Category Archives: Advice

Independent Contractor Teaches Patience to His Students

Posted on by
1

Mike Quote is 52 years old and has been with C.R.  England, Inc. for over 14 years.  From Kansas City, Missouri, he enjoys his life and works out and dances in his spare time.  The biggest motivator for Mike is family and money when he is out on the road.  He works hard to support his children and it’s paying off.  He’s a successful truck driver and people notice.

His latest accomplishment is hitting 3,000,000,000 miles without an accident!  That is amazing to most truck drivers.  Safety is his key to succeeding such great honors.  He knows that to drive safely, it protects those drivers around him on the roads as well as himself.  And his family and girlfriend are depending on him to come back home after a long length on the road.  He takes it to heart and stays focused for the caring of others.

Mike’s ultimate career goal is to make enough money to retire.  He wants more time with his family and new girlfriend.  He met her on the road and believes it is the best thing that has ever happened to him on the road while driving.  He is a lucky man with family and loved ones that care about him.

When teaching new drivers over the road experience, his best advice for them is to be patient.  Patience is what got Mike to 3,000,000,000 miles without one accident.  He knows that impatience creates bad decisions and irrational driving.  Make truck-driving decisions based on calm thinking and patience.  Stay focused on the situation and is irrational in decisions.

Make the Most of the your Stops

Posted on by
Reply

These days, truck stops and travel centers offer much more than just fuel; they offer truckers a wide array of amenities and features they can utilize during their down time.  Here a few tips to help you take full advantage of each and every stop.

  • Make it your office!  Make use out of any business or communication center the truck stop offers where you can fill out paperwork, contact your carrier, complete your log, and do any other business-related work you can’t do on the road.
  • Have routine maintenance done on your tractor-trailer – does it need an oil change or a wash?
  • If you’re an independent contractor looking for your next load, many truck stops have load board where you can find your next job.  Sometimes even carriers looking to hire will post available truck driving jobs.
  • Stop at places that offer workout and shower facilities and use your downtime to get in shape.
  • Most truck drivers travel with laptops and most truck stops offer Wi-Fi internet access which you can use to send emails, search for jobs, and stay in touch with your family and friends.
  • Sleep!  It’s important to feel well-rested before next shift so pull into a stop and get some shut-eye.  Don’t have a sleeper cab?  Many truck stops offer lodging for truckers.

Do You Need a Trucking Resume?

Posted on by
Reply

If you are looking for a new, good paying truck driving job, a resume may just be what you need to secure one.  A trucking resume (as with any resume) gives you the opportunity to highlight your driving experience and skills and set yourself apart from other truckers out there.  As a result, you may be able to nab a trucking job that offers higher pay, increased benefits, and more flexibility than your current one.  It’s also good to have one if you are trying to break into a trucking-related administrative field, such as a safety or fleet manager.

Need help creating a trucking resume?  Check out Monster’s Resume Tips for writing truck driving resumes.

Owner-Operators: Leasing a Truck

Posted on by
Reply

If you’re interested in becoming an owner operator, one of your biggest decisions is whether to purchase your own truck or lease one through a reputable carrier.  While there are certainly advantages to both, most drives opt to lease a truck since it does not require the money for a tractor trailer outright.  Here’s a basic overview of how a lease program works.

With most carriers that offer a leasing program, drivers can get a new or used truck with little or no money down.  Typically, a driver agrees to set aside a certain amount (7 cents a mile under the C.R. England tractor leasing program) into a general reserve account to cover maintenance, insurance, and other costs throughout the lease.  The driver pays a specified amount towards the lease per week or month depending on the type of equipment being used.  At the end of the lease, most drivers have the option to renew the lease, purchase the truck outright, or simply walk away.  In most cases, the carrier providing the lease has an abundance of resources available to owner operators to help support them as much as possible.

So how does C.R. England’s Tractor Leasing Program work?
• There’s no down payment or credit check required.
• Choose from a 36 month lease on a new truck or a used truck lease which ends when the truck is three years old.
• C.R. England also offers a six-month demo lease program which allows you to lease for just six months to help you determine if becoming an owner operator is right for you.
• Pay per week for the lease depending on whether you have a new or used truck.
• C.R. England provides independent contractors with a C.R. England fuel card and pay $1.25 with the company’s Fuel Cap program.

Click here to learn more about C.R. England’s Tractor Leasing Program to find out if it’s right for you!

Personal Hygiene on the Road

Posted on by
Reply

While there are the select few truck stops where you’re probably better off not showering there, most offer clean, sanitary showers for $7 to $12 (depending on the truck stop).  That may sound like a lot for a shower, but the cost typically includes a small room you can lock with a sink, shower, a towel, a bar of soap and a washcloth – and most don’t have a time limit.  In addition, many travel centers will throw in a shower for free with minimum fuel and repair purchases.  Consider getting a frequent shopper card or joining a loyalty program which gives you points or credit with purchases that can also often be used towards free showers and other items.  Here’s a few other tips to ensure you stay “so fresh and so clean” on the road…

  • You probably won’t be able to wash your hands on the road except when you make stops, so keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your cab that you can use as a substitute.
  • Make stops at travel centers that offer laundromats so you can do laundry during your down time.
  • Wear rubber flip-flops in the showers.
  • Keep all your personal hygiene items (deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, etc.) in a small duffel bag that you can easily grab and carry into the shower with you.