Trucking is unlike any other profession. Many don’t even consider it a profession but a full blown lifestyle. Today we are discussing all the things I wish I knew before becoming a long haul trucker.
This is Not a 9 to 5 Job
This may seem obvious but nothing really prepares you for the switch from a “normal” job to being a trucker. You are on the road for weeks. Then when you get a few days off you have to focus on things like laundry, getting food for the road, and trying to rest up. Unfortunately this leaves very little time to socialize. For many this works out fine but the initial shock can be hard.
Don’t Fret About Getting Hired
With driver shortages all over, getting hired is fairly quick. Many are hired right out of training. Some companies will even pay for your training by pre-hiring you.
You Can Move up in Pay Scale Quickly
Some report starting salaries as low as $35,000 a year but within a few years were making $55,000. Raises come faster than many other industries. Your rates go up as you hit goals like avoiding accidents, staying under the speed limit, on time deliveries, and experience all factor in. It literally pays to be a good and efficient driver. Some recommend new drivers take longer hauls to help gain more miles of experience vs short hauling which can be harder to rack up miles on.
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Team Driving
It’s an important job but it can be a lonely one. You can opt to team drive with another person and trade off on routes, one driving while the other is sleeping. This means less stops and covering more ground. Teams are normally paid by total miles they drive together and that pay is split down the middle. Many truckers start out with a driver trainer so you may already have experience sharing your cab with another person. And while they can’t help with driving, pets on the road are also not uncommon and can help with socialization.
Sexism is an Issue
According to the American Trucking Association in 2019 just 6.7% of long-haul truckers were women. While there have been pushes to encourage more women to drive being that much of a minority does cause some issues. Mostly with other people feeling the need too loudly and repeatedly point it out. You get thick skin fast when you’re regularly being gawked at.
Audio Books Help
While radio is king it can be a hassle with constantly tuning. Since you are always on the move you can’t listen to a station for very long. Audio books help pass the time without the hassle of constantly adjusting your radio. They also last longer than CDs which also need semi frequent changing.
You Live in Your Truck
You will eat, sleep, and live out of your truck for weeks at a time. The only things you can’t do are use the bathroom and shower. Those you take care of at special places in rest stops and at “service plazas.” The issue is each stop costs you money since you aren’t on the road. You get used to holding your bladder and only showering a few times a week. Some drivers even go so far as to wear diapers or pee in bottles to avoid stops. While not advised it does happen.
It’s Sedentary
If your truck is not moving, you’re not earning. And if your truck is moving, you’re sitting on your butt. If you aren’t sitting you are probably sleeping in your cab. You aren’t very active to say the least. And considering your only consistent food options are non-perishable foods you bring with you and fast food your diet can take a major hit. While it is not impossible to eat healthy on the road and work out, it takes planning. Truck maintenance in itself can be a pretty intense workout. Movement is movement, get creative.
You Travel But You Aren’t a Tourist
You may cover 600 miles in a day. Or even thousands of miles in a week but you don’t get to “see” much of anything. You get to technically go to all these cool places in the US but if you can’t see it from your cab, you won’t see it. Since you are on the clock you have to pass through places as safely and efficiently as possible. This leaves little to no time to sightsee. With that being said some companies are okay with guests coming along and some drivers can work hauls into mini vacations. With creativity and planning it is possible to see a lot of the US while driving.
Sexual Harassment is an Issue
Some people think it’s funny or exciting to expose themselves to truckers. This goes for other motorists but isn’t unheard of with other truckers as well. This issue gets a lot worse when you are a woman. There are sadly even reports of customers and trainers at schools sexually harassing and assaulting students. This isn’t an attempt to discourage people from entering the industry, simply a word of caution. It is a real problem that is all too common.
It’s Dangerous
Sometimes drivers get bored, distracted, or rushed and this can lead to serious accidents. Even perfect drivers are controlling massive vehicles for long stretches of time on the road. Statistically speaking that is going to put anyone at greater risk for an accident simply because they are driving more. Poor weather affecting road conditions or visibility is also a serious concern. All of this makes driving a seriously dangerous job.
High Turnover Rate
Between the total shift in lifestyle and hazards it’s no surprise many wash out. The turn over rate was reported to be 90% in 2020 which is actually down from 2019. Even small truckload fleets are affected at a 69% turn over rate in 2020. This was an improvement from 72% in 2019. This also might give you an idea why there is always such a high demand for drivers. To be fair some drivers treat this as a short term job from the beginning, adding to this rate. And, like any industry, the first year is the toughest. Trucking just has a much more dramatic learning curve than your standard 9 to 5.
Looking for a change in career? Contact us today
It’s Great
Trucking is an excellent job for the right kind of person. Even the wrong kind of person can experience the benefits of this truly unique profession. You are in charge of your own schedule, yeah the delivery has to be there at X time but how it gets there is up to you. Your cost of living shrinks when you are on the road so many find they save more money. And to reiterate quickly, working up in pay scale is common in this industry. So not only are you making more, you have less going out the door. Some even use trucking as a short term job to pay off debt or build a nest egg. Another perk is while your view is mostly limited to the highways there are some wondrous things that can be seen from there.
Here at Sugar Creek driver safety and morale are our highest priorities. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us by phone at: (909) 746-0370 or by email at: recruiting@scetrans.com. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
