A new truck driver asks himself what company should he ultimately seek as an employer.
First of all a new truck driver fresh out of a truck driving school has far less options than does a seasoned driver providing the seasoned driver has a good driving record. That does not mean that a new driver within the trucking industry can’t get a good job. The new truck driver will just have to search a little more and a little longer for that better driving job. When I decided to enter the trucking industry in 1970 I had a goal of not hurting myself or anyone else, not having any accidents, make a difference in the trucking industry with a good attitude and make all the money I could while away from home. To date I have succeeded in my quest, but I have been lucky. Each trip a truck drivers makes without having an accident is one that has skill and luck. We can control and improve our skill, but luck is different. Make no mistake truck driving is a dangerous job.
If two driving jobs are available that you are considering look at where they deliver, possible wait time, miles to the destinations and how many paid stops per trip. It they pay strictly mileage I would take the job that gives more miles and that run more East West if you are going to be gone for a week or more rather than one that runs to the East Coast. For me the East Coast is a big NO, because I don’t like going there, because of limited truck stops, short delivery and shipping times, difficulty of terrain, etc., but a lot of times the pay is a little better to go there.
The bottom line for you is the benefits provided to you along with your NET take home pay. If company A requires the truck driver to pay more of the health insurance premium than does company B then with all things equal company B is the best choice on that factor.
A truck driver should always remember that time does not necessarily mean money, but money means time so a wise choice for the formula of wages + time is what you are looking for. A truck driver can spend whole days or more than one day waiting to load or deliver with a lot of companies and sometimes you can make the decision that a shorter run is better for you rather than a longer one. For instance on Wednesday afternoon you had a choice to select a load with less miles delivering on Thursday evening or Friday morning rather than at 4 P.M. Friday, because the late Friday delivery lessens the chance you will get reloaded for the weekend. If you stay out on the weekend you want to be driving all weekend rather than sitting waiting for a load.
One other thing is the equipment available to you. A truck drivers home is his truck. A truck well maintained means more miles and less stress. When looking for employment with a trucking company I always ask this question: “if my front tire is out of balance will you immediately have it balanced for me”? If they say we will as soon as you get back into the terminal may be the wrong answer if you are to stay out several days or weeks before returning to the terminal. The reason for the wrong answer is that a truck drivers life is full of stress and you don’t need a truck shaking like crazy for thousands of miles and the trucking company should want their trucks safe for the driver. The wrong answer would make me cross them of my list.
Rod
Tags: OTR Trucking, Truck Driving, Trucking Industry, Trucking School, Trucking School OTR Trucking, Trucks
