Our Most Recent Trucking Blogs (scroll down)

My First Year as a Truck Driver

Posted on 17 March 2010 @ 6:30 am

Wow, it's hard to believe, but I've been at my current employer for 1 year as of today. I began Truck Driving School in January of 2009, completed that in February of 2009, and was hired on in March of 2009. This post will simply serve as some observations that I've made as my first year of a truck driver.

Signs Show Improving Economy And Strength In Trucking Industry

Posted on 16 March 2010 @ 7:58 am

A number of recent data sources, along with quotes from economic analysts and trucking industry leaders, all point to an improving economy and clear signs of an improved outlook for the trucking industry.

Attending Truck Driving School Part II – First Day On The Yard

Posted on 15 March 2010 @ 5:52 am

Alan and I were both nervous, yet excited about the new challenge before us. We’d be spending the first couple of days in the yard, learning straight-line backing and 45° angle backing. Here we go - my first attempt at backing up a truck.

Attending Truck Driving School Part I

Posted on 10 March 2010 @ 6:24 am

Priceville, Alabama was where my trucking adventure began. A Super 8 motel room would be my home for the next three weeks while I attended CDL school. I did not know what to expect on the first day, but I met a wide range of personalities in the other students. It was incredible to see the diversity.

Becoming An American Trucker

Posted on 8 March 2010 @ 4:11 am

I was probably one of the most unlikely candidates to become a truck driver that the world has ever seen. I had spent the past 20 years of my life working in television broadcasting in various roles. While it had been exciting and challenging at first, the years had eroded my role into a thankless and suffocating rut. I seriously needed a change...a new experience. This is the beginning of my story - the life of an American Trucker.

Not Much Help For The Drivers

Posted on 7 March 2010 @ 6:41 am

The Qualcomm system at most companies have directions to customers listed, but a lot of the time the directions are wrong. Unfortunately, even when dispatchers and customers know the directions are wrong nobody seems to care enough to do anything about it. Here's an example of the mess it can cause.

Cargo Theft Increasing: Highways Are Getting More Dangerous For Truckers

Posted on 5 March 2010 @ 7:53 am

Truck and cargo thefts are on the rise in recent years according to a study done by Freight Watch International, a company that "actively tracks and records cargo theft activity around the globe" according to their report and website. Every year they release a report showing not only the number of cargo-related thefts, but they identify trends from year to year. The statistics are a bit scary, and getting scarier every single year.

Truck Driving Down Donner Pass

Posted on 4 March 2010 @ 9:40 am

Until recently, I had never actually been on Donner's Pass in California. Donners Pass is usually touted as one of the more dangerous areas for truck drivers and is the site of many fatal accidents. It's quite an experience! I had the pleasure of going through it at night. I would have liked to take it during the day so I could see some of the scenery around me, but I'm sure I'll get that chance in the future. I was still able to make some key observations though...

Our Trucking Adventure Begins

Posted on 1 March 2010 @ 11:11 am

Hello readers. My name is Cathy Rubens. My husband Steve and I started our trucking adventure in October of 2008. These writing will be done in the form of flashbacks, with some things from the past and some things from the present. Steve and I will be writing about the events and happening from our respective points of view. The flashbacks will be stories of happenings and musings from events as remembered by us.

Don’t Step On Your Dispatcher’s Toes (or other body parts!)

Posted on 26 February 2010 @ 8:11 am

Outside of the driver's own performance and attitude, a truck driver's dispatcher is one of the most important factors influencing the amount of success and happiness a driver will experience at any given trucking company or truck driving job. So if you're unhappy with your load assignments, how can you tell if the problems you're experiencing are your own fault, your dispatcher's fault, or the fault of someone else within the offices at your company? There are several things you can do to find out what's really going on, and who is responsible when there is a problem.

TruckingTruth and BigRigDriving are owned by Brett Aquila, a 15 year truck driving veteran with 1.5 million miles covering all 48 continental states and a large portion of Canada.
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Our Most Recent Trucking Blogs (scroll down) My First Year as a Truck Driver Posted on 17 March 2010 @ 6:30 am Wow, it's hard to believe, but I've been at my current employer for 1 year as of today. I began Truck Driving School in January of 2009, completed that in February of 2009, and was hired on in March of 2009. This post will simply serve as some observations that I've made as my first year of a truck driver. Signs Show Improving Economy And Strength In Trucking Industry Posted on 16 March 2010 @ 7:58 am A number of recent data sources, along with quotes from economic analysts and trucking industry leaders, all point to an improving economy and clear signs of an improved outlook for the trucking industry. Attending Truck Driving School Part II – First Day On The Yard Posted on 15 March 2010 @ 5:52 am Alan and I were both nervous, yet excited about the new challenge before us. We’d be spending the first couple of days in the yard, learning straight-line backing and 45° angle backing. Here we go - my first attempt at backing up a truck. Attending Truck Driving School Part I Posted on 10 March 2010 @ 6:24 am Priceville, Alabama was where my trucking adventure began. A Super 8 motel room would be my home for the next three weeks while I attended CDL school. I did not know what to expect on the first day, but I met a wide range of personalities in the other students. It was incredible to see the diversity. Becoming An American Trucker Posted on 8 March 2010 @ 4:11 am I was probably one of the most unlikely candidates to become a truck driver that the world has ever seen. I had spent the past 20 years of my life working in television broadcasting in various roles. While it had been exciting and challenging at first, the years had eroded my role into a thankless and suffocating rut. I seriously needed a change...a new experience. This is the beginning of my story - the life of an American Trucker. Not Much Help For The Drivers Posted on 7 March 2010 @ 6:41 am The Qualcomm system at most companies have directions to customers listed, but a lot of the time the directions are wrong. Unfortunately, even when dispatchers and customers know the directions are wrong nobody seems to care enough to do anything about it. Here's an example of the mess it can cause. Cargo Theft Increasing: Highways Are Getting More Dangerous For Truckers Posted on 5 March 2010 @ 7:53 am Truck and cargo thefts are on the rise in recent years according to a study done by Freight Watch International, a company that "actively tracks and records cargo theft activity around the globe" according to their report and website. Every year they release a report showing not only the number of cargo-related thefts, but they identify trends from year to year. The statistics are a bit scary, and getting scarier every single year. Truck Driving Down Donner Pass Posted on 4 March 2010 @ 9:40 am Until recently, I had never actually been on Donner's Pass in California. Donners Pass is usually touted as one of the more dangerous areas for truck drivers and is the site of many fatal accidents. It's quite an experience! I had the pleasure of going through it at night. I would have liked to take it during the day so I could see some of the scenery around me, but I'm sure I'll get that chance in the future. I was still able to make some key observations though... Our Trucking Adventure Begins Posted on 1 March 2010 @ 11:11 am Hello readers. My name is Cathy Rubens. My husband Steve and I started our trucking adventure in October of 2008. These writing will be done in the form of flashbacks, with some things from the past and some things from the present. Steve and I will be writing about the events and happening from our respective points of view. The flashbacks will be stories of happenings and musings from events as remembered by us. Don’t Step On Your Dispatcher’s Toes (or other body parts!) Posted on 26 February 2010 @ 8:11 am Outside of the driver's own performance and attitude, a truck driver's dispatcher is one of the most important factors influencing the amount of success and happiness a driver will experience at any given trucking company or truck driving job. So if you're unhappy with your load assignments, how can you tell if the problems you're experiencing are your own fault, your dispatcher's fault, or the fault of someone else within the offices at your company? There are several things you can do to find out what's really going on, and who is responsible when there is a problem.
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