When researching the difference between lease and company drivers, there seems to be a lot of information out there about leasing, but not as much about company positions. In this article you will find some information about company driving and how you can benefit from a company position.

One thing to consider when thinking about company driving is the money. Not just how much you are making per mile, but truck maintenance and gas as well. When you lease your own truck, you have to pay for that truck and for any of the repairs it might need. Depending on the type of truck and the repairs needed, this can become expensive and you can end up driving in the negative.When going company, it is the responsibility of the business to take care of your rig. Also, as a company driver, you don’t have to stress as much about the rising prices of fuel,your main focus can be the road.

Company driving is also a great way to build your experience. Too often drivers right out of trucking school try to jump into their own truck and end up regretting it. A few months into their job they realize that a truck driver’s lifestyle is not for them, but they are stuck with a lease agreement and can’t afford to let it drop. Starting as a company driver will allow you to get a good feel of the lifestyle and provide you with the opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade before getting out on your own.

Most trucking companies, such as C.R. England, have company truck positions available alongside their lease program. There are plenty of drivers on the road who have made their living as company drivers and who have no intention of switching.

At times you may feel pressured into getting set up as a lease driver, but remember to never do something you are uncomfortable with. If you want to try your legs as a truck driver before starting your own business, go right ahead and do it. Have the job you want to have, become a company driver.

To learn more about company driving positions, visit C.R. England at www.crengland.com

In February, the North Carolina state Highway Patrol started a safety campaign that focuses on aggressive drivers.  They call it “Operation Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks, (TACT) and are looking at both truck drivers and those driving too aggressive near the trucks.

The same thing happened last summer in an Idaho county.  They were looking specifically for drivers driving aggressively near trucks.

Paul McDaniel, an instructor for the SAGE Truck Driving School in the area, stated, “Aggressive driving includes tailgating big trucks, cutting them off, or staying in their blind spots… It’s a huge problem for everybody, especially for trucks.”

The Idaho State Police were very clever and were passengers in a truck on I-15.   The police gave out 34 citations to drivers in Idaho and handed out brochures on why the police are cracking down on reckless driving around trucks and how to drive safer in their vicinity.

Last September, Alabama police ran a similar campaign because of safety issues rising in their state from reckless drivers around trucks.

These ticketing campaigns bring the issue to the front about safety and the road.  It looks like states are starting to look into it pretty seriously.

http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/7072105/

http://www.kidk.com/news/local/51521397.html

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/09/alabama_to_continue_targeting.html

The sale includes not only the customer contracts but the deal will also include the trucks and trailers. YRC will be using the proceeds to help to pay down the struggling trucking company’s revolving credit facility.

Greatwide Logistics Services is a Texas-based company that provides national truckload transportation and warehouse distribution services in the U.S.A.

The president of the division being sold, John Carr said Tuesday, “This sale is a strategic move toward a more asset-light business model and aligns resources at YRC Logistics to focus on our core offerings, including transportation, distribution and global services.”

Certainly more changes may be on the horizon for YRC as the company transitions to its more “asset-light” business model. We will keep up to date on the story as it unfolds. YRC is a very large trucking company and spans all aspects of the transportation industry an is viewed by some as a barometer of the industry as a whole.

All trucking companies have felt the pressure of the economic downturn. Jobs have been lost and businesses closed. If your a driver many of the surviving trucking companies are still looking for qualified truck drivers. If you’re looking to make a switch, to a company with a solid foundation, CR England is looking for experienced drivers. Check out our website for more information about driving and training options.

The original Dow Jones Newswires article was written by Joan E. Solsman, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2291; joan.solsman@ dowjones.com

However, certain truck driving jobs cater to certain types of truck drivers. Some truck drivers place a large emphasis on being close to home. Perhaps they have a strong family life or they have a pressing responsibility that requires them to be close to home. Other truck drivers don’t have anything keeping them close to home and they want to roll as much as possible. Some truck drivers may not be interested in working for a trucking company that hires trainees, while other truckers WANT to train new drivers. Perhaps money is the number one priority for a driver – he’s going to take the job that pays the most, no matter what type of work that trucking job requires. The bottom line is this – truck drivers have different priorities and are better suited for truck driving  jobs that meet their needs.

So, here are a few different factors to consider when deciding on which trucking jobs to pursue (and, it’s important to remember that the more quality experience a truck driver has, the more options he/she will have in terms of trucking jobs.):

1. Pay – Trucking jobs are first and foremost a career. So, if you’re not making enough money to pay the bills, then what’s the point? Make sure the pay package lines up with your needs. You may find the perfect trucking job for your situation, but perhaps it doesn’t pay as much as you’d like. If this is the case, you may need to adjust your home expenses a bit. But, a truck driving job NEEDS to pay the bills, so make sure it lines up with your needs.

2. Home Time Policy – Almost every trucking survey shows that home time is a really important factor to truck drivers. And, it’s important to note that a new driver should expect to “pay the dues” when it comes to home time. Seniority matters, and those drivers who have proven themselves will get priority when it comes to home time. Different trucking companies have different home time policies – some will guarantee home time while others will not. Some trucking companies offer local trucking jobs that will get you home nightly, while others offer regional trucking jobs that will keep you within a 5 -10 state area, which makes getting home easier. And, remember, we’re talking about trucking here, so you should expect to be away from home at some point or another. If that idea makes your stomach turn, trucking isn’t for you.

3. Equipment – do you get excited about driving a brand new, chromed out truck? Well, they’re out there – somewhere…mostly available with lease/purchase programs. But, more important than the shine and smell of new interior is the mechanical shape of the truck. Trucking companies who take care of their equipment tend to take care of their drivers. So, before taking that new trucking job, make sure you check out the shape of their equipment. In fact, talk to some current drivers and ask them if the company takes care of the tractors AND the trailers.

4. Type of Freight – Some companies specialize in certain types of freight. Maybe you’ve always been interested in being a flat bed truck driver. There are trucking companies that do nothing but haul flatbed freight. Or, maybe you like the money that comes with heavy haul. There are all sorts of niches within the trucking industry, and if you find that you really enjoy certain types of trucking jobs – stick with that niche! Included in this category is length of haul. Some drivers love to hook up and roll. Typically, these truck drivers enjoy the over-the-road experience. Others don’t mind short loads as long as there is a pay off.

5. Reputation – Now, let’s be careful with this one. Some of the most solid companies out there get a bad rap. So, before making a decision, be sure to talk to several CURRENT drivers. Asking former drivers for their opinion of their old company is like asking a republican what he thinks of democrats. Word of mouth can be a great way to learn about a company, just make sure the mouth isn’t full of it. You want to work for a company that will be around for a long time, and a trucking company’s reputation can go a long way in helping you know how solid they are. You can even check the financial reports and reporting of several trucking companies with a quick search on the internet.

There are many other factors, like pet policies, location, number of terminals, driver-to-driver manager ratio, etc. But, this should be enough to get you started. If you’re interested in a trucking career, not just trucking jobs, then be sure to do your homework and be willing to pay your dues. If you do this, you’ll be on your way to great truck driving jobs!