August 19th, 2010
Here is a little news on the economy in Europe. This is a little more specific to truck drivers in Greece.
Reported by the Wall Street Journal, it’s good news for Greece. Their truck drivers are ending the strike against their Government. The truck drivers are angry with Greece’s idea of issuing more licenses for trucks which would flood the market with competition and thus giving less business to each truck driver. The strike was ended when the Truck Driver’s union, the Federation of Overland Commercial Transporters, voted to end the strike.
Federation President Giorgos Tzortzatos was quoted as saying: “We have made our decision with a sense of responsibility and taking into account the problems the strike action has caused,” The government of Greece responded with the response: “The transport market will open, this reform is necessary for the economy and the citizens and for that reason the legislation will go forward,” Greece has had a huge fuel shortage during tourist season because of this strike. Starting July 25th, this mired the countries image even more than it had with its bad state of economy. The Greek economy has affected everyone in their economy including Truck Drivers.
We here in the United States don’t have the worries that they do. Yes, we are struggling with our own financial woes, but we still have more food on the table than most countries. We have companies here that train drivers who have never driven before and immediately hire them upon graduation with high safety records. We also have truck-driving companies here that compete for the freight and win upon best quality and price. No economic system is perfect, but we here in the United States have more financial opportunity than our neighbors in other countries who are struggling in this first decade of the 21st Century.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704702304575403312114219860.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Tags: greece
Posted in International News | No Comments »
August 6th, 2010
Michael Youmans is a driver that knows how to work. Now a proud truck owner, he knows the ins and outs of the trucking business. At 61 years old he has been with CR England for almost two years. As a driver he feels that speed is the most important factor in driving. He says that people can’t assume that drivers have “magic airbreaks” and that they can stop when ever they want. All drivers on the road need to realize that trucks don’t stop as fast as other vehicles. At the same time he cautions other truck drivers to slow down. He says that is the most important advice to remember. When you are driving too fast, speed becomes your worst enemy. Each driver needs to adjust their speed for their specific conditions and skill level. Proper training always starts in truck driving school.
He also stresses getting enough sleep while on the road. He advises that any amount of fatigue can have an effect on your reaction time. Not only does he give great advice but he also sets an example of what a responsible driver should do. Michael wakes up around two or three in the morning and stays alert and ready while driving throughout the day. He works hard everyday he is at work so that he can relax on his time off knowing that he did his best. Along with his latest accomplishment of purchasing his truck he is also looking forward to the birth of his first grandchild. When he is home in Tampa, Florida he loves to ride his motorcycle. He owns a Yamaha Stratoliner and lives for the freedom and exhilaration that he gets when he rides it.
He says he cant live with out his GPS, refrigerator, or microwave. They are his must-have appliances. When asked about how he achieved his success he said that he just floated along, he ran a lot of payments and always kept his balance current. Just another story to show that success in reach for anyone that is willing to work hard.
Tags: cdl training, Drive Slower, Safety Advice
Posted in Jobs, cdl training | No Comments »
July 9th, 2010
Back in March! According to checkbiotech.org, Ethanol is actually affecting crude sales. In an article called, “Ethanol set to bite into crude sales” by Tamsin Carlisl, he writes about the fact that there is
“an eight-fold increase in US ethanol consumption since 2000.”
This affects the monopoly of oil and their prices will probably not go up, due to this up and coming new market of energy. This is a first in a long time and is exciting to watch.
There are some that worry about the world food supply diminishing, due to usage of corn, soybean, and sugar cane for fuel. And there are others that are excited about a supplementary resource to curve our appetite for oil. Either way, it can’t be denied that bio-fuels are here to stay.
Here in the United States, the Midwest sells more biodiesel than anywhere else in the country because of the large quantity of soybean farms in the area. In fact, Minnesota has a law that states all diesel must be blended with biodiesel to be sold in the state.
What this means to trucking, is huge! Even Willie Nelson is getting involved. He has a biodiesel he calls BioWillie. And BioWillie is only one brand of biofuel. According to the article “Willie Nelson brings biofuel to the red states”, there are hundreds of biodiesel companies out there. Bio Willie is sold at 22 truck stops and is created out of soybean.
It will be interesting to watch this next couple of years, don’t you think?
http://bioenergy.checkbiotech.org/news/ethanol_set_bite_crude_sales
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3500954.ece
http://www.truckdriversnews.com/willie-nelson-brings-biofuel-to-the-red-states/
Tags: BioDiesel, Trucking, Trucking Jobs
Posted in Bio Diesel, Truck Driving Schools, Trucking | No Comments »
June 24th, 2010
Recently, we ran an article about the chance of heavier trucks having the possibility of being allowed on highways. Here is an article from a couple of weeks ago that Vermont Governor, Jim Douglas, signed a bill allowing heavier trucks to run through his state and Maine. According to the article, “Vermont governor signs bill permitting heavier trucks on interstates”, it is a 1-year pilot that allows trucks of 100,000 lbs. plus to use highways. In the past, any trucks 80,000 or more lbs. had to stay off highways and drive through small communities and neighborhoods.
Trucking Companies are thrilled because they can save money and time with this new pilot program and neighborhoods are too because they resented big trucks driving past their homes. This is a win-win for both disgruntled sides.
This beta program will evaluate the impact from heavier trucks driving over highway roads, safety, and durability of the bridges and pavement.
This program also is set to save energy and use less diesel, allowing the states to become more environmentally green. Plus, Governor Douglas feels that this bill will allow employers to improve their bottom line and hire more people in the bad economy of our times.
Whatever the outcome of this 1-year pilot program, the rest of the country is watching. If it succeeds, I’ll bet more states follow lead.
http://www.startribune.com/business/81501282.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU
Tags: Heavy trucks, Minnesota Trucking Jobs
Posted in Trucking News
Tags: CDL jobs, Trucking, Trucking News
Posted in CDL jobs, Industry News, Trucking Companies, Trucking Jobs | No Comments »
June 24th, 2010
Last fall, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it would like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to start a program helping to identify truck drivers that may by at risk for obstructive sleep apnea.
Some steps requested include the following:
- If truck drivers diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea cannot prove by documentation that they have been treated of such, FMCSA could deny medical certification.
- FMCSA would hand out information and guidelines to help the truck drivers, trucking companies, and their medical doctors recognize high-risk candidates.
- I was surprised at the statistics that truck drivers have a 50% statistic of sleep apnea in those who have average body mass index of 40.0 or more; 35.0 and over considered obese.
In fact, a study commissioned by the FMSCA found that 17.6 percent of truckers studied suffered from mild sleep apnea while 5.8 percent had moderate sleep apnea and 4.7 percent had severe conditions.
In reading the letter, it shows there is only one accident mentioned, due to sleep apnea. The driver ran into a highway patrol officer, killing him instantly. Though this is a very sad story, one must ask them self if it is enough documentation to hold back a truck driver’s medical certification because he may be at risk.
Tags: sleep disorder, Trucking CDL Jobs
Posted in CDL jobs, Truck Driving Schools, Truck School, Trucking | No Comments »
