Wipers for Your Mirrors
March 26, 2014
For most truckers, getting more miles means getting more money. That means that whenever inclement weather hits, and drivers must pull over to wipe off their rearview mirrors, they are losing precious time to rack up miles before they reach their HOS limit. However, this simple yet ingeniously-practical invention may help:
Types of Truck Driving Jobs
March 26, 2014
Truckers come in all shapes and sizes – as do truck driving jobs. Choosing the right type of work is the first step in finding a career path that works for you. In the trucking industry, there are three major types of driving jobs, each with its own MAJOR differences: over the road (long distance), regional, and local.
Over The Road
This is the most exciting, grueling and lonesome work. It is not for the faint of heart, and it’s certainly not for the family man. Long haul truckers are gone for weeks at a time, living a nomadic lifestyle that is best suited for adventurous loners that don’t mind losing touch with the people back home. This type of job ecompasses your whole life, which is great for some people: people who just want to roam, who want to see each corner of the country, who are good at making friends on the fly, and then departing for long spells of solitude. Over the road jobs are also easier to find. Not many people can handle this type of work, so turnover is high and employers are always desperate to fill these positions fast. For these reasons, the pay is usually better.
Regional
The regional trucker also gets to make great money, with the added benefit of more home-time. A typical workweek is five days a week, with weekends off for time with the family. However, most employers don’t consider a “weekend” as something that begins Friday afternoon and ends Monday morning. Some companies won’t get you home until Saturday morning, often hauling a load that is expected to be delivered by Monday morning – meaning that you will have to depart again Sunday night. So, you get home at 7 a.m. on a Saturday and have to leave again around 11 p.m. on Sunday. There is a lot of variation between companies, though. Some are better at scheduling, some have nicer trucks while others have maintenance issues, some require loading and unloading while others don’t, some pay by the mile while others pay salary, and the average income between companies can vary quite a bit. However, since there is a serious shortage of truckers these days, chances are you can be picky and choose a better company with reliable trucks, high pay and good working conditions, especially if you have at least a year of experience under your belt.
Local
As a local driver, you will never be far from home. The type of work varies greatly, with duties that range far beyond simply driving. You could be loading and unloading, operating cranes and other heavy machinery, pumping fluids, or moving livestock. You will spend less time on the highway and more time on local streets with heavier traffic. The work is more physically demanding, and mental alertness is key with all the heavy-traffic driving that is required. Since more drivers seek out local jobs, the competition is far greater, and often, the pay is quite a bit less.
Each type of job comes with its own kind of living, and each takes a certain kind of style. Choosing the one that is best for you and your life will result in greater job satisfaction and overall happiness.
Beware! It Could Happen to You!
March 25, 2014
Jimmy Nevarez locked himself out of his truck one day. Lucky for us, he’s a big enough man to overcome the embarrassment and write an entertaining blog post about it – complete with lessons learned and advice for the future. See the full story here:
http://www.teamrunsmart.com/the-pros/jimmy-nevarez/march-2014/locked-out
ATRI President Rides with Real Truckers
March 25, 2014
Rebecca Brewster, the President and Chief Operating Officer for the ATRI (American Transportation Research Institute) will gain some hands-on experience as she hitches a ride with two real truckers to the 5th Annual “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel”.
The ride-along will begin tomorrow (March 26th) with Stephanie Klang, who has been driving for Con-way since 1987. The second driver, Monica Abdul-Rashid of Shneider, will finish the long-haul to the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
This ride-along has been organized by the Women in Trucking Association (WIT), and according to WIT President and CEO Ellen Voie, it is intended to be “a great opportunity to give legislators, regulators and industry leaders the opportunity to experience a small part of a driver’s job.”
Spring Eating Tips
March 24, 2014
It’s springtime, and that means fruit and vegetable stands will begin to pop up on the sides of our nation’s highways. As a trucker, this is your best chance at finding healthy, convenient food while making the long haul. Freshness may be a foreign taste after a long winter of eating at truck stops, though. So, here are a few ideas to help you wean off the typical (and typically unhealthy) breakfast menu:
Breakfast tacos: Turn a typical breakfast taco into a super-food taco by adding all the nutrient-rich goodness of fresh avocado, tomatoes, peppers, onions and garlic.
Bagels: There’s nothing better than a bagel with cream cheese, that is, until you try it dressed up with farm fresh herbs, sliced cucumbers and those sweet little just-picked tomato varieties.
Smoothies: Invest in a minifridge and a blender to make smoothies with all your favorite fruits. Simply combine ice, juice, yogurt and the fruit(s) of your choice.
Lolly Hailed as School Bus All-star
March 24, 2014
Meet the Lebron James of school bus driving: Kathleen “Lolly” Smith. She’s trained hundreds of school bus drivers, won numerous awards and exemplified school bus safety for the past 40 years. Read her full story here:
Private Schooling Vs Company-Sponsored
March 23, 2014
So you’ve decided to get your CDL license, but aren’t sure where to start. Well, there are two types of CDL education options to consider: a company-sponsored CDL training program, or a private truck driving school.
Company-sponsored schools often have little-to-no upfront costs and will guarantee you work after passing the CDL exam. This means you can get your schooling, take the test and get hired without acquiring any debt. However, there are a few drawbacks to choosing this route. For one, you won’t be able to work for any other company for a while (usually a year), and some companies take tuition costs out of your paycheck.
Private truck driving schools are a good option if you have the money, or credit, to pay for it. They are generally more helpful and thorough since you are a paying customer, and they cover a wider range of topics than most company-sponsored programs. However, keep in mind that not all private schools are alike. Do your research and find a reputable school that companies have been known to hire from. Also, make sure they provide training for ALL the available endorsements (hazmat, tankers, doubles and triples, and passengers), otherwise your job opportunities will be very limited.
No matter which route you choose, our practice tests here at testquestionsandanswers.com will help you ace that final exam. In fact, our CDL value pack includes practice tests for all the available endorsements.
The FMCSA’s E-Log Mandate
March 23, 2014
On March 13, the FMCSA released its official proposal to improve safety and reduce the paperwork burden for both truck drivers and fleet managers. Read the full story here:
http://eobr.com/eobr-news/eobr-mandate/e-log-mandate-trucking-industry-takes-another-step-forward/
Trucking 101: Do You Have What it Takes?
March 23, 2014
The American trucker is a hard-working, independent, adventurous breed. They have strong backs and strong minds, with an uncanny ability to handle all the demands of the open road, the demands of the industry, as well as the demands of the public in general. Real truckers have what it takes, but do you?
A truck driver must be able to handle long driving hours, little sleep and long periods of solitude. They say the loneliness can swallow you up, so an ability to stay sane in the solitude is a must. If you appreciate being alone, can handle the inevitable spells of self-reflection, and have the ability to do the job right when no one is around for thousands of miles, then you might have found the right career. It also helps if you are one of those people who enjoys the simple things in life, like reading a good book or watching the sun set in the middle of a desolate desert.
While coping with loneliness is important, you must also be able to handle feeling as if you are never really alone. Since most trucks are equipped with computers that monitor everything from location to driving hours to speed and rpm’s, there is very little that goes unnoticed. However, if you do the job right, follow the rules, and communicate effectively with employers, trip planners, load coordinators, and federal officials, then there is really nothing to fear. Dealing with this tricky, paradoxical balance of independence and cooperation is a big part of becoming a successful trucker.
That brings me to my last point. The modern trucking industry is no place for outlaws. Maybe back in the 70’s, but certainly not today. Stricter regulations, background checks, drug tests and federal audits make it impossible for truck drivers to keep their jobs if they can’t stay out of trouble. So, you must be able to keep your head on straight and live the life of a law-abiding citizen to stay employed in this industry.
Everyone gets the urge to see the world, but few people have what it takes to be a real trucker.
Roadway Safety Foundation Guide for 2014
March 23, 2014
The Roadway Safety Foundation is debuting their guide for improving safety in 2014. Dubbed Roadway Safety: A Primer for Community Leaders, the user-friendly, share-able online document is intended for local officials and community leaders who are in the process of updating their Strategic Highway Safety Plans (SHSP). See the full document here: