Category: Trucker News

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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Shipping agents manage the flow of goods transported by air, sea, rail and truck. According to the California Employment Development Department, shipping agents act as brokers taking orders for materials and arranging the route and method of delivery. The agent also handles customs and other regulatory documentation for the shipment.

Some freight agents work as independent business people and others work for freight brokerage companies. Some freight brokerage companies offer on the job training or internships for prospective shipping agents.

Contact local freight forwarding brokers for information. You can find some listings in the yellow pages and others by searching online. Make a list of all the ones you would like to contact for information.

Call the companies on your list and ask to speak to the human resources department. Explain your interest in becoming a shipping agent and ask for information about the job. They can guide you to resources to help you get started.

Search for colleges that offer programs in logistics and shipping. Some colleges offer programs designed to train you for a career either as an independent shipping broker or as an agent working for a broker. The program of study will help you gain knowledge of the transportation industry and the legal documentation required for working as a shipping agent. According to ed2go Online Career Training, a shipping agent needs to have Broker Authority. This is obtained from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Search online for the equipment and software you will need to work as shipping agent. Independent shipping agents need to purchase transportation software for managing the freight shipments while agents working for a brokerage will use the software provided by the agency. You will also need a good computer with broadband Internet access and a phone and fax set up for keeping in contact with clients.

Contact state and federal government agencies to investigate the job opportunities available for shipping agents. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics also offers information about shipping and freight agent careers. There you will find information about shipping agent careers including salary averages and working conditions. Your state Labor Department can provide data on shipping agent job opportunities in your state.

A fake drivers license isn’t hard to identify, yet so many people don’t know the distinguishing characteristics to look for. The exact details of a fake drivers license vary slightly from state to state but there are some basic things that can tip you off right away. Check out the information contained inside this article to understand how to notice a fake drivers license right away.

In a fake drivers license, one of the first things to look for is a hologram or any type of security stamp or marker. These things are costly for people to duplicate and are often left out in the hopes that the person checking the ID won’t notice, or won’t think to look for that. It’s going to be in a different location in every state and will vary a little bit but there should be something.

Another obvious marker of a fake drivers license is uneven text or slanted writing. People who create fake drivers licenses don’t have the same quality machines that the real ones are made with and consequently that translates to a cruddy job on the fit and finish of the license. If you notice that there are typos or text that isn’t lined up appropriately then that should raise your suspicion.

Make sure that the photo matches exactly with the person what you are checking, or it could be a fake drivers license or a license that belongs to someone else. Many times when people order a fake drivers license they will not have an actual photo of themselves on it because the person counterfitting it doesn’t have time to wait for an actual picture or the facilities to take a picture.

In addition to the photo make sure that the personal details are correct too. A fake drivers license will often have the physical descriptive characteristics improperly listed, stating that someone is much taller than they actually are or that they have different color eyes or hair so make sure to pay attention to this as well.

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Though many private citizens believe that vehicle license plate information may only be obtained by law enforcement officials, the task of gathering data on an assigned license plate is relatively easy. The search for license plate data will usually provide registrant name and address information, vehicle registration and expiration date, vehicle make and model, VIN number, title information, and the lien holder’s name if applicable. While this information is protected by the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994, you may still receive adequate amounts of information to complete your search.

Record and write down the license plate number. You must record the license plate number in the same format as it appears on both the vehicle registration paperwork and the vehicle license plate itself. If the number/letter combination displayed on either the registration or license plate does not match then notify your state’s department of licensing or department of motor vehicles immediately.

Visit the department of motor vehicles, department of licensing, or appropriate government agency in person. You may visit the vehicle licensing authority to obtain information on a specific vehicle license. You may either visit on a walk-in basis or use the appointment system available in some states. The amount and type of information you receive will be subject to the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, a federal statute that governs the release and use of personal information on licensed motor vehicle operators. You may either receive requested information immediately or after waiting a specified time period after paying the appropriate fees.

Visit the website of the appropriate government agency. Many state licensing authorities have made a number of driver and vehicle licensing services available online. Visit the web site of your appropriate state authority to complete a license plate query. For example, Wisconsin residents can visit the state department of transportation website to obtain information on the license plate expiration date, and the vehicle year and make. In many states users may also renew expired registration and license plates through use of the same state licensing website.

Run a reverse license plate search. The use of private investigators and organizations that specialize in obtaining background information on businesses and individuals can provide information on a license plate by conducting a reverse license plate search. You must provide the name and address of the business or person to begin the search. The company then uses this data to generate a report to include information regarding the vehicles owned by or assigned to the person or business. You may also use a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to obtain license plate information. Many of these private search companies advertise online and can also be found in the white pages of the local phone directory.

Monitor local police activity using a commercially available police scanner. Police scanners have long been available for use by the general public. You can use the scanner to obtain information on a licensed vehicle by listening to the reported activity discussed over the frequency in use. If your query involves a police-related incident or investigation then information regarding related motor vehicles may be discussed over the scanner.

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A truck driver’s DAC (Drive-A-Check) report highlights his employment history with other truck driving companies, as well as his motor vehicle record, or MVR. If negative information is in the DAC report, it can prevent the driver from gaining employment as a trucker. A trucker is entitled to one free copy of his DAC each year. DAC reports were originally issued by US Investigations Services, a commercial services business. In 2008, USIS merged with HireRight, a company that provides on-demand background checks. As of 2011, HireRight is responsible for issuing driver DAC reports

Contact HireRight at 800-381-0645 to request a copy of the USIS Consumer Report Request Form. This form can also be downloaded and printed from the USIS website (see link in Resources).

Complete the request form by entering information, such as your name, Social Security number, date of birth and contact information. In Section 3 of the form, select the options that are labeled “Employment History Information” and “Motor Vehicle Report Information.”

Submit the completed form, along with the required processing fee, to the address that is listed on the form. As of March 2011, the processing fee for a DAC report is $10. If you are entitled to a free copy of your DAC report, specify this in Section 4 of the request form. Wait to receive a copy of your DAC report in the mail. This can take up to 15 days from the date your request is received and processed by HireRight.

Alternatively, you can apply for a copy of your DAC report online if you don’t want to mail in a request form (see link in Resources). For an online request, a valid credit card is needed. Upon submitting an online request form, your DAC report will be mailed to you within 15 business days.

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A DAC (“Drive-A-Check”) report is a combination driving and employment record for truck drivers. This report shows how many tickets and accidents you have, how well you performed in the past, who you’ve worked for, and if you’ve ever abandoned a truck. This last can be a particular problem, since it’s a serious black mark against you and against your performance. It is possible to clear or change an abandonment, but you will often need legal assistance to do so.

Review your DAC report to see what is and isn’t on it. If you don’t have a reported abandonment, then there’s no reason to go any further because there’s nothing for you to remove.

Contact the company that claims you abandoned a truck. If you did not abandon a truck then ask the company to review the records and to change the entry. If there is a contention, then attempt to negotiate the label of an abandoned truck being changed due to circumstances. As an extreme example, if the truck was hijacked then you didn’t have much choice about leaving it. If there’s a cause for the abandonment to be changed, attempt to get it changed. If necessary, hire a legal representative to fight the company in court to change this.

Contact HireRight, the company that manages the DAC reports, and inform them of the change made to your record from the employer in question. Once the original incident has been changed with your former employer, you need to be sure that it’s also changed on the DAC report. Once again, legal representation is always helpful to have on your side.

Continue working. If you did in fact abandon a truck and there is no way around the fact, then you can’t get it removed from your record. However, the DAC report only goes back approximately 10 years. Additionally, when a company goes out of business, their information is supposed to be removed from the DAC report.

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