Looking Back at 2014: 3 Highlights for Truckers

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2014 was an important year for truckers. Here are some of the highlights that made truck driving a great career in 2014.

3. Pay Increased Significantly for Truck Drivers

Many of the country’s largest retailers released ad campaigns in 2014 to advertise new compensation packages for skilled drivers. Wal-Mart was one of the larger advertisers, offering qualified drivers with CDLs a $76,000 salary plus benefits. This is a significant increase, as average annual pay for drivers in 2013 was under $50,000, up roughly 28 percent from around $39,000 in 2000, according to data from ATA and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Driver pay skyrocketed in 2014 and is expected to continue to climb in 2015. Learn more.

2. Trucking Added New Jobs, But Driver Demand Is Still High

The trucking industry added thousands of new jobs to the American economy in 2015, but demand is still very high for skilled drivers. As the economy picks up speed, there’s a greater need for truckers. As people start spending more money, there’s additional freight to move, and skilled drivers are needed to move it. Several of the largest long haul trucking companies in the U.S. are currently hiring. Those companies include Swift Transportation , Schneider National, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, and Werner Enterprises – all of which are currently aggressive hiring drivers. Learn more.

1. Technology Made Drivers Lives Easier

Both truck engineering technology and the incorporation of technology like mobile apps have pushed the needle on new technology meant to help drivers. Peterbilt introduced password protected trucks – drivers 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. The “Weigh My Truck” App allows drivers to weigh their truck, have weights displayed on their smartphone, and pay for the transaction within the app via PayPal, all without ever having to leave their vehicle. We’re looking forward to seeing what new technology will be created to help drivers in 2015!

Now is a great time to earn your CDL at Progressive Truck School! Apply now.

Daimler’s Future Truck 2025 is Up and Running

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In an amazing feat of trucking technology, Daimler has released its Future Truck 2025, a truck that can drive itself while allowing its driver can be much more productive and safer behind the wheel.

The truck is designed to constantly communicate with surrounding vehicles and objects to allow multiple vehicles to travel closely together. The truck is even smart enough to anticipate necessary maintenance and repairs.

The world premiere of the self-driving truck was recently made on a new section of the Autobahn near Magdeburg, Germany. The tractor trailer combination was put through a series of real-world driving situations including interspersed traffic and multiple speed tests and test including getting out of the way of emergency vehicles. The vehicle passed the tests, responding smoothly to the tests without requiring any driver interaction.

The truck features many significant advances in trucking technology, including the artificial intelligence-like Highway Pilot assistance system, which operates very much like an auto-pilot system in airplanes. In addition to this technology, the truck also features an innovative computer and sensor system including advanced onboard data processing and communication tools and advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and blind spot monitoring.

Especially interesting for our Progressive Truck School graduates might be the improved driver’s experience including the ability to relax and switch to autonomous mode, accessible through a button on the armrest. The actual driver’s seat moves backwards and pivots up to 45 degrees for an optimal seating position, which allows enough room to stretch out like you’re sitting in a recliner.

The driver will always be in total control of the cab, as any manual steering, braking, or accelerating will override the auto-drive technology to give control back to the driver.

Now is a great time to join the trucking industry as a driver!  Apply here.

Owner-Operator Has a Once-in-a-Lifetime Load: The Capitol Christmas Tree

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Elwood Higdem has a very important responsibility this year: transporting this year’s capitol Christmas tree from it’s harvesting point in Minnesota across the country to the nation’s capital: Washington D.C.

According to Higdem, hauling this holiday icon has been “one of the best experiences of my life.”

Higdem won’t be making the journey alone. His wife, Joan, is accompanying him on his trip. Higdem works for Willie Transport, which is the carrier contacted this year to haul the tree.

“I’ve never really been in a situation before where I drive for an hour or two and then stand in front of cameras and be interviewed two or three times and asked a bunch of questions about what it’s like to haul the nation’s Christmas tree,” Higdem said. “I kind of like the attention.”

capital christmas tree truck

Higdem is transporting the 75-foot white spruce in a custom Kenworth T880 wrapped in special Capital Christmas tree graphics.

The tree will be lit Nov. 20 by Speaker of the House John Boehner. 

Weigh My Truck App Now Available for iPhone, iPad

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New technology in trucking is often put towards improving equipment and process. Now, a new iPhone app is looking to put new technology into the hands, or should we say iPhones, of drivers.

Cat Scale Co. has announced that its popular Weigh My Truck app is now available on iPhone and iPad. The app allows drivers to weigh their truck, have weights displayed on their smartphone, and pay for the transaction within the app via PayPal, all without ever having to leave their vehicle.

Using the app is simple: drivers create an account that stores their basic information and email preferences, along with a record of past weigh transactions.

The app also includes the ability to email a PDF copy scale ticket or weight information as a text file to up to 5 email addresses that the driver specifies. In the event that a driver still needs a hard copy scale ticket, they can opt to pick up a printed CAT scale ticket at the fuel desk after weighing in with the Weigh My Truck app.

As of this posting, Weight My Truck is now available on the Google Play Store as well as the Apple App Store.

To learn more about joining the fast-moving trucking industry, contact a Progressive Admissions Adviser: 773.736.5522

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

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