In a traditional male-dominated trucking industry, women are beginning to take the wheel. Whether or not they dreamed of being truckers, an increasing number of women have found success working in the U.S. trucking industry.

With a huge shortage of truckers, many companies want to hire more women to fill the need for qualified drivers. Although the traditional truckers are middle-aged white men, the looming trucking crisis along with advanced technology have helped a small, but growing minority of women become truck drivers.

Many women have found success driving as a team. Whether they pair up with their spouse, or another woman, teams can drive 24/7 and make more money. In fact, many teams can make over $120,000 per year. Teams typically earn more because they accept long-haul trips, which can take them on the road for up to three weeks at a time. However, they then receive three weeks of home time. Even working as a solo driver, the average trucker earns $36,000 per year, according to 2006 Bureau of Labor Statistics. That average salary is more than what some women say they can make in traditional women’s industries back home, such as retail.

With the use of technology, women have been given more opportunities to advance in the physical world of trucking. Power steering and small loads help women do their job with less brute strength. Women also face another benefit from truck driving-less discrimination in salary. Truckers are paid by the mile, so women aren’t paid less than their male counterparts, unlike other industries.

Despite advancements in recent years, women still face challenges as a truck driver. Associations have sprouted recently to help women overcome the challenges of a male-dominated environment, including more safety measures, providing basic needs such as showers and toilets, and a secure sleeping place. Women are still a small percentage of this industry, with 182,000 women working as drivers in 2006, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although that number is only 5.2 percent of the nation’s 3.5 million drivers, that’s an increase from 84,000 women truckers in 1983, which was 3.5% of truckers.

Surprisingly, women have been driving trucks longer than the 1980s, going back to the late 1920s. Particularly during World War Two, thousands of women took up trucking as men were shipped out to fight. Without those hard working women, the American industry would have been in trouble. However, the number of women in the industry (and other fields) fell sharply after those men returned from war.

Although the trucking industry is growing, the deficit in qualified drivers could increase to 111,000 by 2014. In 2005, the industry had an estimated shortage of 20,000 drivers, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA) study.

As more trucking companies open their doors to women and other minorities to fill the gaps, perhaps the trucking deficient will decrease in the coming years. Either way, more truck driving jobs are available now than ever before for qualified truckers, regardless of gender or race.

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There is still talk about the truck driver shortage in our country. The shortage of over the road truck drivers have been an on-going topic for years. Truck driver jobs have become harder to come by in recent months, mainly due to the present state of the economy.  The business practices by many trucking companies have created this factor that has become known as the truck driver shortage.

There are still truck driver jobs available. What continues to keep this driver shortage topic alive, is the problem that so many newcomers and even veteran drivers can often experience: finding the right trucking company. The current economy situation has, without a doubt, placed thousands of experienced truck drivers into the truck driver job search market. With an influx of experienced, professional drivers suddenly searching for a new employer, the ones who have felt the impact of the economy the most, are the student drivers just breaking into the trucking career. Now, with so many experienced drivers available, many trucking companies are not bringing in trainees.  As the economy stabilizes, and it will, this too will pass.

Recently, due to this influx, the talk of a truck driver shortage has subsided. The fact is, there never was, or is, a truck driver shortage.  The problem actually lies with the trucking companies themselves. More precisely, their failure to adjust the pay for OTR drivers. Until trucking companies accept the fact that there is a new wage increase reality in the truck driver market, the turn over rate among truck drivers will continue.

Why would someone want to endure the over the road trucking lifestyle for $35,000 per year, when they can make the same from an alternative career?  There are those trucking companies who have taken the lead by increasing driver wages, home time and showing the drivers more of the respect that they deserve. The more experienced drivers have located these companies. You will find that these industry leaders have no problem with a driver shortage. The trucking companies who continue to abuse drivers by low pay, low miles, not getting them home and so forth, are the ones crying “driver shortage.”

Trucking companies having trouble recruiting drivers are normally those who:

* Have a pay scale below the industry standard
* Treats their drivers with no respect
* Operates poorly maintained equipment
* Has the attitude that drivers are a “dime a dozen”

Logic dictates that if a trucking company actually believes that a truck driver shortage exists, then they would work hard to keep the drivers they have. Thousands of professional truck drivers enjoy the over the road trucking lifestyle. Largely in part, because they have found the best truck driver jobs. There are many excellent trucking companies who have followed the rules of business in order to survive the current state of the economy.  By adapting and restructuring, they have survived 2008, which turned out to be one of the worst years for the trucking industry in recent history.

Finding those trucking jobs may take a little extra work in these present times, but they are out there. The long time, experienced drivers know the good truck driver jobs and they like to keep this information to themselves, for obvious reasons. It is these trucking companies that keep America moving and will pay no attention to this problem that is known as the driver shortage.

When is a motorcycle carrier safe to use?

A motorcycle carrier is always safe to use as long as the motorcycle and the vehicle follow strict guidelines, usually recommended by the manufacture of the vehicle and the carrier. The weight limit of the carrier and the maximum tongue rating of the hitch receiver is very important to follow. Failure to comply the weight limits can often result in extremely expensive damage to the motorcycle and the vehicle.

Typical weight limits of motorcycle haulers are 400 and 600lbs depending on the design and material the carrier is made out of. Most carriers that are made for dirt bike transportation are made out of aluminum and have a 400lb weight limit. The carriers that are made of steel usually have a 600lb weigh limit and are designed to carry sport bikes or cruisers.

Loading the Motorcycle

Loading the motorcycle on the carrier is often times where most accidents occur. Always have two people present when loading the motorcycle, one person on each side of the motorcycle to balance the bike. Never have the motorcycle running while loading the bike, a slip of the clutch can send the motorcycle into the vehicle or into some on loading the bike.

After the motorcycle is up the ramp have on person securely hold the bike while the other uses ratchet straps to strap down the motorcycle to the motorcycle carrier. Always use at least four ratchet straps to secure the motorcycle. Two on the front of the motorcycle and two on the back of the rear of the motorcycle, preferably on the seat frame.

Driving with the Motorcycle Carrier

The most common mistake drivers make when transporting a motorcycle on the carrier is the assumption that they will be able to drive as if they are not transporting the motorcycle due to the absence of a trailer. Special attention needs to be taken when driving with the carrier, especially when driving over rough terrain such as dirt road, speed bumps and on-ramps to interstates. Failure to drive carefully can result in failure of the ratchet straps or other locking mechanisms that will securely hold the motorcycle to the carrier.

* Never drive over the posted speed limits
* Always slow for rough terrain
* Always take turns as slow as possible

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All of us can choose the type of profession that we want. For people who were not able to make it to college, this will be good news for you. Have you heard about the latest on trucking jobs? They are not considered as lowly jobs anymore and it is true that they may not gain the reputations of jobs in the offices or corporate settings but you’ll be glad to have the trucking industry as a part of your career. Jobs in the trucking industry are considered as top jobs right now in terms of demands, nature, and salaries.

You can ask some kids what they want to become when they grow up and you’ll be lucky to find an answer about trucking. Most people think of trucking jobs as lowly jobs simply because of the fact that the people working in the industry didn’t even make it to college. The situation is different now, the new treatment for truck drivers make them the most valuable assets for trucking companies. As a result, you may never believe that an employee who became senior in this field can earn six digit salaries. This is something that is very ironic.

Trucking jobs may require a person who is fit in all aspects. This would mean emotional, physical, and psychological well being. You are also expected to have met all the qualifications and licensing required for the job.

Trucking companies require a CDL or Commercial Driver’s License and with the stricter regulations nowadays, you will be required to have six months to one year experience before they formally hire you. Moreover, even if trucking companies consider your exceptional skills without experience, you also need to deal with insurance companies for you to have insurance. They also set minimum levels of experience for potential truck drivers. Everything’s done in the name of safety which is the primary reason for all rules and regulations whether in trucking or not. They are implemented not only for your own good but also for other people involved.

Truck drivers are expected to have sound mind and body. A little mistake in the part of the driver can cause huge disaster on other motorists on the road. It is therefore important for a truck driver to be in good condition. Also, he must have the sense of responsibility and discipline. It is often said that a skill can be worked out easier than a person’s attitude. With this in mind, it is clear that the job requires a dedicated and responsible person who is aware of the risks, rules and regulations involved in driving a truck.

Trucking jobs are very rewarding for people who know how to handle the responsibilities. The demands for these jobs are great but this doesn’t mean that the trucking companies will be careless in choosing the right candidate. The jobs will involve lives and lots of investments so don’t expect that the companies will just choose anyone because only the deserving candidate may get into trucking.

Owning any type of business can be a scary ordeal. When it comes down to it you will be held responsible for whatever happens to your business. When you decide to go into the trucking business there will be a lot of decisions to make. Choosing the path of an owner operator can be a lucrative opportunity if you take some basic steps to increase your chances of success.

The first step of becoming a successful owner/operator is to take a good look at your work ethic. You will need to make a long list of pros and cons to determine what is important to you and what you are willing to sacrifice in order to become successful. This assessment should include your health, family, home time, insurance, and your career goals. Make sure to assess these items critically. They are very important in leading into a successful owner/operator business.

The second consideration to take into account is financial. In order to ensure your success as an owner/operator every financial aspect of your life must be taken into consideration. This includes looking into and setting up a strict personal budget. It is a good idea to eliminate all excessive debt prior to going into business. You will also need to have an emergency fund. As an owner/operator you will now be responsible for any repairs your truck may need. You will also need this fund to aid in case you fall ill and have to lower the amount of runs you take one week.

The third thing that will factor into the success of your owner/operator business is the type of equipment you choose to use. When you are buying a semi truck you will need to take everything into account, such as mileage, age of the truck, and how long of trips you plan to take. Buying an expensive new semi truck may not be on the books for now, settling for a little less will help start your career as an owner operator out on a better financial foot.

If you use your common sense and enter into the owner/operator business well educated, your chances for success will increase. By taking your time to do a little research before hand you can come up with a sound plan for your new business. With a little luck on your side you will be seeing profits in the near future.

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Submitting one’s tax papers are a compulsory responsibility for many people, but for more people, they are a way of reducing the money that they have to pay the state. It depends on which country you come from. In some countries, people pay no tax until the end of the tax year, in others, workers pay a fixed rate, say 25%, of everything they earn, but settle up with the state at the end of the fiscal year.

They settle up by filing their tax returns, which basically means claiming tax relief for expenses that they have incurred in the completion of their work. It is the difference between what an employed person earns using the boss’ tools and a self-employed person earns using their own tools. After all, a boss would claim for every shovel that employees use, so why should a self-employed person have to pay for his own shovel?

The same is true of owner operator truck drivers. So what are the kind of expenses that an owner operator truck driver can claim for?

First and foremost is the reduction in the value of the truck itself. The rate at which this is permissible differs from country to country, but in many it is 25% of the value of that truck per year, based on the current price. You will also be able to deduct 100% of the interest charges on the loan that you took out to buy the truck.

This can get quite complicated if you want to sell the vehicle before it can be called ‘written off’ in the terms of the law. However, whatever you get for the vehicle has to be considered as income after the vehicle has been written off.

You will have to take advice on this subject because it is very complicated, varying from country to country. The main point is that you are not permitted to deduct the total payments for the truck, only the interest.

Another major cost that drivers can claim back are road charges. If you have to pay anything to remain on the road, you are allowed to off-set that against your income. The same goes for cleaning, washing and maintaining the truck, but you must keep all the bills.

No tax man will believe you without them. Meals and over-night lodgings are also tax-deductible, but again, receipts are an total necessity.

Many people think that they can claim for clothing, but this is a difficult point. You are only permitted to claim for working clothing that can only be used wholly and exclusively for work. Overalls are a good example, as are steel toe-capped boots or wellingtons. A sleeping bag is dubious.

Fines or traffic tickets are not deductible, because they were your responsibility. Likewise sollicitors’ fees combatting them – unless you win. However, if you fight and lose, you may incur penalties from the tax office. Sometimes it is easier, and cheaper, to just pay up, unless it threatens your driving license.

Fuel bills are a large part of most drivers’ expenses, so it essential to keep a close eye on those receipts. It is a good idea to pay for fuel with a fuel card because then you have a permanent, re-retrievable record of them.

Mobile phones, sat nav and laptops are necessary to many drivers, but authorities take a particular view on them. Some allow 100% deduction, others allow only 25-50%, because they assert that they can be used for purposes non-essential to carrying out your job. Calls on the cell phone may have to be justified for similar motives.

You may get away with claiming for air-con and even a refrigerator to keep your food cool or a special ergonomic seat for your back, but do not rely on it.

In general, the allowances for owner operator truck drivers are fair, but you cannot condemn the authorities for questioning some of the outrageous claims that some drivers make.

Need a car of your dreams? Then find it on the most informative mediums of information these days. Yes, internet can help a lot in getting the car of your aspirations. No matter if it is a Mazda for Sale or any other car in the world. Just grab the knowledge about the buying a car through different automobile magazines on internet.

Even if you need to know about a Mercedes-Benz for Sale then you do it easily with the web’s most up to date portals of information. No doubt, it’s not an easy job to gather a huge amount of data related to cars, but different companies are doing it very well. Even there is a huge interest from the local and international car owners, who love to post ads related to their Mercury for Sale or any other car which they own.

It’s proven that if you want to buy or sell a car through internet you can do it very easily. Now world has become a global village of unique ideas. Even information sharing related to automobiles can facilitate millions of car owners and buyers around the globe. But the only thing which one should keep in mind that before buying a car, research should be done.

Although car collisions can be accidental, they can also be avoided through proper vehicle maintenance, cautious driving, and careful maneuvering through the elements. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009, there were 1.13 deaths per million vehicles traveled, the lowest fatality and injury rates ever recorded. The highway death toll of 30,797 also hit the lowest mark since 1950. However, drivers must continue to remain aware of their surroundings and use caution when taking the wheel to minimize the risk of an accident.

Car Maintenance

It is important to keep the vehicle up-to-date on all inspections and routine maintenance. If one side of the brakes fails to work, the other side will be unable to compensate and the vehicle will not stop. Tires need to remain inflated and rotated regularly. Uneven, improperly balanced, or worn-out tires also cause hazardous driving conditions, as do suspensions that are misaligned or broken. It’s also important to have the steering suspension checked by a mechanic. If the driver loses steering while behind the wheel, especially at high speeds, the collision could be disastrous.

Distracted Drivers

Oftentimes, drivers feel too confident when taking the wheel and have not been properly trained in road safety. However, due to recent law regulations, more states are demanding better and safer requirements for new drivers. Extra classroom instruction, road tests, and a higher new-driver age are all being put into effect across the country.

Driving under the influence and intoxication are a serious cause of traffic collisions. Because of this, the law sets strict cut-offs for blood alcohol content. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is one death every 45 minutes as a result from a vehicle crash and an alcohol-impaired driver.

Motorists are also easily distracted. Guaranteed ways to risk a collision include active discussions with passengers, talking on a cellular phone while driving, changing the radio and playing overly loud music. Daring drivers even eat, apply make-up, or change clothes while inside the vehicle. According to the NHTSA, in 2009, 5,474 people died and 448,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.

Aggressive driving and speeding are two other factors that contribute to car accidents. Tailgating, flashing high beams, rude gestures, and even assault are signs of an aggressive driver. Those who speed observe the speed limit signs, know the risk and the consequences, yet continue to do it anyway. The United States Bureau of Transportation Statics reports that in 2008, the greatest number of motor vehicle accidents occurred at a speed of 55 miles per hour, with 9,794 deaths.

Environmental Hazards

Weather is a severe factor when traveling in a car. Extreme sunlight, wind, rain, snow, and ice all make for a dangerous drive. Although bright sunlight causes blindness while driving, drivers do not consider the sun to be a hazard. Wind can cause a power line to fall, or debris to fly around or into your car. The NHTSA reports that in 2008, 30,167 accidents happened in normal weather conditions. However, the next highest crash report was 2,442 accidents which occurred in rain. Rain causes visual impairment if the vehicle does not have working windshield wipers, and it can cause sleek, slippery roads and flooding.

Even if the driver is traveling slowly and carefully through the snow, there is still a risk of an accident as there is no guarantee that an oncoming car will not slide and hit him. Drivers should always check the inflation of the tires and tread, keep a full tank of gas, and make sure that the windshield wipers work properly.

Drivers must also keep in mind that while roads must be maintained regularly, oftentimes they are not. Potholes and severely weathered roads make for not only a bumpy drive, but they also contribute to accidents. Traffic control devices such as signals and signs, crossings, and turning lanes all must be observed and followed carefully to avoid collisions.

So in order to get your business operating at its full potential and profitability today, send an email to info@a1autotransport.com to inquire about our auto transport leads

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