Trucking Industry, Professional Truck Drivers Imperative to U.S. Economy

Have you ever heard the phrase, "If you bought it, a trucker brought it"? Well, what happens when a trucker is delayed, or can't move the product at all? This is what the trucking industry, and and every industry it touches, faces when inclement weather prevents truckers from making their deliveries.

Your New Career as a Trucker: What to Expect the First Year

It's like being a freshman all over again. As a newbie trucker on the CB airwaves, a bunch of old veteran truckers may or may not have the patience for doe-eyed green-eared drivers like you. While it may seem a little nerve-wracking navigating heavy traffic or coming up on the radio for the first time, hopefully we can quash some of your fears about making your first run.

Your New Career as a Trucker: What to Take on the Road

Sure, you've taken road trips before, but chances are you've never lived on the road before obtaining your CDL. While there are many comforts of home that you may be able to live without on a short road trip, you may find it more difficult to live without certain things if you're on the road more than you're home. And even if you're a regional or locally-based trucker who is home more often than those with over the road positions, there are still things you'll want to have in your kit of essentials. We have searched the various websites and compiled a list of the most common items truckers need to have when they're out on the road for weeks at a time. Even if you're a locally-based driver, there are still certain essentials that you'll want to keep in your arsenal. We have bolded the ones we feel fit that bill.

Trucking Community to Honor Fallen Soldiers on Memorial Day

Memorial Day, which falls on May 25th this year, became a federal holiday in 1971. It was enacted by Congress in order to honor men and women who died while serving in our nation's military. Across the U.S., people celebrate Memorial Day in different ways, from barbecues to parades. There are many ways the trucking community celebrates Memorial Day and honors fallen soldiers as well. 

One company, TQL, each year donates a portion of every load they arrange throughout a certain week in May (this year it's May 11 - 17) to an organization called the Yellow Ribbon Support Center. This foundation was started by the parents of fallen soldier, Matt Maupin, after he was captured in Iraq. This fundraising campaign, now called Hauls for Heroes, contributes to Yellow Ribbon Support Center and has raised more than $72,000 since 2009. Learn more here.

Trucking companies have other creative ways of honoring our fallen heroes. Last year, Volvo and Mack honored fallen soldiers for Memorial Day by designing custom trucks, and then having these trucks participate in a Memorial Day rally that started at their respective locations in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and ended at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. You can view these incredible truck wraps here.

Professional Driver was on GIjobs.com's 2015 list of Top 20 Hot Jobs for Veterans, specifically big rigs. This industry heavily caters to veterans, especially since the passing of the Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012, which allows veterans to pursue trucking jobs straight out of the service. The law allows active duty military personnel to obtain a CDL in either the state where they serve or received their military training, regardless of whether it is their state of permanent residence. It also allows CDLs to be issued to active duty military personnel. Needless to say, honoring fallen soldiers is very important to the people who work in the trucking industry. After all, many of them are veterans, and even personally knew someone who lost their life in the line of duty. 

Before we go, we want to mention that we at SWTDT also want to serve those who have served, which is why we created www.swtdtveterans.com. As Memorial Day approaches, we honor and remember these fallen heroes. Our hearts and thoughts are also with the families of these men and women, and we express our gratitude.

How will you honor these men and women this Memorial Day?

Tips for Truckers: How to Stay Fit While On the Road

The list of pros of being a trucker is long: you get paid to take in the beauty of our vast nation, there's no boring office environment, etc. One downside to being a professional truck driver, however, is the potential risk to your health, if you aren't making a conscious effort to take care of yourself. According to a 2014 survey done by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 69% of long-haul truckers are obese. In addition, a Gallup-Healthways analysis found that transport workers have the highest risk for chronic health problems of any other occupational group. We at SWTDT want our graduates to not only move on to long and happy careers, but also to have healthy lives. We feel that the latter is key in achieving the former. Below we have outlined some of the best nutrition and fitness tips that are relevant to the trucker lifestyle, but these can also be applied to anyone who travels for work. 

While this health advice was provided to us by an experienced certified personal trainer and weight management specialist, it is not intended to serve as medical advice. As always, consult with your doctor before starting any new diet or fitness routine.