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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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:

1. 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?
2. 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!
3. 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?”
4. 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.

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: 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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As 2009 winds down, Truth About Trucking will continue to push forward in 2010 by our continual exposing of scams, abuse and fraud within the over the road trucking industry.   As professional truck drivers, there still exists employee and constitutional rights and those trucking companies which continue to take advantage of drivers, students and trainees, should be held accountable for their actions and their total disregard for the law.

We have and continue to receive emails, letters and phone calls from drivers of all experience everyday, and we appreciate all the input.   As we move into the new year, let’s push this fight to raise the standards of the trucking industry, even further.   We would invite all who have experienced these scams and abuses first hand, to report your experiences directly to your State Attorney General’s office.

Issues such as:

• False DAC Reporting
• CDL Student Loan fraud
• Victim of a Owner Operator Lease Purchase Program
• Terminated from driving job after a short period of time
• CDL school questionable conduct
• Harassment by a driver-trainer,  with no follow through from company
• Purposely starved out by trucking company
• Obvious misconduct by company, such as poor miles, unreasonable job demands

The State Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer for the State.  It is their job to protect consumers of the State from:

• telemarketing scams
• identity theft
• credit fraud
• deceptive home improvement work
• civil rights violations
• questionable charity fund raising
• false advertising
• other unfair practices
• protects children from Internet predators
• pursues con artists who target senior citizens
• targets drug trafficking
• gun violence
• fights fraud and scams that can be financially devastating to families.

Frauds and scams that can financially devastate you and/or your family . . . it’s time to take these trucking scam issues to the next level.   The State Attorney General will actively investigate and pursue any report or claim of abuse, scam or fraud by these OTR trucking companies and if found liable, will take appropriate actions.   If you feel you have been treated unfairly and unjust as a driver for one of the companies, contact your State Attorney General’s office:

Find your State Attorney General . . .

Let your story be told . . . contact your State Attorney General and let’s keep fighting to “Raise the Standards of the Trucking Industry.”

Truth About Trucking, LLC

“Special Thanks to “You Know Who You Are” for assisting in this post . . . “Allen”

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: fraud, otr trucking companies, over the road, scam, state attorney general, state attorney office, trucking, trucking industry, trucking scams

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by Allen Smith

Professional truck drivers have a lot of enemies.  Many drivers perceive the DOT as one enemy . . . and without question it is the general public who looks at trucking as something that is just in their way:  a big, slow 18 wheeler creeping up a hill at 25 MPH, making a huge wide turn that cuts them off,  a dirty machine that smells of oil and diesel . . . enemies can even include entire towns or cities that proudly make it known by stating,  “Truckers Not Welcome,” such as was the case of Greenwich, Connecticut.

The world of the professional over the road truck driver is a secretive one that few on the outside ever experience.  Mainly, the trucker talks and converses  with other truckers . . . few else would be able to relate.  The nine-to-fiver has no comprehension of how a long haul trucker will run more miles in one year, than they will drive in ten.  For those who jump into OTR trucking as a new career . . . statistics prove that most will only last six months.   It takes a ton of stamina to be a professional over the road truck driver . . . stamina, that most do not possess.

The truck driver will find enemies at nearly every turn . . . shippers and receivers who will treat them like they are less than dogs . . . law enforcement telling them that they will have to move their rig, even though they are parked out of the way on some small, forgotten empty lot overgrown with grass and weeds . . . enemies that even live within their industry itself . . . lies reported on their DAC report . . . a disgruntled dispatcher who will “cut” their miles because they refused to haul an illegal load . . . enemies everywhere.

Professional truckers will talk among themselves at the docks, rest areas and truck stops . . . talking about the abuses of the industry and keeping these insights quietly to themselves.   They cannot let their company catch wind of such discussions . . . they can’t afford to lose their jobs.   The veteran driver knows that for every one truck driver that loves their profession . . . ten more hate it, due to the abuse that continues to survive within the industry.

As one trucker said to me a few weeks ago: “The trucking companies own us . . . we are nothing more than slaves.”

I would not go so far as to referring to trucking as slavery, (we can all quit at anytime we want to), but for many thousands and thousands of OTR truckers . . . they are faced not only with a highly stressful, demanding and tiring vocation . . . but also with the daily misfortune of having to deal with so many misinformed outsiders who have no understanding of what over the road trucking is all about.  Enemies who look at truckers and their big rigs as a nuisance of the roads and something that just simply slows down their ever increasing, fast paced way of life. None of these, however, are the truck driver’s worst enemy.

I’ve always had a saying: “There is only right and wrong . . . and nothing in between.“ Fighting for a right is a much tougher battle than fighting for an obvious injustice.  History proves this.   Like water which takes the path of least resistance, it is much easier to join forces with the injustice, than it is to fight against it.   How you know that the “right” is gaining ground to winning, is that the voices of the injustice grow louder.  Right versus wrong has existed since the time of man and will continue to exist . . . it is just human nature.   There are those in which their sole purpose in life is to argue, attack and to continue spewing hate . . . even when they know that they are wrong.  I could make a post tomorrow about how the sky is blue, and I would be attacked by those who would say, “No . . . the sky is amethyst.” Truth, or the “right” is meaningless to them . . . their pleasure comes only from continually provoking hate and discord.

Trucking companies in the United States have never worried about a trucker strike.  These companies know that the brotherhood of truckers does not exist anymore and that many truck drivers could not get along, together, long enough to form a successful strike. An easy way to prove this is to simply turn on your CB radio and try to have a normal, decent, intelligent, adult-like conversation.   You may make it for a few minutes . . . but it will soon be attacked by other truckers.   It does not matter why or how the conversation is attacked, just that it is.   It’s the world we live in today.

It is understandable to have disagreements . . . it is more understandable to have professional and civil discussions.  Yet, there have been truckers who have actually “attacked” a widow of a murdered truck driver: a women who is fighting to bring about a new law that will provide more safe and secured parking for our nation’s truck drivers.   No professional, civil or adult conversations . . . but written, verbal attacks against a lady who lost her husband who was a fellow trucker.    “Professional” truck drivers filled with jealously and rage because somebody else is doing something of such importance, and it’s not them . . . trucking organizations who came out strong in support of the new bill, only to fall weak and abandoned it when faced with losing their funding from those with special interests in mind.  To her, I say forget about them and don’t lose any sleep over it.   These are the segments of truck drivers and industry “leaders” who prefer to follow the path of least resistance.

Fighting . . . discord . . . hate . . . jealously . . . pride . . . whatever the reason, a large majority of the nation’s truck drivers will continue to follow the easiest path.   The thousands of others who are professional and civil . . . may work quietly in the background or even raise their voices . . . but they will do it in a manner that shines with their professionalism and commitment to bringing change to an industry that needs change in several areas.    There will always be those who will fight and wreak havoc just for the sake of fighting and wreaking havoc . . . the truck driver’s worst enemy is the truck driver.

Anyone who has been in trucking for any length of time knows that trucking is a tough vocation.  Over the road trucking is especially rough . . . hard on the body, the mind and apparently, even the soul. It no doubt has come around due to the hardships of the trucking life.  It not only exists in trucking, but sadly, you can witness this fall in human kindness and decency throughout many aspects of our society.  Personal attacks have become a past time favorite for many.  A large majority of mankind now gains complete satisfaction from launching verbal and textual attacks against anything and anybody, purely for the sake of what they perceive as entertainment. They contribute nothing good or positive to society and they care not to.

The simple art of “believing” is nearly dead.  When anyone attempts to work for something for the sole purpose of helping, it must be for “other reasons.”  In today’s society, there is absolutely no way that anyone would take on a task for the sole purpose of  “helping.”  That aspect is simply absurd!  What the trucking companies have over a large vast of drivers, is that they can all “get along” with one another . . . they know the chances of this among drivers is next to nil.  This is how companies can continue to abuse drivers through the use of the DAC Report . . . this is how trucking companies can work together to “blackball” a driver from the industry, a control tactic if you will. Together, they are a nationwide “team” . . . on the contrary, assaults and attacks are launched against drivers by drivers.  Obviously, the trucking companies know that they do not have to do anything . . . the drivers themselves will do the job!   The companies understand human nature and use it for their benefit.

Over the road trucking can wear you down.  Enemies from all sides . . . the stress, the lifestyle, the demand . . . and so often the case, another enemy that can creep in if you allow it:  cynicism.

Cynicism. This word is actually very interesting.  It refers to a group of ancient Greeks called the Cynics, dating back to  four B.C.   Today, cynicism describes the opinions of those people who see self-interest as the main, primary motive of human behavior, and who fail to believe that anybody does anything simply out of sincerity or virtue.  Cynics truly believe that no human being invokes any action of any kind purely out of goodness. Also, the way cynics express themselves, due to this belief, are through sneers and sarcasm.

Sad, isn’t it? We only have one life to live, which is so short, and one must live it through cynicism and failure to believe in anything right and good . . . living life by attacking others who are sincere in their goals, only to make themselves look like a “hero” and to bring attention to themselves.  Another amazing aspect to this is that so many of them complain on a daily basis, yet will not even attempt to get involved and change things for the better.  If things changed, they would no longer have the reasons they need to throw out their sneers and sarcasm.  It is an odd characteristic.

For many, over the road trucking has worn them down.  On the other hand, those stronger did not allow the OTR life to destroy them and they enjoy the trucking life and prove that it is possible to remain a highly trained professional in a very difficult lifestyle .  The life of an over the road trucker can transform you into a bitter, jealous, hate-filled cynic .  . . . but only if you let it.   Remember, that the “truck” is not your home . . . your HOME is your home . . . remember, other truckers are not your family . . . your FAMILY is your family . . . and always remember, that the freight is NEVER more important than those loved ones waiting back at home.

So, for all of you new CDL students and drivers breaking into the industry . . . over the road trucking can provide a decent career eventually, but only if you are up to the drastic change in lifestyle.   Will you follow the path of least resistance, or maintain the strength to stand up for what is right?

Before entering into the world of long haul trucking, you should answer yourself one question:  “Will I be a follower or a leader?” Do not allow yourself to become your worst enemy.

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cynicism, enemies, enemy, long haul, otr, over the road, professional, truck driver, truck drivers, Truckers, trucking, trucking companies

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I have written and talked about the dangers of combining different medications with each other, even the possibilities of over the counter drugs.  As an over the road truck driver, there are those times when we fall ill and find ourselves hundreds of miles away from home.  Most often our only resource are the OTC drugs available from the area stores.  

An interaction between two drugs occurs when the effect of a particular drug is altered when taken with another drug or, in some cases, food.  We all know that combining prescription drugs with over the counter drugs can be deadly, but it is important to reiterate that the combination of OTC drugs can be just as harmful.   Each year, 100,000 people die from prescription drug combinations and one million more are hurt by the very drugs prescribed to them by their doctors.    But what about just combining a few over the counter drugs?   The same dangers exist.

For example:  taking Advil and Aspirin together, can lead to deadly consequences.  Furthermore, there are another 864 known drugs that will interact with Advil and 1,199 other drugs that will interact with Aspirin in an adverse way.   When trucking for weeks and months at a time, we have all made the trip to the OTC counter, grabbing whatever looks like would provide us with the relief we are needing.   Realize, that even over the counter drug combinations can lead to detrimental factors.

I wanted to provide professional drivers out on the road with a way to check to see if a certain combination of two medicines would be safe.  With many truckers running with their laptops and smartphones these days, checking from out on the road had to be possible.  Drug Interaction Checker will do just that.   After you click on the “I Agree” button, you will then go to the next page which allows you to type in and/or choose from a large list of drugs and medicines, including OTC drugs.  After placing the two names of the drugs in question, then just click on “Check Interactions.” 

It will then give you the details for any major interactions, medium interactions or if there are no interactions between the drugs, and if they are safe to take together.  When I checked against Advil and Aspirin, I was immediately given notice that this was a Major Drug-Drug interaction danger. 

During your over the road trucking, you find yourself searching the OTC counter for whatever looks to be helpful, be safe.  First, check with the Drug Interaction Checker.   Especially, if you are needing cough syrups.    Remember, they may only be over the counter, but hundreds of combinations exist that can and do lead to severe consequences.

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: drug combinations, drug interaction checker, drugs, health, interaction, interactions, medicines, otc drugs, over the counter, over the road, truck drivers, Truckers, 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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Truckers News, the #1 leading lifestyle magazine for over the road truck drivers, features the iPhone Trucker Application in their June, 2009 issue.  Truckers news is the official publication of the National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO).

Senior Editor Todd Dills provides a full page story about our Truth About Trucking, Ask The Trucker blog and the first ever iPhone application for truckers.  It was also mentioned in the May issue as well as the June edition of Overdrive Magazine which primarily focuses on commercial truck owner-operators, small fleet owners and company drivers.

Special thanks to Todd Dills and everyone at Truckers News and Overdrive for featuring our story in their leading trucking magazines.

You can read the full article which is on page 86:

Subscribe to Truckers News . . .

Subscribe to Overdrive Magazine . . .

Allen & Donna Smith

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

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Trucking can be a rough lifestyle. One way or the other, everyone has to do what they need to do in order to provide for themselves and their family. Over the road trucking can be fun at times, but the difficulties from this style of living can also take its toll.

We all know the hardships that the trucking life can bring, but for me, the hardest part of trucking was saying goodbye to my kids. They understood that I needed to make a living, but the time away from home was the roughest part of OTR truck driving. 

When you are young, time seems to go by so very slow … but we know now, as we get older … time really does go by so very fast.

As you begin your career in OTR trucking, your main goal is to provide for your family. If the company you are with is not doing that, then don’t be afraid to move on until you find one that does. Trucking companies need to understand that you are not out there for the joy ride, but the need to provide. You are putting out the sacrifice, so never feel obligated to a company that does not have your best interests in mind.

Those kids waiting back home for you to return, grow up so very fast.

© 2008, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: otr, over the road, truck driving, trucking, trucking companies

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