Drivers Needed ~ Are You A Truck Driver~??

In the early days of transport truck driving the ride wasn't as comfortable as it can be today.  Drivers needed comfort and stability to work hauling product across many miles of terrain and weather conditions could be dismal depending on where you were to take your wares.  In 1910, there were only an estimated 10,000 transport trucks in all of the United States, with most of them making deliveries around large populated areas only.  In the early days, tires were solid rubber, making the journey, long and tedious.    In the 1920's, when tires became pneumatic (air~filled), the hauling of goods began to pick up speed and retail growth boomed. 

When running lights were added to the trucks in 1912, it made it possible to run them at night, further opening doors to marketing venues across the country.  And to further promote distance and time, the fifth wheel  was added in the 1920's giving the semi~trailer more popularity in how the distribution of products was moved.  As more roads were paved allowing the semi's to travel unhindered to often unreached places, the popularity in the career grew and by the 1930's there were over 330,000 transport/cargo trucks gracing America's newly formed highways.

Today, approximately 3.2 million Americans drive transport trucks across the highways and byways of North America.  However, with the rules inacted with the 1935 Motor Carrier Act, drivers have rules and regulations that have to be adhered.  Drivers are only allowed to spend 60 hours per week behind the wheel or eleven hours per day.  

Driving truck can be a grueling and lonely experience often spending many hours on the road, away from family and loved ones.  The job can tax your health and your sanity and is often the result of a high turnover rate on employment.  A CDL ticket is a must have in the industry and one needs to pass both a written and driving skills test.  Anyone interested in obtaining a career in truck driving should take advantage of many of the truck driving schools that are located in almost every city.  Because driving long~haul trucks can be a dangerous job, proper training and knowledge is the key to a successful career.

  **  This is a sponsored post for MTS Driver Recruiters, however, all the points and views are my own.  **

The World's Best Women Racing Drivers

Professional motor racing remains a widely male-dominated field, and while a female world champion has yet to emerge at the highest level, there is an increasing number of trailblazers helping to normalise the sight of women competing with the best drivers in the world.

Formula One
In F1 history there have been only five women drivers, the last of whom, Giovanna Amati, drove for the manufacturer Brabham in 1992, which turned out to be its last year in the competition as its owners were investigated for fraud. Amati drove in three qualifying sessions in a car that had not been improved on the previous year, and failed to make the starting grid. She went on to have a successful career outside of F1, finishing 3rd overall in the 1999 SportsRacing World Cup.

Of the others, only two have posted finishes: Maria Teresa de Filippis, who finished 10th in the 1958 Belgian Grand Prix, and the remarkable Lella Lombardi, who recorded seven finishes out of twelve starts between 1975-6, including a sixth place at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, the best finish by a woman in F1. Currently, Scottish driver Susie Wolff and Spaniard María de Villota Comba work as test drivers for Williams and Marussia respectively. Both have enjoyed long careers in touring car and sports car championships.

NASCAR


Fifteen women have competed at national level in NASCAR, all but two of whom started their careers post-2000. Of those two, Patty Moise drove 133 races in the Nationwide Series and achieved four top-ten finishes, after débuting at the age of sixteen in 1986. The following year she fielded her own team, the #37 Red Roof Inns Buick, and in 1990 reached her highest overall finish of 22nd, currently the best achieved by a woman driver. The other, Shawna Robinson, became the first woman to gain a NASCAR pole at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1994, and totalled 61 career starts.

More recently, Danica Patrick, who has already made her name in Indycar racing, has added her fourth career top-ten finish in just her third season in NASCAR, ranking 11th overall and on pace to become the most successful woman NASCAR driver in history. Also competing this season is Johanna Long, a 19 year old from Florida who is currently 21st overall after three top twenty finishes in her first six races. In her first Sprint Cup race earlier this year, Patrick finished 38th, after a pile-up in lap two caused five drivers to temporarily leave the race for extensive windscreen repair.

Indycar
As mentioned, Patrick’s Indycar career has been excellent, gaining her first win at the 2008 Indy Japan 300, finishing 5th overall in 2009 while driving for Andretti Green Racing, including a podium finish at the Indy 500. Since then she has gained two 2nd places at the Firestone 550 and Cafés do Brasil Indy 300. Over 114 races she has gained three poles, one win, six podiums and an amazing 63 top tens.

Even after Patrick’s departure this year to race in NASCAR Nationwide, there are two female drivers competing: Ana “Bia” Beatriz and Katherine Legge, who is currently 25th after four races for Lotus-Dragon Racing.

Although many feel that professional motorsports is an unlikely venue for cultural change, some commentators have pointed out racing is ideal for equal competition, where machinery removes most of the physical advantages men enjoy in other sports. Though we cannot expect these developments to effect instant overnight changes in attitude, it’s an encouraging step in the right direction.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing company on a range of topics. This artcle links back to http://www.obrienglass.com.au/windscreen-repair.2172.0.html.

6 Most Dangerous Jobs and Their Salaries

So, you think your job is bad? Can’t take another day of your nine to five? You might feel a little better after learning about some of the most dangerous jobs in the world and how much they pay. Many jobs require daily risks to safety and sub-par working conditions. The size of the worker’s paychecks might surprise you too. The pay is low and many of these jobs don't even offer benefits like health insurance, term life insurance or a 401K. Crab fisherman and timber cutters, for example, are usually self-employed workers who must pay their own benefits if they want them. 

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Coal Miners
Some things never change. Coal mining has been a dangerous and thankless job for decades. In 2004, there were 5,703 deaths in the United States alone. This routinely has increased every year. Miners work in unfavorable conditions with little or no air. There is constant risk of cave-ins and injuries caused by malfunctioning machinery. They usually make about $52,000 to $60,000 yearly.

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Tower Climber
With more fatalities per 100,000 workers than any other United States job, tower climbers are near the top of the list for rough jobs. Workers obviously have to conquer their fear of heights to climb up 1,700 feet each day to fix transmission lines, light bulbs on air traffic towers, or repair antennas. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Tower Climbers have one of the most dangerous jobs out there. How much does a tower climber make for his trouble? Surprisingly little. One worker makes about $60,000 working 60-hour weeks while the average worker is only in the $30,000 to $40,000 range.

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Military Officer
It's no surprise that soldiers make the list for dangerous jobs. The most fatal jobs include explosive ordinance disposal, combat controllers and para-rescuers. Obviously, the numbers go up during times of war. Armed forces officers are paid based on rank and seniority. They can earn between $59,500 and $93,500 annually for serving their country.

Crab Fisher
What could be so bad about fishing? Well, in Alaska crab fishers face sub-zero temperatures, powerful waves of freezing water and blistering arctic winds. The good news is the pay is very good. Experienced crab fishermen can make $30,000 to $40,000 with only a few months of work out of the entire year. In the past, an experienced boat captain could make $150,000 in a season. Not bad compensation considering there are fatalities every year.

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Timber Cutter
While it is not the leader in fatalities, the timber cutter industry has 118 accidents per 100,000 workers annually. Obviously working with dangerous power tools at dizzying heights is a contributing factor. Massive toppling trees also cause a few deaths every year. The average United States timber cutter salary is about $40,000 to $60,000 for 10 months of work.

Airline Pilot
Although we mostly only hear about large commercial plane crashes, there are over 70 deaths per 100,000 workers among bush pilots, air-taxi operators and small commercial flyers. Pilots in Alaska have the highest fatality rate. They face long flights, unpredictable weather, and less-than-ideal landing conditions. Pilots can make anywhere between $50,000 and $160,000 depending on experience and industry. Military pilots make between $21,000 and $99,000.

Maybe your own job doesn’t sound so bad after reading this. We take for granted many of the simple things that these brave workers provide us on a daily basis. So, hats off to all those working hard! We hope you have a safe day on the job!