Archive for October, 2008

Truth About Trucking Wishes Everyone – A Safe & Happy Halloween

Posted by Allen Smith in Safety, Truck Driving Jobs, Trucking Company and Driving School Comments, Woman Truckers, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking blogs, trucking life on October 29th, 2008

From everyone here at Truth About Trucking and Ask The Trucker – we wish you all a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Allen & Donna

: happy halloween, safe, truth about trucking, truthabouttrucking

happy halloween, safe, truth about trucking, truthabouttrucking

No Comments

AskTheTrucker.com Ranked Number 1 for Top 10 Trucking Blogs

Posted by Allen Smith in testimonials, trucking blogs on October 23rd, 2008

Recently we received a message on our AskTheTrucker contact form:

Ben Leffler wrote:
Hi,
My name is Ben and I blog for uShip.com. I think askthetrucker.com is an excellent resource for those starting out in the trucking industry, so I included it on my list of the Top 10 Trucking Blogs. To check out the article visit http://www.uship.com/blog

This is our first such list, and we welcome any feedback you would be inclined to share. Thanks for supporting the industry with the great site!

Best,

Ben Leffler
bleffler@uship.com
uShip.com – the online shipping marketplace

Thank you Ben for ranking Allen Smith and his AskTheTrucker.com Trucking Blog as # 1. We appreciate it! As you obviously have realized, Allen spends much of his time researching and helping trucking students, new CDL drivers, and trucking career seekers. Lately, we’ve had more and more veteran truck drivers joining us, adding their expertise and knowledge to the posts, enhancing the quality information and communication among new and veteran CDL truck drivers.

The remaining 9 blogs are listed in the Ben’s Top 10 Trucking Blogs list. Tell us what you think of this list.

Allen & Donna

: askthetrucker.com, cdl truck drivers, new cdl drivers, Top 10 Trucking Blogs, trucking career, trucking industry, trucking students

askthetrucker.com, cdl truck drivers, new cdl drivers, Top 10 Trucking Blogs, trucking career, trucking industry, trucking students

No Comments

CDL Written Test Practice

Posted by Allen Smith in Truck Driving Jobs, Woman Truckers, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking life on October 22nd, 2008

I’m always searching and playing around on the net looking for anything and everything . . . I came across this pretty cool site that actually gives you the opportunity to practice on the CDL written tests. If you want to know how well you did, you just put in your name and email address, and they will send you your score.

Questions may not be exactly what you will experience on the real testing, but it it a great way to “practice” for the CDL knowledge tests. Check it out and see how well you do.

Allen

: cdl knowledge test, cdl tests, cdl written test

cdl knowledge test, cdl tests, cdl written test

No Comments

Can You Get Your CDL for Under $500?

Posted by Allen Smith in Driver License, Safety, Talk Radio Show, truck driving schools, trucking on October 22nd, 2008

Many newcomers to the trucking industry understand that there is a way to receive the CDL without spending thousands of dollars for a truck driving school. On tonight’s show, Truth About Trucking “LIVE” Allen discusses the steps that people are taking to grab their CDL for under $500. Is it the right thing to do? Should you receive the CDL by bypassing CDL school training and taking “easier” steps?

If you missed the live show you can hear it now, and find out what Allen thinks about these “bypassing” steps.

Next show will be Tuesday, October 28th at 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time – “FREE CDL TRAINING” – Be sure to tune in!

Thanks to everyone for listening and your support of the show.

Donna

: cdl for under $500, CDL school training, cdl training, free cdl training, Talk Radio Show, truck driving school, trucking, truth about trucking, truth about trucking live, truthabouttrucking

cdl for under $500, CDL school training, cdl training, free cdl training, Talk Radio Show, truck driving school, trucking, truth about trucking, truth about trucking live, truthabouttrucking

No Comments

” So You’ve Got Your CDL…Now What?”

Posted by Allen Smith in Truth About Trucking Products and Services, trucking on October 19th, 2008

Great Day Today at TruthAboutTrucking.com. A new Book is in the works. If you liked the 4th Edition of ” The Truth About Trucking“, you’re going to cherish this one, ” So You Got Your CDL….Now What?”

So far 50 Pages of info to keep you on the right path in trucking. Allen Smith has researched all his e-mails and created a section of Questions amd Answers. Another Section is ” Choosing the Right Trucking Jobs“. Also included is the 14 page Report, ” What You Need to Know About the 11-14 Hr Rule”. He’s still writing, so I don’t know how many pages it will end up being.

Knowing Allen, once he gets going….HE CAN”T STOP

Need Help with your Trucking Log Book? It’s in the Report!! Including Snapshots.

Want the 14 page Report for Free? Then Download it Here!

Are You a Desgner or Graphic Artist? Design the Cover of ” So You’ve Got Your CDL…Now What?”, and if we pick it…have your name and Website in the Book! Send your ideas to: Donna@truthabouttrucking.com

Donna

: 11-14 hr rule, allen smith, cdl, The Truth About Trucking, trucking, trucking jobs, trucking log book

11-14 hr rule, allen smith, cdl, The Truth About Trucking, trucking, trucking jobs, trucking log book

4 Comments

A Day in the Life of a Lady Trucker

Posted by Allen Smith in Woman Truckers, trucking life on October 19th, 2008

10/19/09 One Year Exactly from the original post of TruckerDesiree and 130 posts later!! From that scared and frantic student contacting Allen for help, to one of the most determined and influential women in trucking today…offering advice and empathy to all who need it.

**YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!**

If you would like to read Desiree’s Journal from the beginning, please scroll ALL THE WAY DOWN to the bottom of the page.

Click on the Blue Words at the bottom of this page: “30 Old Comments are not displayed, Click to display all comments. ”

If you don’t do this, you will miss the first few months of the journal. Thanks, Donna

This Journal will soon be available in book form. We’ll let you know when it’s complete

10/19/08

Allen and I have the honor to communicate with so many people every day. Although we haven’t met the majority of them, I feel a comradery between us and them just the same. Trucking can be a lonely lifestyle in itself, but our websites, truthabouttrucking.com and askthetrucker.com, have introduced us to some of the finest human beings around. We receive letters, gifts, prayers, and friendship from many of our loyal subscribers.

Recently I started communicating by e-mail with a woman by the name of Desiree. Her e-mails describing her life as a truck driver were so detailed and graphic, I felt like I was living the experience right along with her. Her stories were those of courage and integrity and Allen even used one of them in his new version of “The Truth About Trucking“ 4th edition.

I invited Desiree to post some of her stories here, and I hope all of you find them as intriguing, entertaining and fascinating as I did. These stories represent similar experiences that so many other woman truck drivers have lived.

Some of her stories can definitely give you some insight on how trucking companies “value” women truckers.

When I asked her to how she would like to share some of her stories here on our blog, she answered with this reply,

“Well I’d like to start, by starting from the very beginning and navigating my way thru the trucking
school scam and thru the individuals that I teamed with and was trained by, because there
are already tons of funny stories… but great learning experiences. From weight
management to hygiene I’ve been collecting and fine tuning this lifestyle to make it
work.”

Okay, Thanks Desiree. It’s all yours now!

Donna

: Lady Trucker, The Truth About Trucking, truck driver, trucking, trucking companies, women truck drivers, women truckers

Lady Trucker, The Truth About Trucking, truck driver, trucking, trucking companies, women truck drivers, women truckers

215 Comments

Truck Driver Training – Automatic or Manual?

Posted by Allen Smith in Uncategorized on October 15th, 2008

I am asked quite often by those considering a career in trucking, if training and taking the CDL driving test in an automatic or manual transmission would have any affect on their career. Also, are there any “restrictions” placed on the CDL if automatic is used? As of this date, it is my understanding that there are none, and it would not matter. However, important issues are surfacing that you need to be aware of . . .

First, in the real world, you are more than likely going to be placed in a manual vehicle, so if you have been trained in an automatic, and took your driving test in an automatic, when you “hit” the real world, you may find yourself “lost” when your new employer places you in a 10-speed standard. Also, it is quite possible, that when you go to take the driving test . . . it’s going to be in a manual! What then? Unless your school and the testing facility has agreed that you can use the auto for your test, you may be in for a surprise with your CDL training.

Secondly, why limit yourself? There are companies using automatics, but the majority are operating the standard, manual vehicles. It would be best to learn by standard and have the knowledge to operate both kinds of transmissions. With experience, shifting through the gears will become so second-nature, that soon you will not even be thinking about it.

Finally, the FMCSA has issued a proposal to set new standards on rules concerning CDL and CLP testing procedures. One of these proposals could bring about the action of placing an “automatic restriction” on your license. The proposal was actually brought about last April, 2008.

You can read the FMCSA’s proposal at Truth About Trucking’s – Advisory Report.

Just something I wanted to pass on to those considering a career in trucking . . .

Allen

Truck Driver Training

: automatic, cdl, cdl training, manual, standard, transmission, truck driver training

automatic, cdl, cdl training, manual, standard, transmission, truck driver training

4 Comments

Questions Answered on Talk Radio Show

Posted by Allen Smith in Talk Radio Show, Truth About Trucking Products and Services on October 15th, 2008

Allen Smith-BlogTalkRadio-AskTheTrucker We had a great show tonight (10-14-08), on Truth About Trucking “LIVE”, where I read and answered questions from callers and from our email “vault.” I appreciate all the listeners and callers and hope the show was helpful . . . it was well received and we will make a point to continue doing a Q&A talk show on a regular schedule.

Our main goal as you know, is to aid truck drivers and truck driving students towards a successful career within the trucking industry.

By knowing the truth and the ways of the trucking companies and truck driving schools, you can be way ahead of the game as you begin your trucking career.

If you missed the “live” show, you can catch it here :

Be sure to catch our next show : “How to get your CDL for under $500.” Broadcasting on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 at 8:30 P.M. EST. Hope to see you there!

Allen

Truck Driving Jobs

: blog talk radio show, Truck Driving Jobs, truck driving schools, truck driving students, trucking career, trucking industry, trucking radio, truth about trucking. truck drivers

blog talk radio show, Truck Driving Jobs, truck driving schools, truck driving students, trucking career, trucking industry, trucking radio, truth about trucking. truck drivers

No Comments

The Truth About Trucking- Revised 4th Edition Released Today

Posted by Allen Smith in Comments, Trucking Company and Driving School Comments, Truth About Trucking Products and Services on October 14th, 2008

Today we released the 4th edition of “The Truth About Trucking” book for trucking students, truckdrivers and trucking career seekers. Most people who know me ( Allen) as telling the truth…no matter how unpleasant that may be. I don’t candy coat things and I sure don’t want to give false promises…BUT…when you are equipped with the truth, only then can you expect to have a chance at being successful.

Today I released “The Truth About Trucking” with the hope to educate and inform as many students and new drivers as possible….equipping them with as many facts, info and knowledge I could find useful and necessary so they may achieve their trucking goals. It’s taken a few months to gather the added information, but I feel the information given will provide the tools for a successful trucking career to anyone who is truly serious about having one. I believe the extra 5 chapters will benefit everyone. As always, all past clients receive the revision and it’s sent automatically to their e-mail.

Here is the new Table of Contents to explore. I hope all those who have received the new edition are already seeing the benefits.

We would appreciate all comments, input and opinions….and most of all…your success stories.

To Your Success!

Allen

PS Noticed a review on TruckerToTrucker Website. This was written before the revised edition.

: The Truth About Trucking, truck drivers, trucking, trucking career, trucking students

The Truth About Trucking, truck drivers, trucking, trucking career, trucking students

7 Comments

“The Truth About Trucking”- Allen’s Revised Book-Review

Posted by Allen Smith in Truck Driving Jobs, Truth About Trucking Products and Services, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies on October 11th, 2008

For Everyone who has been anxiously awaiting for Allen Smith’s revised edition of “The Truth About Trucking”, we invite you to read what one of our clients had to say about the new revision.

Her name is Barbara, and we asked her if we could send it to her before the launch date of next week( October 13th) so she could write a critique.

We asked Barbara to really be Honest and Critical and not to spare feelings. She so kindly accepted our request. This is was she so graciously wrote:

“I think the first word out of my mouth after reading this book is “WOW”. This is an
incredible book. Allen must have put a lot of work into this book.
I really appreciate all the new information that have been added to the new book like:
1. The Easy Trucking software
2. The chapter on “Team Truck Driving”. That chapter particularly opened my eyes.
3. The new chapter on “Women In Trucking”. WOW. Who would believe such things go on
in the trucking business.
4. Bonus chapter 13 is something I will definitely look into.
5. The Fun Stuff chapter and
6. Internet Marketing.

This is a lot of incredible information you have put into the book. I really, really
appreciate Allen taking the time and the effort to write this book.”…….Barbara

Thank You Barbara for taking the time to do this for us!

We hope others will add to this AskTheTrucker blog post when they receive the new revised addition with the three additional chapters. We’d like to know what “your critique” is also.

As always, Allen has really put his heart in this new revised version and hopes to prevent any hardships that truckers might otherwise face without it. This truly is a success formula for trucking…including truck driving schools, trucking companies, and most importantly, truck driving jobs. We are very very excited to share “The Truth About Trucking” with you.

To Your Success,

Donna

: allen smith, askthetrucker, Truck Driving Jobs, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies, truth about trucking