Trucks and truck drivers are a constant presence on US highways and interstates. A person on even the shortest drive is likely to pass by a truck or two transporting goods, and even merchandise that travels by ship, train, or airplane travels on a truck for some phase of the journey to the customer. Because trucks are such a major part of industry, truck driving jobs are important positions and good paying jobs.Truck drivers have many responsibilities. Before leaving the terminal or warehouse, truck drivers make routine checks of their vehicles, checking fuel and oil levels. They inspect the tires, brakes, and windshield wipers, and make sure that all safety equipment is loaded and functional.
They report any problems to the dispatcher, who keeps track of all of these small details. Once they start driving, truck drivers must be constantly alert. They can see quite a long distance along the highway because they sit higher than most other vehicles. This puts them in a position of power on the road, as well as heightened responsibility.Delivery requirements vary according to the type of merchandise, the driving assignment, and the final destination. Local drivers provide daily service along a specific route, while other drivers must make intercity and interstate deliveries based on specific orders.
The driver's responsibilities and salary change based on the time spent on the road, the type of product transported, and vehicle size.New technologies are revolutionizing the way that truck drivers work. Long distance truck drivers now have satellites and global positioning systems (GPS) to link them with company headquarters. Information, directions, and weather reports can be delivered to the truck instantly no matter where it is. Company headquarters can track the truck's location, fuel consumption, and engine performance. Inventory tracking equipment is now computerized, allowing the producer, warehouse, and customer to all check in on the products on the road.
New technology is making truck driving an easier job, as seats become more comfortable, trucks have better ventilation, and cabs are better designed.Some routes are very, very long, and these usually employ heavy truck or tractor-trailer drivers. On the longest routes, companies will hire two drivers for sleeper runs. Sleeper runs can last from days to weeks and the truck only stops for fuel, food, loading and unloading. The drivers switch off driving and sleeping in the truck.Truck driving can be a demanding job. Some self-employed long-distance truck drivers who own and operate their own trucks spend most of the year away from home.
The government restricts long distance drivers to no more than 60 hours a week as well as requiring 10 hours rest for every 11 hours driving. Many drivers work very close to this max time permitted because they are compensated according to the number of miles or hours they've put in. The difficulty of truck driving is well compensated, which makes it a popular job. In 2002, there were 3.2 million truck drivers.Many trucking operations have higher standards than the Federal minimum requirements. Drivers are often required to be at least 22 years old, able to lift heavy objects, and have 3-5 years driving experience.
Companies want to hire good drivers who work efficiently and cost less to insure. They like drivers who have enrolled in driver-training courses. New drivers might begin on small straight trucks and graduate to larger trucks and finally to tractor-trailers. A few truck drivers advance high enough to become dispatchers, managers, or traffic workers.Heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers earned an average of $16 per hour in 2002. The highest 10% of this group earned more than $24 an hour.
Driving a truck is a great career with lots of room for promotion and advancement. After moving all the way up the chain of promotion within a company, truck drivers often strike out on their own and open successful transport businessesGAAir Liquide is a major international company and is also a private carrier. This means it maintains its own truck fleet and hires truck drivers. Because Air Liquide is such successful company, driving jobs with Air Liquide are stable, well supported positions. Solo Air Liquide drivers can expect to be home 80-90% of the time and make between $50,000 and $70,000 a year depending on the type of run and work performance.
Air Liquide provides benefits like medical and life insurance, performance benefits, ample vacation time, flexible spending accounts, and quarterly profit sharing. As Air Liquide grows and succeeds, so do each of its employees! If you are interested in a truck driving job, you should apply here to drive for Air Liquide. Find out more about Air Liquide.
NoneFormula One Cars - Unsurpassed Technology at Its Finest
Formula One Racing is, quite simply, the paramount of karting. It is the professional form of the sport in its entirety. Formula One is an international phenomenon, a media conglomerate that rakes in millions and millions of dollars a year from advertising, sponsorship, and broadcast revenues. Professional drivers with millionaire bank accounts race these majestic kart marvels that are unprecedented, flush with technological luxuries ? everything from hard to produce lightweight frames that glide the machine to tires with unsurpassed grooving style that exemplify powerful movement on the circuit.There is no sport that bests epitomizes the term "global sport" like Formula One racing. Many countries serve as active participants in shaping the professional karting scene ? for example, Malaysia is a hot spot for racing (Fernando Alonso, a Spanish-born driver under Team Renault recently won a race there) and Italy plays a vital role in designing and manufacturing first class, top-of-the-line...
Formula One Cars - Unsurpassed Technology at Its Finest
2006 Real World Snow Tire Tests – On-Line
Fairport, NY (ContentDesk) February 5, 2006 - In an innovative move, The Snow Tire FAQ (http://www.snowtire.info) announced the availability of on-line, real-time snow tire reviews from its 2006 edition of The Real World Snow Tire Tests.In 2001, John Werner, the editor of the Snow Tire FAQ, introduced the The Real World Snow Tire Tests.
The 2006 Real World Snow Tire Tests are the 4th set of tests to be run.
The Tests provide both quantitative and qualitative evaluations of snow tires in the conditions they are likely to see on real worlds, with real weather in the real world.The Real World Snow Tire Tests are just one way The Snow Tire FAQ seeks to help consumers.
Another is the on-line Snow Tire FAQ Forums (http://www.snowtire.info/forum).
The Forums provide a place where people can interact together and discuss questions about snow tires and winter driving.
Some folks may consider me the expert in all things snow tires, I freely...
Fall Car Care Month Promotes Healthy Driving Do Hybrid Cars Promote Healthy Driving Too?
(ContentDesk) November 22, 2005 -- Fall Car Care Month, held in October, is a nationwide effort by businesses, civic groups, the government and the media to focus motorists on car health and safety. First started by the Car Care Council (http://www.carcarecouncil.org), this consumer education organization initially dedicated October as National Car Care Month, then added April as well. Now October is designated as Fall Car Care Month with the focus on motorists attention to preparing their vehicles for the winter months. The primary goal of Car Care Month has always been to promote the benefits of cleaner air, energy conservation, safer roads and consumer savings through proper car maintenance. By conducting sporadic road checks, unperformed maintenance can be discovered and once corrected will lead to conservation of energy, improved highway safety and benefiting the environment.
More than 400 check lanes are set up...
Fall Car Care Month Promotes Healthy Driving Do Hybrid Cars Promote Healthy Driving Too?
What is Road Hazard Warranty? Do You Really Need It?
You are prepared to spend an average of $300 - $500 for new sneakers for you vehicle. It's a maintenance item that is not optional and then the salesperson asks you if you want to purchase the Road Hazard warranty."It's ONLY an additional $10 - $20 for each tire," he or she says. So, you're thinking, "Don't my tires come with a warranty already?"Great question! Most tires come with a warranty which covers workmanship and materials. In other words, the tire maufacterer covers things which are in their control, like defects. They are not interested in warranting the condition of the roads or your inability to hit debris.This is where a Road Hazard warranty can save you money and aggravation.
Road Hazard warranties are one of the best values, yet one of the most misunderstood benefits. Let's start off by expalining exactly what is a Road Hazard warranties and how does it save me money?Most Road Hazard warranties are set up to protect you, from paying full price, even if you happen...
What is Road Hazard Warranty? Do You Really Need It?
What is Road Hazard Warranty? Do You Really Need It?
You are prepared to spend an average of $300 - $500 for new sneakers for you vehicle. It's a maintenance item that is not optional and then the salesperson asks you if you want to purchase the Road Hazard warranty."It's ONLY an additional $10 - $20 for each tire," he or she says. So, you're thinking, "Don't my tires come with a warranty already?"Great question! Most tires come with a warranty which covers workmanship and materials. In other words, the tire maufacterer covers things which are in their control, like defects. They are not interested in warranting the condition of the roads or your inability to hit debris.This is where a Road Hazard warranty can save you money and aggravation.
Road Hazard warranties are one of the best values, yet one of the most misunderstood benefits. Let's start off by expalining exactly what is a Road Hazard warranties and how does it save me money?Most Road Hazard warranties are set up to protect you, from paying full price, even if you happen...
What is Road Hazard Warranty? Do You Really Need It?
Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin Comes Into Focus as Parts Train's Auto Body Parts Supercharge Every Ford Vehicle
The Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin is the world's first high-performance sport-utility truck (SUT). We're looking to take Ford performance to an entirely new market segment with the Sport Trac Adrenalin," says Steve Lyons, vice president, Ford Motor Company and president, Ford Division. "Adrenalin is designed to offer a unique combination of performance and functionality.Adrenalin has combined the best attributes of two breakthrough Ford vehicles - Ford SVT F-150 Lightning and Ford Explorer Sport Trac. It also offers class-leading technologies, including all-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and Ford's industry-leading AdvanceTrac? with Roll Stability Control?. It offers four full-sized doors, four bolstered bucket seats, and a four-foot composite box with 30 percent more cargo capacity than the current Explorer Sport Trac.
"We have a very clear view of what we want to do to retain Ford's leadership in performance vehicles," says Phil Martens group vice president, Product...
Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin Comes Into Focus as Parts Train's Auto Body Parts Supercharge Every Ford Vehicle