Which Truck Driving Job Suits You?
It always makes me smile, watching the young fellows carrying out their safety checks on the first day of their new truck driving job. You can see they are nervous, but trying to make a good impression at the same time. It won't be many weeks before everything will be routine for them, the checks, the refueling and even the radio chatter. They have a chance at making a good life for themselves in a truck driving job, challenging but rewarding. For many it is going to be a life-long commitment, and for others they will come and go over the years, moving around from one type of job to the other. Many truckers move around within the industry itself, changing jobs that fit in with family life, or to earn more money on the long-distance routes.
The truck driving job is now regarded as a well paying job. The young fellow just beginning his first day at the local carrier is going to be earning around $34,000 per year plus benefits. There are not many positions that these young kids can walk into straight from school that pay so well, and many of them will have completed their training and sat for their CDL through the courses run by their college. Some of them even have their truck driving job already lined up, eager to begin what has been for them a dream since childhood.
Not all young drivers want the same type of truck driving job. Some prefer driving flatbeds, while others have always wanted to drive tankers. Most of course at this age aspire to drive the massive tractor-trailers which is where all the big money and prestige lies. For the next couple of years though, they will be learning the ropes and becoming a professional truck driver, and when they turn 21 or 22 they will be able to apply for a truck driving job as a company driver and finally start their long distance runs. These years are very formative years for the young drivers, and it is hoped that they have some really good role models to look up to.
As they gain experience they will develop a liking towards certain types of work and trucks.
The OTR truck driving job is by far the best paid jobs in the industry, plus of course the owner operator ones. But it is the drivers who are prepared to take the jobs where they spend a lot of time away from home who have the best benefits and pay. The working conditions will vary, depending on the company. Many trucks now are fitted out so well, that they quickly become a home away from home. On the long distance truck driving job often there will be two drivers. One sleeps while the other one drives. The only time that the truck stops is for refuelling, food and unloading. The sleeper cab is fitted out with a wide comfortable bed as well as fridge, microwave and storage space. Some even have TV's. GPS is now becoming standard in all new trucks. 
Truck Driving Jobs
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