The transportation industry is a major player in the global economy, with more than 10.5 billion tons of cargo circulating on American roads alone each year. This means that 3.6 million heavy-duty class 8 trucks are needed to meet these transportation needs, and each of these vehicles requires a driver to pick up and deliver the merchandise. But what are the pros and cons of long haul trucking?Let's start with the pros. Driving a truck can bring you good benefits in addition to your salary and bonuses.
Most employers offer attractive paid holidays and days off, or bonuses for working holidays. You may also qualify for medical, dental, and eye insurance for you and your family, as well as a retirement savings plan with a company match for your contributions. Some trucking companies even offer drivers the opportunity to buy company shares at discounts or plans that help drivers become owners and operators through attractive lease-to-purchase plans. Good employers also offer employee assistance programs and services to help drivers stay healthy. Owner-operators have access to affordable driver-focused benefits through groups such as Enrollment First, which match those of Fortune 500 companies.
Traveling across the country means spending less time at home, which is one of the biggest disadvantages of being a truck driver for many people. If you're a homebody or have a family, being away for so long can be difficult. If you decide to go on a long-distance route on a regular basis, you'll face a number of different weather conditions. Flatbed trucks are a popular choice because jobs tend to be higher paying, meaning you'll be transporting everything from grass to airplanes. Now that you've reviewed the various pros and cons of driving trucks, you should have a better idea of whether driving trucks would be a good career choice for you.
