CR England Girl

As the economic downturn continues (though many believe we are now in the recovery stage), trucking schools are still experiencing a high boost in enrollment as many people seek out new careers, including one as a long-haul trucker.  Trucking will remain an important component of the economy since nearly everything consumed in this country – from toys and cars to lumber and fabric – is transported by commercial truck at one point or another.  Subsequently, the high enrollment at trucking schools across the United States is expected to remain unusually high throughout the remainder of the summer and into the fall.

Love to drive and want to see the country?  If you are one of the many interested in learning what it takes to begin a new trucking career and how you can get started, check out C.R. England’s four trucking schools located throughout the country.

Some good news from the economic forefront: according to the ATA, truck tonnage in the United States posted its first gain since February, rising a solid 3.2% in May.  While the gain wasn’t enough to completely black out the reduction in tonnage suffered during March and April of this year, it may be a sign that things are finally turning around for the trucking industry.  And although there’s no expectation for a major surge in truck tonnage anytime soon, trucking experts are hopeful that the worst of the economic turmoil is behind us.  Hopefully this means all you truck drivers out there waiting for hauls won’t see any further reduction on tonnage, making things even worse!

According to some analysts it will; in fact, some claim that the trucking industry must hit bottom before things can begin to turn around. In a Forbes.com (via the Associated Press) article that I referenced previously, analysts with Avondale Partners have said that even more trucking companies need to fail in order to improve demand for the remaining companies (such as CR England) – already 480 companies have gone under and many believe lower fuel prices are what have kept many more companies from buckling.  Sound bleak?  Perhaps you need a refresher on why it’s advantageous to work for a large, trucking company.

While every trucking company makes significant contributions to the transportation and freight industries, there’s something to be said about the security that comes with working for a large company.  According to Forbes.com, a staggering 480 truck driving company went out of business in the first quarter of 2009.  Yet, those companies held less than 1% of the country’s total trucking capacity, meaning they were likely smaller, perhaps regional carriers.

Bigger, national trucking companies have the resources and financial stability needed to weather an economic storm – or more specifically, the deepening recession the United States (and much of the rest of the world) is currently experiencing.  While many companies across various industries – including truck driving – cut costs by laying off workers, drivers for big carriers are often afforded job security and stability that others working for smaller trucking companies are not.  In fact, CR England is still actively accepting applicants for their truck driving schools (see here).  The environment and operations of a large company may not be for every driver, but they do provide much sought-after job security during a turbulent economy.

So which states will be receiving money from the portion of the economic stimulus package designated for infrastructure projects?  A total of $26,810,000 has been allocated specifically for highway and bridge construction.  California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania will all see a portion of those funds – 31% of the total amount.  California and Texas combined will see 18% (California will receive $2,569,568,320, with Texas following a close second with $2,250,015,146).  Delaware is slated to receive the least amount at $121,828,650.

Such precise numbers.  I wonder how it was decided who would get what – or for that matter, who got money at all.  I suppose the rest of us won’t be enjoying new roads anytime soon.