Long-Haul Truck Driving Pros And Cons
A large percentage of new truck drivers will likely start their trucking careers as long-haul truck drivers, also commonly known as over-the-road. Being a long-haul truck driver isn’t easy. You’re looking at a future of long work days and weeks away from home.If you haven’t been away from your family before, being a long-haul driver can be a big challenge physically, mentally and emotionally.
While OTR trucking is more sought after by single truck drivers, married drivers still take on the job. New truck drivers often find themselves in long-haul positions but older truck drivers still prefer traveling around the country. Today, we’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of long-haul truck driving.
Depending on the type of person you are, you may enjoy the solitude of the open road. Face it, nearly 18-20 hours of your day, you’re likely alone. Some may go crazy but some long-haul truck drivers love that solitude, the peace and quiet of the open road.
You can make some great money doing long-haul truck driving. And as far as I know, making money is never a bad thing. In your first year, you can make near $40,000 or more. As you get experience behind the wheel, you’ll be able to earn even more. If you’re open to extra loads, you can count on $50,000 or more during your second year.
A lot of your pay will depend on the company that you drive for. Most companies pay per mile and you should hope to earn at least $0.28 cents a mile starting out. It can be tough being at the bottom of the totem pole, but you have to earn your stripes. The best advice I can give you is to stay calm, cool and collective. You won’t like everything that goes on but there’s a time and place for everything.
Driving a long-haul truck driving schedule is a tough task. At any given week, you could have a full meal on your plate. No matter what happens on the open roads, do make sure you keep safety priority. A great safety record can be your ticket to the dream job. And as you become more experienced and safe, the opportunities will find you. You don’t have to be a long-haul truck driver forever.
The hardest part of long-haul truck driving is the time spent away from home. As we discussed earlier, long-haul truck drivers can stay up to 3 weeks or more on the road. Having a quality smartphone should be a priority for all drivers. While it can’t replace you from being home, it’s a comfort knowing you’re always one phone call away from reaching your family.
Some drivers end up working for bad companies. This can be a tough situation. If you don’t get on with the trucking company you first tried for, don’t give up. Continue to pursue to work for the company you wish to. If you don’t have the experience, you may need a little more time behind the wheel. It could be pay, a sign-on bonus or benefits, no matter the reason, I wouldn’t be satisfied until I was completely happy with a good company.
