Everyone has an opinion about truck driving and whether it’s a good or bad career, but ultimately, it’s your decision. Will you rely on uninformed opinions or do your research? Use this truck driving career advice to make a wise decision that’s best for you. Top 6 pieces of truck driving career advice for smart driversReflect on your whyIf you’re planning to start or grow in your career as a truck driver, it’s important to consider why. It could be as simple as earning a good living or supporting a family, but maybe there’s more to it. Before getting lost in the weeds of the how and what, focus your approach by pausing to reflect on why you’re doing it. Be sure you know the basics.Once you’ve got your why figured out, turn to how. You wouldn’t build a house without a foundation, and the same is true with a career. Start with the fundamentals:
Making sure you’re qualified and don’t encounter any clear deal-breakers could save you from wasting time thinking through the next pieces of truck driving career advice. Evaluate your pros and cons.Is truck driver a good career? Take a deeper look at the pros and cons of a trucking job to find out, including:
Your list custom to your needs will determine how you … Compare companies.Once you know why you’re taking the next step into a trucking career, how to do it and what you really want out of it, it’s time to explore who you might do it with — what is the best trucking company to work for? AllTruckJobs offers one of the most comprehensive trucking company directories. Once you find a few companies that interest you, be sure to explore trucking company reviews to see how they line up with your why, how, and what research. Just make sure you also … Look beyond the basics to evaluate the whole package.Every trucking company puts its best foot forward. Maybe one offers the highest cents per mile, but can they guarantee enough miles to make it worth it? Read the fine print, ask the hard questions — look at the whole picture to make sure you’re making a truly informed decision. You’ll want to consider total compensation, freight characteristics, realistic home time, equipment specs, company track record, and any other factors that fit on your pros and cons list. Talk to real drivers.Once you’ve done your homework, the best way to confirm or challenge your suspicions is to talk to truck drivers doing the work. Not sure about a certain company or career consideration? Find a couple of drivers who already work there and have been where you are. Of course, their why pros and cons and preferences may differ from yours. So any truck driving career advice you consider needs to be filtered through your needs. It’s ultimately your decision! Author: Schneider Schneider has been a leader in the trucking industry since 1935, offering a wide variety of truck driving jobs throughout the country that allow you to pick your freight type, number of drivers, and driving style. Schneider offers a multitude of pay packages, benefit offerings, home time configurations, leading equipment, and military-specific benefits. The post Underrated Truck Driving Career Advice to Avoid Bad Decisions appeared first on AllTruckJobs.com. https://ift.tt/2JG3t4d
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We’re about four months into the coronavirus outbreak and it’s certainly changed the landscape of almost every industry. We’ve written multiple blogs on the impact that the virus has had specifically on the trucking industry. From the changing job trends, to the guidelines and procedures for interacting with others outside of your rig, it’s no secret that we’re in uncharted water. One of the most recent changes has created quite a stir within the trucking community. Just recently, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has modified a variety of hours of service changes in order to help drivers during this pandemic. While some see this has a good thing, others are not so sure. Below we’re going take a look at some of these hours of service changes that will affect drivers. Hours of Service ChangesThese hours of service changes have certainly left the industry divided. While some see these new changes as more lenient, others fear they will increase the chance of dangerous driving. These rules could change as early as September of 2020. The 30-Minute BreakOld Rule – The old rule regarding the 30-minute break says that truckers must take a 30-minute break in off-duty status within the first 8 hours of duty. This was implemented for driver safety and to prevent drivers from working long periods of time. Previously, drivers often would skip over this break in order to gain those extra miles, and extra money as well. New Rule – The new rule change would allow drivers to take their 30-minute break in on-duty, non-driving status within the first 8 hours that they are working. This will allow truckers to make money from that 30-minute break and will ideally encourage drivers to incorporate the 30-minute break into his or her day. Off-Duty SplitsOld Rule – The old rule states that drivers are allowed to break up their off-duty splits into eight and two. This means that drivers can use the 10-hour off-duty split and use the 2-hour split to count against the 14-hour clock. This gave drivers at least a little flexibility when it came to using his or her off-duty time. Essentially, this ensured that you were at least getting 8 hours of rest between driving. New Rule – This new rule provides a little more leniency when it comes to the off-duty split. On top of the eight and two splits, drivers can instead use a seven and three splits, and neither shift counts against the 14-hour clock. This will provide more flexibility when it comes to being off-duty. Adverse ConditionsOld Rule – During adverse conditions, drivers can add two hours onto their 11-hour drive time, but they can’t add the two hours to the 14-hour on-duty clock. This was put in place to prevent drivers from losing money while stuck in adverse conditions. New Rules – The new rules allow drivers to add two hours to both their drive time and on-duty clock. This gives a little more flexibility and gives drivers the opportunity to essentially “make up for lost time” when driving in adverse conditions. Short-Haul ExemptionsOld Rule – Drivers working within 100 air-miles of their work base can work with no records of duty status and have a 12-hour on-duty limit. New Rule – Arguably the most significant change proposed, drivers, working within 150 air-miles of their work base are allowed to work with no duty status records. They also have a 14-hour on-duty limit. Made in part to help the growing demand for essentials. This gives local drivers the ability to log more hours. What do you think of these new hours of service regulations? Do you think they are helping or hurting drivers? Comment your opinion below! The post Hours of Service Changes | The Coronavirus Impact appeared first on AllTruckJobs.com. https://ift.tt/2JG3t4d If you are new to trucking, (or simply need a quick refresher course) here are the major offenses, traffic violations, and other revocations that all drivers NEED to know. CDL suspensions can bring your trucking career to a grinding halt, and in some cases, end your career altogether. There are numerous ways that a trucker can get his or her CDL suspended. From reckless driving to failing a drug test, drivers can lose license in a number of ways. Below we’ll take a look at some of the various violations that can cause CDL suspensions. The Lowdown on CDL SuspensionsNo matter the state that you currently reside or plan to move to all of your commercial driver’s license (CDL) information is transferred. This means that your violations will follow you. The information that will be transferred is anything ranging from violations, driving history, and other offenses that are on your record. This is why it’s so important that you keep your record clean. Your permanent residence will be notified of any offense that occurs outside of your home state. Many drivers will say that your CDL is your golden ticket to an industry with great job security. Given the current climate, job security is certainly something to strive for. Major Offenses Include:
For any grouping of the above offenses, you can either be charged with a first offense or a second offense; which can determine how long your CDL is suspended for. First offenses result in the removal of your license for one year, whereas a second offense results in your license taken away for life. This basically means that two strikes and you’re out, for good. All of these offenses are putting both your life and the lives of others in danger, which is why the punishment is so severe when it comes to CDL suspensions. Traffic Violations:
Within a three-year period if two traffic desecrations are committed you will lose your CDL for 60 days. Within a three-year period if three traffic desecrations are committed then this will result in losing your license for 120 days. These seem like small offenses, but they can quickly add up. Just a few violations and you’ll find yourself without a job. It’s often difficult for truckers to find a new trucking job as well with violations and CDL suspensions on his or her driving record. Sleep Apnea CDL SuspensionOne other CDL suspensions that you can expect to see is one for sleep apnea. Many drivers don’t know that doctors actually have the ability to take away a driver’s CDL. Driver’s suffering from sleep apnea can before a driving risk. Sleep apnea causes driver’s to become fatigued, and the chances of falling asleep behind the wheel become greatly increased. There are also railroad crossing violations that need to have the necessary attention as well as all of the other violations. Be safe on the roads and drive straight so that any of these CDL suspensions do not happen to you! Have you had your license suspended or know someone who’s had their CDL taken away? Let us know in the comments below! The post A Refresher Course in CDL Suspensions appeared first on AllTruckJobs.com. https://ift.tt/2JG3t4d We know you’re tired of reading about it, or listening to it, or even seeing it. It’s no secret that the coronavirus has completely changed how our society functions. Entire industries have been turned upside-down by COVID-19, and it’s looking like “normal” is still far from the horizon. We’ve already taken a look at how the Coronavirus is impacting the industry. From a decrease in drivers to more and more regulations when it comes to picking up and dropping off freight, this virus has affected all drivers. However, we think it’s important to look at the logistics of the virus. We’re talking about the entire process of driving, picking up freight, visiting weigh stations, the whole nine yards. Your company most likely already regulations in place, but below we’re going to point out a few tips for trucking through a pandemic. Trucking Through a PandemicThe Cab EssentialsLet’s first start with what you’re keeping inside your rig. When you’re trucking through a pandemic, the buzzword is gonna be “sanitization.” It’s a mouthful, but it’s going to be what keeps you happy and healthy. You’re going to want things to sanitize both your rig and yourself at all times. When you leave your rig, whether it be to unload your haul, use the restroom, or simply stretch your legs, you’re going to want to sanitize when you get back in your cab. We recommend getting some sanitary wipes to wipe down the inside of your rig when you return. You should be wiping the entirety of your cab if possible, with special attention to your door handles, steering wheel, and ELD. The virus can remain on surfaces for quite some time so it’s important that you’re disinfecting. We also recommend having hand sanitizer on hand as well. While you should still be wearing gloves (more on that later), it’s still a good idea to have sanitizer on hand. The WearablesNow let’s venture outside your rig. No, you don’t need a gas mask and a spacesuit. However, there are a few essentials that you should be wearing at all times when you’re outside your rig. First, we recommend that you wear gloves. Rubber gloves that you can buy in bulk are essential when traveling through a pandemic. It’s nearly impossible to go about your workday without touching things or interacting with people. These gloves add yet another layer of sanitary precautions. The second thing you should be wearing is a mask. Ideally, you want a medical N95 mask. However, with dwindling supplies, you can use cloth masks like a bandanna as well. These two wearables should always be on hand when trucking through an epidemic. Person-to-Person EtiquetteAnother thing to consider when trucking through a pandemic is how you’re interacting with people while you’re working. Most companies will have regulations in place to limit the amount of person-to-person contact. These regulations will include zero-contact loading and unloading. Many companies are asking truckers to remain in his or her rig during the loading and unloading process. Forms that usually need to be signed in-person are now going digital. You might be asked to sign-off on something online or they might even waive the signature altogether. When trucking through a pandemic, it’s important to be aware of the new guidelines that both your employer and other businesses that you’re interacting with. Eating establishments have also changed. Many truckers have become frustrated with the lack of eating options on the road. While this is extremely unfortunate, we recommend keeping non-perishable food items in your rig in case you can’t find a place to stop. What are some steps that you and/or your company is taking to stay safe and healthy while out on the road? The post A New Road | Trucking Through a Pandemic appeared first on AllTruckJobs.com. https://ift.tt/2JG3t4d Does the new law on DOT physical sleep apnea for truck drivers have you confused? Join the club! Drivers don’t know if they have to get sleep apnea testing, and, if diagnosed, whether they can still drive. There’s a lot of maybes and what-ifs involved in answering these questions, but let’s try to get some facts clear. Got your CDL? Apply today for trucking jobs across the U.S. For starters, there is no new law on DOT physical sleep apnea for truck drivers. As it stands today, the U.S. Department of Transportation, or DOT, does not require sleep apnea testing for truck drivers. However, DOT does require that truck drivers get a medical examination in order to hold a CDL license. The medical examiner is the one who decides if the driver needs sleep apnea testing. DOT says that it’s up to your medical examiner whether or not your medical condition will interfere with your driving. If diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea, you are considered unsafe to drive and will lose your CDL until you’re treated for sleep apnea and deemed safe to drive again by your medical examiner. Essentially, whoever examines you during your CDL physical will determine your sleep apnea status, and therefore, your ability to safely drive. That seems pretty straightforward, right? So, why all of the confusion? Lack of a New Law on DOT Physical Sleep Apnea Arouses ConfusionThe confusion stems from the fact that government officials can’t make up their minds. Last year DOT planned to pass a new law on DOT physical sleep apnea that would require sleep apnea testing for drivers. Medical examiners, carrier employers, and drivers hoped that a new law would give the industry more direction, as there’s confusion on exactly what is and isn’t allowed when it comes to drivers with sleep apnea. However, that law never passed. President Donald Trump reduced regulations across industries once he was elected. As a result, government officials scrapped the proposed law. This change of plans triggered a debate across the trucking industry on whether required testing truck drivers for sleep apnea is good or bad. Some feel that the government should regulate truck drivers with sleep apnea. Others feel it is unnecessary and invasive. No one knows what they’re actually supposed to do about sleep apnea. Common Questions on the Non-Existent New Law on DOT Physical Sleep ApneaWhat is sleep apnea?Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person’s breathing stops and starts while they are sleeping. This affects the quality of sleep they get. Sleep apnea can affect all age groups, ethnicities, and sexes. There are several factors that place people at a higher risk of sleep apnea such as being overweight, smoking or alcohol use, and a family history of sleep apnea. The issue with driving and sleep apnea is that several studies suggest it is unsafe. People with untreated sleep apnea are at risk of falling asleep or being slow to respond. In recent years, many accidents have occurred in the transportation industry as a result of someone driving with untreated sleep apnea. Do I need sleep apnea testing to drive truck?If you meet a certain criterion you may need sleep apnea testing. For example, medical examiners typically test drivers for sleep apnea who have a higher Body Mass Index. The drivers will go through testing and, if diagnosed, must accept treatment, before they can receive their CDL. If I have sleep apnea, can I still get my CDL?Yes! You can still drive with sleep apnea as long as you are managing your condition. If your medical examiner confirms that you’re managing your sleep apnea and it won’t interfere with your ability to drive safely, you’re good to hit the road. If you do not manage your sleep apnea, then there’s a chance your CDL will be denied until your condition is under control. Keep in mind that state laws vary. Check out what your local Department of Motor Vehicles has to say about sleep apnea regulations in your state. How does sleep apnea cause trucking accidents?We’ve talked about what sleep apnea is, but really, how is it causing these accidents. Sleep apnea affects your ability to stay is restorative sleep. Basically, restorative sleep is why we don’t feel so groggy or lethargic after a good night’s sleep. Just because a trucker might be in bed with his or her eyes closed for a solid eight hours, does not mean that they’re actually getting a good night’s sleep. In fact, if you’re suffering from sleep apnea, your body and mind will feel like it only got two or three hours of sleep. This leads to the obvious cause of accidents – sleep deprivation. Your body and mind just don’t function properly when you’re lacking sleep. Your reflexes will slow and your ability to keep your eyes open becomes harder and harder with each passing minute. Accidents usually happen after a drive nods off at the wheel or fails to maneuver their rig in time. BMI and sleep apnea correlationAnother thing that we do know is that sleep apnea directly correlates with a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI). Statistics and studies show that the higher your BMI is, the more likely you are to have sleep apnea. Will I lose my CDL if I test positive for sleep apnea?If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, your ability to maintain your CDL could change. The government puts temporary holds on CDLs when drivers are diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea. Your CDL will be returned to you once a medical examiner says you are managing your condition. More frequent examinations may happen in order to keep your CDL active. This is to ensure that your health is monitored for safety. Do I have to use my CPAP machine?If you have a CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea, you have to use it to keep your CDL. Medical examiners won’t sign off that you can drive a truck safely until they are sure that you are using your CPAP and treating your sleep apnea. The post There is No New Law on DOT Physical Sleep Apnea… Yet appeared first on AllTruckJobs.com. https://ift.tt/2JG3t4d Getting comfortably numb with your hauls? Don’t stop believing in the industry! Just like a rolling stone, when it comes to trucking nothing’s going to stop the traditional dry van, freight, and flatbeds. That sort of trucking is rock-steady. For some, the day-to-day drive is nothing like the fast-paced life our favorite trucking movies promised us. If you’re sick of those regular loads, stop hauling them and get out there and hustle for your dreams. If your routes are boring and taking too much time away from your passions, there’s no better time to make the change to concert tour trucking! You might be surprised just how lucrative that choice is.
If this is describing you, listen up!
So, what happens when you’ve taken it to your limit? What could possibly be the answer to tired-old trivial transportation? It’s time to try your hand on tour with the best-kept secret in the transportation industry, concert tour trucking.
Are you ready to grow out those sideburns and become the roadie you’ve always dreamed of! You might be surprised to learn that the concert tour trucking is one of the most lucrative niches out there. According to LiveNation, in 2019 concert revenue grew to 10.8 Billion dollars! Are far as to demand Live Nation Concerts, the attendance was a handsome 93 Million spectators.
What that means for the operators in these niches, for those about to rock, so does the bankroll. With all of those head-bangers hungry for their eardrums to bleed, apparently so too do their wallets! For the men and women who move the stage, lighting, and rigging equipment, work is accustomed to more like a family.
Here are five traits you need for a career in concert tour trucking:
Love MusicOne of the benefits of working in concert tour trucking is of course, working with musicians and famous artists! For every live tour across America, there is a tour bus! If you’re looking for the chance to be a part of a large production, concert tour trucking ifs for you!
Love EntertainmentEverything from the Superbowl to Coachella this type of trucking is the heartbeat to the operation. Every piece of sound equipment right down to the stage itself needs to be hauled from city to city. Having a truck on the caravan makes the trip a whole lot easier. Get Ready to Work When it comes to concert tour trucking, get ready to work long hours. According to one hauler, the staff are on call 24 hours a day! Not to mention the long tours are just as long for the drivers as they are the musicians!
Be QuickDepending on some contracts, you’ll need to be quick. Late deliveries or missed show can not only lead to bad PR from the artists, but also for the trucking company. According to some sources, if a load is damaged or late it could cost the hauler to “buy-the-house.” In other words, pay back the employees and all of the fans for their seats and time! Stay OrganizedBecause of your knowledge and practice with the same load, likely you’ll be in charge of the groupies who move the equipment. When it comes to hauling and unloading, it sometimes falls to the trucker to be leading voice during the offload. Be FriendlyOne of the biggest benefits of working long tours is that you bond with your co-workers far more deeply. It’s not unlike a team of truckers and movers to bump elbows with the celebrity! It’s far more common to head out for drinks and enjoy the perks of a free concert!
Be Up Late and Ready to RollWith some concert tour trucking, be ready to work the nightshift. With most concerts getting out at 2 am on a Friday or Saturday night, once the last song is played, be ready to hit the ground running!
Concert tour trucking, sometimes known as entertainment or event hauling is the trucking industry’s best secret. Whatever you call it, this niche position transports the stage and show equipment essential to tours and traveling productions! This industry is jam-packed. The pay is usually weekly.
Fix your day-to-day haul. Try something new and consider the work of a concert tour trucking.
Looking for your next assignment? Whether it’s in concert tour trucking or just something new! Check out all of our postings at AllTruckJobs.com/jobs! Start your next adventure here!
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