We know you’ve been waiting. It’s almost here The results from our State of Trucking 2024 survey are coming soon. How is the transportation industry faring after a freight recession and continued economic instability? Our full report dives into how transportation professionals and drivers are feeling about recruiting, safety and more. Want more insights into the world of trucking right now? Check back on our social channels and CenterlineDrivers.com for the full report release.
Author: Casey Nighbor
Centerline Drivers Announces Second Drive It Forward Scholarship Winner for Female Truck Drivers
Jasmine Gregory is the second winner of Centerline Drivers’ Drive It Forward scholarship for women in transportation.
Jasmine is from Winslow, Maine and is the mother of two boys. She currently works part-time as a forester but wants to get her CDL to gain more stability for her family. Jasmine has overcome many challenges in order to get where she is and is excited to enter the trucking industry.
“I have been intimidated by the challenge of obtaining my CDL-A license, but I thrive with change and I value discomfort, said Jasmine Gregory. “This scholarship win has given me confidence that I made the right choice for this moment, and I am so grateful!”
The Drive It Forward scholarship is in honor of Sheila Castaneda, a key member of the Centerline Drivers’ leadership team and a proponent of promoting opportunities for women in trucking.
The scholarship provides financial assistance to one woman every year who is entering a CDL program to pursue a career as a commercial driver. The scholarship will be for the full tuition amount of up to $7,500.
Applications are now open for the 2024 scholarship. All eligible drivers will submit an online application demonstrating they meet all criteria outlined as conditions of the scholarship. Applicants must provide an essay explaining their circumstances, a professional reference and work history. The deadline for this year’s applications is December 31st, 2024 at 11:59 EST.
Centerline’s A Force for Good: Recognizing Brenda Pizano
Every day at TrueBlue and across Centerline, our team strives to be a Force for Good—in our communities, for our customers and for our drivers.
Recently, a member of the Centerline team was recognized by a customer for going above and beyond.
Brenda Pizano, a Centerline Account Manager based in Los Angeles, was commended by Ruben Veliz, General Manager of Transportation for her hard work and dedication to Air Fayre.
Ruben said that Brenda is invaluable to their team and supports their team in whatever they need.
“Your leadership and attention to detail were instrumental in securing not only the Centerline account but also making it possible for TrueBlue to obtain the general staffing portion of this account. You were relentless in your approach, and it paid off,” added Ruben.
Thank you to Brenda for embodying Centerline’s mission every day and being a Force for Good for our customers and drivers.
NPTC Safety Article- February 2024 -Americas Roadway Safety Crisis
More than 370,000 people died in transportation incidents over the last decade (2011-2020) in the United States, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. And of those, more than 350,000 of them died on our roads. Although there was a consistent decline in roadway fatalities and fatality rates for 30 years, progress has stalled in the last decade and has gone in the wrong direction in 2020 and 2021, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
These are some tips from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to help prevent accidents and comply with safety standards. Some of these best practices start before getting into the cab.
What to Do in a Truck Accident
Accidents happen. When they do, make sure you’re prepared by taking these three steps to ensure your safety.
Centerline Drivers Recognized by Clients for Service Excellence with ClearlyRated 2024 Best of Staffing Award
Centerline Drivers’ dedication to client satisfaction was rewarded with the ClearlyRated 2024 Best of Staffing award. The award recognizes superior service to customers. It is the third year in a row Centerline has won the award. The award surveys customers about their satisfaction with various areas of the business.
“This repeated recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to our customers year after year and reflects our entire team’s hard work and dedication,” said Taryn Owen, President and CEO of TrueBlue. “As we celebrate this achievement with gratitude, we remain steadfast in our mission to connect people and work.”
ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients, placed talent, and internal employees.
“Our Centerline team always go the extra mile to prioritize exceptional service for our customers, and I am grateful our PeopleManagement brands were recognized for their outstanding work once again,” said Jerry Wimer, General Manager of Onsite Staffing, Acting President of PeopleManagement and SVP of TrueBlue.
“I’m so excited to introduce the 2024 Best of Staffing winners alongside their verified ratings and reviews on ClearlyRated.com,” said ClearlyRated’s CEO, Eric Gregg. “Faced with another challenging year in 2023, these firms proved their commitment to providing outstanding experiences and superior service. They’re raising the bar for excellence and I couldn’t be more proud to celebrate their success – cheers to you all!”
Centerline joins SIMOS Solutions and Staff Management | SMX among TrueBlue companies winning the award.
Avoiding distracted truck driving
At Centerline, our drivers’ safety is always our #1 priority, this month and every month. Learn ways to avoid distracted driving and make the road a safer place for everyone.
Coming Soon: A re-envisioned Respect the Drive rewards program
At Centerline, our mission is always to reward and listen to our drivers. We listened when you wanted more ongoing rewards past their first 12 months driving with us.
We’ve reworked the Respect the Drive program to make sure all of our drivers have an opportunity to be recognized and rewarded throughout the year.
This updated program now includes:
- All active drivers in good standing with no accidents will be entered into a monthly drawing
- 6 raffle winners each month giving away prizes up to $1,000 each!
- And more!
We will start the first phase of our new Respect the Drive Rewards program in February so stay tuned for more details from the Centerline Team!
As always, thank you for your hard work on the road and Respect the Drive.
Finding comfort on the road: The 4 best seat cushions for truck drivers
Truck driving, though essential for transporting goods across the country, can be a grueling profession. Long hours on the road often lead to discomfort and health issues, making it crucial for drivers to invest in well-being.
One simple yet effective solution is the use of high-quality seat cushions. Here are 4 options designed to provide comfort and support during those endless journeys.
1. Everlasting Comfort Seat Cushion
Everlasting Comfort Seat Cushion is a top choice among truck drivers. Crafted from 100% memory foam, this cushion conforms to your body’s shape, offering excellent lumbar support and reducing pressure on your lower back. Its U-shaped design promotes proper spine alignment, making it ideal for long hours of sitting. The cushion also features a heat-responsive technology that ensures it molds to your body for a customized fit, providing relief from back pain and discomfort.
2. ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion
ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion is a versatile option designed to provide maximum comfort and support. Made from high-density memory foam with a cooling gel layer, it effectively reduces pressure on the tailbone and promotes a healthy posture. The non-slip rubber bottom ensures the cushion stays in place during the drive, and its portable design makes it easy to use not only in the truck but also in various seating environments.
3. Aylio Coccyx Orthopedic Comfort Foam Seat Cushion
The Aylio Coccyx Orthopedic Comfort Foam Seat Cushion is specifically engineered to alleviate pressure on the tailbone and promote a healthy sitting posture. Its ergonomic design helps in reducing back pain and discomfort caused by long hours of sitting. The cut-out shape of the cushion suspends the tailbone, relieving pressure and encouraging proper spinal alignment. Made from high-quality foam, it retains its shape even with prolonged use, making it a durable choice for truck drivers.
4. TravelMate Coccyx Orthopedic Gel-Enhanced Foam Seat Cushion
The TravelMate Coccyx Orthopedic Gel-Enhanced Foam Seat Cushion combines the support of high-density foam with the cooling properties of gel. The cushion’s ergonomic design promotes healthy posture, reduces pressure on the tailbone, and provides excellent lumbar support. The cooling gel layer disperses heat, keeping you comfortable during long drives. Its compact size and lightweight design make it convenient for truck drivers, allowing them to carry it and use it wherever needed.
Investing in a high-quality seat cushion is a small yet significant step toward ensuring your well-being. By choosing the right seat cushion, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing back pain and discomfort associated with prolonged sitting.
Check out our lifestyle content library for other health tips or download our free self-care guide.
NPTC Safety Article- January 2024 -Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Update
As you know, the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is a secure online database containing records of drug and alcohol violations, including positive drug or alcohol test results and test refusals of anybody who holds a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or a commercial learner’s permit (CLP). When a driver completes the return-to-duty (RTD) process and follow-up testing plan, this information is also recorded in the Clearinghouse.
Drivers are not required to register for the Clearinghouse. However, a driver will need to be registered to provide electronic consent in the Clearinghouse if a prospective or current employer needs to conduct a full query of the driver’s Clearinghouse record, including all pre-employment queries. Once registered, drivers can view their driver record and identify a substance abuse professional (SAP) so the SAP may enter specific information regarding the driver’s return-to-duty (RTD) activities.
Registration is available here.
2023 holiday gift guide for truck drivers
The open road, the hum of the engine, and the endless miles ahead—truck drivers live a unique lifestyle.
As the holiday season approaches, finding the perfect gift for truck drivers can be a challenging task.
To make your search easier, we have curated a gift guide tailored to the needs and interests of these modern-day road warriors. Whether it’s enhancing their comfort on or adding a touch of home to their trucks, these thoughtful gifts are sure to rev up their holiday spirit.
NPTC Safety Article- November 2023 -Avoiding Deer Strikes
As if the shift to daylight savings time and the coming holiday season doesn’t cause enough distraction in our daily schedules, we must worry about deer strikes. This is the time of year when deer are most active and with that in mind, now is a good time to review the dangers of animals in the roadway.
Deer are more active during breeding, migration, and hunting season, increasing the likelihood of crashes from mid-October to mid-December. Here are some tips for staying safe
