Driving a Truck
I am sure by now you have heard that trucking is a great career path. They say you will make lot's of money, see the country and enjoy the open road. There is plenty of truth in what you heard, but I need to clarify some of those things. I also want to tell you about some other things you should consider when taking up a career as a truck driver.
First off let's talk about the great pay you will earn. Most of the marketing of trucking jobs will post the experienced driver's salary of plus $35,000. The truth is, for the first year of driving, the average driver will make more like an average of about $30,000 if that. This is especially true if you go to a company sponsored training program. The reasons behind this varies, but here are a few of common reasons.
♦ You will not get your regular driver's salary while you are out with a trainer.
♦ You will either be charged for training each week at some point and then reimbursed later during the period of your contracted commitment to the company in exchange for the training.
♦ You are new to the industry, you simply don't start at a rate that gives you the salary they quote.
After that 1st year of experience, yes you should easily get $35,000 dollars or more as a truck driver.
Also, you will then qualify for other types of trucking jobs which pay you much more than regular trucking jobs.
You will see the country. However, don't have unrealistic expectations of what that means. It doesn't mean you on continuous vacation to explore. You will see mostly in passing. Sometimes you will be in the right place at the right time and it's convenient to explore. Even in those times, you must be with the right company or it will be costly. With most companies you can ride around in the bob tail and you can't leave the trailer unsecured. To get around, you will have to catch a cab. That get's expensive.
Now all this means is you plan for what you want to do. Save each week for the times you end up somewhere wanting to get out and explore. This way you can thoroughly enjoy your travels while your truck and trailer sits safely in a truck stop or hotel with truck parking.
Here is something else you should consider when taking up a career as a trucker. You sit all day. Studies show that a sedentary lifestyle has a serious negative impact on your health. You are also constantly tempted by fast food in all of the truck stops convenient to your need for speed to get back on the road. You need to be proactive about your health and decide before hand that you will take measures to stay in shape and healthy.
Many drivers began their trucking career slim and fit and 5 years down the road are lethargic and sick without a diagnosis. High blood, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and diabetes are not uncommon in truckers.
You can save a lot of time, money, grief and sorrow by preparing in advance for the road by getting a cooler that plugs into your cigarette lighter. Also take healthy snacks and meals bought at much cheaper rates from you local big box stores than you will find i truck stops. Some healthy foods don't even required it but for most people, a cooler will serve them well.
Some healthy items I carry from home each week to be a healthy trucker are beans, tuna, garlic, cinnamon, fruits, peanuts, fiber one cereal. I also take protein shake and a multi vitamin. There are 2 chains of truck stops that will help with health food. They have restaurants with veggies and a salad bar. That's Petro and T/A. The Loves Travel Plazas, watermelon on ice and the Flying J has various types of salads available.
Too often drivers don't take their health seriously until it is already a serious condition.
I don't want you to do that. It's costly, uncomfortable, inconvenient, and defeats the purpose of all that your working for.
By the way, smoking and other bad habits that it seems some drivers feels go with the career also works against you. If you are already a smoker, drinker, dipper, chewer think hard about relaxing those habits as a trucker. Don't forget your sedentary lifestyle is already a strike against you.
Also, when you are out here, it's very easy to get in a little exercise.
Push ups, crunches and simply walking 20 to 40 minutes everyday can help you body endure the trucking lifestyle a lot better leaving you lot better off.
These are just some of the tips and ideas to consider before taking a job in trucking. To make trucking a career that serves you well do your research so you start of headed in the right direction.
