Life in the Truck Driver's Seat: Tony's Story

He isn't what most people would consider the stereotypical truck driver. Sure, he listens to country music and enjoys being out on the open road, but that's pretty much where the stereotype ends.

A former bodybuilder and self-described gym rat, Tony was looking for a career that would allow him to increase his earning potential while still being able to enjoy time with his 5, yes, FIVE boys. His goal was to eventually go from working for a company to become an owner-operator, which is what he does now. He doesn't recommend getting into it right away, though. More on that later.

So how did a bodybuilder get into trucking? Well, much like Brian, it became somewhat of a family business. Tony's older brother was already a professional truck driver, and the lifestyle appealed to him. He had previously been working in sales, but did not like the uncertainty of his paycheck, since it was totally based off commission earned. Since he has five children, he felt much more comfortable knowing how much (or at least the minimum) he would be bringing in each month.

Life in the [Truck] Driver's Seat: Brian's Story of 20+ Years OTR

We at SWTDT are trying out a new topic series entitled Life in the [Truck] Driver's Seat, which will give people a firsthand perspective on the ins and outs of a trucker's life. Because professional truck drivers often lead very private, solitary lives, we believe this series will serve two purposes:

1. It will allow students and prospective truckers to have a more tangible vision of what their lives will be like once they get behind the wheel. 
2. It will help the general population to better appreciate the important, and oftentimes difficult and thankless, role that truck drivers play in keeping our country running.

Below is Brian's story. He's a long haul trucker and father of 6 based out of Florida. We hope you enjoy his look into the world of trucking as much as we did!

Brian

A Must-Read for Every Trucker: How to get restful sleep in your truck

There are few things more important to the health and safety of a professional truck driver, and his responsibilities on the road, than getting adequate rest. This is especially true when you're a long haul trucker. Among all the uncertainties of life on the road, one thing is for certain; you absolutely must find a way to get restful sleep in your truck. Getting adequate rest is vital not only for safety on the road but also to maintain good health, especially with the health and safety regulations that are in place for truckers.

Sleeping in a truck can quite a challenge, especially for the newbie trucker who has not learned all the tricks of making a bunk feel like home. Some common reasons why sleep is not possible in trucks could be due to noise, light, smell, health issues, inadequate bedding, and an uncomfortable atmosphere.

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.

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.

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!

5 Steps to Earning Your CDL in Arizona

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 Arizona? Keep reading to find out!

Getting Your CDL Endorsements: HazMat, Tanker, and Doubles and Triples

Have you already received your commercial driver's license, and are now looking for ways to broaden your job opportunities while also increasing your earning potential? The best way to do this is by having endorsements. These may be earned after you complete the requirements to obtain your CDL. Truckers who have been in the field for a while will tell you that you might as well get all of your endorsements up front. The cost is minimal to take each exam, and your ROI is very good, even if you only end up using one of them. Plus, you never know what roadblocks might appear years later. You might say now that you would never want to have to transport hazardous materials, or navigate the road with two trailers in tow, but there may be times when one of these loads is available and you need the work, but are passed up for the job just because you weren't properly certified.

At Southwest Truck Driver Training, we can help you obtain your HazMat, Tanker, and Doubles and Triples endorsements at the Arizona and Nevada campuses. Each endorsement exam is optional, and does cost extra ($86.50 / test). In addition, the background check for the HazMat endorsement will cost anywhere from $80 - $110. General information towards each endorsement is covered in class. Should you decide to take one or all of these additional exams, we do have study guides that are more specific to each test.

Top Blogs and Forums that Truckers Love

Being a trucker is a unique but often lone-wolf occupation. Some days you may feel like Rambo, trying to navigate your way through your route, defeating all the obstacles that come up along the way. Believe it or not, there are lots of people just like you who can relate, and a few of them are sharing their stories along the way. There are also forums available that allow fellow truckers to ask each other questions, rant about traffic, and rave about restaurants or truck stops on their routes. We have scoured the internet and found some of the great forums and blogs that we think you'll find entertaining and useful. So next time you're stuck waiting on a load, you won't lack for something to do.

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 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.

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. 

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.

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.