Are you considering a career in truck driving? Before you invest your time and money in a CDL Class A training program, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of this profession. Read on to learn about the various benefits and drawbacks that come with being a truck driver and determine if the pros would outweigh the cons for you. One of the first things to consider is the training pay for new truck drivers. Unfortunately, it can be quite lousy.
So be prepared to suffer a financial blow. Most carriers pay poor wages during the training period. The most common reasons reported by truck drivers for feeling stressed at work include road congestion, tight schedules, poor road quality, overtime, and low wages. Some truck drivers develop depression from being away from their families so often.
Others experience health problems (for example, back pain) due to sitting in the same position for many hours a day. Not all truck drivers are unhappy and don't like their job. Many truck drivers report that they enjoy the freedom, autonomy and loneliness that comes with driving a truck. Some truck drivers can set their own schedules as long as they can meet delivery demands.
Every driver should figure out what his or her most effective stress reliever is, whether it's pursuing a hobby to enjoy while on the road, finding ways to work out in or out of the truck, or listening to his favorite podcast. Drivers who are new to the truck driving career path can gain more experience by completing truck driving school and on-the-job training.The American Trucking Association (ATA) provides resources to members, both trucking companies and owner-operators, to help keep operations running most efficiently. This often leads to drivers developing unhealthy and expensive eating habits, as they buy most meals at a restaurant or truck stop.If you decide that OTR (long-distance trucking) is your thing, you'll have a chance to see some of North America's incredible sights. When an infringement is confirmed by a driver or company, an out-of-service order removes the driver or vehicle from the road until the infringement is corrected.I thought I'd share some of my initial impressions of my career as a truck driver, after having experienced it for 6 months.
It's about researching the trucking companies that make the type of trucks you're looking for and travel the lanes you want. The National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS) has more information on vehicle driving schools, including entry-level training.
So Is Truck Driving Still Worth It?
Now that you've reviewed the pros and cons, you should have a better idea of whether truck driving is a good career option for you. If you're looking for an opportunity to travel around North America while earning a living, then this could be an ideal job for you. However, if you're looking for something more stable with better pay and fewer hours away from home, then this may not be the best choice.Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if becoming a truck driver is worth it or not.Weigh your options carefully and make sure that you understand all of the risks involved before making your decision.
