Getting Along with Your Dispatcher

When it comes to dispatchers, you will probably find a wide range of opinions about the performance of their job. From those who believe that they are the backbone of the office to believing their best friend and perhaps the worst enemy that a truck driver may have as well. The number of opinions about dispatchers is actually surprising considering that you may often find a wide range of opinions about the same dispatcher from every driver and employee of the firm.

So, when it comes to truck drivers who want to improve their hours on the road and perhaps get more weekends off from work, establishing a good relationship with dispatchers is a crucial part of the process. However, before you can start working on that relationship, it helps if you understand the view from the dispatcher who like the truck driver is trying to do what is best for their company.

How Dispatchers See Their Role 

Unlike the truck driver who is on the road, the dispatcher usually sits at a small workstation and is in contact with all the drivers who are out on the road. They have to balance not only your needs, but all the other drivers as well which means that there will be days when you will have to drive too many miles empty or some other unwanted situation will occur.

Dispatchers are typically bombarded with phone calls by drivers who ask them to do many different things. It can be very difficult for them to be dispassionate about their work especially when they get insulted or treated poorly for something that is beyond their control or worse, when they’ve made an honest error that is not well understood by the driver.

Admittedly, truck drivers are interested in getting to haul good loads over an appropriate distance so that they are well paid. It may seem strange, but both drivers and dispatchers are interested in the same thing, but all too often neither of them can see the other’s point of view.

How to Work with a Dispatcher 

Once you understand their role, then it becomes a lot easier to work with them. Here are some pointers that will help you build a good relationship with your dispatcher.

Keep Calm: Your relationship should be strictly on a professional basis which means that you will need to stay calm and composed when speaking to them. Naturally, you will have some disagreements, but phrase your view in how it affects what you do instead of lashing out at them. This will at the very least keep things calm between both of you.

Be Proactive: The more efficiently you can do your job, the better the dispatcher can help you out. Of course, there will be times when you cannot complete your run because of conditions beyond your control, but the more efficiently you can driver your rig, the easier you make it for the dispatcher to work with you.

Of course, there will be times when you might want to scream at your dispatcher, but you should definitely refrain from taking that action. If there is a real problem or perhaps something that is not being worked out, then you should go higher up in the company to see if it can be resolved. Otherwise, it really pays to spend a little extra effort working with your dispatcher. 

Smartphone Apps for Truck Divers

If you are a truck driver and you are looking for a smartphone application that can help you in your journey, below are some of the best and free downloadable applications that you can have:

IHeartRadio App

This smartphone app is available is available on Android and iOS wherein truck drivers can to listen to their favorite radio stations while they are delivering their loads.  They can choose a song from more than the 1,500 and more live radio stations wherein they can also create and customize their station based on their favorite artist and songs.

Budget Envelopes App

This smartphone app can be used by the truck drivers wherein they can add and schedule their upcoming transactions and create their income categories and reports of their income and expenses.

Audible-Audiobooks and More App

This app is best for those truck drivers who wants to enjoy a book but can’t purchase one. Through this app, they can download, a lot of classic and best seller stories, news and the like where they can listen intently while they are driving. This audiobooks can also be switch back and forth from listening to reading.

Mint.com Personal Finance App

This app allows truck drivers to manage and budget their money wherein they can view all their financial accounts in just one place. They can also track the cash that they have spent and view their upcoming bills that makes this app a best one to have for those on the go truck drivers.

Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock App

Truck drivers surely need a sound sleep after a long travel and they also need to wake up early for their next trip. This smartphone app will help them get a good sleep without getting jolt by the alarm clock because it analyzes the sleep cycle and wakes you up on your lightest phase of sleep that ensures you that you will begin your day relaxed and well-rested. 

Relax Melodies App

This app will help the truck drivers calm their mind and fall asleep easily. It will help the truckers refrain from hearing unnecessary noise but instead they will hear sounds of the oceans, tweeting of birds and a lot more. The Relax Melodies app also have multiple alarms wherein they can have their favorite sounds that sooths every time the truckers would wake up in the morning.

The Weather Channel App

This app provides the truck drivers with condition of the weather for the day. It also checks the weather in the area where they are going to travel so that they will be informed ahead of time, so that they will decide if they are still going to continue their journey or not.

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Trucking Time Management Skills

Efficient and effective time management is one herculean task truck drivers are faced with. One of the toughest parts of being a trucker is balancing the time spent on the road with that spent at home. Each trucker works in a different way and method with the intention of getting the best from each passing day. Working smarter, not harder is an assured way to help guarantee continual success in the truck driving industry. Most trucking companies love truckers that are effective and spend lesser time on the road.

There are ways which a trucker can effectively manage time on the road to achieve greater result. Some of these ways include the following:

Choose Routes with Good Parking Options. 

This is one way of achieving maximum time management by a trucker. The total time spent driving out of the way to search for a safe parking lot can sum up to a lot of wasted HOS hours as well as lost productivity. A truck driver can effectively manage time by mapping out routes with availability of easy-to-find parking lots. This can save a truck driver more time as well as provide more time for rest and sleep.

Acquire a GPS System

One merit of technological advancements is the possibility to complete more tasks daily. For truck drivers, one of the most useful inventions is the Global Positioning System (also referred to as the GPS). A good GPS system is the trucker’s best buddy. This device aids the trucker getting from a location to another without getting lost. It also reduces the HOS logs and also fuel consumption as it eliminates inefficient route for truckers. With less time travelled on the road, there is time availability for proper truck maintenance as well as other downtime.

Create Checklists

It is imperative for a truck driver to develop the habit of creating checklists such as truck maintenance measures, onboard tools and equipment, load or unload concerns, as well as a route sketch of parking sites, traffic flow and truck stops can facilitate an efficient run of time management, particularly in the case of long haul drivers who are faced mostly with physically demanding journey.

Checking Schedules

For a trucker to effectively manage time, monitoring delivery schedules should also be considered. This can aid in the reduction of wait time.  Fleet control solutions can help to recognize location of an available load repeatedly and also provide the trucker with quick information or details of when a load is ready.

Plan for Rest

A trucker should learn to plan for total rest during each drive. Although there are federal regulations that govern a trucker’s Hours of Service, there is more to rest planning than just the usual 10 to 15 hours on as well as the corresponding hours off.  It is imperative for a trucker to cultivate the habit of parking early before the parking sites filled up in order to avoid searching for a truck stop late into the night. This will not only keep the driver refreshed the next day but also provide the driver strength to wake and travel early on a road with high traffic as they are least congested in the early hours.

OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association)

If you are a truck driver then you will want as much information about Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association as you possibly get. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association which is also known as OOIDA has been in operation for forty one years. They are here to support and fight for the rights of truck drivers.

OOIDA has become an organization to fight for the rights of truck drivers because no one else does.  Sometimes truck drivers are over looked and made out to be the bad guy. However, this is not always the case because truck drivers are sometimes the good guys. It is not always a truckers fault.

OOIDA is an organization that you will want to be a member of because it makes sure you are treated fairly no matter what has happened. The organization looks for new ways to make truck driving better and even look for ways to improve the old ways of doing things.

The Owner-Operator Independent DriversAssociation has already accomplished a lot of little things in our history and has even accomplished huge things. Some of things it has accomplished are the leasing laws for trucks to ensure they are fair and balanced for both the trucker and the company. It has also been fighting to stop Mexican trucking in the USA. OOIDA does not think it is right for Mexican trucks to be able to cross the boarder with goods that we can deliver ourselves. They are simply taking our business away from American truckers.

Not only is OOIDA about making sure that the laws are fair for truckers and the companies that they work for but it makes sure that the federal taxes are not being corrupted as well. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association will make sure that all truckers are allowed the same benefits as others when it comes to taking taxes out of pay checks and paying certain taxes.

Being an owner operator of a truck means you are in charge and in control of everything. However, that does not mean you do not need someone on your side when it comes to the law. That is what OOIDA does; stand up and fight for the rights of our members. Do not fight this battle alone; all you need to do join our organization today and get someone on your side to help you fight for what is right.

What You Can Do To Raise The Trucking Public Image

Raise The Trucking Public Image

What comes to mind when you think of the stereotypical trucker that roams your local Interstate day in and day out? If you are like most people, you have probably gathered a certain truck driver image in your head based on Hollywood movies that often promote the typical trucker as an uneducated, redneck who rarely showers. Sure enough, the work is never portrayed as very glamorous but how wrong this image can be when you get to know some real truckers from everyday life!

Worse yet, during the later half of the 20th century the reputation of the trucking industry and trucking public image started to wane as media stories of truckers started to convey them as typical, male chauvinists or even serial killers. It was certainly not helpful to the industry to learn about Robert Ben Rhoades, who held a full-fledged torture chamber in his truck in order to rape runaway teens that no one would have missed anyway.

In reality, most truckers do not fit any kind of stereotypical picture. Most truckers are truly easy going, nice, good hearted people, and are often more educated than many might believe. Yes, there are even doctors, lawyers and police officers who become top-notch truck drivers.

Suggestions for Improving The Typical Trucking Public Image

Sometimes, truckers are their own worst enemy. Little attention paid to personal grooming is among the worst culprits. While no one anticipates a trucker to look like a banker getting prepared for business meeting, there are small things some truckers can do to improve the overall truck driving image problem. Perhaps throwing on a fresh T-shirt and jeans from time to time while paying greater attention to personal hygiene and appearance.

Another thing that truckers can do is to turn off their CB radio! Part of the negative truck driving image stems from what is uttered out of the mouths of some drivers such as excessive swearing, gay bashing and general ignorance. By simply locating that on/off switch, it is possible to clean up those airwaves from picking up such annoyances that people would prefer not to hear.

While the state of a truck stop really falls into the responsibility of the management that occupies it, nevertheless the truckers themselves can do simple steps to avoid the stop from smelling entirely like an outdoor toilet. On the other hand, truck stops should also work harder to remove waste on a normal schedule. It is not fun to walk across a parking lot full of rotting food and other waste material that hasn’t been picked up.

Improving Driving Habits

The overall trucking public image could be greatly improved if truckers also implanted more courteous driving habits. Sometimes truckers are in a rush to get a job done and can put other drivers in very dangerous situations.

Other times, programs should be set in place, as it is the other drivers on the road that put truckers in dangerous situations. For example, truck drivers would prefer that cars pass them or back off with clear intentions of what they want to do rather than driving alongside for too long.

Healthy Eating for Truck Drivers

Truck drivers’ well-being is an enormous problem in the industry right now and a big part of it is due to the temptations truck drivers face every day. Truck drivers may sit behind the wheel of an 18wheeler for as many as 16 hours a day. All that sitting, combined with unhealthy and harmful food options from a greasy-spoon truck stop can create an unhealthy lifestyle for drivers.

Truck drivers are faced with so much temptation at every truck stop. It is not hard to notice the increasing amount of eateries that decorate major highways in America and this poses a great threat to the health status of most truck drivers while on the road.

There are plenty of ways to resist the temptation of unhealthy junk food while running the roads of America. All it takes is a little preparation and determination while preparing for your trip.

HEALTHY EATING TIPS FOR TRUCK DRIVERS ON THE ROAD

Make Healthier Food Choices

Instead of hitting your favorite fast food restaurant and grabbing a burger, choose a salad instead. Go for grilled rather than fried. Bring some snack foods (nuts or seed, dried or fresh fruit, or whole grain crackers) from home so you have control over what you eat.

Eat Natural Foods as much as Possible

Processed foods are loaded with sugar, unnecessary fats, and chemicals. Consuming natural foods, such as foods rich in energy and vitamins, gives long-driving routine a boost. Large fluid intake such as water is also encouraged while on the go.

Exercise

One of the major challenges of a trucker is the continuous pressure. Making a delivery on time can be really frustrating. The easiest way to alleviate stress would be to work out. There are simple exercises you can do if you when you get to your next truck stop. For instance, lunges and squats, as well as jumping rope and jogging, are not hard to do in small spaces. Some truck drivers even use filled water-bottles inside their trucks to do curls while sitting in traffic. One other way to relieve stress while on the road is to listen to music. While listening, roll-up your window and sing or whistle along.

Get enough Rest

Among the very key elements in living a healthy lifestyle on the road would be to get a plenty of sleep. Experts recommend that healthy adults sleep for a minimum of seven, preferably nine, hours of sleep each night. Quality sleep can play an important role in your work performance and general awareness of well-being. Lack of sleep can lead to:

·       frustration

·       blurred vision

·       depression

·       acid reflex

·       diarrhea

Consumption of alcohol before bed time can prevent your body from reaching the deepest of sleep cycles when you hit the hay at night. No one likes going to work with a hangover. Also, try to eat a minimum of two hours before retiring.

In the end, a healthy trucker is a happy trucker and also a more productive trucker. There are many choices a driver must make while on the go to deliver their load and all truckers know that safety is the number one priority. However, it is important for a trucker to make healthy decisions while driving down the long and winding road of life.

Garmin nuvi 465LMT 4.3-Inch Trucking GPS Navigator Review

Garmin nuvi 465LMT 4.3-Inch Trucking GPS Navigator  

Lifetime Maps & Traffic (vehicle power cable is traffic receiver)

Lane assist

Hands-free calling with Bluetooth

Product Description

The nüvi 465LMT is the first nüvi designed specifically for the over-the-road trucking industry. It includes free lifetime maps and traffic, preloaded National Truck and Trailer Services (NTTS) Breakdown Directory, truck-friendly points of interest, and specialized routing options throughout the lower 48 states and Canada. Create custom vehicle profiles tailored to what you’re driving and what you’re hauling.

Includes Lifetime Map Updates

Right out of the box, the nüvi 465LMT comes bundled with nüMaps Lifetime. Which means you can download the newest map data when it becomes available — no monthly fees or maintenance costs — for the lifetime of your device.

Includes Lifetime Traffic

A combination power cable/traffic receiver in the box gives you traffic services for the life of your device. You’ll avoid traffic jams and keep moving when your nüvi alerts you and offers detours. No additional purchases are necessary — it’s 100% subscription-free traffic

.

Navigate with Confidence

nüvi 465LMT is the first navigation device to provide locations in the NTTS Breakdown Directory to its trucking-relevant points of interest. The NTTS Breakdown Directory is the most comprehensive guide to semi-truck repair facilities nationwide, including those offering 24-hour road services.

Get the Big Picture

nüvi 465LMT has a 4.3" (10.92 cm) high-resolution touchscreen display and is pre-loaded with detailed, street-level maps of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. It speaks street names and delivers turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions, such as “turn right on Main Street.” nüvi 465LMT also comes standard with Lane Assist, guiding you into the right lane at the right time — especially helpful when navigating complex highway interchanges.

Know the Way

nüvi 465LMT provides specialized routing to support truck-related restrictions in the U.S. and Canada (customizable by height, weight, length, width and hazardous materials). Simply enter dimensions and load restrictions and nüvi 465LMT guides you according to your requirements. Enter multiple-point routing for more efficiency between stops along your trip. And with HotFix satellite prediction, nüvi calculates your position faster to get you there quicker.

Steer Clear of Hazards

nüvi 465LMT warns you of upcoming road conditions and possible hazards along the route, such as sharp curves and steep grades. You’ll also get lateral wind warnings and notification when the road narrows.

Make Hands-Free Calls

For hands-free calling, nüvi 465LMT integrates Bluetooth® wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker. Just pair it with your compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free through the 465LMT while staying focused on the road. Simply dial numbers with nüvi's touchscreen keypad to make a call. To answer calls, just tap the screen and speak into its built-in microphone. Enjoy convenient 1-touch dialing for contacts and points of interest.

Free Lifetime Map Updates entitle you to receive up to 4 map data updates per year, when and as such updates are made available on the Garmin website, for this specific Garmin product only until this product’s useful life expires or Garmin no longer receives map data from its third party supplier, whichever is shorter. The updates you receive will be updates to the same geographic map data originally included with your Garmin product when originally purchased. Garmin may terminate your Lifetime Map Updates at any time if you violate any of the terms of the End User License Agreement accompanying your nüvi product.

Lifetime traffic extends for the useful life of your Garmin traffic receiver (as long as you own a compatible Garmin GPS) or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier, whichever is shorter. Traffic content not available for all areas.

What's in the Box:

¨     nüvi 465

¨     Pre-loaded City Navigator NT for North America

¨     Lifetime maps and traffic (indicated by "LMT" after model number on the box)

¨     FM traffic receiver with 12/24 volt power cable (vehicle power cable is traffic receiver)

¨     Dash mount

¨     USB cable

¨     Quick start manual

SOME REVIEWS BY CUSTOMERS

·       I purchased this for my husband for Father’s Day. He is a truck driver and loves it. He can input the truck’s profile and this model Garmin then generates a route to meet the restrictions for that particular truck. Furthermore, it converts to automobiles. Cost-free lifetime maps and traffic is also a plus. It is also has Bluetooth technological innovation. He doesn't generally drive exactly the same truck so his only complaint is the fact that it didn't include a windshield suction mount. It includes a long lasting adhesive disk to get a dashboard mount. It displays a temporary adhesive disk, but he did not acquire that one particular.

·       This really is an extremely good GPS with packed complete of features especially for men and women who are truck drivers and have to have support finding to places they have no concept of where they’re at. I have only been sent don a no truck road when and also other than that the unit is quite effortless to make use of and it’s also quite accurate and seeing it map you as you go is very uncomplicated to use. Setup also was pretty easy. Doesn't have the best battery life but that is certainly not that big of a handle the integrated cigarette lighter charger. In case you are a truck driver I’d recommend this unit, it’s way better than the other possibilities on the market to select from. General pretty great though.

·       Not only is this a reasonably priced trucker GPS but you could switch to automobile. Works well for by far the most portion and with lifetime map and targeted traffic updates this can be single to get. My job needs me to drive a tractor trailer but on road trips I use a regular automobile so that is the only one particular I will need. Love the lane assist, truck cease locations, truck profile works properly and the haz-mat settings.It updates conveniently and I’d advocate it to drivers, just need somewhat popular sense as soon as in awhile.

·       I am very happy with this Garmin product. I live and drive a truck in the Washington DC area where there are many interchanges and the Garmin will highlight the lanes you need to be in when you get within a mile or two of your interchange. I also drive up north thru Baltimore, Phili and NYC where I am less familiar with the roads. The other thing I like about this Garmin is that it always displays the speed limit of the road you are traveling .The only real problem that I have with this Garmin compared to my old "car version" is that even though I have the volume @ 100% its not as loud as my older Garmin . All in all I recommend this product . This is my second Garmin (spilled coffee on my other one)and I am happy with Garmin products . Dont buy your gps products @ a Truck Stop, they over charge .

·       This GPS has been a life saver. It has helped me avoid low bridges and non truck routes. I have hauled cars for almost two years and this is the best GPS I have found.

·       I'm a truck driver and this thing has saved my butt more times than I can count. It's gotten me into a pickle or two as well but for the most part it's pretty accurate except in Canada, but that is because there is so much construction up there. I wish it would tell me the truck speed when I have it in truck mode but I can live with that since I have free lifetime maps. Overall great GPS. Also you can get a program through Garmin so that it's spongebob's voice telling you where to go. Cracks me up.

Health Issues of a Truck Driver

When we think about dangerous professions, trucking does not come to our mind instantly. We often think of professions such as various emergency workers, the police and fire fighters. Yet, being a truck driver is fundamentally a dangerous profession. A recent study showed truck driving as one of the ten most dangerous professions in America.

Endless hours of driving on the highways and interstates by these truck drivers create a higher risk associated with serious accident. Nevertheless, these risks are much greater than the obvious . . . an unusual work program, extended periods of sitting, lifting heavy things, unhealthy diets, anxiety, and tiredness  can cause severe health issues.

Due to these long intervals of driving, many truckers fighting apathy often acquire smoking habits. Also, sleeping and living in a truck also poses a threat to the health status of truck drivers.

According to the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) Journal, truck drivers that are long distance haulers (OTR trucking) rank high among professions of people who suffer from significant health issues. Lifestyle as a truck driver includes several factors that make truck driving a high risk profession. Some studies actually suggest that normal life expectancy is reduced by as much as 5 to 10 years. This is truly a significant number.

Various factors such as the workplace conditions affect the health status of truckers, having a negative effect on such trucker. This workplace consists of not only the truck stops on the routes but also other aspects of the transportation environment. These include:

¨     Loading areas

¨     Warehouses

¨     Terminals

Health Issues of a Truck Driver

A truck driver faces a variety of health issues resulting from his workplace environment. They are both physical and psychological in nature. According to a 2009 study in the AAOHN Journal, "male and female drivers both reported common health problems." Among the most common ones are:

·       Obesity

·       High blood pressure

·       Diabetes

·       Sleep apnea

·       Exhaustion

·       Back pain

·       Sinus problems

·       Headaches

·       Arthritis

·       Depression

The stresses involved in being a truck driver result in many of these health-related problems. The actual physical environment creates a breeding ground for others. The job, itself, is responsible for increasing the likelihood of certain health problems.

Truck driving is a dangerous occupation. The problem goes beyond vehicular accidents. There are serious and significant health issues affecting those who are employed as OTR drivers. For men health issues in trucking may extend beyond the physical into the psychological. The same applies for a woman truck driver. With a steadily increasing amount of trucks on the road, we all need to look seriously at improving the health of truckers.

The necessity to improve or enhance the well-being of our nation’s truck drivers is no longer an alternative. It requires urgent attention and will involve changes in the working environment and within our healthcare delivery model. The environment for drivers must be conducive to good health. Truck stops and fleet terminals must begin to offer healthy food products and make fitness equipment gear available and accessible. Drivers also need to have improved access to health education resources and technology such as health kiosks.

The Rise and Demise of Truck Lease-Purchase Programs

Large numbers of truck drivers have been learning about lease-purchase plans that are being pushed by so many different trucking companies and are probably wondering whether this is something that they should get themselves into.

Many of these contracts are also getting a very bad rap, with the benefits being placed primarily on the side of the trucking companies – not the individual truckers who get signed up into one of these programs.  On the surface it may certainly seem so! After all, the trucking company gets to pass along the prices of fuel, licensing & maintenance costs and health insurance right onto the truck driver, while foregoing the need to provide them with a proper 401k plan!

This article will highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of truck-lease purchase programs to see if they are something that can benefit you.

The Benefits of Truck Lease-Purchase Programs

Commercial truck leasing provides enormous benefits to the truck company that is leasing their trucks out as mentioned above, but part of these benefits are certainly transferred over to the actual truckers, even if it is done indirectly. The operating expenses of a firm can be seriously affected by the costs of buying new trucks and leasing can be a vital strategy, to keep buying and maintenance costs as low as possible.

Since companies who buy new trucks often have to deal with the harsh realities of getting a loan from the bank, leasing is an excellent way for them to avoid this. But wait! You may be asking – that’s great for them, but what’s in it for me? Well, in order to make these offers more attractive for drivers, the company can quickly draft up a lease-purchase agreement that requires no credit checks, down payments or any other large security measures used in traditional loan applications. Instead, all the money simply comes from the trucker’s pay check.

You can also look at this way – leasing is a precious way to spare cash for the company on cost of buying new trucks. This cash can then be used to provide better wages and conditions for the company’s employees – at least one hopes so. With that in mind, let’s move onto the drawbacks of getting into these lease-purchase programs, and there are many!


The Negatives of Truck Lease-Purchase Programs

Trucking is not a very predictable business. What happens if you incur any injuries, accidents and illnesses while on the job? Guess what, your paycheck stops but your lease-purchase contract doesn’t! And when that happens don’t expect the trucking companies to suddenly become a charity for you.

Also, you never really own your truck and you are stuck with the company you rented from. If you are renting your truck from a company, it is really owned by them. This means you can’t just leave to a different company if you get tired of their terms.

Be sure to always read the fine print of any contract. Many contracts are cleverly drafted to ensure that any problems will always be your fault. Learn from the errors of other people who have been in such contracts to get a better idea if this is something suitable for you.

The Ongoing Problem of Truck Driver Shortage in the United States

By Zoey

Over a period of at least three decades, the second biggest sector in the country – transport – has not been able to determine the reasons why so many truck drivers, even seasoned ones, are calling it quits. The numbers of young people choosing other vocations over trucking are even more grim. As a result, the United States is currently headed for a truck driver deficit of between 200,000 to 400,000 truckers.

This may surprise some people as some 40,000 new CDL licenses are given out each year.  Out of these, an estimated 50% are only license holders, not actually using their permit to drive a truck commercially. Just what are the factors that have driven this problem to its present proportions? The goal of this article is to examine just that and more.

The Issue of Wages

Probably the biggest factor driving people out of the profession is the low wages, which accompany most commercial contracts. Low pay for truck drivers has actually been a problem for years ever since deregulation of the transport sector occurred. Over time, it's become the top reason for all types of motorists deciding to leave the profession. The typical annual pay of $38,000 is just not viewed as being big enough to counter all the demands of the rather stressful profession and it has certainly not kept up with the pay wages found in other comparable industries.

Too many flashy advertisements are used to reel in new, unseasoned drivers who never receive their expected big, sign-on bonuses. The companies hiring often know that most drivers will quit after a short time on the job anyway. Working 70 hours a week and not being paid for other duties such as detention time, cause many young and old drivers alike to move onto greener pastures. Unfortunately, truck driving jobs in the US are still considered “unskilled” labor, making it difficult to positively change the issue of wages for the better.

Too Many Regulations

The overuse of regulations continues to make the life of the professional trucker challenging. For instance, millions of truckers are expected to work under identical hours of service, while governing when they are able to drive or where they are able to sleep. One single rule can’t possibly please everyone. And so, many seasoned drivers leave the profession, which is a huge loss to the entire industry since seasoned drivers have acquired a great level of security and professionalism in their driving.

Regulatory bodies have now crept into a wide range of issues ranging from anti-idling laws, forced dispatch and lack of home time causing major consternation and panic into the entire industry. These tough and restrictive security regulations together with the low pay experienced by many truck drivers, are all reasons behind the truck driver shortage in the US. 

Excellent Tips For New Truck Drivers

As a new truck driver, you're likely ready to hit the highways and begin your career as a trucker. Long hauling is the manner that many new drivers start off their livelihood and is generally their first option. For others, it's merely a step before getting into local trucking jobs with firms that are smaller.

Everyone has to start somewhere! Many people quickly become disillusioned with their new trucking careers after being faced with the many long, arduous hours of doing their logs correctly, planning their trip, finding places to sleep and continuously developing their driving skills. However, there are many tips one can use early on in their trucking careers to make their transition easier and less stressful.

• Always bring something with you on your long-haul trips that remind you of your close friends or family. For example, a digital photo frame is durable enough for road journey and can support several of your favorite photos.

• Get a cell phone service plans that offer flat fees and you'll be able to talk to your friends and family whenever you want.

• Rent out or purchase audiobooks with your favorite books. This is one of the best ways to occupy your time on long trips away from home.

• Bring healthy snacks with you such as cut fruits and vegetables to avoid the necessity of having to eat fast food.

Locating Work

Locating work as a new truck driver is pretty simple because truck companies are always hiring. The offers of some companies may even contain attractive bonuses if you sign on as a brand new driver.

It is easier to get work as a long-haul truck driver than a local truck driver in the beginning. Companies that specialize in local runs may require at least two years of truck driving experience. They require the minimal 2 years of experience per their insurance requirements. It is simply more economical to cover a truck driver that has 2 years of experience and with a clean history, than it is to cover a fresh non-seasoned truck driver. Also, some insurance companies won't cover drivers that are new.

It's always a good idea to study and research each individual trucking company before signing any contract. It's also very helpful to find reviews from real truck drivers for a particular business. For example, find out about the state of their trucks. Some companies are notorious for not keeping up their gear in efforts to save money. Also be very wary of companies that have truck drivers who frequently quit their jobs.

Long haul trucking can be a wonderful profession. With preparation and some luck, you can make your time on the road cozy and enjoyable. You can explore the world, while still remaining connected with your family and friends.

The Future of Electronic Logs for Truck Driving

Ken More

It seems like only yesterday that truck drivers were keeping track of all their pertinent activities that included the hours they drove, the time it took to eat meals, any accidents or breakdowns that they faced as well as the start and end destination of their route all on paper forms.

Today, that work is now being charted on electronic logs which are have recently taken over the trucking industry. Now, you'll find e-logs in all types of trucks that greatly reduce the paperwork and create a simple, efficient system that accurately tracks the entire route of each truck.

What is an E-Log?

An electronic log is a rather small device that looks somewhat similar to a GPS that you may have in your personal vehicle. This paperless log is installed in the dashboard of your truck and records basic information such as the following;
- Where the truck starts, goes and stops
- The speed of the truck
- The idle time of the truck
- The miles per gallon

This basic information is recorded in the device during the entire trip that the truck takes. An employee who gets in the truck at the start of the trip will need to enter their assigned number. At that point, the e-log will ask if the truck has had a pre-trip inspection. Once the vehicle gets going, the driver will press the "drive" button and the system will start recording.

At certain points in the trip, the driver will press the appropriate button to alert the e-log of the activity that is happening;
- Stopping for a break
- Filling up with fuel
- Making a delivery & more

The beauty of this system is that the driver only has to press a button and not write down any information. For truck drivers, having a paperless log saves them time, effort and energy in having to write down all the pertinent details of their trip.

The Benefits of Electronic Logs

There are certainly some important benefits that the e-log brings to trucking businesses as well as the drivers. While e-logs costs several hundred dollars, take hours to install and have a monthly subscription fee, they also offer the following benefits;

Accuracy:

Even the best drivers can not accurately record information from time to time. The e-log never fails as long as the driver just presses a button to indicate a change in the status of their vehicle.

Simplicity:

Without having to keep written logs, drivers can focus more on their primary job of driving the rig and getting to their next destination in a safe manner.

Instant Information:

Because the e-logs are in constant contact with the home base, a dispatcher can see in an instant just how long the driver has been on the road. That way, they can make accurate decisions when the drivers are reaching their maximum hours for the day.
A driver who is trained to use electronic logs can focus more on their job while their bosses can get accurate, up to the minute information that allows them to make better decisions.

Mobile Phone Restrictions

New Mobile Phone Restriction Rule For Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

Overview and Background

A new FMCSA rule restricts the use of all hand-held mobile devices by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This rulemaking restricts a CMV driver from holding a mobile device to make a call, or dialing by pressing more than a single button. CMV drivers who use a mobile phone while driving can only use a hands-free phone located in close proximity.
Research commissioned by FMCSA shows that the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event (e.g., crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation) are 6 times greater for CMV drivers who engage in dialing a mobile phone while driving than for those who do not. Dialing drivers took their eyes off the forward roadway for an average of 3.8 seconds. At 55 mph (or 80.7 feet per second), this equates to a driver traveling 306 feet, the approximate length of a football field, without looking at the roadway!

What is the definition of using a mobile telephone?

The use of a hand-held mobile telephone means:

• Using at least one hand to hold a mobile phone to make a call;
• Dialing a mobile phone by pressing more than a single button; or
• Reaching for a mobile phone in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that he or she is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt.

What does this rule mean to drivers and carriers?

• Fines and Penalties - Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a CMV can result in driver disqualification. Penalties can be up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers who allow or require drivers to use a hand-held communications device while driving.
• Disqualification - Multiple violations of the prohibition of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a CMV can result in a driver disqualification by FMCSA. Multiple violations of State laws prohibiting use of a mobile phone while driving a CMV is a serious traffic violation that could result in a disqualification by a State of drivers required to have a Commercial Drivers License.
• What are the risks? - Using a hand-held mobile phone is risky because it requires the driver to reach for and dial the phone to make a call. Reaching for a phone out of the driver’s immediate area is risky as well as dialing because these actions take the driver’s eyes off the roadway.
• The rule applies to drivers operating a commercial motor vehicle on a roadway, including moving forward or temporarily stationary because of traffic, traffic control devices, or other momentary delays.
• A mounted phone is acceptable as long as it is mounted close to the driver.
• Impact on Safety Measurement System (SMS) Results - Violations negatively impact SMS results, and they carry the maximum severity weight.

Compliance

Make sure the mobile telephone is within close enough proximity that it is operable while the driver is restrained by properly installed and adjusted seat belts.

• Use an earpiece or the speaker phone function.
• Use voice-activated dialing.
• Use the hands-free feature. To comply, a driver must have his or her mobile telephone located where he or she is able to initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button. The driver must be in the seated driving position and properly restrained by a seat belt. Drivers are not in compliance if they unsafely reach for a mobile phone, even if they intend to use the hands-free function.

No Call, No Text, No Ticket!

Mobile_Phone_Rule_Fact_Sheet.pdf