Things to Know When Truck Driving With a Pet

September 19, 2016/in Guest Posts /by Lucy Kokor

Many drivers consider themselves lucky to work for a company that offered a pet policy. Bringing pets along in the cab can be an excellent way to combat isolation on the road, as well as giving drivers the opportunity to get out of the truck every now and then to stretch their legs. Many drivers report feeling a greater sense of mental health while trucking with their cat or dog, and find that the job is more meaningful when trucking with an animal.

While it certainly is a perk for drivers to have the ability to bring along their four-legged friends, one must consider the potential safety concerns that accompany a pet passenger. Even the most obedient and well-mannered animals may find some difficulty in traveling for long distances. With that in mind, it’s crucial that drivers take into consideration some key factors when deciding on taking their animals along for the ride.

Feel Confident And Experienced Before Bringing A Pet Along

Many trucking sources recommend that drivers who are considering taking a pet along ought to have some verifiable level of driving experience. Those with experience under their belts are less likely to be distracted by animals in the cab and generally find that should any problems arise while transporting an animal, they have some practical knowledge to fall back upon. Drivers with little experience are discouraged from riding with their pets as to stay focused and to avoid any potential hazards.

Provide a Safe and Comfortable Restraint

Most dogs, if not all dogs, love the feeling of poking their head out the window and taking in the fresh air of the highway. Allowing pets to roam inside may also prove problematic, as they may accidentally hit some cab features or hinder the driver from performing as attentively as possible. Drivers are encouraged to secure their pets in a comfortable yet secure harness or restraint system so that they stay put in a location while simultaneously feeling comfortable in their seat.

Keep Supplies On Hand For Both Passengers

Should an accident or layover prevent a driver from reaching their anticipated destination, it’s important they have emergency food and water on board. However, your pet will also require food and water in the case of an emergency. Drivers should be sure to stock up on extra emergency rations in the event of a stop. When traveling with two passengers – even if one is an animal – it’s always better to overstock than to be understocked.

Bringing a pet along on the road is a terrific opportunity for drivers to have a meaningful and fulfilling experience in trucking. By ensuring a pet’s safety, drivers can then better ensure the safety of everyone sharing the road.

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Guest Author Bio: Jake is a professional journalist living in Los Angeles who has his hands in many different arenas of writing. In addition to working as a copywriter and holding a position as a member of the marketing team for TruckDrivingJobs.com, Jake also frequently submits articles to entertainment publications and enjoys participating in podcasts on nearly any subject.

Progressive Truck Driving School Reviews

August 29, 2016/in CDL Info, Trucking Life, Videos /by Lucy Kokor

Watch video reviews from Progressive Truck Driving School graduates

Founded in 1974, Progressive Truck Driving School, Inc. has grown to become one of the Chicago area’s premier truck driving schools. Progressive Truck Driving School offers training for CDL Truck Drivers Class A, Class B, and Passenger. Courses are a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training. Interested in becoming a student? Apply here.

July 21st Webinar: “Economic Outlook: A Guide for Driver Engagement, Workforce Development and Business Opportunities”

July 19, 2016/in Events /by Lucy Kokor

On July 21, 2016, the Truckload Carriers Association is presenting a webinar: “Economic Outlook: A Guide for Driver Engagement, Workforce Development and Business Opportunities.” We invite anyone interested in this topic to view the webinar.

“For every mile-per-hour drop in speed, America needs an additional 67,000 drivers just to move the same amount of freight,” says FTR Chairman and CEO Eric Starks. “This is a startling fact given that regulations will constrain driver availability over the next few years,” he continues.

Discover how driver recruitment and retention could be impacted by federal regulations, economic conditions and the lack of a well-maintained highway infrastructure during the Truckload Academy webinar, The Economic Outlook: A Guide for Driver Engagement, Workforce Development and Business Opportunities, Thursday, July 21, 12-1:30 p.m. ET. Starks will explore these issues as well as the impact of technologies on the trucking industry and share what carriers should plan for in the months ahead.

For other topics covered in this Truckload Academy Live Learning webinar and cost, click here to go to the event homepage.

Please register here and plan to attend this important educational program. If you are a TCA member, be sure to enter your TCA log-in credentials. If you do not know what they are, please click here to have them emailed to you. Otherwise, click “Continue Without Login.”

You can view this session via your mobile device, your desktop computer, or in a conference room where you can invite others in your organization who will benefit from this event.

The TCA looks forward to your participation in this interactive webinar. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter at #TruckloadAcademy.

Sleep Apnea and Commercial Drivers: A Deadly Combination

May 24, 2016/in Guest Posts /by Lucy Kokor

We’re trying to spread the word about the dangers associated with untreated sleep apnea and commercial drivers so we’re featuring the guest article below from our friends at Zehl & Associates Law Firm:

There’s no question that driver fatigue poses a serious threat to safety on our nation’s roadways. But just how bad is the threat? Well, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of fatigue-related crashes reported to the police each year stands at a staggering 100,000, many of which involve professional drivers in heavy commercial vehicles. That means an average of 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary damages each year as a result of fatigue-related accidents.

That’s bad.

And the worst part is, they are all 100% avoidable.

So what is being done to prevent fatigued commercial drivers—specially licensed, professional operators of 18 wheelers, buses and other large commercial vehicles—from getting behind the wheel while they’re tired or fatigued? Well, as it turns out, not enough.

Please read the rest of this article from Zehl & Associates Law Firm…

Employee Appreciation: London!

April 25, 2016/in CDL /by Lucy Kokor

London makes things happen at Progressive Truck Driving School! We’re thrilled to have London as one of our star staff members!

Complete this form to apply to Progressive Truck School!

Trucking is a New Adventure Every Day

March 23, 2016/in Trucking Life /by Lucy Kokor

At Progressive Truck Driving School, we train drivers for the road ahead. Once our graduates are on the road we often hear feedback about their experiences.

Something we hear often is about the new sights, sounds, and adventures are that our drivers experience once they’re on the road. For drivers that have not traveled a lot in their pre-trucking careers, they’re often excited about the opportunity to see the country, sometimes visiting four or five states in a single day. Truck drivers can leave California in the morning, and find themselves in Wyoming in the same day – that’s an experience that’s very unique to the truck driving industry.

We also hear about how our drivers love the experience of meeting a lot of different people – people that they might not have been able to meet in their prior careers. They meet interesting people in states and cities that they had never visited before. Trucking can give drivers a new perspective on people and on life in general.

Drivers tell us about unexpected, fantastic moment like seeing the sunrise in Utah or seeing Elk graze in Montana – experiences that people pay big money to vacation and see. Drivers who might not have been able to visit the coasts are able to see the Gulf and beautiful beaches.

Truckers get to see and experience things that people in other careers just aren’t able to see and do. For many of our drivers, this is the best part of choosing a career in trucking.

Complete this form to apply to Progressive Truck School!

New Study Confirms Improved Trucking Safety

January 19, 2016/in News, Trucking Life /by Lucy Kokor

After a recent analysis from the Department of Transportation, data indicates that in both the long-term and short-term, trucking-involved fatalities are declining significantly. This is welcome news for CDL students and truck drivers.

According to the American Trucking Association’s analysis of miles traveled data from the Federal Highway Administration and highway fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the truck-involved fatality rate fell for the second straight year to 1.40 per 100 million miles traveled. This is great news for anyone interested in a career in trucking, but are concerned over safety.

There’s been a significant decrease in the fatality rate, which dipped 2.78 percent from 2013 and has fallen 4.76 percent over the past two years. More importantly, it has fallen an impressive 40.6 percent over the past decade.

According to ATA President and SEO Bill Graves ,“The short-term decline is welcome news, but the important figure is the long-term trend. Short-term changes, whether they’re increases or declines, can be blips – and just like you shouldn’t track your 401k on a daily basis, they shouldn’t be the primary lens truck safety is viewed through. The long-term trend – in this case, a more than 40 percent improvement – is of paramount importance.”

Great news for our CDL students and future drivers! Complete this form to apply to Progressive Truck School!