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

How to Pay for Truck Driving School with the GI Bill, Grants, Scholarships, or Payment Plans

By making the decision to attend truck driver training school and earn your CDL, you have just made an important and life-changing decision to expand your horizons, and your paycheck. If you're like many students who attend Southwest Truck Driver Training, or one of the numerous other CDL training schools around the nation, you're probably thinking that you just don't have the cash to pay for school outright. Don't use money as an excuse to put off getting your career going, anymore! There are so many options available to students looking to obtain training and improve their lives through education that perhaps you didn't even know about. Whether you're able to get the entire cost of your CDL schooling covered through scholarships, or you find a payment plan that works for you, attending truck driving school provides great returns on this small investment of your time and money. Below we will go over the most common means by which we assist our students in obtaining funds.

Meet the Team: Southwest Truck Driver Training, Tucson Campus

Do you have kids or friends that are heading back to school this August, and has it gotten you thinking about doing the same thing? Earning your CDL is an excellent option because the training does not take long, and the return on your investment in truck driver training is very high. Maybe you know all of this, but you're still not ready to dive in. For those of you who like to start by dipping your toes in the water, let us put you at ease by introducing you to our awesome Tucson team and campus. 

How to Earn Your CDL in Nevada in 6 Steps

Are you a resident of Nevada and entertaining the idea of studying for your CDL? Every year, thousands of men and women go through truck driver training programs across the United States, earning their commercial driver's license to start their careers as professional truck drivers. While the specifics of obtaining a CDL can vary slightly between states, just like a regular driver's license, it is good in every state. Great! So how exactly do you go about getting a CDL in Nevada? Keep reading to find out!