Tag: United States

The trucking industry as we know it, began at the turn of the twentieth century with the invention of the motorized truck. Motorized vehicles were competition for the railroad industry and became a major factor in the increase of land transportation of goods throughout the United States. The development of fuel also contributed to the increased use of trucks. As motor technology advanced and improved, there was a natural progression for the construction of paved roads. As a result, there were regulations set by the state and federal government that were to be adhered to when moving freight.

Prior to the use of trucks, trains were the most efficient mode of transporting goods because it had the capacity to accommodate bulk. Trucks were initially used to deliver items to remote locations that were inaccessible for the train. The first boom in the usage of trucks occurred during the 1920s. At this time, roads were improving and made delivery locations more accessible. Eventually more durable tires replaced the rubber tires and trucks were made larger in order to carry more goods while providing comfort to the driver.

The first trucks were extremely heavy and had crude mechanisms. Initially they were only providing delivery and hauling to the city. This restriction was due in large part because the trucks could not handle the pothole and unpaved roads. The Automobile Club of America put on the very first United States contest for commercial vehicles; the goal of the test was to examine the reliability, speed and capacity of the truck. Excited by the results of the contest, manufacturers were to meet the demand for trucks and the use of trucks for freight transportation flourished.

The trucking industry as we know it was still in its infancy when the Great Depression hit and a number of trucking companies were forced to close their operations. The companies who survived were able to benefit from the repeal of Prohibition, which also occurred during a time of economic recovery. In 1935, Congress passed the Motor Carrier Act; this act halted the legislative mudslinging between the rail and automotive providers and provided structure for the industry. At that time, the federal government became an investor into the railroad industry, which happened to have also from the depression, as well as from the emerging auto transport industry.

The Motor Carrier Act set regulations for freight-hauling. The act limited the hours that could be driven. It also mandated the classification of freight that could be carried. The owners of the trucking companies became concerned that the new regulations would compromise their competitive advantage over established rail companies. As infrastructures were improved, driver demand increased and opened up opportunity for new businesses to enter the market.

The trucking industry is a key player in the American economy through the transportation of raw materials, produce, and finished goods. Trucks are also vital to the construction industry when large amounts of materials are needed for a project. Currently, the American trucking industry is responsible for most of the movement of freight and will continue to be essential for US manufacturing and construction.

Under the regulation of ICC, companies who have for-hire trucks were required to apply for a license if they wanted like to enter the interstate markets. The guidelines were strict and licenses were granted only if it could be proven that there was a need for additional capacity. The rates, which used to be an agreement between the trucker and the customer, were put in the hands of bureaus. The rate bureaus are owned and administered by participating carriers. The bureaus job is to analyze costs and initiate pricing standards and competitive rates within the industry. In 1980, Congress put through a trucking deregulation bill. The goal of the bill was to increase competition and this competition resulted in reduced shipping costs for customers.

Prior to 1983, truck size and weight limitations were set by individual states. The federal government pushed for legislation that set limitations on the interstate highway system. In addition to increasing the size and weight limitations on truck, the law also resulted in an increase of the national gas tax and increased fees on the industry. Currently, the trucking industry is responsible for paying roughly half of all state and federal road user taxes.

The Private Security Industry is one of the fastest growing Industry in U.S., public panic over crime after September 11 incident and rise of several criminals and militants groups in all over the world helped this industry in booming more in less time period. Currently Private Security Industry is spending more money and recruiting more security guards than public police forces around the country.

According to the estimates and financial studies, total expense on private security was around $52 billion, compared to $30 billion expense on public police forces in the year 1990. There were more than 10,000 private security companies engaged in Private Security Services, and they employed around 1.5 million guards, which is nearly three times of 554,000 state and local police officers. This industry which collects billions as profits is growing rapidly. There was an estimation that the number of private security guards providing their services will reach to 2 million by the year 2000.

Private Security guards employed by Private Security Agencies can be seen everywhere, patrolling shopping malls, workplaces, apartment buildings and neighborhoods. The rapid growth of massive private shopping malls, and steady shrinkage of public shopping streets along with the change in shopping trends of people are also a helping factor in booming and flourishing these private security agencies. Even Government is taking services of Private Security Agencies to ensure security on highly congested public places such as New York City’s Grand Central Station. Many municipalities are planning to cut their operating costs further by hiring private security people to work with ambulance services, parking enforcement, as well as to watch over crime scenes and transport prisoners.

Urbanization, modernization and capitalization in United States also encourages the need of solid security Systems. Government policing system was not enough to serve this huge demand of security staff and armed personnel’s, so that led to more and more increase in number of security guards recruitment and helped Security Agencies in earning more revenues. The case was not only applicable to large government installations or private organization and places of social gatherings. The security agencies used to get several requests and queries regarding protection of private property and persons. Several wealthy people started taking services of private security agencies and guards employed by them in security of their permanent properties, as well as for protection of their own life.

In brief, it was beginning of another era in history of Homeland Security in United States. The trend of having private security guards is becoming more and more popular, which will ensure better employment services and earning opportunities for Army veterans, providing a chance to earn them for their own bread and butter.

People have many assumptions about the status of the logging industry. This could be due to the number of layoffs in the industry resulting from the economic downturn of the past few years. It is difficult to get exact information about the number of people who have lost their jobs because of the recession. This has created big differences between the number of people terminated and those that are being recruited. Moreover, it is undeniable that there are many problems in the logging industry that have caused a critical situation to exist.

Worker Enticements

In spite of this ongoing crisis, the logging industry is attempting to find creative ways to make it more enticing and appealing. In fact, future projections in Washington are expected to show progress being made, which is quite the opposite of what had been projected. The effort of logging companies to cope with the recession is actually praiseworthy and the annual revenue of the logging industry is reaching billions of dollars. To be exact, Atlanta is making $28 billion annually.

Common Problems

Some of the more common problems that are encountered by many workers when applying for jobs within the logging industry include the monthly salary, insurance premiums, health benefits, retirement packages, and compensation packages. On top of this, most potential employees have the impression that this is not a lucrative field in which to earn a good salary; yet the fact is that some logging companies are booming and will continue to grow in the global market.

There is also the problem of the effect of testing for drug abuse. For whatever reason, drug testing in this industry is putting a heavy price tag on keeping a reliable workforce. Contractors are finding it increasingly difficult to retain employees due to this one issue. On the plus side, those companies and contractors that enforce a drug-free workforce will pay reduced worker compensation premiums.

Increased Core Compensation

Five years ago, new employees shied away from applying for jobs in the logging industry because they were required to pay for certification programs and training for safety awareness just to work with forestry equipment without receiving any type of compensation for those incurred expenses. Additionally, the wages were rather low. The annual mean salary for a typical logger in United States ranges from $30,260 to $33,269.

Currently, the anticipated yearly salary for all logger jobs is expected to increase due to the tight competition in the global arena. The core annual compensation amount could reach up to $50,041 per employee. Core compensation includes: base salary; social security; 401K/403B plans; disability insurance; healthcare insurance; pension; and paid time off.

The logging industry has been clouded with negative notions brought on by the economic recession and the future remains uncertain for this particular business. Perceptions have existed that this was an unstable working environment because the monthly salary was low with minimal benefits and too many requirements to be certified to do this work. This type of business is losing its appeal because of the upswing battle against the global market. Yet, due to new regulations, strategies, employee benefits, innovations such as bio-fuels and better forestry equipment, working in the logging industry has become more appealing. This can only hope to give the logging industry a brighter future!