The Good Life
Truck driving is one of the most male-dominated occupations in the country. A 1998 labor force survey showed that 97.2 % of truck drivers are male versus only 54.5%t of the labor force. Truck driving is one of the few professions that women make exactly the same as their male co-workers pay wise. While attending a truck driving school several years ago, I was surprised by a 25% female truck driver training class as well as several female truck driving instructors. Truck driving is a tough job. Never really knowing where you are going next and having little home time can certainly take it’s toll.
Truck driving is one of those jobs that often draws mixed emotions from drivers. For some, these big rigs are the bane of their existence. Truck driving is a very stable career that is growing tremendously. The United States economy would not function without truck drivers. Truck driving is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing careers in the country. The commercial trucking industry is expected to see a shortage of over 200,000 drivers over the next ten years while the economic demand for trucking services is expected to increase substantially.
Most drivers love the independence of truck driving and the connected feeling they get when they are behind the wheel and on the road with their truck. Equally rewarding, equipment and jobs vary depending on what freight shippers need transported. Drivers are often required to be at least 22 years old, able to lift heavy objects, and have 3-5 years driving experience. Companies want to hire good drivers who work efficiently and cost less to insure.
Benefits such as lots of sightseeing, lots of family time when not driving, and above-average compensation will be high on their list of selling points. While you do get to see lots of places, the one place you probably won’t see much is your home, unless you drive local routes. Benefits are a huge plus and are a big reason people seek out truck driving. Health benefits are often offered to drivers if they work for a bigger trucking company.
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