Is the Trucker Lifestyle Right for You - CareerAlley

Is the Trucker Lifestyle Right for You - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Hank Barton is a second generation trucker-philosopher with a penchant for the written word. He enjoys blogging about long haul trucking, safe driving practices and life on the open road. He writes for E-Gears, an online CDL Test authority that specializes in a variety of study guides. Some of your preconceived notions about the life of a trucker are totally spot-on, and some of them are just shadowy images perpetrated by negative stereotypes. Beginning truckers often make $30,000 per year, seasoned truckers make $60,000 per year and business savvy truckers can make six figuresbut the moneys not the only reason people turn to the trucker lifestyle. Some people enjoy working out of a mobile office, contributing to the very infrastructure of the country and seeing parts of the United States that theyd never otherwise lay eyes on. If youre the type of person thats right for the trucking lifestyle, chances are youve already thought about it. Even if you have thought about it, however, it always pays off to dig a little deeper. Working as a long haul trucker can be extremely rewarding and lucrative, but if youre a wrong fit for the job then your time behind the wheel will be absolutely miserable. The Perks For the right person, theres no need to be even remotely miserable while living the trucker lifestyle. An ambitious driver can earn up to $40,000 in his first year, but as stated previously, it goes beyond the money. Long haul trucking is a stable job that will continue to be in high demand throughout the foreseeable future, so the level of job security is high. Furthermore, if you need to move to another city or state, youll almost always be able to find another trucking job. Many trucking companies offer great benefits packages and retirement plans. Theres also the strong possibility of paid vacation and holidays, which are difficult to find in any other entry level job. Trucking also gives you the opportunity to see parts of the country youd never experience otherwise and can help put you in touch with the way people are actually living. Along with a better perspective on American life, truckers can take satisfaction in the fact that theyre vital to the continued successful operat ion of the country itselfsometimes its a thankless job, but its absolutely necessary for the continuing survival of the American Way. There are a variety of ways to make money as a truck driver as well, so if you get the right endorsements on your CDL then youll have some good options for a flexible schedule. What to Expect Okay, now we have to get to the downsides of truckinglying to you about the possible frustrations a long haul trucker faces wont help anything. Truckers are on the road for extended stretches, away from friends and family. In addition, some laws and regulations that truck drivers face can be extremely difficult to deal with for high-strung individuals. There will be a lot of time spent waiting (most/all of it unpaid) to load and unload, and sometimes dealing with people at the loading dock will prove to be a trying affair. Truckers can also have real problems with sleep disorders, unhealthy diets and bad habits. Unless you consciously set out to be healthy, its difficult to get proper exercise and eat a balanced diet on the road. These pitfalls can be overcome with a little bit of planning, but you need to be aware that these are real obstacles youll face in any CDL job. How to Cope So those are the problems that come from being a trucker, but what are the solutions? Fortunately, the answers come pretty easy. A good smartphone will bridge the communication gap with friends and family members, but having a small, portable computer or tablet with a webcam is even better. Keeping up on social networks and especially sharing photos can make life on the road a lot less lonely. Having a hobby or engaging in various creative projects (art, writing, model buildingwhatever makes you happy!) can ease the restlessness that waiting around to load/unload creates. Its also a great opportunity to catch up on your reading or get through more of Breaking Bad. Make sure youre actively engaging your mind for at least part of every downtime episodeit will keep you alert and make you much happier than just watching a DVD will. Finally, the key to staying healthy is to plan ahead. Sleep can come irregularly, but you can plan your caffeine intake and all manner of relaxation habits ar ound when youre likely to sleep next. Similarly, most sleepers have room for a small fridge or cooler, so you can pack healthy food with you on the road. More than anything, though, make the most of the time you spend at home with friends and family count. The life of a trucker isnt a life thats suited to everyone. It takes a certain kind of independent-minded, driven individual to thrive behind the wheel of a rig. If you like the idea of keeping America running smoothly, enjoy the open road and the perks of the job then its something you should strongly consider. You should also keep the concerns outlined in the second section in mind, since theyre all a very real part of driving a truck. If you can overcome those obstacles and put the petal to the metal, then driving a truck is a great career choice. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook