Safety First, Even in Recessions

We just read an article about how the economy is forcing truck drivers to play “outside the rules” My answer is why?

Why do drivers feel that the way to survive is to be dishonest? The article, Tough times driving truckies outside rules, say police” on stuff.co.nz has valid points of drivers exhausted and doing what it takes to stay on the road. That’s all correct. But wouldn’t it be easier to just be honest? Instead of drivers fixing logbooks, why don’t they just follow the safety guidelines? Safety is the most important aspect of driving.

Here’s an example of a few opinions we have heard flying around. A driver needs more money, so he pushes the mileage to get that freight delivered. Is it worth the risk? Really? Think about it. The driver drives for 13 hours instead of the legal time to get a shipment delivered and get paid. Because the driver is tired, the risk goes up of fatigue setting in and someone getting hurt. Either the driver or someone he or she hits will be seriously hurt.

Here’s another example. The driver saves money by not keeping up on the maintenance of the truck. Again, is it worth the risk? Neglecting maintenance also creates a dangerous situation. If a brakes fail or go out someone is going to get hurt. It’s not worth it and can’t be justified, no matter what.

The best thing to do out there is follow the safety rules, keep a good score with the new CSA 2010, and keep your job. It’s not worth the risk.

It’s true. Most Truck Drivers follow the guidelines taught by their trainers in truck driving school. It’s the few bad apples that hurt the industry’s reputation and endanger the motoring public.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4026730/Tough-times-driving-truckies-outside-rules

CR England Truck Drivers with Patience in Common

Here are the stories of two successful CR England, Inc. truck drivers that are so very different and yet so very much the same.



Jamie is a female truck driver in a world of male drivers. At only one and a half years with CR England as an Independent Contractor, she is known in circles for her golden heart. People know her as the driver who is willing to help in any situations. Many at CR ENGLAND, INC respect her and look up to her.



In fact, the biggest moment she’s ever experienced on the road was when she came up on a terrible accident. The driver hit a deer with his vehicle. The car flipped over an embankment and there she was, ready to help. She helped the people out of the car and into safety’s way.



She is also a very patient person. Her advice to help out new drivers is to count to ten when getting upset. Her thought on that subject is: “Things happen. Maintain temper.” She feels that a cool head keeps a driver safe. She also feels that a cool head keeps drivers out of trouble when tempers fly.





There is another driver like Jamie. His advice to new drivers is to be patient. Mike Quote has been with CR England for fourteen years. He even met his girlfriend on the road. An experienced driver, he recently hit 3,000,000 miles without an accident. That’s incredible in my book! His ultimate goal is to make enough money to retire. With those kinds of miles, he should reach that goal soon. He has a soft side because he can’t live without his puppy dog.

More Trucking Job Opportunities to Come

U.S. Bureau of Labor states that there are going to be more job opportunities coming in the trucking industry. That’s because the growth of the economy is making a bigger and growing demand for product to be shipped from one destination to the other, all across the country.



In an article called “Keep On Trucking’” by Nicole Dow of the Sun Herald News, Nicole gives examples of different drivers ventures to get jobs in today’s tough economic times. None of the examples have any tough times and find jobs easily.



It’s ironic to me. This article talks about how it’s going to get easier to get a job as a truck driver, and yet for months now, I keep reading other articles about how easy it’s been to get a job as a truck driver.



So if I understand this subject right, in hard times, it’s easy to get a truck-driving job. In good times it’s easy to get a truck-driving job. It’s simple actually; due to the need of society for food, clothing, and shelter, the shipping industry will always need truck drivers to move product.



For people looking for jobs, truck-driving schools are available. I would personally choose a school like CR England Truck Driving School where once accepted into the training program, you are guaranteed a job. A good career with a long-term stable job that is what most people are looking for. CR England has been in business for over 90 years and has never laid off a driver yet. That’s something to be said in times like these. Visit our websie to find more information about our trucking jobs.



If you are interested, go to crengland.com and click on Truck Driving Schools. Apply and you are on your first step to a long-term job.





http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/23/2578209/keep-on-truckin.html

Horizon Independent Contactor Accomplishes 1,000,000 Miles on the Road

There is an independent contractor at CR England named Seth Clark. At age 36, he sounds just like a lot of other guys out there. Loves time with his family, wants to make a good future for himself and them, and is a hard worker to do just that.



Seth stands out because he just hit 1,000,000 miles with CR England as a Lease Driver, after only 3 ½ years. He did this by a life long attitude. “Always moving forward.” He believes that there is no reason to stop when not at home. A successful driver keeps on moving at all times. Seth Clark is a humble man and gives credit to everyone but himself for this successful mark in his career.



So, where does a driver go, once they hit one million miles? For Seth, it is to manage a fleets and branch into other related trucking fields.



The best experience he has ever had on the road is making the money. He loves making the money that an independent contractor makes with CR England. But he also likes giving trainees the opportunity to turn their lives around. For him, it’s a great feeling to help people who need a new start in life. Get them back on their feet and drive for success.



Seth also stands out of the crowd for his caring of other human beings. His advice for new drivers is to be on time, make more friends than enemies, and most importantly, to remember that successes or failures are your own. That is really great input for anyone, let alone the drivers he mentors. Trainees are lucky to have him as a coach.

http://www.crengland.com/truckdrivingschools/blog/truck-driver-story/

Fleet Owner Succeeds and Passes on his Knowledge

Here is a real quick story about what we'd like to call "Four Trucks and Bigger Dreams." This story is about a fantastic driver, entrepreneur, and business man. This story sounds a lot like the beginnings of many trucking companies.

Mark Weatherill wants to make enough money to travel, enjoy life, be charitable with his extra money, and invest in more trucks to make even more money. Mark is a man that enjoys fast cars, skiing, sports, and biking. He likes to take care of himself and is driven to succeed.

His latest accomplishment was starting his very own fleet with 4 trucks. How did he get to this point in 2 ½ years? By studying what was available, using CR England Programs like Equinox to teach him how to run a business and to do the accounting, and the bottom line and toughest part, hard work. He believes success comes through paying close attention to the little details. No daydreaming or as he puts it “lollygagging”. Mark states: “Focus on what you are taught and don’t allow yourself to have distractions.”

From the time Mark Weatherill gets in the morning to the time he goes to bed, he is dedicated to succeeding. He trains his drivers to achieve something and follow his lead. He knows that a good role model will help them succeed by accomplishing a level of skill that they can be successful at.

When helping drivers get their CDL license, he trains on his own truck. There are no distractions such as the radio or phones and away he goes. He takes it seriously and does what it takes for his students to succeed. As part of his passion, he appreciates the finished project of a successful driver.

While reaching his dreams as a driver, he helps others to reach their dreams as well. Focusing on succeeding himself as well as the success of others is what he wants.

Midwest Fuel Prices Drop with Repairs on Pipeline

According to the article, “Gas, oil prices both on the same track: downward” by Sandy Shore on 9/17/10, the Trucking Industry, along with all vehicle drivers, will be paying less at the pump for fuel, once the pipeline delivering crude oil to the Midwestern refineries is repaired and finished. The Chicago area recently had its lines reopened that deliver crude to Canada from the Midwest refineries. Analysts expect pump prices to lower because of the fix. As well as the pipeline reopening, crude prices are dropping for October by almost a dollar. Placing these two changes together, oil should drop in price. Something everyone is happy about especially those with truck driving jobs in chicago.



The unleaded regular gas national average rose around 5.5 cents last week to $2.740 a gallon, which is an average of 19 cents higher than that rate in 2009. This is according to the Oil Price Information Service, the Wright Express, and AAA.



Tom Kloza, the publisher and chief oil analyst of Oil Price Information Service, was stated in the article as:



“Although gasoline and oil supplies remain plentiful nationwide, the closed Enbridge Energy Partners pipeline caused concerns about supply problems for the affected refineries.”



With the oilrig leaks capped, the anxiety of the fuel market is coming down. This lowers the price of fuel and will help the Midwest cost of fuel to lower the national average.



All around, it’s good news for the consumer, both those in the Trucking Industry and people in cars and other motor vehicles. This in turn will boost the economy even more by consumers feeling less pressure from the cost of fuel





http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2010/9/17/Gasoilpricesbothonthesametrackdownward.aspx

CR England Trucking Company has a 24-hour Recruiter Hotline

C.R. England Trucking Company now has a 24-hour recruiter hotline for those people who can’t make it to the phone during working hours. It’s new and seems to be very popular with experienced drivers as well as truck driving students on the road. Started in mid-July, it has become a necessity for those wanting more information about becoming a driver for CR England and wanting to talk to a live recruiter.

According to the recruiting department at C.R. England, it is a hit and the number is well used. People who have questions call in before going online to fill out their online application. The recruiters are friendly and informative with knowledgeable answers to help drivers decided if C.R. England, Inc. is the right company for them.

There are times when a driver is looking for a new company, whether by lay off or looking for a better future. They drive all day and by nightfall, it’s to late to call for answers to his or her questions. They can call the CR England Hot Line at 1-866-380-1985, and get their answers even if it’s during the middle of the night. Drivers love the service as well as those looking to step into the field.

If drivers or even non-drivers are interested in going to C.R. England Trucking for school or already have their CDL, call 1-866-380-1985 to have your questions answered. If you are ready to start with CR England Trucking, go online and apply at crengland.com, click on the trucking jobs tab and then the apply now button to begin the journey to your new career.

Truck Drivers Can Avoid Neck and Back Pain

The business of truck driving obviously involves a lot of sitting. Extended periods of sitting often come with upper and lower back pain. Anyone who sits at a desk all day, drives a truck or has simply been on a long road trip can relate. Holding still in a chair for hours on end is never easy on the back. Although back pain is common, when in one of these situations there are simple things that can be done to prevent pain and optimize back positioning.

Doctor Jolie Bookspan writes about the ways to stop back and neck pain after long sittings. She starts out by listing that it is not necessary to buy an expensive chair or cushion to sit in a healthful way. She also mentions that with some common sense and information you can sit in a comfortable way that will help your back and neck instead of hurting them.

When slouching you are holding your muscles in a longer position then normal. This weakens the muscles and can cause injury and pain. The cushions between your back bones are called discs and as you sit hunched over your discs slowly degenerate and are pushed out ward to the back. This is what leads to herniated or slipped disks. Positioning your neck slightly forward or backward can also cause problems with your disks. Disks can be pushed far enough out that they hit a nerve and can cause pain in other places such as the legs. Serious issues such as these can be easily prevented.

As you sit notice the position of your back. Do you allow your back to curve to the shape of the seat? If your back is rounded are you leaning even more forward by pulling your head forward or positioning a pillow behind it that curves your neck as well as your back?

Check to see if you are sitting away from the back of your chair causing all of your weight to be centered on your lower back? All of these are common problems with a simple solution.

To improve posture, move your hips all the way to the back of the chair. Lean slightly back to a comfortable position. If the back of the chair is rounded place a small cushion in the space created between your lower back and the chair. This will preserve a healthy and normal sitting position instead of curving your back to the shape of the chair.

While driving move your seat so that you are not required to bend or lean to reach the steering wheel. Your seat should also be tilted slightly back as you sit up and lean your upper back against the seat. Another bonus of this position is that your face and chest are farther away from the airbag making it safer as you drive.

One last thing to remember is that you need to get up every once and a while. Your hips need standing weight for strength so simply standing up for a break can be an effective tool. Stretching is also very beneficial. Simply standing up and straightening out or laying on the ground while propped up on your elbows can help “unround” your spine.

When practicing these tools remember that it is not all about specific angles or positions. Do what works and always pay attention to how you are sitting. Truck driving a truck for hours on end does not have to end in neck and back pain. Use these tools effectively and you will see the difference.

http://www.drbookspan.com/SittingHealthy.html
http://www.truckingjobsblog.com