Advice

May 8, 2009

Need Dough for Driving School?

CREnglandGirl Advice, Money, Truck Driving School 0 Comment

It’s no secret that truck driving school is expensive; the average cost of training is nearly $4,000. If you’re interested in attending trucking school but don’t have access to that kind of dispensable money (who does?), take heart! I’ll show you just a few of the many ways to finance your new and exciting career behind-the-wheel.

Federal Student Loan Programs – Students at truck driving schools are eligible for federal student loan programs just as students attending traditional colleges and universities. You can submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online to receive federally funded or federally guaranteed financial assistance. Federal loans are borrowed money that must be repaid (with interest) upon completion of your education.

Federal Grants – Sometimes referred to as Gift Aid, certain people qualify for grants which do not have to be repaid. Grants are often given to individuals with low income, people who have served in the military, and much more. You can fill out a FAFSA to see what grants you are eligible for or visit Grants.gov. The amount of a grant given depends on the individual’s needs.

Workforce Investment Act – Passed in 1998, the WIA allots federal funds that are used to help train disadvantaged and dislocated adult workers and youth.

Veterans Employment and Training – If you are a veteran, you can take advantage of the VETS program which provides funds to train veterans, reservists, and National Guard members.

Vocational Rehabilitation – If you are a veteran with service-related disabilities, you may qualify for The Department of Veterans Affair’s Veterans Benefits Administration’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E). The program provides disabled vets with vocational rehabilitation which enables vets to retrain for a job in the workforce.

Employer-Based Financing – Most truck driving companies offer employer-based financing in which they will pay your tuition with a predetermined interest rate. The terms of the financing will vary with each company, so ask about them before signing with a trucking company.

Tuition Reimbursement – There are many truck driving companies that will actually pay for your training if you agree to work for them after graduation. There’s typically a minimum amount of time you must work for them in order to not have to pay the tuition back (generally two to three years).

When checking out a truck driving school, speak to a financial assistance counselor to find out what all your options are. They can help determine which would be best for you and your financial situation.

Apr 30, 2009

The Swine Flu & Trucking

CREnglandGirl Advice, Events, Miscellaneous, On the Road, Safety Issues 0 Comment

There’s growing concern amidst those in the transportation and freight industries about the impact that escalating fears over the swine flu will have on operations, including potential restrictions on the flow of goods between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Moreover, the continuing spread of the virus could also delay a resolution between the United States and Mexico regarding the cross-border trucking controversy (see here).

photo via Today’s Trucking

Health officials say the outbreak should be cause for concern, not panic. However, given the nature of their job, truck drivers are being urged to be extra vigilant when on the road. The Department of Homeland Security has a Pandemic Influenza guide specifically for highway motor carriers that the ATA (which has a pandemic planning page on its website) recommends truckers familiarize themselves in the event the outbreak worsens in the U.S.

Regarding the outbreak, the ATA said, “ATA is aware that, depending on how aggressively the swine flu continues to spread, certain government actions might be taken which could impact trucking operations, especially cross-border operations with Mexico and Canada, and potentially at a domestic level.”

To learn more about the current international swine flu situation, click here. To learn more about swine flu, visit Wikipedia.

A quick note: The virus is not transmitted through food and cannot be spread through pork products, so eat up!

Apr 15, 2009

CR England’s a SmartWay Partner

CREnglandGirl Advice, Cool Stuff, CR England, Environmental Issues, Technology 1 Comment

It’s just another reason CR England is setting the bar high in the trucking industry (see here).  The SmartWay brand is a ground-breaking collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and partners throughout the freight and transportation industries.

The objective of the partnership is to increase energy efficiency while simultaneously significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.  More specifically, the partnership hopes to reduce between 33 and 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide by 2012.  Not only will this (obviously) benefit the environment but the partnership can also yield significant cost savings to partner companies by providing fuel-efficient vehicles and equipment.

Formed in 2004, SmartWay includes partnerships with a myriad of other trucking companies, railroads, logistics firms, and various industry-related professional associations.

Apr 2, 2009

Choosing a Quality Truck Driving School

CREnglandGirl Advice, CR England, On the Road, Truck Driving School 2 Comments

A truck driving school that provides students with comprehensive classroom and behind-the-wheel, on-the-road training is imperative in order to obtain the best truck driving jobs in the industry. So what basic qualities should you look for when it comes to selecting a high-quality, reputable school?


CR England has four truck driving schools located throughout the country.

• Before you begin your search, make sure you know your state’s requirements for obtaining a CDL. The schools you seek out should at least meet those standards, if not exceed them.
• Look for schools that place an emphasis on one-on-one training, particularly during the hands-on driving instruction. It’s unlikely you’ll receive adequate training if you and seven other students are assigned to just one driving instructor.
• If you are interested in obtaining special endorsements such as hazardous materials, look for schools that offer additional training in those areas.
• The equipment you train with and drive should be of high quality and comparable to what you will operate on the road.
• Seek out schools that provide job placement assistance, which is not only convenient but assuring as well since you know you will have skilled help in finding a job after graduation. In fact, CR England guarantees a truck driving job with the company upon completion of their training program.

Mar 6, 2009

How to Make Healthy Fast Food Choices

CREnglandGirl Advice, Miscellaneous, On the Road 0 Comment

It’s no secret that truck driving is continually ranked as one of the unhealthiest professions in America – and with good reason. A lack of quick, healthy food options coupled with hours of sitting and inactivity often results in a variety of health issues – not just an expanding waistline. When it comes to how you eat on the road, learn how to make healthier choices without sacrificing taste.

  • Watch Your Portions – Overeating is the biggest contributor to weight gain, so simply eating less can significantly reduce your caloric intake.
  • Ditch the Salt – While some sodium is essential for good health, too much can wreak havoc on your health. If your kidneys are unable to eliminate enough sodium, your blood volume increases as well as pressure in your arteries. A body’s inability to regulate sodium can lead to certain diseases such as chronic kidney failure and congestive heart failure. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 77% of sodium in the average diet is from processed and prepared food. Instead of using salt, try keeping various herbs and seasonings in your cab to add flavor to your food.
  • Grilled, Please – Whether on a sandwich or a salad, always opt for the grilled, not fried, chicken.
  • Regular is Big Enough! – Don’t order a giant, jumbo, or super-sized meal. Remember the first tip about watching your portions?
  • On the Side – Order any dressings or sauce on the side. By dipping your food instead of drizzling it on, you’re likely to consume less and fewer calories.
  • Order Healthy Sides – These days, virtually every fast food chain offers healthy alternatives to traditional french fries. Try a side salad, baked potato, fruit cup, or chili.
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