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Trucker News

Strategies for Trucking

Trucking Industry plays an important role in providing transportation and distribution service in American economy. It transports and distributes commercial as well as industrial goods by using commercial motor vehicles (CMV), which are most often trucks. You will be amazed to know that over eighty per cent of all communities in the US depend on trucking industry to deliver all of their fuel, medicine, clothing and other consumer goods. The trucking industry employs approximately 10 million people out of a total population of 300 million in jobs that relate directly to trucking. Trucking is a profession that requires patience, diligence and solitude. It is not an easy profession to take part in because of its competitiveness as well as the long hours that it requires. To be successful as a trucker, you can try several strategies to make yourself both more patient and more effective on the road.

Patience
Patience during those long hours on the road is essential. It is easy for a trucker to lose control of himself and succumb to road rage over a minor infraction of another driver. Road rage for truckers is much more dangerous than for drivers of normal-sized cars because semi-trucks command so much space on the road. You have to be able to overlook the actions of other drivers and just focus on your own driving. As long as you drive defensively and patiently, you will be effective and safe on the road.
Speed
Keep in mind that, as a trucker, you are not paid by the hour, but the mile. So a trip of 500 miles will pay the same if you finish it in one day or two. Do not needlessly stop too many times. However, you must maintain a balance between speed and safety. Even though you may be in a hurry to get to your destination, you need to keep in mind that you have a massive metal trailer at your back and failure to heed those around you can cause a lot of problems. Stay safe, but do not dillydally.
Keep Busy
Long hours on the road will cause you to get drowsy. It is always a good idea to bring something along with you that will keep you awake during the long hours on the road. Music, of course, is a good thing to have. Some truckers might find that a book on tape works better. One thing that seems to work the best is sunflower seeds. Eating sunflower seeds causes your cognitive processes to continue working because you are doing something other than sitting. Take a bag of seeds on your trip, and staying awake should be simple. You will also find that the trip tends to go faster.

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Trucker News

Shippers As Customers

Shippers are companies that have a product that needs to be transported from one place to another via truck, rail, air or cargo ship. Freight brokers serve as intermediaries between the shipper and the transportation company, but a transportation company is not required to go through a broker to get a shipper as a customer. Both brokers and transportation companies use the same methods to get shippers as customers, however. Calling companies and offering proof of your experience the way to get new business.
[box]
Determine the commodity to be shipped by researching the shipping company. Look at the company’s website to determine the products shipped. For example, if the product is food, find out if the food is canned or shipped fresh.[/box]

[box]Contact the shipper and ask for the freight manager, transportation manager or transportation department. If the product is canned, it can be transported on a non-refrigerated truck. However, if the product is fresh, a reefer, or refrigerated truck, is needed. In addition, the product must be transported at a specific temperature.[/box]

[box]Ask the freight manager if the company’s products are shipped out-of-state or in-town. If the products are shipped out-of-state, ask the start and end points of the loads.[/box]

[box]Offer to send the shipper the details about your transportation company. Obtain the contact information for the shipper. The package should contain the Motor Carriers (MC) number, insurance information, credit references and contact information.[/box]

[box]Contact the shipper in three days. This gives the freight manager enough time to receive and review the package.[/box]

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Freight Brokers Trucker News

Load Broker Info

A freight broker is an individual or company that serves as a liaison between another individual or company that needs shipping services and an authorized motor carrier. Though a freight broker plays an important role in the movement of cargo, the broker doesn’t function as a shipper or a carrier. Instead, a freight broker works to determine the needs of a shipper and connects that shipper with a carrier willing to transport the items at an acceptable price.

Work in the cargo and freight business. Find work with a shipping, trucking or freight brokering company in any position available and begin learning how the freight business operates. First-hand knowledge about the actual job a load broker performs can be learned as an apprentice to a transportation broker or agent. A load broker should have comprehensive knowledge about the ins and outs of the freight business.

Choose a freight specialization. There are many types of freight that require transportation. Specializing in a particular freight type puts the agent in the role of expert and the go-to person for transportation companies handling that particular type of freight. Freight specialties include livestock, over-size loads, hazardous materials and perishable food.

Develop networking skills and build a business network. Load brokers are the contact point for drivers and transportation companies. The load brokers contact list becomes an asset to the broker, without it they have no way to conduct business. Daily conversation with transportation companies and drivers is required of the broker to initiate and successfully complete a shipment.

Obtain a freight brokers license from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Brokers must be licensed whether they are working as an employee of a brokering company or as an independent broker. The Federal Carrier Safety Administration known as the FMCSA is the DOT department that oversees the licensing of load brokers. Call the FMCSA at 800-832-5660 or visit the website to find out more about the licensing process. The license fee is $300 and requires proof of the purchase of a surety bond in the amount of $10,000 before the application is approved.

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Trucker News

5 Important Chain Jobs Supply

[box]Demand Planner: These professionals match-up inventory levels with product demand. Experience with ERP systems such as Oracle or SAP is a great plus for those hoping to be hired for these positions. In addition, many of these individuals are certified through APICS or similar supply chain associations, and many others have obtained the level of Six Sigma Black Belt.[/box]

[box]Procurement Manager: These professionals ensure that inventory is being purchased at the lowest cost and sourced from the highest-quality suppliers. This is a hard proposition to manage, and these individuals are tasked with both analyzing the business’ supply-base as well as well as negotiating directly with suppliers. This complexity of the position requires individuals with both an analytical rigor and excellent communication skills. Many are certified through the ISM in the US or CIPS in the UK.[/box]

[box]Supply Chain Analyst: These professionals are often recent supply chain, engineering or finance university graduates, or new graduates of an MBA program. This is a great opportunity for individuals with classroom knowledge to get “real world experience” working with some of the top clients in the field. These individuals are often tasked with both analyzing and presenting their findings to important business leaders, making it an excellent destination for those that have aspirations in owning their own consulting firm, or an executive position within the supply chain itself.[/box]

[box]Distribution Center Supervisor: These professionals manage the fast-paced and highly-complex warehouse and distribution center. In addition with managing inventory as it quickly enters and leaves the DC, the supervisor is tasked with managing a blue-collar team of warehouse workers. Many individuals find this task rewarding though, and this talent pool is often sourced when executives are looking for young, talent with hands-on experience. Advanced certifications in supply chain management and logistics aren’t necessary, but basic understanding on engineering, inventory management and logistics is beneficial.[/box]

[box]3PL Business Development Manager: Because companies continue to outsource their logistics needs, third-party logistics firms (3PL) have a great opportunity for business. These professionals are tasked with gaining new clients, managing the communication, and fighting the necessary fires. A background in account management, finance, sales and marketing is great, as these individuals often have to wear many hats.[/box]

Source: http://www.warehousemanagementsystemsguide.com/

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Lifestyle Trucker News

Expunge a Commercial Driver DAC

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.

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Lifestyle Trucker News

Revoke Hauling Authority

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.

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Lifestyle Trucker News

Transportation Field

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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Lifestyle Trucker News

Forklift Driving Health Effects

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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Lifestyle Trucker News

Viewing Driving Record

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.

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Lifestyle Trucker News

DVT risk for Driver

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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