Blog Posts Tagged "Industry"

Sam is the winner of the $1000 College Scholarship Award from TruckerToTrucker.com. He'll be attending the University of Portland this Fall to study for a degree in mechanical engineering.

Trucking soared to new heights in 2014, and American Trucking Associations has the scoop on all the numbers. Here are some highlights from the latest release of American Trucking Trends.

Commission, approximately 95,000 people suffered injuries and 3,964 were killed from accidents involving large trucks in 2013. Although some accidents were linked to bad drivers on suspended licenses, mental impairment and other drivers, some of these accidents involved trucks that did not have safe tires.

When you serve in the military, you have a very disciplined, scheduled life for the number of years you serve. This is true whether you are stationed at a local base go overseas and fight in a war. You are trained not only to do the job of defending your country, but you are also trained to do some kind of specialty job, too. What happens when your service ends? You are expected to find a job and that structure is gone.

Forget everything you thought you knew about truckers. The reality is that lady truckers are invading the industry, carrying on family traditions and becoming the new faces of trucking. Amy McGrath, one of finalists for the Most Beautiful Trucker of 2015, which is sponsored by Overdrive Magazine is just one such example.

As you already know, trucking is a vital industry that keeps the country running. It also happens to be an extremely stressful line of work that can wreak havoc on your health. Based on your own experiences, it shouldn't come as a surprise that truckers suffer from obesity, hypertension and other chronic illnesses at rates far above the rest of the population. This all begs the question of how truckers can enjoy a better quality of life.

One of the risks that goes along with owning a trucking company is having to make liability payments if one of your drivers injures someone in an accident. This amount is decided on through the legal system and typically goes toward compensating victims for medical care. The minimum liability requirement right now is $750,000.

Any increase in business is good news in the trucking industry. Also, if the trends are correct, the industry will have a slow, gradual increase in business throughout the year, which is excellent news for freight shippers, carriers and brokers.

In the trucking industry, we're always looking for new tricks and trends to move business forward. So what's the new trend in trucking? Partnering with China. That's right. A company across the world wants to help the American trucking industry find and keep customers and improve business in American trucking.

While politics makes strange bedfellows, it is often the lobbyist who are paid to get into bed with special interest groups. Thus is the case in the current we-say, they-say debate about longer and heavier trucks on the highways.

Although unemployment rates in the US have been slowly recovering since the economic downturn in 2008, the trucking industry continues to face a steep and steadily worsening shortage of truck drivers. As freight volumes keep increasing, this shortage is becoming an even bigger problem for the trucking industry.

A few weeks ago we announced $199.950 in scholarship opportunities from TruckerToTrucker.com for both College and Truck Driving School. Today's announcement is even more exciting, as we've put together a resource that lists over $18,000 (and growing) in annual scholarships, awards, and grants for transportation professionals and their families.

It is not enough to say that without truck drivers, America stops moving. America also stops eating in many areas of the country and stops working practically everywhere in the United States. About 70 percent of all raw goods, food, equipment, and product moves by truck. According to the Department of Transportation Statistics, the trucking industry employs over 8.7 million people and moves 9.2 billion tons of freight, valued at $671 billion, with over 5.6 million tractor trailers that are driven by more than 3.5 million men and women.

New Scholarship Opportunities - CDL and College

Before you hit the road, try learning from experienced truckers. There will still be plenty to learn after you buy a new truck and start your first job, but the more you know the better. Here's what veteran truckers want newbies to know:

While electric vehicles get a lot of attention currently, there is another alternative fuel that is among the most abundant and clean burning available. Natural gas is considerably less costly than diesel and expected to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Tired of filling out paperwork when you have no changes to report on your DVIR (Daily Vehicle Inspection Report)? Well, apparently the U.S. D.O.T. is also tired of reading them – so as of December 2014, if you have no mechanical or safety issues to report, fuh-get about it.

The trucking industry can be a dangerous one, especially when so many trucking companies constantly break the rules, or try to take advantages of loopholes in the system. According to a recent article on JOC.com, there is a growing number of trucking companies in the United States that fail to comply with safety regulations and that have been shut down for this or a variety of other reasons.

As Shakespeare once asked, What's in a name? For truckers working the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and by extension others across the country, their continued livelihood depends on the answer. Drivers and trucking companies have been locked in a bitter labor dispute, causing the truckers to strike last November in an effort to obtain more equitable working conditions. At issue is the loss of employee status as companies now list them as independent contractors.

For grammar and middle school aged children, Trucker Buddy International offers a fun, real-life alternative to the typical textbook learning of geography, math, social studies, and more according to the New York Times.

Tennessee, ranked second only to Texas by CNBC in state road quality nationwide, is currently faced with the conundrum of growing road needs but declining fuel tax revenues. In an attempt to deal with the situation, the state is wrestling with a number of solutions for handling funding needs according to the Times Free Press. Among them: proposed taxes and fees trucking industry, about 60 percent of which utilizes Tennessee's north-south and east-west corridors, I-75 and I-40.

It's no secret that one of the challenges many truck drivers face is finding a place to park their semis between loads. Even when you're loaded, you have to abide by the strict regulations that are set forth by the DOT, and when it's time to park, you have to park. Breaking the rules or altering your logbook can cause fines for your company, as well as problems for your license.

Last year, legislation supported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association that required truckers to take two full consecutive nights of rest following 70 hours of time spent driving passed. While people on both sides of the aisle with concerns about truckers' safety supported the bill, a December 2014 spending bill in Congress includes a provision that would reverse the law.

It's always fun to talk about the fun and unique facts surrounding truckers and the truck driving industry. No matter how long you've been a truck driver, we'll bet there are some things you never knew. Read on and test your knowledge about your important job.

Ever wonder about the history of trucking and how it grew into the vast industry it is today? Next time you roll through Iowa, pop in to the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum in Walcott and take part in the industry's story.

Truckers do more than move merchandise. They also move the economy. And with economic forecasts looking solid, truckers can expect a steadily growing demand for freight services. That means more jobs and more miles. Are you and your truck ready?

Innovation frequently move faster than government. Whether it is the Federal Aviation Administration blocking commercial use of drones or the Federal Communications Commission's sluggish action on net neutrality, technology is moving at a blistering pace while the government spends more money studying and debating regulations. Regardless of how self-driving trucks may impact jobs and the economy, we can be sure the jobs of lobbyist and politicians are secure.

Congratulations to April Varner-Chattman. April is the 2014 Fall winner of the $1000 Trucker to Trucker Scholarship Award.

Each year, the American Transportation Research Institute issues a list of the most critical issues for truckers. Some indicate a need for change in trucking legislation, while others are demonstrative of how much trucking legislation has improved the industry. Today, we'd like to cover some of the top issues truckers are facing in 2014.

With heavy-duty trucks and buses producing an estimated 20 percent of greenhouse gases in the United States each year, it is understandable that any regulations to reduce America's dependence on fossil fuels and lower the resulting emissions are going to target the efficiency of long-haul tractor-trailers.

Many feel increasing stringent federal regulations impacting drivers, especially new driver hours of service regulations and mandatory electronic onboard recorders, will have a dramatic impact on the driver pool.

Truck drivers were surveyed by ATRI in the spring of 2011 and then again in the Spring of 2012 to gain perspective on how commercial drivers view CSA in terms of employability issues and carrier operations.

Human "trafficking" — a term for modern-day slavery — has been reported in all 50 states. The Department of Justice estimates that anywhere between 100,000 to 300,000 of America's children are at risk of entering the sex for sale industry every year.

Despite the fact that tire inflation is one of the most important factors determining the life of a tire and ensuring optimum fuel economy, many drivers neglect their duty when it comes to regular checks of tire air pressure.

Since mandatory random drug testing of all commercial driver license holders became the law the problem of impaired truckers has dramatically diminished.

Here we give credit to the individuals and organizations using the internet to make a difference in the trucking industry and the people who keep it running.

As the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals prepares to issue a final decision in the American Trucking Assns.' (ATA) case against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regarding the restart and rest break changes to the driver hours of service rules, the trucking industry should be preparing for the impacts those changes may have on their operations.

America's Road Team is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway.

The Truckload Carriers Assn.'s (TCA) "Highway Angel" program recognizes drivers' "good deeds," ranging from simple acts of kindness, such as fixing a flat tire, to heroic life-saving efforts, such as pulling someone from a burning vehicle and administering CPR.

The biggest factor in fuel economy is still the driver and driving for optimum fuel economy is becoming an increasingly daunting proposition and driver training is becoming more critical.

There are many trucking image campaigns in force and we'll take a look at many of them in future blogs. But one particular program has perhaps gone the farthest in changing minds about truckers.

The dealership is a great place to go when you're looking for an exceptional used truck at a good price. The staff is also knowledgeable about the trucking industry and committed to matching owner-operators and trucking company owners with the trucks they need to move loads down the road efficiently.

Without semitrucks, very few of us would get the goods we need for simple survival, let alone any of the items we buy for fun and pleasure.

Over a year ago, FMCSA shelved plans to make determinations on crash accountability in favor of further study.

While navigation systems are becoming increasingly commonplace in the nation's commercial vehicles, the impact that these devices have on driver behavior, decision-making and safety is not fully understood, according to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).

To understand the relevance of truck driving in the U.S. and around the world, you have to dig into the numbers. Here are some that demonstrate what trucking means to the American economy:

Here at Trucker-to-Trucker, we'd like to welcome Knight Truck Sales to our exclusive team of online advertisers. Knight Truck Sales is a subsidiary of Knight Transportation, one of the largest trucking companies in the United States.

When a "sleeper" compartment is attached to a truck's cabin to help create extra space for the driver to rest or sleep, it is called a Truck Sleeper. The Office of Motor Carriers and the NHTSA have set new limits for truck drivers for the maximum number of hours they can work at a stretch. According to these limits, a driver is allowed to work for up to 11 hours, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.

The largest refineries in the Northeast are scaling down production or shutting down in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Oil prices are also sliding down since it appears the demand for oil will decline sharply.

Commercial vehicle traffic virtually became shut down due to the strengthening Hurricane Sandy lashing cities along the Northeast corridor with incessant rain and powerful wind gusts.

Heartland Express, Inc. has received the prestigious SmartWay Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award is given in recognition of the company as a true industry leader in energy efficiency and freight supply chain environmental performance.

Everyone knows that it takes certain special skills and knowledge in order to properly drive certain types of commercial motor vehicles (CMV). However, before the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented its Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Program, if you held a driver's license (for cars), you could legally operate any type of tractor-trailer or buses in many states, as well as in the District of Columbia.

Containerized imports at all the major retail container ports in the U.S. are witnessing a surge in import volumes. The increase in container imports for the month of October is expected to be around 10 percent compared to last year. Large retailers in the country are in the process of closing their annual shipping cycle for holiday sales.

The American Trucking Association (ATA) has recognized Cathy Gautreaux of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) for her dedication, leadership, and achievements on behalf of the Louisiana trucking industry.

The trucking industry has been witnessing a slow but steady rebound after a prolonged period of decline since the global economic slowdown that began in 2008. Trucking is an important sector of the U.S. economy and crucial to the delivery and distribution of various commodities.

The American Truck Dealers (ATD) has announced the names of nine commercial trucks that have been nominated for the 2013 ATD Commercial Truck of the Year. This is a prestigious national award that recognizes the best truck entries in the heavy-duty and medium-duty categories across the country.

The Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) of FTR rose to 5.8 in August, compared to 4.4 in July. Since the beginning of 2011, despite a weakening economy, the TCI continued to hover in a mildly positive zone.

Trucker-to-Trucker is proud to announce that Piedmont Peterbilt has recently joined our exclusive network of online advertisers. Piedmont Peterbilt is known for their large selection of new Peterbilt trucks as well as the high-quality pre-owned trucks they sell.

Performance Diesel Inc. (PDI) of St. George, Utah, supported by other diesel industry leaders across the U.S., rebuilt of a 2001 Peterbilt 379 to raise money for breast cancer research.

Here at Trucker-to-Trucker, we believe that truck drivers are some of the most caring people on the road. Truck drivers have been known to support causes for kids, cancer research and other worthy causes.

California Regulations Requirements and Compliance California continues to lead the way when it comes to higher emissions regulations. On December 12, 2008 the California Air Resource Board approved the CARB Compliance, with a goal of reducing particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen emissions from diesel vehicles.

CMD Trailer Sales & Leasing has recently joined Trucker-to-Trucker's exclusive list of advertisers. We are glad to have them as part of our team because they are considered experts in the pre-owned truck and trailer industry.

This statement reflects the opinion of many people who are involved with tnew-used-truckshe trucking industry. Although there are increasing requirements to make trucks more environmentally friendly these are not all working in the new truck engine manufacturing.

One of the greatest competitions worldwide is called the Tough Mudder Competition that has been designed by British Special Forces. This competition has not only raised over $3 million dollars for the Wounded Warriors Project, but has also promoted health and wellness in the trucking industry throughout the world.

Yes, the Grandpa and the Truck stories will be hitting the superslab soon, telling the career experiences (the ones he can tell) of 30 year, long-haul driver Paul Wesley Gates, one of Atlas Van Lines's Elite Fleet of Truckers.

In a time when there is so much unemployment in the United States, the one section that not only is going full blast and actually looking for employees is the trucking industry.

As if the new fuel efficiency and lower emission requirements due this year weren't enough, now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing a safety standard that requires all commercial trucks and buses be upgraded with electronic stability control (ESC).

On July 7, 2011, a North American Free Trade Agreement was signed, with little public notice, to allow Mexican trucking companies to haul products on U.S. soil. This agreement is for a period of three years and is related to a proposal presented in 2009.

Something that truckers are finding very convenient for their big rigs are back-up cameras. Once a complicated arrangement that was not very practical, there is now a wide range of types that work very well.

It is the desire of all truckers to find a company where they receive decent compensation and one where the atmosphere is congenial. There are many companies in the trucking industry that truckers consider either good or bad employers.

The most important part of any big rig is the powertrain, which is the engine, transmission, and rear axle. In purchasing any new or used truck this is something that needs careful inspection.

Sometimes people who first enter, or considering entering the trucking profession do not understand the many positions involved in the industry. Below is a breakdown that perhaps will help clarify some of the positions and terminology that is involved.

Although many truck drivers know about National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), few know about how it can impact a business. These are industry standards that are created and maintained by the National Classification Committee.

This can be seen in the fact that, of the 6.8 million people employed in the trucking industry, more than 3 million are drivers. Although in the past female and minority inclusion in this job market was rare, there are an ever-growing number of drivers making up these groups.

Van Nuys, California (May 2, 2012) – Aviisha Medical Institute, LLC, an industry leader in portable home diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea, will be taking $100 off the cost of its home sleep test for commercial drivers throughout May in honor of Better Sleep Month.

When you work as an oilfield trucker you transport both hazardous and non-hazardous materials like sand, water, fuel, and cement to the oil fields and move equipment and supplies around the area to where they need it.

In the trucking industry, many different companies use individual truckers and owner-operators, in their hauling programs. It is always advantageous to check out these companies and see how long they have been in business as well as what they have to offer, when you are looking for employment.

You don't often think about it, but all those big rig trucks in the movies have stunt drivers that make sure they do what their supposed to yet walk away each time unscathed. Just like with cars, many of these specialized drivers have preferences when they get behind the wheel.

For years, truckers have used the conventional dual tires on their wheels. A huge change has been introduced by Michelin North America with their X One XDA Super wide Energy truck tires. There are a number of things that make this an exciting addition to the trucking industry.

Most truckers recognize some drastic changes have occurred in the industry since the recession began in 2008. Higher fuel prices, more legislative mandates, and reduced consumer spending have all taken their toll on many who depend on this profession for survival.

Truckers have long known the value of Volvo trucks and their reliability on the road. With the company's headquarters in Sweden, they have manufacturing plants throughout the world.

The economic crisis has impacted the trucking industry in many ways, and owner-operators usually have an especially difficult time making a profit. Even new business owners who were company drivers for years before venturing out on their own often find it difficult to save time and money.

A bill that was recently introduced to congress includes a raising the weight limit for commercial vehicles from 88,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds. This is an increase of 21 percent, which has many civil engineers and lawmakers worried about the impact on current infrastructure.

Hours of service regulations affect everyone involved in the trucking industry, including drivers, shippers and company owners. The U.S. Department of Transportation is constantly looking for ways to increase the safety of highways in the United States, so the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has revised the hours of service requirements to reflect the latest research findings in regards to public safety.

Job hunting can be an utter nightmare; each career website has thousands of jobs to sort through. However, if you are in the trucking industry, you need a website dedicated to this particular career niche.

Currently, a driver may choose to reset his workweek clock to 70 hours simply by taking a voluntary 34-hour break, with no limit to how many such breaks a driver may take during a week.

Tax time is just a few months off, with W-2s and 1099s due in mailboxes the end of January, and now is the time to start preparing for that visit to the accountant. For owner-operators, this means getting all those receipts from the past year in order and matching them to logbooks and mileage reports for the maximum in deductions.

The cost of fuel affects every driver's bottom line in the end, company driver and owner-operator alike. While this is obvious for the owner-operator, company drivers receive fuel bonuses that are tied to the fuel used during a set period, generally a quarter.

"The Occupy Movement's planned blockade of West Coast ports misses the mark and threatens to hurt the very '99 Percent' that they claim to represent," said Michael Shaw, Vice President of External Affairs for the California Trucking Association. "The hard-working men and women who haul containers in and out of our ports stand to lose a day's earnings due to misguided attempt to hit Wall Street between the eyes.

Often, the public accepts opinions about truckers that are myths supported by four common falsehoods. False beliefs are stated or hinted at by media reporters.

Trucker to Trucker would like to take the opportunity to welcome the latest addition to our dealer network; TA Truck Sales. TA Trucks provides quality, pre owned trucks from their Chester, PA location conveniently located a few miles from Philadelphia and the New Jersey Turnpike (Exit 2).

Ladies and gentlemen, readers of the Trucker to Trucker Blog, it is that time again to welcome a new dealer to our continuously growing network! Mid-State Truck Service, Inc. began in 1965 to help bring Wisconsin semi trucks and associated services of the highest caliber.

Every so often we will run across a non-profit organization that we feel is really pushing hard to make the trucking industry a better place. Women in Trucking is an association dedicated to celebrating accomplishments of women in the industry, opening doors, and encouraging more women to enter the industry.

Talbert Trailers is one of the most recognized in the industry when it comes to transporting specialized equipment. The founder of Talbert Trailers, Austin Talbert, began the realization of a dream in 1938 only hoping to provide construction machinery for rent.

At Manac, the motto is 'whatever the road' and as the largest manufacturer in North America of custom-built and specialty semitrailers, the motto is right on target.

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Husky Trucks provides drivers in the Tacoma, Washington and Seattle areas with an easier access to the trucks and services they need to stay mobile. Seattle trucks ship several tons of freight in and out of the Pacific North-West to help drive the industry and economy of the area. The lumber trade requires heavy workhorses that can withstand the kind of abuse that the Pacific North-West will throw at it.

Today we would like to introduce our readers to CargoTel, a company that specializes in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) for small, mid, and large-size auto hauling companies. CargoTel works alongside of a hauling company to ensure effective exchange of data for that company with any Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). Smaller hauling companies are gaining more and more ground against the larger manufacturing companies in this market. OEMs are opting to provide more opportunities to companies with smaller fleets.

Today, we're taking a look at what happens when you have bought a truck for sale - arranging trucking insurance: Sure, there are trucks for sale out there. You might even be able to secure financing for one. But you have to make sure you're properly insured. Finding the right commercial truck insurance can be tricky, but luckily there are a few tips you can follow to keep you on the right path.

Today, we're putting the spotlight on buying and financing your own rig Maybe you sit and look at trucks for sale, dreaming of a new career. Finding a rig of your own and purchasing it is not as hard as you think. Unless you have a lot of cash on hand (and who does in this economy?) you will probably have to look into financing a commercial truck. Where to start? Who should you talk to? What things should you consider? What if you have bad credit? All these questions and more probably race through your mind as you think about the big picture.