Archive for August, 2010

Strike in Greece Ends for Truck Drivers

Thursday, 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

Business & Safety Advice From A Truck Driver

Friday, 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.