Trucking Advocate and Activist Allen Smith of TruthAboutTrucking.com : Articles Current News and Information for CDL Truck Drivers and Truck Driving Students…"Raising the Standards of the Trucking Industry"
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
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
As the Nation continues to become more fearful about the present day economy, more than ever there are those investigating trucking as “the career of choice”. The number 1 question that arises is: ” Is Truck Driving a Stable Career?”
The number 2 question is: ” What are the Best Trucking Companies to work for?”
The number 3 question is” What are the Best Truck Driving Jobs?”
There are many factors which are associated with this question, therefore, I think it best to direct you to a post I recently wrote for HubPages. I will be writing more posts on this topic, as there will be many subtopics that you will want to know about which will directly effect the stability of trucking in general. So, for all you possible truck drivers, cdl drivers, and truck driving students ….here is the post…
One of the most courageous woman truckers right now is writing on the AskTheTrucker blog, exposing the treatment and tactics allowed to continue within the trucking industry, as viewed through her eyes and own experiences. The purpose for these posts are two fold:
1) To warn women desiring to get into OTR trucking about the many “red flags they must be aware of so they may avoid them.
2) To encourage other woman in trucking to speak up and not be intimidated or fearful of “losing their job.”
Desiree has a written a Journal type posting which I encourage women to read. She posts regularly, and in my opinion it’s like getting a treasure of info, which I’m sure many would be more than glad to “pay for”" if it was available in book form.
Her experiences start all the way from day 1 in truck driving school, where she first began in her quest for the coveted CDL license. It then continues into driver training and team driving. This persistant woman would not allow ANYTHING to prevent her from attaining her #1 goal of driving the bigrigs. Her experiences are at times like something you would read in a novel or watch at the movie theatre.
She is a testimony of integrity, commitment, and perseverance.
If you are anyone interested in a trucking career, looking into truck driver training, are already a truck driver, or just interested in knowing what is still allowed to go on within the trucking industry, then I believe you will benefit from these journaled blog posts.
Recently we received a message on our AskTheTrucker contact form:
Ben Leffler wrote:
Hi,
My name is Ben and I blog for uShip.com. I think askthetrucker.com is an excellent resource for those starting out in the trucking industry, so I included it on my list of the Top 10 Trucking Blogs. To check out the article visit http://www.uship.com/blog
This is our first such list, and we welcome any feedback you would be inclined to share. Thanks for supporting the industry with the great site!
Best,
Ben Leffler bleffler@uship.com
uShip.com – the online shipping marketplace
Thank you Ben for ranking Allen Smith and his AskTheTrucker.com Trucking Blog as # 1. We appreciate it! As you obviously have realized, Allen spends much of his time researching and helping trucking students, new CDL drivers, and trucking career seekers. Lately, we’ve had more and more veteran truck drivers joining us, adding their expertise and knowledge to the posts, enhancing the quality information and communication among new and veteran CDL truck drivers.
The remaining 9 blogs are listed in the Ben’s Top 10 Trucking Blogs list. Tell us what you think of this list.
We had a great show tonight (10-14-08), on Truth About Trucking “LIVE”, where I read and answered questions from callers and from our email “vault.” I appreciate all the listeners and callers and hope the show was helpful . . . it was well received and we will make a point to continue doing a Q&A talk show on a regular schedule.
Our main goal as you know, is to aid truck drivers and truck driving students towards a successful career within the trucking industry.
By knowing the truth and the ways of the trucking companies and truck driving schools, you can be way ahead of the game as you begin your trucking career.
If you missed the “live” show, you can catch it here :
Be sure to catch our next show : “How to get your CDL for under $500.” Broadcasting on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 at 8:30 P.M. EST. Hope to see you there!
Today we released the 4th edition of “The Truth About Trucking” book for trucking students, truckdrivers and trucking career seekers. Most people who know me ( Allen) as telling the truth…no matter how unpleasant that may be. I don’t candy coat things and I sure don’t want to give false promises…BUT…when you are equipped with the truth, only then can you expect to have a chance at being successful.
Today I released “The Truth About Trucking” with the hope to educate and inform as many students and new drivers as possible….equipping them with as many facts, info and knowledge I could find useful and necessary so they may achieve their trucking goals. It’s taken a few months to gather the added information, but I feel the information given will provide the tools for a successful trucking career to anyone who is truly serious about having one. I believe the extra 5 chapters will benefit everyone. As always, all past clients receive the revision and it’s sent automatically to their e-mail.
Here is the new Table of Contents to explore. I hope all those who have received the new edition are already seeing the benefits.
We would appreciate all comments, input and opinions….and most of all…your success stories.
When considering a career in trucking, there are many questions and concerns a newcomer will have when searching for the best truck driving jobs. Join Allen, Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. EST, for the popular Truth About Trucking “LIVE” internet talk radio show.
In this segment, Allen opens up his email vault and answers some of the hundreds of questions he receives on a weekly basis. Listeners are encouraged to call in with their questions for this special Q&A broadcast. Questions answered . . . “live” . . . on Blog Talk Radio.
I would like to stress to those interested in choosing Trucking as a career, to make sure they do their homework before choosing a Truck Driver Training Facility or Trucking Company for Employment. Trucking Schools are a big business out there, and trust me, there are thousands of eager people just waiting for you to join them. The choice you make will determine the quality of education you receive and the amount of money you spend to obtain it.
On a similar note, careful choice must be made when signing on for a trucking job. The hope of financial freedom can easily be crushed if you sign on with a trucking company that readily abuses their drivers. They do this by keeping them out for weeks on end and compensating them with a small paycheck.
Trucking is Being Chosen as an Exciting Career, but you must be able to research and make the Right Choices. Don’t be Held Hostage by making the wrong choice.
As we enter the year 2008, the job market is looking less optimistic. More people than ever before are investigating a career withing the Trucking Industry as the solution for financial success. Their goal is not just having a job, but a career that will allow financial freedom as well as the freedom of Over The Road Truck Driving. Their goals for achieving this dream are two fold: Find a Truck Driver Training Facility ( to obtain their CDL) and then a Trucking Company to hire them. Simple, right?
Unfortunately, whenever there are anxious and enthusiastic people looking for an opportunity, there are those who will be equally anxious, waiting to take advantage of them. Their company ads and promises are as luring as expensive fish baits, and as successful as the most expert fisherman. Their motive is financial gain, plain and simple. They charge thousands and deliver very little, except maybe an empty check book or a large loan payment.
The most vulnerable are the Students desiring to obtain the required CDL license through quality truck driver training. This is the first step that anyone considering a truck driving career must achieve. As a result of this necessary requirement, there are many businesses out there targeting this audience, trying to obtain their business by promising a quality education in truck driving. Some are reputable institutions, but many are just businesses, posing as quality schools, offering a poor education, costing thousands of dollars. Many of these CDL Training Schools promise “quick training” in as little as 2 weeks. Since many potential drivers are eager to get their training and start earning a living, this kind of training is quite appealing.
The next targeted audience for abuse is the “newbie” CDL driver. Many Companies are willing to take on these new drivers, promising them the world, but only delivering hours of driving, time away from home, and VERY little pay.
Veteran drivers are very much aware of the scams and tricks out there. Many however, are not as aware of the Truck Driving School Scams, as they achieved their CDL many years ago before the “driving school mills” were as popular.
These veterans, are however, familiar with the trucking companies that take advantage of drivers, and stay away from them like the plague.
Many of them have paid their dues, enduring years of heartache and empty promises, going from one company to the next, until they found the “right” company. Others were fortunate enough to land a good company from the beginning and have spent their entire career with them.
We strive to encourage everyone to research all their options carefully before making any decisions. As many of you already know, Allen’s well researched book, “The Truth About Trucking” has much of the valued information you will need, including information he has obtained through his own trucking experiences.
Don’t get carried away with all your eagerness and enthusiasm. Take time and do your research. Only when you know about the scams will you be able to avoid them and be successful choosing the best truck driver training and trucking company to work for.
Allen is a 30 year veteran and expert within the trucking industry. He has written dozens of articles , helping students and new drivers to be successful by avoiding the scams of many truck driving schools and trucking companies. He is the original author of the well known book, “The Truth about Trucking” and the primary writer on his blog, Ask The Trucker.com
A professional truck driver gets to know the best places to stop for a meal or rest during their time over the road. Normally based on what services are available, ease of parking, safety, etc., each driver has their own “favorite” spots to stop along the way during their travels. These are mine:
ALABAMA:
Bucksville: Petro, I-20/59 @ exit 100
Cullman: Jack’s Truck Stop, I-65 @ exit 304
Grand Bay: T/A, I-10 @ exit 4
Robertsdale: Oasis Travel Center, I-10 @ exit 53
ARIZONA:
Eloy: T/A, I-10 @ exit 203
Kingman: Petro, I-40 @ exit 66
Tonopah: Rip Griffin, I-10 @ exit 103
ARKANSAS:
Earle: T/A, I-40 @ exit 260
Prescott: Rip Griffin, I-30 @ exit 44
Russellville: Flying J, I-40 @ exit 84
West Memphis: Petro, I-40 @ exit 280
CALIFORNIA:
Buttonwillow: T/A, I-5 @ exit 257
Coachella: T/A, I-10 @ exit 146
Corning: Petro, I-5 @ exit 630
Lodi: 3 B’s Truck Plaza, I-5 @ exit 485
Madera: Pilot Travel Center, Hwy. 99 @ exit 159
Ontario: T/A, I-10 @ exit 57
COLORADO:
Cameo: Gay Johnson’sA/T Stop, I-70 @ exit 47
Fountain: Tomahawk A/T Plaza, I-25 @ exit 128
Limon: Rip Griffin, I-70 @ exit 359
Loveland: Johnson’s Corner, I-25 @ exit 254
CONNECTICUT:
Branford: T/A, I-95 @ exit 56
DELAWARE:
Middletown: 301 Plaza, US 301 South
FLORIDA:
Jacksonville: T/A, I-95 @ exit 329
Lake Panasoffkee: Spirit Travel Center, I-75 @ exit 321
Mossy Head: Lucky 13, I-10 @ exit 70
Reddick: Petro, I-75 @ exit 368
Vero Beach: T/A, I-95 @ exit 147
GEORGIA:
Carnesville: Petro, I-85 @ exit 160
Richmond Hill: T/A, I-95 @ exit 87
Tallapoosa: Noble A/T Plaza, I-20 @ exit 5
Unadilla: All State Truck Stop, I-75 @ exit 121
IDAHO:
Boise: Boise Stage Stop, I-84 @ exit 71
Eden: Travelers Oasis, I-84 @ exit 182
Idaho Falls: Yellowstone T/S, I-15 @ exit 113
Post Falls: Flying J, I-90 @ exit 2
Twin Falls: Flying J, I-84 @ exit 173
ILLINOIS:
Effingham: Dixie Travel Plaza, I-57-70 @ exit 159
McLean: Dixie Truckers Plaza, I-55 @ exit 145
Peru: Crazy D’s, I-80 @ exit 75
Russell: T/A, I-94 @ exit 1
Troy: St. Louis East Truck Plaza, I-55-70 @ exit 18
INDIANA:
Brazil: Brazil 70 T/S, I-70 @ exit 23
Fort Wayne: Fort Wayne Truck Plaza, I-69 @ exit 109A
Memphis: Country Style Plaza, I-65 @ exit 16
Remington: Hoosier Heartland Travel Center, I-65 @ exit 201
IOWA:
Ainsworth: Four Corners, US 218 & Rt. 92
Altoona: Bosselman Travel Center, I-80 @ exit 142A
Denison: Ampride Truck Plaza, US 59N & Rt. 141
Elk Run Heights: Road Ranger, I-380 @ exit 68
Sioux City: Truck Haven, I-29 @ exit 143
Walcott: Iowa 80 T/A, I-80 @ exit 284
Williams: Boondock’s USA, I-35 @ exit 144
KANSAS:
Beto Junction: T/A, I-35 @ exit 155
Garden City: Garden City Travel Plaza, Hwy. 50 & 83
Newton: Newell Truck Plaza, I-135 @ exit 31
Oakley: Mitten Truck Stop, I-70 @ exit 76
KENTUCKY:
Corbin: Corbin Travel Plaza, I-75 @ exit 29
Paducah: Southern Pride, I-24 @ exit 16
Richwood: T/A, I-71-75 @ exit 175
Smiths Grove: Smiths Grove BP, I-65 @ exit 38
Sonora: Davis Brothers Travel Plaza, I-65 @ exit 81
I want to start out by saying that this whole so called recession thing is getting slightly on my nerves. Do you think, that just possibly, it could be a little bit of election propaganda set up by our trusted media? You know, the people we depend on for the “news”, like ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN, just to name a few.
I am a believer in thinking that if you start to believe in something, you can make it happen. Now, that can go for both GOOD and BAD. If we start believing that there really is a recession, what do you think we will start doing? Well, the first thing is, we will stop spending money. What do you think that will do to the economy? Now, I’m not saying we should go out and spend money like a bunch of drunken sailors, but to totally put the brakes on normal everyday spending can put a drastic impact on our economy. ( That would be quite impressive for election day, right?)
Well, “what does all that have to do with Truck Drivers?” you are thinking. First, no matter what kind of ”recession” we are in, there will ALWAYS be trucks and freight. Period. The American economy might as well just fold up and die if trucking ever came to a halt. That one’s a “no brainer”. So, if you are in trucking right now, ( and loving it) you are in a good position, no matter what the economy looks like. Sure, with more competition and low freight costs, you could feel somewhat of a slow-down, but trucking and freight will always continue.
This brings me to my next topic. Lately, I have been getting much more e-mail from people looking into trucking OUT of FEAR. It seems that they want to get into trucking as a career change because they feel they may lose their job ( you know, this “recession” we’re having). I want to address this to those of you who fit this category.
Let me say that trucking is not for everybody. I have written quite a few articles describing the kind of life you will lead as a trucker. There are many people who absolutely love their trucking career, but I will tell you that there are almost as many who hate it, and find themselves “stuck” in the career because of a decision they made years ago, soley based on the security of having a “job”. You must realize that this is not a 9-5 life, holidays with the family, visiting the grand kids, and so forth. It is a life of driving and destinations, one after the other. Even the local trucking jobs which I discuss in my book are not without sacrifice. Although many of them boast of 50-80 thousand per year salaries ( which is true, I may add) they also include 10-12 hour days with physical labor involved. If you’re not in shape, these jobs are not for you. You must be realistic when you are looking at Trucking as a career, whether it be OTR trucking or working for a trucking company locally. Make your decision wisely and with much thought, because not only will you spend time and money on training, but you will be spending many years behind the wheel of that Freightliner ( my personal favorite).
I’m not trying to discourage anyone from being in the trucking industry, but rather encourage them to research and investigate if this type of career would match their personality. It’s what you need to do with ANY career choice. For example: You wouldn’t be a first grade teacher if you couldn’t stand being around small children all day, right? And you certainly would not want to work on skyscrapers if you had a fear of heights. It’s the same thing with trucking. So don’t let FEAR of not having a job, be your only motive for a trucking career. However, if you do decide that trucking is a lifelstyle that will fit your personality and desires, then welcome aboard!
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We had a great show tonight (10-14-08), on 
