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Freight Loads

Freight Handler

Freight handlers load, unload, move and sort freight in many environments using a variety of equipment. When you become a freight handler, you’ll not only be responsible for moving freight safely and efficiently, you’ll have a chance to use your analytical, math and communication skills. Freight handlers work in all industries, from airlines and shipping companies to grocery chains and railroads.

Take note of your potential job duties. Freight handler may load and unload cargo, fill and drain shipping containers, operate lifts and dollies to transport materials through storage facilities and use machinery to band materials together and secure them to pallets.

Develop basic math and record-keeping skills that can be used on the job. A freight handler may weigh and count items, record the condition of items received, calculate the storage capacity of a container and use computers to prepare shipping labels and orders.

Be physically prepared to become a freight handler. Many employers require that freight handlers be able to lift between 30 and 75 lbs. unassisted. Freight handlers must be able to bend, reach, lift and stand for entire shifts. Work environments are often noisy and temperatures may be extreme.

Meet basic employer requirements. Employers often provide on-the-job training for operating equipment such as forklifts, but they may require that you have a valid driver’s license, chauffeur’s license or commercial driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Be prepared to provide documentation such as a high school diploma or GED for most freight handler jobs. Many employers also conduct background checks and require drug screening

Categories
Business Lifestyle

Buying Freightliner Parts

Owner-operators and independent diesel mechanics need to have first hand knowledge of where to obtain parts for any make and model of truck. Time is money on the road, and having to wait because you can’t find parts can be very detrimental to one’s income, as well as business reputation. In this article we’ll take a look at how to find and buy parts for Freightliner trucks.

Develop a list of reliable parts resources to ensure that you will have the best chance of finding Freightliner parts when you need them. Start by gathering a list of dealers within the states that you normally run. If you run the same routes consistently, you can narrow your list down further by eliminating dealerships outside your routes. Use the “Freightliner Dealers by State” link in the Resource section of this article to start. You can also search for parts in Canada and Mexico, if you commonly travel into these two countries.

Use the Freightliner Strategic Supplier list (see Resource section for link) to research other vendors who carry Freightliner parts. This list of suppliers is approved by Freightliner, and their relationship with each supplier ensures that you can get the best prices and timely service that you need when searching for parts during a breakdown.

Conduct a search for Freightliner parts, using your favorite search engine, if you cannot locate vendors or dealerships that are located within your lanes of travel. This method is less reliable, as vendors not strategically aligned with Freightliner are under no obligation to uphold the manufacturer’s policies with regards to pricing, service and timely shipment of parts.

Create a spreadsheet or basic text document on your computer to store your list of parts suppliers, if you have a PC or laptop that you use while you are in transit. If you don’t have PC access, make a printed copy that you can store with your other reference materials in your truck.

Search for salvaged Freightliner parts by calling truck salvage yards in your area or by visiting websites such as Heavy Truck Parts, which provide a database of salvage yards where one can locate used Freightliner parts. Utilizing salvage yards is best for situations that do not require immediate attention, as it is a time consuming process. Save this option for times when your truck is off the road for normal maintenance and down time.

Use the services of truck stops that you frequent. Flying J, Love’s and independent truck stops can provide you with information about local vendors and repair shops that can assist you in getting your Freightliner parts. Travel Centers of America, LLC (TA) are partnered with Daimler Trucks North America LLC, Freightliner’s parent company, to provide parts and service for Freightliner and other makes. Even if you do your own repairs, having access to a TA center can help you get parts faster than having to order and wait for shipment.

Carry a sufficient cash or credit cushion with you to cover the expense of purchasing parts. For owner-operators, having a line of credit through a lender can help cover maintenance and repair costs. Setting up an emergency savings account is another way that you can make sure you have the money needed when you break down.

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Business Lifestyle

Getting a Logistics Degree

There are generally two ways of getting a degree in logistics or supply chain management complete coursework at an accredited college or register for the distance learning program of a reputable university. Associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees are available. A distance learning program allows you to earn while you learn and boosts future career prospects. An undergraduate degree in logistics will enable you to get an entry level job, while graduate and post-graduate degrees will help you move to the upper echelons of management or pursue a career in consulting or academics.

Get a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma (GED) to fulfill the minimum educational prerequisite for gaining entry into degree programs in logistics.

Appear for the SAT or American College Test (ACT) to test your readiness for college. Grade point average (GPA) in high school and SAT or ACT scores will be taken into account when you apply for admission to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in logistics. You will have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to apply for a master’s degree program in logistics.

Choose a college offering an accredited degree program in logistics. You can visit the website of the United States Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to check whether the college or logistics degree program that you have chosen is accredited or not.

Get a job in a warehouse, store or manufacturing facility. You will gain hands-on experience by assisting the staff in checking invoices and monitoring inventory levels. This will help you to gain entry into universities that require prior work experience for enrolling in a post-graduate degree program in logistics, especially if you hold a bachelor’s degree in disciplines other than logistics, mathematics, physics or engineering.

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Carriers Owner Operators

Driver Careers

Route driver careers involve transporting people or items according to an assigned route. If you enjoy driving and being able to travel during working hours, you may want a career as a route driver. All you need are a valid driver’s license, a chauffeur’s license or a commercial driver’s license, and a clear driving record. You will receive training on how to operate the vehicle, safety rules and the route you will be responsible for driving.

Shuttle Bus Drivers

If you want to transport a small amount of people at a time, consider a route driver career as a shuttle bus driver. These vehicles usually carry up to 16 passengers at a time and are used by hotels, airports and car dealerships. If you work for a hotel, your route consists of driving passengers back and forth between the hotel and the airport and assisting them with loading and unloading their luggage. Airports use shuttle bus drivers to pick up passengers to transport them to and from parking lots and the airport.

More route driver careers that involve driving a shuttle bus include tour guides, who take passengers on scheduled routes and answer questions, and working for hospitals that provide transportation for patients. Hospitals employ shuttle drivers to transport patients who are disabled or unable to drive, and you may be required to assist them as they board. Although the salary for this route driver career varies, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median salary was $21,550 in May 2008.

Package Delivery Drivers

Driving a truck is another route driver career. You can work as a delivery driver who picks up and delivers packages in a specific region along a specified route. You load your truck with packages to be delivered to businesses and households along a certain route and pick up packages and take them back to a distribution center to be shipped. Your duties include handling receipts and payments, and depending on the load, you may have assistance from another employee. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary for package delivery drivers was $27,000 in May 2008.

Transit Bus Drivers

Another route driver career involves operating transit or intercity buses. This position requires picking up and dropping off passengers at stops on a designated route and sticking to a schedule. You interact with customers regularly because you are responsible for collecting fares and answering questions about routes and directions. You record your daily trips and submit trip reports, as well as reporting mechanical problems or significant delays in your schedule. As a bus driver, you need a passenger vehicle endorsement on your driver’s license that involves passing a written examination and skills test. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for bus drivers was $34,000 in May 2008.

Categories
Business Owner Operators

Dispute Innacurate Information on your DAC Report Repair

There may be Inaccurate, negative, and possibly damaging information on your DAC Report and you
might not even know it. In some instances this information could cost you money, a raise, or even a job.
The only true way to know what carriers are saying about you, Is to order your FREE report.

Our DAC Disputing Services

We work diligently in reviewing, verifying, and correcting negative and inaccurate information from your
DAC Report, The only ones who can remove the information is the company that put it on there. We
work closely with HireRight and thousands of trucking companies on your behalf in order to correct and
update your DAC Employment History File. We make them prove that their entry and claim is valid. If the
company you worked for fails to verify your disputed claim within 30 days, then this item will be removed
from your DAC Report. Not all trucking companies use DAC services, but the majority of all US carriers
do use this service and reports such information as the dates you worked for that carrier, driver

status (this is the type of driver you were, Owner Op, Company Driver, etc..), lanes you ran
(regional, 48 states, local), and types of equipment and freight you hauled. This information is
basic and just lets your potential employers know what kind of experience you have. The part of
your DAC that has the biggest impact on whether or not a carrier moves further into the hiring
process are the more personalized questions such as Eligibility for Rehire, Reson For Leaving,
Your Work Record, Accident/Incident History, and Drug and Alcohol.

Why Use Us?

When disputing inaccuracies with HireRight you only have one chance to get the information corrected or
removed. Once the information has been deemed verified, it will be almost impossible to get it changed.
With our unique strategies, knowledge of the trucking industry, and relationships with HireRight and the
majority of the nations carriers we can not only save you time but can definitely save you money, and
improve your image. We offer 100% satisfaction and a money back guarantee to all our clients. Its Time
you stand up for yourself, Take A Stand Against HireRIght

Categories
Business Lifestyle

Job Description of a Logistics Agent

A logistics agent works in a warehouse and handles a company’s shipping, receiving and overall distribution. He also maintains a warehouse, making sure merchandise is ready for delivery and packages are properly handled. He often must operate equipment that assists with distribution by making the process of loading and unloading semi-trucks and delivery vans easier.

Logistics agents are employed by a wide variety of industries. Some handle strictly shipping, some strictly receiving, but most handle both. They have to take great care in handling items, avoiding potential damage or misplacement. Logistics agents also typically keep track of invoices and work with manufacturers and delivery drivers on distribution needs. The majority spend a large portion of their workdays on their feet, receiving, sorting through and arranging packages, preparing them to either be displayed in a store or sent to another location.

Skills
Logistics agents must be highly organized with thorough knowledge of how to operate the equipment used for moving merchandise. That equipment includes forklifts and moving dollies. They must know their warehouses inside and out and possess strong communication skills to relay information about distribution to co-workers, manufacturers and supervisors. Many also need to clean their warehouses, so they should know how to mop floors and stack boxes. On top of those things, logistics agents need the strength to move packages and operate heavy equipment.

Background
Practically anyone can become a logistics agent with the right work ethic. In most cases, only a high school diploma or GED equivalent is required. Other than that, a logistics agent needs to work well alone or as a member of a team, a positive approach toward the job and an ability to follow instructions.

Prospects
Logistics agents belong to a warehousing industry that is expected to grow steadily for the foreseeable future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of warehouse workers is expected to increase by 11 percent through 2018, which is about the average growth rate for all occupations during the same span.

Earnings
Since logistics agents work in such a wide-ranging field, their salaries are likely to differ considerably. Much depends on their experience and overall duties. According to PayScale.com, distribution clerks made anywhere from nearly $23,500 to more than $36,000 per year in May 2010.

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Business Carriers

Measuring Logistics Performance

Logistics, also known as supply chain management, is the study and operation of supplying services or products to places of need. In real-world situations in which time and money are of great importance, it’s often essential for a company or organization to measure the performance of their logistics. However, because of the complex processes involved in logistics, there’s no single way in which to measure how a company is performing in terms of their logistical operations. Instead, there are a number of measurements, each describing the performance from a different angle.

Measure supply reliability. This measurement tells a company how reliable the shipping method is in terms of preserving or maintaining products in their original state. Low measures of supply reliability can indicate improper shipping or packing methods. Calculate this measurement by subtracting the number of defective parts per average delivery from the average number of parts delivered per delivery and then dividing by the average number of parts delivered per delivery. The result will be a percentage indicating the number of parts delivered soundly per each shipment.

Compute the variation in transit time. This metric indicates the reliability of the shipment time. Used in conjunction with basic shipping-time statistics, this metric can tell a company how dependable their shipment method is. Calculate this value by subtracting the minimum transit time for a given period from the maximum transit time for a given period and then dividing by the average transit time for the given period. Lower values for this value indicate better performance.

Calculate the service reliability. Service reliability indicates the number of successful (in terms of providing the service promised) shipments. Divide the number of shipments delivered successfully at most four hours later than promised by the total number of shipments. The result will be a percentage. Percentages closer to 100% indicate better service.

Compute transportation utilization. This measurement shows how well a company is using its transportation resources. Divide the amount of time transportation devices (ships, trucks, and so on) are loaded during transit by the amount of time devices are in-transit regardless of whether they are loaded. The result will be a percentage. Percentages closer to 100% indicate better utilization of transportation devices.

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Carriers Trucker News

Distribution & Logistics Careers

Distribution and logistics are an important part of commerce. These functions control the way products move between the supply source and the store shelves. Without them, there would be a noticeable shortage of goods overnight. It can be a challenging job, but one that offers a variety of positions for many types of background, education, and training.

Distribution Careers
Distribution refers to the network of suppliers, warehouses, freight forwarders and delivery systems responsible for product movement. This includes all aspects of shipping, from trucking companies and railroads to air freight delivery. The final leg of a distribution journey is handled by local delivery vehicles running packages back and forth across town. Products that began as raw materials in a factory arrive in packaging that stock clerks place on store shelves.

Distribution careers cover every aspect of the process. Cargo agents, freight brokers, dispatchers, truck drivers, stock clerks, shipping and receiving employees, and distribution managers all play a part. All require a different level of knowledge and expertise. Consequently, pay scales vary greatly, as does the potential for career advancement.

Educational requirements vary as well. Warehouse workers, delivery drivers, dock hands and stock clerk jobs typically require a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Distribution managers, custom brokers, supply chain supervisors and transportation planners will often require a two-year associate or bachelor’s degree in a related study.

Pay scales start at minimum-wage entry level wages and can reach into six figures for high ranking executives, with profit-sharing, performance bonuses and lucrative retirement programs.

Logistics Careers
Logistics is a term borrowed from military strategy. It refers to the task of placing personnel and equipment at a location on a pre-determined schedule. A career in logistics includes several aspects of routing, scheduling, time management and oversight related to the movement of goods and materials from point of origin to point of delivery.

According to the Education-Portal website, which cites data compiled by the Logistics Institute at Georgia Tech University, logistics and distribution account for nearly half of a company’s marketing budget and more than a quarter of its overall operating costs. Precise delivery of products and materials is key to the survival of any manufacturing, wholesale, or retail business.

Educational requirements include an associate’s degree in applied science or a bachelor of science degree in supply chain management. This kind of background gives you the knowledge and skills to handle acquisition, inventory management, strategic planning of delivery systems, and cost-analysis of logistics operations. Pay scales vary depending on the scope of a company’s business. But these technical jobs generally start at a higher rate of pay than many of the lower-echelon distribution positions.

Career Outlook
A look at the 2009 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website illustrates the wide range of requirements and career opportunities in distribution and logistics. Annual incomes vary from the low $20,000 range for package handlers to between $50,000 and $65,000 for high-level management and technical positions, such as supply managers and logistics coordinators.

U.S. employment figures from 2009 reflect numerous jobs across the industry. First-line managers alone accounted for more than 200,000 positions. You’ll usually earn more if you work for a Fortune 500 company that handles a large volume of international products and materials. Technical vocations such as logisticians earned a median annual salary of $70,400 in 2009.

Categories
CDL

Pass the Written CDL Test

Drivers of buses, trucks and other commercial vehicles need to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). In addition to a driving test, the requirements for obtaining a CDL include a written test. The test has material that does not appear on the licensing test for noncommercial vehicles. Accordingly, preparing for and passing the written CDL test requires additional study and time. Test takers should use as many available resources as possible to pass the written CDL test. They can then pass the first hurdle to a rewarding career as a commercial driver.

Visit the local government office that issues driver’s licenses. Most states have a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for licensing. Your state might use a different name, but it is usually the same office where you get your automobile driver’s license. Pick up a copy of the manual or handbook for the written CDL test. Make sure that you get all the materials for the test that you will take. States often have different classes of CDL licenses and different tests for each class of license.

Use the CDL manual to determine which tests you must take. For example, a tester in Massachusetts who wants a license to include a hazardous-materials (HAZMAT) endorsement must take the HAZMAT portion of the CDL test. Endorsements give commercial drivers authority to operate different kinds of vehicles or transport certain passengers or materials.

Study the relevant portions of the CDL manual for each individual part of your CDL test. However, you should study the entire manual if you have time. Your opportunities to obtain work may depend on obtaining special endorsements on your CDL license. Taking and passing all the tests will ensure that you have the proper endorsements when applying for a job as a commercial driver.

Supplement your study of the official state CDL manual with a commercial CDL course. Use this manual to find out the most common questions asked on the test. The course also gives test-taking tips for the CDL exam.

Take free online CDL practice tests. Take these tests to familiarize yourself with the types of questions on the CDL exam. These subject-based tests allow you to assess your strong and weak points. For example, you may be strong on the HAZMAT test but weak on the air-brakes test. Go back and review the portions of the manual or course that cover the most difficult material.

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CDL

Obtain a CDL Class A License

To obtain a CDL A license you must have a valid driver’s license, pass a vision test and be over the age of 18 (within-state driving) or 21 (interstate). You must understand how to speak and read English and physically be able to operate a truck weighing 26,001 pounds or more. A number of exams must be completed, as well as a driving skills test. However, once you receive your CDL A license, the job opportunities are many.

Contact a local trade school or college in your area to inquire about their CDL A training courses. In addition, if you are unemployed or underemployed, you can contact your local One Stop Unemployment center to inquire about receiving a WIA grant. The WIA grant will fund your training, at no cost to you, if you qualify.

Study the training material. The material consists of a Rules of the Road training manual, specifically for Class A vehicles. The manual can be obtained at your local Department of Motor Vehicles for free or from your school. To obtain your CDL A permit you must pass the written test, which consists of general knowledge, and specific questions relating to combination vehicles and air brakes. In most states, the applicant must pass the test with 80 percent or better to obtain his permit.

Practice driving a Class A vehicle with your training instructor once you receive your permit. You cannot operate a CDL A vehicle without the presence of someone with a Class A license. The instructor will teach you how to perform a pre-trip inspection, straight-line, angle, and 45-degree reverse parking, alley docking and basic driving skills.

Schedule a road test with your local Department of Motor Vehicles. However, some schools will schedule the test for you when they determine that you are ready. During the test, you will have to perform a pre-trip inspection before you enter the vehicle. If you fail the pre-trip inspection, you will not be allowed to take the driving test. During the driving test, you must pass every obstacle that the instructor asks of you. In most states, you will have to provide your own truck. However, most schools provide the vehicle for their students.

Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain your license after you have successfully passed your road test. The cost of a CDL A License varies by state. However, the average cost is $60. If you did not pass the road test, you can take the test 3 additional times. After 3 tries, a 30-day waiting period is imposed before you can retake the test.