The President of the Truckload Carriers Association, is filling the empty seat that used to be Deborah Sparks, who is TCA’s vice president of development.

Parts Group of Navistar President Phyllis Cochran is now taking the seat that was H. Lenora Hardee, Ph.D., and manager of Navistar’s Human Factors and Ergonomics Group.

The last seat replaced is by Jan Hamblin, J.J. Keller & Associates’ corporate sales manager of strategic accounts.  This was the vacated seat of Jayne Gunn, the former director of Sunbury Transport, in Canada.

Leigh Foxall, the chairwoman of Women In Trucking, stated, “Our goal is to represent the trucking industry as a whole.”

I quote TruckingInfo.com’s article, “Women In Trucking Announces Board of Director Changes”,

“Women In Trucking was established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles face by women working in the trucking industry.”

This is also their Mission Statement.

Their home page on their website states:

“This organization has been created for you, both men and women, who are either involved in the industry, or have a career interest in being a part of one of the largest networks of professionals in North America. Nearly one out of fourteen workers are already employed in jobs that support the transportation industry, but the need for drivers and other trucking professionals continues to increase.”

Membership dues go towards motivating the transportation industry to search for and find any obstacles preventing both men and women from considering the career path in the transportation industry.  For more information go to http://www.womenintrucking.org.

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=72006&news_category_id=18

http://www.womenintrucking.org/

The article “Unemployed Flocking To Truck Driving Courses” is about how the Truck Driving Schools are seeing a higher enrollment since the beginning of 2009.

“The sluggish economy is causing record numbers of laid-off workers to switch to careers in truck driving, and training programs are booming as a result.

“Trucking is a huge part of the economy,” explained Mary Beth McCollum, program coordinator for the commercial truck driver training class at the College of Southern Maryland. “Every good that’s in every store was transported here by a truck driver,” she told Boston’s Fox 5.

CSM’s truck driving program has seen a 13 percent rise in enrollment since last year, and the school noted that 80 percent of its students maintain long-term truck driving careers. After the course, students are required to pass a Commercial Drivers License exam.

Reginald Wright, who recently graduated from the course, turned to truck driving after losing his job at a boat manufacturing company. “I’m excited about that,” he said, “that I have the opportunity to advance my career, and make some good money.”

Similarly, WBOC in Maryland reports that enrollment in truck driving courses has increased at Wor-Wic Community College. Frank Marshall, a truck driving instructor, noted that many students are attracted to the steady pay, job security and benefits that truck drivers often receive.

“What I’ve seen is an increase in students, but also a change in the age,” said Lee Ann Shull, who is part of the school’s career development program. “We’re seeing a lot of older students coming into the program. I’m thinking it might be due to a lot of company closings.”

The Waco Herald-Tribune in Texas reports that enrollment at the Sage Truck Driving School in Salt Lake City has also seen tremendous growth this year. Some of the students have included pilots and people with MBAs.

“You can have a whole new career after four weeks of training,” explained Guy Horn, who operates the school. “If you have a good driving record and get your commercial driver’s license, you can go right to work.”

He noted that new drivers can make more than $30,000 a year, while those with two years’ experience may make $50,000 or more “if they’re out there running hard.”

Josh Sherman, 26, signed up for classes at ATDS Truck Driving School in Elm Mott after working as an aviation mechanic. “I’ll start out at $30,000 to $40,000, which is more than I was making,” he said, and added that he has already been offered a job hauling sand and gravel.

Others point out that the larger commercial truck driving companies are now more open to allowing employees more time at home on weekends. “That’s one thing that’s been addressed. . .” said Marshall, who was quoted by WBOC, “ensuring the drivers do get their home time.”

CR England Truck Driving School is a great place to go because it is one of the best in the country.  They pay for your transportation to one of their three schools and pay for your hotel.  You only pay for your meals.  You can check them out and apply on line at http://crengland.com/truckdrivingschools/index.jsp.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2010-02-25-construction25_ST_N.htm

http://www.citytowninfo.com/career-and-education-news/articles/unemployed-flocking-to-truck-driving-courses-09092302

The fine is steep at $2,750 under a civil and criminal penalty.  Large enough to grab drivers attention.  The fine will definitely distract commercial drivers from text messaging while driving.

Anne Ferro, the Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), made it clear that this new regulation will avert unsafe behavior inside the cab and that the text messaging ban is under the FMCSA regulations umbrella.

FMCSA’s past research proves that drivers take their eyes off the road 4.6 seconds for every 6 seconds of text messaging.  In mileage, that’s a football field!  And those who text more than 20 times a day while driving, are 20 times more likely to create an accident than those who do not.  The statistics explains why actions were taken for banning text messaging while driving.

For those who would like to read the new text-messaging ban, it will be in print 1/27/10 in the Federal Register.  To follow the U.S. Dept. of Transportation progression to fight against drivers distracted while on the road, go to www.distraction.gov.  They have an aggressive agenda that will be an exciting piece of history to follow.