NEW FMCSA NEW RULES

“You can’t just get a truck driving job anymore like before.” In your desperate search for a job maybe you’re thinking ill just drive a truck.  Well think again its getting harder to get these jobs. “The problem is, you can’t find people you want to hire or who can pass the drug tests and all that,” said Karen Rasmussen, president and CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association. Even though there is a truck driver shortage right now and it’s getting worse.  According to one estimate the shortage is around 130,000 truck drivers nationwide!  Old truck drivers are retiring and younger people are showing no interest in becoming a truck driver, and trucking companies are being more picky because of safety concerns.

  It has become so hard to fill truck driving jobs that many companies began increasing pay and benefits to fill these positions.  The cost of delivery could rise and delivery times could slow or be late!  If the economy gets better we will have a shortage of truck drivers to haul the freight like never before seen.  Then everybody will notice when their food and clothing does not arrive on time.  Federal motor carries safety administration has enacted tougher regulations to crack down on bad drivers and companies.  This one motivating factor in the decline of truck drivers and causing a shortage.  The trucking industry has become so highly regulated that a lot of truck drivers are getting into a new industry all together.  But trucking has become safer over the years due mainly to better Trucks and a more quality truck driver training program.

Truck driver crashes have been falling for 6 years now, according to the American Trucking Association, which attributes that in part to 2005 regulations that restrict hours of service.The federal motor carrier’s safety administration last year implemented what they call the 2010 initiative pays close attention to truck drivers and their companies from faulty equipment to fatigue truck drivers, And is now considering reducing the hours of which we can drive and that my friend’s will cause an even bigger delay in moving goods across the country ho ho!! How will the nation’s roads look like with that backup?  They are now shutting down companies with a history of bad violations and some with a whole bunch of little violations!.  The FMCSA now has a truck driver pre hire screening program now that makes it easier for companies to see truck drivers past driving history including small violations.  And now all violations are going on the truck drivers license and with too many you can lose your commercial truck drivers license.

  With all these new rules it knocks a lot of truck drivers out of the industry thus making a new type of truck driver shortage.  Some truck driver training schools are being more careful about who there even willing to train now.  Even before these new rules it was getting harder to get young people interested in truck driving across the country anymore.  To leave the comfort of their bed every night and deal with the headaches of being a truck driver.  Before the recession there was a high shortage then during it got smaller and now its growing again.  Bob Costello, chief economist with the American Trucking Association, said, “I am hearing from companies daily saying,  ‘I can’t find enough drivers. ‘ Some of that is quality versus quantity.  They may not be finding the quality they want.” the freight business is coming back stronger than ever and growing at a rapid pace.  Many young people prefer jobs in the tech business now where they can stay home or be close to home working online instead of driving a truck across the country!!  Just take a minute today at the truck stop or shipper and receiver to see the average age of truck drivers around you i’m sure it will be in the 40s.  Or while standing in line to pay for your fuel look around and count how many truck drivers in there early 20s there is?

  From the truck drivers standpoint that is a good thing, but from an industry side its not good at all.  Just like any industry you need rookies they keep truck driving alive.  Who is going to replace you when you retire if there is nobody coming into truck driving and then in your retirement years you will have to fight people at the grocery store for the last loaf of bread until the truck’s arrive. Also that loaf of bread will cost you $10 dollars many truck drivers are switching companies now look for better pay so truck driver turnover is getting high again. And now with the loss of jobs in the economy there is a rush to these truck driver schools of people who have never driven a truck in their life.  They have been unemployed for a while and are getting desperate to feed their family’s.  A friend of mine Jeff is now going through a trucking school in indiana he was in construction for 20 years but he can’t find a job now. 

But like many new truck drivers Jeff does not know how hard it really is to be a truck driver now. Sure anyone can drive a truck but not everyone is cut out to be a truck driver!! If your a local truck driver you will have to unload in all types of weather conditions.  Over the road truck drivers have to deal with shippers and receivers long wait times which cut into your pay, not to mention the new regulations.  So to sum it up being a truck driver is getting harder and the industry is growing faster than ever.  So what will it be like to be a truck driver in 10 years?  I suspect good quality truck drivers will be in demand and can ask for higher pay. Maybe over the road truck drivers will demand an hourly salary and get it! Ho ho way more pay will attract young people into this industry no matter how hard it is or how many regulations are put on truck drivers.  With the right amount of pay most people will put up with any headaches. (Excert taken from an article in azcentral.com) GONZOTRUCKER

<

The Truth A Veterans Story

Protect Your CDL

430 total views, 1 views today

Incoming search terms:

• shortage on truckdrivers is getting worse (1)
• trucking companies-too picky (1)
• www harder or easier to get truck driving job (1)

Turn  right  on  the  unmarked  unpaved  dirt  road,  travel  4  miles  through  the  woods  until  you  see  the  paper  mill  on  your  right!  What?

“That was the directions that came across my Qualcom”,  one day back in 2003.   Needless to say I was hesitant to drive down that road in Illinois.  In the winter no less!    The directions this time was correct, ask any  Truck Driver and they will say that  Is the biggest stress factor In Truck Driving is getting lost!   “All of us have stories like this”,  and the frustration of being lost can sometimes stress a driver out. 

My first trip to  NYC I got lost for over six hours, and could not even find my location on the atlas.  Finally I found the interstate and got back to the new jersey turnpike toll plaza.   ”I called the receiver and told them if you want your load come to me and I will follow you back into the city.”   Another time in Minnesota I could not find the shipper for two hours, it seems there was two streets with the same name!  

That time I quit driving my truck, and was so stressed out I walked away from the truck for 30 minutes to take a breather. Now the new truck driver has a neat little tool  GPS (global position system).  

 Have  you ever got a secretary on the phone who does not know how she drove to work?  Or  one who forgot to tell you about the low bridge just before the building?  These are some of the things we had to deal with back then. But today with a Good GPS unit you no longer have to deal with these problems, and you can concentrate on driving your truck.  

401 total views, no views today

Incoming search terms:

• kenworth w900 (13)
• bluetooth hard to hear on garmin dezl gps (1)
• gps tagged 18 wheelers cost (1)

No truck parking sign in a huge empty parking lot!  Wow why would that be there?  ”There is a big truck parking shortage in the USA”, and “it’s” getting worse.  “The federal government requires us to take a break”,  but does not provide enough parking!  “Shit happens”  so we can’t always find a proper place to sleep.  For instance i planned on parking at the truck stop, but you delayed unloading me.  “Now im out of driving hours allowed by law”, and you will not allow to park in your empty lot!  “So you expect me to break the law”, and drive to a truck stop that probably has no parking spot’s left!  Then what about the safety of your family?  Do you want a sleepy truck driver roaming around looking for a place to sleep? We need more parking,  and business needs to be more understanding!  What do you think about this?  Leave your comments below this post.  Gonzotrucker

126 total views, no views today

Incoming search terms:

• 18 wheeler trailer unloaded flat (1)

Pan American Highway, Costa Rica

Named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s longest Drivable roads, the Pan American Highway has its own share of dangerous sections too. The highway runs for over 30,000 miles cutting through the North and South American continents. Many competent truckers have made it from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to the lower cities of South America. As any Trucker who has had the honor of completing this challenge will tell you, the most treacherous section of this highway lies in Costa Rica. In fact this section is so perilous that it is considered as one world’s most dangerous roads.

The State Of Roads In Costa Rica

There are three categories for Costa Rican country roads. They range from bad, terribly bad, and extremely atrocious. Most sections of the Pan American Highway in Costa Rica are either a network of unpaved but connected routes or paved surfaces riddled with untold number of large potholes. Roads in Costa Rica are normally paved with an economically thin layer of asphalt which is easily washed away in most sections during the rainy season. This creates numerous potholes rarely addressed by the government.

Any “reluctant” attempt by the government to fill the potholes only results in half baked work which worsen the road conditions by creating a pattern of bumpy rises amid potholes. Ironically the less travelled roads such as the route leading south from Dominical to Palmar, or the northwest road that cuts across Volcanos Tenerio and Miravalles to Orosi, get the smoothest and thickest layer of asphalt. Some sections of the Pan American Highway in Costa Rica are simply bare gravel and in such a bad need of maintenance that most local and foreign  Truckers wonder if the country has road graders.

The situation is worse on unpaved roads. These roads are basically made of crushed rock. Truckers have developed a high level of dexterity from driving side to side in search of the flattest stretch to drive on. There are potholes on unpaved roads too. The norm is to take your time driving around the potholes while seeking for the flattest surface with the sole guidance of the roads center line, wherever there is one. A speed of 20 kilometers per hour while circumventing potholes and rocky bumps along this road is an impressive feat for a seasoned Trucker.

Truckers have learned to memorize the exact location of some of the worst potholes. These are deep crevices with sharp edges which suddenly appear after a relieving mile or two on paved highway. The government seems reluctant to repair these sudden crevices probably because all truckers and local drivers seem to have memorized the exact location of these potholes. The same applies to highway signs because you will hardly see any along the highway. The locals always know where they are, they have no need for signs.

Truckers will tell you that the terribly bad section between Tilaran and Monteverde is a driver’s paradise compared to the atrocious condition of the stretch known as the Hill of Death between San Isidiro de El General to Cartago. The highway has earned a place among the world’s most dangerous roads primarily because of this Hill of Death section.

San Isidiro: The Hill Of Death

San Isidiro de El General is 85 miles from the city of San Jose. The 70 mile stretch from San Isidiro to Cartago calls for thorough mental and physical preparation. The drive is however not without pleasant mountain driving experiences and sceneries that reveal a lot about the Costa Rican country life. San Isidiro is in the province of San Jose and is characterized by fertile tropical climate and pleasant looking mountain valleys. Driving in and out of San Isidiro, Truckers are treated to hillside views of new groves and sunny fields of oranges. The mountainous horizons and green valleys provide a breathtaking view until you ram into a massive pothole or miss the next sharp curve.

As the highway winds up the Talamanca Mountain range, truckers and other seasoned drivers are treated to views of several ecosystems of Costa Rica. The drive towards Cartago takes you from 5,000 feet to close to 13,000 feet at Cerro de la Muerte (Hill of Death) which also happens to be highest point in the whole of Costa Rico. The highway narrows down considerably at this height and becomes a zigzag maze through stunted cloud forests and endless fog, especially at higher altitudes. Tired and frustrated drivers worsen the conditions by trying to overtake slow trucks in poor visibility causing near mishaps and sometimes fatal accidents.

Life Threatening Hazards Along The San Isidiro To Cartago Highway

The life threatening dangers of this Pan American Highway section arise from this region’s rough terrain, land formations, and mountainous climates. The potential to run into flash floods and unexpected landslides while driving up the steep incline is always present especially during the rainy season. The poorly maintained road is riddled with narrow curves along steep cliffs. There is always the chance of a fatigued trucker missing a sharp curve and ending down a deep ravine. This stretch is notorious for accidents due to steep curves and potholes dangerously located close to the edge of the road.

Even the drivable track of the highway leading to the summit is subjected to freezing temperatures especially at night which can be a great test to truckers. Most accidents are caused by poor visibility as truckers strive to make their way through endless fog. The road rises to close to 13,000 feet which presents additional challenges to Truckers in the form of altitude sickness and inability to make accurate judgments. Under such conditions most drivers become irritable and prone to aggressive and irresponsible driving. Fortunately, Truckers always find a respite from the harsh conditions at a restaurant called Las Torres (The Towers) near the summit.

A Better Alternative

There seems to be little or no government efforts in making the San Isidiro to Cartago stretch of the Pan American Highway safer for both truckers and other road users. The safer alternative is to use the newly paved and well maintained road between Quepos and Dominical. This newly completed highway connects to the Pan American Highway and provides a safer alternative to the Hill of Death road.

More Of The World Most Dangerous Highways

The Sichuan-Tibet Highway: Worlds Most Dangerous Highway China
Brazilian Truckers And The BR-116 (The Highway Of Death)
World’s Most Dangerous Roads: The A44, U.K

372 total views, no views today

Incoming search terms:

• pan american highway dangers (3)
• costa rica highway 2 (2)
• accident on panamerica hwy in costa rica (1)
• pan american highway mountain range (1)
• pan american highway road conditions (1)

“A truckers job”

 Entail’s driving  long hours away from home a lot”.  Dealing with traffic and all types of weather conditions.  Sitting long hours at a loading dock waiting to be loaded and unloaded!  “A trucker’s job”   eating junk food because you have no time to sit down and eat a proper meal.  “Dealing with the dispatcher’s and freight broker’s who only care about making money for them self”,  or their  company. 

“A trucker’s job”  finding a place to park and sleep when there is very little parking and they have been driving for 11 hours already, and you just want to “sleep”!!.  Getting that call something is wrong at home and your 40 hours away at the time!  Delivering your load then going to the truck stop to wait on your next dispatch that will come two days later.  “Breaking down on the side of the road and waiting three hours for a repair truck.”  that will take another hour to fix a flat, then you still have to drive ( ten ) hours more because the breakdown happened at the begining of your trip.  “A trucker’s job”   finding a place to sleep after hours of searching!  Only to be woken up by a security officer telling you to move or get a “ticket”.

  Getting pulled into a weigh station or “department of transportation checkpoint”,  and spending two hours getting drilled and inspected.  Then getting a ticket for a log book violation that happened over a week ago!!  “A trucker’s job”  now you have a load and no empty trailer to go and get it so you spend all day bob tailing around looking for one!!.  Then wow i found an empty trailer now i will do a pre trip inspection on it and go?  Shit on the pre trip you discover the trailer has a flat tire ah!.  Getting lost even if you have a GPS unit it does not always work ho ho keep an atlas always in the truck.  Ever try to turn  ”around a 60′ foot tractor trailer on a city street?  

When you realize you’re going the wrong way?  Or there is a low bridge ahead?  Driving in a blinding snow storm, ice storm, or monsoon type rains?  With all the cars around you doing dumb maneuvers trying to get run over.    “A trucker’s job”  after waiting six hours for a load now you get one and then you have to go get loaded two hours then drive eleven more hours to get to your destination only to be told we “can’t unload you until tomorrow”  and you can’t park here!!!   Still want   “a truckers job” ?.    GONZOTRUCKER

“

79 total views, no views today

Incoming search terms:

• ashok leyland lorry (10)