Trucking School

It's a little too late for Valentines Day, but this love story needs to be heard, or read, as the case may be. Driver Solutions loves a great love story. The Trucker.com had a great story about a true truck driving team, Sam and Glenda Chatmon, who have been together for 16 years. They both weren't truck drivers when they met, but they did meet on the road. Glenda missed her man and decided to learn how to drive a truck. They have been team driving ever since.

This couple makes teamwork look easy. When Glenda finished driving school, Sam trained her for ten weeks. But surprisingly, now that they drive together they rarely see each other.

"She sleeps, I’m awake," he said. "I should be driving." (At the time he talked to The Trucker, Glenda was asleep in the bunk. They had just had the truck washed and he was letting it "air dry.") "It’s very rare that you’ll see us up together. We do our 34-hour restart together — usually on a weekend. We have about 30 minutes up together a day."

Both Glenda and Sam enjoy the freedom that driving truck allows. They aren't much into site seeing, but they love to travel. Truck driving seems like the perfect occupation for both of them, and since they get to do it together, it couldn't be better.

Sam had a little family encouragement before he began truck driving. When he was little his uncle had 12 trucks. He and his cousins would wash the rigs for money when his uncle was home on the weekends. Sam used to work with mainframe computers but, made a career move 17 years ago. He hasn't looked back. He hasn't needed to, with his wife by his side.

"The best part of trucking," Chatmon said, "is money, freedom and I am able to work with my spouse. Everything in trucking depends on 'you.'"

They certainly make it look easy, but since this couple is from Indiana I'm not too surprised, we are a hardworking group of people here.

Do you have an OTR love story you can share? If you met your spouse on the road, please tell us about it.

We recently heard that Schneider National and how they have recently announced plans to grow their regional driving fleet by an additional 2,500 jobs this year. This is good news for the trucking industry as well as for men and women who are considering a career in truck driving.

With the announcement of this many new jobs, we're taking it as a good sign that the trucking economy is on the upswing. That means now is a good time to consider learning how to drive a truck.

The company has seen a rapid expansion in all five of its regions which are in the West, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast and Northeast. The customer demand for regional services is high which has created enough freight density to get drivers home most weeks.

Getting home more often is more important for drivers than ever before. Truck drivers today realize how important it is to have balance and getting home to be with family and friends is one way to achieve that balance.

As the industry picks up and regional shipping takes off more and more drivers can be home for those important life moments. Driving regionally allows truck drivers to have more flexibility in their day to day lives.

Truck driving is one of those professions that will always be in demand. We are a nation built on moving goods from place to place and there couldn't be a better time to learn how to become a part of that infrastructure.

Regional shipping is increasing, make no mistake, are you going to be ready when the shipping companies start hiring? If not, now might be the time to consider learning how to drive a big rig.

It looks like the economy is slowly beginning to pick up. And if the economy picks up, and people spend more, that means the truck driving economy is going to pick up too. TheTrucker.com has posted an informative article about the current economy.

The Commerce Department reported that retail sales increased by 0.5 percent last month, the best showing since November and better than the 0.3 percent increase economists had expected. This is good news for everyone, but especially for truck drivers who have been sitting idle lately as there have been fewer goods to move, since stores are filling their shelves on more of an as-needed basis. You might have noticed that over the holidays the stores just didn't carry as much stock as they usually do. Retailers didn't want to get stuck with a lot of merchandise that ended up getting discounted, so they ordered less hoping to sell it for full retail prices.

The economy is still shaky, the gains are often followed by losses, but things are slowly going in the right directions. Economists are still worried that spending could falter due to the still high unemployment rate and they don't see that getting better quickly.

"We expect that lingering high unemployment, weak income growth, low confidence, tight credit conditions and the continuing need to deleverage will constrain consumption growth for at least this year and possibly well beyond," said Paul Ashworth, senior U.S. economist at Capital Economics.

While that might sound a little on the dire side, the Obama administration has forecasted that the economy would average 95,900 new jobs per month this year. That isn't enough to make much of a dent in the unemployment rate but it is better than losing more jobs. In addition to the 95,900 new jobs per month the overall economy grew at an annual rate of 5.7 percent in the October-December period, the best showing in six years. So there is reason to be hopeful and confident that things will get better sooner rather than later. Just maybe not as fast as everyone would like.

The good news is the economy is slowly improving. And as it picks up so will the trucking industry. That makes now an excellent time to consider a career change to truck driving.

Good news in the economy means good news in the truck driving economy. According to the TransCore North America Freight Index, spot freight was up 54% in January from January of 2009. This marked the fourth consecutive month of improvement on a year-over-year basis.

There is no doubt the economy is slowly improving. You can see little signs all over the place. The stock market is going up, though not without a few bumps, and people are slowly going back to work. This is just the first step in the recovery but it's a sure sign that things are moving in the right direction.

Now that the truck driving economy is beginning to move in the right direction, will you be ready? Do you have enough drivers to carry the increased freight? Probably not. The truck driving industry has seen a weird reaction to the downturn in the economy.

There is still freight that needs to be shipped, and already there was a shortage of drivers, now that things are looking up truck driving companies are going to be in a position to hire more rapidly so they can keep up with the increase in demand. We need truck drivers more than ever before.

If you have been considering a career in the truck driving industry, now is a good time to start your training. Whether you are interested in long haul, or short regional routes, we can teach you what you need to know to be the best trucker you can be.

Companies will be hiring soon so make sure you are ready, you are going to be in demand soon. And won't that feel nice for a change?

Learn more about trucking companies that are providing truck driving training. 

As I'm writing this, a large portion of the country is digging out from a massive snow storm that is shutting down a lot of major Mid-Atlantic cities.  And even some of the Midwest Driver Solutions Network trucking driving schools have been affected.  One comment from future truck drivers that I hear a lot this time of year is: "I'm going to wait until spring. I don't want to train in the winter." And my first reaction is, "why not?"  Is there a better time to learn to deal with the issues that Ol' Man Winter can throw at us from November to March?  As one is learning to drive a truck during the winter months, it's my opinion that the truck driving school experience is enhanced by season.  And here is my reasoning - learning to drive with challenging weather conditions forces you to focus on your truck driving skills even more. 

Winter driving experience can be invaluable. If given the choice, who wouldn't want to be exposed to winter driving during truck driver school with a driving instructor providing advice.  Once you begin your new driving job, you are going to be expected to know how to get the job done in winter weather.  I'm not just talking about driving in the snow.  Ice storms, sleet, fog  and rain can create unique driving conditions that can't be experienced on a sunny, 82 degree day in June.  Failing to understand the how the weather conditions can affect the ease with which a vehicle stops, changes lanes or turns a corner can be the difference in arriving at your destination safely or never arriving at all.  So while it may seem like a hassle to deal with, training during a snow storm can provide a lot of benefits for new truck drivers.

PAM Transport has bee undergoing a rebranding effort to unite all of their subsidiary fleets under one name, the flagship fleet name of PAM Transport.  Over the years, acquistions by PAM Transport continued to operate under their original fleet names.  And while the specialty services these divisions provide will remain the same, the rebranding effort makes it easier for existing and potential customers to recognize the fleet and associate the superiour customer service.

In commenting on the PAM Transport rebranding efforts during the release of the company's 4th quarter earnings, PAM Transport's president Daniel Cushman stated:

"Another accomplishment completed in the fourth quarter 2009 was the rebranding of P.AM. Transport, which effectively combines the operations of several companies acquired over the last several years under the P.A.M. Transport, Inc. operating name. The benefits of communicating the services we provide in terms that customers, both existing and potential, understand outweigh any residual benefit of continued operations in the original names of the companies acquired, such as Choctaw Express, Inc., Decker Transport Co., Inc., Allen Freight Services, Inc., and P.A.M. Dedicated Services, Inc.

"We appreciate our customers' and employees' support through this transition, as it will provide us greater market visibility, operating efficiencies, and market position for 2010."  In addition to renaming the subsidiary fleets, PAM Transport also updated the company logo which will eventually adorn all of the company trucks & trailers.

PAM Transport is currently providing company-sponsored CDL training for qualified applicants thru the Driver Solutions Network. Learn more about joining the PAM Transport team.

Wherever you look these days people are talking about the “driver shortage” that's going to hit when the economy stabilizes, and more freight starts to move again. The reality, of course, is that there is no driver shortage, says TruckingInfo.com. Truck driving schools across the country are churning out new drivers every day. The problem is that they aren’t always the best truck drivers.

At Driver Solutions, we screen our students thoroughly. It isn’t enough to have a clean driving record and a pulse anymore. Potential drivers must be of a certain breed. Not only do they need to know how to drive a truck safely and efficiently but they must be salespeople too since they will be representing your business.

The reality is that when the upturn comes, more quality drivers will be needed than ever before. The experienced drivers who have retained their jobs are going to be retiring in the next few years. Replacing those drivers will be challenging if you aren’t honing your recruiting skills now.

"You are what you hire," said Lance Craig, third-generation head of Craig Transportation in Perrysburg, Ohio, which uses both company drivers and owner-operators. "Extensive interviews and reference checks on drivers is an important initial step." Referrals from existing drivers can give you some of the best applicants he adds.

The current economic situation provides a wonderful opportunity for carriers to take advantage of the most qualified and experienced drivers out there. Companies that are paying attention have been taking a new look at their hiring and retention practices. It isn’t enough to have a pulse anymore. Drivers are expected to be ethical, moral and able to think on their feet. The truck drivers of today are more than just a body steering a large rig. They represent the company they drive for and are expected to have good judgment and superior communication skills since they are an extension of the company they are carrying freight for.

Luckily there is a large pool of applicants to choose from in the coming year. More and more men and women are choosing a career in transportation because if affords them the luxury to be independent but at the same time have the security of a stable income.

At Driver Solutions we train these applicants for more than just driving a rig. We teach them how to best represent the carriers that employ them.

If the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2009 passes, as is expected, then over-the-highway trucks will be able to carry up to 97,000 pounds. Currently they can carry 80,000 pounds. Increasing the weight by 17,000 pounds will make trucks more efficient. However the additional weight allowance will require trucks to add a sixth axle. The sixth axle adds two more brakes, preventing an increase in stopping distances, and avoids additional pavement damage, according to ATA officials and a story in ModernTireDealer.com.

Increasing the maximum weight of a truck to 97,000 pounds will reduce overall fuel costs as well as labor costs since four trucks will be able to do the work of five trucks — a 20% improvement. Highway safety will likely increase due to fewer trucks on the road as well as having those trucks driven by better educated drivers. Students who learn to drive at Drivers Solution truck driving school are better prepared for these changes once they go into effect.

"It is important to note there are no mandates in this bill," says Clayton Boyce, a spokesman for the American Trucking Associations (ATA ) "The highways on which these vehicles will operate will be chosen by individual states that choose to authorize their use. States will be empowered to route these vehicles in a way that minimizes additional costs."

Of course these changes in maximum weight aren’t without drawbacks. The nation’s infrastructure is in great need of repair and update so routes for these heavier trucks will be very specific since some bridges cannot handle that kind of weight. If the bill is passed some bridges will have to be replaced and in order to pay for those costs, which many states cannot afford at this time, vehicles will be required to pay an additional fee, which the ATA supports, and which will be dedicated to bridge investments in those states that authorize their use.

Ralph Garcia, a professional truck driver with more than 2.5 million accident-free miles under his belt, knows a thing or two about driving and safety. And he likes the current Hours-of-Service rules.

Garcia was one of many speakers recently at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) listening session in Dallas-Fort Worth. The FMCSA has held listening sessions around the country as it considers HOS changes requested by special interest groups like Public Citizen and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

Garcia spoke of the current HOS rules, how they are working and where some improvement could be made.

“When the current rules took effect, I noticed that I started feeling better,” said Garcia. “I wasn’t as tired.” Garcia is like many truck drivers in his preference to drive at night when the roads are less congested.

Garcia said the rules are good, but there is some room for improvement and flexibility, especially when it comes to sleeper berth provisions. Garcia went on to state that drivers are taking better care of themselves than ever before, because of their sometimes challenging sleep schedules.

“We are more in tune with our body’s time clock than most people. Our safe driving is a testimony to that,” said Garcia. And he would be correct. Just recently the U.S. Department of Transportation released 2008 figures showing that the truck-involved fatality rate decreased 12.3 percent from 2007, the fifth consecutive year the rate has declined.

“The American truck driver continues to keep America rolling,” said Garcia. “We are better trained, better informed, and improving the safety of our industry every year.” Representatives from other trucking companies also spoke at the session and suggested things like:

1. sleep disorder awareness, training and screening
2. promoting the use of Fatigue Risk Management Programs
3. increasing the availability of truck parking on important freight corridors
4. partnering with the trucking and shipping communities to develop an educational process that identifies for drivers the location of available truck parking, are among the ideas the representatives addressed.

While the current HOS rules have proven beneficial there should be more flexibility for the driver to choose his own sleep pattern. It helps keep drivers fresh and more alert, which leads to safer roads and fewer accidents.  





Log book photo courtesy of JJKeller.com
 

According to recent statistics the trucking economy is slowly improving. Spot freight in December increased 11 percent over November and was more than double the amount for December 2008, based on the TransCore Freight Index. December is typically weak for spot freight but it was the highest level for all of 2009.

So things are getting better out there. The trucking economy is showing some signs of picking up. Maybe not as fast as we would like, but the trend is now going in the right direction which means soon more freight will need to be shipped and trucking companies will start to hire truck drivers again. And when they do they just might find that there aren’t enough drivers out there.

When the economy picks up and stabilizes, experts believe there will be a shortage of drivers as more freight is shipped again and as more and more Baby Boomer drivers retire. Many carriers are concerned about the driver shortage, but are not yet willing or able to hire more in anticipation of the coming shortage. But they do anticipate the need to find qualified and responsible drivers. Carriers know they have a very short window of opportunity to recruit the drivers they need when the need arises. Will you be ready?

If you have been sitting on the couch, wondering what to do with your career, now is a good time to think about truck driving school. Driver Solutions offers a unique program that matches entry level truck drivers with trucking companies providing a company-sponsored truck driver training program.  There will always be a need for truck drivers. Freight will always need to be shipped. Having a CDL license is insurance in tough economic times. Hopefully there won’t be another recession soon, and especially not like this one, but if there is, having a CDL with proper truck driver training can mean the difference between sitting on the couch waiting for a job, or driving the open road, making your own hours, and having a steady paycheck.

On January 26th, 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a ban on texting. The ban goes into effect immediately because it is a reinterpretation of the law rather than a new law. Truck drivers who are caught texting while driving will be subject to civil and criminal penalties up to $2,750.

This new interpretation of the law is no surprise to anyone who drives a truck. We have been covering this story for months, so we knew it was coming. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration supports the new ban as does Driver Solutions.

We have always supported the ban on texting while operating a truck. However we think it should be for all drivers, not just drivers of commercial vehicles.

There has been considerable research done on drivers — not just truck drivers but all drivers — who text while driving. A study at Virginia Tech found that truck drivers who send text messages are nearly 23 times more likely to get into some type of accident than drivers who don’t use cell phones or other hand held devices while driving.

Another study conducted by the Pew Research Center said that a quarter of U.S. 16 and 17 year-olds who have cell phones text while driving. They also found, though not surprising, that almost half of Americans between ages 12 and 17 have been in cars where the driver was texting.

So it isn’t just truck drivers who should be banned from texting while driving. It is any and all operators of any vehicle on the road who should refrain from using such devices. At Driver Solutions, we teach our students about the driving safety and how using these kinds of devices while driving can be deadly to not just the driver but to others on the road as well.

We commend the U.S. Department of Transportation and Roy LaHood for banning the use of cell phones and other texting devices, but we encourage them to do more by banning all drivers from this hazardous and deadly behavior.

<p>It seems that at one time or another all of us have considered running our own business. This is no different for truck drivers who want to become their own boss by becoming an independent trucking company that they own and operate.</p><p>Many students enter truck driving school so they can learn the ropes of truck driving, which will eventually lead to their own business. Before any truck driver tells his boss to "take this job and shove it," however, they must do an in depth analysis of their abilities, skills and finances. According to an article on the TruckersReport.com, there are six key considerations to take into account before giving a boss the heave-ho. We looked at their six thoroughly explained options.</p><p>Are you a leader or a follower? If you prefer to get your route with dates, times and maps all laid out for you, then you probably aren’t suited to be an owner operator.</p><p>If on the other hand you believe that the best way to get any job done is to do it yourself you might just have what it takes to run your own trucking company.</p><p>Owning a truck driving company is an expensive undertaking. Do you have a considerable amount of savings to fund this endeavor? If not, how do you plan on covering expenses such as truck rental or ownership, insurance, health insurance, administrative cost (you will need to hire some help), and an emergency fund in case times get tough. All of these considerations need to be looked at deeply before deciding on an independent truck driver career.</p><p>Do you want to lease on to a carrier or go completely independent? There are pros and cons to both options but only the individual can make that decision based on his own personality and management style. What kind of equipment do you want to use. Some drivers prefer to have sleek looking trucks with little regard for the cost of looking good. Other more practical drivers know that having a good looking truck is nice, but being able to maintain the vehicle is more important. If all your hard-earned money is going toward the truck payment, how are you going to pay for repairs? While many people today live by the adage “Fake it 'til you make it” often that isn’t feasible or even responsible. Sometimes faking it can break the bank, leaving a driver with nothing when the repo man comes calling.</p><p>Make sure you set aside some of your income for legal and accounting fees. Too many independent business owners have gotten themselves into a world of trouble because they didn’t source this part of their business out to professionals. Don’t make this mistake. You might think you are saving a lot of money by having cousin Billy handle your taxes, but cousin Billy might not know all the tax laws that are necessary to running a truck driving business. And he's not equipped to get you out of trouble if the IRS gets comes sniffing around. </p><p>Before you buy that truck, think long and hard about what you are undertaking. Right now the economy is sluggish and the trucking economy is no different. Carriers are delivering less freight than they have in years because of the economy.</p><p>But as more and more freight starts to move, more drivers will be needed. Additionally today’s truck drivers are going to be aging out of the system causing a higher demand for truck drivers. This could be a great time to take the plunge of becoming and owner/operator but weigh all the different options first.</p><p> Just make sure you take a long, hard look at your options, at the market and the need, and then make your decision. And good luck.

Thanks to Predictive Analytics truck driving is about to become safer. Truck safety has always been a major concern and with today’s new technologies available to many carriers accidents can be reduced substantially. We were excited to see this story on TruckingInfo.com, about Dupré Logistics' amazing accident reduction statistics. Dupré Logistics, of Lafayette, LA, has adopted a predictive analytics technology which helps identify risk potential and allow its safety team to make corrections, resulting in significant accident reduction. Dupré has partnered with Fleet Risk Advisors to implement Advanced Predictive Analytics, a modeling system that aggregates data and presents potential accidents to the fleet's management team, before they happen. As a result, accidents have been reduced by 67 percent since 2004. What this means is that if a driver is identified as “at risk” for an accident, he or she is counseled by Dupré's management team to adjust the risk factors identified. As a result, a driver who has gone through the targeted risk management training, counseling, schedule adjustment or programs suggested by management, is 50 percent less likely to have an accident within the next month. "This is a major factor in moving us closer to our vision of being the safest transportation and logistics company in North America," says Tom Voelkel, Dupré's president and COO. "Predictive modeling helps us see the future today and gives us the opportunity to create the future that we want tomorrow." Dupré monitors all of their drivers by aggregating onboard computer data, and placing the drivers into three different tiers, top, middle, and bottom. The top and middles are left alone, but the bottom tier receives all the attention and counseling. This also lets management focus only on the drivers who are at risk, rather than pouring all their energies into the other drivers who don't need it. The Dupré team has designed a suite of targeted risk management and performance monitoring strategies, including:



• Focused driver training programs

• New safety field representative training

• Terminal and management scorecards

• Driver scorecards and enhanced incentive programs

• Alerts from in-vehicle technology
• Dispatch training.

We're all about driver safety here at Driver Solutions, so we're very impressed by Dupré Logistics figures. Hopefully we'll see this kind of thinking make its way through the entire industry.

From the Department of Why Didn’t Anyone Think of This Before comes the brilliant idea to build and operate medical clinics specifically for truck drivers. Not only does this plan promote better health but it also increases driver safety and truck safety.

We found this article on eTrucker.com, and were pretty excited by it. We've been talking about driver health for a long time, so it's nice to see our viewpoint being confirmed by others.

<a href="http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=58985">The Professional Drivers Medical Depot (PDMD) in Knoxville, Tenn., is the first medical clinic of its kind to open and several more are planned to open across the United States in the next three years</a>. PDMD says its mission is to improve driver health by increasing the accessibility of health care on the road. PDMD is affiliated with a nationwide hospital network which can provide emergency evaluations, diagnostics and lab screenings.

Considering that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) is weighing new health regulations for truck drivers, the opening of the PDMD goes a long way in helping drivers take better care of themselves while on the road.

Truck drivers will no longer have to wait until they reach their destination or return from a run to see their doctor. If a truck driver feels under the weather, he or she can pop into a clinic and be seen quickly. If they need more in-depth medical care or diagnostics, they can get those medical services right away.

Dr. John McElligott is the founder of Professional Drivers Medical Depot and is supervising the Knoxville clinic. He is also funding the all future sites to be built in the next three years.

“There is no medical care for truck drivers on the road unless they go to the emergency room,” McElligott said in the eTrucker article. “This will make it more convenient.”

The clinics will provide DOT physicals, drug and alcohol screening, treatment of work-related injuries and personal illness, prescription refills, flu shots and pneumonia vaccines. Services are offered at a flat rate so that truck drivers who do not have medical insurance can afford medical care. PDMD plans to tailor its services to issues directly related to the truck driving industry while still being a first rate medical clinic which can address most health issues.

Each clinic will be dedicated to a truck driver who has shown outstanding service to his industry and his country. The Knoxville clinic, is dedicated to professional driver Charlie Gibson of Desoto, Texas, who has driven a truck since his first run in 1945 in the service during WWII.

If you live in Los Angeles and are considering attending truck driving school, check out the opportunity with USA Truck.  The trucking company has expanded it's freight lanes and is adding Los Angeles-based truck drivers to its ranks.  The trucking company is providing company-sponsored truck driver training at a well-known truck driving school.  This is a great way to obtain your CDL license and get a great job in trucking.  You can save thousands of dollars in truck driving school tuition and there's no need to go out searching for a job.  USA Truck is committed to help new truck drivers succeed in their trucking careers.

For more details about the CDL training program, check out the USA Truck job posting on the the Driver Solutions website.  

I think a lot of people believe all the need to do is learn how to drive a big rig and they can get any trucking job they want.  While there are a lot of job openings in trucking, this approach is not the best route.  It's important to learn about all of the rules and regulations that are intended to keep both the truck driver and those he shares the road with safe. 

USA Truck is looking for truck drivers in the Memphis, TN area.  Currently, the trucking company is offering a company-sponsored truck driver training for new truck drivers.  This truck driving job doesn't require any previous driving experience.  You can start a brand new trucking career with a reputable, nationally-known trucking company.  This CDL training offer is available to all qualified applicants agreeing to work for USA Truck after completion of training.  There's no upfront tuition costs and no credit check required.  This is one of the best ways to obtain your CDL licensse. 

So if you are looking at a truck driving career, check out the truck driving jobs available right now with USA Truck in the Memphis area.  See the job posting info.

Early last month, I told you about the eGears Class A Pre-Trip Inspections Demonstration DVD and how it’s complete, thorough, & best of all…affordable. Well now you can get an extended look at how detailed it is & how easy it will be to learn everything you need to know to pass the pre-trip inspection skills test the first time!

This eGears DVD walks you through the entire inspection, demonstrating the techniques needed to perform a pre-trip inspection. And CDL Instructor Phil reviews a complete pre-trip inspection from the front of the truck to the rear of the trailer, and all points in between.

The eGears Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Demonstration DVD covers all portions of the pre-trip inspection, which includes:

• Tractor & Trailer Exterior Inspection
• In-Cab Inspection
• Engine Compartment Inspection
• 4-Point Brake Inspection

After watching a bit of this DVD, I think I could even pass the pre-trip inspection the first time!