So, do truck drivers make their own schedule?
In this post, you’ll have that question answered while learning about the other benefits to being a truck driver.
What Benefits Do Truck Drivers Get
Independence
The appeal of the independence that comes along with the job’s nature—where there isn’t a manager hovering over your shoulder watching your every move—is perhaps one of the most popular motives for entering the trucking industry.
Over the road, truck driving positions provide the driver more freedom to arrange their trips. The majority of scheduling choices can typically be made by a driver on their own timetable.
Yes, there are dispatch instructions, and yes, there are hours of service regulations to adhere to.
BUT you still possess greater adaptability than anybody working all day at a desk, too!
The romanticism of the open road, the independence, or the “cowboys of the highway” allure, to use a cliché, is one of the most alluring aspects of long journeys.
Some drivers simply can’t get enough of the freedom that comes with operating a large truck; many cringe at the notion of making many city deliveries throughout the course of a week while navigating confined places; for these drivers, local or short-haul driving holds no appeal.
Some truckers find the pleasant, lengthy highway drives to be more appealing.
Money
If you work for a fair company, the salary for lengthy journeys may be good.
Today, it is generally agreed that OTR truck driving jobs do not appropriately reward the driver for the lengthy distances he travels from home.
Depending on the type of trucking and the trucking company, the pay for long distance driving might be respectable because most truckers are paid on a per-mileage basis.
Sometimes, single drivers would actually live out of their truck, making back-to-back trips while taking breaks and resting at truck stops.
An American company driver makes between $35,000 and $40,000 per year in the United States, and after gaining some experience, they can earn more.
After deductions, a corporate driver in Canada can earn roughly $45,000.
In general, statistics show that long haul pays corporate drivers roughly 20% more than short haul.
The gross/net income for long-haul owner-operators varies greatly.
*These values are approximations; they depend on the state, personal income tax deductions, the carrier, the driver’s level of desire to work, and the amount of available labor.
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Paid Travel
Long-haul truckers have the opportunity to travel through some fairly amazing landscapes, which would otherwise be quite expensive to visit on a paid holiday.
Driving a truck may be exciting and an excellent way to see the country while making money out of it.
Passion
Some men choose a job in trucking because they adore driving and being around large machinery!
Many people find driving to be incredibly calming.
The deafening roar of a diesel engine, with its raw, unrestrained horsepower, is also well known to increase “testosterone levels in the human body.”
Flexibility
No matter where you live—in a tiny town or a large city—you can always find work as a truck driver. Jobs for OTR drivers appear to be available, even when you’re considering moving to another place..
Variety
Each day for the long haul trucker is different – the travel, the destinations, the challenges, the schedule – all vary from day-to-day. It certainly keeps life interesting!
Opportunities
Long-haul trucking jobs are still plentiful despite the fragile state of the economy, which is not the case for many other occupations.
A commercial driver’s license not only opens up a wide range of employment options, but it also provides some peace of mind in the event that one does not enjoy the employer or coworkers.
They most likely aren’t the only competitors in town.
In recent years, it seems that many truckers favor short-haul jobs because they don’t necessitate as drastic a lifestyle adjustment as long-haul work. Long-haul employment makes it more difficult for transportation businesses to fill seats.
The Drawbacks Of Being A Truck Driver
Like other jobs, being a truck driver comes with a few downsides, such as:
Health Risk
The lifestyle of an OTR trucker can result in major health problems due to the nature of living in a truck for extended periods of time, consuming restaurant cuisine (processed and highly salted), lack of exercise, and lack of downtime.
Due to health difficulties such as diabetes, heart conditions, and sleep apnea brought on by the unhealthy lifestyle of living in a truck day in and day out for months on end, several drivers have had their commercial driver’s licenses revoked or suspended.
Strain In Relationship
The length of a long trip for a trucker might range from a week to three weeks, a month or even longer.
Some businesses may keep the driver out and make continual journeys once they are on the road, which might be difficult for the trucker and his family.
There are many aspects of daily life with their families that truckers miss, and because of the lengthy absences, it may lead to the end of a relationship.
Excellent for individuals, not so good for families of truck drivers.
Loneliness
An OTR truck driving career might not be the best option for a driver who experiences loneliness or depression.
Long stretches of time alone will be spent by the trucker. The ban on using handheld devices while driving is currently in effect, thus the driver cannot communicate with friends or relatives while operating a vehicle.
However, there are truck drivers who don’t mind long stretches of being alone.
So basically, this is not for everyone.
Expenses
The cost of meals and personal items can quickly mount up and significantly reduce a driver’s take-home pay.
The short-haul driver can save money by eating out less frequently by stocking his cooler with food from home and eating most of his meals there.
Owner-operators that drive large distances are particularly hard-hit by rapidly growing operating costs.
The exorbitant expense of restaurant food, fuel, repairs, and equipment has greatly diminished the allure of this market.
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