropriate. The test to be met has two prongs: first, has there been a change in circumstances since the most recent custody award; second, would a change in custody be in the best interests of the children.

JUDGMENT:

The court reversed the trial court's order granting appellee husband's petition for a change of custody and dismissed the petition, holding that the trial court erred as a matter of law in finding a material change in circumstances because no new facts were proved that showed any change in appellant's living arrangements, and the court had reversed the final divorce decree in which the trial court made the finding of adultery.

Disclaimer:

These summaries are provided by the SRIS Law Group. They represent the firm’s unofficial views of the Justices’ opinions. The original opinions should be consulted for their authoritative content


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Virginia Divorce Adultery Child Custody Lawyers Attorneys - By: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah




Walter Amacker v. Marianne Amacker
CIRCUIT COURT OF HENRICO COUNTY, VIRGINIA

FACTS:

The husband initiated a divorce action against the wife citing adultery as the reason for divorce. The husband also filed a petition asking the trial court to consider custody of the parties' children. The trial court awarded custody to the wife, and the husband sought review.

Issue:

The issue here is whether adultery by one of the parents is a factor to be considered ion awarding child custody.

DISCUSSION:

In all custody cases, the controlling consideration was always the child's welfare. The court held that in considering the best interest of the child, it was required to consider all the facts, including what effect a nonmarital relationship by a parent had on the child. The court found that the moral climate in which the child was to be raised was an important consideration in determining custody. Court found no substantial or significant difference between these parents with respect to their love for the children, the manner of their general care for the children and the physical adequacy of the home of each. And, as also has been noted, the bottom line for decision in each case is what is in the best interest of the child and its welfare. Because the wife's affair continued after the divorce and adversely affected the children, the court determined that the husband was to have custody, with visitation to the wife. The court reversed the order of the trial court.

JUDGMENT:
The court reversed the order of the trial court, which awarded custody of the parties' children to the wife, and granted custody to the husband with visitation to the wife.

Disclaimer:

These summaries are provided by the SRIS Law Group. They represent the firm’s unofficial views of the Justices’ opinions. The original opinions should be consulted for their authoritative content



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Virginia Divorce Willful Desertion Constrictive Desertion Lawyers Attorneys - By: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah




PATSY ANNE EAKIN WILLIAMS v. JAMES MICHAEL WILLIAMS
COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA
October 28, 2003, Decided

Facts:

Plaintiff wife filed a suit for divorce from defendant husband on the grounds of willful desertion, constructive desertion, and cruelty. The husband demurred to the wife's amended bill of complaint, asserting the wife failed to state a cause of action for a divorce from bed and board on the ground of cruelty. The Circuit Court of Roanoke County, Virginia, sustained the demurrer. The wife appealed.

Issue:

Whether the trial court erred in sustaining husband's demurrer?

Discussion:

The court noted that, in reality, there were only two grounds for a divorce from bed and board, desertion and cruelty. Mental anguish and repeated and unrelenting neglect and humiliation could constitute cruelty. On the other hand, a fault-based divorce could not be based on light or transient transgressions or because the parties could not live happily together. The appellate court held the wife only alleged facts showing that she and her husband could not live together happily, and that was not sufficient to sustain a suit for divorce on the ground of cruelty. Further, the wife failed to state a case of willful desertion, because she failed to plead facts that established her husband had the requisite intent to desert. Finally, the wife's claim of constructive desertion dissipated without evidence of cruelty. The judgment of the trial court, sustaining the husband's demurrer, was affirmed.

Disclaimer:

These summaries are provided by the SRIS Law Group. They represent the firm’s unofficial views of the Justices’ opinions. The original opinions should be consulted for their authoritative content


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Life in the Courier fast Lane

Beam Me Up Courier Services - By: Norman Dulwich



Just about everybody working in the courier business has, at some time or another, had to suppress the urge to say to a client “you’ve just GOT to be joking”.

It’s a strange world

It usually happens around the time the client tells you that they need ‘it’ to arrive at the destination point shortly before they’ll actually have ‘it’ ready for collection from their premises.
Of course, being professionals in the courier business, we normally manage to avoid being too pointed in our observations regarding basic geography and the laws of physics. We try, via a mixture of humour and a pretence that it’s us that somehow just can’t ‘get it’, to get the client to think laterally and thereby grasp the fact that we’re not magicians. Sometimes we succeed. Sometimes we don’t.

In those latter cases, one of three things often happens:

• The potential client goes elsewhere, in a huff, to try and find a courier that can actually do the impossible
• You do the job anyway - with the client, to save face, pretending they think you’ll do it to their timescale, then staying quiet when you don’t
• As per above, except you get pilloried by your client when you do exactly what you said you’d do – i.e. fail to achieve the impossible.

It’s an even stranger world

This may be part and parcel (sorry, bad pun) of your daily life as a courier but if you think it’s sometimes a bit surreal now – “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet”! In the past, we’ve always been able to appeal to people’s reason, even if they didn’t always listen. It was always possible to show a distance between two points and also the average speed of a bike or motor vehicle and say “you tell us how that can be done in the time you want”.

Well, did you know that experiments conducted by Professor Anton Zeilinger in Austria some years ago, managed to successfully transport tiny particles instantly between two points? At this stage, you can probably see where this is going! There have also been other theories and some, disputed, experiments that appear to show results before the effect was actually triggered. Yep, you guessed it – time travel!

Now it’s all currently very experimental and theoretical but the average client can read just as well as a courier and are just as likely to sometimes add 2+2 and get 4.5. So, be warned, the dialogue’s about to change!

New asks

So, with that in mind and imagining the jobs of the future, as a professional courier you’d probably like to be prepared in advance for possible customer issues. So here are a few, hopefully helpful, predictions of some of the client requests you may be facing a bit sooner than you think.

• We’d like this delivered a week ago last Monday please….
• What do you mean ‘no’? If the Austrians can do it, why can’t you?
• Can’t you revise your estimated delivery date by using a quantum entanglement delivery system?
• Yes, I know I gave you the wrong delivery address but if you send the driver back to see me yesterday at 3, that time I’ll get it right
• We’ve our own transport machine but we also like escorted courier services. Would your driver mind if we disintegrated and then re-assembled him instantly at the delivery point?
• Due to a transmission mix-up, your driver now seems to exist at both the collection and delivery points at the same time. He’s apparently moaning and asking for double time.
• Your driver was travelling as a stream of sub-atomic particles in another dimension and time reality – how is it that he’s still blaming the M25 for delays?

Having identified some of these new world courier questions, it’s a lot harder to come up with the snappy one-line answers. That’s your job! You probably have a little time yet to think about t! Oh yes, if you’re a courier and don’t like this article, then please let me know three weeks ago and I won’t bother writing it!

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The Courier and Haute Couture - By: Norman Dulwich



Some jobs just ooze opportunity to flaunt yourself and show off your latest togs but sadly that’s rarely the case for the courier.

Showcasing

OK, not everybody’s made the same, either physically or psychologically. Even so, some jobs give the opportunity to ‘strut your stuff’ and look good in clothes that also proudly proclaim your profession. Let’s take a couple of obvious examples. Think about, say, Tom Cruise in Top Gun or Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman. People in the military often wear the uniforms as a mark of pride in their occupation but also as a bit of a fashion statement. The old joke about all the girls love a uniform may not be entirely untrue, and quite a few men admit to liking women in uniform too.

Then there are other outfits that proclaim both utility and sexiness coupled with style. Think about the surgeons shown on TV strolling around in their theatre kit or the doctors in their long white coats. Then there are all the other badges of office – the chef’s white overalls, the judge’s robes, the pilot’s uniform and so on. All these occupations have the chance to wear clothes that communicate a purpose but also are maybe a mixture of style in some cases plus perhaps prestige or ‘street-cred’ in others. But what about the courier? Is there a courier street style?

Workaday clothing

You may say that this is a tiny percentage of the workforce. In reality, most people don’t wear uniforms as such when they’re on the shop floor or in an office etc. Well, maybe or maybe not.

If you see a mechanic or engineer dressed in their overalls, perhaps covered in oil as evidence of their trade, sometimes it’s hard not to see it as a recognisable badge of profession and one that’s pretty street-cred. In many offices, the latest suits, shirts, blouses and skirts are on display and there’s an opportunity to ‘dress-up’ to show a combination of your personal style and maybe even level of success.

The humble courier

For us, it’s all so different of course. Take the motorcycle courier for example. Waddling into an office submerged under 27 layers of protective clothing and leathers designed to keep the cold out rather than style, while sporting a full-face helmet, just isn’t going to have the same effect on members of the opposite sex that Richard Gere’s entry to the shop floor had in the above mentioned film. Sorry, but that’s a fact! When the courier first made the transition to pedal power, initially it looked like there may be some hope as spandex, lycra and sunglasses started to seem like they may become marks of profession. But not so much now. Even when you do still see it, people struggling to ‘pull themselves some slack’ around the saddle area after they’ve dismounted, is just never going to look either glamorous or much of a statement of status (other than, maybe, “I’m sore”). Nowadays comfortable and practical clothing is more the norm and the helmet just isn’t going to cut it as a fashion statement.

Finally there’s the four-wheeled courier. Some of the bigger carriers may have uniforms but few would argue that they’re even close to being symbols of prestige or fashion. Why, oh why, do so many of them look like they had their design origin in Thunderbirds programmes of the 1960s? Once again, the norm remains a tatty pair of jeans and a practical heavy-duty jacket just in case that breakdown maroons us somewhere inhospitable in the depths of miserable weather. Exciting it isn’t.

What’s the solution?

Stating the problem is easy – finding an answer is often more of a challenge. Perhaps some of the courier industry associations should all chip in a few pounds to hire some PR consultants and a fashion designer. Maybe they could come up with some sort of recognisable garb that would instantly proclaim to everyone that you’re a courier and proud of it. If that could also be fairly stylish and practical at the same time – then so much the better. Mmmm. Not looking likely just yet, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted and report any courier fashion developments we discover.


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Great Courier Receptions - By: Norman Dulwich


Many at the ‘sharp-end’ of the courier business have seen it. In fact, sometimes it’s more of a sixth-sense than anything else. It’s that sinking feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you arrive somewhere to make a delivery and you just KNOW it’s all going to go pear-shaped.

The warning signs

One of the best indicators that a courier job may go wrong is when you arrive at destination only to spot some immediately visible worries, including such gems as:

• Gates being padlocked;
• A security guard sitting at a desk in reception not trying too hard to hide the fact that he or she is playing a computer game;
• A completely empty car park;
• The ‘Closed’ sign hanging in the front window.

OK, so you don’t have to be a great detective to realise that any of these things may be a pretty powerful indicator that you’re probably going to have trouble making that delivery. There are, though, a few more subtle signposts the courier experiences from time to time.

Body language

In this category, things may initially look promising. Maybe the building’s open and buzzing with life, the sun’s shining and everything looks good. Don’t get too carried away with the ‘joie de vivre’ though, because those courier warning bells might start to ring again very shortly.

That’s when:

• The person on reception looks at you as though you’re clearly deranged when you say you’re a courier trying to make a delivery;
• Your mention of the recipient’s name results in a baffled look, followed by the receptionist starting to thumb half-heartedly through their internal directory to find the person concerned (this one is often accompanied by loud sighs and a sad shaking of the head from side-to-side as they try and find the name);
• The receptionist is “calling up” to try and find out what’s going on and all you can hear is one side of the conversation, consisting of one or more of: “no, I’ve never heard of them either”; “wasn’t that the guy that left 6 weeks ago?”; “aren’t they based in our other office up north?”; “I’m not telling him – you come down and tell him”;“that’s not my responsibility, so if you won’t sign for it then I’m not”;
• As the phone is put down, even if you haven’t heard anything along the lines of the above, you suddenly find the receptionist is unable to look you in the eye and starts fidgeting in their chair – that’s often accompanied by those immortal words “someone will be down to sort you out in a few minutes” (the expression ‘sort you out’ is almost ALWAYS a bad sign – be warned!);
• You sit down in reception patiently waiting for the ‘sorter-outer’ to arrive and then spot the receptionist whispering conspiratorially to a colleague and pointing in your direction.

Of course, none of these things necessarily mean doom and gloom for the courier but…….

Done and dusted

Let’s assume that in spite of all of this, the delivery has somehow managed to take place and you’re in the process of leaving. Job done. Mission accomplished. It’s time to take that mental lap of honour and on to the next courier job. Or is it?

If you’re an experienced courier, you’re probably worldly-wise enough to know that once you’ve got that signature, then you need to get out of there like greased lightning. That’s to avoid any remote possibility of the sudden “hang on – I’m not taking responsibility for this!” call and re-think on the part of the consignee. So, your feet are really motoring towards that exit door, then the alarm bells ring again as you hear the person signing for it saying to the receptionist one or more of:

• “I thought these were only shipped in lead-lined containers”
• “I’m surprised he agreed to deliver it like that given what’s inside”
• “I’m not touching it without a bio-hazard suit”
• “Oh no! It’s leaking out of the bottom!”
• “Get the safety tongs and I’ll carry it downstairs”.

That’s when you have to decide whether to continue letting your courier instincts drive your feet out of there as fast as possible or whether you turn back and say “er, excuse me…”. Tricky call! But don’t worry, we’re pretty sure this one will never happen, but you have been warned!


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Life in the Courier fast Lane - By: Norman Dulwich



Working in the courier industry can be great fun – hard work for sure, but also pretty rewarding.
If you like seeing different parts of the world, long-distance and overseas work can be great.
OK, even with SATNAV it’s not always easy to find delivery addresses located in the obscure back streets of Brussels, Lille, or Paris but it’s certainly fun trying! It can be even more fun if you have to stop and keep asking for directions – that’s when you realise that English isn’t quite as widely spoken as you’d read.

Then there is the courier client contact. Nobody’s going to pretend that sometimes that isn’t a bit stressful. If a client’s paying a premium price for fast and secure delivery then they can, quite rightly, be demanding about the service they receive. They’ll also quite understandably be inclined to let you know if they think you’ve failed to deliver (literally and metaphorically).

Yet sometimes, it’s the customer who can cause the courier a few issues now and then. Take the time a motorcycle was despatched to pick up a package described as being “10 x 10 x 6” only to discover upon arrival that the measurements related to feet rather than inches or centimetres! That would have taken some explaining to police as you wobbled along with it on your bike.

Then there was the occasion when one motorcyclist courier arrived to collect a parcel estimated at “about a kilo or so” but which was, in reality, so heavy that it took two men to lift it!
Then there are those than provide incorrect delivery addresses but can’t understand why you couldn’t deliver it anyway. One company actually fast couriered and correctly delivered, a parcel to the Paris office of their client only to find that the client had meant to send it to an address in Hull. Hull, Paris – they sound similar so it’s an easy mistake to make – right?

Perhaps one of the funniest stories going around was the request to courier a package from one London company to another, and it was only the driver that upon collection, pointed out that the destination office was diagonally opposite the sending company and certainly less than 1 minute’s walk away. Perhaps it was raining and they didn’t want to get wet!

Just about every courier company has lots of amusing stories and some of them have become the stuff of legends including; the parcel where the contents desperately started trying to dig themselves out of the wrapping (actually a small robot that had erroneously activated and started to try and push its arm through the box); and another parcel that started to sing (a recording in a player managed to switch itself on).

However, the reality of life is that working in the courier industry isn’t a continual bout of horsing around and hilarious laughter. The vast majority of people in the industry are hard working and dedicated to providing a good service. They know that their customer’s very business may depend upon them doing the best job possible and they’ll do their utmost to achieve that.

Weather, strikes, traffic, roadworks, volcanoes – all these things sometimes seem as if they’re conspiring to stop us getting things from A to B; but the dedicated courier will keep fighting to get through. As a courier, do we deserve applause or are we just doing what we should be expected to do as part of our normal job responsibilities? Only you the reader can decide but perhaps many of us deep down inside, secretly wouldn’t mind a bit of spontaneous applause from time-to-time!



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Strange Laws A Courier Should Know - By: Norman Dulwich



For a courier engaged in delivery work within the UK, the rules of the road are clear-cut. Drivers know the rules they have to follow, and (for the most part) conform to them. Couriers can focus on finding their way to an unfamiliar destination, or on taking extra care when loading or unloading goods. Familiarity with local traffic laws is undoubtedly a huge boon to a courier’s work, but some ‘rules of the road’ from around the globe might leave a driver scratching their heads in bemusement. Here are the strangest traffic laws we’ve seen around the world.

Germany

As 2010 began, Germany implemented a law that every car entering Berlin, Munich, Cologne, and ten other cities in the country had to display an environmental sticker. If you’re a courier driving to Germany from outside the country, failing to display the sticker could lead to a fine.

Canada

In Montreal, Canada, a courier might find themselves stymied when it comes to parking. It’s illegal to park in such a manner as to block your own driveway, and it is against the law to wash a car parked on the street. Finally, cars parked in public places, by law, must have their windows down to a width less than a hand. Couriers may not want to leave their vehicle if it’s raining!

The USA

One Southern American state, Georgia, has a law prohibiting the act of spitting from a car or a bus. However, good news for a courier whose choice of vehicle is a truck – spitting from the windows of a truck is perfectly fine. Other states have differing laws that must make being a courier in the USA interesting – in Illinois, trucks may only park inside closed garages. In Virginia, you cannot shoot any animal from a moving car... any animal other than a whale. In Florida, if you keep an animal such as an alligator or elephant next to a parking meter, you must put money into the meter as if you’d parked a car there. A useful clarification for those couriers delivering animals to the circus!

The UK

There are some famously strange laws in the UK that could make for interesting delivery work. It is illegal for a cab in London to carry rabid dogs or corpses. However, as this law only applied to cabs, it should pose no problem for a truck or car-driving courier. Additionally, all those ‘livestock-herding’ jobs can be made a lot easier in London; ‘Freemen’ of the city are allowed to take a flock of sheep across London Bridge without being charged a toll. It must have been a useful law for the medieval courier. Another holdover from medieval times would have been very relevant to seafaring deliveries. Any Royal Navy ships that entered the Port of London were by law required to provide a barrel full of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.

Interestingly, the ancient ‘London Hackney Carriage Laws’ still cause disputes amongst modern-day taxis, and might be a law to recognize for a courier as well. The law states that carriages must carry a bale of hay and a sack of oats. Some firms have manufactured tiny bales of hay to be kept in a glove compartment, so that drivers can still remain within the law.



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Audio Books for a Courier - By: Norman Dulwich



For a courier on a long-distance job, it can be hard to keep alert and focused. While there are various methods of keeping yourself stimulated during a long drive, there is one that can not only help you pass the time, but will help you impress people with your literary knowledge at the same time. The answer? Listening to audio books. You don’t even need to bring along a stack of delicate CD’s – these days, audio books can be downloaded as an MP3 file, or directly to an IPod. Whatever your taste in stories, there’s an audio book for you. And next time that tricky question about a novel comes up in a pub quiz, you’ll be prepared. Here are a few of our top selections for audio books a courier can enjoy on the road.

Dramatic

For a courier who wants to be gripped by thrilling tales, there are plenty of audio books with fascinating stories and subjects. Sebastian Faulks’ ‘Birdsong’ follows the character of Stephen Wraysford through World War One, and has received acclaim for its retelling of the Battle of the Somme and life in the trenches. There’s also John Grisham’s ‘The Broker’, a tale of suspense that made number one on the New York Times Best Seller list. It features a high-stakes story centred around the world’s most powerful satellite surveillance system – which may give couriers a new view on their GPS systems!

Mystery

There’s nothing like a good mystery to keep a driver puzzling out all the twists and turns like a professional detective. Ian Rankin’s ‘Exit Music’ features his famous detective Inspector Rebus as he searches for the killer of an exiled Russian poet, three days before his retirement. Since the Rebus novels are famous for their Edinburgh location and gritty depiction of Scotland, a courier might prefer a more exotic story – Alexander McCall Smith’s ‘The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency’ is a vibrant story of a female detective in Botswana, and includes musings on the country’s culture and traditions as well as its dangers, such as the snakes and crocodiles that play a large part in the audio book.

Classics

For every modern audio book, there’s a classic updated into the new format, and a courier can have ample time to dip into the world of classic literature and discover a few old gems. And it doesn’t get more classic than Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. With their books ‘Great Expectations’ and ‘Sense and Sensibility’, as well as many more besides, a courier can discover books they may not have expected.

True Life

Not every audio book is fictional, and a courier can get real enjoyment out of discovering a few facts they might not know about. Andrew Marr’s ‘A History of Modern Britain’ began not as a book, but as a television documentary, looking at the major events in Britain from 1945 to the present. Another historical ‘documentary’ is Ben Macintyre’s ‘Agent ZigZag’, presenting the incredible story of a double-agent in World War 2. It’s enough to keep any courier wondering about the real-life Eddie Chapman featured in the audio book.


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A Brief History of Courier Services - By: Norman Dulwich



Now before you panic, this isn’t going to be some huge academic analysis by an eminent historian of courier services and/or technology! It’s a light-hearted and affectionate stroll through the early technology that arrived in the transport and related industries back in the 1960s and 70s. If you’re above about 45 years of age this may bring back some happy (?) memories, if you’re not, it may all be very hard to believe.

Pre-history

OK, technology didn’t start with the 60s and 70s. Even going way back, transport and courier companies had things such as telegrams and the telephone to help them communicate. To those that think computers began with Bill Gates, be prepared for a shock. Computers were being used in the business when Mr Gates was still in his pram. However, it’s probably fair to say that before the later 1960s, technology was pretty much restricted to the telephone (often only available to the directors and perhaps heads of department) and a massive mainframe computer churning out the accounts. Contact with a courier driver? You had to hope they could find a public call box and had change. Trying to contact overseas? You had to ask the operator to connect you and sometimes even had to book the call, as all lines were busy.

Groovy systems

By the late 1960s and early 70s, most courier and transport companies were starting to see technological changes. Photocopiers (often huge things) were starting to appear in special ‘print rooms’ in many offices. These were often partnered up with a much-dreaded device called the Banda printer – something that looked as if it had just time-travelled from Victorian Britain. The idea was that you could type a form and then print it many times over using the Banda – what happened in reality was that you and your papers got covered in ink and various forms of other fluids it used to go about its terrifying work.

Then there was the telex. A revolution in its day, it allowed you to type lengthy documents (e.g. manifests, collection notes, carnets etc) and convert them all to punched-tape. When complete, you just dialled out over the telephone lines to another telex elsewhere in the world, fed your punched tape through and hey presto! Your document was printed off at the other end. In a way, it was a sort of pre-cursor to the fax and worked fine, er, except when it didn’t! Tape jams and breakages were commonplace and physical fights erupted in some offices when an hour’s tape production and typing were lost because someone trod on or spilled coffee over your tape before you’d had a chance to send it.

Oh yes, this period also saw the arrival of the first electronic calculators. Prior to that, the courier simply had to be very good at arithmetic, use a slide-rule or one of those phenomenal manual desk calculators that work by cranking a handle in the side. So, the arrival of the electronic calculator should have been good news and it was, except for the fact that they were expensive and many companies could only afford one. No prizes for guessing the early ones were often locked away in the manager’s desk as a perk and you had to ask their permission to use it (and stay in his or her good books).

The lady’s not for turning

During the 70s and into the early 1980s, things steadily improved, got smaller, more reliable and less messy. They also got cheaper and that meant most people started to get access to things like calculators, photocopiers and even started getting their own telephone handset on their desk. The very early office computers and PCs started to arrive, typewriters gave way to word processors and then PCs and by the early mid-80s the average office didn’t look massively different to the office today. There was one exception though – the courier or driver.

Not much had changed in 20 years. Many offices still resounded to the cry “I don’t know where he is!” or “why hasn’t he called?” The biggest difference to, say, the early 1970s was that by the 1980s, more of the public phone boxes weren’t in working order making it even harder to contact anyone ‘on the road’. Then, in the mid 1980s, the first mobile phones arrived. OK, they were laughably large and heavy by today’s standards but they simply transformed the transport world.

For the first time ever, excluding a relatively minor amount of radio use beforehand, the courier drivers and the offices were able to speak to each other. Gone, well almost, were the “I don’t know what’s happening” cries of dispatchers and offices. Suddenly, in the office you could get regular updates from your driver about the stationary traffic on the M6 around Birmingham.

A revolution

Of course, it didn’t stop there and things like SATNAV, barcodes and auto-picking systems have all had a major impact but perhaps none have had quite the same revolutionary effect that the 80s had in finally connecting drivers to their offices. Of course, some individual couriers or drivers may lament the loss of freedom of the old days and those “we didn’t have any change” excuses given after the event – you may think that but we couldn’t possibly comment!


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Know More About Catalytic Converter

Maxima cold air intake improves the performance of the engine - By: Louie Liu




Apart from being a favorite for a long time the car Nissan Maxima has also been instrumental in changing the perception of customers about family sedans. At the time of its debut in 1982 the Japanese and American family sedans were known to be good for day to day use but they did not create any excitement amongst the owners. Maxima changed that perception and it is now known as a front-wheel-driven four-door sports car. At present it is in its seventh generation which has been introduced in 2009. Since its inception, some modifications have been constantly made in it, which has helped it in retaining the loyalty of its customers. It has a powerful engine, a well done interior, and besides the required safety features it also has voice activated navigation system, rear view camera etc. It has been appreciated all along because it combined performance with luxury.

Performance of the car can be further improved by installing Maxima cold air intakes. Power is generated in the engine by combustion of the mix of fuel and air. Actually it is the oxygen, a component of air which is the active ingredient in the combustion process. If more of air is brought into the engine there will be more of oxygen and better it will be for combustion. Cold air intake is a device which brings in cold atmospheric air into the engine. But why the cold air is preferred? During combustion the engine gets heated and so does the air inside it. Hot air is lighter which means there is less of air in the given space and so less of oxygen. Cold air which is brought in is dense which helps full combustion of the fuel. For the same quantity of fuel you can derive more power from the engine. That is a big advantage in the days of rising fuel prices.

Moreover installing Maxima cold air intake will also reduce pollution, as less fuel will be used for generating the same amount of power. This is an important benefit as ecological considerations are a major issue now. You can see more about Maxima cold air intake at http://www.ilovebodykits.com.


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Tracker - By: Gareth Hoyle1
Tracker




Stolen vehicle trackers have become increasingly popular recent years. As although cars are much safer than they used to be with sophisticated alarm systems and key less entry vehicles, car theft is still a significant issue. Stolen vehicle trackers GPS and GSM systems that are fitted to your vehicle, help in the event of your vehicle being stolen; it can easily be tracked by a control room.

Vehicles trackers of this nature are not just for the purpose of tracking stolen cars; they are also used for commercial purposes and various other reasons.

Other Purposes

* Fleet Management: Vehicle trackers are very useful for fleet management purposes. For example large delivery companies that are likely to have hundreds of vehicles on the road the same time. Trackers are useful for identifying a driver’s location and calculating an estimated time of delivery, based on various factors such as traffic and road works.
* Field Sales force: Many companies employ a field sales force, whereby employees do not work from an office base. Their vehicle is their office so to speak, trackers are used to make sure they are using their time effectively and following up appointments on schedule.
* Surveillance: Law enforcement may use these devices to track a suspected criminals movements
* Driver Behaviour Monitoring: Government departments have been known to use these devices to assess driver behaviour.

Vehicle trackers, as useful as they are, not all of them approved by insurance companies therefore it is wise to make sure that when purchasing one you do your research to ensure that the particular make you purchase is approved by your insurance company.

Where to Purchase Tracking Devices

Tracking devices can be purchased from certain shops, that stock satellite navigation systems, car radios and other car accessories. They can also be purchased online, however when buying online make sure you are buying it from a legitimate source. There are thousands of scrupulous sellers online claiming to retail genuine tracking devices. Therefore make sure you research the company beforehand. A quick search could make all the difference, as customers that have had a particular problem with a company usually find a way of voicing it online. Therefore thoroughly research the company. In addition to this contact, your insurance company to ensure that if you fitted this device in to your vehicle you would still be covered in any event. As insurance companies do have a way of springing it on you that you are not covered.

Tracking devices have many benefits not only for the commercial user but for the everyday consumer. The benefit of these devices does actually justify the cost, as you can pick one up for just under £300. Some are selling them for much more than this so, as stated previously be wary of scrupulous online dealers.


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Eyes on the road: driver distractions to avoid - By: bythesea




Life has a habit of being distracting. Which is less than ideal when you're driving a vehicle. The recently-updated Highway Code reflects this in its list of things to avoid doing whilst on the road.

General distractions

Rule 148 of the Highway Code (previously rule 126) states:

Safe driving and riding needs concentration.

Avoid distractions when driving or riding such as:

* loud music (this may mask other sounds)
* trying to read maps
* inserting a cassette or CD or tuning a radio
* arguing with your passengers or other road users
* eating and drinking
* smoking

The only addition to the previous list is that of smoking. Lighting up whilst driving was banned in Scotland in 2006, and it may only be a matter of time before England and Wales follow suit.

Falling foul of any of the above will not constitute a criminal offence. For obvious reasons, you couldn't criminalise arguing with passengers or tuning a radio, for example. However, if you have an accident or drive badly while engaged in one of these activities, it's likely that you would be committing the offence of careless driving, or not being in a position to control the vehicle.

These activities may also be evidence of dangerous driving - especially if an accident occurs which leads to a death. This is an offence which may lead to a prison sentence. So, although none of the activities are, strictly speaking, illegal, they are likely to exacerbate the situation if an incident occurs. So you couldn't get arrested for smoking behind the wheel, but it could be used against you if something bad happened.

In-vehicle technology

Highway Code rule 150 also identifies in-vehicle multimedia devices as potential distractions. This could include display units such as sat nav or congestion warning devices. Again, it's not an offence to use them, but it is stressed in no uncertain terms that you must retain full control of the vehicle whilst using them. If your sat nav tries to direct your car up some stairs, for example (as happened with a member of Confused.com staff), it's best to revert to your own judgement.

Phones

As you no doubt already know, it is an offence to use a mobile phone handset whilst driving. The only exception is if you dial emergency services on 999 or 112, and you should only do that if it's not practically possible to stop and pull over.

Picture of a driver texting at the wheel

But using a hands-free kit doesn't necessarily get you entirely off the hook, so to speak, as it can still draw your attention from the road. The use of hands-free equipment could also potentially lead to a charge of careless or dangerous driving if you use it while driving badly or if you cause an accident.

Rule 149 of the Highway Code recommends avoiding phone communication altogether, in fact. It states: "It is far safer not to use any telephone while you are driving or riding - find a safe place to stop first or use the voicemail facility and listen to messages later."

The distractions of others

Always remember whilst driving that, though you can do your best to limit distractions and concentrate yourself, you have no control over the attention of others. Any other road user can take their eye off the ball, including pedestrians. Your full attention cannot stop someone who's plugged into their MP3 player from not hearing your car and wandering out in front of it; but it can significantly alter your response to it, so it's best to always be vigilant. And always make sure you're fully insured, just in case.

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Cold Air Intake System- helps the car breadth more efficiently - By: James Allenscs




Performance is what every car racer looks now a day for beating all in the race. Many performance parts are available now a day for increasing the performance, horsepower and obviously the speed of the car. The most commonly used performance part is a Cold Air Intake System. A Cold Air Intake System helps in increasing the horsepower of the engine by providing cold oxygen entering the engine. It is due to a Cold Air Intake System only that helps the car breadth more easily and performs excellent as compared to other cars in the race which in return provides the racer excellent performance and a better rank in the race.
As we all know that engine is just like a heart in a body. So it is essential for the engine (heart) to perform better in order to provide maximum utilization to other parts of the car. The Cold Air Intake System provides cold air, which is warmer and denser to the engine. It expands when heated therefore providing great combustion, less fuel consumption and maximum horsepower is generated from the engine.
So by minimizing the restrictions of airflow and increasing the density of oxygen entering the engine a Cold Air Intake System increases the overall horsepower of the engine. Advanced Cold Air Intake System even helps in reducing extra noise coming out from the engine. A car with a Cold Air Intake System performs flawlessly when it comes to speed, acceleration and horsepower.
One thing more to keep in mind while having placed a Cold Air Intake System is that it must also have efficient filters and also the diameter of the air intake must be spacious to inhale good amount of cold oxygen. The interiors must also be polished and smooth enough to ensure a block less flow of the air in the engine. All the above points must be kept in mind while you go for a Cold Air Intake System for your car and an experienced mechanic must be hired for installing the Cold Air Intake System in your car.


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How Catalytic Converters Work and What They Do - By: cullrp7hne



Catalytic converters are pieces of a car's engine system which helps reduce the emission of pollutants. They are very important because they have prevented much of the smog and pollution that would be covering the largest cities in the world if they had not been applied to cars. They do not, however, always work correctly and far too often individuals drive around in a car which is emitting far more pollutants than is necessary.

Catalytic converters are engine add-ons which greatly reduce emission levels to almost nothing by filtering exhaust as it files through the engine system. It accomplishes this by promoting and creating a chemical reaction when the exhaust hits the converter which will change the harmful chemical emissions into benign compounds and water. The components of exhaust which are typically the most harmful to the environment, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide, can be reduced to almost none existent levels.

This process only works, however, if the catalytic converter is working as it should. There are many converters in cars out on the road today which are not filtering the exhaust well enough and are therefore releasing the harmful toxins into the air. The best way to tell if your car's catalytic converter is or is not working is to get an emissions test. If the emissions test is failed, your converter needs to be repaired or replaced.

The problems that most often lead to the failure of an emissions test are an increase in back pressure, a low air supply, or a faulty converter. An increase in back pressure will result in lower speed power, lower fuel economy, or stalling. A low air supply or a faulty converter will result in higher hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions and can lead to increased back pressure. There is also converter poisoning, which is a buildup of substances which coat the converter and make the contact between the pollutants and the converter impossible and thus the chemical reaction used to filter the exhaust is unable to take place. Many of these issues can result in a catalytic converters temperature to rise and result, possibly, in a meltdown.

Many of these issues will eventually lead to the car itself breaking down and damage to other parts of the engine. In order to prevent this, car owners need to pay special attention to their emissions and have their catalytic converter checked when receiving standard maintenance on their car. Most of these issues require the replacement of the entire converter but some of them can be prevented or repaired without replacement.

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Know More About Catalytic Converter - By: cullrp7hne



Cars and other vehicles are very rampant nowadays especially in large and developed countries. As these run through fuel combustion, these produce toxic emissions which further pollute the environment. The more cars or vehicles running every hour of the day, the more pollution these cars create which is harmful to one's health. That is why many governing bodies continuously passing on different laws relative to clean-air act. Through the years, the car makers on the other hand are also continuously searching to improve the car engines as well as the fuel systems to address the issue. In 1975, catalytic converter was created to help reduce the toxicity of the emissions of engine combustion.

Catalytic converter becomes popular not only on cars but to any other vehicle that emits toxic air. In fact even power generator sets are also using this device. This converts the harmful pollutants to a lesser toxicity. Once this device had been installed in the exhaust system of a vehicle or equipment, the emissions will have reduced toxic. Just to make it clear, this device does not totally clean the air that will be emitted out but only reduce the harmful pollutants.

There are two types of a catalytic converter introduced in the market. One is the two-way converter and the other one is the three-way converter. The two-way converter is being used on diesel engines. Although this was used on gasoline engine but superseded by three-way converter because of its inability to control nitrous oxide.

A catalytic converter works through a catalyst substance that has the capability of converting chemical compounds. The two-way converter performs in two ways. One is the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Another way which is simultaneously being done by the first is the oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water. Actually even the partially burned fuel is being handled by this process. The three-way converter on the other hand works in three ways simultaneously. This reduces the nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen, while doing the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water.

Carbon dioxide is the one being emitted through fuel combustion. So a catalytic converter actually reduces or converts the carbon dioxide to a lesser toxic chemical compound which further reduces the harmful effects in the environment.

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Catalytic Converter - An Invention to Help Reduce Air Pollution - By: cullrp7hne



Catalytic converter is a device used to lessen or reduce the toxicity of emission from automotive vehicles, which is a main source of air pollution in the United States. This kind of device which is attached to vehicles became a major advancement and helpful to citizens in the country because it can help the governments resolve their environmental problems such as addressing air pollution.

For a long period of time vehicle makers in the United States have been doing some research on how to resolve air pollution in their country. Eugene Houdry the inventor of catalytic converter took time and research about catalytic oil refinement. Because of his concern to the citizens of their country, he thought of an idea to make an alternative device to reduce air pollution. So as an expert of catalytic oil refining and a mechanical engineer, he then developed a catalytic device to convert for gasoline engine. That's how catalytic converter device for car engines started and the rest is history.

This kind of device is very helpful to countries where air pollution is a pressing problem. This is now widely used in large countries such as the United States of America. Try observing cars in America; have you seen strong gases emitted? Catalytic converter is automatically set-up to their vehicles. Many countries are following the steps of America and are starting to adapt the use of this device.

However, a careful study of its proper usage must be considered. It is highly recommended to be familiar to the new device prior to set-up. Improper use can damage the performance of the vehicle. It can affect the ability of the car. Too much exhaustion may produce lead. If lead is present, the device defeats its purpose of being environment friendly. To avoid all of these, a regular check up and maintenance of the vehicle is needed.

Catalytic converter is one of the fast emerging vehicle devises in the market today. If you have a vehicle, you must consider purchasing one and take part in providing clean air to the environment. Orders and set up can be made by the distributors of the device. You can order online or from your friendly automobile shops. If you are living in a country where this device is still not available, inquire from the internet sites how delivery can be made possible.

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Finest Ranges of Sony Digital Cameras Available Online - By: michaelcraig101



Sony is one of the pioneers and the best producers of digital camera. Truly using a Sony digital camera is embracing perfection with its many features exclusive to a Sony digital camera. Indeed, one of the best ways to capture your sweet memories forever is through photos and what better to do it than with a Sony digital camera. Photos are used to remember or when we recall of the wonderful times of our lives. Only bright and detailed photos can help us bring back all those sweet memories. And quality photos are exactly what a Sony digital camera offers to its customers.

There are many types of digital cameras and it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. There are dissimilar types of digital cameras on the market first off. Compact cameras are insignificant and lightweight. These cameras carry appropriate pictures, but give you small control when it comes to your photos. Digital SLR cameras are bulkier, but stand together you to do adjustments that give you control owing to how the picture emerges finally.

Equipped with the finest optics and imaging technology available, the Sony Digital Camera line ensures its customers that a Sony digital camera will only capture more detail, more color and more brightness possible. Every Sony digital camera has an exclusive Sony technology that enhances photo capturing experience. Armed with the Real Imaging Processor, any Sony digital camera allows high digital processing that reduces picture noise and delivers smoother and more detailed images.

Sony extends its Digital SLR Camera range with the 10.2 megapixel DSLR-A230. It comes with an Advanced D-Range Optimizer, and the steady shot INSIDE trademark for better image stabilization. A good GUI (Graphical User Interface) ensures that even a new user understands the DSLR functions. TBIONZ image processor further facilitates effective and speedy data processing. This Digital SLR Camera is available in two models, A230L and A230Y. Once you've fixed what type of camera to buy its time to discover shopping around. You should observe few reviews of different cameras before buying a digital camera. Once you've chosen unrivaled that has the features you need also good reviews compare prices online and in stores. Most of the times it is the Sony digital camera that has a cutting edge over all its competitors.

ETechnology offers one of the finest ranges of Sony digital cameras; their product range is highly appreciated for good performance and advanced features. Being in the business for quite a while now, ETechnology offers Sony Digital Cameras in sync with prevalent trends in the market.

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Looking For An Alternative Auto Body Shop? Portland Has Good Options - By: Alice Shown



None of us want to get involved in accidents, but the unfortunate truth is that sometimes we do get involved in an accident that spoils our beloved cars. While on the one hand we have to deal with the emotional trauma of the situation and if required with the physical injuries that we or the passengers of the car may have sustained, we also have to deal with the hassle of getting the vehicle repaired. In such a case it is not always a good option to rush to the repair shop of the maker of car because of several reasons.

One of the key reasons why people do not like to go to the service centers of the manufacturers of their vehicles is that the charges of these centers are prohibitively high. Since people tend to trust the maker of their vehicles, these large companies take advantage of this trust and make the most of having a customer who is not likely to go anywhere else.

However, if you think that your manufacturer is taking more than what they really ought to be charging; then you should look for a good alternative auto body shop. Portland is place where some good vehicle repairers are available.

The good thing about an honest service provider is that they will never overcharge. Since they are interested in providing better service than the company service centers, they replace only what is required and also try to anticipate problems so that the vehicle does not suddenly develop major complications that require major expenditure. The advantage of dealing with an established firm is that they are not going to look for quick money. They have an established clientele and they will not want to hamper their reputation for just a few more dollars.

You need not worry about the quality of service especially if you go for a company that employs factory trained professionals. These professional will not only have the skills required to mend your car but also the knowledge of how different models are to be handled.

Furthermore, there is another advantage of going to alternative an auto body shop. Portland has auto body shops that also make arrangements for the finances that are suddenly required in such situations. They also assist the customers with the insurance claims that have to processed.

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Tips For Repairing Auto Body In Portland Oregon - By: Alice Shown



If you have the experience of being in an auto accident involving your own car, you will know that there are several things that have to be sorted to ensure that the value of the vehicle does not diminish and the car become useable as fast as possible. And worse part of the story is that all this has to be done while dealing with the physical injury and the emotional upheaval that accidents usually cause.

Most people realize how expensive repairing a vehicle can be at this point of time. They do not wish to go to anyone other than the manufacturers of their automobiles in such a situation because they feel that going to just about any service provider could result in damage to the vehicle in the long run. They think that smaller service providers may do a slapdash job at a cheaper rate that may lead to complications later on. On the hand the manufacturers take advantage of this belief and charge exorbitant rates for repairing jobs.

To make sure that you do not end up paying a fortune to fix your vehicle and also do not spoil it. If you want to repair auto body, Portland, Oregon has good options for you. There are repairers who charge reasonable rates strictly based on the work that has to be done. They cater to a large base of clients and therefore take their reputation quite seriously. They have properly trained professionals who are capable of making sure that all the work is done in keeping with the requirements of the vehicle. Since they have been working for many years on several cars, they are familiar with all the models of all manufacturers.

In addition to ensuring that the vehicle is as good as it was before accident, they also make sure that the customer does not have to put up with related problems while having to cope with an accident. To make things easy for the customers who wish to repair their auto body Portland Oregon service providers often arrange for finance to help the customer to tide over the crisis. They also understand that many customers dread the task of dealing with insurance companies. Therefore, they extend their assistance to enable the customer to get the most out their auto insurance policies. German Formula is one such helpful and reliable service provider in Portland, Oregon.

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Trailer Hitches – Which one is right for you! - By: Dave Berning



So you have something that you need or want to tow and you have decided to buy a trailer tow system. There are many different brands and types of trailer hitches available and the task of picking one out may appear to be daunting. But keep in mind that when purchasing a hitch, it is important to find the right one for your vehicle and your budget.

Having said this, you may experience a bit of “sticker shock” when you start looking at trailer hitches. But like so many other big ticket items, bare in mind that you get what you pay for. It is also important that the hitch you select has a universal fit. Meaning that it is transferable from one vehicle to another. When it is time to sell your current vehicle, you might want to make sure that you can take your hitch with you.

Safety is key when doing your research on the many different hitch systems available. You need to gather information that will ensure the safety of you, your passengers and others on the road. You also need to know the state and local requirements for trailer towing for what and how much you will be towing.

There are three common types of hitches on the market. They are the weight distributing hitches, the weight carrying hitch and the fifth wheel hitch, also called Gooseneck. Distributing hitches are used with a receiver hitch and a part that distributes the tongue weight among the tow vehicle and trailer axles. Weight carrying hitches are made to carry all of the trailer’s tongue weight. Fifth Wheel (Gooseneck) hitches are designed to mount the trailer connection in the middle of the truck bed.

It is also important to keep in mind that the trailer towing industry has developed a classification system that differentiates hitches according to the amount of weight they can tow. From class 1 (one) to class 5 (five). Please refer to resources below.

Once you have selected what type of trailer hitch will be best for you and you have installed it be sure and check the nuts, bolts and any other fasteners to make sure it is secure to the tow vehicle. It is recommended that you have a professional do the installation. The connection point may also require frequent lubrication so that the coupler to the hitch ball can move freely. Again, your safety and those of your passengers and those around you is key.

Towing vehicles require more maintenance such as oil changes and cooling system checks. Tire pressure should also be checked regularly as it affects vehicle handling and tire safety. Consult with your owner’s manual for information pertaining to scheduled maintenance.

So do a little research and determine which trailer hitches is right for you. Keep safety first when it comes to installation, maintenance and pulling your trailer hitch and you can end up with a system that can last a very long time.

NOTE: Always choose a hitch that is strong enough to handle the maximum anticipated total weight of the trailer but does not exceed the towing capacity of your vehicle. Refer to your vehicle's owner’s manual for maximum towing and tongue weight limitations. The trailer tongue load should be kept at 10 percent of the loaded trailer weight for weight-carrying (dead weight) trailer hitches, and 12 percent for weight-distributing** (equalizing) trailer hitches. Also, you may want need to consider vehicle modifications that might be beneficial, such as stiffer springs, air springs, overload or air assist shocks, larger sway bars or automatic transmission fluid (ATF) cooler. Such modifications may be needed on vehicles used for heavy towing or long-distance towing. You may also want to refer to the U.S. Department of Transportation web site for additional towing tips and information.



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The only thing you need to know about upgrades for laptop battery replacement - By: orient



When it is time to replace the Compaq presario r3000 battery in your laptop, you may find that there are several alternatives to the original battery that was equipped with your computer. By examining and understanding the technical specifications for these batteries, you can extend the operational life of your notebook by choosing a HP 530 battery that offers better value.
This is easily done simply by looking for a battery depending on your computer brand and model number or part number of the pavilion dv7 battery. However, you will find that the technical specifications for these batteries replacement may vary. The purpose of this paper is to inform you of the specification that is crucial in the selection process and specification which is variable and indicates the amount of time that the Pavilion tx1000 battery can run your laptop.
Operating voltage of your laptop is an absolute requirement. Therefore, you should choose a Compaq presario cq50 battery that adheres to this specification. Some leeway is generally tolerated by your computer and a voltage difference of 1 / 10 or 2 / 10 volts is not critical. In fact, several universal and external batteries that have selectable voltages will often times provide a voltage that is not an exact match to the voltage of your original laptop battery. It is perfectly acceptable, but in general the batteries laptops replacement that reside internally in the laptop itself will be provided with an exact match of tension.
In addition volt laptop batteries are classified by watt-hour (Wh) or milliampere-hour (mAh). These ratings are indicative of the amount of charge a Thinkpad x60 Battery will eventually and for how long they will use the computer. A Laptop battery is simply a number of rechargeable batteries that are stored inside a plastic housing and are managed by a control circuit. Therefore, a battery pack that contains more cells will have a WHR greater than or Mah review and run the computer for an extended period of time.
For a practical example, we will consider replacing the Dell Latitude E6400 battery for a Dell Inspiron e6400. Both batteries offered by Dell are both rated at 11.1 volts. The six-cell battery is rated at 53 watts an hour and nine-cell battery is rated at 80 watts an hour. They are currently priced at $ 135.99 and $ 155.99 respectively. The watt 80 hours rated HP dv4000 battery will operate the computer and a half times longer than the battery level lower when it is unplugged. Since it costs extended battery by about 15% more than the standard battery, it would be wise to buy to win the extended operating time compared to its low marginal cost. The 80-watt hour HP Pavilion DV6000 battery provides a clear value to the standard 53-watt-hour battery of the laptop that was originally equipped and up- level ideal.


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OEM Versus Aftermarket Center Caps - By: Tony Tracy



Learn the pros and cons of aftermarket wheel center caps and buy the right aftermarket center cap at the right price for your vehicle.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Center Caps:

A vehicle’s center caps from the original manufacturer are considered to be classified as OEM or better known as Original Equipment Manufacturer. That is why these particular center caps, the manufacturer installed on the vehicle, are given the name OEM.

In actuality, the car manufacturer rarely manufacturers any parts themselves as they often contract with outside suppliers to produce these parts according to their particular standards of quality control. They then put all these numerous parts together, at an automobile assembly plant, or deliver them into their distribution chain for sale as individual parts.

Quite often the parts are stamped with the vehicle manufacturer's brand name even though some manufacturers don’t actually have their company brand name applied to their OEM center caps.

The benefit of having such OEM center caps is that they were designed according to manufacturer specifications and will often fit perfectly into the wheels or rims of the vehicle with minimal adjustment. Quite often they are covered under the manufacturer warranty against defects as well. In addition, the brand name insignia stamped onto the center cap provides a more fluid look to the overall aesthetic appeal of the wheels themselves.

Aftermarket Center Caps:

The term “Aftermarket" can be accredited to any part of a vehicle that is not manufactured by, or specifically for, the original vehicle manufacturer. This can be something as general as aftermarket center caps that you might find for sale in your local car parts shop with a very unique style other than the original manufacturer had intended.

Nevertheless there is definitely an ever expanding industry of small to medium sized manufacturers of exact replicas of OEM wheels or completely different designs by other brand name aftermarket companies.

It is astounding to know that automobile manufacturers actually tolerate this kind of behaviour considering the replicas appear to be exactly identical in both appearance and styles. But keep in mind that, depending on where you buy them from, the quality may be inferior.

Not all but most definitely some aftermarket wheel center caps are inferior quality to their OEM counterparts even though they appear to be the same item offered at a much cheaper price point. These aftermarket replica center caps are manufactured in various parts of Asia and, if unchecked, are produced according to inferior standards while maintaining the outward appearance of the same as the OEM designs. Therefore, the center caps may be subject to performance failure as they may easily crack under regular use, or worse, completely fall off and are lost in the process. This is solely because the independent replica manufacturers do not need to adhere to any specific quality control policies.

This is not to say that all aftermarket center caps are considered to be poor quality, if they are manufactured in Asia, rather there are many manufacturers who invested millions of dollars into maintaining quality control in every step of the manufacturing process. It is a well known fact that brand name companies, either from OEM automobile manufacturers or aftermarket companies, adhere to a much higher quality control process as their names and reputations are more at stake on an international level. So, if they do have a manufacturer plant in Asia they make sure that all their employees and equipment are of the highest standards to produce high quality products.

The only other major con that a person who buys aftermarket wheel center caps can experience is that if they return to their original car dealer for a warranty replacement the technician may recognize that this is an aftermarket center cap and not replace the center cap. Furthermore, they may not cover any other damage that occurred as a result of the defect.

It is recommended that you buy from reputable well known brand name aftermarket center cap manufacturers that not only provide superior quality products but have their own individual warranties to back up their products.

In conclusion, OEM center maps may be slightly better quality, on average, than their aftermarket center caps counterparts, but don’t be fooled into thinking that this is always the case. With respect to brand name aftermarket wheel center caps, such as the aforementioned list, choosing this type of aftermarket center cap is generally as good as or even better than OEM manufacturer ones. Moreover, they are priced much more appropriately than the ones you find at your local car dealership which helps you save money.

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Household Water Filter - Why Installing One Can Improve Your Health - By: Venkata Krishnan Rajagopalan



A household water filter is just about a must with today's tap water contamination. Unfortunately tap water often contains bad color, various chemicals, toxins, and it does not taste very good either. More than likely you enjoy drinking water that is safe and refreshing. In this case, filters, such as sink water filters can be a great option.

As you probably know, drinking plenty of water every day is extremely important. Without enough water, our body cannot function. The problem is that if you are drinking contaminated water, you could be seriously harming your body, even if you do not notice some of the consequences until later in the future.

According to research that has been done, the best way to ensure you get high quality water that will help you improve your health is to install a household water filter. With high quality sink water filters and other filters, there is a way to get water that is fresh and pure, without all the nasty chemicals and other contaminants.

While you no doubt will want to consider the benefits of a filter in your home to your health, it is so important that you look for a high quality filter from a company that is known for their quality filters. Not all filters out there are going to give you the pure fresh water that you want.

Some filtration systems do not get out all the contaminants, so you still end up ingesting things that are negative to your health. The best systems out there today filter out molecules that cause illness, chlorine, lead, and other chemicals that are often found in water. However, they still leave in the trace minerals that are so important to your body.

You want to look for a household water filter that is backed by science. Look for a company that has the belief that there should be not toxic chemicals left within your water. This way when you use their filters, you can know that you are getting water that is safe, clean, and tasty. Some of the best companies will provide a lifetime warranty on their products as well.

Do you really think that drinking chemicals, toxins, prescription drugs, and heavy metals is good for your health? It definitely is not! This means you must do something about this so that you get plenty of water that is healthy for you instead of water that can actually harm your health. All this can be accomplished with a top quality household water filter.


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F-150 Accessories For your Ford SUV - By: Dylan Benjamins



An SUV fanatic knows what Ford SUVs stand for. This company has gone all the way in producing the best range of SUV on the market. One of them is the powerful and classic F-150 SUV. This vehicle can take you on any road with ease and comfort.

If you own an F-150 and would like to enhance its look, there are a number of F-150 accessories you can get on the market today that will give your vehicle a nice taste. Some of these accessories include the several types of interiors like weather tech floor liners, track bed mats like Dee Zee mats and many more.

The exteriors too are available specifically designed for F-150 rides. You can get things like bumpers, body kits, automatic lights, billet grilles, side mirrors, mud guards and many others for your car. You don't only have choices for accessories that enhance the beauty of the car but also that might enhance the performance it.

The Ford F-150 being a top range vehicle, its accessories are produced to meet the quality and they look great on your car, they are durable and what’s more, they are affordable. The durability aspect is very important for most car owners as they don't want to spend a lot of money replacing accessories all the time. Ford realizes this and has come up with accessories that meet your long term needs and wants.

Being a pioneer in the car industry, there is a tendency of getting imitated accessories for the F-150 in the market today. It is extremely vital that you buy only genuine parts from recognized Ford dealers around you. You can also get the same products logging on to the internet as there are sites that offer the services online. However, you need to be careful that you are not cheated into buying counterfeit F150 Accessories as there are plenty of sites that are out to rob unsuspecting buyers off their hard earned cash.


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Porsche Parts for all models - By: Dylan Benjamins



Porsche cars are some of the finest cars ever made. From the concept, the shape, the engine placement, the horsepower, to the upholstery and finish, Porsche's are truly a sight to behold, not only to the enthusiasts but also the public at large. Many times I have espied people gawking at a 911 or a Cayenne, totally clueless about what type of car it actually is, but united in the thought that it is to be marveled at.

When it comes to buying parts for your Porsche, be it the humble 356, up to the finest Porsche flagship, the 997 turbo, you cannot view the said parts like you would when purchasing spares for a general car, reason being that many of the Porsche's out there have a huge amount of horsepower and when buying Porsche spares, you need to make sure they are up to the job obviously as safety is paramount.

Porsche parts are available in abundance; you need to be sure that the one you are picking up is the right one for your car. If you can, get a specialist to guide you through with the maintenance, servicing and repairing of your Porsche.

Nowadays, there are many internet sites that offer this service. You can order the part from them and they ship it to you wherever you are. You can also score the various sites in order to get the best deal. But you should also beware since many internet fraudsters lurk around waiting for an unsuspecting “customer”. You may end up swindled or your identity stolen and that includes your credit card information and the likes.

Parts can also be ordered from the dealership closest to you as they get their parts directly from the company's headquarters in Stuttgart. These parts do come with a warranty and also services like fixing of the part by the dealer's engineers.

Another source of Porsche parts would be the burgeoning automotive. Aftermarket which refers to the part of the automotive industry concerned with the manufacture or re-manufacturing, distribution, retailing and installation of all vehicle parts, tools, equipment and accessories for vehicles, after the sale of the automobile by the original manufacturer to the consumer. These types of parts are used when you want to give your vehicle a distinctive touch and your own signature; it is called custom making the vehicle to suit your needs and desires. Examples are body kits, unique headlamps.


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The Getaway Truck – It does more than Delivery Work! - By: Norman Dulwich



We all know the significance of the ‘getaway car’ in the world of crime and we have all watched great car chases on the television. Yet what about the role of lorries in the world of crime? Can anyone remember a fantastic lorry chase in a box office hit? Our larger vehicles tend to be forgotten by Hollywood in the favour of the more glamorous and sleek cars - most people associate trucks with delivery work and nothing more. Yet Hollywood should take a gander at the following real life crimes that have used trucks incredibly effectively, proving there is more to these large beasts of the road than delivery work.

The Great Train Robbery

A recent fire in the Cae Dai 1950s motor museum brought the lorry used in the infamous 1963 Great Train Robbery back into the minds of the public. The famous truck was used to transport the £2.5 million haul the 15-strong team of thieves managed to swipe from the train – now that is a different type of delivery work!

The UK Roswell Lorry

For many years UFO groupies have studied the infamous UFO incident that people dubbed Britain’s ‘Roswell.’ The incident occurred in 1980 near Woodbridge, Suffolk, and witnesses reported seeing strange lights in the sky. Yet last year it was finally revealed that people had not seen some high-tech alien aircraft, but instead had been watching...a lorry! According to Mr. Turtill, it was he and some friends that had been using the lorry for delivery work when it had broken down. Yet it was not any ordinary delivery work - Mr.Turtill was driving a lorry full of stolen manure. In order to get rid of the stolen goods they set fire to the truck, which due to its aluminium body reacting with the fertiliser created some very unusual coloured flames!

The Prisoner Postal Lorry

The unsuspecting driver of a lorry waiting in the Karlau prison in Graz, Austria, performed his delivery work one day with a little surprise parcel amidst his load! A daring Bosnian man by the name of Muradif Hasanbegovic effectively used the lorry in his very creative escape from prison! Hasenbegovic was in jail serving a seven-year sentence for robbery, and was being held in the prison when he decided that it was time to escape. He wrapped himself up like a parcel and had his fellow cellmates post him to freedom by throwing him in the back of a lorry waiting to leave the prison. When the lorry had left the prison, the plucky robber ripped open the parcel and leapt from the truck to freedom. Hasanbegovic is still missing!

One Mother, one truck and a jailbreak!

Convicted armed robber Jay Junior Sigler was rescued from jail by his mother, friends and a large lorry. Incarcerated in the Everglades Correctional Institution in America, he asked his mum to help him escape from jail. Being a very devoted mother, Sandra Sigler and a few of her son’s friends bulldozed their way through four prison gates using a large lorry, picked up Junior Jay, and escaped!

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Tire Problems In The Winter? Ugh - By: Mykalanne Gutierrez



All the things in winter, like the extremely unbearable freezing temperatures, the white snow, & even the ice can have a huge & not so positive impact on your Used Car Tires . If you know how your Used Tires are affected with the winter weather before the actual winter season comes, then you can literally make a difference when you’re driving on roads with icy & snowy conditions. No one likes driving in dangerous conditions like these, but hopefully with this article, you learn a little .. or a lot, I guess it depends on how well you pay attention.

To begin with, it’s better for you if you have your Used Auto Tires that are All-Season Tires. These are the tires that are made to provide decent performance throughout different weather conditions. These tires are on mostly all vehicles that are sold today; but even if it does or doesn’t come standard, you should still know what kind of tires that you have on your car & make sure that you can distinguish the pros & cons of the tire. This information can usually be found in the user manual that comes in the glove compartment of your car, or on the internet, or even if you talk to the people that work at the dealership or the shop that you get your car from.

On top of that, the tire pressure of your new & Used Tires is very important. You should be sure that you check it in fall & in the beginning of the heavy & freezing winter months. The reason for this is because during these particular months, the temperature can drop drastically & interfere with the pressure in your new & Used Auto Tires . It’s crucial that you know the 18” Used Tires - or any tires for that matter - don’t necessarily carry the weight of your vehicle, the air pressure in the tires carry the weight. For every ten degrees that changes with the weather, the tire’s inflation goes down one psi in cold weather & goes up one psi in warmer weather. The properly inflated Used Tires are the most important thing for your car’s performance & treadwear. When the tire pressure is too low, there’s too much of the tire touching the road - so it causes for the tread to wear out faster. This is the main recipe for a horrible accident if you’re going speed limit on a highway. In order to make sure that you & your passengers are safe, it’s crucial that you check the pressure of your tires on a regular basis.

Another thing that you should know is that your Used Auto Tires can only do so much to keep you safe on the road that you’re driving on. When the winter time comes, you need to change your driving habits; this includes driving slower, increasing your stopping distance, and knowing that you need to adjust to the weather, the weather doesn’t adjust to the way that you drive.

To wrap up the this whole little thing that we have going on here, just make sure that your tires are properly inflated at all times - especially during the winter time. Before you go to a Used Tire Warehouse and buy those Used Tires / Used Auto Tires that you so desperately need, make sure that you examine the tread & make sure that you can drive on them .. because we don't want any accidents now do we?

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The Courier and Haute Couture - By: Norman Dulwich




Some jobs just ooze opportunity to flaunt yourself and show off your latest togs but sadly that’s rarely the case for the courier.

Showcasing

OK, not everybody’s made the same, either physically or psychologically. Even so, some jobs give the opportunity to ‘strut your stuff’ and look good in clothes that also proudly proclaim your profession. Let’s take a couple of obvious examples. Think about, say, Tom Cruise in Top Gun or Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman. People in the military often wear the uniforms as a mark of pride in their occupation but also as a bit of a fashion statement. The old joke about all the girls love a uniform may not be entirely untrue, and quite a few men admit to liking women in uniform too.

Then there are other outfits that proclaim both utility and sexiness coupled with style. Think about the surgeons shown on TV strolling around in their theatre kit or the doctors in their long white coats. Then there are all the other badges of office – the chef’s white overalls, the judge’s robes, the pilot’s uniform and so on. All these occupations have the chance to wear clothes that communicate a purpose but also are maybe a mixture of style in some cases plus perhaps prestige or ‘street-cred’ in others. But what about the courier? Is there a courier street style?

Workaday clothing

You may say that this is a tiny percentage of the workforce. In reality, most people don’t wear uniforms as such when they’re on the shop floor or in an office etc. Well, maybe or maybe not.

If you see a mechanic or engineer dressed in their overalls, perhaps covered in oil as evidence of their trade, sometimes it’s hard not to see it as a recognisable badge of profession and one that’s pretty street-cred. In many offices, the latest suits, shirts, blouses and skirts are on display and there’s an opportunity to ‘dress-up’ to show a combination of your personal style and maybe even level of success.

The humble courier

For us, it’s all so different of course. Take the motorcycle courier for example. Waddling into an office submerged under 27 layers of protective clothing and leathers designed to keep the cold out rather than style, while sporting a full-face helmet, just isn’t going to have the same effect on members of the opposite sex that Richard Gere’s entry to the shop floor had in the above mentioned film. Sorry, but that’s a fact! When the courier first made the transition to pedal power, initially it looked like there may be some hope as spandex, lycra and sunglasses started to seem like they may become marks of profession. But not so much now. Even when you do still see it, people struggling to ‘pull themselves some slack’ around the saddle area after they’ve dismounted, is just never going to look either glamorous or much of a statement of status (other than, maybe, “I’m sore”). Nowadays comfortable and practical clothing is more the norm and the helmet just isn’t going to cut it as a fashion statement.

Finally there’s the four-wheeled courier. Some of the bigger carriers may have uniforms but few would argue that they’re even close to being symbols of prestige or fashion. Why, oh why, do so many of them look like they had their design origin in Thunderbirds programmes of the 1960s? Once again, the norm remains a tatty pair of jeans and a practical heavy-duty jacket just in case that breakdown maroons us somewhere inhospitable in the depths of miserable weather. Exciting it isn’t.

What’s the solution?

Stating the problem is easy – finding an answer is often more of a challenge. Perhaps some of the courier industry associations should all chip in a few pounds to hire some PR consultants and a fashion designer. Maybe they could come up with some sort of recognisable garb that would instantly proclaim to everyone that you’re a courier and proud of it. If that could also be fairly stylish and practical at the same time – then so much the better. Mmmm. Not looking likely just yet, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted and report any courier fashion developments we discover.


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Mobile Electronics Can Promote Safer Driving! Call Your Local Car Audio Shop Today! - By: Rebecca Paul



We all know that driving is one of the most dangerous things that people do on a day-to-day basis, but judging from the bad driving habits we see on the road, we always seem to forget it. Now, there are mobile electronics available that can help drivers stay focused, stay on track, and stay safe. Mobile electronics--they're more than just luxuries!


Everyone knows about the great style and convenience that device integration, vehicle accessories, and mobile electronic installations can bring to a car, truck, boat, or other vehicle, but many people don't realize that many of these devices go beyond the frivolous. They can actually promote and improve road safety for drivers and passengers, whether you're driving across a continent or across town. Call your local mobile electronics shop today, and learn about the services they offer and how they can help keep you safe!


Just some of the safety advantages of car electronics include:


Reducing distraction - Countless accidents are caused every day because drivers are busy fidgeting with their music or driving with one hand while paying too much attention to a cell phone conversation. iPod integration can make controlling music as simple as switching the channel on the radio. Bluetooth integration allows for hands-free telephone conversation, so drivers never have to miss a call or compromise their safety.


Deterring criminals - Car alarms may seem like more of a security feature than a safety feature, but consider this scenario--you're driving across the country, and you stop at a rest area at night. If someone steals your car, you're stranded in a strange place, which can put you in any number of potentially unsafe situations. A car alarm can help reduce the risk of car theft. It's a sad fact, but most vehicles that are stolen are never recovered.


Monitoring speed - Radar detectors do more than just alert the driver when there is law enforcement nearby. They also can serve as a periodic reminder to choose to drive at a reasonable speed while adhering to all local laws.


Directions for the directionally impaired - On board navigation systems are an excellent way to not only ensure that drivers don't wind up in dangerous areas. They also help improve road safety by giving drivers visual and vocal directional prompts, so there will never be a reason to suddenly cut across many lanes of traffic in order to reach the correct exit or turn.


These advantages are just some of the ways that mobile electronics can help improve the safety of everyone on the road, from drivers to passengers to pedestrians. Call your local mobile electronics shop today to learn more about the options available when you purchase any of these great products.


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