CR England Girl

A recent survey by the Trincon Group (an Ohio-based consulting company) was conducted at truckstops throughout the country determine whether or not truckers feel they are respected and valued.  The survey found that approximately 50% of truckers feel their profession suffers from a continual lack of respect and that yes, truckers as a whole are downright undervalued.

Do you agree?  Are you given the respect you feel you deserve or should truckers be given more respect and valued far more than they are considering they are the foundation of the American economy?  Truckers, after all, are the only ones who can deliver goods directly door-to-door.  No other mode of transportation can claim that.

Did you know that C.R. England is a member of the Healthy Trucking Association of America?  The HTAA is a non-profit organization that was formed to provide professional truck drivers with the resources they need and deserve to live a healthier live and also to provide trucking companies with programs and resources to assist and encourage their drivers to live healthier.  In order to foster good health in the trucking industry, the HTAA teams up with various companies and other associations relevant to the industry.  The organization recently held its first annual Summit in Atlanta and hopes to hold one every year in February to help focus more attention on driver health issues.

One of the best things about the HTAA is individual drivers can become members and for just $7.50 a month, you have access to all the tools and resources you need to get healthier – sign up here.  Or click here to watch a short video to learn more about the HTAA and its mission.  Want to know if your employer is a member?  Find out here.

Talk about a major oops!

The Casper Star-Tribune (a newspaper out of Wyoming) is reporting that the first half of a study being conducted to determine if tolls should be placed on Interstate 80 across southern Wyoming has been completed.  The second half of the study,which will be finished in September, will give lawmakers a better idea about whether the plan should be implemented.

The company conducting the study says 99% of the damage to the interstate is caused by big, commercial trucks and truckers are, predictably and understandably, against the bill.  In fact, trucking companies warn that if tolls are placed on the interstate, it’s likely that their drivers will use alternate routes which would deprive Wyoming of valuable fuel taxes used for state revenue.  They also say they will have no choice but to pass the cost onto consumers with higher prices for goods and merchandise shipped by truck.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation says that more than half of I-80 will need major, costly renovations or to be replaced completely due to the amount of damage incurred by heavy trucks.  And with likely no federal funding on the way, implementing tolls is one of the best ways to fund the repairs.

I came across a great website that had a list of popular trucker sayings (click here to read the full list) so I thought I’d share a few of my favorites with those of you unfamiliar or new to the industry and truck driver terminology.  Do you have any favorite words or phrases used in trucking?

Alligator – Blown Tire in the Road
Ankle Biter – Small Child
Baby Bear – Rookie Cop
Back ‘em Up – Slow Down
City Kitty – City Police
Granny Lane – Slow Lane
Hammer Down – Move Faster
Meat-Wagon – Ambulance
Motion Lotion – Diesel
Pickle Park – Rest Area
Salt Shaker – Snow Plow
Wiggle Wagons – Double or Triple Trailers