The great outdoors has always been the bastion of the beer swilling loudmouthed male – even wives were frowned upon anywhere near the workplace. However, there has been one occupation where females have been accepted almost as readily males, and that has been in the trucking industry.

Times are changing. You can now see women driving bulldozers or front end loaders, however, when it comes to statistics, there 100 women truck drivers for every woman driving a earth moving equipment.

In fact, it is not just women, truck driving has been one industry where males and females, young and old and people from all walks of life have been employed and able to work together with minimal friction.

Because truck driving involves traveling, often from one side of the country to the other, it has been seen a little like driving internationally. As you cross state borders you are driving on someone elses turf – if they accept a female driver, so do you. If you accept 60 year old drivers, they will too.

It’s never too late to start a career as a truck driver. Many women, for example, start their truck driving careers once the kids have left the nest. It becomes their escape as well.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools doesn’t discriminate either. Whether your young, old, male, female, it doesn’t matter. If you want to be a truck driver then we will do our best to help you achieve that career goal.

Being a heavy equipment operator does not suit everyone. There are certain personal attributes that are almost essential if you wish to work in this area. So what are these personal attributes?

The first attribute is simply a love of the outdoors. Working outside in a wide range of weather conditions is part of the job. Whilst most heavy equipment come fitted with weather proof cabs, there are still a lot o machines with open cabs.

The second attribute is a willingness to get your hands dirty. If you’re the kind of person who insists on clean hands 24/7, then this type of work may not be for you. You may not get your hands as dirty and greasy as a motor mechanic, there is still some dirt involved.

The third and perhaps most important attribute is one of patience. If a pile of dirt needs moving, there is a right and wrong way to do it. You can’t rush the job, it needs to be done slowly and methodically.

There are several skills that may also have an important bearing on your success as a heavy equipment operator. These include good hand-foot-eye co-ordination and the ability to accurately gauge distances and sizes.

With those attributes and basic skills, you are well suited to a career as a heavy equipment operator. All you need to add are the actual operational and safety skills associated with the equipment you intend operating.

This where ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools can help you. Our accredited training can take those attributes and basic skills and turn them in to qualified and skilled heavy equipment operators. Put us to the test through our free online training program!

Some people are just born to be drivers. I know I was. I could spend all day driving, whether it is around town or out on the open highway. Come holiday time, my family knows we are going on a trip. We hit the road and just drive; of course I stop occasionally so the family can see the sights. In reality, I should have been a truck driver, my wife says a long distance one at that.

If your like me then perhaps a career as a truck driver may just be an option you should look into. The work itself is not too grueling, the conditions fairly good and the pay quite reasonable as well. All you need is your Class-A Commercial Driver License to begin with.

To gain a Class-A Commercial Driver License you need to satisfy the licensing body that you are competent behind the wheel and that you know all the road rules and safety laws related to truck driving.

The ATS Heavy Equipment Training School’s truck driving program can deliver all that. With 40 years experience in training truck drivers, they certainly have history behind them. They have also got over 10,000 trucking companies nationwide in its job placement database. With that history they must be doing everything right.

ATS uses both in-class training, when it comes to road rules and safety requirements; and in-vehicle training to provide you with all the knowledge and experience required to gain your Class-A Commercial Drivers License.

CDL – Class A Commercial Driver License. You need to obtain your CDL if you wish to work in the industry driving trucks on public roads.

Obtaining your CDL is done in three stages. The first stage involves training, in a classroom setting, in subjects such as Department of Transportation rules, safety and safe operation of equipment, Commercial Driver License regulations, logbooks, and hazardous materials.

Transport rules cover the use of the vehicle on public roads and includes information such as general road rules, load limits, and driving limits.

The second stage involves hands-on training in the use of a truck and includes backing and other close quarter maneuvers as well as pre-trip inspection, coupling and uncoupling and actual Highway and City driving. The later provides you with the opportunity to experience truck driving on public roads in traffic situations.

The third stage is where you actually complete the requirements to receive your license. Different states may have different requirements, however they all require you to sit and pass a written test and to pass a driving test.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools have a three week truck driving course that prepares you for those tests. Upon completion of the test and the granting of license, we have over 10,000 trucking companies nationwide in our job placement database.

Yesterday’s post looked at tractors so it would be logical to assume that a tractor trailer was a trailer that was towed by a tractor. This is actually far from the truth. Tractor trailers are actually trucks and require truck licenses to drive them.

The term tractor trailer is given to a combination of a trailer and a truck. These are two entirely separate units. The truck can be hooked to other trailers and the trailer can be hooked to other trucks. They are connected by hardware,electronics and often compressed air, used to control brakes and lights.

The trailer component can come in many configurations, generally boxed, flat bed or tanker. Boxed is used to transport items such as bulk groceries; tankers are used to transport liquids and bulk dry goods such as grain; flat beds are used to transport a variety of products such as timber and heavy equipment like earth moving machines.

The truck or tractor component can also come in a range of configurations, some large enough to include a small sleeping chamber for long journeys.

To operate a tractor trailer you require a special license. To obtain this license you will require training – training by qualified people who can teach you not only how to drive a tractor trailer, but also some of the trickier maneuvers such as reversing. If truck driving is in your career plans then consider ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools.

Do you enjoy driving? Does the freedom of the open road appeal to you? Perhaps a career as a truck driver could be ideal for you.

One of the great things about truck driving is that once your loaded up and on the road, you are effectively your own boss. You have the wheel and you know where your going and when you have to be there by. The rest is up to you.

Both men and women can flourish as truck drivers and trucking is not only fun and adventurous, but also provides a secured future. While you may start as a flatbed driver or perhaps as dumptruck driver, once you gain a little experience you can seek out training that could put you into one of the big rigs that criss-cross the country.

Anyone who is interested in truck driving can get into the field by attending a training school like ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools where can help you to learn to handle a truck. They can also teach you rules of the road and provide safety tips while handling a truck. Some of the training schools like ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools offer a job placement facility after completing your training. Truck driving can be a great career for someone who enjoys the freedom of the road.

During the past decade the demand for professional tractor trailer drivers has been the highest level for a great many years.

Skilled operators find jobs in all types of truck driving such as equipment transporting, dump trucks/trailers, sand and gravel, paving, concrete/asphalt, mining, freight haulers, construction materials and tankers to name just a few.

Benefits of joining the trucking industry may include the following depending on the positions available:

• High income potential
• Insurance
• Retirement Benefits
• Job Security
• Owner/Operator Programs
• Flexible Work Schedule

If you would like more information about the industry and to see if you qualify for one of these positions, then contact us at ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools. Our training includes “hands-on” instruction in the equipment including backing and other close quarter maneuvers as well as pre-trip inspection, coupling and uncoupling and actual highway and city driving. A career in truck driving awaits you.

If you have a career in truck driving, and if you’re driving your own rig, then you know very well that gas prices have a huge impact on your profit line. So, we’ve given you a few truck driving tips to help you save money and hold on to more money for your bottom line.

First of all, you’ll want to pick an engine that has the proper size for the tasks that you want to get done. If you have excess horse power, it only will translate into extra fuel that is wasted. You want to aim for exactly what you need. Don’t go overboard here. The engine size will rank among the most important factors in your truck driving career. You want to have a perfect match between the payload and your engine. On the other hand, if you find that in your truck driving career that your engine is too small, you’ll need more fuel to squeeze out the necessary horse power that is going to be required in operating the truck. Underpowered engines will need to work that much harder. That means you will need to purchase more fuel.

If you’re constantly operating an underpowered engine, you’re putting out the top maximum horse power of that engine to keep it running. That means you could always be in a two pedal position either on or off that throttle.

It could mean that you are definitely not getting the optimum fuel economy.

Another way to save money, when it comes to truck driving is considering gear ratio. If you’re able to get away with having a lower gear ratio then your accelerations may not be as brisk as they should be. This affects how much fuel you burn. Lower gear ratios will make it harder for you to ascend steep grades. If you’re doing most of your truck driving in mountainous regions, then you should consider this fact very carefully. You need enough power from your gear ratio to be able to go up the steep inclines, but don’t go overboard here. Efficiency and balance is the key.

Another issue, when it comes to truck driving, is weight. Lighter trucks make it easier to haul heavier and larger payloads. Remember, most trucks spend half of their life traveling empty, the return trip is always empty, right? So, the weight of your truck is definitely affecting your bottom line. The heavier your truck is, the more you’re going to spend on fuel.

Next, you’ll want to consider the aerodynamics of your truck. When you have aerodynamic efficiency, you are able to squeeze more kilometers out of the same amount of fuel.

It may not seem like a big deal, but when you have aerodynamic efficiency, you are actually saving money. Sometimes, you can’t avoid not having aerodynamic efficiency in your truck driving career, as in the case of having a covered trailer or a flat bed. Just remember, truck driving is going to involve much longer journeys and trips than most people make, so little things like this will make a huge difference in your fuel costs.

When choosing a good truck driving school you should look out for good reviews and testimonials. The first step is to check with your state department of motor vehicles organizatoin or your public safety department to find out what it will take to get your truck driving license or your commercial driving license in your area.

Next, you should look for a program that is certified. Not all schools will choose to have their courses and programs certified, so be aware of that. Make sure that your school will meet the minimum standards at least for certification, even if they aren’t certified.

Then, you’ll want to explore your truck diving course syllabus and see what kind of course material it will cover. Will it cover the basics of truck driving and teach you how to drive your truck? Have a chat with teachers, past students and administrators to get a good feel for how the school functions and the quality of courses it provides.

You’ll also want to find out if your state department of education will certify your school’s programs. Find out for sure at your local state department of education. Also, having a postgraduation job placement program is a bonus. It may not be necessary in the truck driving business, but it is a big bonus when you’re on the look out for a job after graduating. There are many opportunities that are available to you once you get your truck driving license. Make sure that you pass all the physical exams, keep a clean driving record and most of all, be dependable.

Being a dependable truck driver is one of the biggest assets you’ll have in your industry.

Also, be aware of license and diploma mills. These offer very short courses and don’t cover all of the basics. They only cover materials that are expected on a test or quiz. You may get your commercial license with them, but you won’t know how to operate a commercial truck. This may end being a big problem if you’re wanting to actually make money at it. You’re likely to lose out later when you compete for the best paying jobs in your industry with other qualified and experienced graduates from certified and quality schools.

Keep in mind, that when it comes to truck driving, it’s not how long you’re behind the wheel, but that you’re taught correctly while you’re behind the wheel. Price should be no criteria when it comes to your training. Lower priced schools thrive on word of mouth and recommendations.

You should look for schools that will offer you one on one training for truck driving. Some truck driving schools will place 5 to 8 students in a truck at one time. Most of the students that are able to get the better training, do so by getting private driving lessons with only one student per truck. If you are not getting this kind of instruction, you’re basically paying to watch other’s drive.

If you have any more questions about truck driving and how to get certified, contact ATS and we’ll get you started right away in a new career.

For those that do it, Truck Driving appeals on many different levels. If you look at what truck driving is, at its most basic, it is easy to understand why so many people love it. It is a career that just about anyone can get into at almost any stage of their life. Truck driving can be a lot of fun and it pays well. Even if you are driving someone else’s truck, you are left to your own devices for much of the day. These are all things that give truck driving its appeal, which we will elaborate on in today’s article.

Truck Driving – Easy to Get Into

Don’t mistake me, truck driving is not an easy job. Truck driving requires a certain amount of training that not everyone will complete. There are skills that not everyone can master. Getting into the training and from training into a job, however, is relatively easy. It does not take a great deal of time to meet your licensing requirements. From there, with a little help from a job placement program, you will be able to go from training to working in no time. It is a profession that does not require much in the way of an educational background, the training period is relatively short and, if you are prepared to work, the payoff is fantastic.

Truck Driving Pays Well

A lot of people don’t realize just how financially rewarding truck driving can be. Truck driving has the potential to pay extremely well, it all depends on how hard you are prepared to work. If you are prepared to drive over some of the long-haul trucking routes, where you may be away from home for days or even weeks at a time, you can find yourself earning enormous sums of money. Of course, the trade off is time; still if you enjoy the open road, long-haul truck driving can be a fantastic experience.

Truck Driving Offers Freedom

Regardless of whether you are an owner operator or working for a company, when you are doing your job it is just you and your equipment. Some big rigs might have a second driver so that you can drive around the clock, but for the most part your time is your own. This, for some people, is one of the most exciting aspects of truck driving.

If you are interested in a career in truck driving, please contact us at Associated Training Services.