The Other “Progressive” Announces “Real Life Trucking Hero” Contest

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Progressive Commercial Auto Insurance (not affiliated with Progressive Truck School) has announced a $5,000 grand prize for a “Real Life Trucking Hero.”

If you’ve helped a fellow trucker or weary traveler, Progressive Commercial Auto Insurance wants to hear about it. They ask you to share a photo of your truck and tell them your story via their website here, and then ask your friends and family to vote for your entry in October.

Truckers are the “unsung heroes of the transportation industry,” notes a Progressive Commercial release about the latest installment in its Real Life Trucking Hero contest. “They work long hours, are away from their families, and often don’t get the credit they deserve for a job well done.”

This is Progressive’s third annual contest meant to recognize truckers. Progressive Commercial Auto Insurance launched their first contest at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. Anyone can nominate a trucker, now through September 30. Nominating and voting is easy: simply submit a photo and a short essay (up to 500 words) explaining why you (or someone else) should be named the winner.

Link to the contest: http://www.progressivecommercial.com/hub/trucking-hero/#!/

Call Progressive Truck School to learn about how you can join the trucking industry: (773) 736-5522

Transport America and Con-Way Raising Driver’s Pay

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Two of the largest trucking companies: Transport America and Con-Way have announced significant increases to driver pay in 2014.

Now, earning a CDL through training like that offered at Progressive Truck School has become even more profitable for drivers.  Con-way Truckload is also raising per-mile pay, effective Sept. 7, for both company drivers and independent contractors.

Transport America, one of the U.S. branches of Canadian trucking giant TransForce has also increased driver pay: owner-operators will receive a two-cents per mile increase in pay, team drivers will receive a one- cent per mile increase and hazmat pay will increase by four cents per mile. Newly hired drivers can start as high as 40 cents per mile and drivers with more than four years of experience can start at 43 cents per mile.

With trucking jobs becoming more and more lucrative, large companies are competing to hire qualified drivers, like those trained by Progressive Truck School.

“The new pay structure keeps Transport America as a leader among industry pay and one of the first to increase pay among the larger fleets,” said Transport America CEO Scott Arves.

Con-way drivers can also gain additional earning through an annual bonus of between 1.5 cents and three cents per mile, on miles driven over the previous 12 months from their anniversary date. The company is also increasing layover pay from $60 to $75 per day.

This move will likely put pressure on the other trucking companies to increase pay and benefits to their drivers as well. With wages on the rise, now is a great time to earn a Commercial Driver’s License from Progressive Truck School.

Call Progressive Truck School today to learn about CDL training: (773) 736-5522

2014 ATRI Survey Asks Trucking Industry to Rank Top Concerns

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For the 10th year in a row, the American Transport Research Institute (ATRI) has released a survey asking stakeholders in the trucking industry to rank their top industry concerns.  ATRI is the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization.

“In complex times like this, it is critical that we do our part to help ensure a thriving future for the trucking industry,” said Philip Byrd Sr., chairman of American Trucking Associations, the organization that commissioned the survey.

During ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for Oct. 4-7 in San Diego, the results of the survey will be released.

In 2013, the ATRI Survey concluded that the top trucking industry concerns were:

  1. Hours of service
  2. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability program, commonly known as CSA.
  3. Driver shortage issues

The ATA survey results will be used by the federation to better focus its advocacy role in the trucking industry.

To participate in the 2014 survey, click here.

Contact Progressive Truck Driving School to learn more about CDL certification and the trucking industry: (773) 736-5522

A Record 55 Drivers Were Nominated for 2014 Trucking’s Top Rookie Contest!

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Encompassing the spirit of the lucrative and exciting career in trucking, there were a record 55 nominations for Top Rookie in Mike O’Connell’s Memorial Trucking Top Rookie award.

Introduced in 2011, the contest was created to increase pride and professionalism between new drivers in the trucking industry and promote truck driving as a career. Over $25,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded!

These are the entry-level drivers who were nominated to be the 2014 Mike O’Connell Memorial Trucking’s Top Rookie. We at Progressive Truck School wish them all good luck!

  • Kevin Carpenter, C.R. England
  • Joe Boyle, Veriha Trucking
  • Phillip Alley, Epes Transport System, Inc.
  • Joshua Andrews, Stevens Transport
  • Freelin Berry, Transport America
  • Dion Blair, TMC Transportation
  • Ashley Bowers, Maverick Transportation, LLC.
  • Elisee Carnelli, Hogan Transports, Inc.
  • Derek Fischer, H.O. Wolding
  • Jonathan Chastang, Dart Transit
  • William Childers, Cargo Transporters, Inc.
  • Jason Dulier, Hogan Transports, Inc.
  • Rommel Duran, TMC Transportation
  • Kyle Friauf, Transport America
  • Matthew Frisbee, Stevens Transport
  • Clarence Gillespie, Hogan Transports, Inc.
  • Lyle Grant, Maverick Transportation, LLC.
  • Paul Hedge, Werner Enterprises
  • Byron Kilgore, Transport America
  • Brandon Hooten, Maverick Transportation, LLC.
  • Othello James, Werner Enterprises
  • Steven Jameson, Dart Transit
  • Alex Jusino, Maverick Transportation, LLC.
  • Amanda Kidd, Cargo Transporters, Inc.
  • Daniel Mota, C.R. England
  • Sean Klarer, TMC Transportation
  • Michael Kline, Roehl Transport
  • Dominick Krajewski, TMC Transportation
  • Jason Kiser, Stevens Transport
  • William Mills, Britton Transport
  • Richard Mullen, D&D Sexton Inc.
  • Julie Matulle, H.O. Wolding
  • Jeffrey Nace, Stevens Transport
  • Joel Nelson, Dart Transit
  • Carlos Nordquist, Werner Enterprises
  • Cheryl “Charlie” Naujokas, C.R. England
  • Reg Polante, H.O. Wolding
  • Karl Sall, Dart Transit
  • Adam Sanford, Core Carrier Corporation
  • Sandy Schultz, C.R. England
  • Chad Sears, Maverick Transportation, LLC.
  • Byron Simpson, Epes Transport System, Inc.
  • Fred Smith, Roehl Transport
  • Roger Wright, Transport America
  • Ryan Sparks, Boyd Bros. Transportation Inc.
  • Cartha Speed, Transport America
  • John Spofford, Premier Crude, LLC
  • Jordan Steffens, Norseman Express Trucking Inc.
  • Robert Strong, Roehl Transport
  • William Steinmetz, C.R. England
  • Michael Towler, Roehl Transport
  • Nico Turner, C.R. England
  • Joseph Watson, C.R. England
  • Robert White, Werner Enterprises
  • Joel Wieland, Britton Transport

Call Progressive Truck Driving School to discuss how you could start a career in an in-demand field: (773) 736-5522