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Whiteline Express, Winter Trucking

Trucking: 3 important things to remember as winter approaches

The trucking industry can be one of the best in the entire world. There aren’t many jobs out there that give you the same level of freedom as trucking, with the opportunity for you to explore the world. But as with any industry — and perhaps to an extreme — trucking has its pitfalls.

One of those is in relation to winter driving.

Nobody likes taking a vehicle out on the road in bad conditions. Even light rainfall will complicate your drive and probably add to your trip time. But something that can really mess up your drive is the wintertime. Snow, ice, dry conditions, etc. — it makes truck drivers’ jobs infinitely more difficult. Today, I’m going to give you three things for truckers to remember as winter approaches.

1. If you don’t feel safe, do not be afraid to prioritize your safety

As much as you might feel pressure to accumulate miles or deliver your load in a timely manner, nothing is more important than your safety. If you feel like you cannot physically drive your vehicle without risking your safety, park it. Even if only for a few minutes.

Snowy conditions, especially in areas like the northeast, can make it nearly impossible to drive. It’s not worth your safety and the safety of others on the road to deliver a single load on time. They can wait 30 minutes longer.

2. Prepare for the worst-case scenario on bad days

If the weather seems particularly bad in the wintertime, make sure you’re prepared for the worst. As uncommon as breakdowns or accidents may be for you, you’d regret NOT packing extra clothing, blankets, food, and water in the case of an emergency. Whether there’s a repair vehicle coming or you’re doing the repairs yourself, it will take longer if you’re in a blizzard. Here’s a list of items that can help to have in the winter, according to Advanced Career Institute.

  • extra clothing layers
  • gloves
  • flashlight
  • rain gear
  • windshield fluid
  • blankets
  • bag of sand or salt
  • tire chains
  • jumper cables
  • snow scrapers and brushes

3. Bring sunglasses with you

Sunglasses? If you’re new to trucking, this may seem like a bizarre thing to pack in the middle of winter. That said, it might be one of the most important things to remember on this list.

Something that won’t necessarily be at the forefront of your mind when it’s 25 degrees and snowing is “snow blindness.” Snow blindness describes the glare directed into a vehicle driver’s eyes caused by an excess of snow. Not only will it reduce your visibility while driving — it can actually cause serious damage to your eyes. Generally, this is an issue in the artic, but nobody is totally safe from it.

Pack some sunglasses.

CDL Driver

Why Don’t CDL Drivers Get Discounted Insurance Rates?

Becoming a CDL driver can be extremely challenging. For starters, you have to find a way to fund your way through CDL school, followed by a series of tests that allow you to drive some of the most difficult vehicles in the world. Even scarier — it’s tricky to hold onto. At all times, you have to be on your game.

As an example, you can lose your CDL if you don’t pass a series of physical tests, which happen at least every two years. CDL drivers can also lose their license if their blood alcohol content is above .04. That’s half of what it would take for a normal driver to get a DUI. It’s like having a normal driver’s license on hard mode.

Drivers also have to maintain a strong driving record — at any given moment, they are a single infraction away from losing their license. Because of this, it should be clear that drivers with a CDL license are better than the average driver. It’s not an opinion — it’s a fact.

Do CDL drivers get discounted insurance rates?

You can probably tell by the title here — the answer is no.

In fact, some insurance companies would go so far as to claim that CDL drivers are more likely to get into an accident. Jerry (getjerry.com), an auto insurance provider, claims that “In some cases, you may be more likely to get into an accident as driving a truck is fatiguing. Driving long hours can cause strain on your body and eyes. You may also have issues staying awake on overnight drives.”

For lack of better phrasing, this reasoning makes no sense. Driver fatigue applies when you’re driving a semi-truck, but how does this justify withholding insurance discounts from CDL drivers on their non-CDL auto insurance? The website goes on to explain that “there is no way to prove that you are less of a risk to insure if you have a commercial driver’s license.” They go on to explain how being married or being a homeowner is adequate evidence to get these discounts.

Insurance companies aren’t concerned with fairness — they want your money.

It makes no sense. Somebody who is literally a professional driver is not considered a safer driver than the average person.

Unfortunately, this usually comes down to money. If you’re married or a homeowner, you’re more likely to add a vehicle to your policy, which actually may decrease your individual rate but increases their income from your account.

That said, there are a few companies that do give out discounted rates to drivers who possess a CDL. Don’t give up easily, as it often takes time to find an insurance company that is actually looking out for your best interest.

American Truck Simulator

This Trucker Plays American Truck Simulator While Parked

The trucking industry is one of the older industries in the United States but remains one of the most unique. What other job allows you to travel across the country for a living?

For many, the tough part about trucking is how monotonous it can become. Sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle for up to 11 hours a day can be treacherous, no matter how patient of a person you are. For this reason, some truckers are extremely active outside of their normal driving position of a vehicle.

Some, however, really love trucking. Like… a lot.

This trucker plays ‘American Trucking Simulator’ while their truck is parked

In order to be a truck driver, you have to enjoy driving. Heck, most normal people enjoy driving but still — there’s a limit for most. For some, it’s a couple of hours to another state. For others, it’s a normal work day for a truck driver. Some push the limits and drive up to 70 hours a week in their truck.

Either way, being a CDL driver can be exhausting. Logically, you want to find a unique hobby to do in your free time… right?

Not u/BlueJDMSW20 on Reddit. Here’s what this user posted on Reddit, captioned “Anyone else play Truck Simulator when the truck is parked?”

American Truck Simulator
Truck Driver plays American Truck Simulator during their free time. (Photo Credit: Reddit r/Truckers posted by u/BlueJDMSW20)

That’s right, they’re playing American Truck Simulator. On a break. From trucking.

If you’re looking for answers on why somebody would want to do this, you’ve come to the wrong place. You’d think after countless hours of driving, the last thing you’d want to do is drive a truck virtually. But hey — to each his own.

A few replies seem skeptical of the hobby as well, with one user replying to the question by saying “f*ck no.” Another user said, “I drive enough IRL (in real life) no need to do it virtually when I’m off.”

Though it’s an undeniably strange hobby, American Truck Simulator is actually a great way to familiarize yourself with the mechanics of a truck. It’s not a perfect game, but it can help new CDL drivers get a good feel for the tricker parts of driving a 70-footer.

CDL School, Whiteline Express

These 20+ CDL Students Were Left in the Dust After School Closed

Say what you want about the trucking industry — generally speaking, getting your CDL and working as a truck driver is a pretty reliable, simple path. Unfortunately, not everything goes smoothly and this is no exception.

This was best exemplified this week when a trucking school kicked all of its students to the curb.

The situation took place in Fort Lupton, Colorado, where the drivers were enrolled in the Commercial Vehicle Training Center. They paid and expected to finish school with enough experience to get out on the road. That didn’t happen.

These 20+ CDL students were left in the dark with no support

According to a CDL student, Esteban Hernandez, the entire class was cut with no warning at all. How did they find out? When they showed up for class, the lights were off and the door was locked.

When these students asked for compensation or for help enrolling in another class, they were left in the dark. The owner of the company offered to pay for a CDL test, which they are unable to successfully complete without finishing their classes.

At this point, this just feels like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

As things stand, the students are looking for a way to get their money back, as they weren’t given the services that were promised.

Truck Yard Fire

This Truck Driver Set His Company’s Truck Yard on Fire

Another day, another bizarre trucking story. This time around, it involves a trucker who, according to police, set a fire at the truck yard of Estes Express Lines, his employer.

This comes on the heels of another fire that happened at an Estes Express Lines truck yard earlier this month. It’s unclear whether or not the two incidents are related.

The man’s name is Anthony Dick, a 39-year-old out of Lehighton, Pennsylvania. He has been arrested and charged with arson.

Why did Anthony Dick set fire to the truck yard in the first place?

There’s no true answer to that question. In fact, Dick wasn’t even entirely honest about the situation from the get-go. The truck driver initially claimed that he had nothing to do with the fire before shifting his tone, claiming it was an accident.

According to WFMZ-TV, authorities are claiming that it would be impossible for the fire to be started accidentally in corroboration with Dick’s story.

On the bright side, it doesn’t look like he’ll be starting any more fires — that’ll be tough to do from the inside of a jail cell.

Whiteline Express Dog

How Heartland Express’s Acquisition of CFI Could Leave Dog Owners in Limbo

Contrary to the norm, there is some positive news in the trucking industry this week. Rather than an animal thief or collapsed bridge, something productive happened in the industry.

That productivity involves Heartland Express, who recently acquired Contract Freighters Inc. (CFI) for $525 million. This gives Heartland Express 2,100 new tractors and 8,000 new trailers.

You’ll find details about this acquisition all over the internet. If you’re looking for specifics — you’re not at the right place. That said, we’re discussing entirely separate implications in this deal that will likely impact hundreds of drivers.

What will happen to all of the dog owners at CFI?

At Whiteline Express, we value our drivers’ happiness. It’s one of the reasons why our pet policy is so important to us — we want drivers to be able to take their lives with them across the country. But CFI drivers might be receiving the same treatment for much longer.

Unfortunately, Heartland Express does not allow pets in any of their vehicles. It’s pretty normal — fewer than half of the trucking companies in the United States allow pets. The issue here is that over 60% of drivers own pets and an estimated 30-40% bring pets with them in their vehicles. This means that, in all likelihood, hundreds of drivers from CFI, a company that allows dogs, will be forced to drive without their furry friends. So what options remain for these drivers?

This happens with virtually every major acquisition — a large handful of drivers will leave. Heartland might even find that a higher percentage leave when they find out that their dogs will not be accompanying them to a new company. That said, there may not be many complaints. A pet policy, a new sign-on bonus, and a new truck doesn’t sound like a bad deal to most drivers.

That said, it’s still unclear how Heartland Express will handle this. They may continue to allow drivers to bring pets in the 2,100 trailers than were acquired from CFI or they may extend the no-pet policy to the entire company. If that is the case, there will be a large influx of drivers who will look to branch out to a better situation.

CDL Truck Crash

Why Did This Guy Throw a Bike Under a Semi-truck on the Freeway?

People get into the trucking industry for a few reasons. Some drivers are introverted people and enjoy their alone time while some simply like the money associated with it. A large handful, however, are in it for the adventure. Over-the-road drivers are able to take long trips and see all parts of the country.

Sometimes, that isn’t necessarily a good thing.

A few days ago, a clip was uploaded to the r/Truckers subreddit that showed one of the more bizarre moments caught on camera by a driver.

A pedestrian threw a bicycle into a semi-truck, resulting in… well, nothing.

We’ve heard of people throwing eggs, rocks, and pretty much anything that can travel through the air at vehicles. Even if you’re not a CDL driver, you’ve probably seen your fair share of strange things while driving at night. But this one is probably weirder than anything you’ve seen before.

The video, which will be linked below, shows a driver with a dashcam struggling to stay awake on a night drive. The beginning of the video almost makes you think that the driver is going to cause something to go awry, but he manages to pull himself together.

Suddenly, the driver squints and looks ahead in the distance — clearly, something has his attention.

Suddenly, a pedestrian comes into view with a bike by his side. He gives it a quick push, sending it directly into the path of the driver’s 18-wheeler. The truck runs over the bike and continues to drive. Nothing more transpires.

You can either download the video here or watch it on Reddit here.

What was the pedestrian trying to do?

Some believe that the pedestrian was trying to cause the truck to crash, allowing him to move in and steal the driver’s belongings or the truck’s cargo. It could have simply been a sadistic person who wanted to cause a crash for no reason.

Either way, it failed. Miserably.

If you’re a driver, this is a good reminder to keep your eyes peeled — especially if you’re driving at night. You can’t expect something like this to happen but it’s good to always be alert and aware of your surroundings.

Trucking, CDL

3 Industry Secrets for Brand-New CDL Truck Drivers

If you’re reading this article, you probably just earned your Commercial Driver’s License, or CDL. This means you’ve finished your courses, passes your driving tests, and you’re ready to dive head-first into the industry.

First of all, congratulations!

At this point in time, you’re probably at a spot where most new drivers find themselves — the “what now?” phase. Don’t worry – Whiteline has you covered. Here are three industry secrets for brand new CDL truck drivers.

Secret No. 1: The trucking industry is starving for drivers right now, so choose carefully

In most industries, jobs are hard to come by. If you get a job offer anywhere, it’s hard to reject it. The trucking industry tells a different story in the present day.

Right now, there’s a pretty severe driver shortage. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the driver shortage currently sits at around 80,000. That number is expected to double by 2030.

For those reading this article, it’s great news — you’ll get your pick of the litter when it comes to the company you want to drive for. For trucking companies, it’s getting tough to find new drivers.

Secret No. 2: Trucking companies tend to have dishonest position/salary advertising

Okay, so you’ve got a few job offers — how do you know which one to choose?

For starters, this is not a decision to take lightly. While you can leave a company pretty easily, most have signing bonuses and other incentives that don’t kick in until you’ve been there for around a year.

This is also a decision that may not be what it appears to be on the surface. Look for a trucking job and you’ll immediately see salaries as high as $120,000. A salary figure that seems too high is almost always deceptive in some way.

They get you in the fine details.

When you look into the actual salary presented by companies, they require you to do more than you probably want. The “higher-paying” positions will have you taking nasty routes, working long days, and hitting tricky company-specific mileage goals. Sometimes these companies make it physically impossible to actually earn the salary that is being advertised.

Don’t undervalue yourself but remember one thing — almost any experienced truck driver will tell you to go with a company with a good culture that makes you feel at home. Salary is important but secondary.

Secret No. 3: You’re not stuck with your company

In more than a handful of industries, it’s easy to become pigeon-holed into a specific company. That company will promote you, give you pay raises, and give you comfortability in your spot.

This does, at least to an extent, hold true. Companies often give longevity bonuses and you’ll earn more as an experienced driver. Whiteline Express offers experienced drivers higher cent-per-mile rates and increases your earnings based on how long you’re at the company. That said, the industry standard usually involves company-hopping relatively frequently.

If you don’t get along with your dispatcher, aren’t getting the miles you want, or just don’t like the company culture, it’s not a big deal to pack up and find another company. According to Trucking.org, the turnover rate for truckers is a staggering 91%, meaning over nine of ten drivers leave their jobs in under a year.

If you’re not happy with your position, do not be afraid to leave.

Truck Driver, CDL

This Truck Driver Was Snatching up Wild Animals

If you’re a CDL/Truck Driver, you probably keep up with industry news. And if you keep up with industry news, you’re familiar with how wild things can get. In July, we got a perfect example of this phenomenon.

Last month, Ariam Rodriguez Diaz, a truck driver, was charged with 20 counts of illegal wildlife possession. The 30-year-old Naples, Florida native had been transporting animals to his home from places like Ohio and Canada.

The police would eventually discover his farm of animals and report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC). According to the FWC, the man had two white-tailed deer, 15 migratory birds, two illegal bird traps, and eight Canada geese in his enclosure.

Why did this truck driver take these animals and did he know it was illegal?

Because of how open he was about his crimes, some are theorizing that Diaz was unaware that this was illegal activity. He also asked officers if it was illegal to keep the deer.

According to Naples Daily News, Diaz told officers that he had found the deer at a rest stop and lured them into his truck. They would reside in the cabin of the vehicle, where his bed was located, during their transport down to Florida.

I’m no expert but I’m guessing that doesn’t fall under the guidelines of his company’s pet policy.

On a serious note, Diaz was eventually arrested for his crimes and released on a $21,000 bond a couple of days after his arrest. He will appear in court on August 17th.

Whiteline Express Truck Driver

How Much Money Do Truck Drivers Really Make?

The trucking industry is a lot of things — typical is not one of them. Your typical job doesn’t have you hauling high-tonnage shipments across the country on a daily basis. Your typical job doesn’t have you working 11-hour days.

One of the more notable parts of this job that is considered atypical is how truck drivers are paid. Unlike most full-time jobs, there isn’t a yearly salary. Heck, there isn’t even an hourly salary. There really isn’t a uniform way that drivers are paid at all — it largely depends on your specific role within the industry. This is why, along with other reasons, you can’t really put a “yearly salary” number on any truck driving position, even though some companies will try.

Generally speaking, the numbers that you’ll see for truck driving jobs will come in cents per mile (CPM). CPM usually refers to the salary of an Over-the-road (OTR) driver, who stays in his or her truck overnight. For the sake of this article, that’s the type of salary that we’ll be focused on.

What is a realistic pay range for an over-the-road truck driver?

There is a lot of information to go over on the subject of truck driver earnings but I’ll start by getting straight to the point — a realistic salary range.

40 – 60 CPM

This is the industry standard. It’s lower than many truck drivers will claim and that’s no coincidence. There are very few bad things to say about truck drivers, as they’re usually extremely friendly. That said, they tend to gas themselves up a little bit and will, without fail, exaggerate their salary or what they believe the industry standard is.

That said, 40-60 CPM is a really good range. With most drivers driving between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week, even the lowest end of both categories will place you at $41,600 per year. The average in that range is over $50,000 per year while the highest end of that will have you over $90,000.

You get out what you put in.

Is $100,000 a truly attainable salary as a truck driver?

A number that you’ll hear floating around this question is $100,000 as a yearly salary. This number is… well, for lack of a better term — unrealistic. There are a few drivers out there who can make $100,000 and an even smaller amount who exceed that. The number was largely popularized by Walmart, which likely only has a very small amount of drivers actually hit the $100,000 yearly number.

According to a Walmart truck driver job posting, drivers start at 62 cents per mile. That’s a very good rate but it won’t get you anywhere near $100,000 unless you’re driving ridiculous mileage with no vacations. The drivers that are reaching that type of yearly number are working the maximum amount of hours and have a ton of experience. They’re also hitting countless bonuses.

This leads me to my next point.

Watch out for deceptive advertising in the trucking industry

As somebody with a background in the advertising industry, advertising a yearly salary would likely be described as “deceptive advertising,” which is largely frowned upon. The truth of the matter is that you have to reach specific difficult goals, hit bonuses, or drive unattractive routes to reach these salaries.

In fact, it’s actually against the law. Unfortunately, the trucking industry is not well monitored and job applications aren’t necessarily considered “advertising.”

Whiteline Express is a company that prides itself on integrity. As a result, you probably won’t see us advertising any sort of yearly salary on our job postings — if you did, it would be riddled with disclaimers and clarifications.

If a pay rate seems too good to be true, it probably is. There are exceptions to this, but it’s important to know what a reasonable pay range looks like.