ITJ 47-48/2024
Dear readers,
Every year for the past 54 years, to be precise, the United States Forest Service ensures that a magnificent Christmas tree is placed in front of the Capitol in Washington. Every year it comes from a different one of the country’s 154 national forests – but rarely has its journey been as long as in 2024.
Felled in the Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska, the 22.5 m high Sitka spruce started its multimodal journey covering a total of more than 6,000 km on a ship at the end of October, before being loaded onto a road trailer in the northwestern state of Oregon.
The combination, pulled by a Kenworth T680 with 455 hp, was driven by Fred Austin and John Schank, both of whom have been moving goods through Alaska, Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the USA for the company Lynden since 1975 – without a single accident!
So nothing could go wrong, could it, and we hope the tree presages a peaceful time in the capital of the USA at Christmas and into the new year.
On page 12 you can read how commercial delivery drivers prepare for their jobs at UPS and learn how to cope when the ground is slippery due to leaves, snow or ice.
If you prefer a milder climate, I can warmly recommend the Italy Special supplement with this issue – even if its cover suggests otherwise. But take a look and judge for yourself!
Here’s to your stimulating read!
Yours,
Andreas Haug
Editor-in-chief
Read our Italy Special in English here.