Trucking is an exciting career, though it’s not for absolutely everybody. Truckers’ lives are filled with adventure, variation, and long hours. Truckers see the country, meet new people, and become excellent drivers.
Still, though, truckers get worn down. Driving around all day can take its toll on energy levels, health, and make truckers feel a little lost in life. If you’re considering whether or not to start a career in trucking driving, read on the get a sense of what’s good and what’s bad about this high-speed field.
Trucking Career is in Demand
There’s a lot of work in trucking. While many jobs are being outsourced overseas or made obsolete because of automation and the internet, truckers remain in demand. After all, things need to be taken from place to place, and no “digital solution” can carry two tons of grapefruit from Hoboken to Houston in three days.
And there’s a shortage of truckers in the United States right now. In fact, companies are scrambling almost desperately for people to ship their goods around the country. According to CNN, there has been an increase “from 8% to 12% a year in recent years.” If you’re interested in checking out trucking, now’s a great time to do so. You’ll get work easily and be treated well by your company.
Trucking Can Be a Great Short Term Career Option
Luckily for people interested in dipping their toes in the waters of trucking, short term trucking is an excellent option. Many people drive trucks for a season or two.
If you want to truck short term, make sure you pick your time wisely. According to an article on TruckingTruth.com, late winter—September through November—is, ironically, the hottest time for truck driving. Christmas season creates a huge demand for things to be shipped from place to place. Gift giving, end-of-year bill paying, and holiday cards all put heavy pressure on the shipping industry. You can get in quickly and step out in just in time for a New Year’s career change.
Truck Driving Can Be a Lot of Fun
When you drive truck for a living, you see the country. You’ll ride the highway at serious speed and carry some high-powered cargo. You’ll stop every night at some out-of-the-way joint filled with interesting people and full-fledged rest and recuperation. And, perhaps best of all, you’ll get out of town. If you’re looking for new work—and if you’re reading this article, you’re definitely looking for new work—you’re probably eager to get out of town. Truck drivers never spend much time in one place.
Just Remember the Hard Stuff
Truck driving is no picnic. Truck drivers report high rates of fatigue. They often suffer from bad nutrition. Driving requires long hours, and once you’re on the road, there’s no break time. You’ve got a schedule to keep, and you had better keep it. And when you’re driving around all day, you’re constantly in mild danger; driving is risky stuff. A trucking accident is one of the deadliest kinds of automobile accident; according to Texas accident lawyer Byrd Davis, more than 100,000 trucking accidents led to injuries over just the span of one year.
