Before the invention of the first car, people relied on horse-drawn wagons to carry people and goods from point A to point B. Back then, a long trip could take up to six months — today, the same trip would last a maximum of three days!
As time passed and technology advanced, so did our basic demands. Because of the increased demand for goods from different places, hauling became essential for businesses. Everything we see today was, at some point, moved by truck — that’s how vital trucking is.
Hauling massive loads from coast to coast can take up to three or four days and take a toll on the truck driver. If we ask truck drivers how they do it, they will probably say they wouldn’t trade their job for anything in the world. Read on to find out what being a truck driver means
What Being a Truck Driver Means
Most truck drivers love what they do, but the job comes with its own pros and cons. From flexibility to loneliness, let’s go over the pros and cons of being a trucker.
Pros
- No diploma is needed
- Flexibility of shifts
- No micromanagement
- Competitive entry-level pay
- A network of support
Cons
- Less time with the family
- High cost of obtaining a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)
- It can get lonely
- Getting used to fatigue and long hours on the road
Now that we have glanced over the pros and cons of being a truck driver, it becomes clear that truck drivers don’t really have it easy. They spend more time on the road than at home, but they’re free of the micromanagement habits typical in most 9-to-5 jobs across the U.S.
Truck Driver Facts
Few people know that the average trucker can easily cover 500 miles per day! Plus, since most of them drive for 70 hours in an eight-day workweek, the mileage they cover comes to 128,000 miles a year.
From hauling precious cargo like medicine, or food supplies for schools, driving a truck is a highly responsible job. Let’s go over some, perhaps, little-known facts about truck drivers and better understand their line of work.
- The average entry-level pay for a truck driver is around $38,000, which can go up to $60,000. Some trucking companies even pay their employees up to $6000 a week.
- Driving a truck is flexible; truck drivers aren’t forced to dispatch, so in general, they can choose to drive as much or as little as they want.
- The average modern truck holds a living space of 8’ x 8’, which makes it comfortable enough for truck drivers to rest up during a long drive.
- Truck drivers are one of the most cosmopolitan people, especially if they drive international routes. In fact, truck drivers get to see more places than pilots or military staff.
- The advancement of technology and the comfortable design of contemporary trucks allows truck drivers to carry everyday amenities with them. Refrigerators, microwaves, video game consoles, routers, and satellite TV are some of truck drivers’ favorite items to carry along during a long drive.
- Women truck drivers amass 7% of all truck drivers.
- Since truck-driving positions are often in high demand, truck drivers have the luxury of choosing their employer. Moreover, they get a substantial level of job security.
- Truck drivers are free to move to their own rhythm. They don’t have to overwhelm themselves with a colleague or the manager looking over them all the time.
- Most long-time truck drivers have earned enough money to start their own trucking business.
What Type of Equipment Do Truck Drivers Use?
Truck drivers transport all kinds of cargo, so they have to rely on special equipment to move goods across the country or even further. From paper napkins to gas to grain, truck drivers must ensure to transport the goods intact.
To do so, truck drivers use the following equipment:
- Flatbed trailers for transporting large items (building supplies and heavy gear)
- Dry van trailers for hauling dry goods (electronic equipment or toilet paper, for instance)
- Tankers to transport liquids (milk, oil, gas, etc.)
- Refrigerated trailers to transport perishable goods (food and medical supplies);
- LTL (less-than-a-load) services if they need to haul significantly smaller amounts of items — this usually refers to making shipments to restaurants and local stores
- End dump trailers and hoppers to transport raw materials (grain, coal, etc.)
What Do Truck Drivers Mean to the Economy?
Imagine truck drivers stopped hauling freight — it would mean a country’s supply chain could be easily broken beyond repair. If truck drivers didn’t move frights cross-country or across borders, countries would be left without essentials like basic living supplies and more.
If the truck drivers stopped driving, the first 24 hours would look something like this:
- Gas stations will become short on fuel
- Hospitals would be without basic medical supplies
- Delivery of packages and mail will discontinue
Within the first week of being without truck drivers hauling freight, day-to-day life might look something like this:
- Travels by car would stop
- ATMs would be short on cash
- Overwhelming food deficiencies
In the first month of a no-freight-hauling, we can expect these consequences:
- Supplies of clean water would be off
- Powerplants would stop working, and blackouts ensue
- Hospitals will be left with no life-saving supplies
With the forecasted scenarios in mind, it becomes clear that a country’s economy relies heavily on truck drivers hauling freight.
Know Your Rights as a Truck Driver: Truck Driver Rights Is on Your Side
Being a truck driver is a complex yet rewarding job. At Truck Driver Rights, we dedicate our time and resources to safeguard truck drivers from different kinds of unfortunate events. With over 20 years of experience legally representing truck drivers and other individuals stripped of their rights, Truck Driver Rights knows how to shield clients from adversities.
Whether you need legal services revolving personal injury, unpaid wage and hour class action litigation, the expertise of our lawyers will deliver experienced and reliable representation.
Request a free consult and put an end to your legal struggles once and for all.