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!

On Friday, June 5, 2009, Driver Solutions, along with staff and students, held a food drive and BBQ to collect donations for Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis. Employees were urged to bring in non-perishable food items to help feed Indiana’s hungry in exchange for a BBQ lunch. And, the employee who donated the most food items was rewarded with 4 tickets to the Indianapolis Air Show that was held the weekend of June 6th & 7th – Congrats and thanks to Erin Redden who brought in 84 items!

Here’s the way it worked: 4 items or $4 got you one lunch & 6 items or $6 earned you an unlimited go at the food. The food provided for the BBQ lunch included hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwursts, chili-cheese fixins, chips, potato salad, cookies, and a drink. This event was open to the public and by the end of the day, Driver Solutions had collected over 668 lbs. of food and $167 to donate to Gleaners Food Bank. And to not waste any food, the company donated the remainder of the BBQ food, like the uncooked meat and extra sides, to the Wheeler Mission. Overall, this has been one of the most successful community events that Driver Solutions has ever held!

The company runs the "Driven to Care" community program to give back to the community and promote active participation and volunteering. Driven to Care is an ongoing commitment to the community we work and live in. Driver Solutions' employees are dedicated to helping out any way they can. We've participated in blood drives, volunteering at the Wheeler Mission, and numerous individual volunteer opportunities. To learn more about the Driven to Care community involvement program, watch our video.

There seems to be quite the controversy over this subject these days. Some feel we should allow trucks from Mexico to cross our borders with goods. Others, not so much. Those in favor of allowing the trucks to cross feel that this is an opportunity our economy can’t afford to pass up. Those not, on the other hand, believe that opening US roads to Mexico has the potential to further harm our nation. But who’s right?

I, myself, see the pros and cons of both. If we let them in, it could help boost our economy. But it could also pave an easier way for drugs and illegal aliens to enter our country. If we don’t let Mexican trucks cross the US border, we could be faced with lawsuits and allegations that our government is violating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), but drugs and illegal aliens would have one less avenue to enter the US.

And here’s one thing to ponder…If our government decides to allow Mexican trucks to enter our country, would truck driving jobs be taken away from our own citizens? I’d like to hear what you think.

I’m sure there are many things that you’d like to take with you during your over-the-road training. The truth is, there’s not much room in those trucks when you try to stuff two people in there. But you can make it work. I’ve listed the things you should bring with you for OTR training…just the necessities. And remember, once you become a solo driver, you can put anything you want in your own truck!

• Clothes – I would pack jeans, shirts (long & short sleeves), socks, underwear, and a sturdy pair of tennis shoes. Make sure to bring enough clothes to last you 7 to 10 days. And if you’re out longer than that, remember, you can always hit up a Laundromat. Plus, you’ll probably wear a pair of jeans more than just one day while you’re out there. Also, you’ll want to bring a jacket with a hood. It’s always nice to have one for when it’s raining or suddenly gets cold. Oh yeah, and sunglasses are a good idea…never know when you’ll be drivin’ into the sunset.
• Toiletries – All of them! Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, comb, towel, make-up for women, etc. When you get a chance to shower, you’ll want to make it count…you’re never sure when you’ll shower next. That’s just the way of the road! Also, it’s a good idea to take along some baby wipes. They’re always nice to have around, just in case.
• Sleeping Materials – Here’s the easy way to do it…if you don’t have one already, get yourself an indoor sleeping bag. Don’t mess with trying to get the right size sheets to fit those beds in the truck. This way, which ever bunk you’re sleeping on that day/night, you can just move your sleeping bag and hit the hay! Oh, and don’t forget to bring your pillow!
• Shower & Laundry Bags – If you just have a couple of small bags to keep these things separate, you’ll be good. Just put all your toiletries in one, and make sure there’s enough room to still fit in a clean change of clothes. And the other’s where you’ll keep you’re dirty clothes. See, so organized.
• Electronics – Cell phone with a charger & headset – better safe than sorry!, a laptop with an air card, if you have one – it’s an easy way to stay in touch with friends and family while you’re away, and any other electronic device you’d like, as long as it’s compact, doesn’t take up too much space, and is easy to store.

So, now you know what you’ll need for your OTR training. But try to pack as light as you can. Once you get in your own truck, you’ll be able to bring along anything you can fit!

Were you always fascinated with the size and power of a big rig? Did you ever dream of becoming a professional truck driver and traveling around the country? Well, now is a great time to turn that dream into a reality and provide yourself with a better way of life.

Recently, the trucking industry has become more competitive, providing the best truck driving job opportunities to those who have completed a CDL training course and obtained their CDL license. And even during these rough economic times, a few trucking companies are still hiring inexperienced truck drivers and providing them with the CDL training they need to start a new career in the trucking industry.

Driver Solutions works with a network of trucking companies that will sponsor the upfront tuition costs that come with CDL training. Not only that, but they’ll offer you a driving job before you ever attend the training school. Very few CDL schools can say they do that. So if you want to make your dreams come true, check out the Driver Solutions Network to see what truck driving opportunities lie ahead for you!

Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube…these are just a few ways today’s professional truck drivers stay in touch with family and friends while out on the road. And, they’re all great ways to meet and get to know new people, too!

Today, professional truck drivers are able to take pictures of the places they travel and post them on the internet for everyone to see. It’s a fun, easy way to stay close to those who are far away. And, truck drivers can keep up with what all of their loved ones are doing in real time! Be there when the kids are going to bed with Skype! It’s all so amazing, and it makes life on the road a little easier to handle.

Now, with all these social networking websites at their beckon call, the life of a truck driver is rarely lonely.

There are a few industries in this country that thrive during an economic downturn, and the tire retreading business is one of them. It seems that when the economy is in turmoil, more over-the-road truck drivers turn to retreads versus brand new tires. And I know there are many people out there that believe new tires are safer. Well, with the technology that’s available today, statistics show that most retreaded tires are stronger and more dependable than new tires. And believe it or not, but tire retreading is one of the most environmentally friendly industries in history!

A driver can save up to 50% or more when they purchase a tire that has been retreaded, and when you consider that a tractor trailer has 18 wheels, that’s really a lot of money! This is just one more way truckers are staying profitable in a professional truck driving career.

Throughout the US, Canada, & Mexico from June 2nd to the 4th, over 8,500 inspectors will be on the lookout for driver and mechanical violations in the transportation industry. The annual inspection is conducted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and includes participation from 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.

The purpose of the continent-wide program is to put emphasis on the drivers to hopefully enhance safety on all highways, and the enforcement of the laws sends a message to drivers and companies alike: you will be put out of service if you are violating the law or driving an unsafe commercial vehicle.

So…next week, if you’re a truck driver, make sure you’re obeying the laws on the road and that you’re driving a safe vehicle. If you’re unsure, talk to your company about doing a little ‘pre’ inspection before June 2nd.

Caterpillar Inc., a heavy equipment and diesel engine maker, has said it will cut hours in half for 985 workers at its Lafayette, IN plant beginning in August. This work reduction is the second announced so far this month and the third in two months, and in addition to layoffs that were announced in March. This is just Caterpillar’s way of positioning the company to be successful after these tough economic times subside.

But for the workers who need to make up that missed income, there aren’t a lot of choices. Many companies have stopped hiring, which means there are fewer jobs available. This is not true for the trucking industry. Driver Solutions and their network of trucking companies are currently training and hiring inexperienced truck drivers. With the program offered by the Driver Solutions Network, you could be trained and working in about a month!

To see if truck driving is what you’re looking for, check out the Driver Solutions website today!

For anyone facing a career change which requires formal training program, such as truck driving school, selecting a good school with job placement assistance is critical.

It’s becoming a trend in this rough economy.  There are a lot of truck driving schools willing to train the unemployed or under employed workers. But these truck driving schools are experience huge problems with helping their students find jobs once they graduate with a CDL.  Just 18 months ago, truck driving jobs were easy to come by.  Nearly every trucking company was hiring truck drivers and it was easy to qualify.  Unfortunately, most of the trucking driving schools experienced a surge in enrollment as people flocked to careers with more job security.  But at the same time, the economy was slowing and so was the demand for freight services.  Trucking companies reacted swiftly by hiring less and less and tightened their qualifications.  With smaller trucking companies going bankrupt and owner operators squeezed out, Suddenly, the labor market was flush with experienced truck drivers and trucking companies were choosing experienced drivers over graduates of the local truck driving school. 

Yet, there are many slick truck driving school recruiters making claims of truck driver jobs paying $45,000 to $50,000 to entice people to enroll.  The reality is graduates who paid thousands of dollars for CDL training are discovering they can’t qualify for the available trucking jobs.  In fact, there is a trucking school in suburban Detroit MI that is facing the threat of a lawsuit from graduates that are unable to find a trucking job.  The school made its money by charging large tuition fees, so they aren't’t about to change their tactics.  It sort of sounds like those sub-prime mortgage lenders that have cost so many families to lose their homes.  If you are considering attending a truck driver training program, it’s recommended that you choose a company-sponsored CDL training program.  Driver Solutions offers a CDL training program that actually qualifies you for an entry-level truck driver job prior to beginning the company-paid CDL training program.  Driver Solutions has developed relationships with leading trucking companies that are currently hiring graduates of the Driver Solutions program. 

A Michigan CDL truck driving school is being sued by seven former students who allege that the truck driver training school violated 11 Michigan provisions of the Consumer Protection Act and Advertising laws, as well as made false representations of the program to entice the students to sign contracts.  Check out the news story. 

The suburban Detroit school is accused of promising their customers they’d make over $40,000 in the first year and that they would always be helped out with job placement, a promise that is said they did not keep.  And each customer has to sign a contract that puts them ‘on the hook’ for the $6,000 training tuition, all the time being reassured by the trucking driving school representatives that they would never have to pay for it…the trucking company that they go to work for will pay it, even though they don’t know who that company is yet.

Unfortunately, this isn't’t just an isolated case with one school in Detroit.  It’s happening nationwide at truck driving schools.  Several trucking companies have stopped recruiting truck driving school grads altogether.  For instance, Schneider National used to run their own truck driving school, but shut it down and has even stopped hiring any inexperienced truck driving school graduates.  It may sound like a grim outlook, but really it just means you have to make smarter more informed decisions about your truck driving career.  There are still good trucking companies hiring new drivers, but they are more selective and prefer you attend an approved truck driving school.  Look for trucking job opportunities that offer real company-sponsored CDL training.  One business that does offer true company-paid CDL training is Driver Solutions.  Before you can attend the CDL training program, Driver Solutions has to get your application qualified with one of their network trucking companies.  With CDL training & an entry-level truck driving job with the Driver Solutions Network, inexperienced truck drivers will never have to worry about getting left behind.  By going through the Driver Solutions CDL truck driver training program, you’ll have the option to choose which sponsorship plan fits your situation best – Basic, Classic, or Premier.  To learn more about the Driver Solutions Driver’s Choice sponsorship programs, visit our website.

For being in the midst of a severe economic recession, P.A.M. Transport is one trucking company that’s holding it together. Even though the company reported a first quarter net loss greater than the same period last year, P.A.M.’s operating loss for the first quarter of 2009 was reduced by about 9% compared to Q1 of 2008.

P.A.M. Transport is continuing to focus on expense items, looking for opportunities to reduce or eliminate cost and ultimately decrease the impact of the weak freight environment on the company’s bottom line. An in light of all the troubles in the automotive industry, P.A.M. Transport is identifying new business opportunities, trying to overcome an extremely competitive freight market. For a company whose major customers are facing the worst times, P.A.M. Transport will have to succumb to many more changes to make sure they’re able to ride this storm out.

Despite the troubled economy and numerous trucking companies declaring bankruptcy, USA Truck, headquartered in Van Buren, AR, reports an improved first quarter in 2009, compared to the same quarter of 2008. Though still reporting a net loss, USA Truck posted a slight improvement in numbers – from a net loss of $1.95 million in Q1 2008 to a net loss of $1.88 million in the first quarter of 2009.

Cliff Beckham, President and CEO of USA Truck, said that “This quarter presented the most challenging operating environment that we’ve ever experienced, characterized by a severe contraction in freight volume.” Unfortunately, this squeeze is being felt all across the trucking industry. But, I see it as a good sign – that things might be getting better after all…slowly but surely.