Posts Tagged cdl students

Truck Driver Training is Serious Issue for Industry

Posted by Allen Smith in Safety, Truck Driving Jobs, Videos, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on March 4th, 2010

By Allen Smith

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.

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

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Truck Driver Shortage – Here We Go Again

Posted by Allen Smith in Politics, Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on February 26th, 2010

Waiting for a load 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

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

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Truck Driving Jobs Employment

Posted by Allen Smith in Talk Radio Show, Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on January 30th, 2010

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.

: 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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U.S. Trucking Industry Corruption

Posted by Allen Smith in Politics, Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies on January 10th, 2010

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.

: 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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The 7 Biggest Mistakes by CDL Students and New Truck Drivers

Posted by Allen Smith in Jobs and Careers, Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on December 18th, 2009

CDL Students Mistakes 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

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

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Retaining Truck Drivers Should be No Problem for Trucking Companies

Posted by Allen Smith in Jobs and Careers, Safety, Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on December 9th, 2009

Recently, concerning the problem for trucking companies to retain drivers within their employment, an industry leader commented that no trucking company wants a “revolving door.” That statement is actually both true and false. The many decent and well respected trucking companies in the U. S. work extremely hard in keeping their drivers from finding another driving job elsewhere. It is also a fact that no company can keep every employee satisfied at all times. Regardless of the past 128% plus turn-over rate among drivers, there are those companies who do work diligently in keeping their drivers as employees. However, to say “no trucking company” wants a revolving door is simply not true, and there are thousands upon thousands of drivers who know this.

We know that there are those “starter” companies, as well as countless other trucking companies, who continually rotate drivers through their front doors. These are the companies which have the sole purpose of moving both the highest paying and cheapest freight, using the cheapest labor as possible. Who are the cheapest labor? New CDL students and drivers.

For years, there have been discussions on the trucking industry problem of retaining drivers. This problem should not even exist, and does so, due to the direct actions of the companies themselves. I recently read a comment stating that the driver turn-over rate is now down to a 56% overall average . . . but it is not because things are better, it is due to the state of the economy. Drivers are not leaving employment because of the poor job market. As soon as the economy gets back on its feet, which I do not believe will be any time soon . . . the turn-over rate among professional drivers will go right back up to where it once was.

To retain drivers should be a fairly simple task for a trucking company. Professional truck drivers do not ask for much . . . the companies keep the turn-over rate and retention rate going in order to continue the rotation of new and lower paid drivers, thus making more on their bottom line. Simple fact. There are 25-30 year veteran drivers who have not driven within the past one year, who are being turned away from trucking companies and not being hired. They are being told that they do not have the required verifiable driving experience for the past year . . . what about the verifiable driving experience for the last 24-29 years? Obvious reason, they would rather hire a new, inexperienced driver with 3 weeks driving experience, over a veteran driver with many years of OTR experience . . . cheap labor.

The pro driver with the 25-30 years experience will demand a CPM rate of .38 plus per mile, while the company can get away with paying the new driver a measly .22 to .24 CPM, sometimes even as low as .13 CPM. They can continue to rotate these new drivers out and keep the influx of lower paid drivers coming in . . . it’s all about the money, nothing about the safety.

Over the road trucking companies enjoy talking about the importance of safety and how the driver is their primary asset, yet they will turn away a years of experience veteran driver, and settle with a 3 week driver trainee . . . all because the veteran, for whatever reasons, has not driven within the past one year. This is another segment of the scams of OTR trucking, and they wonder why retaining drivers is so difficult. It is not difficult at all . . . it is done on purpose by the very companies who say they are working to try to solve the problem of driver retention. Let me help those companies out . . .

You want to retain drivers? Very simple . . . since most long haul drivers are paid by the mile:

Pay them a good and livable CPM wage - Starting point: .38 CPM plus – NOT .22 CPM and definitely not .13 CPM . . . could you live on that?
Give them MILES! - I know this may be a shocker to some of you, but since they are getting paid by the mile . . . GIVE THEM MILES!
Let them have their home time - When you tell a driver that you will have them home every two weeks, then get them home in two weeks. If you guarantee home on weekends, then get them home by the weekend. Also, don’t let them arrive home at 3 A.M. Saturday morning, and dispatch them on a Monday pick-up load where they have to leave home by 12 noon on Sunday . . . do you really consider this “home on weekends?”
Treat them with the respect that they deserve - Many companies advertise that the driver is their most important asset . . . really? Then treat them as such.

Your drivers do not ask much from you . . . they want to drive and earn a good living to support themselves and their families . . . the exact same thing that you want. Drivers can even live without Number 4 above, if you will at least give them the other three.

To bring down the trucking company self-made driver retention rate, the companies will have to stop their actions which are causing it in the first place. Secondly, give the drivers what they need, want and deserve . . . it is very simple and would greatly reduce this problem that should really be no problem at all.

: cdl students, driver retention, otr, over the road, retain drivers, retaining, retaining drivers, Safety, Scams, truck drivers, trucking, trucking companies, verifiable driving experience

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Trucking Industry and Politics

Posted by Allen Smith in Politics, Talk Radio Show, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking blogs, trucking companies, trucking life on November 29th, 2009

Many veteran drivers have written me and they often begin in the same way: “The trucking industry is the most corrupt industry . . .” I receive emails like these every day. For nearly five years now, we have been taking these issues of OTR trucking scams and abuses directly to the public . . . throwing the information out there right in the face of the trucking industry. Veteran drivers have been talking about these issues for years among themselves, but that was one of the problems . . . they were only talking about them “among themselves.” Within the last several months, we are seeing a big change in the efforts of professional drivers . . . many drivers, new and experienced, coming together and speaking out against the scams and abuses that have existed within this transportation industry for years.

One lone voice in the wilderness may never be heard, but when hundreds or thousands of voices join with that one lone voice . . . change for the better can occur. A perfect example of this is the Cap and Trade bill. Making it through Congress, it suddenly found itself stalled within the Senate. Why? The Senate took notice of not just one lone voice screaming that they did not want this bill, but thousands or millions of voices yelling against Cap and Trade. The Senate stood up and took notice . . . notice of many voices standing up, speaking out and saying that Cap and Trade is not what the public wants. The same thing could happen to the nationalization of health care. With millions of voices coming together against this plan, it too, could end up in the stalling process.

I hear all the time that nothing will change in the over the road trucking industry, yet I am already seeing change of a positive note. Companies are “cleaning up” their terminals and buildings to present a more professional look . . . several companies are taking a closer and harder look at their driver trainer programs and more and more newcomers to the industry are learning about the scams of the DAC Report, CDL Schools and trucking companies committing fraud with the U.S. Government subsidy programs. More drivers are coming together and are no longer just talking about these things among themselves . . . it is being brought forth through other websites, blogs, article directories and trucking talk radio shows, even being heard on various satellite radio stations. For the first time that I can recall . . . these issues within the OTR trucking industry are being openly discussed and being noticed and taken seriously. But we still have a long way to go.

Five years ago there was not one “truth” about OTR trucking site on the internet . . . not one “truth” about the real world of over the road trucking talk radio show . . . not one site or media outlet that was taking these trucking issues directly to the public and to the industry itself and saying, “These scams and abuses have been going on for too long, and we are now going to start fighting back.” Now, there are more and more sites, blogs, pod casts and other outlets joining voices and taking these serious issues straight to the face of the industry . . . and believe me, they are taking notice.

With every turn of a new leaf, one finds another scam or abuse within this industry. It is a battle that one lone voice cannot win, but with thousands or millions of other voices, joined together, you better believe that this industry can be turned around. The OTR trucking industry is actually two battles in one: the industry itself and the corrupt world of politics.

One site, The American Driver is dedicated to fighting the political battle. As their website explains:

“All of us can agree we have a serious problem and something needs to be done. This basic understanding is the reason we need to unite and determine, as a whole, the proper action which must be taken to correct our problems. We are calling on all Americans, both truckers and citizens, to make it known you understand there’s a problem and commit your support of truly uniting to begin to address the problems we face.”

Support Our Truckers

Let’s show our support by joining The American Driver “Support Our Truckers” support page. Email your name, city and state to theamericandriver@yahoo.com
and tell them you want to be added to their “Support our Truckers” page.

These scams and abuses against CDL students, trainees, new drivers and veteran drivers have been going on for too many years. One lone voice in the wilderness may never be heard, but as the trucking industry leaders are coming to realize . . . many driver voices together will make them stand up and take notice that enough is enough and change to the OTR trucking industry is coming.

: abuses, cap and trade, CDL schools, cdl students, government subsidy, Politics, professional drivers, Scams, support our truckers, THe American Driver, theamericandriver, trainees, trucking, trucking industry, trucking talk radio, veteran drivers

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What Every CDL Student Should Know

Posted by Allen Smith in Talk Radio Show, Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking on September 11th, 2009

In today’s economy, many people are looking at professional truck driving as a possible career. Their first stop? CDL truck driver training school. Before heading to the nearest CDL school, CDL students need to know certain, important facts before making the move to OTR trucking.

From your MVR records to filling out the truck driving job applications to choosing the right truck driving school . . . the trucking job market has changed considerably in today’s economy.

Truth About Trucking “LIVE” – Blog Talk Radio’s premier trucking talk show, discussed these facts this evening plus much more. If you’re considering a career in over the road trucking, be sure to listen to what was appropriately titled: What Every CDL Student Needs to Know.

This one show could save you thousands of dollars.

Our upcoming shows:

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 7 PM EST – Truckers Convoy Aims to Rescue California Farmers From EPA Drought – Water restrictions that were imposed by our Federal Government in order to protect a little fish called the Delta Smelt, is putting California farmers out of business. The situation is so bad, that a convoy of 18-wheelers are being put together in order to bring trailer loads of food to the farmers and those within the area facing the high loss of jobs and income. Join Allen for this SPECIAL broadcast detailing how EPA regulations have made a tiny fish more important than our American farmers, and how truckers are working to bring relief to those in need. Special guests: JB and Fred Shaffner of The American Driver.

Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at 3 PM EST : American Trucking and Opening the Mexican Border. Opening Mexico’s border and allowing their trucks to run through our 48 states could prove disastrous for the American driver. Most companies and organizations write that they are against this plan, but are they really? Or is this a plan that has been secretly building in the background for years? With a combined driving experience of 65 years, Allen and co-host Barry Szczucki takes a look at what opening the Mexican border could do to the American trucker. Special guest: Daniel Audet of The Truck Star.

Come join the conversation!

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How CDL Students Can Increase Their Chances for Hire

Posted by Allen Smith in Truck Driving Jobs, Trucking Company and Driving School Comments, otr trucking, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking companies on September 1st, 2009

Everyday we hear or read about the lack of jobs for truck drivers, especially for the new CDL student just coming on board. Although things have gotten a little tighter, the truth of the matter is . . . there are truck driving jobs available, and many trucking companies are hiring. This fact comes from one of the best truck driving schools in the country - Eagle Training Services, Inc. out of Illinois. In fact, Eagle Training is doing so well at not only training new CDL students, but finding them jobs once their training is complete. In fact, today, September 1st, 2009, Eagle is celebrating their new move-in to their new location at R.L. Leek’s Building, 2210 Harrison Avenue, Rockford, Illinois. The new facility was needed due to the increase they are experiencing with their class sizes.

The main factor I see with recent CDL grads unable to land that driving job, is that they had some kind of negative mark on their MVR or something to this affect, and the school took them in anyway, knowing they would not be hireable. Eagle Training is showing a job placement rate within the mid to high 90 percentile rate. Other excellent CDL schools are reporting the same stats. The importance of choosing the right CDL training school goes without saying . . . the school you choose can make you or break you in your truck driving career.

Tanya Bons of Eagle Training provides valuable information about what CDL students can do to increase their chances for getting hired. She also gives an excellent insight into why so many believe that truck driving jobs are scarce and hard to find. In today’s market, Tanya explains that trucking companies are seeking the cream of the crop. She also discusses why we have been led to believe that trucking jobs are falling by the way side, and why unemployment offices are seeing such a high rate of out-of-work truck drivers. It is a great article that you should be sure to read:

Only Cream at the Truck Stops – Truck Driving Jobs in 2009

The economy will eventually turn around for all aspects of industry. Furthermore, as Tanya explains, when that happens . . . trucking is going to come back stronger than before.

: cdl school, CDL schools, cdl students, cdl training, CDL training school, eagle training services, tanya bons, truck driving career, Truck Driving Jobs, truck driving schools, trucking

cdl school, CDL schools, cdl students, cdl training, CDL training school, eagle training services, tanya bons, truck driving career, Truck Driving Jobs, truck driving schools, trucking

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Trucking Lease Scam Perfect for DAC Lies

Posted by Allen Smith in Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies on August 11th, 2009

The trucking company owner operator lease-purchase scam. I’ve talked about it … I’ve written about it … I’ve done talk shows about it. Truth About Trucking was established with one goal in mind: to provide the answers to the insider secrets of the trucking industry for new CDL students and drivers. All those things that every veteran driver knows about, but, for whatever reason, few would discuss. Four years ago, we changed all that.

Suddenly, there was someone actually talking about the scams of OTR trucking. Scams, that every newcomer to the industry should be aware of, in order to know exactly what they are getting into when it comes to long haul trucking. Furthermore, by understanding and realizing the Truth About OTR Trucking . . . they would be better prepared to face those situations head-on and know what is to be expected of them in order to survive and make it in the OTR trucking game.

Being available through email, phone and from our Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio show, I have received thousands of questions from students and new drivers. It is the best part about being involved with an informative on-line format. Still, I find that trucking companies continue to prey on drivers’ hopes and dreams and wanted to reiterate in this post about one of the BIGGEST scams in the trucking industry: the Owner Operator Truck Leasing Program.

Here is a comment that was just made from our online petition to stop false DAC reporting:

“I RECENTLY SIGNED A TRUCK LEASE WITH A COMPANY CALLED XXXXX , THE TRUCK PAYMENTS WERE OVER $1000.00 PER WK. BUT I WAS TOLD MY TRUCK WOULD BRING IN OVER 4500 PER WK AVERAGE. THIS NEVER HAPPENED, SO AFTER STARVING FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND LISTENING TO THEIR BULL, I FINALLY TURNED IN THE TRUCK. BUT NOW MY DAC REPORT IS NEGATIVE.”

For all of you new CDL students and new drivers trying to break into the industry, be very leery of these trucking company lease purchase plans. This is a big money maker for these companies and the chances of you succeeding with one of these plans is highly unlikely. I know that many of you would really like to be an owner operator and these purchase plans are so enticing, but the best way to be an O/O is to drive several years, save up the down payment and purchase the truck on your own from a reputable dealer . . . NOT A TRUCKING COMPANY. The only exception to this “rule” is obviously, if you have worked for a company for a good length of time and know for certain that they are a good, reputable company and one you can trust. Until you have some serious background experience with them, stay away from leases!

One of our highest rated shows on Truth About Trucking “LIVE” was about this very subject. I would urge you to give it a listen if you missed it:

Remember . . . there are many fine trucking companies out there to work for, but you will have to build up between one to three years of driving experience before you will be considered for hire. There are also very good companies that offer CDL training other than those we all hear and know about. Keep in mind, with the current state of the economy, companies such as these may not be accepting new students right now.

The point here, is that OTR trucking does work for many drivers . . . but a successful career in trucking does not happen overnight. It can, literally, take several years. Understand the scams that exist within OTR truck driving and know what to be suspicious of when it comes to this industry. One of those things is the Lease Purchase Plan. Not only will they use it to rake in more of your hard earned money, but when you cannot hang on any longer . . . they will turn around and place a negative report on your DAC, hitting you twice and very possibly ruining your truck driving career.

I’ll say it again . . . Until you have worked for a company long enough to know that they are a good and honest employer . . . then . . . Stay away from trucking company leases!

To your success in trucking,

Allen Smith

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