Trucking Adds 3,900 Jobs in October 2014

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In a significant increase, the trucking industry added 3,900 jobs in October 2014. Along with the jobs increase, the unemployment rate decreased to 5.8%, declining for the third consecutive month according to a Nov. 7th report from the Labor Department.

This increase mirrors the recovery of the U.S. domestic economy, with an overall increase of 214,000 jobs. The unemployment rate has also dropped to the lowest level in six years, according to Bloomberg News.

This is great news for truckers earning their CDLs, as the trucking industry is not only adding jobs, but also many employers are increasing driver pay and benefits packages to entice new drivers.

The trucking industry also added 3,800 jobs in September 2014.

Now is an excellent time to earn a Commercial Driver’s License. Contact Progressive Truck School to request more information: 773.736.5522

Trucking Companies are Upping Driver Pay to Attract New Drivers (Again).

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Wal-Mart, one of the countries’ largest retailer, has begun releasing radio ads in hopes of attracting drivers with a new compensation structure: Wal-Mart is offering qualified drivers with CDLs, like those obtainable through Progressive Truck Driving School, a $76,000 salary plus benefits.

According to a Wal-Mart spokesperson, the company currently has 7,200 drivers, but needs even more.

According to The American Trucking Associations, the US currently has 750,000 “for hire” drivers but needs at least 30,000 more right now. They estimate that the industry must hire 100,000 drivers every year for 10 years if it hopes to keep up with retirements, turnover and industry growth. This will no doubt lead to increased compensation packages and benefits to attract new drivers.

Average annual pay for drivers was under $50,000 last year, up roughly 28 percent from around $39,000 in 2000, according to data from ATA and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With Wal-Mart offering compensation of $70,000+, it is estimated that other companies will join suit to remain competitive, so increases in salary for 2015 are expected.

With pay on the rise, now is a great time to obtain your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and be on your way to a lucrative career in a fast-growing industry.

Contact us to talk to an admissions advisor about earning your CDL:  (773) 736-5522.

 

5 Classic Movies Featuring Truckers

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Here are 5 classic movies featuring truckers and (often action-packed) life on the road, some so bad that they’re good.

 

1big trouble. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

This irreverent 1986 Comedy features Kurt Russell as a trucker who helps rescue his friend’s fiancé from the Chinatown underworld in San Francisco. Crazy action scenes, hilariously bad Kurt Russell one-liners, and one of the wildest trucker protagonists in a feature film.

 

 

 

 

 

black dog2. Black Dog (1998)

Patrick Swayze is an ex-con who takes a new job driving long-haul. What he doesn’t know is that his truck is filled with illegal weapons, leading to a fight to survive and save his family in this 1998 action extravaganza.

 

 

 

 

 

 

white line3. White Line Fever (1975)

In this 1975 action flick starring Jan-Michael Vincent and a cast of little-known actors, Carrol Jo Hummer borrows money to buy a truck after returning from a stint in the Air Force. He’s hoping to make enough money hauling produce to marry Jerri Kane and set up housekeeping. In the world of White Line Fever,  he discovers that his long-haul business is run by racketeers and decides to fight the corrupt forces that control the trucking business.

 

 

 

 

smokey4. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Burt Reynolds, The Bandit, is hired on the run a tractor trailer full of beer over county lines, only to find himself in hot pursuit by a pesky sheriff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ovr the top5. Over the Top (1987)

Sylvester Stallone plays Lincoln Hawk, a struggling trucker who arm wrestles on the side to make extra cash while trying to rebuild his life. After the death of his wife, he tries to make amends with his son who he left behind 10 years earlier. Hawk enters the World Arm Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas hoping is to receive the grand prize of $100,000 and an expensive current custom semi-truck and thus start his own trucking company.

3 Things to Consider Before Forming a Husband and Wife Trucking Team

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Husband and wife trucking teams allow couples to share in the experience of OTR/Long Haul trucking: spending time together, traveling around the country, and making great money. There are a few things to consider before making the decision to form a husband and wife trucking team:

1. You can make excellent money.

A husband and wife can drive double the amount of time as a single person in one day, as long as one rests while the other is behind the wheel. With double the miles driven, one of the primary reasons couples team up to drive is the monetary incentive.

2. Husband and wife trucking works best when both people enjoy the work.

Team trucking might be a bad idea if one person doesn’t enjoy driving or the experience of a career in trucking. It’s best to be on the same page with the skill involved, shared responsibilities, and avoiding back-seat driving. Keep in mind that you will be together 24/7, you have to both enjoy the work.

3. Spend time planning what you’ll pack and what you don’t need.

Sleepers do not offer a ton of storage. It’s best to pack light in both clothing, food, and personal items. You won’t have a walk-in closet; planning and packing appropriately for long-hauls allows you to relieve the stress of an over-crowded sleeper. Organize well and make sure that all items are in their proper place.

Are you interested in teaming up with your significant other to drive? Contact us at 773.736.5522 to learn more.

Password Protected Trucks Now Part of Peterbilt Line

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In an attempt to decrease theft of Peterbilt trucks, Peterbilt Motors Co. is now offering a new system that requires drivers to enter a password to start the truck.

At Progressive Truck School, we’re excited to see that new technology is helping to decrease theft in our industry.

Truckers enter the password into a 5-inch screen on the instrument panel, within the driver information center. After the code is entered, the engine must be started within six minutes, or the code will need to be re-entered.

To ensure that drivers won’t be locked out of their system, passwords can be changed and the Peterbilt service department can activate or deactivate the system.

The system is available on Models 579 and 567 equipped with Paccar MX-13 Engines.  The anti-theft system is now available for order.

To learn more about CDL certification, contact a Progressive Truck School admissions adviser at: 773.736.5522

Happy National Truck Driver Appreciation Week!

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America Lives By Truck!

September 14-20 is when America takes the time to honor all professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in tackling one of our economy’s most demanding and important jobs. These 3.2 million professional men and women not only deliver our goods safely, securely and on time, they also keep our highways safe.

 

We’re proud of all of our 50,000+ graduates. It’s a great time to be a driver!

To learn about how you can become part of this high-demand industry, contact Progressive Truck School at 773.736.5522.

Tony Justice: Mixing a Love of Country Music with Trucking

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Tony Justice likes to sum up his life in seven words: God, Family, America, Country Music, NASCAR, and Trucking.

Tony, an East Tennessee man via California and Kentucky, lives the trucking life and incorporates his trucking lifestyle into his music. A singer-songwriter who is chasing his dream of having a No. 1 hit country music song, Tony draws inspiration from his life on the road.

According to Tony’s Facebook Page, one of the benefits to driving over the road is the endless hours to write, and the highway provides endless inspirations to write about.

Today, Tony is driving his Peterbilt truck over the road, a trade handed down to him by his father. Tony takes a lot of pride in being a second generation driver.

Tony has just completed his third album titled “On the Road”, written by Kenny Chesney, Kim Williams, and Randy Bodreaux.. You can sample all thirteen songs on the album at reverbnation.com or through Tony Justice Facebook.

Listen to “Peterbilt 379” from Tony’s new album, “On The Road”

Contact Progressive Truck School to discuss how we can help you start your career in trucking: 773 736-5522

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