According to the Department of Energy, diesel rose 2.7 cents to $2.652 per gallon, making it the most expensive it’s been so far in 2009. Just over the past month, diesel has risen 15.6 cents, a definite change in the trend we’ve been getting used to. But we’re still much better off than we were at this time last year, when diesel and gas prices were pushing the $5.00 mark.

All across the country, CDL training schools have experienced a major increase in truck driving school applicants. With the country’s economy in its current state, many unemployed or underemployed Americans are turning to one of the most stable & best paying careers out there – Truck Driving!

A career as a truck driver has been one of the most sought after professions ever since the recession became a clear reality. The biggest mistake people make is not securing a truck driving job before they attend the CDL training school. They just don’t understand that it’s still difficult to get a job in the trucking industry, unless you go through a company program. Many trucking companies want you to attend one of their approved training facilities before you go to work for them. So just going out, getting your CDL, & then trying to find a driving job is not the way to go. If you find a company that you would like to work for, see if they have certain requirements for hiring inexperienced drivers.

Driver Solutions, a truck driver recruiting company, works with P.A.M. Transport & USA Truck to train and hire inexperienced truck drivers. And they have a network of CDL training schools approved by both trucking companies, so you won’t have to worry about them accepting your education. Driver Solutions will make sure you’ve got a job offer with one of their companies before you even attend the truck driver training school. Not only that, but they’ll sponsor the upfront costs for your tuition. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

So, just do some research and find out if the trucking industry & a new career as a professional truck driver is right for you!

Even though the American economy is still sagging, there is one industry that has never been so profitable – the truck driver training industry. Every day, each week, more and more students sign up for CDL training hoping to become a professional truck driver. And I can see why it’s booming! It’s a very desirable entry level pay rate and one of the most stable industries in the country.

But you’ve got to be careful out there…many CDL training schools will have no problem training you and taking your money. And you won’t know this at the time, but when the CDL training course is complete, you won’t have a job and you’ll find that it’s extremely difficult to get hired on by a trucking company after you’re done with your CDL training. This is where one company, in particular, stands out from the rest of the crowd – Driver Solutions makes sure you’ve got a job offer before you head out to the CDL training school.

Driver Solutions, a truck driver recruiting & placement company, pre-hires and trains inexperienced truck drivers, preparing them for an OTR driving job with a well-respected trucking company. And, to help you get started in this new career, the Driver Solutions Network trucking companies pay the upfront costs of your tuition!

In the quarter ended June 30, 2009, P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (P.T.S.I.) reported a net loss of $2.36 million; a loss of $0.25 per share in Q2. For the six month period ended June 30, 2009, the company saw a 37.1% increase in net loss compared to the same period the previous year.

Daniel Cushman, the newly appointed President of P.T.S.I, had this to say: “The P.T.S.I. team wants to thank Bob Weaver for his excellent contribution for many years of committed and valued service. While P.T.S.I. is clearly disappointed in our results for 2009, I begin my tenure as President and I feel confident, from a cost stand point, we are in good shape. I am tremendously excited about this opportunity and ask for your continued support.”

Even with the company’s current quarterly results and the economy’s current state, P.A.M. Transport is still one of the biggest trucking companies in the industry to continue to hire inexperienced truck drivers. Through a partnership with Driver Solutions, you can get top-notch CDL training and a great-paying truck driving job with P.A.M. Transport in less than a month! So don’t wait any longer to start your new career as a professional truck driver…check out the Driver Solutions Network today!

On July 13, 2009, the Board of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (P.T.S.I.) appointed a new company President, Daniel H. Cushman. He replaces former President, Bob Weaver, whose contract expired.

Cushman brings with him many successful years of experience in all facets of the transportation industry, working with companies such as Roadway Express, Triple Crown Services, Werner Enterprises, and most recently, CRST.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2009, USA Truck saw a 21.8% decrease in revenue from the previous year – $103.8 million in Q2 2008 to $81.2 million this year. In the first quarter of 2009, the company posted a net loss of $1.88 million and made a slight improvement in Q2 with a net loss of $1.1 million.

Clifton Beckham, President and CEO of USA Truck, said “We have driven profound change within our business model and there are measurable signs of progress within the various initiatives supporting our VEVA (Vision for Economic Value Added) strategic plan”.

Even with the company’s current results and the economy’s current state, USA Truck is still one of the biggest trucking companies in the industry to continue to hire inexperienced truck drivers. Through a partnership with Driver Solutions, you can get top-notch CDL training and a great-paying truck driving job with USA Truck in about 3 weeks! So don’t wait any longer to start your new career as a professional truck driver…check out the Driver Solutions Network today!

1. Do you pre-screen applicants?

At the very least, a truck driving school should make sure you meet the minimum qualifications to be a truck driver. There's no point in paying for and enrolling in school if you're either a) ineligible to obtain a CDL license or b) unemployable because you fail to meet certain qualifications in regards to your driving record, health, or criminal background.

2. What type of job placement assistance do you offer?

In today's economy, you want a truck driving school that's going to help place you in a job. Remember, a CDL license is no good if you can't use it to make money. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of schools out there more than willing to take your money without ever helping you find employment.

With Driver Solutions, we actually recruit truck drivers and link them up with an employer before they even begin truck driving school. That's the main reason our job placement rate is so high — nearly 100%.

3. How long have you been a school? What is your history?

You're asking because you want to make sure this isn't a fly-by-night operation. You want a school that's established, has a good history and isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

4. What sort of equipment do you use to train truck drivers?

If they're training you on outdated rigs, using paper log systems and old technology, keep moving. You want a school that's got good trucks, good equipment and excellent training schools. Why? Because that's what most truck driving companies will expect from new graduates. It's what they're already using on the road.

5. May I see your practice area?

Before you sign on the dotted line, actually go and look at a school. Do they have a paved driving range with clearly marked skills practice areas or is it little more than a gravel lot? Are they operating out of real offices or a trailer in a field? Going out to look at a truck driving school can give you a lot of insight into its overall quality.

Of course, most truck drivers, particularly OTR drivers, also pack their own communications gear. You'll find most of them are carrying either a laptop or smart phone that lets them access personal email and entertainment via high-speed Internet hookups or even their own cellular networks. Instead of static-filled phone calls home, they can now maintain almost constant contact with their loved ones.

There are lots of truck drivers, and drivers in general, that use a cell phone while driving, regardless of the safety issues that arise. According to studies by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), using a cell phone while driving increases the chance of a crash by four times. That’s a lot.

One company that has begun to take this safety issue seriously is Schneider National. Recently, the company banned their truck drivers from using cell phones while behind the wheel of a moving truck. Their reason is simple: safety. So now, for Schneider drivers, if you’re going to drive, you’ve got to hang up first. And just to keep the convenience of a cell phone without the safety issues, they developed a separate mobile communications module. Schneider’s system will display the first 16 characters of a message, and if it’s urgent, the message will instruct the driver to find a safe place to pull over and call.

Is this going to be a new trend for the trucking industry? I’ll keep you posted!

A recent article in Transport Topics noted that the average age of a tractor (the power unit of a semi truck) is 10 years old. But that estimate includes all types of fleets - owner operators, private fleets, and less-than-truckload carriers, along with truckload carriers. The report found that the larger truckload carriers have the youngest fleets.

New drivers completing the Driver Solutions CDL training program go to work for the larger truckload carriers and can expect to drive a truck that is less than 4 years old. That means newly trained truck drivers are getting behind the wheel of trucks that have some of the latest safety and convenience features that are available today. If you are considering attending truck driving school and starting a new career, be sure to check out the fleet of a possible employer. Providing late model equipment means a trucking company is focused on reducing truck breakdowns and delays and expensive repair costs.

Starting your new truck driving career with a respected, responsible trucking company can help make your new trucking job very successful. For the best new driver job opportunities, check out the company-sponsored CDL training program from Driver Solutions.

The American economy has seen better days, but there’s one industry that is still seeking more qualified employees…the trucking industry. And with company-sponsored CDL truck driver training, it’s easier than you think. Imagine, traveling the country, seeing all the sites you’ve always wanted to see, and getting paid well to do it!

Today, many Americans are searching for jobs, but they’re just not that abundant anymore. You either aren’t qualified or don’t have enough training. Well, trucking is different than most careers. There are many truck driving positions open, but CDL training is rather expensive. Many people don’t know this, but you can get someone to pay for your truck driver training!

One company, the trucking industry leader in company-paid CDL training – Driver Solutions, is offering paid training and an entry level truck driving job without any upfront tuition costs. Driver Solutions, along with their network of trucking companies, has made it easy for you to start a new career and become a well-paid professional truck driver. All you have to do is check out the Driver Solutions’ website to see if you qualify. A new career in truck driving just might be down the road!

A U.S. Representative & the U.S. Transportation Secretary are at odds when it comes to the federal highway spending fund. Democratic Congressman James Oberstar from Minnesota, also the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, is seeking a 57% boost in federal highway and transit spending, an increase from $286.5 billion to $450 billion.

Representative Oberstar has set a six-year spending plan for this fund and hopes to get it approved before September 30th, when the authority to spend from the fund expires. Opposing Oberstar’s plan is U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who would like an 18-month extension of highway funding. LaHood’s 18-month reauthorization would allow the fund to replenish, which he says could run out in August. As for Oberstar’s 6-year, $450 billion plan, no decisions have been made on how to pay for the proposed increase, as fuel-saving cars and declines in driving have reduced gas tax revenues, which is how the federal trust gains funds.

Personally, I agree with LaHood and like his proposed plan. Let’s make sure the federal highway spending fund is solvent, and then let’s tackle the priorities for transportation. We would all love to double the amount of money that we spend on our federal highways and transit systems, but first, we need to make sure that we’ll have money to spend.

Last summer, gas and diesel prices hit their highest levels in history - $4.11 for gasoline & $4.84 for diesel. This summer, things have changed a little. Regular gasoline is currently averaging $2.69 a gallon while diesel fuel averages $2.62 per gallon.

Unfortunately for the trucking industry, diesel prices have continued to rise over the past several weeks, climbing an average of $.10 per week for the last three weeks. But, prices are still much better than a year ago. Trucking companies were hit hard last year by rising diesel prices and increased competition for shipping bids. Retailers, affected by the downturn in the economy, were trying to get the shipping costs as low as possible so they could stay in the game with their competition. Because of the fierce price wars, many smaller trucking companies were forced out of business.

Even though all of this sounds pretty bad, it’s getting better. The cost of diesel fuel is still rising, but the economy itself is starting to mend. Consumer confidence is higher and they’re starting to spend more money. Many analysts say we’ve seen the worst, and I hope they are right. Only time will tell…the outlook is good.

On June 2nd – 4th, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), along with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation in Mexico, conducted the annual Roadcheck event across the US, Canada, & Mexico. This year was another successful Roadcheck!

Roadcheck, which began in 1988, is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world, with an average of 14 trucks being inspected every minute during 3 day event.

The Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division from the Redkey District and officials from the Indiana State Department of Health conducted food safety inspections on commercial motor vehicles transporting perishable foods. These inspections were conducted June 2nd on I-69 at the northbound rest park in Delaware County. The following are the results of those inspections (www.trooper.org):

• Truck inspections: 18
• Truck drivers placed out of service: 0
• Trucks placed out of service: 2
• Trucks measured: 3
• Trucks weighed:1
• Trucks overweight: 0
• Truck violation(s) arrests: 2
• Truck violation(s) warnings: 12

Just because the Roadcheck event is over, it doesn’t mean that the authorities aren’t watching and looking out for unsafe vehicles on the road…so stay safe!

There are so many ‘forecasts’ and ‘expert projections’ that the US economic recession is coming to an end, but the trucking industry is still feeling the pinch. In April, truck tonnage hit its lowest level since November 2001, right after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to the American Trucking Associations. And carriers and shippers say freight rates continue to drop as a result of weak demand and overcapacity in the trucking industry. Unfortunately, there’s no immediate end in sight.

The entire transportation industry will remain competitive until the recession declines and our economy gets back to the norm. Until then, trucking companies are doing their best to stay in the game with better cost management and smart business practices.

Confidence among US consumers jumped in May to the highest level in six years, sparking speculation that the economy is on its way to recovery. But at the same time, US retailers are reporting that sales took a dip last month. The increase in consumer confidence just isn’t showing up at the cash register yet.

With the economy the way it is, people are still holding onto their money. Even though things seem to be getting better and that the worst is now behind us, everyone is still unsure and doesn’t want to ‘jump the gun’ just yet. This increase in consumer confidence could end up being a false hope that our economy is recovering. It is speculated that freight demand will pick up due to the jump in confidence, but since people aren’t spending any money, this demand will be short lived. It will, however, bring a little life back to the currently rough trucking industry.

To help contain costs and remain one of the trucking industry’s largest truckload carriers, Schneider National has decided to cut drivers’ holiday pay and begin instituting week-long unpaid furloughs for all employees, from the office and shop staff to those at the executive levels.

Beginning in February, Schneider suspended pay raises, stopped training and hiring inexperienced truck drivers, and announced it would defer retirement plan payments for the remainder of 2009. Now this. It seems that not only are the ‘small fries’ in the trucking industry having trouble staying afloat, but the ‘big boys’ are too.

Even though many of the bigger trucking companies in the US are cutting costs, training, & the hiring of new truck drivers, Driver Solutions is still going strong. The Driver Solutions Network gets you qualified, trained, and hired by a network trucking company before you even attend the CDL training school. So, if you’re looking for a career change and a better way of life, see what Driver Solutions can do for you today!