Fear is a good thing

My dad loved to hunt rattlesnakes.  Whenever he was down, depressed or simply tired to the bone from working all night on the Oklahoma oil rigs, all I had to do to cheer him up was to say, “Let’s go rattlesnake hunting!” Immediately, that little grin would appear and within the hour we would be in the car headed to the cliffs of Mangum, Oklahoma.  That is what they were known as . . . “The Cliffs.” After all, if you’re going to hunt rattlers, you have to go where they live.

At fourteen, I had gotten pretty good at hunting rattlesnakes.  We would gather them up and head to the Rattlesnake Roundup in Mangum every year.  You could win prize money for the biggest snake, the smallest snake, the most snakes caught and all kinds of various categories.  It was a fun time growing up and at the moment, I never realized that my dad was teaching me things about life.  One of those “things” was fear.

The cliffs were a stretch of steep rock formation in Western Oklahoma where rattlesnakes were always waiting to be captured.  Our goal on this particular hunt was to bag the biggest rattler ever caught.  Spotting a large hole nearly three-quarters of the way up the cliff, my dad told me to climb up there and take a look inside.  Being fourteen, I had two things going for me :  (1)  I had no fear and (2) you always do what your parents tell you to do.  So, I started climbing.

It took about thirty minutes, but I finally reached the area of the darkened hole.  It was still just out of reach, so I had to reach up and grab the edges of the cliff and pull myself up in the form of a chin-up.  Raising myself up, I peered into the hole.  It was so dark, I could not see anything.  Moving my head from side to side in order to let the sun rays poke through, I finally caught the glimpse of something.  Having no fear, I stuck my eyes and nose deeper into the hole.   Finally I saw it . . . two really black eyes looking right back at me.

rattlesnake cliffs

A few seconds later, the rays of the sun landed a good hit and I saw the flickering of a forked tongue.  I yelled down to my dad, “I think we’ve got a big one.” As I turned back to face the serpent, it struck.  Throwing my head back, I lost my grip and began falling straight down.  What seemed like an eternity, I finally landed on the ground and realized that the story wasn’t over.  The rattler had struck out with such force that it had literally over shot its target and came flying out of the hole.   The snake was now falling down to Earth right along with me.

As I had hit the ground, I rolled to the side and a few seconds later the rattler landed right where I had been.  It immediately raised itself up in its fighting coil.  I had been right, though.   It was huge.  I was standing there looking at a seven footer and as big around as a baseball.  Expecting my dad to be running over to help, I looked over his way and he was laughing so hard that his face was a deep reddish color.  He was literally down on one knee, unable to move from his fit of laughter.  Not realizing it at the time, but I had made the biggest mistake one can make while hunting rattlesnakes . . . I had taken my eyes off of the enemy.  I was about six feet away from a seven foot venomous snake . . . and it struck again.

The precision of the strike was unbelievable.  The fangs found its mark right on top of the boots I was wearing.  Now, the angry rattler had its teeth stuck in my leather boots and I was shaking my foot frantically, yelling “James . . . James . . . James!” My dad yelled back, “Take off your boot!” Kicking the boot off, we watched in awe as the creature twisted and turned, finally breaking free from the leather.    I discovered that I had fear after all.

It still did not run.  It returned to its fighting stance.  Looking at my dad, I said, “It’s not afraid of anything.  It has no fear.” It was then that he said something that I have never forgotten.  Always calling me “boy” he said, “Don’t kid yourself, boy.  Everything has fear.”

Fear can be a good thing.  A soldier on the battlefield can live through the fear of dying.  A cage fighter can win through the fear of losing.  This reptile was not in a fighting stance because it had no fear . . . it was coiled and ready to strike because of fear.  Now, 37 years later . . . my dad is gone, but his lesson remains even in relationship to professional truck driving.

Many CDL students will get their first glimpse of how big an 18-wheeler really is on their first day of truck driver training when they stand beside that huge rig.  For many, fear will creep in.  Fear has a way of talking to you and throwing doubt in your mind.  It will say things like:

• “You can’t drive this thing.”
• “You’re going to wreck.”
• “You’ll stall out.”
• “You’re going to roll over.”
• “You will start rolling backwards down a hill.”
• “You can’t learn how to shift 10 gears.”
• “You can never learn how to back up.”

What many do not consider, is that the professional driver with millions of miles under his or her belt . . . at one point in their lives . . . have faced the same fears.  Doubt, anxiety, uncertainty . . . whatever you want to call it . . . “everything has fear.” That huge rig can be very intimidating.  The trucker lifestyle can be very intimidating.  Understand that you are not expected to jump into a tractor-trailer rig and perform in an expert manner.  This is why you are in truck driver training.  The rig should never be in control of you, but you are in control of the rig.  That 18-wheeler will go where you want it to go . . . it will stop when you want it to stop . . . it will turn when you want it to turn, and it will back up when you want it to back up.  It will go down a street at 35 MPH or along the highway at 70, if that is what you want it to do.

One thing I tell new drivers is that you have to respect the rig.  As in flying, you must respect the aircraft.  If you get out of your area of skill, then the airplane will take over and you will most likely lose.  Same thing goes for the 18-wheeler.  It is a huge piece of equipment that deserves respect, but it will never take control over you unless you allow it to.  You are in charge of it, not the other way around.  Operate it in the manner it was meant to be operated, and you can have a long career in truck driving.

Truck driver training is there for you to learn.  Learn how to shift through the gears, learn how it feels to steer, learn how the trailer tracks . . . take your time once you are out on the open road.  Do not let other drivers push you further or faster than what you feel comfortable doing.  There is no need to back blind-side when there is another spot open that does not require it.  When you find yourself in an empty truck stop, practice blind-siding then.  Take your time and take it easy.  We’ve all been where you are at.

Trust me . . . before you know it you will be looking back at when you first started truck driver training and thinking to yourself,  “And I was afraid of this?” Fear can be a good thing.  Turn your fear of CDL training into a positive.  Make it work for you, not against you.  You will learn how to drive and you will be a safe and professional truck driver.   Millions have done it and so can you.

As far as the experience with my dad and the seven foot rattler, we didn’t win the biggest prize.  Also, as we pulled into the driveway of our home, I still remember the last words of the trip that my dad said to me . . . “Don’t tell your mother.”

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl training, fear, truck driver, truck driver training

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Image is by German illustrator:Timo Grubing

Out of the approximate four million active truck drivers in the United States, about 1.3 million are long haul truckers.  Comparing studies taken back in 2000 and 2001, I would estimate that the average age of the current over the road truck driver would come in around 52.4 years of age.   As the baby boomers age, we are beginning to see the move by safety advocates and attorneys alike, calling for a mandatory retirement age for the professional truck driver.   They believe that truckers should be required by law to retire at the age of 65.  Their claims have only been intensified by recent headline news:

• In July 2008, a 71 year old trucker ran into vehicles on I-75 in Michigan, killing 19 year old Kara Joan Larivee of Rochester Hills.
• In late 2009, another 70 year old truck driver, again in Michigan, crossed the center line and collided with a Chevy Tahoe.  Three people were killed, including the driver.
• In mid 2009, an elderly truck driver ran into another car in New Jersey, killing five.

When is a professional truck driver too old to drive?  This question is now being raised even more, based on the ruling that airline pilots now have a mandatory retirement at the age of 65.  In a battle that dates back to the 1960’s, commercial airline pilots were to retire at age 60.   The ruling, which took effect in February 2007,  actually raised their retirement age to 65.  Now, many want the same ruling to apply to professional truck drivers.

Armed with studies that verify that age has a direct effect on driving skills such as vision, reflex movement and the processing of information, a safety movement is in motion once again, to call for a mandatory retirement age on truck drivers.   In a past study on how age effects ones driving skills, the study showed that drivers age 65 and older are 16% more likely to cause an accident, while drivers 25 years of age and younger . . . showed a whopping 188% more chance to be the direct cause of a vehicle accident.   This study was based on personal auto driving, so how would it compare with drivers of semi tractor-trailer rigs?

Recent studies by independent research firms such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists’ and Workers Comp Insider, came to the same conclusion:  overall, older drivers proved safer than their younger counter parts.  Older drivers tended to be more cautious, adjusting their speed and so-forth.  Younger drivers showed to be more aggressive and often oblivious to their surroundings.   However, due to the large differences between a 3000 pound vehicle and a 80,000 pound rig . . . should truck drivers be forced to retire at a mandated age?

Depending on the type of pilot certificate held, all pilots are required to pass a medical exam and perform a biennial flight review.  A pilot certificate never expires, but in order to keep it current, certain tests must be performed by the certificate holder.  For example, I have a Private Pilot SEL certificate.  To keep current with FAA rules, I must have a current medical card and meet certain currency requirements, such as performing a certain number of “touch and go” landings or full stop landings to meet night flying requirements, within a particular time frame.  Furthermore, every two years I have to take the BFR and perform certain flying techniques as requested by the flight instructor.  The instructor has to sign off that I have met the requirements of the FAA in order to state that I am current with my flying skills and that I even possess the skills required to carry passengers while flying.  As the type of pilot certificate increases . . . the more restrictions are placed on the pilot in order to maintain their currency.   You can only imagine what airline pilots have to go through in order to stay current.

Although there is much difference between a Freightliner and a 747, should this be the norm for truck drivers?  Should truckers who have reached a certain age, be required to have an efficiency test by a certified, endorsed driving instructor?  Not a driver that has been given the title of “driver trainer” by their company, but one who has gone through a state certified driving instructor course.  The elderly driver being tested would be allowed to continue driving, only if the instructor “signs off” just as in the case of a pilot.   Furthermore, it would have to work as it does with aircraft pilots . . . whatever the instructor says . . . that is how it is.   The FAA and their licensed examiners do not play around, nor do they take anything off of anybody.

More regulations and restrictions on truck drivers?  I would be the first to say that there are already too many, but is there an answer to whether or not older truck drivers should be required to automatically retire at the age of 65?   I know drivers in their seventies who can run circles around me . . . but what is the solution for either stopping or continuing with this issue that is wanting to force professional truck drivers into retirement?

Something to think about . . .

Did you miss our live broadcast on Truth About Trucking “LIVE”?

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: age 65, mandatory, retirement, training, truck drivers, trucking regulations

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The current state of the economy has hit many people and businesses hard.  Unfortunately, there is really no good news in sight for the economy and I personally do not see it getting better any time soon.  The primary goal in getting the economy back on track is one that is not being focused upon . . . jobs.  There are still millions without jobs and millions more who have given up on even looking for employment.  The most important area of concern for citizens of the United States is the creation of jobs.

Instead, our leaders are focused only on establishing a national health care system which will further drive America into ruins.  It seems that their primary goal is to break down this country as far as they possibly can . . . even to the point of ignoring the U.S. Constitution by passing the health care bill into law, without first voting on it as the Constitution requires.  Our own Government, violating the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in order to push through the health care cause that many polls show that 71 percent of “We the People” oppose.    Thirty five out of the fifty states have reported that, if passed illegally, they will stand against the ruling and will not honor the “law” which is no law at all, according to the Constitution.   Furthermore, other states will follow and it is being reported that there will be millions of lawsuits by the American people if this health care is passed by these means.

Hillary Clinton has even stated that the 300,000 million citizens without medical coverage will be “forced” to participate in the new Government run health care plan.   Some kind of insured plan to make them participate, such as an automatic enrollment plan, and if they still chose not to participate somehow, then their wages would be garnished.  A clear violation of the Constitution and the rights of the American people.

Is corruption out of control in the United States?   Corruption is everywhere . . . even in the student loan programs and within the trucking industry as some CDL schools target the unemployed and vulnerable.   Students of all vocations are being lured into trade schools and right into debt, with no job afterward.   The student loan scam is huge business and anyone can fall victim.

In a previous post I wrote about my experience with the U.S. Department of Education.   Having taken out a loan for $20,400 ten years ago, today, the current payoff amount is still sitting at $21,117.74 –   Never late with a payment, only having a one-time, six month period of deferment in a ten year period,  and the loan balance has gone up . . . never down.  Does anyone see a problem here?   You can see the 2009 annual statement I received from the U.S. Department of Education, showing the loan balance going up after ten years of payment.

What many truck driving students are experiencing these days, are more corruption brought on by the recession and the desperate attempts by some CDL schools to remain in business, at the expense of the student.    One thing that many newcomers fall prey to when coming into the trucking industry, is believing everything they are told by recruiters, CDL schools and even many drivers.   Remember, this industry has been described by many veteran drivers as the most “corrupt industry in the world.” This corruption continues through various Government agencies and organizations.

I recently discussed the low wages provided to drivers and their classification as “unskilled” workers.  Who do you suppose is largely behind the classifying of professional drivers as unskilled?  It is the U.S. Department of Labor.   The millions of illegal immigrants remain in this country with no fear of being retaliated against by U.S. law.  They get off on DUI’s . . . they have no social security card . . . they have no auto insurance papers . . . they carry no identification card of any kind . . . yet, they drive on our streets and highways every day.  Furthermore, they buy homes and have employment, cashing their checks at their local convenience stores.   If you and I tried to get away with this, we would find ourselves in jail.  So, how can they do this?  The answer is simple . . . our Government and the U.S. Department of Labor wants them here.  By keeping millions of unskilled labor in the United States, this in return keeps wages down.

There is corruption everywhere.  It has become the American way of life, right down to our own Government ignoring the will of the people, and violating its own Constitution and Bill of Rights.  No conspiracy here . . . just fact.  This is just the way it is.    When you are down and out, weak and vulnerable, the corrupt will attack and take what money you have, while at the same time, promising everything you want to hear.

When considering a CDL training school, keep one thing in mind . . . if what they offer sounds too good to be true . . . then it probably is.

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: CDL schools, cdl training, debt, scam, student loans, U.S. Department of Education

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By:  Allen Smith

Maneuvering an 18-wheeler through the city streets of Chicago, Detroit or one of the colonial-time cities of New England can test the patience of the most experienced truck driver.  Handling a rig that is 70 feet long, 13 1/2 feet high and weighing 40 tons is tough enough . . . add hundreds of other vehicles into the scenario, along with hundreds of pedestrians and all kinds of various distractions and obstacles . . . it is no wonder that our men and women truckers are referred to as “professional.”   However, does it really require any skill to operate a commercial motor vehicle?  According to the U.S. Department of State and the Wage and Hour Division . . . it does not.

In fact, these departments consider the skill of a professional truck driver, equal to the skills of a janitor and a telephone operator.  No matter what a person’s job is, work is honorable.  Regardless, should the performance of a professional trucker be equal to that of a short-order cook?  As far as the law is concerned, professional truck driving requires no skill.  These laws are contradictory of each other.

To begin with, the term “professional” is defined as:  “A member of a vocation founded upon specialized and educational training.” It further refers to being  “Engaged in one of a learned profession.” CMV drivers are always referred to as a “professional” by trucking companies and trucking organizations alike.  CMV driving jobs are always referred to as “careers” by companies and job placement services.  Thus, we have a profession within a career . . . which equals professional.

The term “unskilled” is defined as:  “Lacking skill or technical training” – “Requiring no training or skill” – “Exhibiting a lack of skill.” It is further described as:  “Not having, showing or requiring special skill or proficiency of any kind.” These two terms, professional and unskilled, contradict each other when we look at the professional truck driver.  Jobs are also considered unskilled when the worker can “Learn to do them in 30 days or less.”

Granted, a person can go it alone and not attend a CDL training school and take the written tests and borrow a friend’s semi rig for the driving test, and achieve the CDL on their own . . . the problem with this is . . . nobody will hire them.  In order to be considered for hiring by the trucking companies, one has no choice but to attend “specialized, educational training.”   Courses often consists of 160 hours of technical training within a minimum of three weeks, followed by further technical training with a professional driver-trainer for another three weeks or longer.   I’m no mathematical genius, but last time I checked, a minimum of  three weeks of CDL training and another minimum of three weeks of real world driver training, equals more than 30 days.  Furthermore, since truck drivers are classified as unskilled workers, why then, is the CMV driving test called a “skills test?”

When you break down the systematic order of a professional truck driving career, you arrive with many variables that only points to one main aspect:  skill.   So why does the Wage and Hour Division label truck drivers as unskilled labor?  For the true answer, one must look at the entire scope of global economics.

The law of supply and demand dictates the survival or non-survival of unskilled workers.  In today’s technological world, companies now consider their most valuable assets as being the knowledge, network and skills maintained by their employees.  This is what is known as “Human Capital.”  Just as machinery became more sophisticated and raised productivity in manufacturing, workers with knowledge and skills raise productivity across the ever expanding world economies . . . at least in theory.

According to U.S. Census data, more than 70% of American adults are classified as unskilled workers.  This large majority of unskilled labor is the driving force in keeping company and corporate expenses low, resulting in higher business profits.  This corporate greed is further expanded through such programs as NAFTA.  By opening the borders into America, the United States would become flooded with more unskilled workers, thus continuing the demand for low wages and cheap labor.  Therefore, all the discussion for increasing trade, is actually an attempt to maintain the usage of unskilled labor which in turn, will lead to further profit making for big business.

By increasing the supply of unskilled labor, wages for workers in the United States will be reduced even further.  These lower wages are a by-product of increasing the unskilled work force.  It is basic economics:  increase the supply of something . . . and you lower its price.   Not only does this help with business profit increase, consumers also benefit from the usage of unskilled workers.  It is a global exploitation of the unskilled laborer.  By classifying professional truck drivers as unskilled, their wages remain low, thus providing higher profit margins for the employer, and helping to stabilize the global economical impact on all developing countries.

In order to present an awe of working to help the unskilled, Congress will step up from time to time and raise the minimum wage.  This in fact, further hurts the unskilled worker.  Lower-skill workers become less employable when the minimum wage rises.  Studies have shown that when the minimum wage goes up, businesses will change what workers will be hired.  If they are now going to be forced to pay higher wages, companies will let their unskilled workers go, and replace them with more highly-skilled workers in order to achieve a higher productivity.  Research consistently demonstrates that higher minimum wages lead businesses to hire skilled workers at the expense of unskilled workers.   Therefore, by raising the minimum wage, the act ends up actually hurting the very people it was meant to help.

Unskilled workers are also subject to a much larger risk of unemployment during recessions than are skilled workers.  Workers classified as unskilled, earn less income and leads to something we see in the trucking industry all the time:  employee turnover.  High turnover can be harmful to a company’s productivity if skilled workers are leaving, but those classified as unskilled labor are seen as employees that can be easily replaced.  If professional truck drivers suddenly left the trucking companies, does the Wage and Hour Division believe that they could be easily and readily replaced?   They possibly could be . . . at the expense of public safety.

As advocates and organizations constantly scream about safety, professionalism and proper educational and technical training, how can the American trucker be classified as unskilled?  It has nothing to do with safety . . . it has everything to do with global economics and the exploitation of cheap labor.

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cheap labor, training, truck driver, trucker, trucking, unskilled

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If you are considering a career in trucking, it is always best to receive a copy of your DMV driving records.  Even if you believe that there are no problems, it is a good idea to confirm that there has not been any misinformed information that was accidentally recorded against your driving record.   Each state offers online services for you to order your DMV records at a very minimal cost.    Records of each state will vary and many will offer a variety of different records that you can receive.

Each state will likely offer a three and five year background record, but many will also provide more in-depth records as well.  For example, the state of Texas offers the following DMV records:

• Status Record (Type 1): name, date of birth (DOB), license status, and latest address.
• 3-year History Record (Type 2): name, DOB, license status, list of accidents and violations in record within past 3-year period.
• List of All Accidents and Violations in Record (Type 3): name, DOB, license status, list of all accidents and violations in record.
• Certified 3-year History record (Type 2A): certified version of Type 2.   This record is not acceptable for Defensive Driving Course (DDC).
• Certified List of All Accidents and Violations in Record (Type 3A): certified version of Type 3.   This record is acceptable for Defensive Driving Course (DDC).
• Certified Abstracts of Driving Record (“AOR”): Certified abstract of complete driving record of a license holder.

In order to obtain the most valuable information on your DMV driving record, naturally, the certified records are the most informative.    Again,  each record is offered through various minimal fees, anywhere between $4.50 and $22.00 as in the case of Texas.  Fees will differ from state to state.  The small fee required is well worth drivers knowing exactly what is on their driving records.

By knowing what information is on your DMV driving records beforehand . . . will greatly assist you in preparing for a career in trucking, before shelling out thousands of dollars for CDL training.

To stay on top of your DMV driver record, check out your state DMV website.

Allen Smith

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl training, dmv driving record, dmv driving records, state dmv websites, trucking

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By Allen Smith

It is often very easy for veteran drivers and trucking company officials to overlook the importance of truck driver training for CDL students and new drivers.   With years of experience, the possibility of becoming laxed over time can lead to deadly consequences.   Many issues within the trucking industry have remained swept under the rug for years, including the lack of proper training for new truckers.    The seriousness of proper truck driving training and the lack there of, was pushed into the main stream media through our blog about one and a half years ago, through the writings of a newbie trucker known as Trucker Desiree.

Originally met with a great deal of hostility by drivers and trucking organizations, today, the issue has grown into a more acceptable situation where many trucking individuals are finally realizing and commenting on the fact that the industry indeed lacks proper truck driver training skills in many areas.   Although there are many excellent trainers in the industry, there is still a long way to go in order to bring about further stricter guidelines for driver trainers.

Calling oneself a trainer, does not make one a teacher.   Teaching involves the skills and ability to present the lessons being taught, in an acceptable and understanding manner.  Teaching requires the trainer to place themselves in the same situation as the student.   Nervousness, fear and anxiety . . . all the emotions that a new CDL student will encounter, all have to be recognized and understood by the driver trainer . . . the teacher.    A trainer may have thirty years of driving experience and a perfect record, but without the understanding of teaching and how to teach, the student can often experience higher levels of anxiety and disappointment.

There are endless stories of CDL students being yelled at and even having been “thrown out” of the truck by the trainer.    Trainers in other professions are required to attend a trainer course and various other forms of class-training to become certified as a professional trainer.  Within the trucking industry, most often it is a matter of the company telling an experienced driver that they are now a “trainer.”    More thought must be placed in the equation when determining who can be a trainer and who cannot.    Training and teaching goes hand in hand, and just because one can drive an 18-wheeler with the utmost skill . . . does not make them a teacher.

When choosing which driver will represent their company as a driver trainer, the trucking companies should look at some basic qualifications as to what makes up a good teacher:

• Explanation skills – Being comfortable with explaining content to students is an essential skill for teachers.

• Cool under pressure – Good teachers are able to successfully resist the urge to yell or scream at their students.

• Have a sense of humor – Research has shown that good teachers have a sense of humor, and that they are able to use this skill as part of their training methods.

• A “people” person – Liking people is essential for being a good trainer/teacher.  Drivers considered as “Loners” are not the best choice for trainers.

• Are Fair-Minded – A good teacher is able to assess students on the basis of performance, not on the their personal or physical qualities.

• Have Common Sense – A trainer should be able to size up a situation quickly and make an appropriate decision.

• Set high expectations – A good trainer/teacher should set high expectations for themselves and their students.

• Have organizational skills – They should be organized in their professional and teaching duties.

• Understand time management – Managing time to achieve the best end results for both the trainer and student.

• Is a Leader and not a Follower – Being comfortable in a position of a leader within a very stressful industry.

• Not taking things for granted – You were once in the same situation as the student.  Keeping this in mind will make you a better trainer.

Drivers who understand the importance of the role of a professional driver trainer can continue to release safe and skilled drivers out on the public highways.   The driver trainee should never be released before the designated trainer has stated that they are ready.  This means that the trucking company should allow the driver trainer to be the sole person to determine when that time has come . . . not because the company needs to get the driver out there ASAP.

It should also be noted that rules for driver trainers should be adjusted in order to meet the demands that are placed on trainers.  Running the truck 24/7 is not a good idea for a trainer-student combination.   At some point, trucking companies and the industry must realize that the trainer must rest and receive the required sleep that is needed to function in a logical and professional manner.    If the trainer is sleeping in the bunk while the student is driving, where is the safety and professionalism?   All too often, the company becomes laxed in their decision making all for the sake of getting the freight down the road.  What is loaded on the trailer should never be more important than the safety of the driver trainer and student.

This video shows an 18-wheeler, being driven by a student CDL driver losing control of the vehicle while going down the 7,085 foot Donner Pass . . . while the driver trainer is sleeping in the bunk.   Both student and trainer were killed:

Most professional truck drivers understand the importance of proper truck driver training.   The time has come for the trucking companies to understand it more as well.    Allowing for additional time between load pick up and deliveries . . . providing additional rest periods and understanding that both student and trainer will need added comforts, different from the solo driver . . . will prevent tragedies like this one from happening.   It will also provide more safe and skilled drivers being placed on our nation’s highways.

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl student, cdl students, driver trainer, truck driver training, truck driving training, trucking companies

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Here we go again.  Talks about a major truck driver shortage is rearing its ugly head again.  Trucking companies are having such a difficult time filling truck driving job positions, even in this economy.  I wonder what all you CDL students, graduates and veteran drivers out there who have found it almost impossible to get hired, think about this?

Once again, the media is throwing out the fear of a driver shortage, thus the possibility of the rise in the price of goods.   According to one report concerning the driver shortage, trucking companies just cannot find enough drivers to fill the need.  Are they looking?   I receive emails daily from CDL graduates and veteran drivers who have applied everywhere and still, no hire.   A driver shortage?   Here we go again . . .

CDL students who graduated anywhere from six months to a year ago, have still not been able to land a job, even through the so-called “job assistance” program offered by many of these CDL truck driving schools.   Where exactly are you trucking companies looking for drivers?  They are everywhere.  Another aspect that may help, is to classify professional truckers as “skilled” labor and not unskilled labor.   The safe handling of an 18-wheeler is not skilled?   According to the labor department, it is not.

Another aspect you may want to consider is how you treat your drivers.  It’s just the same old story that goes on and on and on . . .

Not long ago we were being told that there were too many drivers, and now . . . we are facing a truck driver shortage . . . again.   Come on now, there is no, nor has there ever been a truck driver shortage.   Are we going down this old road again?  Look around . . . many drivers are trying to find a driving job, but you’re not hiring them.  Why?  If there is a fear of a driver shortage, why are you not hiring?

Keep pushing your drivers to run illegal . . . keep from getting them home when they want to go home . . . keep using new drivers as a form of cheap labor . . . keep pushing out experienced, veteran drivers . . . keep putting more hardships on owner operators . . . keep them sitting for 2-3 days . . . keep giving them low miles . . . and by all means, keep hauling cheap freight . . . continue doing all of these things that have been going on for years, and some day . . . you just might have a real driver shortage.

Some analysts’ are reporting that the trucking industry is improving and larger companies are taking on more freight.  The industry may be improving, but only because of downsizing and the failure of many smaller trucking companies.   The failing of these companies will only be adding more experienced drivers into the job market, so where is the driver shortage?  Furthermore,  I hardly see where the failing of many smaller companies are a reason for celebration.

Once again, the media jumps on the remarks by these trucking companies and the fear of a driver shortage is appearing once more.

Give me a break.

Allen Smith

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl students, driver, shortage, truck driver shortage, trucking, trucking shortage

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With many trucking companies still on a hiring freeze, many truck drivers are out of work and unable to find employment.  Many have filled out the on-line application forms which are electronically sent to hundreds of trucking companies across the United States, but have still found that finding a truck driving job in today’s market can be more than difficult.  It’s not because there are no companies hiring, but the way you may be going about trying to find a trucking job.  Most often, your only means of looking for a driver job is through these on-line submit forms or filling out applications that never return a response.  There is a better way.

James McCormack is founder of Trucking Careers of America, a staffing and career advisory company that works for you . . . not the trucking companies . . . in getting you back in the driver’s seat.   CDL students, recent school graduates and veteran drivers alike, Trucking Careers of America has been getting drivers back to work for nearly ten years.  Furthermore, the best part about their services?   There is never a fee . . .

Mr. McCormack and his staff works in your best interest in providing the help needed in getting back to work as a professional truck driver.   Specializing in four critical areas, they can assist:

• CDL students
• Recent CDL graduates
• Those who are in need of a refresher course and
• Experienced drivers.

Trucking Careers of America can help get you that trucking driving job.   If you’re having trouble getting hired, and as long as you can pass the DOT physical, have a good and verifiable background, MVR,  DAC Report, etc., visit Trucking Careers of America today, fill out their application and let Mr. McCormack and his staff start working for you in getting you back on the road.

James McCormack was our special guest on Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio, Wednesday, February, 3rd, 2010 at 7 PM EST:

Truck Driving Jobs Employment

“Are you a CDL student, CDL graduate or even experienced truck driver unable to find a truck driving job ? Allen welcomes James McCormack to the show.  As founder of Trucking Careers of America, they are dedicated to working for you and not for the trucking companies.  Never a fee for their services, Mr. McCormack will take your questions and explain how Trucking Careers of America can get you hired and back in the driver seat.”

One of the most important shows of the year, if you missed it live, you can listen now and learn how Trucking Careers of America can get you back to work as a professional driver.

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl students, driver employment, employment, find truck driving job, James McCormack, trucking careers of america, trucking driving jobs, trucking jobs, trucking talk radio

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Within most industries lies corruption and the long haul trucking industry is no exception.  For years, this abuse has been kept swept under the rug and was only talked about, quietly among veteran drivers.  There are various aspects of corruption such as:  political, corporate and bribery which is usually always associated with the intake of power and money.  The silence that has covered the corrupt world of OTR trucking for so long is fading, largely due to the technical world of social media.

Having been the first to publicly expose the scams and abuses within the industry by launching Truth About Trucking in May of 2005, the power of social media exploded, and the real truth about the corruption that lies within the over the road trucking industry continues to be further exposed.  This corruption not only involves trucking companies and organizations, but at times, even drivers themselves.

We have seen many drivers who originally came on board for the task of exposing these scams, only to make a complete turn around when contacted by various organizations who “promised” them certain favors in return.  Thus, exposing the truth becomes a much bigger battle when drivers such as these will sell their morals and ethics to the higher bidder.  As for me, I pay them no attention.

CDL students and new drivers, as well as many veteran drivers, will continue to be abused, manipulated, lied to and used by these OTR trucking companies until enough drivers stand up and fight back.   I still reiterate that there are good trucking companies and not all are bad, but problems lie within all companies, good or bad.  One of the largest obstacles you will face as a new driver with any trucking company, is the employee abuse from both dispatch and safety departments.  Remember, a huge percentage of this corrupt industry is set up for a driver to fail, and this is used by both good companies and the not-so-good ones.

One set up is where dispatch will place you with a load that will cause you to run over your hours, breaking regulations.  You can tell dispatch that you do not have the hours or rest needed to run the load, but they will continue to plead with you to take the run.   It is a “hot” load and you are the only driver they have to get it there on time.  The safety department has made it clear to all drivers that breaking regulations will not be tolerated and you will be shut down for one, two or three days after so many violations.  Normally, after a third violation, safety will suspend your driving privileges for 30 days . . . yet, here is dispatch pleading for your help.   If you take the run to help out your dispatcher, then safety will come back against you . . . if you refuse to take the load in order to not break regulations, then your dispatch will come back against you by making you sit for two or three days . . . so what do you do?

Dispatch understands the Safety Department requirements, and safety understands that dispatch does this type of pressuring to drivers all the time . . . yet, when a driver is faced with such a decision, it is a no-win situation for the driver . . . the driver will always be blamed and the one to face the consequences.   Reporting what happened to safety, you will be told that you should not have taken the load . . . reporting what happened to dispatch, you will be told by the dispatcher who pleaded with you, that you should not have taken the load if you did not have the hours to make the run.   A no-win situation and you, the driver, will always be at fault, while both Safety and Dispatch Departments know that this little cat and mouse game goes on.   It is one of the many set-ups that will lead up to your failure within the trucking industry.   Failure that is not your fault, but one aspect of the long haul trucking corruption.

What makes this OTR trucking industry corruption worse, are the lies and deceit against their own employees (drivers).   Issues I have discussed often such as:

• The Owner Operator Lease Purchase Programs
• The DAC Report
• The driver shortage lie
• The continual scam of starving out drivers in order to bring in new, lower paid drivers as a form of cheap labor
• CDL Schools receiving Government subsidies, accepting driving students with no chance of being hired

Many are coming forward and exposing the real truth about the long haul trucking industry.  Others will still sell out to any organization that will pretend to be on their side and show them any kind of attention.   CDL students and new drivers can make it in this industry that many drivers call “the most lying, deceitful and corrupt industry on Earth.” For now, you will have to continue paying your dues for the first one or two years and if that “starter company” is not working out for you, then you will be able to move on to one of the “better” trucking companies.

Any trucking company can go out of business at any time . . . we saw that with Arrow Trucking.  Although some form of corruption will exist in any trucking company or industry, there are good companies out there . . . at least better than most.   As drivers who are not afraid to stand up for what is right continue to come forward through avenues such as social media to tell the real truth about the OTR trucking industry, this vocation can change and get better for all drivers, both new and veteran.  U. S. truckers and CDL holders are eight million strong . . . that is a powerful voice.

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: CDL schools, cdl students, corruption, dispatch, drivers, employee abuse, good trucking companies, government subsidies, long haul, over the road, owner operator lease, Safety, social media, trucking, trucking industry, truth

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For thousands of new CDL students and truck drivers, entering into an industry that they know nothing about can be devastating financially.   The ever present scams of the over the road trucking industry and truck driving schools continue to ruin the lives of many wanna’ be truckers.   Not fully understanding the inside workings of OTR trucking, many newcomers to the industry will fail, through no direct fault of their own.   The failed success of many truck drivers breaking into the business, is simply the way a large portion of the industry is set up to be.  For many trucking companies, the truckers failure is their success.

The more one understands how this corrupt industry works, the better opportunity one has to succeed in a long haul trucking career.   Most often, the failure comes from simply not knowing what questions to ask or what exactly to look out for, when pursuing a career in trucking transportation.

In my opinion, there are seven big mistakes that CDL students and new drivers most often make during this time of transition into a new career change.   By understanding and knowing what these mistakes are, one will be more prepared for achieving success in an industry that has been described by many veteran drivers as the “most corrupt industry on the planet.” Enough said . . .

Download the PDF Bonus Report:

The 7 BIGGEST Mistakes by

CDL Students and New Drivers

By Allen Smith

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl, cdl students, mistakes, students, truck drivers, trucking, trucking companies, trucking industry, trucking transportation

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