Category: Lifestyle

The management of transportation operations of all types, including tracking and managing every aspect of vehicle maintenance, fuel costing, routing and mapping, warehousing, communications, EDI implementations, traveler and cargo handling, carrier selection and management, accounting.

Freight Transportation
Usually, cargo and freight agents manage the transportation of products via truck. These professionals determine the route of the trucks, arranging for the pickup of shipments, set shipping rates and handle all necessary documentation. Agents usually receive all training on the job. Many captains received their training in the Navy. The need for cargo agents is expected to increase by 24 percent between 2008 and 2018, and their earnings were median annual earnings in 2009 were $36,960.

Ship Transportation
Captains manage the transportation of cargo and passengers on ships and smaller boats. They steer the boat, manage employees aboard the boat, perform all necessary communication to parties outside the boat and inspect the boat for safety concerns. They are the final authority on the boat and determine the ship’s course. In 2009, their median annual earnings were $64,240 and they have a projected growth of 14 to 19 percent between 2008 and 2018.

Railway Management
Railroad conductors and yardmasters work together to manage train operations. The conductor directs all crew on the train, while the yardmaster manages train schedules and the train breakup. They both work together to determine when to start and stop the train. The conductor directs workers to initiate warning signals during an emergency. Conductors and yardmasters receive their training on the job. The 2009 median annual earnings for conductors and yardmasters was $53,940 and they can expect a growth in demand of seven to 13 percent between 2008 and 2018.

Airline Management
Aircraft pilots and flight engineers manage airplanes, alongside air traffic control. Pilots control airplanes or helicopters, monitor instruments and communicate with both the passengers and air traffic control. The flight engineer monitors instruments and perform repairs. Airplanes are highly computerized and most pilots merely manage the controls. Most pilots and flight engineers receive their training from flight schools or the military. In 2008, pilots and flight engineers earned a median annual salary of $111,680 and the need for pilots and engineers is expected to grow by 12 percent between 2008 and 2018.

Air Traffic Controllers
The National Aerospace System employs air traffic controllers, who manage flights and prevent collisions, as well as minimizing delays by efficiently organizing flights. Air traffic controllers either have had previous experience with the Federal Aviation Administration or the Department of Defense, completed four years of college or had three years of work experience. Then, they must complete a pre-employment test and be younger than 30. In 2008, they earned a median of $111,870 and the demand for air traffic controllers is expected to grow by 13 percent between 2008 and 2018.

The brakes in a car are designed to slow down and stop the wheels by using friction that is applied by the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid pressing a pad or shoe against a metal wheel part. Brakes slow the wheels of a vehicle in proportion to the pressure the driver puts on the brake pedal, allowing the brakes to be used many different ways depending on the driver. Brake systems are made up of brake clamps and brake lines, brake pads, and brake rotors.

Brake Lifespans
Judging the lifespan of any part of the brake system is complicated. Brake wear depends almost entirely on the driver. Brakes will wear out depending not only on how often they are used, but also how hard the driver presses on the brake pedal. Different parts and materials last longer than others. Brake fluid needs to be checked far more often than brake rotors. However, there are indications that can be used to gauge the lifespan of some brake systems.

Brake Pads
Except for brake fluid, brake pads usually need to be replaced more often than any other part in the brake system. The average lifespan for the pads is around 30,000 miles, but with very careful driving it could be twice that. If driving conditions are rough or the driver has bad breaking habits, the brake pads may only last 15,000 to 20,000 miles.

Indicator
Brake pads are equipped with indicator strips. As the brake pads are used, the indicator strips wear down until they expose a section of metal to the brake rotor. This metal is designed to create a screeching sound without actually harming the brake rotor. This lets the driver know that the brakes need to be replaced.

Brake Rotors
Brake rotors are the section of the brake that attaches to the wheels and helps slow the car down. Rotors are more difficult to judge in terms of lifespan. Typically the second or third time the driver replaces brake pads the mechanic will also inspect the brake rotors to see if they are worn out. Even then, the rotors might simply be shaved to smooth them again so they can be used for many more miles.

Clamps and Lines
The clamps and brake lines are designed to last throughout the life of the car. The exceptions are accidents and very rough driving conditions. Accidents can tear through brake lines, and bad collisions may dislodge the brake clamps. Rough driving conditions, such as a landscape with stones and boulders, may jeopardize the life of the brake lines as well.

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A DAC report is essentially an employment record for commercial drivers (truckers). A DAC report contains a variety of information, including previous employment, accidents, tickets, drug test results and criminal convictions. A criminal conviction such as driving while intoxicated or reckless driving can seriously affect a trucker’s ability to gain employment. To expunge (erase or remove from public access) a conviction from a DAC report, the driver must successfully expunge the conviction from the original court records.

Research the statutes in the state where you received the conviction to determine whether you are eligible for expungement. The FindLaw website provides links to state specific expungement statutes and procedures.

Retain an attorney or prepare the petition to expunge on your own if you believe that you qualify to have your conviction so expunged.

File the petition with the clerk of the original court where you were convicted. In some states the expungement is automatic if you meet the statutory qualifications. In other states you must appear for a hearing after filing the petition. In that case, the judge will have discretion to either grant or deny the petition.

Order a free copy of your DAC once you have successfully expunged the conviction to verify that it no longer shows on your DAC record. Once a conviction has been expunged it cannot be reported on your DAC.

Long-haul drivers transport goods in semi-trailers across the country. Drivers can work in a freight fleet for a hauling company, as a self-employed transport hauler or as part of the company that needs the goods delivered to customers. To be able to haul freight, drivers must file an application for an operating authority license. A driver can voluntarily revoke his license when stopping his hauling operation due to retirement or closing of his hauling company. The driver must file a Form OCE-46, Request for Revocation of Registration, with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compliance division.

Form OCE-46: Request for Revocation of Registration application

Request an OCE-46 application. You can request the form by telephone at 866-637-0635 or by downloading it from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Enter the docket number and the name of the carrier, freight forwarder or broker who has requested the revocation of operating authority. Write in the address of the requesting carrier. Select the appropriate box for which operating authority you have: common, contract or broker.

Write the reason for your request. Print the name of the person who has authorization to submit the request along with a daytime telephone number.

Have the signature notarized or sign it in the presence of an FMCSA staff member. Mail the original form to the FMCSA.

Various career options are available in the transportation field. From waterways to railways to airways, Americans have always had a fascination with mass transit systems. The rise of the American railway in the mid-19th century revolutionized the transportation industry, as did the advent of flight in the early 20th century. With time, as both became integral to America’s transportation system, the number of careers in the industry grew substantially.

Rail Transportation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects average job growth in the field of railway transportation through 2018. Despite the average growth, the BLS believes that the job prospects for qualified applicants will be good because the number of workers expected to retire should open numerous opportunities. The two most prominent positions within the railway industry are the train conductor and engineer. The minimum qualification to work in these positions is a high school education. Many conductors and engineers gain most of their experience through hands-on training, but they usually have to complete formal training provided by the railway. They also have to obtain a federal license. According to BLS statistics, the median hourly wage of railroad conductors was $25.40 per hour as of May 2008; locomotive engineers made $22.54 per hour.

Water Transportation
Various career options are available in the field of water transportation. Ship captains are generally considered the most prominent figures in the water transportation industry. Other positions include deck mates or officers, riverboat pilots, deckhands and sailors and ship engineers. It is expected that the number of jobs in this industry will grow by 15 percent by 2018, according to BLS projections. Training varies by position. Deckhands and shipmates usually receive very basic training that lasts just a few days. Engineers and deck officers must take an examination, which usually follows a formal training class and thousands of hours of hands-on training. They must also receive an endorsement from the U.S. Coast Guard. With time, engineers and deck officers can eventually become ship captains. According to the BLS, the median annual salary of engineers, deck officers and ship captains was $61,960 as of May 2008.

Air Transportation
While there are many career options available in the air transportation industry, the most prominent are those of aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers. Job growth in both of these fields is expected to remain average compared to all other industries through 2018. Extensive training is required to become a pilot. Most airlines have made a college degree the minimum requirement for employment. Pilots receive extensive training either in the military or through FAA certified instruction. According to the BLS, the median annual salary of pilots was $111,680 as of May 2008.

Various paths lead to the position of an air traffic controller. Military experience offers one path, while formal training through an FAA-approved program is another. Some people become air traffic controllers through a combination of work experience and education. Air traffic controllers direct flights and keep them safe by making sure they are a safe distance apart from one another. Air traffic controllers received a median annual salary of $111,870 as of May 2008, according to the BLS.
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A forklift truck is a powered industrial truck used to lift and transport materials.The forklift has since become an indispensable piece of equipment in manufacturing and warehousing operations.

Forklifts are mobile vehicles equipped with prongs or forks, and are used for transporting and lifting heavy loads. Workers in junkyards, construction sites, warehouses and many other areas use forklifts on a daily basis, although they may not always be operating them properly. According to catalog.blr.com, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 100 workers die each year in forklift-related accidents, while another 20,000 are severely injured.

Forklift Overturns
There are many different incidences that can result in forklifts overturning. However, according to forklift-safety-training.blogspot.com, some of the most common causes include overloading the forklift (which can make it unbalanced and prone to tipping) and driving on an angled or otherwise uneven surface, such as a loading ramp. Forklift overturns can cause serious injuries to both operators and nearby individuals. These include severely broken or crushed bones and collapsed lungs or other organ damage, all of which can potentially prove fatal.

Workers Struck by Forklifts
A worker being struck by a forklift is another common forklift-related accident that can produce negative health effects. According to forklift-safety-training.blogspot.com, these types of incidences are commonly the result of a worker’s obstructed vision, as well as poor operation. Particularly large loads can make it hard for workers to see where they are driving (and who is in front them), and the same is true when driving in reverse. Even at low speeds, forklifts due to their sturdy and heavy construction can inflict broken bones.

Falling Loads
Loads sliding or otherwise falling off of forklifts can also cause serious damage. These incidences can be caused both by operator misuse (such as driving at an angle with an unsecured load) and by equipment malfunction. According to accidentsdirect.com, in one particular instance, a load that weighed over a ton fell off of a defective forklift and landed on a worker’s leg. This injury would ultimately require his leg to be amputated. To avoid such incidences, you should never stand under or near a forklift while it is lifting a load.

Pollution
Forklifts are commonly powered by gasoline and propane and, in some instances, utilize diesel fuel. According to forklift-safety-training.blogspot.com, in all cases pollution is released into the atmosphere, which can cause environmental damage and health problems (particularly those involving the respiratory system). Gas and diesel are particularly well known for increasing carbon monoxide levels, while propane is a large contributor of the gas nitrogen dioxide, which can also have harmful effects.

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While being considered for a driving-related job, an employer may require a copy of your personal driving record before making a decision to hire you as a driver. You may desire a copy of your driving record to review accident history, traffic citations and the status of your driver’s license. In order to view your personal driving record, all you need to do is petition the designated agency for the state that issued your license.

Visit your local Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) in person to request a copy of your personal driving record. Your state may require you to fill out a special request form.

Provide identifying information to the DMV representative, such as your name, driver’s license number and date of birth. Generally, you will have to pay a fee to obtain a copy of your record. You will leave the DMV office with a copy of your driving record in hand.

Write to your local DMV office to request a copy of your record. Include, with your written request, your name, driver’s license number, date of birth, mailing address and the required processing fee.

You will receive a copy of your personal driving record in the mail. It may take a few days or a few weeks for your DMV record to arrive in the mail. The exact time frame will vary between DMV offices.

Request a copy of your driving record online. Many DMV offices have an online website that allows you to make a request. Depending upon the website, you may be able to view and print your driving record online or it may be mailed to an address of your choice. A valid credit card is needed in order to pay the required processing fee.

Deep vein thrombosis (throm-BO-sis), or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Blood clots occur when blood thickens and clumps together. Most deep vein blood clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. They also can occur in other parts of the body.
Sedentary jobs are bad for blood circulation, according to a Women’s Health feature on MSNBC, and few jobs are as sedentary as driving a truck long distances. This increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as blood clot.

A blood clot in a deep vein can break off and travel through the bloodstream. The loose clot is called an embolus (EM-bo-lus). It can travel to an artery in the lungs and block blood flow. This condition is called pulmonary embolism (PULL-mun-ary EM-bo-lizm), or PE.

Background
Doctors advise travelers who have to sit for long periods of time to frequently stop to walk around. This gets the blood flowing and reduces the risk of DVT, according to the Dallas Business Journal. Unfortunately, truck drivers cannot always afford to make frequent stops.

Features
The condition usually occurs in the calves, where DVT blocks blood flow. If the clot moves through the bloodstream to the heart or lungs areas, it can be fatal.

Symptoms
Dallas truck driver Glen Kordisch explains that deep vein thrombosis feels like a sharp, stabbing pain. Pain often worsens when standing or walking, as the blood pours to the affected area. Other symptoms include swelling, redness and warmth in the affected leg, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Treatment
Truck drivers should walk around every hour, if possible. They can also wear compression stockings that increase blood circulation. When DVT is diagnosed, heparin and warfarin are administered for several months until the clot dissolves.

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