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Archive of posts tagged new drivers in a slow economy

Attending Truck Driving School Part I

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

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.

Our Trucking Adventure Begins

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.

Truck Driving Career Seen As Strong For Next Decade

Truck driving has always been a great career for those of us who were cut out for the lifestyle. If you’re not the right person for the job, you’re really not going to like it much and you’re not going to last long. But if you feel like truck driving might be the right career for you, the outlook for the industry looks to be very solid for many years to come.

Randy’s Phase 1 CDL Training – Part 4

So, Randy has been acting very strangely and I can hardly get him to talk to me at all. Two days ago he was all happy, now he seems really uncomfortable again…something is going on in that truck. I suppose I won’t find out until he has some “alone time” again.

Randy’s Phase 1 CDL Training – Part 1

Randy just started phase I training out on the road. It’s a lot of pressure but very exciting at the same time.

Hiring In Truck Driving and Today’s Economy

So the big question these days for most visitors to our site is, “Will I find a job in trucking in today’s economy?” The answer, right now, is a resounding “yes”, but how long will that last? Let’s take a look at a couple of factors that will influence hiring in the trucking industry in the coming months.

The Long Road Back

I first went to driving school in 1995. I went from a business enviornment right to the road. I was in real estate for many years, but I am, at heart, a truck driver though, and even though I have helped get many people into their own homes, driving is what I truly enjoyed. Like many drivers, I only came off the road to try and save a failing marriage.

Now Where Did I Put My Red Shoes?

In the movie classic “Wizard of Oz” the good witch Glenda tells Dorothy to click the heels of her red shoes together three times and say “There’s no place like home”. The movie ends with Dorothy waking up in her bed surrounded by worried family members…well, my training time is over, and I’m going home.

In This Economy, The Cream Is Rising To The Top

Unemployement offices may be encouraging people to look outside of trucking. Why? Truck driving jobs are available, but many trucking companies have been able to be more selective in this slower economy than they have in the past.

After Several Pre-Hires I’ve Made My Choice – I’m Headed To Truck Driving School

Well, it wasn’t an easy decision, but I finally made my choice. Over the last two days I’ve been on and off the phone with my recruiter doing some last minute paperwork and getting all my stuff in order. After today things are going to proceed pretty fast. They are sending me my bus ticket tomorrow and I will be in ….

Recruiters, Companies, and Schools – Choosing The Right Path Into Your Trucking Career

Its funny how much getting started in trucking is so similar to getting started in the military. It takes much thought and soul searching for both, it takes constant nights worrying about if you’re making the right choice, and the most common theme they both share is that you have to wade through the BS that the recruiters try and sell you.

Students Searching for Trucking Jobs After CDL Training During a Recession

Wow! Finding a job as a truck driver was much more difficult than I expected. Granted, this is mainly due to the economy as a whole. Normally, trucking  jobs are everywhere. But times are tough and things aren’t the way they usually are. While attending truck driving school to obtain my CDL license, I applied to a ton of companies. I ended up receiving about 3 pre-hires from the job applications that I submitted to various trucking companies. So, I thought I was in good shape.

Where Can New Drivers Turn For Hope In This Economy?

Truck driving is looked upon as the last great hope for many Americans who have either lost their jobs, or are afraid they’re about to. Some families have had to send the second parent to work because of cutbacks in pay, cutbacks in hours, or settling for a lesser job by the first parent. If I were looking for work today, where would I turn? Here’s where….

Truck Driving School 2009: Will The Poor Economy Still Offer Truck Driving Jobs For Students?

In today’s slow economy there are tons of layoffs and more people than ever are considering going to truck driving school and becoming truck drivers – and rightly so. But none of that will matter if you can’t find a job once you get your CDL. So what is the current job outlook for those that are new to the trucking industry?