All Things Trucking - Truck Driving Schools, Truck Driver Training, and Trucking Jobs

It's no big secret that the trucking industry has suffered due to the high fuel prices and the soft freight market. But, what does that mean to the driver and/or potential driver?

Before analyzing the impact on truck driving jobs, let's spend a minute on an overview.

Six months ago, most trucking companies were scrambling to earn a dollar. They were dumping capacity (trucks) and trying to cut down on fuel costs. The reason they did this was -

1. With the slumping econonmy the shippers aren't producing and shipping as many goods as they did a year ago. So, rather than have the cost of a bunch of idle trucks, they sold them.
2. The out-of-control fuel prices (usually a trucking company's second largest operating expense) were draining their profits.

In the past 12 months, over 3,000 trucking companies have gone out of business. Most of them were very small trucking companies, but not all. In addition, over 147,000 trucks were taken off the road, many of them being sold to foreign countries.

What does this mean to someone looking for a truck driving school? And, what does this mean to someone interested in truck driving schools? NOT MUCH!

Huh? Yep, not much. Even with a slumping economy, trucking companies still need to hire truck drivers. The truck driver shortage has not disappeared at all. In fact, when the economy turns, the truck driver shortage will be more apparent than ever. Good, solid truck drivers will be in high demand for years to come.

The other good news is this - analysts are beginning to upgrade their perspectives on the trucking industry. Many feel that the end of this year and into next year will be strong for truck companies.

So, if you have your CDL, smart move. If you want your CDL, smart move. Remember, EVERYTHING touches a truck - it is a good industry to be in.