Category: News

Skin Cancer Detection Month

Living in Iowa doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t see the sun, even during those brutal winters. As truck drivers, our profession means half of our bodies; specifically the left side of our face is always exposed to the sun while driving. Although catching rays feels great, we also need to be aware of our risk for skin cancer.

Gray Transportation is bringing you information for your skin health just in time for the summer season. Now is the time to prevent and detect your skin cancer risk. Being a truck driver, constantly exposed to the sun means we may be at an increased risk for skin cancer, so today we are bringing you tips for preventing skin cancer.

Preventing skin cancer:

Always use sunscreen. This may seem like a given, but make it a routine when you wake up to apply sunscreen, even if it’s just on your face, anything helps. Use at least a 15 SPF sunscreen and reapply every few hours. Reapplying is the key to saving your skin from frequent sun damage. Wearing sunscreen regularly can reduce your risk for melanoma by up to 50% according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Wear a hat to protect your eyes and face from the sun. Wearing a hat can give your face good enough shading to protect from the sun’s damaging rays while driving.
Avoid sun burns at all cost. When you get 5 or more burns per year, your skin cancer risk increases greatly. Always apply sunscreen and wear clothing to protect parts of your body from burns.

Detecting skin cancer:

Stand in front of a full length mirror in a well-lit room to check your skin at least once a month. Check all areas of the skin and use a smaller, handheld mirror to check your back and hard to see areas. If you notice any changes in your skin, contact your doctor.

Skin cancer is becoming more relevant in the United States, but it is also treatable if caught in time. Gray Transportation wants you to be safe from the sun all year round. Contact us today to learn about careers at Gray Transportation.

Getting Fit on the Road

The spring season means many people are thinking of getting in shape or losing weight. Gray Transportation understands the difficulties of being on the road and trying to stay healthy. In March, we talked about how you can be a healthy trucker when it comes to food choices. This month, we are going to discuss how you can get fit on the road without going to the gym. No matter where you are on the road, whether it is the truck stop, rest area, or a gas station; you can get fit by following a few simple exercise tips.

Spend at least 15 minutes each day being active– You may not feel like doing push-ups or crunches, but you can at least walk around for 15 minutes per day. This can be easily accomplished on a break or while fueling up the truck. Consider doing a few laps on the inside or outside of the truck stop or walking along the path at the rest area. Rest areas are great for cardio because there are typically dedicated areas for walking.

Use your own body for weight lifting– You don’t need to be in the gym for strength training. Push-ups, crunches, and leg workouts can easily be done without extra weights. Try doing three sets of 15 push-ups every morning or before you go to sleep at night. Your arms will eventually gain muscle. Crunches are great for working your core, so do three sets of 20 crunches. Even the smallest steps to a fit life can help you reach your fitness goals on the road.

Gray Transportation encourages you to be active for at least 15 minutes each day. You will be amazed with the results of combining exercise and healthy eating. Contact Gray Transportation to join our team of successful drivers today.

How You Can Become the Healthy Trucker

Your health is the most important aspect of your life because it affects all other aspects of your life. Staying healthy as a truck driver is even more important because it is harder on the road. It may be hard to be the healthy trucker, but it is not impossible. Today, Gray Transportation is going to share a few tips on how to be healthy on the road.

There are three major components to staying healthy: eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising.

Eating well-

What you put into your body can directly affect how healthy you are. On the road, it is easy to stop into the convenience store when you’re fueling up the truck. Seems easy enough, but you’re doing more harm than good. Try to stay away from processed and greasy foods and head for the healthier, more natural options. Many chain truck stops and gas stations have healthier food options for about the same price as junk food. You can also bring your own food on the road to save money.

Getting Enough Sleep-

Sleeping well is just as important as eating well. Sometimes, sleeping on the road won’t be as great as sleeping at home, unfortunately, that’s the nature of the business. The best way to get a good amount of sleep is to make the cab as dark as possible and be sure to put away any distractions, like your phone. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. Being tired on the road is dangerous because you run the risk of an accident. Always consider sleep one of your top priorities.

Exercising-

Hitting the gym while being a trucker isn’t usually possible, but that doesn’t mean you can do more to get some exercise in. On your breaks, take a few laps around the rest area or at the truck stop. It is good to get your legs moving as much as you can.

Gray Transportation wants you to be the healthy truck driver. Set an example for everyone else and get started today. If you’re driven and a leader, we want you on our team, contact us today to drive for Gray.

4 Things to Stop Wasting your Money on Right Now

When you come home from a nice night out to dinner, you set your leftovers in the refrigerator. A few days go by and you haven’t eaten the leftovers, so you toss the rest. If you did that twice a month, you could be throwing away hundreds of dollars each year.

Gray Transportation is always looking for tips for you to save money, be safe, and enjoy your driving time so in today’s blog we are going to point out four things to stop wasting your money on right now.

Buying name brand. More often than not, the generic brand of food items and cleaning products are just as good as name brand. Name brand items can cost upwards of 50 cents more per product, which will add up in the long run.
Buying pops and food items at the convenient store. When you shop at the convenient store, you are paying the price for the convenience. With a little planning, you can avoid the cost by buying in bulk and bringing snacks and drinks with you.
Bottled water. Bottled water is not only harmful to the environment, the cost will also add up quickly. A filter for your faucet can save you plenty of money over the year because a 24 pack of bottled water costs about $4. Fill up a gallon jug of water and keep it in the truck, throughout the day try and drink the entire container. You will feel hydrated and you will save money.
Eating out too often. Not only is wasting leftovers bad, but going out to eat too often is worse. With meals averaging $10, you could be spending upwards of $150 per month on eating out. You are better off taking a little time to prepare a meal at home before you hit the road for the day.

Gray Transportation hopes these tips will help you stop wasting money on everyday occurrences while on the road. A little bit of planning can keep you from crazy amounts of money on the road. What are you waiting for? Join the team of professional drivers who are driven to succeed.

It’s Never Too Early to Think about Tax Deductions

January brings the start of the annual tax season. Paying our taxes is what every individual and business must do, but did you know you could benefit even more from this time of year? As a truck driver, you are at an advantage when it comes to tax deductions because you live most of your life on the road. You would be surprised by the items you are able to claim.

From reimbursement for truck supplies to licensing fees, you are able to claim a lot of your purchases on your taxes. Gray Transportation wants to share a list of items you are able to claim on your taxes. You can even claim cleaning supplies you use for cleaning out the cab of your truck!

Tax deductions and advantages for truck drivers:

Your cell phone or laptop. The IRS has recognized that it is essential to truck driving for you to have a cell phone and or laptop computer. You are able to deduct up to 50% of access fees, like wireless internet at a truck stop.
Truck related publications. Do you subscribe to any truck related magazines or newsletters? Because these publications are filled with regulation information and news that is relevant to the trucking industry, you are able to deduct it.
Medical examinations. If you are required through employment to have a physical, or check up at the doctor you may be able to be reimbursed. Any out of pocket costs, such as your copay can be reimbursed on your taxes.
Travel expenses. This category is broad, but you may be able to claim travel expenses incurred while driving. This may include travel expenses like meals and lodging while on the road. Even postage may be reimbursed while on the road.

Gray Transportation cares about your life on the road and at home, so we hope you take advantage of these opportunities. If you are not currently working for Gray Transportation and you want to join a team of dedicated employees, apply to be a driver for Gray today.

Winter Driving Tips for Truckers

It’s no secret that trucking in the Midwest through the winter can be dangerous because the weather is unpredictable. Gray Transportation cares about your safety with the winter weather, so we want to give you six tips for winter truck driving safety. Driving for Gray means you are in good hands if you ever deal with an accident on the roadways.

Winter Driving Tips:

Keep an eye on the temperature. This may seem obvious, but in the Midwest, temperatures can change quickly especially in the winter. The water on the road will freeze at 32 degrees, but sometimes the roadways are slightly warmer than the air. None the less, be wary of changing temperatures.

Communicate with other drivers. If you are new to trucking, get on the CB radio and find an experienced driver and ask for advice. Experienced or not, we are all a little nervous when it comes to driving in the winter conditions.

Pull over if you have to. Don’t be afraid to pull into a truck stop to wait for the storm to pass or roads to clear. If the closest truck stop is full, find an off ramp or rest stop. Don’t stop on an incline, so you don’t have trouble with getting stuck.

There’s no load worth your life. Even if you are close to deadline or only have 50 miles to go, that load isn’t worth it if the roads are terrible. If you are on dangerous roadways, your best bet is to get off of the road.

Don’t follow too closely. It is most people’s instinct to drive close together during bad weather. We don’t suggest following others too closely, especially cars because they typically think the roads are safer than they really are.

Gray Transportation wishes you well this winter season. We want you to be as safe as possible while driving for Gray.

Prep Yourself against the Flu

With winter around the corner, the number of influenza cases is sure to spike. Being a truck driver and getting sick do not go well together because that means missing hours on the road. November is the perfect time to think about prepping yourself against the flu before the season starts.

Gray Transportation wants you to stay healthy this winter, so you can keep moving. Prep yourself against the flu with these tips from Gray Transportation.

Keep your space sanitized. It may not seem like you have time each day to clean your truck, but you should make time to steer clear of illness. Keep sanitation wipes on hand to wipe your steering wheel and seating area.
Change your bedding. Make it a habit to wash your bedding when you do laundry on the road. If possible, pick up a new set of sheets before the winter to ensure they are clean. Not only will clean sheets help to prevent illness, it is always nice to sleep on a clean set.
Have hand sanitizer readily available. When you stop at your favorite truck stop, understand that germs are the worst in the bathroom. Wash your hands frequently and especially before eating. If you are on the go and eating while driving, be sure to use hand sanitizer.
Keep an air disinfectant in your cab. An air disinfectant (like Lysol) can clear the air of many germs and potential illnesses. You could spray the truck as you are getting out for a break, so you are not overwhelmed with the smell. Not only will this help you stay well, you can pick your favorite scent.

Gray Transportation wants you to prep yourself against the flu and the best way you can is to get a flu shot. Our tips can help you avoid other common illnesses like a cold, which can also get you down for a couple days.

So Now You’re a Truck Driver: Helpful Tips for New Truck Drivers

We have tips for new truck drivers so your career starts off well.

You may be a new graduate of the local CDL program, a new hire, and ready to get out on the open road for life’s new adventure. Gray Transportation is excited to have you on our team. We have gathered helpful tips for new truck drivers, so you can head in the right direction to a successful career.

Truck driving is a career that is like none other because it is rewarding, adventurous, and ever changing. Now that you are ready to get on the road and see where your career with Gray Transportation will take you, we have some helpful tips to be successful.

Tips for new truck drivers:

Don’t do your food supply shopping at a truck stop. If you are looking to save money, it is best to go to a local grocery store so you don’t bust your budget.
Always be conscious of other semi drivers and cars on the road. This may seem obvious, but other drivers are not always concerned about your safety. It is best practice to be cautious when passing fellow drivers. This goes for driving on the highway and in town during deliveries.
Be conscious of your eating habits. Set a goal to eat healthy on the road by choosing fruits and vegetables instead of chips and cookies. You will be better off and not bust your waistline. Many truck stops have tempting buffets, it is okay to treat yourself every once in a while, but not every meal.
Take note of which truck stops have laundry facilities. Most chain truck stops have decent facilities. You likely won’t have too many clothes in your truck, so plan when you will need to do laundry each week.
You can get exercise as a truck driver by parking farther away. The further you park, the more walking you will need to do. Not only does it feel good to get out of the truck and walk, you will also be bettering your health.

Do you have any other tips for new truck drivers? Let Gray Transportation know! If you want to work for Gray Transportation, we would love to have you on our team so apply today.

Welcome to our new blog!

As part of our commitment to providing you with the best customer service, we’ve established this blog to keep you up-to-date. Here, you’ll find updates on services, industry news, and tips and advice to help you live better!

We value all of our customers and hope that you find the information in our blog to be both informational and helpful. Be sure to check back regularly for updates!

From all of us at Gray Transportation, we appreciate your business and look forward to seeing or hearing from you soon!