I have lost count on how many “new” drivers have contacted me explaining that they have completed a truck driving course and now have their CDL, but they cannot get hired. The reason is always the same . . . they do not have enough experience. Many of these drivers are not understanding the reasoning behind this before they pay the thousands of dollars for a truck driving school.

The truck driving schools will always tell you that you will have no problem getting hired after you achieve your CDL. This in fact, is true to a certain point, but what they don’t tell you is the key factor you need to know BEFORE you enter into a truck driving school.

Laws concerning the commercial driver have gotten very strict in the last several years, especially after 911. New drivers are always telling me that the company wants at least six months to a year of experience before they can hire them. So now, they have spent thousands of dollars for a CDL, but have no driving experience, so they cannot get hired. It really is not the company that won’t hire them, but the problem lies with their insurance company.

The trucking company’s insurance carrier is actually the one that requires the six months to a year of experience. So how can the truck driving schools claim that you will have no problem getting hired? The answer lies with the mega trucking companies. These giant companies offer their own “truck driving schools” that will land you your CDL, and then you will be required to work for them and them alone, usually riding with a “trainer” for 6-8 weeks before being allowed to “go it alone.” In addition, during all this time, you will be at the low end of the pay scale. Also, many of these massive trucking companies are their OWN insurance company! Therefore, they can “bend” the rules so to speak.

If the truck driving school tells you that you will have no problem getting hired, asked them about the six months to a year of experience that the insurance companies require and see what they say. Most all of these “schools” have contracts with certain trucking companies that will hire you after you complete your CDL course. But you can only work for them, therefore you are stuck with that company only. If you believe you can go to a truck driving school and immediately go anywhere and start working locally, chances are you will be wrong. Your only choices will be to go with the giant trucking companies working over the road, until you can build up the experience required by the insurance companies. There are hundreds of these trucking companies that will hire “new grads” and get them “pushed” through on “their” insurance. The only problem is that over the road may not have been in your plans.

Also, keep in mind that while you are at the mercy of these giant companies, you will be at the low end of the pay scale . . . usually around $300 per week. Thereafter, the raises will be slow coming. This is how trucking companies can get their freight moved cheap . . . by constantly hiring “new grads” and weeding out the drivers that are now at the top end of the pay scale.

If your plans are to work locally as a professional driver and you have no experience, chances are you will have to attend a truck driving school and be forced to work for one of the larger trucking companies as an over the road driver. These schools provided by the trucking companies can run as high as $4000 or more. There is a much cheaper way to go than using these trucking company’s so-called “schools.”

Only after you accumulate six months to a year of driving experience meeting the criteria of the insurance companies, will you be able to go anywhere and get a job . . . including a local one

Truck mobile offices increase with the need for information and communication in industry moving at light speed. The solution is a truck desk, or mobile office laptop stand.

Truck mobile desks attach to the passenger seat bolt, and fit all the Ford Super Duty trucks including the F-250, F-350, F-450 and the F-550. They provide a rugged, durable work environment so the user can have the laptop at their fingertips, and creates a mobile office. With this application there is no need for drilling or any modifications. The design of this mount enables the truck desk to bolt to the front two passenger seat bolts. These mounts can be easily installed by one person with the aid of a few tools. Once the base is in place the upright tube and articulating rod can be positioned and tightened with the ease of a ratchet.

Almost all feature an upright which enables the laptop to clear any center console. An articulating arm is then attached which extends horizontally for driver usage and positioning of the keyboard. The main desktop is constructed of durable ABS plastic and can pivot and turns 360 degrees for precise positioning. It comes with foam shock absorbing pads which have several advantages. One is shock absorption or vibration dampening while driving, and another is creating passive air flow for the cooling fans. The pads also ensure that the laptop will not slide around on the desktop while traveling.

Screen holders provide a huge benefit as they hold the screen hinge assembly while driving so that the laptop can be used for GPS, or other software navigation. Since the mounting bracket is under the seat, and the upright assembly comes up beside the left leg of the passenger, no space is not lost. Both the driver or passenger can use the computer because of the limitless positions the desktop can be set at. The range of motion is controlled by self-ratcheting handles on all of the pivot points. The positions are changed easily.

Without the auto desk the laptop would ride on the center console or passenger seat, and possibly become a flying projectile if the brakes were applied. The integrity of the laptop is then compromised, and the cost of replacement will be substantially higher than the initial cost of the mounting system. The desktop can swing out of the way of the airbags, and the driver doesn’t have to twist around to use their laptop so there is less chance of missed man-hours due to strain or injury. Another feature is being able to stand outside the vehicle on the passenger side and still be able to use the laptop. This position is also called “tactically safe”.

This laptop auto desk has endured many years of rigorous testing with industries ranging from law enforcement, construction, and oilfield to name a few. The F 250 Enforcer mount can be used for years, with the same base working in the previous six years of Super Duty trucks since there is no change in the floor pattern.Value. The Enforcer II for the F-250, F-350, F-440 and F-550 is the strongest, most durable Super Duty truck auto desk on the market, designed for those who must have the best tools to tackle the toughest jobs.