South Africa Tractor Trailer South Africa Trucker

My life with transport and trucking in South Africa…

South African Truck Driver

Where do I start… for the last 10 years my life exists around transport, trucking and the biggest of all, trucks?  I wish my body had an odometer so I could really tell you how many kilometers  I have travelled.  And the most important of all…I will never ever swap it for anything else in the world. Yes, I am very passionate about it.  I had such good times and off course there are bad times but the good out shines the bad. I will always remember it. It made me who I am today and will still influence me and my future for the better. I know it will. There is no getting away from that fact.

I also have to add that everything I tell you here about transport and trucking in South Africa is how I have experienced it in the last 10 years. So please do not think it is factual for those how might think they can drag me to court if they don’t feel happy with what I have to say.

It all started when I was very young. I grew up in a family of 5.  My dad, 2 brothers and I were mostly in the garage busy either with building or working on cars and my mother was a house wife. That is when my love for wheels started and as I grew up it also grew to love bigger wheels and machines.  I bought magazines, posters and anything to do with a truck. As life went on I met a man as it usually is, in 2002. He was a truck driver. We are still married today despite some people saying it won’t last 2 years because we are both on the road and could not see each other. (I just have to add I do have a thing for a sexy man in a good looking truck). That was ten years ago. I got into a truck with him and realised this would be my future and so it happened. He thought me about trucks (the things I didn’t all ready know).

Today I own a transport company. H.J.M. Stander Transport and we are situated in Citrusdal, Western Cape, South Africa.

South Africa Women Truck Driver

We are quite a new company on our own, before this we both worker for other companies. We mostly haul freight in the Western Cape area in South Africa but sometimes we have to go to the long road to haul freight.  At the moment we haul anything legal that can fit on our trailer from bottled water, citrus fruit, watermelon, timber, clothing, containers, farming implements, tractors, glass for recycling, chemicals and even the much loved wines and beer.  In the past we have hauled loads that could go in a reefer trailer like meat, dairy, juice, medicine and dry goods.

We own an International Eagle 9700 pro sleeper N14 select plus.  He is the love of my life, if I may say so in more ways than one. I owe my current existence to this truck and transport.  There are more on their way in the future. There might even be left hands, as we may only import right hand drives in South Africa at the moment.

Transport in South Africa is a very unthankful business. It is not nearly worth as much as in USA or Europe nor is it respected enough to be acceptable.  Just a few days ago I had a huge meaning difference with a lady on face book because of a truck accident. It was a tanker truck filled with fuel and on its way to a filling station when the rear trailer of the link wagon fell over on the highway. It went up in flames causing big disruptions on the highways and on the residential roads. This lady washed out her mouth on face book about how she hates the trucks and in her eyes she thinks they take over the roads.

Also so as I try to fight for the trucks on the road and the drivers I reminded her that almost all the things she owns comes off a truck. The food she eats, the clothes she wears, the wines she drinks, the milk in her coffee, the petrol in her car, even the nice BMW in her driveway and the very expensive leather couch she uses to sit and kiss her boyfriend on, all come off a truck at some point or other.

This brings me back to the point I made earlier about the respect our trucks get from our fellow road users. South African road users think if they are in a car they have right away on the road and the trucks have to give way to them.

South Africa Women Truck Driver

Most of them have never even been in a truck nor do they know what it takes to drive a big rig or even keep it on the road. Also the road conditions are terrible. It’s full of potholes. I have to put on new tyres a lot sooner even before it’s had all its tread done. Every few months or so I have to retread the new tyres I replaced just awhile ago. It’s expensive. 2 Yokahama R23 front tyres costs R9 000 in South Africa. Retreat is at R2 000 each. The roads in South Africa causes a lot of accidents because of its terrible state. Luckily I have to say we do not drive so much on roads in South Africa where we have to pay tolls and it still looks as if you are on a gravel road because they do not use the money to fix it. It’s a shame I have to say.

$1 usd equals 7.57 zar  so r9 ooo equals $1,188 dollars

In 2002 when I started driving on the long road you could almost stop anywhere on the side of the road to have a rest or even take a nap. Now days you either have to drive yourself into a coma to get from starting point and the destination to avoid hijacking or having half of your load stolen right under your eyes. Or if you are lucky you will drive through a town where there is a little garage with some parking space for a truck to get in to and turn if they will allow you to park there for a few hours. There are only a few truck stops in our country which are for trucks and the truck driver when it comes to eating and resting. It’s not even a luxury.  It is run down and dirty. The food is unhealthy and so expensive you can hardly afford it. So we do the next best thing.

That is to have a bbq next to the road. We buy some meat in a town we drive through. Get some wood and maybe some fresh bread rolls or anything else you would like to have with your meat and it would not spoil. Then we drive out of town to the nearest and most decent place we can stop next to the road. We make an open fire and “braai” (it means to bbq meat on an open wood fire).  Usually it is more than one truck that stops. Drivers like to talk about anything and everything when they are parked next to the road.

There is huge trucker camaraderie amongst drivers on the road. If they have cb’s they talk. They talk the whole way on the road. Again they talk about anything and ever thing and even make up their own language and words for things in the road to stay awake. They support each other and when there is a death on the road of one of their mates they support the families of the lost driver. 2 of my trucker mates have lost their lives on South African roads in the last 5 years. Both in the action of doing what they loved the most…driving a  truck. It’s sad but it’s worthy because they gave their lives to the road.

The facilities I spoke about… I am so ashamed to even speak about it. When I am on the long road and I know I will not make it home in time to go take a shower at home I always have to ask someone, a man friend, to smuggle me in at one of these stops. He has to have a look if there is a cubicle open and if he can he will help me in because there are no separate facilities for a woman. You seldom come across a truck stop in South Africa where trucker woman have a toilet for them self’s and if you do it is in such a terrible state you will rather go and wash yourself outside under a tap in the coldwater. What dignity lies in that? It makes you hard. It is sad but true.

Then we get to the costs. Our diesel prices are now R10.70 a litre. Do I need to say more?

When speaking about driving a truck in South Africa…some people think if you drive a truck you do it because you can’t find any other job or are too dumb to go to university. This is because there is no respect for trucks on our roads in South Africa. Now a days there are so many drivers in the work market. It’s flooded because of unemployment. Anyone can get a truck licence but…can they really drive a truck.

Also, those who usually wash out their mouths about trucks on the roads and the drivers no nothing about a truck or transport business in South Africa.

Do they know what it takes to keep a truck on the road when you are tired and a boss is on your back to get to your delivery point so he can get the next load in line for loading. Its long hours and its tiring.

Brings me back to the few places you can stop to rest. In South Africa there are no laws on how many hours you may drive or how long you should rest. Some of the bigger companies where the drive are only a number they do have their own rules where they are checked up on tracking systems and expect drivers to rest. They must stop at about 11pm and may only drive again at 4 or 5pm. If they rest in this time it is their business, but the truck must be parked.

Now a days I am home allot more than a few years ago because of my child and responsibilities that comes with running a business. Every time I have the chance to meet a truck driver I always think to myself…what does this man or woman give up to be on the road and earn a salary to feed his or her family.

The average truck driver in South Africa earn about R8000 to R10 000 locally and on the long hauling about R11 000 up to R16 000. When you see those amounts you should also ask what these drivers have to do to earn that money. Long hours on the roads and long times away from their families and home comforts.    ( R10 ooo equals $1320. )   ( R16 000 equals $2112. )

South Africa women truck driver

They give up their health for the road. Does any one of the public ever think about that? I know they don’t.

In my years I have been on the road I have visited a lot of places. Some of the most beautiful towns and attractions in South Africa. I always say with the transport I have seen and been places I would never have seen and experienced if I had to have worked in an office.

I remember once I had to load at an abattoir. When I got there the load was not ready yet and had to sleep there to load the next day. That afternoon I took a walk and asked some of the workers if I could go in and see what they do inside. So I walked in and saw where the cows where put down and skinned. Yes I also have to say that if you know you are not a “strong” person you should not go in there. But I am glad I did. Now I know. Just as I know how wheat is handled before it’s made in to bread or porridge the same goes for chicken nuggets. Still I will not give up these experiences up for anything else may it be good or bad.

Now with all this said. The bad and negative feeds back I gave you now, I still love trucks, transport and trucking. It’s in my blood. I cannot live without my daily truck fix. May it be taking a drive in a truck or just watching trucks on our roads. Everything you read here is how I have experienced transport and trucking in South Africa the last 10 years. If I remember in ten years time I will again write about my experiences. Who knows……?

https://twitter.com/#!/Ronelst  Follow me on twitter @ronelst

(I apologise for the quality of some of the photos.)

South Africa Women Truck Driver

South Africa Women Truck Driver

South Africa Women Truck Driver

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Australian Road Train’s

Becoming an Australian road train truck driver can be an exciting and enriching experience for any individual. This can be an ideal employment option if you are an independent individual that enjoys travel and doesn’t mind long hours driving. If you are able to think on your feet in almost any situation and you can handle additional responsibilities, such as repairing your truck if it breaks down, you may be well-suited for the job. The following information will tell you everything you need to know about how to be a truck driver Australien road trains and what you can expect.

In Australia, truckers are known as truckies. Pri-movers, or tractors, haul the trailers with items in them. In order to become an Australian road train truck driver, you need to be at least 18 years old and you must take a TAFE course at college. This course teaches you everything you need to know about truck driving, such as how much air needs to be inside of your tires or how to properly tie your ropes. After the TAFE course has been passed, the prospective driver needs to be able to pass a truck driving test on the road. Although this provides licensing, it is not all you need for how to be a truck driver Australien road trains. When you have your license, you will need to get a permit from a company that will be willing to hire you. The problem is that many companies do not want to hire a driver unless they have some previous experience. Because of this, it can be difficult to find a job as a road trains truck driver.

A good way to begin is to start by driving small trucks or working with a smaller based company. You can build up your experience with this for several years and work your way up to driving road trains. The more you are able to prove that you can handle driving smaller trucks, companies will be interested in hiring you for the next level until you are ready to drive a road train. Earning the certification is sometimes the easiest factor of how to be a truck driver Australien road trains. If you are unsure of where to apply for truck driving jobs within the area or you do not know who is currently hiring, you can check the internet for companies and possible independent employment. In smaller towns, if there is nothing available, it may be easier for you to find work in the larger cities that focus more on distribution, commerce, produce, and other elements that require the hauling of goods.

It is important for a driver to gain experience and ensure they are ready to drive a large truck because of the noticeable differences in transportation. Road trains truckers deal with Mack and Kenworth tractors when they are transporting their haul. These types of tractors, or pri-movers, are specifically built towards specifications that are only suitable for road trains, and are built with twice the amount of fuel and air tanks. The tractors can haul up to three trailers, and a driver must be very experienced with driving in order to maneuver without causing any errors or risking accidents. While it is possible for a driver to back up and reverse a tractor with only two trailers attached, it is fairly impossible to reverse a tractor with three trailers attached. This is why it is rare to see three trailers being hauled.

The pay for this type of job is fairly decent, depending on who you work for and how often. The most average wage .37 to .43 cents per km, is 500 per week in Australian dollars. Some people make over 700 dollars per week, but this depends strictly on what company they are hauling for and how often they are on the road. The downside to this job is that truck drivers are only able to get paid as long as they are on the road and hauling. This can be more of a problem if you are hauling for a company and your truck breaks down. The time that you will spend trying to make repairs or waiting for someone to come make the repairs for you are not paid, and so it is possible to lose a lot of time and pay in these situations.

Drivers that are employed for a company are able to get up to four paid holidays that will allow them to have a day off and spend time with their family. However, drivers that own their own trucks usually do not have this luxury and have to continue driving in order to ensure that they make all of their pay for the assigned trip. This is necessary based on the amount of miles that the truckers must travel every day, sometimes cross-country. Australia and the USA are fairly similar in size, meaning that truckers must travel from region to region to deliver all of the goods throughout the country. These truckers travel sometimes millions of miles to deliver and pick up produce, livestock, chemicals, and many of the goods that are purchased in stores on a daily basis. They generally pick up their load at the city that they work in and then haul it to wherever the delivery location is. Some locations can take up to a week or longer to drive to, depending on the weather conditions and the driver.

The time that is spent on the road also has to match up with what is written in the log book. Previously, log books were kept on traditional paper but this made it too easy for some drivers to be dishonest about their location and how many miles they had driven. Because of this, there are now many companies that are switching to using computers to log the assignments instead. These computers are connected to the truck and log the miles that are driven each day. Additionally, they are often paired with GPS systems to ensure that the drivers are going in the right direction and are not spending their time at unapproved locations.

When you are examining how to be a truck driver Australien road trains, it is important to consider all of your options. Because of the amount of time that is spent driving, it’s important to consider if this is a lifestyle that you are prepared to accept. There are many older and experienced truck drivers who have families and have become used to the lifestyle associated with being a truck driver. These individuals are more likely to work their assigned times and come home to spend time with their loved ones before leaving for their next assignment. However, there are also many younger truck drivers who use the job as needed so that they have time for other aspects of their life. They are typically employed less than older truck drivers, because they need time away from the road for elements such as going to school or dealing with aspects of their personal life.

Most truck drivers are only on the road for around two weeks and then they have a week off. The alternative to this are the drivers that are able to drive anytime they want to due to their employment. These drivers are allowed to drive for as long as they can as long as they have enough time for resting and driving breaks. Because the job of driving Australian road trains often means that drivers will be traveling to far away locations, most of their time is spent on the road, and as a result, most have to adapt their lifestyle to time spent in their truck.

Generally, the trucks are able to offer you the basics of what you need while you are on the road. Most trucks offer air conditioning, heating, and a small fridge for you to store some of your food in. There are also sleeper cabs for you to rest in when you are finished driving for the day. If you are driving teams, one person will be driving while the other person is sleeping, and vice versa. Some trucks also have outlets that you can use to power some of your electronics while you are on the road. There is equipment in the front dashboard of the truck that holds a variety of gauges and steering mechanisms. Unless the company is sponsoring wireless headsets for communication, there is usually a walkie-talkie near the steering wheel so that truckers can communicate with other truckers and company dispatchers while en route.

Because it is not uncommon for trucks to break down during an assignment, many truckers have to learn how to repair their own trucks in order to make it to their location on time. While this isn’t always the case in every breakdown situation, most truckers know the basics about what to do in an emergency situation with their truck, or how to handle some basic repairs. Often times, they need to call another trucker on the same route to help with the repairs, or to deliver a replacement part so they can return to the road again. Truckers that are able to make their own repairs on their trucks are valuable to trucking companies because saves repair costs. The ability to adapt to this lifestyle for each assignment until you are able to return home is crucial. Companies will repeatedly hire truckers that are able to provide meet their assignment deadlines on time and without any issues. If you can build a reputation of being reliable, you will have better chances at success on how to be a truck driver Australien road trains.

Keeping these points in mind will help you greatly with your interest in how to be a truck driver Australien road trains. It is important to understand that becoming an Australian road train truck driver is not an instantaneous option. It is a form of employment that happens over a period of time, requires effort, persistence, and experience. If you are willing to take the next steps after receiving your licensing, you should not have any difficulty in your endeavors with becoming a truck driver.

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oil field truck

TRUCK DRIVER GADGETS

OIL FIELD TRUCK DRIVERS AND ICE ROADS Truck Drivers

Individuals interested in learning how to be a truck driver for oil companies follow a long and illustrious line of others that dedicate their lives to a hard job that demands a big portion of their time and comes with considerable risk to the driver’s health but can earn a high “Truck Driver Salary” The people who navigate the ice roads and frozen highways of the Alaska and Canada are a crucial cog in the international oil industry. Without truck drivers the oil industry would come to an immediate and absolute standstill. This field of commerce is responsible for keeping the engines of the world well oiled and fueled so that the industrial machine can keep spinning, keeping millions in work and with a livelihood.

A person needs to possess certain basic knowledge how to be a truck driver; it requires a singular ability to commit to long hours of solitude and loneliness while on the road. In addition to a mental strength, physical requirements may be demanded of the driver during loading or unloading cargo. The conditions may vary considerably from hot, sultry summer days to forty degrees below freezing during winter, conditions where the driver battles ice and frozen water lakes.

Oftentimes an oil field job requires a driver to remain on site for twenty four hours or more during the drilling process. There are certain drilling mechanisms that require constant lubrication and flushing and may by no means ever run out of a water supply. The first rule to learn when wondering how earn a high “truck driver salary” in the oil business is that to complain, or continually express a desire to be elsewhere, may result in a driver being permanently excused from the job. Oil field supervisors and employers have little patience for this type of behavior from drivers. This does offer the driver the chance to go home and get some rest; however, the chances are great that the particular driver and the company he or she hauls for will never receive work from that company again. In many cases, the company that excused the driver may spread the word about the disgruntled driver and make it difficult or impossible for them to find work in the area ever again.

Knowing how earn a high truck driver salary in the oil field involves having a strong desire to work and a commitment to seeing a particular task through to the end. Not only must the job be done according to the companys deadline, it must be done with class and efficiency. Due to the remote and elite nature of Alaskan and Canadian oil field driving, a driver may be hired solely on their reputation among the industry professionals that have worked with them and can account for their superior work ethic.

The role of a driver is to do their part of a larger plan and work as a team player to meet their particular obligations. Many truck drivers in the oil business must be motivated earners due to the nature of the work. If a driver turns down jobs they know will include some hard or difficult work, it is unlikely they will be rewarded with a higher truck driver salary,the more sought-after jobs. It is important that a oil field driver show their willingness to take one for the team, so to speak, in order to be offered the choicest jobs. Drilling site truck drivers with a willingness to do what is required to get the job done, without unnecessary whining and complaining, are in high demand in the oil field where time is money. In parts of Alaska, some roads are only available for a specific time of the winter when it is the coldest, therefore drivers must get as much done as possible before the roads melt and passage it impossible. This requires a great deal of time and energy from the drivers.

Types of Equiptment and trucks

Learning how to be an oil field truck driver, and earn a big salary entails understanding the many different types of trucks, trailers, and beds that are used in the oil business. The categories are as endless as the jobs they perform and each requires a different skill set in order to move them and the cargo safely and efficiently. Some of the many types of trucks used in the operation of a drilling site include a swabbing rig, hazardous material transport and removal, winch trucks, vacuum trucks, pipe and casing trailers, tandems and flatbeds, oilfield road tractors, doghouse trailers, mud/stir tank trucks, frac tank drivers, pipe tub trailers, skid tanks, low boy trailer haulers, and flat bed floats. These various implementations and applications perform very specific tasks for an oil or gas drilling company and require an expertise to haul or drive safely.

Understanding how to be a truck driver means that a wide variety of instrumentation will be used during the routine of an average day. The winch truck is a crucial piece of technology that no oil field business can operate without. Whether the goal is towing or hauling, most winch trucks are equipped with a fifth wheel assembly for easy hook-up and accessibility. Understanding how to use the winch safely under the enormous stresses that may be placed on the line is of vital importance to both the driver and any person in the immediate vicinity of the job. A company that is responsible for teaching individuals how to be a truck driver will include the operation of the many facets of a truck, not simply the maneuvering of the vehicle itself.

Due to the extreme pressure and friction generated during drilling, and the removal of the debris accumulated, vacuum trucks are very important to oil companies. These trucks are responsible for getting the drilling waste water from the site to the dump area and bringing fresh water back to the site of the drilling. Whether pumping out the brine used in the wells, bringing water in to begin the work, or performing fracturing work, a complete knowledge of the trucks capabilities and function is important to grasping how to be a truck driver in this area of work. These trucks are required to traverse diverse terrain in order to reach the site of the drilling, whether over mud, dirt, sand, ice, snow, or standing water, the driver must know how to safely operate the truck under any of these conditions. A well trained operator is more than just a truck driver, but an all around utilitarian site worker.

One of the most dangerous and highest truck driver salary positions a trucker can hold is being the driver of a hazardous material transporter for an oil drilling comapany. The contents can be anything from fuel to well waste and often poses a great risk to the driver, loader and unloader, and the general public that is near the vehicle while it is full of such material. There is a greater responsibility for these types of drivers to be aware of all types of various site and road conditions in order to prevent catastrophic accident and spills that can be not only harmful to any person or animal in the area of spillage, but can make the environment unusable and dangerous for many years to come. In the process of training for how to be a truck driver responsible for transporting hazard materials, individuals will be instructed of the potential dangers of various materials and certified to be capable handlers of such materials. So they will get the highest truck driver salary. In addition to the heavy weight of a semi-truck that makes it inherently dangerous in a collision, the driver must consider the cargo in the tanker and have the requisite knowledge to contain as much as possible in the event of a spill, leak, or accident.

There are myriad other versions of trailers that can be hooked up to an oilfield road tractor. This may be the most heavily relied upon machinery on any given drill site and with conditions in Alaska and Canada being so extreme in winter months, ice and below freezing temperatures present challenges to the drivers that they would not experience elsewhere. With a dependable road tractor, drivers can haul any trailer that may need to be moved or transported.

The fundamental skills of learning how to be a truck driver for an oil field company include the hook up, transporting, and removal of various trailer types. The driver must be cognizant of more than just the trailer; the contents may be fluid or extremely heavy, shifting its weight from side to side during uneven terrain or turns in the road. For drivers operating on the dangerous frozen roads of Alaska and Canada, a shift in the cargo can be disasterous.

TRUCK DRIVER SALARY

The average salary for individuals entering the oil field trucking industry is not a set number, but varies depending on the certifications and training one has received prior to working for a particular company. When the job requires a driver to drive over dangerous roads such as the ice roads that only exist during the hardest times of winter, the pay is exorbitantly higher and can be as great as $100,000 per year. As with everything else, pay is based on experience and training, as well as the amount of hazardous potential involved in the route used. Those drivers with the best credentials and motivation will be offered the most money for their service. GONZOTRUCKER

http://www.oilfieldworkers.com/transportjobs.php

http://www.ndoiljobs.com/ North Dakota Oil Field Jobs

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TRUCK DRIVER GADGETS

Mexican USA Cross Border Trucking Program

When someone is trying to figure out how to be a truck driver, they might not realize all of the complicated issues that affect this industry. One issue that is currently being debated by almost everyone in the trucking industry is the cross-border trucking program between Mexico and the United States.

The cross-border program was initially in place from 2007 to 2009 under then President George Bush. During the Bush-era program, there were only twenty-nine carriers involved in the program and a total of one hundred trucks. However, the program was halted near the beginning of Barack Obamas presidency about two years and eight months ago. Presumably, the program was terminated due to pressures from trucking unions and organizations.

Currently, however, the program is scheduled to restart in just a few months. However, that start may be delayed due to lawsuits and safety concerns. Essentially, the cross-border program allows some Mexican truck drivers to drive into the United States in the same way that Canadian drivers are allowed to enter the country. It also allows American truck drivers to drive into Mexico.

When the program was not in place, American drivers were not allowed to cross the Mexican border, and Mexican drivers were not allowed to cross the American border. Their trucking companies were forced to rely upon drayage or short-haul trucks to carry cargo across the border to another trucking company. This system was imperfect because it forced trucks to sit and idle at the borders while they waited for the drayage trucks.

After the program was terminated, Mexico placed approximately 99 tariffs on a variety of American goods. The tariffs ranged from five to twenty five percent, and they had a drastic impact on the trade relationship between the United States and Mexico. The effects of these tariffs were widely felt by the U.S. economy. The effects of these tariffs were so extreme that most people speculate that the U.S. government decided to reinstate the program to mitigate the effects of the tariffs in spite of massive opposition to the program.

After the United States agreed to reinstate the cross-border program, Mexico got rid of half of the tariffs. The have also agreed to get rid of most of the rest of the tariffs after the program restarts. The organization Free Trade Alliance San Antonio which is a group of business owners and professionals in San Antonio was also instrumental in convincing the U.S. Department of Transportation to reinstate the cross-border program.

Opposition to The Cross-Border Program

The complaints about this program are mainly centered on two issues. Some people, the Teamsters in particular, are worried about the impact that this program will have on the jobs of United States truckers. Other people are worried about whether or not Mexican trucking companies know how to be a truck driver in the United States, and they are worried about the safety of the Mexican trucks themselves. The U.S. government has presented a number of compelling counterarguments to both of these complaints.

Safety of Mexican Trucks

Many people have complained about the safety of the Mexican trucks. However, these complaints are viewed to be unfounded by proponents of the program as there were no accidents during the test program that ran from 2007 to early 2009. The United States Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters has spoken enthusiastically about the inspection program that will examine all of the trucks involved in the cross-border program.

Working in conjunction with Mexicos Secretary of Communication and Transportation Luis Tellez, Peters has helped to implement a U.S.-based inspection program. American inspectors will perform safety inspections to ensure that the Mexican trucks meet American safety regulations. The inspectors will look at the trucks, and if the trucks do not pass the inspections, they will not be allowed to drive into the United States. In order to participate in the cross-border program, Mexican trucks must pass these tests.

However, even trucks that pass the inspections face some additional restrictions. They are only allowed to operate in the cross-border program. They are not allowed to drive goods from one U.S. destination to another one. Additionally, they are not allowed to transport hazardous materials or passengers. In addition to passing inspections and meeting safety standards, the trucks are required to meet other standards. For instance, they must carry insurance from an insurance provider that has been licensed in the U.S..

The cross-border inspection program is an extension of a program that was first implemented in 2001. It was comprised of twenty two safety rules that had to be followed. These same safety rules will be at the heart of the new inspection program. According to Secretary Peters, the current program has met all of the Congressional safety requirements. Since 1995, they have spent more than $500 million on this program. Most notably, they have invested the money into making the border facilities safer and more modern. This project has effectively created over 500 jobs for the federal and state workers who are charged with doing the inspections and maintaining the facilities.

Peters claims that the inspections will be successful. She refers to the inspection plan as rigorous and claims that they have the right staff members and facilities to carry out the inspections professionally and quickly. She also claims that the cross-border program will help the U.S. find new and innovative ways to do more business with Mexico which is one of its biggest trading partners. She further asserts that the program will benefit the U.S. economy, give U.S. drivers more jobs, and provide consumers with the chance to buy more products.

The drivers must also meet certain requirements. They must understand how to be a truck driver in the United States. To prove that they understand this, they must pass an English test that proves that they can answer certain questions in English and understand written directions in English. Of course, they must carry a valid drivers license to operate a commercial truck. In addition, they must pass a medical fitness exam that is similar to the one that American drivers must pass, and in most cases, they will also have to pass a drug test. They must follow U.S. regulations regarding how many hours a day they operate their truck too.

To ensure that drivers are following the guidelines about how many hours a day they are allowed to run their trucks, the U.S. DOT will be installing black boxes on each Mexican truck. These boxes will monitor the trucks which is advantageous for safety reasons. However, each black box cost $2,300, and this amount must be paid for by the U.S. tax payers. This figure is only a drop in the ocean as tax payers will actually be covering all of the costs of the program.

Effects of the Cross Border Program on Jobs

The Teamsters Union led by President Jim Hoffa is not as excited as Peters is about this program. In late August of this year, they actually filed a lawsuit against the DOT (Department of Transportation) and its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to stop the program. When the Teamsters first publicly complained about the program, they voiced concerns about the safety of the Mexican trucks. Now, however, their focus has changed. They claim that the program will ultimately result in fewer jobs for American drivers. These concerns have been echoed by the OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association).

Todd Spencer, vice president of OOIDA claims that certain DOT regulations target U.S. truckers and make it harder for them to work. On the other hand, he is worried that the Mexican drivers will not be beholden to these same standards. He and his organization have expressed additional concerns that the American drivers who are already struggling to meet regulations will be further oppressed when Mexican drivers start to take American jobs.

He also worries about the safety of American drivers who do opt to participate in the program. He worries about the potential hijackings and violence that they may face as they cross the border into Mexico. He claims that his concerns have also been voiced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who has issued warnings that truckers should stay out of this area of Mexico.

However, there is not a consensus on this issue of job loss. The U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood claims the cross-border program will have the opposite effect on jobs. He claims that the program will create jobs in both countries.

Texas A&M University did a study on the potential effects of the cross-border program, and according to their study, 12,000 U.S. jobs would be created or restored due to the reimplementation of the cross-border program. Notably, 1,550 of those jobs would be in Texas. Many of those jobs will be created when Mexico finishes lifting their tariffs on U.S. products.

Surprisingly, not all of these jobs are for individuals who are interested in learning how to be a truck driver. In fact, many of these jobs are in agriculture. Some people feel the timely reinstatement of the cross-border program has also saved jobs. According to estimates by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an additional 25,000 jobs would have been lost if the Mexican tariffs had stayed in place. The U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack claimed that the tariffs had already cost American companies more than $2 billion in lost revenues.

If you are interested in how to be a truck driver, you should know that you are entering a unique industry that has its own set of information, concerns, and regulations. The cross-border program is an interesting program, and only time will tell if it will be successful for American trucking companies and their drivers.

Mexican USA Cross Border Trucking Program

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The journey

So as my regular readers know I go to the Philippines often my ex wife is from there.  This time i decided to go to Baguio Philippines a town that I’ve never been to in Philippines before. It’s located in the northern part of the country 5100 feet above sea level, in the cordillera mountains. The climate is different then where i most often go in Philippines, Cebu City.  It averages 59 to 79f and rains a lot. So cold as shit for this journalist!  This trip was to be a true affirmation the American trucker in a foreign country. I wanted to embed myself with the locals in the true Gonzo style of writing to get the real story.

I wanted to live like the typical person from Baguio. I wanted to learn about the truckers, and people of Baguio. The trip up to Baguio was a five hour drive in a Toyota pickup. The road was paved, and wound through many little towns, and it was a toll road. It was 12 midnight when we left Manila so very little traffic, and mostly just truckers on the road.  It was a steady climb up the mountain, and if you have seen how people drive over there oh brother. It’s called combat driving very few rules as far as I can see. I have seen a few truck stops on the way up, and they look just like truck stops in the USA. The truckers were the same as here. They talked about how fast, and nice there trucks were. We stopped for breakfast at a little roadside truck stop. I ate some pork dishes with rice, and a beef soup. Baguio unlike most parts of the Philippines is loaded with farms. So all fresh vegetables, and good beef. So there were a lot of produce haulers there. After that we headed up the mountain to Baguio, and the little room i was staying in.  Unlike many foreigners in philippines i dont stay in hotels i stay with the people at their house.  Im a gonzo journalist i prefer to get the real story, and you can’t do that in a resort.

Baguio is called the summer capital of the Philippines because of the weather, and tourists. But i have only seen 3 white dudes when i was there, and I the gonzotrucker. It was a beautiful city with the mountain backdrop and the parks. It’s very different then any other city in the Philippines. For one thing the people of Baguio are farmers, and farm owners so there is more money there. Baguio city has a population around 300,000 people. Most are Ilokano people of the mountains. Baguio has 8 colleges, and is the center of education for North Luzon. It has many markets and street vendors. Unlike other Philippines cities i’ve been to very few street beggars, and street children.

“The region around Baguio was first settled primarily by the Ibaloi’s and the kankanaey’s. In the nearby town of La Trinidad, Benguet, Spaniards established a commandant or military garrison, although Kafagway, as Baguio was once known, was barely touched. In 1901 Japanese and Filipino workers hired by the Americans built Kennon Road, the first road directly connecting Kafagway with the lowlands of Pangasinan. Before this, the only road to Kafagway was Naguilian Road. On September 1, 1909 Baguio was declared a chartered city. The famous American architect Daniel Burnham, one of the earliest successful modern city planners, laid a meticulous plan for the city in 1904. His plan was, nevertheless, realized only to a small extent, primarily due to the growth of the city well beyond its initial planned population of 25,000 people. The Americans earlier declared Baguio the Summer Capital of the Philippines on July 1, 1903 and The American Residence as the residence of the American governor-general to escape Manila’s summer heat. They further developed Baguio, building parks and public structures such as Wright Park in honor of Governor General Luke E. Wright, Burnham Park in honor of Baguio city planner Daniel Burnham, Governor Pack Road, and Session Road.” Quote from Wikipedia.

Truckers And License requirements

Truckers in the Philippines earn an average of seven us dollars a day. They not only drive but load, and unload as well as work on their trucks. They drive all types of trucks from old Cabovers to lorry trucks. They mostly haul containers, flatbeds, and tankers. Fuel in the Philippines cost 45 pesos per liter so that comes out to about $4 dollars a gallon same as the USA. Requirements for a license are as follows

Most of the truckers are company drivers because they can’t afford to buy a truck. A truck in the Philippines can cost $8000 usd to $15,000 usd. The Philippines does not have too many options for leasing or buying a truck on a loan. The country does not use credit scores like we do. There you will need to have a long standing bank account, and 50% down plus collateral to get a loan.  The fastest i’ve seen any of them drive is around 50 mph. They drive all over the road, and pass on curves and hills. They just beep their horn, and you are required by law to get out of their way!! Oh how i wish that was the way here.  Philippines truckers are just like us in most ways. They curse, and chase wild women when they’re not over worked and under paid! “Just like us”. One difference i have seen them use spotters, and there is two drivers per truck mostly due to the fact they load, and unload their trucks. The truckers of the world are the same. I did not see any women truckers in the philippines im sure there has to be some. I will research this, and get back with you on it. I just ask some friends there and they tell me in metro manila there are a few women truckers. Also some of the busses are driven by women. I will keep researching this. Lane splitting is ok there, hell use any lane you want there.

Regulations for truckers

Unlike the usa, uk, and europe the philippines has few regulations that are diffrent then passenger cars. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1964/ra_4136_1964.html

They have toll roads, and radar speed traps with tickets to be given out. At the entrance to the toll road was a sign reading overweight, and overloaded truck rules will be enforced!

Section 48. Reckless driving. – No person shall operate a motor
vehicle on any highway recklessly or without reasonable caution considering the
width, traffic, grades, crossing, curvatures, visibility and other conditions of
the highway and the conditions of the atmosphere and weather, or so as to
endanger the property or the safety or rights of any person or so as to cause
excessive or unreasonable damage to the highway

I put this in here because this is funny, everybody there drives just like this. That is from an accutual philippine driving manual!!!  All of the regulations are they at that link. You can read it, and understand it in 3 hours lol. In 3 hours here you just get stated on all the regulations.

http://www.metropolitanmanila.com/?p=1954

E. Violations relative to weights and load limits.

So what did I learn?  Philippins truckers are the same as all truckers of the world. Most of this information was gathered at a drinking party where i met a one eyed, one armed truck driver who claimed to have one ball but I never confirmed that!!! We spent all night drinking, and talking while playing poker “he took most of my money” but i got the story! After drinking until five am we blacked out, and I woke up in a chicken coop. What a night that was. If someone can tell me what happened it would help me?

Youtube videos

You can see all the videos on my youtube channel   http://www.youtube.com/user/lanceringler1976?feature=mhee

South African Truckers
Lorry Trucker UK
Austrailian Truckers

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