Month: January 2019

Congratulations! You’ve gotten your first truck driving job. You have a nice shiny new truck… but now what? Here is a list of must-haves every trucker should bring along for a smooth ride.

Personal Necessities

Clothing

From comfortable driving clothes to off duty clothes, it’s important to bring along plenty of options. You’ll also want to keep in mind that the temperature may rise or drop depending on your destination, so pack a jacket as well as a t-shirt to be ready. Having plenty of underwear can’t hurt either.

Weather Gear

Make sure to bring along a raincoat and some sturdy boots for inclement weather. Also, don’t forget to bring along a pair or two of sunglasses for when things get a little bright!

Personal Products

Since you’ll be living in your truck, you’ll want to have everything you need to get through the day. In your overnight bag, be sure to include your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, deodorant, cologne, and whatever else you use each morning. If you wear glasses, be sure to pack them as well as their cleaning supplies, and contacts if you need them. Don’t forget your shower supplies like shampoo, conditioner, razors and shaving cream.

Cleaning Supplies

Messes are bound to happen, so be prepared with some wet wipes, air freshener, paper towels, laundry detergent, and maybe even a handheld vacuum cleaner.

Comfort Items

Making sure you’re comfortable on the road is crucial, so be sure to bring whatever it is that can make your truck more homey for you. We recommend bringing blankets and pillows you also have at home. Also, some truckers bring a portable toilet so they don’t have to worry about waiting for the next rest stop.

Document Envelopes

This seems like a small detail, but it will make all the difference on the road. Having envelopes to store your license and registration information will be convenient if you ever need them. Also, using manila folders for invoices, shipping information, and expense receipts can keep things organized.

Emergency Gear

Tools

Things are unpredictable on the road, so be sure to bring along your toolbox in case an issue arises. Things you can include are zip ties, pliers, brake cleaner, a hammer, a pocket knife, a flashlight, a screwdriver, a wrench, and a tire pressure gauge. Maybe even bring along chains for your tires when there’s a chance of ice on the road.

Safety Gear

If an emergency presents itself, you might have to step out of your truck at night or in inclement weather. Be sure to have a reflective vest on hand, flares, and cones to make sure other drivers won’t hit you.

Food

Try and avoid stopping at fast food restaurants along the road by packing healthy snacks. Chances are, you probably won’t have a refrigerator on the road, so be sure to bring foods that can last on their own like apples, crackers, peanut butter, meat jerky, and nuts. For meals, aim for easy to make recipes like sandwiches, soup, and salads.

Entertainment & Comfort

It might get boring out on the road, so be sure to bring along some fun items you can use in your spare time. Some options we recommend are books, laptops, tablets, crossword puzzles, activity books, magazines, and newspapers. You might also have a hobby like photography, art, or knitting, so bring along materials for these to keep you occupied.

Bringing these essentials will make the best of your trucking experience. We know there isn’t much room in your truck, so pack smart and bring what seems necessary for you. If you are looking for more tips for your first time, feel free to look around our website or contact us about a training program that would be right for you. Safe travels!

Trucker drivers are in high demand throughout the United States with more than 60,000 current job openings. Many more will be added in the coming years as the “Baby Boomer” era of truck drivers continue to retire. Whether you wish to work in local, region, or distance trucking, there are job openings out there that are looking for you!

Finding the Match That Meets Your Needs:

The key to finding a truck-driving job that meets your expectations is finding a job that meets your specific needs. If you are someone who wants to be home on evenings and weekends, then a local job might be something that better suit you. If you are okay with working throughout the week and coming home on weekends, then regional trucking may be something that fits your needs a little better. If traveling throughout the country and seeing new places appeals to you, and you don’t mind being away from home for weeks at a time, then over-the-road (OTR) trucking could be your best option.

Asking Recruiters the Key Questions:

When you are training to get your CDL through CDS, you will find yourself meeting with several trucking companies who come in to meet you. Asking the critical questions about the carriers they represent will be a vital part of ensuring that you find an employer who meets your “ideal job.” Understanding what you are getting into before you start is key to finding somewhere you enjoy working for and representing.

50 Questions to Ask Recruiters:

The following is a list of 50 ideas of questions that you might also consider asking recruiters during Hiring Events. That way, you can make an educated decision and choose a job that meets your specific needs:

1. What is your company’s home-time policy?
2. How much time off can I expect to get through your company’s home-time policy?
3. Will my days off vary or be consistent?
4. What is your policy for needing extra time off (i.e., medical needs, injuries that occur outside of work, illness, family emergencies, etc.)?
5. What kind of paid vacation do you offer time do you suggest?
6. How much more vacation time can I earn by staying with this carrier long term and how long will it take for that vacation time to accumulate?
7. Are there restrictions on when I use my vacation time (i.e., only so long I can take off at one time, not taking off around holidays, etc.)?
8. Do vacation days expire annually or can they be carried over into the next year?
9. How many vacation days can I accumulate before I must use them?
10. Which routes do your drivers most often travel?
11. How many driving miles can I expect to average?
12. How many miles away from home will I be expected to travel?
13. What kind of equipment do I need to get comfortable working?
14. Will my truck has an air-ride suspension system?
15. Will my truck have a sleep-in area?
16. What size (and how many tons) will the truck I am going to drive weigh?
17. Do you provide layover pay?
18. What is the average layover period?
19. Do you require drivers to “slip-seat” to take time off?
20. What do you pay drivers for each job position (i.e., local drivers, regional drivers, OTR drivers, etc.)?
21. What kind of raises may I receive with time?
22. What is my top earning potential in this position?
23. Does the cost of living in my area affect how much you pay me?
24. What are the potentials for promotions in the future if I decide to take this job?
25. What do my promotion potentials end up paying once I earn them?
26. How long will it take me to earn a pay increase?
27. What kinds of benefits does your carrier offer to its drivers?
28. Do you offer your drivers full health insurance benefits?
29. Do you provide healthcare coverage for drivers families?
30. What plans can I choose from when I am selecting my healthcare?
31. Do you offer short-term disability coverage to your workers?
32. Do you offer retirement benefits such as a 401k?
33. If you offer retirement benefits, do you offer matches on employee contributions to their retirement?
34. What are your retirement maximum benefit contributions annually
35. Do you provide driver bonus opportunities?
36. How do you earn bonuses and what are criteria for qualifying for them?
37. When do you provide bonus pay and when can I expect to receive any that I earned?
38. Is there a limit on how many bonuses (or the dollar value) that a driver can earn annually?
39. Do you offer new driver sign-on bonuses?
40. Does your carrier pay for lumpers?
41. Who is responsible for loading or unloading trucks if you don’t hire lumpers?
42. Do drivers ever have to unload their trucks?
43. What are your deadline policies for delivering goods?
44. If I miss delivery deadlines what are hte consequences to me as an employee?
45. What about missing deadlines for circumstances beyond my control (i.e., truck breakdowns, bad weather, traffic accidents, etc.)?
46. Will I get a dedicated driver manager?
47. What type of on-the-job training will I receive as a new driver?
48. Do I receive mentorship as a new driver?
49. What are the policies you have on how many hours I must rest versus how many I can drive at once?
50. Are there any other company policies or rules that I need to be aware?

These are just 50 of the great questions that you should consider asking recruiters when you are determining which trucking carrier you will be working. Determining which carrier meets your personal needs will help you decide what “fit” is right for you so that you choose a career in which you can love and flourish.

For further information on what to ask the recruiters that you meet with, please feel free to contact us at the CDS Tractor Trailer Training for further assistance.