The past few years have been hard for many in the trucking industry, and several companies have closed with virtually no warning. Celadon Group, New England Motor Freight, and Falcon Transport made big headlines (along with several others), but countless smaller companies have also shut their doors without warning. There are countless reasons for the shutdown, but as a driver, if your trucking company closes suddenly, it’s a tough pill to swallow. Here’s what you need to know to navigate your next steps. 1. The Warning SignsWarning signs don’t help if your company has already closed its doors, but sometimes you might be able to spot a few warning signs before a shutdown. When a trucking company closes, it’s usually because of financial strain. So, unsurprisingly, the warning signs are also usually about money. If you start noticing inconsistent freight or that vendors aren’t getting paid on time, start watching for other red flags. As a driver, you probably won’t be the first person to be notified of major business changes or shutdowns. Management may hear about pending shutdowns or other changes more quickly, so keep an eye on staffing changes. If you notice that your bosses start interviewing elsewhere, it might be time to ask why. Similarly, if your company starts eliminating job perks, it could be a sign that money is tight. Often companies try to save money by scrimping on the “extras.” The biggest red flags are also the most obvious. If your paycheck bounces, that’s a big sign that something isn’t right with your company. Along the same lines, if you’re fueling up and have a fuel card declined, that is a huge red flag, especially if your company can’t easily clear up the situation. Another sign of trouble on the horizon is filing for bankruptcy. While some companies do make a comeback after filing for bankruptcy, that’s often not the case. If your employer is making news headlines for filing for bankruptcy, that might mean your job has a limited lifespan. It’s a good time to start looking for other opportunities. 2. Immediate Steps to TakeHindsight is 20/20, so sometimes the warning signs are only clear after your trucking company closes. If you are on the road and get blindsided with news about a company closure, there are a few important steps you can take. First and most importantly, stay level-headed. This is a stressful situation, and you probably have a lot of questions. As soon as you realize what has happened, find a safe place to stop. Then, read any communication from your employer carefully. Follow any final instructions they send you. These directions may indicate whether to finish your current delivery and where to leave your truck. You may still get paid for finishing your current route. If there are no final instructions from your employer, consider what is best for you in that situation and how you can move forward. Once you have handled any immediate concerns, start planning your way home. Some companies, especially large ones, will help fund your way home. If you get stranded far from home and your company is unable to help, there are some support resources available to help. The St. Christopher’s Truckers Fund is one example. The Truckers Fund is a non-profit that helps truckers with financial assistance. Drivers can apply for aid, and they may be able to help support you and your family in difficult times. 3. Planning Longer TermIf your trucking company closes, there is a lot to think about, and it can be overwhelming. Once you are safely home and have taken a moment to clear your head, start looking forward. In the short term, there are a few things to take care of. Drive My Way’s Displaced Driver Resources can walk you through the process of filing for unemployment if you choose. We also have details on how to make sure that your health care continues and disability insurance does not end.
Once you have resolved any immediate concerns, it’s time to start job searching. Especially after going through a company closing, you might have lingering frustration, hurt, or resentment toward trucking. That’s completely reasonable. When your trucking company closes, it can be quite a roller coaster. Prioritize mental and emotional health for your whole family. When you do start talking to recruiters for other jobs, it’s ok to explain your situation and ask tactful questions about company stability. Any recruiter worth their salt won’t see the past company closure as a poor reflection on your skills as a driver. When you’re looking for your next job, Drive My Way can help you find a company that fits your skills and lifestyle preferences. You’ll be back on the road in no time. Find a Truck Driving JobDrive My Way matches you with a CDL job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post What to Do if Your Trucking Company Closes appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct
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Dump truck jobs are great positions for drivers who want to stay close to home and are happy to be out rain or shine. Dump truck work includes a big range in type of load. Some drivers haul garbage, but others haul paving materials and construction supplies like dirt, gravel, sand, or coal. If you’re new to the dump truck world or are thinking about switching to become a dump truck driver, we have everything you need to find your first job. 1. How To Get Started With A Dump TruckLicense and CertificationsAs with most types of truck driving, one of the first steps for starting with a dump truck is licensing. Professional dump truck drivers need either a CDL A or CDL B license to get started. A CDL B license will take less time and has a lower cost, but a CDL A allows drivers to accept a greater range of jobs. Before signing up for a CDL licensing program, do a little research to decide which type of license is better for you. In addition to a CDL license, there are a few certifications that can be helpful for dump truck drivers. The Dump Truck Operations and Dump Truck Tailgate Removal and Installation CBT Certifications can make drivers more competitive as job candidates. Hazmat, Passenger, and Air Brakes endorsements can also benefit dump truck drivers. Each of these additional certifications opens up job possibilities and makes you a more competitive driver candidate. Types of TrucksAs you get started in dump truck driving, take some time to get to know the types of dump trucks. There are a lot of options here. The most common type of truck, a standard dump truck, is a truck chassis with a dump truck body on the frame. The back of the bed is hinged. Also, there is a hydraulic ram under the body that raises the bed to dump loads. We won’t get into all the details here, but there are many other types of trucks that drivers use for specific types of loads or in specific geographies. To see them all, check out this list. Job DetailsWhile the work for dump truck jobs isn’t a light load, there are many benefits to hauling dump truck loads. Typically, dump truck work is local, so most drivers are home daily. For drivers with a family or who are tired of long nights on the road, this is a huge advantage of driving dump trucks. That said, drivers should be prepared to work rain or shine! Depending on where you live, there can be a wide range of weather conditions. As a dump truck driver, you’ll work in all of them. For drivers who are more social, dump truck jobs can be a great fit. Many drivers work with a lot of the same people consistently, so there is a sense of camaraderie on the job. 2. Company Driver or Owner Operator?Company DriverA big decision to make if you are getting started in dump trucking is whether you want to be a company driver or an owner operator. If you’re new to the dump truck world, starting out as a company driver can help you get experience while having a steady job. We asked Travis, a dump truck driver from a small company in Southern Oregon, if he had any tips for new drivers.
Owner OperatorOn the other hand, if you are ready to jump in as an owner operator, you will have more flexibility. You can decide what jobs fit your schedule and meet your financial needs. Before you start, make sure you are financially ready. The biggest costs for new dump truck owner operators are in equipment. You will need to decide what type of truck is best for you and will help you get the jobs you need. While a truck is typically the biggest upfront cost, make sure you also budget time and money for licensing and smaller costs like fuel and any technology you want in your truck. We spoke with Greg, an experienced owner operator for his company Greg Melendez Trucking, about how to find dump truck work.
Becoming a dump truck owner operator is not cheap, but for some drivers, the payoffs in money and time are well worth it. 3. How to Find WorkIf you take the big step to become a dump truck driver, being able to find jobs is a lifeline! To start your search, use sites that partner with multiple employers. Drive My Way can save you endless hours of job searching by matching you with a company that fits your qualifications and personal preferences. If you start your job search in person, it’s all about connecting with the right people. Networking is the key to success. For local work, start with a drive! Keep an eye out for construction companies in your area that might need dump truck workers. Look for developments in your town and nearby and find out what company is paying for the work. Then, reach out to that company and see if they need extra trucks. If you want more information on a company before you reach out, go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and look at company snapshots. Enter the name or US DOT number to look at the fleet size and the driver number. If there are more trucks than drivers, that may mean they are looking for people to fill those jobs! To expand your job search beyond what you find on a drive around town, start looking for construction zones. Then, find out which companies won those construction bids. For local work, contact your local government and find out what companies have contracts. Then, get in touch and ask if any of those companies are looking for sub-contractors. Dump truck owner operators can also bid on state construction contracts. However, these bids are often harder to win because many construction companies are looking for companies with multiple trucks. Start your search close to home, then make your circle bigger if needed. Find a Truck Driving JobDrive My Way matches you with a CDL job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post What to Know and How to Find Dump Truck Jobs appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct Hot shot trucking is a little different from a typical CDL tractor-trailer job. For a start, hot shot drivers use very different equipment and make specialized runs on a short time frame. Usually hot shot loads are smaller, and they take time-sensitive loads to delivery locations. Hot shot drivers can take loads anywhere from across town to across the country. For most drivers though, local and regional routes are the most common. The startup costs for hot shot trucking are a little lower than for owner operators, so it can be a good way to be your own boss in the trucking industry. What Is Hot Shot Trucking?As the name suggests, hot shot trucking is all about speed. Hot shot drivers take loads of materials that must be delivered to a specific location as soon as possible. These types of loads first became common making runs between oil part manufacturers and the oilfields. Now, there’s a wide range of materials that hot shot drivers haul. Just a few of the more common types of loads are construction equipment, agricultural equipment, industrial machinery, and other heavy loads. You might be wondering what the difference is between hot shot trucking and expedited freight. Both are about speed, right? While both jobs are all about getting loads quickly to where they need to go, there are some differences. Hot shot truckers drive smaller loads in smaller trucks to deliver heavy equipment. Usually, hot shot drivers find their loads on load boards. On the other hand, expedited shipping means delivering loads faster than they’re usually sent. The equipment varies, and expedited shipping vehicles are always on standby for a specific company. Speed is the common ground hot shot trucking and expedited freight, but otherwise, the two jobs are pretty different. Hot Shot EquipmentUnlike most CDL jobs, hot shot trucking does not require driving a tractor trailer. Most hot shot drivers use a heavy-duty pickup truck. Class 3–Class 5 trucks are the go-to picks. Then, drivers usually pull some type of flatbed trailer. That could include a bumper pull, gooseneck, lowboy, or deckover trailer. Each trailer type has pros and cons, so it’s important to read up on the differences and decide what’s best for you. One advantage of hot shot trucking is that the initial costs of equipment are usually lower than becoming a tractor trailer owner operator. But, as drivers will be quick to tell you, that doesn’t mean it’s cheap or immediate. We talked to Earl, a hot shot trucker with his company, JEPPS Enterprises, and asked if he had any advice for drivers considering starting in hot shot trucking.
There are several big costs that you should plan for. The pickup truck and flatbed trailer will probably be your biggest starting expenses. There will also be other miscellaneous equipment like chains and binders that you’ll want to have on hand. Finally, make sure you leave room in the budget for the paperwork. Registration, insurance, and legal fees (if you decide to become an LLC) should all be part of your budget plan. Pay and Home TimeIf you are a hot shot trucker, you are running under your own authority. That means that you have some say in where you run and how often. Most hot shot jobs are local or regional routes, so drivers get frequent home time. Running under your own authority also means that bringing home a paycheck is largely based on your hustle. Typically, hot shot drivers earn pay by the mile. Rates change from haul to haul, so hot shot drivers are regularly negotiating their pay. Typical rates can range from $1-$2 a mile depending on the load, location, and haul. How Do I Get Started?If you’re ready to get started as a hot shot driver, grab a computer to start the paperwork. Hot shot trucking doesn’t require a CDL for loads under 10,000lbs, but you will need a Motor Carrier Authority Number and FMCSA approval. To get approval, drivers will need to meet the FMCSA fitness regulations, so make sure you check their website. Because Hot shot drivers run on their own authority, organization is key. That means you will also keep all your own records, so it’s important to be very detailed. Once you have proper licensing, registration, and equipment, you’re ready to look for work. Many people get their hauls from load boards.
Like any job, hot shot trucking is about building relationships. Load boards are a great place to get started, but as you grow in the business, you’ll build a reputation. With a little experience under your belt, you can be proactive in reaching out to customers to get the loads you want. Find a Truck Driving JobDrive My Way matches you with a CDL job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post What is Hot Shot Trucking? appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct If you’ve heard of Ice Road Trucking, chances are you (like us!) got hooked on the History Channel’s series, Ice Road Truckers. What a ride. The show built up a lot of interest in this niche trucking field with many facts and a dash of Hollywood magic on the way. As a little background, ice roads are exactly what they sound like. They are roads that are naturally or artificially built on frozen rivers, lakes, or layers of ice in the northernmost regions of the world. Not all roads that ice road truckers drive on are built on frozen water, but many of them are. In North America, ice road truckers work primarily in Alaska and northern Canada. The ice road season is short, and the roads are always heavily maintained during the season. Ice road drivers use these roads to deliver loads to places that only trucks can reach. Pros of Ice Road TruckingPayOne of the top reasons that ice road truckers get into the job is for the pay. The season is only a few months long, but the pay can be very good from a reputable company. Drivers report earning anywhere from $20,000 to $80,00 during the season. Home TimeHome time is another big draw for drivers considering taking a job on the ice roads. Because the season is so heavily dependent on the weather, most jobs run from about mid-January to mid-March. After those two months, drivers can decide how to spend the rest of their year. For some, that might mean time to look for other driving jobs in the off-season. Others might simply want more time at home to balance the time away during the season. Regulations to Protect DriversNo one will deny that ice road trucking is a dangerous job. That said, there are many safety measures and regulations in place to protect drivers. Ice road trucking companies perform strict maintenance on the ice roads, regularly inspect the equipment, and carefully train drivers. The stakes are high when incidents occur, but employers are extremely attentive to driver safety. Cons of Ice Road TruckingJob RiskOne of the biggest cons of ice road trucking is also one of the most obvious. The job comes with high levels of risk. All truck drivers have moderate levels of risk based on the amount of time they spend behind the wheel, but the bar is especially high for ice road drivers. Weather runs the show, and whiteouts, avalanches, and frigid temperatures can cause issues that range from moderately problematic to fatal. We asked Jesse, an Ice Road Trucker for Northern Energy Services in Deadhorse, Alaska, what the biggest mistake new ice road drivers make is. He said:
Safety has to be a top concern for ice road drivers. Experienced drivers must be confident in their skills without underestimating the power of nature. Dangerous BreakdownsBecause temperatures are so cold where ice road truckers run, breakdowns can be much more than a minor inconvenience. It can be very dangerous to be in the exposed weather conditions for any amount of time, and the stopped time can wreak havoc on your truck. A golden rule of ice road trucking? Do NOT turn off your engine. The cold can quickly compound any problems with your rig. Also, keep emergency and other supplies in your truck. Now, many companies send trucks out in teams to keep drivers safe. Limited CommunicationUnsurprisingly, cell service is very limited in the vast snowy north where ice road truckers haul. That means the drivers have little to no social communication or company contact while on the road. Drivers must be self-sufficient, independent, and confident in their ability to make repairs on the road. Is Ice Road Trucking Worth It?Ice road trucking isn’t an easy job, and it’s not uncommon for drivers to quit after their first run. On the other hand, for drivers who fall in love with ice road trucking, it’s an experience unlike any other. For Jesse, there’s nothing better.
Ice road trucking isn’t for everyone, but for some drivers, it’s a perfect fit. How To Get An Ice Road Trucking JobThe turnover in new drivers makes drivers with experience are particularly valuable to employers. Employers are looking for drivers who have a clean road record as well as experience driving in blizzard conditions. If that sounds like you, make sure you do your research, find a reputable company, and ask lots of questions before you sign a contract before you head north. There aren’t nearly as many ice road trucking companies as there are for other trucking specialties. As a result, the employers and drivers who work these jobs tend to know each other. If you do get an ice road trucking job, you’ll earn a place in part of a tight-knit network of elite drivers. Find a Truck Driving JobDrive My Way matches you with a CDL job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post Ice Road Trucking: Everything to Know appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct Today’s job of the day is from Enviro-SafeEnviro-Safe Resource Recovery is hiring a CDL A Regional Tanker Driver in Germantown, WI. The driver will haul Hazmat bulk products roughly 500 miles throughout the Regional Midwest. Enviro-Safe Resource Recovery is a full-service resource recovery environmental company providing environmentally sustainable recycling programs to clients across Wisconsin and the Midwest, operating a state-of-art recycling facility in Germantown, Wisconsin. We are a leading provider of diverse sustainability programs. Enviro-Safe has been recognized and selected nationally 10 years, as an “Inc. 5000 Company” and numerous years for various growth awards. In this position, you’ll make a difference at this Inc. 5000 growing company and family-owned business. If you want to be on a winning team, with low employee turnover, this might be the position you have been looking for. Enviro-Safe is hiring a CDL A Regional Hazmat Liquid Bulk Driver in Germantown, WI.--Compensation:
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Interested in applying?Enviro-Safe is hiring a CDL A Regional Hazmat Liquid Bulk Driver in Germantown, WI. Drivers earn good pay and benefits and get paid training! The post Job of the Day: Enviro-Safe appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct Today’s job of the day is from Rands TruckingIf you’re looking to get to the top of your career in a family environment, then check out the great OTR opportunities at Rands Trucking. We offer you a top-of-the-industry pay package combined with newer equipment, consistent miles, home time, and a work environment that gives you the respect and appreciation you’ve been looking for. Join a company that cares for its employees and treats each driver like a family member! $3,000 signing bonus, non-forced dispatch, awesome team, and HONESTY! Rands Trucking is hiring CDL A OTR Dry Van Company Drivers and Owner Operators in the Midwest/Northeast.--Company DriversCOMPENSATION:
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Interested in applying?Rands Trucking is hiring CDL A OTR Dry Van Company Drivers and Owner Operators in the Midwest/Northeast. Drivers get regular home time, and great pay. The post Job of the Day: Rands Trucking appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct Today’s job of the day comes from Clean HarborsAs a Clean Harbors driver, you will be responsible for the safe transport of hazardous waste from a generator/facility to one of our facilities, adhering to DOT and hazardous waste regulations. At Clean Harbors we are passionate about providing premier environmental, energy, and industrial services. When you work with the Clean Harbors team, you will perform work that truly makes a difference – not only in people’s lives but also in protecting the planet. Safety is our No. 1 priority. As a driver, you’ll get the training and support to do your job and return home safely. Change your life for the better. Apply today. We are hiring for the following positions:
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Interested in applying?Learn more about the job requirements, benefits, pay and more. The post Job of the Day: Clean Harbors appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct |
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