Allied Special Products’ transportation service offerings have expanded to encompass challenging relocation jobs. If it’s a laboratory move requiring a power generator to keep lab freezers below -80 degrees; oversized

production equipment that needs special flatbeds; or expedited air freight service to help a client get to their trade show destination overnight; then Special Products is the answer.

In addition to our award winning Express 1 service for high-value products, trade show transportation and fine arts, we are now providing transportation and logistics solutions for other specialized and non-specialized trucking, freight forwarding, value-added warehousing, and other specialized logistics.

Allied's alliance with Axis Global Logistics provides additional support to source alternative transportation services. These services include

• Overnight Air Freight
• Second Day Air
• Deferred 3 to 5 Day Air
• Commercial Truckload
• Flat Bed - Standard and Oversized
• Specialized Truckload
• LTL Common Carrier

 To learn more about any of these services visit: http://www.alliedspecialproducts.com/

Ready for a change? Maybe you’re looking for a new job? Before you make a final decision, it’s always important to do your research and understand exactly what you’re getting into. Here’s our recommendation for finding the best and cheapest city for your specific situation.

1. Decide what’s important to you. It’s best if you sit down with all involved with the move and agree on your priorities. Maybe your first priority is for the city to be pedestrian-friendly, while you’re wife wants to ensure the schools are highly-rated. It’s important to sort these things out before you start your search.
2. Once you pick a few cities of interest, compare them: Use tools similar to the free tool below to compare neighborhood and community statistics. a. Free community comparison tool: http://www.onboardnavigator.com/1.5/webcontent/obwc_search.aspx?AID=63
3. Find best option for your profession: Use the below salary calculator tools to get an estimate of your potential salary in the new city. a. Salary calculator tool by Monster: http://monster.salary.com/
4. Do a cost of living analysis: Use this free tool to analyze cost of living for the new city. a. Cost of living tool by Sperling: http://www.bestplaces.net/col/
5. Talk through the pros and cons: Once you’ve pulled together all of this information, get together with your family to discuss the pros and cons of each place.
6. Make a collective decision and start the move or job search process!

Does anyone have other tips? How did you decide where you were going to move?

OK, here it goes. Our best-of-the-best list of free moving resources and tools that you should know about during your next move. So, bookmark, save and forward this list to those who you think could benefit from knowing about these free tools.

1. Moving “How-To” Videos: 
   1. http://www.allied.com/moving-education-and-resources/online-moving-videos.aspx
2. A Moving Terminology Dictionary: 
   1. http://www.allied.com/moving-education-and-resources/moving-terminology.aspx
3. Information about Your Rights and Responsibilities: 
   1. http://www.allied.com/moving-education-and-resources/rights-and-responsibilities.aspx
4. Free Community Information and Statistics: 
   1. http://www.onboardnavigator.com/1.5/webcontent/obwc_search.aspx?AID=63
5. Free School Information and Statistics: 
   1. http://www.onboardnavigator.com/1.5/webcontent/OBWC_Search.aspx?&AID=63&CD_SID=SC001
6. Loan Qualification Calculator: 
   1. http://www.allied.com/moving-education-and-resources/loan-qualification-calculator.aspx
7. Loan Payment Calculator: 
   1. http://www.allied.com/moving-education-and-resources/loan-payment-calculator.aspx
8. Rent vs. Buy Calculator: 
   1. http://www.allied.com/moving-education-and-resources/rent-vs-buy-calculator.aspx
9. Moving Timeline:
   
   1. http://www.allied.com/moving-checklist/moving-timeline.aspx
10. A list of Frequently Asked Moving Questions: 
    1. http://www.allied.com/moving-checklist/moving-faq.aspx
11. Moving Day Check-list: 
    1. http://www.allied.com/moving-checklist/moving-day.aspx
12. Packing Calculator: 
    1. http://www.allied.com/moving-tips/packing-calculator.aspx
13. Packing Guide by Room: 
    1. http://www.allied.com/moving-tips/packing-guide.aspx
14. Free Moving Community: 
    1. http://www.facebook.com/AlliedVanLines?ref=ts
15. Access to Moving Experts: 
    1. http://twitter.com/alliedvl
       1. Use “#alliedvl” to ask a question

Know of any others? We would love to hear about them.

Whether you’re shipping your motorcycle for vacation or just purchased a motorcycle on the Internet, shipping can be tricky. How do you know you’re choosing a shipper that is going to handle your bike with care? Here are some questions to ask a carrier to ensure your motorcycle arrives in mint condition:

1. How long have you been shipping motorcycles? Allied has been shipping motorcycles for almost two decades, so it’s important that the company you choose specializes in this type of shipment and can prove they have a special process for ensuring protection of your motorcycle.
2. Do you use ramps to load and unload the motorcycle? Motorcycle ramps can be risky, we recommend finding a company that uses lift gates. Life gates allow It’s important to understand how the company intends to move your motorcycle, as this is a very important step of the process. Make sure the bike is crated the motorcycle to stay completely still when moving it from the ground to the moving truck.
3. How will my motorcycle be packaged for the move? on some type of skid system that secures the motorcycle during travel. Allied uses a SecureRide® skid that’s designed especially for motorcycle transportation security.
4. Are you fully insured? Before you hire a motorcycle carrier, make sure they are fully insured. Be sure to confirm that both the driver and company have enough insurance to cover the full cost of your motorcycle in case something happens.

Want more information about motorcycle shipping? Visit http://www.alliedspecialproducts.com/

If you have any specific questions related to motorcycle shipping, add a comment below and we’d be happy to respond!