The Odds Are in Your Favor With SWTDT Las Vegas

When you think of Vegas, you may think about the lights, the shows, and the sound of slot machines jingling wherever you go. More often than not, natives and tourists alike will gamble away the money they brought with them, giving meaning to the phrase, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." People head to The Strip, hoping to win big. Little do they know that if they just kept traveling north for about 15 more minutes, they would have a lot more luck.

There is a little place, away from The Strip and all the noise, that you can come to turn your money into an investment, and that place is Southwest Truck Driver Training. Here, we will give you the tools you need to be a proficient, professional, truck driver. Earning your CDL is not a temporary gamble with your money, but instead a permanent solution to solving money problems that will pay off for the rest of your life.

The Evolution of the Semi-Truck, Part 1: Winton Motor Carriage Company

When looking into the history and evolution of the semi-truck, or tractor-trailer, credit must be given to more than one individual. There were many who contributed to the creation of the various big rigs we use today. One such person is Alexander Winton.

Alexander Winton was a Scottish immigrant and bicycle shop owner living in Cleveland, when he started Winton Motor Carriage Company in 1897. In 1898, Winton sold 22 of his automobiles to various customers throughout America. At this time, he needed to figure out a better way to distribute the motor cars to his customers, without causing any wear and tear on the product. This was when he came up with the concept of what became the very first tractor trailer, which became then-known as an "automobile hauler".

It was such a success that Winton began making these for his own use, as well as manufacturing them for distribution. His very first semi trailer had an engine on the back, of which the platform (flatbed) sat on top. It was only able to haul one automobile at a time, and the car was wheeled onto the platform using a retractable ramp. The modern-day RGN (removable gooseneck) flatbed trailers use the same basic concept as this original "automobile hauler".

Up Next: Detroit businessmen create the semi-trailer.

You Need a Job, America Needs Truck Drivers

In America, we take for granted the fact that the things we need are readily available. Food is on your grocer's shelves, your trash gets picked up on Tuesdays, and it's rare for a restaurant to run out of an ingredient. Having just about anything we want right at our fingertips at nearly all hours of the day is like breathing: we don't give a second thought to how it got there or who brought it. It's there, and that's all we care about.

Trucking Industry Outlook, Careers in Trucking Offer Bright Futures

Are you getting tired of earning barely above minimum wage, with no benefits to speak of, and zero potential for growth? Maybe it's time to think about getting your commercial driver's license and becoming a professional truck driver. 

If you're wondering whether or not it's a smart move to get into the trucking business, recent numbers and trends all point towards a resounding, "Yes!!" Can you imagine how it would feel to never have to worry about whether you'll ever be out of a job? You don't have to imagine it anymore, because with the economy improving, the demand for truckers is going up. In addition, the industry is already experiencing a shortage of drivers. We believe this is because potential drivers simply don't know about the benefits that being a truck driver has to offer. 

Getting your CDL is an investment that pays off right away