Which Type of Truck Driving School to Choose?

May 31st, 2011

CDL Training Starts HereWhen starting your truck driving career and deciding which truck driving school to go to, there are certain aspects you may want to consider. Some trucking schools are better than others, and there are different types of schools. There are privately owned schools which are usually not associated with any certain company, and there are company owned schools. So which school is a better choice for you?

With most company owned schools you are offered a job right after successful completion of your term at school. With privately owned schools you need to look for a job after you graduate, which can take time. Many offer job placement to speed up the process. One of the biggest problems graduates from privately owned schools run into is a lack of experience upon graduation. With a company owned school, you don’t have to worry about this, because you are offered a job when you finish.

Many company owned schools also have immediate freight available for drivers that have completed training. This will help get you started with your new career immediately, without having to wait long periods of down time where you are not making money. Most large trucking companies that offer their own schools also have partnerships with well-known brand names  to provide  job security.

Another great benefit of attending a company owned school is that the training is provided with the school. After attending a privately owned school and signing on with a trucking company as a driver, you are often times required to go through an orientation to learn the company rules. However, when attending a company owned school the training is already there. Many companies have different phases of their school, which include different periods of training. Through this option, you will already know the rules specific to that company, which will shorten your time in training and lengthen your time making money.

There is a lot to be said about attending a company owned school when starting your truck driving job. To learn more about going to a company owned truck driving school and the benefits that some along with it, visit our website at www.CREngland.com.

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Truck Drivers, You Are What You Eat

May 5th, 2011

Fruit SaladA common dilemma for those with truck driver jobs everywhere is how to stay healthy while on the road. With so many foods out there that it is hard to know which foods will give you energy, fill you up and keep you full, and yet won’t make you gain weight. A healthy driver has a much higher earning potential.

One of the biggest factors in maintaining a healthy diet is understanding what you are eating and what your body needs. For example, understanding the fact that protein helps your body maintain a healthy blood sugar level and will keep you full longer can help you decide which foods will be the best option for you. Some foods with high levels of protein are; eggs, fish, chicken, beef and peanuts.

While protein is good for you, it is important to remember everything in moderation. Too much of almost anything is bad for you.  If you were to simply eat foods rich in protein, such as beef or peanuts, you would be missing out on some essential nutrients.

Another important type of nutrition to have in your diet is carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are what give you energy and make you feel full. There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex.

Simple carbohydrates are, as the name suggests, a simpler form of carbohydrate consisting of only one or two molecules. Simple carbohydrates provide a sweeter taste than complex carbs and can be found in healthy foods such as fruit and milk as well as in unhealthy foods such as syrup and honey. Simple carbohydrates enter the bloodstream at a quicker rate and do not stay with you as long as complex carbs.

Complex carbohydrates are made of a more complex molecular structure and are absorbed into the bloodstream at a slow rate, enabling you to stay full for a longer period of time. There are starchy complex carbohydrates, which include grains such as bread, rice, and pasta. It is good to have these carbs in a moderation of about one serving per day.

The other form of complex carbohydrates is called fibrous carbs. These carbs are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and many other nutrients. This form of carbohydrate is found in vegetables and will help cleanse your body. It is good to eat as much of this carbohydrate as possible, as it can only help your body become healthy.

Now that you have the information, run with it. Understanding what you are eating is 80% of the battle when trying to eat a healthy diet. You don’t have to choose between your job as a truck driver and living healthy, you can do them both.

We have another article about healthy eating on our posterous blog. Visit Here to read more.

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Bill Graves Goes to Bat for Trucking Industry

April 5th, 2011

American Trucking Association (ATA) hopes to help the trucking industry by working with the Federal government on inexpensive diesel.  On March 31 of this year, Bill Graves, the President of ATA, presented to a House of Representatives panel.  He expressed concerns that those who create the policies should guarantee that the trucking industry has “access to affordable diesel.”  Speaking to the Natural Resources Committee, he expressed concerns about the high price of oil and solutions on both sides of the scale that could be used together to solve the problem of high cost.  He requested that President Obama’s administration increase the production of crude oil here in the United States by allowing more drilling permits to be given out.  He also requested more emphasis on turning gas into liquid fuels, extracting oil from shale, and turning coal into liquid oil.  On the other side of the spectrum, Bill Graves hopes that the panel will encourage the expansion of research for larger vehicles being run by natural gas.

The timing was great in that President Obama actually spoke on this very topic the day before setting goals to cut the United States need of oil imports by one-third by the end of a 10-year time line.

Diesel is a part of the resources needed to move product from one side of the country to the other.  As a concern of drivers in the industry, this is a huge story to follow for its outcome.  One of the challenges of small truck driving companies is the cost of fuel.

One company called Todd Transit has a daily cost of $335 a day for their fuel in 40 trucks.  Because of this, he has consolidated runs.  This slows down the drop off and his customers are waiting hours for their product.  Fear this is going to hurt his business; Bill Graves’s plea to the House of Representatives may be help for his company growth.

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=26408

http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/High_Gas_Prices_Guzzling_Budget_of_Local_Trucking_Company_118870184.html

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Different Truck Drivers Feel Differently

March 9th, 2011

There’s a hot topic going around the trucking industry right now about speed governors.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is setting up to enforce all trucks to place speed governors on their trucks.  Drivers from both sides are speaking up and very strongly opinionated on the subject.  The Salt Lake Tribune from Salt Lake City, Utah, ran an article on February 26, 2011, that gave personal stories on both sides.

The author of the article, Steven Oberbeck, wrote about Francisco Kjolseth, an Owner Operator running for Fed Ex.  Francisco feels speed governors are great and has them on his two trucks.  His opinion is that it saves him money through maintaining a better fuel economy.

Lita Gorrell feels differently.  Her safety concerns are based on passing vehicles that are slower.  Without the speed, she has concerns of not being able to speed up enough to pass slower, more dangerous, drivers.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association debates that the new regulation is a “feel-good” law and takes away more common sense decisions that shouldn’t be regulated.  Archie King, an Owner Operator from Utah supports this thought and wants to be the one who decides if he saves fuel, not the speed governor.

With safety and fuel economy on the top of the American Truckers Association (ATA) concerns, it’s no wonder they are supporting the speed governors.  Ted Scott of the ATA stated “Speed kills.  It is as simple as that.”   They and the larger carriers want the speed governors.

One of the larger companies, C.R. England, Inc. has had speed governors on there trucks for years at 60 up to 63 mph.  Thom Pronk, vice president of safety, training, and recruiting of CR England. told Salt Lake Tribune that the number two reason for traffic accidents is due to speed with the first reason being driver distraction.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/51306517-79/speed-trucks-truck-association.html.csp

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Compliance Safety Accountability Program

February 8th, 2011

According to an article in JournalStar.com, called “Trucking industry faces new safety scrutiny” by Art Hovey, the Nebraska State Patrol feels that the newly executed Compliance Safety Accountability Program (CSAP) has impacted the motor carriers in years.  Focusing on driver issues such as illegal use of alcohol, fatigue, and health, the CSAP are taking safety to the next level.  Trucking companies are graded for their driver’s records and drivers are graded with scores.

Across the country, accidents involving tractor-trailers are declining and the SCAP is helping lower the injury and fatality statistics even more.  The author of the article, Art Hovey, spoke with Captain Gerry Krolikowski who focused on the responsibilities of the state inspectors and how CSAP will not change how the inspectors will do their jobs.  Instead, different violations will be graded differently.

Jim Mullen, general counsel to Werner Enterprises in Omaha, is quoted as stating, “It’s going to be a challenge for the industry,” Mullen said. “It’s a new safety scoring system for all motor carriers, and it’s not a perfect system, by any means.” And Tim Aschoff, the vice president of risk management and general counsel of Crete Carrier in Lincoln, Nebraska stated  “I think what will be challenging for those carriers on the bottom end will be making and implementing the change.  It’s not something you can change overnight and significantly improve your scores.”

The trucking industry realizes that it will be a challenge to follow the guidelines, but they also realize that most trucking companies are already implementing most new rulings.  Safety comes first and the trucking companies are willing to make the changes to comply for the sake of a safer road for both the truck drivers as well as the non-truck drivers on the road.

http://journalstar.com/news/local/article_1d56f499-450a-5565-86d1-e727e8738e45.html

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