Driving for your future job placement

By Connie Wilson

If you are a working driver and haven't already been hit by the drop in CPM. Consider yourself lucky according to Transport Topics July 20th edition it's happening more and more.

This article is spot on when it comes to pay for drivers. Most working drivers have not been victimized by a drop in pay however, the drivers looking for work are noticing it first hand. In the article it pulls statistics from several different areas. The just over all, is a drop of 2.6% or 7% average CPM. What I thought was the most interesting was the fact that they based their facts on the last 14 months. This was a few months before the recession started rearing it's ugly face. The recession has taken it's tole on driver recruiting that's why I think it's only proper to issue my next statement as a,

Warning.....This is for all the drivers out there that have blemishes on their MVR, DAC and the Safety department at a place of employment. If your currently driving and looking for a company with more miles or out of work looking for a JOB. If you haven't thought the rules for recruiting have tightened in the past 12 months they are just starting to warm up. We all know that when freight starts really moving again companies will need drivers. But companies are going to have to look at hiring drivers in a whole new light. Not only will they be the key to moving freight from point A to point B they will also be one of the key changes in the all new CSA2010. If you have not read up on this change in the trucking industry please do, http://www.csa2010.com.

Remember a while back when Indiana and Minnesota started harassing drivers with their questionnaire on fatigue. This was just the beginning of changes all drivers will be facing. All companies and drivers will be evaluated by the FMCSA(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association). Always in the past only the company information was listed by the FMCSA. Now drivers will be apart of the evaluation. The BASICS (Behavioral Analysis Safety Improvement Categories) is a big part of this change. A drivers safety record is based on 7 categories.

(1) Unsafe Driving,

(2) Fatigued Driving,

(3) Driver Fitness,

(4) Controlled Substances/Alcohol,

(5) Vehicle Maintenance,

(6) Improper Loading/Cargo, and

(7) Crash Indicator.

Under the CSA2010 safety regulation changes a company can be shut down by shutting an eye to a drivers behavior. This is a few things that can not be over looked by a hiring company because, these are considered an automatic shut down for the company.

(1) Failing a drug test or refusing a drug test.

(2) Using a driver with out a valid CDL. (includes disqualified for suspended, revoked or canceled by the issuing state.)

(3) Using a driver that is physically unqualified.

CSA2010 Does not go into effect until July of 2010. So, To All the drivers out there that have blemished on their MVR, DAC or the safety department of past employer, find out what they are and if possible clean them up. This may mean contacting DAC (800-381-0645) or your local DMV to obtain a copy of your MVR. Know where you stand. Even though most of these changes will not occur till July 2010 it takes a while to clean up a driving record. Other professions do back ground checks on their employees but, trucking is a profession like no other. A driver not only drives for their job they drive for their future job placement. Safety is the name of the game.

State Tire Chain Laws

Breezes are blowing and winter is coming. We thought this would be helpful to post for drivers. Snow and Ice is never fun to drive in especially in unfamiliar territory.


AL- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, rain or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. Alabama Weather Hotline

AZ- Permissible when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to
cause a vehicle to skid.

AR- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety.

CA- Required to be equipped with tire traction devices when entering a signed restricted area.

CO- Signs along the roadway indicate when a vehicle must be chained. The metal chains must consist of two circular metal loops, one on each side of the tire, connected by not less than nine evenly spaced chains across the tire tread.

CT- Non-skid devices may be used from Nov. 15 to April 30.

DE- May be used upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other
conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.

GA- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

ID- Permissible to use tire chains. There are times when chains are required. Signs will be posted “Chains required beyond this point” when the road is snow-covered or icy.

IL- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

IN- May be used upon a vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

IA- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

KS- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

KY- Permissible when icy road conditions exist.

LA- Permissible upon any vehicle upon any vehicle when required for safety because of conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.

MD- Permissible on any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. In case of declared show emergency, chains will be required on certain designated highways.

MA- Between Oct. 15 and May 1, triples must carry one set for at least one driving wheel on
each side.

MI- Permissible when snow is on the ground.

MN- Permitted when road conditions (ice and snow) require snow tires.

MS- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

MT- Permissible upon a vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. In dangerous or unsafe conditions the department of transportation may post signs that require vehicles to use chains on driver wheels.

NE- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other condition tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.

NV- Roads may be posted with tire chain requirements under certain snow conditions. Vehicles not equipped with chains on at least two driving wheels and at least two braking wheels on each trailer will not be allowed to proceed.

NJ- May be fitted with tire chains of reasonable proportions when roads, streets, and highways are slippery because of rain, snow, ice, oil, manner of construction or other reason; provided, however, that no tire chains shall be used at any time on improved highways when highway conditions do not make such use necessary for the safety of life or property. No person shall use any tire chains so constructed or installed as to be likely to be thrown so as to endanger any person or property.

NM- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

NY- Tire chains are required when a snow emergency has been declared.

NC- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.

ND- Permissible to use tire chains.

OK- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

OR- Tire chains are required when conditions demand because of snow, ice or other I inclement weather and signs are posted.

PA- Required on two tires on a driven axle on emergency routes when the roadway is covered with ice or snow.

RI- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

SC- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety, because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

SD- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. The secretary of transportation may restrict public travel upon any state trunk highway system to four-wheel drive vehicles or motor vehicles equipped with tire chains.

TN- Permissible to use on any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other condition tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Must carry one set of tire chains for all vehicles likely to encounter conditions requiring them.

TX- May be used when required for safety because of a condition that might cause the
vehicle to skid.

UT- May use on a vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions
tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Drivers are advised to carry one set for the drive axle
from Nov. 1 to Mar 31.

VA- Permissible when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. Vehicles blocking traffic due to lack of tire chains may
be fined.

WA- The chain requirements are effective when the department of transportation has posted
signs marked “chains required.” On certain routes sufficient tire chains must always be
carried on the vehicle from Nov. 1 to April 1. The number of chains required varies,
depending on the number of axles and vehicle configuration. At least two extra chains
must be carried on the vehicle.

WV- Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

WI- May be used when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

WY- May be required when the superintendent or his authorized representative determines that travel is sufficiently hazardous due to snow, ice, or other conditions.

No chain laws .............. DC, Florida, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Vermont.

Canada

Alberta Allowed when conditions warrant.

British Columbia Vehicles in the mountains must be equipped with snow tires or chains from Nov. 1 to April 30.

Manitoba Permissible upon a motor vehicle where required for safety.

New Brunswick May also be carried in the vehicle for use in ice and snow conditions.

Newfoundland Required on drive wheels when there is snow or ice on the surface of the highway.

Nova Scotia Permissible upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.

Prince Edward Is Permissible to use tire chains.

Quebec The Minister of Transport may authorize, under the conditions and for the period he determines, the use of certain types of non-skid devices for such road vehicles as he may designate.

Reasons for Leaving a Company - Stop and Think First

By Connie Wilson

Laid off, Cut back, No miles.......The company called the drivers in off the road and shut the doors. The dispatcher was too hard to get along with. It was hurry up and wait, after delivery of my load I had to wait a day sometimes two. For the first 3 weeks, the runs were great and then it slaked off. They cut my miles from 3000 to 2000 and now I'm lucky if I get 1200 to 1600 I can't live on that. These are just a few of the phrases I hear, when I ask for a reason why a driver left a company.

Patience is the name of the game in the truck driving industry. Even though, these are all legitimate reasons for leaving a company, a driver needs to stop and think. The recruiting rules have changed drastically in the last year. The days of a driver quitting a job and having a job in a week are gone. Even if you are a great driver and have many years of experience, companies have upped the ante and here's why.

The cost to hire one driver can average a company $1,200.00 (this is low balling it). This is why, trucking companies have been forced to change the way they viewed their recruiting. The average driver turnover rate last year for most companies was around 100% or more. Taking this into consideration we can now view the costly items involved in hiring a driver. The recruiting department of a trucking company takes care of all the screening of applications. This includes the background check, DAC and MVR. They also have to check out the insurance aspects to make sure a driver can be covered. Then they call the driver and start working with them. When a trucking company hires in 48 states, this in cures other cost. Such as, travel, housing and food for the potential company driver. Let's not for get the cost advertising. A recruiting department needs leads. Weather they come from an Ad placed on the Radio, Magazine or on the Internet. Let's face it Advertising is not cheep.

Is there changes driver can make to help them stay in the recruiting game? Yes there are.

The 3 major changes I have noticed in driver recruiting are:

1. Job Hoping...big no no. A company wants to see a driver application with no more that 3 jobs in the last 5 years. The best statement a driver can make to a potential employer is stay-ability.

2. The no tolerance policy is not just for a failed drug screen. More and more companies are extending this to include Felonies and DUI's. Due to the high cost of insurance.

3. Do not lie. I know that there is a part of everyones life they wish they could forget. However, in the world of trucking a driver has little hope of hiding any thing from the past. Make sure that everything on your application matches your MVR and DAC reports.

The main reason companies started cracking down on recruiting standards is cost. With the economy presently being in a state of confusion and freight looking like it did back in 2002 a driver must STOP and think about their next step. I talk to drivers that have many years of experience but due to bad habits from the past they are having a hard time landing a good driving job.

My Father is a very wise man. When I first started working he instilled in me these 2 phrases.

1. It's always easier to find a job when you have one.
2. Never quit a job until you have a new one.

Times are getting tough and with the economy in its present state, Drivers need to make sure they have a job to go with before quitting the job they have.

10 Things To Remember After You Get Your CDL

By Connie Wilson

Most students don't really know what to expect after the completion of their CDL training course.

When starting as a newbie at the company of your choice there are a few things you should know. Most companies want to put you with a company trainer/finisher. This is the person that will be with you until the company deems you solo ready.


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Learn by listening. By listening to your trainer it will help you establish company policy/regulations. Listening also helps you with general information about your trainer.
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Be willing to build on the information you were taught in school. Trainers are not there to re-train you from scratch. However telling a trainer, “We were not taught that way in driving school” is the first step to a challenging situation.
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Remember, the “School of Hard Knocks” is the best taught lesson that students will ever learn. Everything your trainer knows is from learning it the hard way.
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A trainer is required to report any accidents or traffic citations to the company's department of safety.
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At most companies, a trainer is responsible for all company acquired expenses related to the truck. This could includes: tolls, parking fees, scale tickets, lumpers, etc. A student while in training should be responsible for meals, showers, and personal expenses.
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A trainer should be in the passenger seat at all times while the student is driving. The only exception to this is backing. While the student is backing, the trainer should be outside watching/spotting for the student.
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Most if not all companies need to have evaluations set for a designated amount of miles. The evaluation should be for both the student and the trainer.
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It should go without saying that both parties show respect for one another. Keeping the truck clean is very important. Personal hygiene is a must. There should be no yelling, cursing or threating. The student is there to learn and listen.
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The student should do most or all the driving. The student is there to learn, and what better way, than to drive. Team driving should not be allowed while in training.
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Training is just what it is...learning to log legally, learning to be on time for deliveries, learning to read a map and navigate, learning how the company wants their paperwork turned in and learning to get a long in a very close environment.


The first year is the most important. Most companies keep a new driver out for 3 to 6 weeks during the training period. There is no need to complain about this, just plan for it. Being a truck driver does not necessarily mean you will be home every night. There are good dedicated and regional runs but just like any change in profession, one must start at the bottom and pay dues to get the job of their choice. If I can leave you with just one piece of advice - Never job hop! In trucking, job hopping is considered when a driver has worked for more then 2 companies in 3 years time. Working with the same company is a plus.

Lease Purchase is it right for you?

By Connie Wilson

Most Drivers have the dream of being independent. Coming up with the financing to purchase a truck is not easy. That is why many trucking companies have lease purchase plans. But, is owning your own truck right for you? That depends on the person and how dedicated they are to the road. Most of the drivers I know are working a 70 hour week just trying to make a living.

Becoming an independent owner operator means you are building a business. Can this be accomplished by the lease purchase plan? I once read that only 1 out of 100 are successful at building an independent company using the lease purchase plan.

From all the research I have read Leases are simple.

1. First if its not a walk away lease, don't sign.

2. Second if you can't use your own credentials, don't sign.

3. If the company mandates that you must use their insurance, base plates, fuel tax preparer, etc. walk away from it.

That's not being an owner operator. An owner operator is independent, which means just that. Getting into a lease option program without having financial backing of your own is a mistake.

It defies the progression of building a business. You can't possibly run a sucessful business if you start off with using someone else's money. If you can't afford a base plate you shouldn't be in business. If you can't take your truck to another company, your not independent. Not being independent defeats the purpose of becoming an Owner Operator.

The way you build a business is to work hard save hard and when you have enough capital saved then you venture out and start your business, anything else is doomed for failure.

Maybe 1 in a 100 will succeed but 99 of you will fail. being a driver is one occupation being a businessman is another occupation, all together different.

These are just words of the wise, do what you want with them.
Just remember freight has always been and will always be. It takes a smart person to win at this game and the game gets harder year after year.

Trucking is NOT an easy business.
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Trucking jobs not so easy in todays economy

By Connie Wilson

While working with drivers that are looking for a driving job I notice that some seem to leave out insignificant bits and pieces of the past. In reality by doing this you are in fact leading the hiring company into noticing the holes in your application.
Every trucking company that hires a driver has to obtain a background check of some sort. Even if they don't use DAC services they will at least check with previous employers.

Here are a few tips to remember while looking for a driving job.


1. Never lie on your job application.
You want the hiring company to know you will be honest about everything. Even when you have a mishap with the company equiptment and property.

2. Be neat in apperience,dress the part, wear a button-up shirt, long pants, and closed toed shoes. You will never get a second chance to make a first impression.

3. Always smell your best. Good personal Hygeine is a must. How your take care of yourself repersents the way you will take care of your truck.

4. Always have a working ink pen. If your applying for a job you want to give the impression your prepared not unprepared.

5. Do not job hop. I see alot of applications where a driver works 1 month here and 2-4 months there. The rules of recruiting has changed and is still changing. Most Companies are paying close attention to the number of jobs a driver has had in the last 5 years. Word is they want 3 jobs in 5 years.


Questions to ask the hiring company recruiter.

1. If you ask a seasoned driver the first question they ask is how new is the equiptment and how well is it maintained. I ask why would this be the first question? Their explation was if I'm going to live in a truck I need it to be clean and working.

2. Do you pay Orintation Pay?

3. Do you offer tuition reimbursement?

4. How much does a new driver make per mile? When you say up to __ CPM what are you refering to?

5. Does your company have a safety bonus program? If so how does it work?

6. Do you pay loaded and empty (Deadhead miles)?

7. How many miles does the Fleet average per week? By asking this question you will know if the company has enough business to keep the drivers making money.

8. What does it take to be the top driver in the company?

9. What deductions does your company take from driver's pay? Which expenses are reimbursed? This information should include, toll roads, showers, truckwash and other company expenses the driver pays out of pocket.

10. Does your company pay Per Diem? If so how much?

11. Do you pay multiple drop/pickup pay? If so how much?

12. If hauling Drive Van and Reefer you will need to know about Lumpers. Does the company pay for lumpers? If not do they pay the driver to unload?

13. Does the company pay detention and layover pay?

14. Home time policy should include questions like average time out versa days at home. Please ask if you get the major holidays home ie: Thanksgiving and Christmas.

15. Company Training questions should include, wage paid during training, how long out, types of runs, how much experience a trainer is required to have, choice of female or male trainers, will you be a team or solo driver after training?

Trucking - a 2009 Outlook

If you ever need a clear indicator of where our economy is and where it's head then trucking is your industry to watch; if you ate it, wear in or live in it a truck brought it to you. Trucking is the life blood of our country - face it a clothing factory or farm isn't sitting next door to your house, it had to get to you some how...

And that said 2009 does not look great for new employment, stable for experienced truck drivers - but if you are hearing the hype from truck schools and they're saying; "...driver demand, it's high, give us your money and go into trucking..." I want to be clear, it's just talk for now.

At this time even the big trucking companies; JB Hunt, CR England, Yellow, etc have cut back DRAMATICALLY on their driver recruiting; so much so they are barely advertising for drivers at all, and that's saying something for an industry that in years past posted a 160% turn-over rate just a year ago.

The best employment sector of professional driving; teams, if you are a driver and you can stand to spend 24/7 with another driver then you will have no problem finding employment in trucking - on average 2 to 3 companies a day post new positions highlighting the need for teams, they want less downtime and more profitability from the load and for that to happen the truck needs to keep moving.

The worst position at this time: recent trucking school graduates, or class a drivers with less than 1 year experience.

It looks as though the hiring trend will remain that same until July of 2009, should pick up in August and strong recovery of driver hiring spring of 2010 and a rise in driver demand to almost past year levels October of 2010 and spring of 2011.

On a positive: trucking always recover before any other industry due to the fact that no other industry can exist without trucking in some form or fashion. If you can weather the storm for now a career in trucking will pay off in the end.

You can see a list of current available trucking jobs at www.everytruckjob.com.

As you'll see there are still thousands of driver openings nationwide, most are looking for experienced driver with at least a year of experience BUT if you're willing to make some sacrifices, not be home much, and not take home the greatest pay for now, there are a few companies that will hire a recent grad.