Start on Your Road to Success, with Southwest Truck Driver Training

The argument for starting a career as a truck driver is a pretty easy one to make. The trucking industry is expected to grow by 11% through the year 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, the U.S. is experiencing a shortage of professional truck drivers. This adds up to job security for current professional truck drivers, and basically ensures that newly-licensed CDL holders will find employment very quickly after trucking school. Then, once you're on the road, you'll find that you very much enjoy the feeling of having more control over your time, vs. the typical job where a boss is looking over your shoulder most of the day. So yeah, the argument for why you should begin a career in tucking pretty much makes itself. You'll find that the same goes for why you should choose Southwest Truck Driver Training as your CDL training academy.

What Should a Trucker Do When... Pulled Over by a Cop?

**Disclaimer: We want to begin by saying that, while there is some great advice
to be considered here, this is in no way legal advice, and should not be taken as such.**

Whether in a personal or professional capacity, we are all bound to get pulled over by a cop at some point. The best thing you can do as a trucker is to prepare for when, not if, you get pulled over in your 18-wheeler. This way, when it does happen, you won't be caught off-guard.

Ok, let's start at the beginning. You just checked on with dispatch, and you're headed on your merry way down I-10, when you see the familiar red and blue lights flickering in your rearview mirror. You safely pull off to the side of the road and the officer approaches. Cue scene...

What it means to be a Professional Truck Driver

At SWTDT, we love our CDL students and graduates. What we don't love, or think is fair, is the negative image that many non-truckers often have of truck drivers in general.

When you get CDL training from us, you not only learn how to safely drive and maneuver an 18-wheeler, but you also learn how to be a professional. We do this not only because it makes you more marketable and approachable to trucking companies, but it also aids in removing the negative stereotype that many hold towards truckers.

Below, we have outlined a few of the tips that we like to teach our students for how to conduct oneself professionally as a driver.

5 of the Best Truck Stops in the Western United States

Once you graduate from SWTDT with your CDL and hit the road, it may take you a while to figure out which places you like to stop most on your route, so we decided to help you out. Below is a list of some of the most popular truck stops in the Western United States.

© avamarie / Dollar Photo Club

Alamo Petro Travel Center

Located off of I-15 in north Las Vegas, the Alamo Casino and Petro Stopping Center makes work feel like play, thanks to its on-site casino.  Other services include:

• 24-hour restaurant
• Dunkin' Donuts
• Travel store
• Business and mail services
• Driver's lounge
• Laundry
• Showers
• Fitness room
• TV room
• Wi-fi
• 24-hour emergency road service
• Semi-truck fueling, service, repair and lighted parking

Tucson Truck Terminal

Located in Tucson, AZ off of I-10, Triple T is the ultimate, classic trucker hub. Still independently-owned, this truck stop gives an old-school feel with its diner's decor and menu, but also has all the amenities the modern-day professional driver needs, including:

• 24-hour restaurant, which was featured on Food Network as the #2 truck stop in the country.
• Motel
• Free Wi-fi
• Business and mailing services
• Gift shop
• Convenience store
• Beauty and Barber shop
• CB Shop
• Truck Shop
• Truck and RV wash
• Truck services, repair, fueling, and parking

Johnson's Corner Truck Stop

Johnson's Corner is located on I-25, just south of Loveland, CO, and has been open 24/7 since 1952. If you're looking for an old-fashioned truck stop with a great nostalgic feel, this is it. This stop is known for its world-famous cinnamon rolls (which you can even order online!) and friendly hospitality. Their goal is give truckers a home away from home. Some other professional truck driver amenities include:

• Laundry facilities
• Shower facilities
• Overnight parking
• Handicapped trucker parking
• On-site physicals
• Convenience store
• Chapel
• Banquet and conference room
• 24-hour restaurant
• Gift shop
• Free wi-fi
• Truck accessory and supply shop
• TV lounge
• Business services

Little America Flagstaff

If you didn't know better, you wouldn't even think that Little America was a truck stop. Located in Flagstaff, AZ, it is known for its annual Christmas-themed "North Pole Experience," where families travel from all over to take their kids on a tour of Santa's workshop. However, Little America also has fantastic amenities for the professional driver. Those amenities include:

• Private shower facilities complete with granite countertops and over-sized tubs
• 24-hour Travel Center
• 24-hour convenience store with all the supplies you might need and want
• Semi-truck parking, fueling, and service
• Scales
• Driver lounge
• Laundry facilities
• Wi-fi
• Special room rates for drivers with valid CDL
• Business services and mail center
• Restaurant

Jubitz Travel Center

Jubitz is celebrating 60 years of serving the professional driver. We chose this stop because of the wide variety of amenities that are located on its sprawling location, just off of I-5, in Portland, OR. It was also named "World's Classiest Truck Stop" by the Fox Travel Channel. On its sprawling acreage, Jubitz has:

• Inn (deluxe and economy rooms)
• 24-hour restaurant
• Shoe repair shop
• Barber shop
• Post office
• Insurance agency
• Chiropractor
• Live music
• Dance lessons
• Arcade
• Pool tables
• Video poker and slot machines
• Movie theater
• Plenty of truck parking
• Truck fueling, service, repairs, and tires

© il-fede / Dollar Photo Club

Have you been to any of these truck stops? Do you have anything to add? Let us know in the comments section!

Tips for Truckers: Last-Minute Tax-Related Stress Management

Are you a truck driver that hasn't yet found time to do your taxes, because your hands have been too busy steering the wheel to fill out forms? Maybe you haven't even been home long enough to sit down and think about getting them done. Instead of letting your stress go into overdrive, keep reading to find out how to survive tax season as a trucker.