Category: Truck Driving

No Image March 10 2022 in Truck Driving

7 Essential Unwritten Rules for Truck Drivers

If you’re new to the trucking industry, there are a few things you should know. Trucking can be a tough business, and there are certain unwritten rules that everyone is expected to follow. In this blog post, Warrior Logistics will give you a rundown of some of those rules – everything from how to behave on the road to what to do (and not do) at truck stops. So read on and learn the ropes of one of America’s most essential industries. Welcome to the world of trucking! 

First rule of hauling…Don’t talk about your haul 

It’s easy for anyone to overshare when they feel they’re amongst friends (as we hope our WL drivers feel), but always remember to stay buttoned up and professional at least when it comes to what you’re carting around in your truck. Be aware of other people you don’t know who is asking suspiciously about your cargo or maybe oversharing about their own in hopes you’ll let down your guard. 

Plan ahead for where you’ll park your truck overnight 

Long haulers, this one’s for you… You don’t want to get stuck somewhere you don’t really want to be or end up having to push your daily limits trying to find a good place to stop and rest for the night. If you’re new to the profession or just new to the route, we recommend you pro-actively ask around to find where others who are more familiar with your route suggest you pull over.

Get Your Diesel and GO! 

You remember how irritating it is when you can see that people are just sitting in their car while you’re also sitting there, waiting for a parking space to open up? same kinda thing.

If you’re done fueling up, be courteous and move away from the diesel pump before getting settled back in with your GPS or popping in the convenience store for that snack you’ve been craving. It may only take you a minute or two to go inside, but that added time could end up cutting into another trucker’s schedule and/or, even worse, their paycheck. 

Keep Your Distance When Passing 

It’s bad enough that the average car driver on the road cuts off a truck driver without a second thought; so don’t do it to another truck driver. 

Keep at least 200 or more feet of space between the front of their cab and the back of your trailer/bumper before passing. A shorter distance between may prevent the driver you’re passing from having a safe, full view around them. 

Remember the Golden Rules of Lot Courtesy 

  • Mind your headlights.  

If you’re getting situated in a lot at night, think about where your lights are shining in relation to where other truckers may be trying to get some shut-eye. 

  • And don’t block anyone in. 

Think about it logically – if you pull in in front of someone who is already there, their break will very likely be over before yours and they will need easy access to pull out around you.  

Look Out for Each Other, Too 

No one understands the trucking life better than other truckers. When there’s an issue, odds are you’re not the first to experience it, nor will you be the last.  

Extend a helping hand or even just advice or a listening ear to your fellow truck drivers wherever possible. Pass along tips you’ve learned, warn of bad weather or traffic to those on the same or similar routes, and especially if you see a truck on the side of the road in distress, pull over (only if it’s safe to do so) and make sure they have help on the way. 

And finally… 

Honk That Horn! 

It’s a time-honored tradition to honk your horn when signaled by a kid in the minivan or school bus beside you. A bit of harmless fun makes everyone’s day better, and you can’t tell us you don’t love seeing the smiles your honk elicits. Don’t let ‘em down! 

How Can Warrior Logistics Help You? 

The trucking industry is full of unwritten rules that help keep everyone safe and moving along. As a new driver, it’s important to be aware of these rules so you can avoid any penalties or dangerous situations on the road. At Warrior Logistics, we want to make sure our drivers have all the information they need to stay safe and successful while hauling freight. If you have any questions about the rules mentioned in this post or anything else related to truck driving, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to help out our drivers! 

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No Image February 23 2022 in Truck Driving

Tips for Better Sleep While on the Road as a Truck Driver

Can’t sleep while traveling? It’s hard enough as it is to get the right amount of sleep as a modern adult, then factor in the endless hours of being out on the road as a truck driver. So how can you possibly get quality sleep in order to stay alert and focused when on the move? We’ve gathered some of our favorite sleeping tips for truck drivers to help ensure a good night’s rest wherever you are on your route! 

Park your truck in an area that’s both quiet and safe 

Safety is always ALWAYS our #1 priority at Warrior Logistics. Ideally, you’ll be able to find available space to park at a truck stop or rest stop that is well lit yet secluded enough to not be too noisy for you about an hour or so before your body typically needs to start winding down to sleep. If all these conditions are not available to you at once, we recommend that you of course prioritize safety first.  

Meditate before bed 

It’s hard to sleep anywhere if you’re still feeling stressed and cognitively active when it’s time to snooze. Meditation is a proven method for relaxation that can be done literally anywhere. It can even help you improve your focus and mental clarity during the day by helping to combat anxiety and naturally lower blood pressure. Never meditated before? There are many apps, podcasts, and resources for a guided meditation to get you started. The Headspace app and The Mindful Minute podcast are some of our favorites! 

Block out all light 

Making your sleeping quarters as dark as possible will help encourage your body’s natural production of melatonin. Blackout all incoming light as best as possible with a sunshade at your windshield, all truck shades are drawn, and a mask covering your eyes. Curtains can be made of material specifically designed for blocking out any light, especially helpful for truck drivers who drive at night and thus need to sleep during the daytime. 

Use earplugs or a “white noise” machine to block out noises 

If you are not able to find a quiet space to park your truck overnight, invest in a quality pack of foam earplugs or a white noise source such as a fan to help create a peaceful environment. Just make sure not to forget to set your alarm at a volume loud enough to keep you from oversleeping in the morning! 

Be mindful of timing naps and caffeine 

While caffeine can be a very useful tool when you’re needing a little help getting through a day of driving, be wary of its often lasting effects. Take note of your particular sensitivities to caffeine. If you’re not sure of yours, remember that it can stay in your system five or more hours, so start tracking by planning not to consume coffee or caffeinated tea and sodas for at least six hours leading up to when you intend to fall asleep for the night and adjust from there! 

Other great drink options that contain no caffeine to enjoy are: 

  • Juice 
  • Carbonated water with flavoring 
  • Ginger ale 
  • Milk 
  • Decaf coffee 
  • Good ol’ fashioned still water 

But what about how to get just a quick sleep in? If an occasional nap helps you stay focused and safe during your drive, do your best to keep them to only 30 to 40 minutes at a time. That way, you’ll ease your fatigue but not impact your body’s regulated signals for bedtime later on in your route. 

Maintain posture while driving 

Easier said than done, we know! But keeping our bodies healthy during the drive starts a healthy cycle that supports easier sleep when it’s time for resting. If you need a little extra help in achieving good posture while in the driver’s seat, consider adding a supportive lumbar pillow or more ergonomically designed seat cushions. Many of these products come with a massage option these days, too! 

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No Image January 19 2022 in Truck Driving

What It’s Like Being a Woman Truck Driver

There is no getting around the fact: although strides have been made in terms of equality across many industries in recent decades, truck driving is still seen primarily as a man’s game. Estimates place the proportion of women in the industry at around 6%. Put another way, that means for every 16 trucks being driven on our roads, only one of them at most will have a female truck driver in the driver’s seat. If you’re a woman considering a career as a trucker, here’s what you need to know.

Truck driving as a woman: The realities

The biggest hurdle that women truckers face is tradition; more specifically, the gender roles are often associated with the binary of men and women. It’s still generally assumed that women will be the primary caretakers of their children and homes, which isn’t especially conducive to spending days or even weeks on the road. However, for women who are attracted to the idea of an adventurous lifestyle on the highways, the job certainly has its advantages.

Among these advantages is a high level of independence, a good starting salary, and oftentimes an excellent employee benefits package that includes full medical and vision insurance. Plus, one big bonus is that, unlike a lot of other industries, there is no gender pay gap to speak of in the trucking sector. On average, what men get paid for driving big rigs, women are also paid equal amounts.

Is truck driving a true meritocracy?

One advantage that truck driving has for its applicants is that, as long as you can qualify for your CDL truck driving license, you’re trusted to handle the job, regardless of your age or gender. While hiring in other industries has grown increasingly more and more biased towards younger demographics, once you’ve shown you can reliably handle a truck, you’re considered a safe hire. Women’s truck driver safety, as with men’s, doesn’t seem to waver with age. It’s not uncommon for drivers to start their trucking career for the first time in their 40s and 50s, making it an ideal job for newly independent women with older kids who’ve left the nest.

There’s a lot to be said for the kind of job that pays well and makes the most of the lack of complication in one’s home life. If you’re someone who enjoys a lot of alone time, and if you could easily see yourself spending long periods of time driving across the country, then you’ll be happy to know that trucking is a career with a lot to recommend it.

What kind of hours can women in trucks expect?

There is an increasing amount of work available, and with the age groups in trucking tending towards older drivers, there will need to be an increased focus on recruiting younger drivers. The good news is that you won’t need to waste much time waiting for work. If you get your CDL and choose your vehicle from among the wide range of trucks that are ideal for women who want to make a living in the industry, there’s plenty of work available. Depending on the law where you are, a standard rule is that you can’t work more than 70 hours across an eight-day period. However, you’ll generally have no difficulty finding enough work to keep you busy.

Those long hours can mean that you’re away from home a lot, so if you’re likely to find that off-putting, then you may have some choices to make. However, shorter runs and less intense schedules are available and will allow you to spend more time at home if that’s something that you desire. And with plenty of hours available, it can be a lucrative gig. Salaries are already competitive, and haulers are more than aware that drivers will be increasingly able to name their price as the older drivers start to retire within the next decade. A solid hourly rate multiplied by a lot of hours means that trucks for women will have no shortage of takers among those keen to boost their bank balance.

Is there a future in trucking for women?

Given that driving a truck could be a significant lifestyle change for many of the newly interested parties, it makes sense that they won’t want to make a big commitment for a job that could become obsolete in years to come. With new innovations in the world of logistics and delivery, could it be the case that all truck drivers will be looking for new employment sooner than they think?

We’re talking primarily about driverless vehicles, of course, and there is some good news on that front for prospective truck drivers. To begin with, the technology behind driverless vehicles is not as far advanced as its proponents would like us to imagine. We’re still a long way off from it being considered safe to put fleets of driverless trucks out on the road. Beyond that, there are still many elements of the job that we expect to require a human touch for the foreseeable future. So if you choose to work for a company like Warrior Logistics, you don’t need to worry that automation is going to make your job obsolete. If anything, technology, and online shopping continue to mean there’s more work than ever available to current and prospective truck drivers.

Will women truck driver numbers increase in the future?

Although the statistics might initially be disconcerting for women who are considering a career in the trucking industry, it’s important to understand that this is a legacy of tradition that doesn’t need to have any impact on your own intention of becoming a truck driver. Your gender really doesn’t matter as long as you are trained and qualified to safely drive a truck and its cargo from Point A to Point B within the time required.

We can only assume that the number of women behind the wheels of delivery trucks will increase in the next few years and decades. As an industry that will remain both relevant and necessary, new job openings are sure to become available in the near future. With well-paid jobs ready for anyone who can demonstrate the ability to carry them out, there is no reason not to give serious consideration to an exciting new career out on the open roads. 

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of truck driving and the Warrior Logistics experience, get in touch today.

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No Image December 09 2021 in Truck Driving

Truck Driver’s Favorite Apps to Use on the Road

As with any career, some learning curves come along with being a new truck driver in the trucking industry. To give you a leg up, we’re going to share something that the pros know: there are resources available. And some of those resources are even available to you right now in your app store. Below are a few of our favorite apps that can help make your life on the road a little easier.

1 . Trucker Path

Trucker Path is one of the most popular apps for truck drivers. Plus, as a bonus, it’s free! Truckers can use this app to locate weigh stations and trucking stops. The app offers GPS directions that are specific to truckers. With Trucker Path, you can search through 40,000+ stops across Canada and the USA. The app features popular stops, including AM Best, Travel Plazas, Petro, Pilot, and more. Truckers can search according to trucking amenities, whether rest areas, entertainment, food, or showers. This truck driver app has plenty of features to take advantage of, including:

  • Find routes for your specific truck, according to type, height, or width.
  • Avoid small roads, bridges, and low overpasses, and sharp turns.
  • Turn on night mode and navigation by turn.

2. Drivewyze PreClear

Drivewyze is a trucking app that can save you money, hassle, and time. It’s one of the best truck driver apps available on iPad and iPhone. The app allows you to bypass various weigh stations. Drivewyze PreClear supports 700 + sites across different states.

Whether you’re going interstate or short haul, the app can help you to bypass participating weigh stations and inspection sites using a carrier safety score. When you download the app, you can start with a trial of 30 days. The app will alert you when you are within 2 miles of a mobile inspection site or a weigh station. Further features of Drivewyze include:

  • You can use the app at mobile sites or fixed stations.
  • The app is easy and fast to set up.
  • Drivewyze is compliant with the state and FMCSA driving laws.

3. Transflo Mobile

Transflo Mobile is a top solution for truckers, and the app offers scanning on-the-go and quick document delivery. There are plenty of cool features to take advantage of, including OS&D and accident submission, integrated navigation, and load review. The app is designed to suit trucking routes and includes weigh station technology. There’s also a messaging system to message your broker or fleet. Transflo includes navigation software, helping you to prevent accidents. You can search for rest areas and access traffic updates in real-time.

4. Pilot J Flying

The Pilot J Flying app helps truckers plan a route according to amenities, supplies, and fuel. You can filter locations to find the fuel type or amenities you need. Truckers can search for showers, parking spaces, fuel prices, or specific restaurants. There’s also an option to locate Roadside Assistance and Service Centers.

Using the Pilot J Flying app, truckers can access various rewards and offers on everything from free coffees to free showers. You can reserve a parking spot, use mobile fueling, or reserve a shower spot.

5. COPilot GPS

The CoPilot app is a handy navigation tool for truckers and drivers. The app provides voice navigation for traffic and route planning. There are lots of great features, such as:

  • Assistance with avoiding restricted roads or low bridges.
  • Driver-friendly guidance, helping you to stay focused.
  • Help planning trips for your load and vehicle type.
  • COPilot can help you to avoid fines and improve your fuel economy.
  • Accurate ETAs based on live traffic.
  • Driver route finder to save you lots of time.

6. Park My Truck

Truckers from all over use Park My Truck to find a parking space. No matter where you are in the USA, you can find a parking spot fast. Park My Truck helps you check the availability before you get to the parking location. This app was created by the Truck Parking Leadership Initiative, including the NATSO Foundation, because they know it can be frustrating trying to find a parking spot. You don’t want to waste your time, and with this app, you don’t have to! Park My Truck is one of the best free truck driver apps around.

7. Gas Buddy

GasBuddy helps drivers to locate gas stations, compare prices and save money. With the help of the Gasbuddy fuel card, you can also reduce your spending on gas. Truckers can search for gas stations according to distance, price, and fuel type. You can also monitor your gas consumption and access fuel economy tips. A few of the best features of Gas Buddy include:

  • The ability to earn rewards that translate into free gas.
  • Being able to report prices to other drivers within the community.
  • Help with tracking your gas fill-ups (for tax purposes or reimbursements).
  • Access key info about vehicle recalls.

8. Trucker Tools

The Trucker Tools is a free truck driving app that can help you find your loads and figure out your route. You can use the app to find the cheapest fuel and the nearest truck stops. If you’re looking to save both time and money, this is the app you need. Truckers can benefit from many valuable features, such as:

  • Booking loads using the ‘book now’ icon.
  • Checking the rate before you pay.
  • Assessing your requirements before you book.
  • Comparing brokers’ rates.
  • Checking and making bookings quickly and conveniently.

9. iExit Trucks

Using the iExit Trucks app, you can find truck-friendly exits to improve your journey. The app provides info about dealer locations, repair services, weigh scales, fuel prices, and more. You can find truck stops, rest areas, or parking. The app is easy to use. After installation, it will turn on ‘Highway’ mode and show you info about the nearby exits. With the help of iExit trucks, you can plan your route according to the best amenities. Life on the roads can be a challenge, which is why it’s so helpful to plan.

There are many trucking apps to choose from; whether you need Android trucking apps or trucking apps for Apple, these nine top picks are well worth a look. At Warrior Logistics, we ensure that all our truck drivers have the tools and training they need to succeed. If you’re looking to find a truck driver, Warrior logistics can help.

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