Apr 05, 2019 • Carriers

Industry Update - April 5, 2019

Industry Update - April 5, 2019

By Jeremy Feucht

Did you Know?

On April 3, 1974, the worst series of tornadoes ever recorded hit the US and southern Canada. With over 50,000 people affected in total and six states declaring a State of Emergency, many big rigs were sent in to do the cleanup. Xenia, Ohio was the first hit and it would need three months and over 200 trucks to finally cleanup the disaster.

Trucking tip of the Week

Its that time of the year again. Spring is here which means warmer weather and concern about your tires needs to be at the front of your mind. As the weather warms, the amount of air pressure in your tires and the tread remaining on them will really start to show. Lower air pressure means more friction on your tires. More friction that your tires create, the more stress that is placed on them. Be careful out there.

Toll Road Fight

OOIDA and the National Motorist Association, for now, have lost its bid against the state of Pennsylvania to remove the tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. On April 4, 2019, US District Judge Yvette Kane approved a motion by lawyers for the turnpike and the state of Pennsylvania to dismiss the charges that claimed over $6 billion in tolls had been collected illegally since 2007.

Truckers to the Rescue

As I have long stated, this country would fold without the work of truckers. Here is some more proof of that. With the flooding and devastation that has occurred across the Midwest, farmers and ranchers are having a difficult time keeping their heads above water, let alone that of their cattle. Knowing their plight, truckers have come to their rescue with hay to help get them through. Where would we be without the American trucker?

Regulations

With so many regulations, and general vagueness that the personal conveyance rule is written, it is no wonder FMCSA’s Joe DeLorenzo had to field so many questions at MATS surrounding the issue. His message was simple: “Don’t over think it.” He basically stated that if what you are doing is for personal reasons, looking for food, parking, etc. then it is personal. If it is not personal, then it falls under hours of service. It does not matter if you are hooked to your trailer or not.

TagsFMCSA Did you Know Trucking Tips tires OOIDA tolls Pennsylvania Joe DeLorenzo spring Xenia Ohio Tornado Rescue Regulations personal conveyance

Trucker Path Supports the Queens of the Road Awards [p]Trucker Path, America’s most popular app in the trucking industry is supporting the Fourth Annual <a href="http://www.realwomenintrucking.com/lady-trucker-cruise-events/queen-road-awards/">Queens of the Road Awards</a> in collaboration with REAL Women In Trucking, Inc. (RWIT)[/p] [quote]"This award was inspired by Women who have worked as truck drivers and carry with them knowledge that they share with others unselfishly. These are Women who have struggled to “re-invent” themselves, overcame impediments and generously “Give Back” to those who are struggling to find their way." - RWIT[/quote] [p]Three women have been named Queens of the Road by the REAL Women in Trucking. The awarding ceremony of the Queens of the Road Awards will be held over the weekend of August 27-31 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2020 Queen of the Road award recipients are Kristy Mathews, Edwina Webb, and Vonnie Whitemagpie.[/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/rw1.jpeg" alt=""] [p]<em>Kristy Mathews (Courtesy: RWIT)</em>[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/rw3.jpeg" alt=""] [p]<em>Edwina Webb (Courtesy: RWIT)</em>[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/rw2.jpeg" alt=""] [p]<em>Vonnie Whitemagpie (Courtesy: RWIT)</em>[/p] <h2></h2> [p]Trucker Path will be giving a complementary Gold Membership to the Queens of the Road awardees. This will give them access to advanced trucking tools and features to help them in their day to day driving.[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/rw4.jpeg" alt=""] [p][b]About Real Women In Trucking[/b][/p] [p]REAL Women In Trucking is an organization of women truckers that promotes safety by educating the public about unsafe truck driver training and creating a network of support for women entering trucking. By creating a reliable resource that promotes transparency, they are able to mentor qualified women who wish to become commercial drivers and connect them to quality employers and services that will benefit them.[/p] [p][b]About Trucker Path[/b][/p] [p]Trucker Path is America's largest data driven and community-based trucking and navigation app. Trucker Path enables you to join over 1,000,000 truck drivers who share real-time truck stop information, parking availability, and even weigh station statuses, saving everyone time and gas money when they plan their routes. [/p] [p]Thousands of truckers use Trucker Path to find truck stops, parking, weigh station information, fuel pricing, and get truck-optimized routes. [/p] [p]Trucker Path is a leader in delivering advanced technology with over 2 million installs and is the highest rated app in the industry on both Google Play and the App Store.[/p] [video id="NSSOwFRJaQw"] [button-green href="http://vip.truckerpath.com/gold-member?utm_source=email&utm_medium=rwitpress"]Try Trucker Path Premium FREE for 14 Days[/button-green]

Aug 13, 2020 • Carriers

How to Kick-off your Trucking Career [p]If you like road trips and you get excited by the idea of earning money while living ‘life on the road’ then trucking is for you. Trucking is one of the biggest industries in the world and extremely important for the survival and efficient function of an economy. As such, trucking not only helps support the economy, but also helps build it. At the moment around <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/trucking-industry-facts-us-truckers-2019-5-1028248577#truck-drivers-earn-less-than-most-americans-in-terms-of-annual-income10">6% of all the jobs available in the U.S are in the trucking industry</a> with more than 7 million people working in the industry right now. The number is growing each year as dependency on trucking increases.[/p] [p]That sounds like an industry where the future is secure and employment guaranteed if you are good at the job. Sounds good right? It sure does but before you can get anywhere near a truck you need to fulfill some obligations like getting a license, choosing a trucking company, and more. Follow the steps below to get started with your stint as a truck driver. [/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/2-1.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Make Up Your Mind [/b][/p] [p]It is extremely important to get yourself mentally ready before even thinking about getting a license. Trucking sounds exciting but the job is mentally and physically taxing. At times you are required to sleep at truck stops, in cheap motels, or inside your truck's cabin. There aren't many decent places to take a shower and you will eventually run into some dirty truck stops. You may also meet some rude people which will definitely test your patience. Most importantly, you are away from your family for lengthy periods. Therefore, never decide in haste. Sit down and think about it but once you make up your mind do not look back as only excitement and adventure come ahead.[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/3.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Apply for a CDL[/b][/p] [p]The first step on the road to becoming a truck driver is to get a commercial driving license (CDL). The CDL is divided into three main categories in North America: [/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/cdl_types.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> [p]If your goal is to become a big-rig driver then you need a Class A license. To get that you need to enter into a trucking school. This institute is much like a driving school except in a trucking school you are taught advanced methods of driving a large vehicle. There you will be required to practice and hone your skills both in the classroom and on the field. Generally, trucking school starts at $3,000 for a beginner program. You may avoid paying the whole cost of the trucking school by availing of some financial aid options. If you sign with a carrier before graduation, they may cover some of your educational expenses. Some schools in areas with trucker shortages may also offer scholarships to its students. You are eligible to apply for a Class A license once you have completed at least 160 hours or roughly 10 weeks of training. [/p] [p]Once you have that many hours under your belt simply go to a state-mandated testing facility, pass your test with flying colors and you are good to go. Afterward, you need to go to the licensing authority in your state where you will be required to show your identification, proof of state residency, your Social Security Number (SSN),and proof of passing the CDL exam. The training program for a CDL can last for 3 to 4 weeks so if you are motivated you can get started with your trucking career within a matter of months. [/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/4.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Pick A Trucking Company[/b][/p] [p]The next step in your road to becoming a truck driver is choosing a good trucking company. There are many good local and national companies across America. That is a good thing because you have the power to choose and differentiate between various trucking companies. As such you should always look for renowned companies that have a good name in the industry. The last thing you want is to end up in a trucking company that is not financially stable and that doesn’t provide you with job perks. [/p] [p]A good company may provide you with health insurance, life insurance, paid vacation, sick leave pay, and more. So choose wisely but don’t waste too much time stalling![/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/5.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Accept the First Good Job [/b][/p] [p]Most newcomers in the trucking industry waste time by waiting for the right opportunity, the “perfect route”. But that is not advisable. You are a fresh trucker who has just gotten his/her license. It is better to get some and any experience under your belt as soon as possible. Ultimately, the number of hours you spend driving will help you in the future to move up the ladder to better trucking companies. That can also lead to better job perks, better opportunities as a trucker, and a handsome salary. If you wait, a very good trucking contract may come your way but that is a rare possibility. By then, your peers would have moved further up the ladder on to greener pastures while you start late and experience the grit of a newcomer in a tough industry. [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Final Thoughts[/b][/p] [p]It is not very hard to get into the trucking business if you have the right mindset and you are motivated. Yes, you may face financial burdens in the beginning but seeing that the <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/06/america-keeps-on-trucking.html#:~:text=More%20than%203.5%20million%20people,occupations%20in%20the%20United%20States.">average trucker</a> makes $50,000 - $60,000 per year the initial burden might not feel a lot to bear. However, you would have to spend time away from family but in the end, all of this is worth the effort. The trucking industry is here to stay and you can make the most of it while having a grand adventure and enjoying the magnificent views in your big rig! [/p] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> [p][b]By Aldous Aldwin[/b][/p]

Sep 08, 2020 • Carriers

Industry Update - April 26, 2019 <h5>By Jeremy Feucht</h5> <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Did you Know?</u></strong></h3> As we have seen time and time again, it is the trucking industry that comes to the rescue during many emergencies across the US. Few events show this heroism more than the events that took place after April 25, 2014. This was the date where Flint, MI, residents learned the dangers of their tap water. Filled with E. coli, lead and other contaminants, residents were forced to be without water. Truckers stepped up by brining in bottled water for the people of Flint so they could have life’s most basic necessity. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Trucking tip of the Week</u></strong></h3> Load Securement: Time consuming, potentially dangerous depending on the load, difficult but absolutely necessary. It is one of those things that seems so common place that we shouldn’t be talking about it, yet it is odd how many trucks I see where it is painfully obvious the driver hasn’t secured their load. Take an extra couple of minutes to ensure your load is tied down and secured properly. A potential danger to yourself and others is not worth it, not even mentioning the large fine that can find its way to you at a weigh station or by highway patrol. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Research</u></strong></h3> The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is looking for carriers for a research project. The research project wants to <a href="https://truckingresearch.org/2019/04/24/atri-seeks-for-hire-motor-carrier-operational-cost-data-3/">learn about the operational costs</a> of the trucking industry. This means they want access to fuel costs, insurance premiums, driver pay, vehicle costs and more. They are not just looking for information from big fleets, <a href="https://truckingresearch.org/2019/04/24/operational-costs-of-trucking-survey-2/">they want to hear</a> from owner-operators too. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Alternative Fuel</u></strong></h3> Last week, Nikola made headlines with the demonstration of their new hydrogen powered vehicle. <a href="https://www.mhlnews.com/transportation-distribution/zero-emission-trucking-moves-forward">This week</a>, Kenworth and Toyota made headlines with the revelation of their joint ventured project. Working with CARB (California Air Resource Board),Toyota and Kenworth are set to launch 10 hydrogen fuel celled vehicles that will operate in the southern California area sometime between October and December of this year. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Trucking and Fishing</u></strong></h3> All over the US, ponds, lakes, reservoirs and even some rivers are stocked with fish multiple times per year. There is only one way to get fish from the hatchery to their final destination and that is by truck. Little is made about the effort and care that is put in to keep the fish safe and healthy on their journey and even less thought is put in by the general public. The Mail Tribune out of Medford, OR, has created a three-part video to talk about this process. The link provided <a href="https://mailtribune.com/oregon-outdoors/oregon-outdoors-video-trout-trucking-pt-3">here</a> is to part three as it is the only page with direct access to all the videos.

Apr 26, 2019 • Carriers