A recent article posted in the Newspaper.com stated that the Department of Transportation was promoting women to enter a career as a professional CDL driver:  “US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wants to put more women behind the wheels of big-rigs.”

However, after researching, we have found that the programs being funded are targeted for women at the college graduate level.

According to The announcement, “U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed an agreement with the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International to encourage women to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and math – while pursuing careers in transportation.” This program does not appear to be targeted towards CDL professional truck drivers who are considered “unskilled” labor by the Department of Labor.

Secretary of the US Department of Transportation, Ray LaHood announced at a Women’s Small Business Day hosted by the Department of Transportation (DOT), that he would like to see more women in the transportation industry by expanding an existing intern program.

According to a recent press release , the program is one of several internships and fellowship programs offered through the U.S. Department of Transportation for both high school and college age girls. The expanded effort supports President Obama’s mission and the work of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Although the idea of encouraging more women into the transportation industry is to be applauded, the thought of using transportation funds for this, rather than for the repair of roads and bridges or securing more safe truck parking ( such as Jason’s Law, HR 2156 and S970) must be questioned.

Recently we were told by a staffer in the Highways and Transit subcommittee that funding was low and that this is a main reason that Jason’s Law has been sitting in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  So where then, are these funds coming from which are being used to promote more women entering the trucking industry?  I would think that we would be more interested in repairing the roads and protecting our “unskilled women” who are already in the industry driving big trucks.

This does lead up to another problem which should be mentioned:

There is and has been a strong recruitment movement going on via organizations, truck driving schools, trucking companies,  government work force placement programs and  grants and incentives, in order to encourage more women to enter the “unskilled” level of the trucking industry as a CDL driver.

This is a major concern of ours and others alike, as the CDL training going on within trucking companies has not been one to be admired.  Often women are not told what to realistically expect when entering a CDL training program, including the fact that they will be living in a truck for 3 months with a total stranger, the trainer.

Many times the requirements for drivers to be trainers are no more than the “desire for them to be one.”

The fact that there are no strict guidelines set up by many of the companies has caused numerous problems for trainees, including the lack of a way for trainees to safely remove themselves from situations which could either cause emotional stress or even worse, bodily harm.

There has been a tremendous increase in women entering the field of truck driving, and yet the number of actual women drivers has not significantly increased, still sitting at five to six percent of total drivers.  So where are all those increased “numbers of women” entering into trucking  that have been recruited? Why isn’t the increased  figure of women drivers entering matching the number of actual drivers? The main reason is . . . that they do not stay for very long, many not making it past the training process.   This is a clear sign that something is wrong in the way that many trucking companies conduct their CDL training programs.

So I suggest this to everyone promoting the advancement and promotion of women entering the trucking industry: 

Create a program to protect the women that you have already encouraged to enter the industry, before you try to promote more women to come in.

I challenge every organization, company, or government program to create a data base of driver statistics which includes all women they have successfully recruited into the industry as a CDL driver, and then maintain records to follow up with them in order to determine if they are still driving, and if not . . . WHY?

Would this not make more sense?  I for one, would like to know why more and more women are entering the trucking industry, and yet their numbers are not going up?
I believe if you are reading this that you would like to know too.

Related Articles:

Trucking schools and CDL training-Part 2

Trucking Schools and CDL Training – Part 1

R.E.A.L Women In Trucking

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl training, DOT, Jason's law- H.R.2156 S971, newbie cdl drivers, Ray LaHood, Truck driving school grants, Us Department of Transportation, women in trucking, Women small business, women truckers

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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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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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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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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.

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: 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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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

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl students, cdl training, lease, lease purchase, millis, otr truck driving, otr trucking, owner operator, roehl, scam, Scams, trucking, trucking company, trucking industry, truth about trucking

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Over the road trucking is a tough vocation.  It’s even tougher now with the economy struggling as it is.  Many CDL schools are still reporting an 85% – 90% placement rate for recent CDL graduates.  On the other hand, I hear from many students who, after several months or longer, after completing their CDL training, have still been unable to secure employment.

A large majority of these, I assume, has to deal with the fact that the student/grad had negative information on their MVR and the school failed to advise them of the poor chance of being hired.  The CDL school took their money anyway.  However, many of these CDL students tell me that they have nothing bad on their records, everything is “perfect” and still, they are unable to land a job as a truck driver.   This simply has to do with the way the economy is right now.

I recently received an email from a driver who has brought in between $200 – $300 per week for the last several weeks . . . he simply stated that his company has “no freight.”   Other drivers tell me they are running hard and can barely keep up!   OTR trucking is a strange character.   I can’t say when the economy will turn around or trucking will get back on track, but I can explain what you, as a recent CDL training graduate can do, that will most likely end your driving career before it even gets started.

We all know that times are tough right now.  Even though CDL schools are reporting such a high job placement rate, I have my doubts with many of them.  For those recent CDL students who do land a truck driving job, there is one thing you most certainly want to accomplish . . . get that all-important one year of OTR driving in under your belt with that company!

Many CDL graduates are writing me explaining that they were hired by a trucking company and after 30 days, 3 months or whatever, they ended up quitting due to lack of miles or various other reasons as many of us know.  If you’re “fortunate” enough to land a trucking job in today’s economy, if at all possible, you need to try your best to “stick it out” with that first company that has given you the job opportunity.  For years, veteran drivers have gotten away with this “job hopping” but not so much now, and certainly not for newcomers just starting out.

Leaving the truck driving job after only one, two or three months, is like digging your own professional truck driving grave.  First, the trucking company just possibly shelled out thousands of dollars for your training.   Secondly, they will look at you as someone who really is not serious about being an OTR driver and finally, they will most likely turn around and file a negative complaint on your DAC report.  This DAC file could turn out to be your “nail in the coffin.”

Other than having stricter policies, better driver treatment, driver respect and so forth, practically all trucking companies do the exact same thing:  you pick up freight at point A and you deliver that freight to point B.   If you only lasted six weeks on your very first time out, why would other trucking companies believe that you will last with them?  You’ll be doing the exact same thing you were doing the six weeks before.   The reasons you left are not important to them . . . remember, many of these over the road trucking outfits operate in the same manner.

Could you get lucky and find another company willing to hire you and give you a chance?  Maybe . . . but it’s a long shot.  It’s understandable that a new driver would quit after only his or her first several weeks, if they are only making a few hundred dollars per week for running in long distance trucking.  But the economy is what it is . . . it’s tough for many trucking companies and freight is slow for a big portion of them.

The recruiters and many of the not-so-honest CDL schools are going to tell you what you want to hear.  Understand that the trucking industry, for many, are struggling right along with the other various industries in the present economic situation.  Your chances of starting out as a new driver and pulling in $1000 per week right off the bat, is not reasonable.   It could happen, but not usual with a new CDL graduate and beginning your career with one of these “starter companies.”

After finishing CDL training and you find yourself as one of those new drivers who do land a job with a company . . . be prepared to run the road for at least one year.  Some will say for six months . . . but that “one year” is really the magic number.   Keep in mind, that many of the really good trucking companies out there, require two and sometimes three or more years of verifiable driving experience . . . that is why they are the “really good” trucking companies.

Be prepared for the one year of sacrifice . . . plan ahead for your finances . . .  maybe your spouse will have to continue to work for that first year . .  perhaps you will have to dip into your savings . . . whatever the case, just be prepared for the commitment and sacrifice of running OTR for one year.

If after only a few weeks or even a few months, you are just not making it and you have to quit . . . just understand that this is one of the ways a new CDL graduate can almost certainly insure ending their truck driving career before it even begins.

Good Luck,

Allen Smith

Truth About Trucking

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl graduates, cdl school, CDL schools, cdl students, cdl training, dac report, driver respect, mvr, new driver, no freight, one year, otr, otr trucking, over the road, truck driver, truck driving career, truck driving job, trucking, trucking companies, trucking industry, verifiable driving experience

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A Michigan truck driving school is facing a lawsuit by several students, charging that fraud was committed pertaining to the CDL training.

Former students claim that Nu-Way Truck Driver Training Centers in Livonia, Michigan is “preying on the unemployed desperate for work and leaving them in deeper debt with sub-par skills.”

Former student, Greg Adkins states that the school convinced him to enroll claiming that there would be no cost to him, by letting the trucking company pick up all the expenses.   Total cost was $6,000 and Adkins landed a job after completion of the CDL course, which paid less than $10.00 per hour.  He later lost this job due to the driving skills being inadequate.

Ambrose Law Group is representing several former students in the upcoming lawsuit, claiming:  “These are vulnerable people. These are people who are on the verge of losing their homes. These are people who have been laid off from work and there’s a lot of laid off workers here in Michigan.”

According to the Law Group, Nu-Way is in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act and that they engage in false advertising and fraud.

Nu-Way has not yet been served with the suit and has stated that if they are, they are certain they will show that no violations have been committed.

More of the story . . .

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl training, consumer protection act, fraud, greg adkins, livonia, michigan, nu-way truck driver training centers, truck driving school, trucking company

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CDL training schools are presently seeing an increase in student enrollment, as high as thirty percent.  Are there enough truck driving jobs to accommodate them?  Can a CDL student or recent CDL graduate find a trucking job in the present economic situation?

Allen will be discussing this important issue, tomorrow evening ( Tuesday, April 7th, 2009) at 7 PM Eastern Standard Time, on Blog Talk Radio’s:  Truth About Trucking “LIVE.”

Ken Bons, Vice President of Eagle Training Services out of Illinois, is scheduled to call in and share his expertise from a CDL Training School’s perspective.

If you are a student or recent CDL grad that is having problems landing that trucking job, this is an important show scheduled just for you.  Be sure to tune in and get information that can help you understand what steps you can take to put that new CDL license to work.

Truck Driving Jobs in a Downward Economy – Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 – 7 PM EST on Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio show.

Thanks,

Donna

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl, cdl grad, cdl license, cdl training, graduate, ken bons, school, schools, student, Talk Radio Show, Truck Driving Jobs, trucking, trucking job, truth about trucking

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Becoming a professional truck driver is one of the most demanding jobs and lifestyles that one can imagine, and yet there are over 4 million drivers. So what motivates someone to become a professional driver? There are many reasons, but here’s a few:

freedom, independence, desire to change careers, wanting to see the country, and even to just get out of the rat race of society.

Whatever the reason, the fact remains that before you can drive 80,000 pounds safely down a highway, sharing the road with countless other people, you must first learn how to drive these massive vehicles properly.

Your CDL training is THE most important decision you will make. Deciding upon the proper school could be the deciding factor of whether you will be successful or not.

Many within the trucking industry are anticipating a “driver shortage”  which will open the flood gates to massive amounts of new students seeking to obtain their CDL. Many are predicting that with the anticipation of CSA 2010 many drivers  will lose their jobs, for either being considered unsafe drivers or for “other” reasons  given to them by their present employers ( what I would call excuses justified by CSA 2010)

Whatever the case, we can expect many new students to be entering the trucking industry, desiring to be  a professional driver. Because of this I believe there will be less than adequate training ( even more so than before) available and more than ever YOU must do your homework and research thoroughly before you decide upon a truck driving school.

I’ve  been writing information for CDL Students and new Truck Drivers for quite some time now. I am proud to say that the information has saved many a trucking career seeker, student, and new driver from the devastation that can occur within the first few years.  In addition to saving years of wasted time and heartache, the info I share has directed thousands towards a successful trucking career by issuing the guidance and knowledge that most drivers only learn from years of experience.

I’ve  written hundreds of posts and articles in order to help you succeed within the trucking industry. This information is readily available to you FREE as it has been submitted to article directories and on this blog, thus being accessible throughout the internet.

I have combined this information in books, Audio CD’s, and PDF CD’s so that the reader/listener could have the info without searching, thus saving  time.

Anyone who is serious and motivated about having a successful truck driving career does not think twice about the  modest investment. I’ve  kept the price affordable and I try to over deliver on this information.

The latest product offered has been made available and includes ALL of Allen’s books and 7 Bonus  Reports.
The information is received as an immediate download, as well as a CD-ROM which is shipped to your given address.

Product includes:  “The Truth About Trucking”, ” So You’ve Got Your CDL…Now What?”, and “The Best Truck Driving Jobs- A State by State List”

7 Bonuses:  The Little Secret About Sign on, “The 5 BEST Trucking Companies in America“, Passing the Pre-Trip Inspection”

“Best Starter Company for Student Training & Newbie Drivers.”, “Truck Driving Schools: How to Make the Best Choice”

“The Cheapest Route to Getting Your CDL” Revised , Student Training Schools

For More detailed info please visit Truth About Trucking

Please, before you make the decision about becoming a professional driver, take your time and understand what the job entails, including the lifestyle you will be expected to maintain. I have tried to be very honest and upfront and have sugar coated nothing.

You must know that what will be promised to you and what you will experience are going to be very different. Your training will not end upon the completion of your schooling, but rather it actually just really begins at that point. This is where the choice of the best starter companies come to play.  At this point you will begin to understand how trucking really works:

The training process, your responsibilities, the salary, home time, how you will be treated as an employee….in other words, the reality of your new career. To be quite candid, many will not be able to endure and will not make it. For those who do, much will depend on:

A) the school you choose and the company you work for

B) Your attitude and how much you desire to succeed in the industry.

After reading the information if you still have questions just shoot me a brief email

allen@truthabouttrucking.com

I’ll try my best to  answer you according to YOU and your situation

© 2009 – 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: best truck driving jobs, cdl students, cdl training, professional truck drivers, truck driving career, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking career, trucking industry

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