A Truckers Life...Is It For You?

I will attempt to address as many of these issues as I can on this page.

In addressing these issues I will start with the first issue that I mentioned. How many miles a day do you feel you can safely travel? Most companies that we contacted estimated that their drivers travel an average of 500 miles per day. I have heard lots of stories of drivers who agreed to be employed by a company offering that many miles and the company didn't come through, resulting in a short check for the driver.

How far from home are you willing to travel? There are many different types of trucking routes that each driver may choose from. One is a dedicated run that will enable the driver to become familiar with his/her route and customers. Dedicated runs can be close to home or can be stretched hundreds miles from home. A local run will keep you close to home but the customers will vary from run to run. Either way, these runs are the best hope a driver will receive to be home every night. The second option is a Regional Run. A regional run will usually consist of a driver traveling over several states but will usually be dedicated to certian states. Most companies offer SouthEast Region, NorthEast Region, Central Region or Western Region. And of course, we can't forget the OTR or Over-The-Road runs. These are most often coast to coast, meaning home time will be two, three and even four weeks apart.

Next topic...Book miles verses Actual miles traveled.There are two ways for a company to pay their employees for the miles they have traveled each week. The most popular method of payment (with drivers) is ACTUAL MILES. This method requires a guage to be installed on the tire of the truck while will count out the actual miles traveled. He/she will in turn be paid for each mile driven. The other method is BOOK MILES. Using this method, the truck driver will be paid for the amount of miles that the computer calculates the run will take. (Often the computer doesn't allow extra distance for unpaved roads, one lane highways, bridges that do not support the weight of a semi or detours due to wrecks and things of that nature.) It is estimated that the average mileage difference for one driver is 8,000 to 11,000 miles per year when being paid book miles! Please keep in mind that most drivers prefer to be paid actual miles but most companies pay book miles.

For any potential driver who would like to have family members along on his/her runs, it is important to remember that some companies do not offer RIDE ALONG programs and other companies offer very limited programs. Things you will need to find out are; how old must a rider be and during what time of the year are the ride-alongs allowed? The same things apply here for pets as well. Note: If a driver is wanting to take a pet in the truck, most companies have restrictions on type, size, and require a deposit that may or may not be refundable.

Many of the trucking companies of today offer TUITION REIMBURSEMENT. Things that need to be considered are: How much will they pay back and how soon? The payback rates can vary from none to all. Companies that do pay tuition reimbursements usually opt to make a payment once a month. These payments can be from as little as $50.00 or as much as $200.00. Some companies will pay the loan agency and others will choose to pay the money directly to the driver. Some companies will require you to sign a contract for a specific lenght of employment before the tuition reimbursement will begin. In the case that a contract is signed and the lenght of employment ends before the contract is up, the employee will have to reimiburse the company for any money paid towards tuition.

HOMETIME is a consideration for ANY driver. Maybe you have a family and would like to see your children grow-up. Maybe you are single and would rather have money than time off or maybe you have an elderly family member who is ill at home. Whatever the case may be, I encourage you too consider hometime a factor in your decision. Keep in mind that even if you have no reason to want hometime NOW, that could change in the event of an elderly family member becoming sick or perhaps you becoming romantically invovled with someone in the future. If you are an OTR driver and become romantically invovled with someone...it may be hard for you too switch to a regional route.

This is also the time for you too think about how long you will be off. Most OTR routes offer you one day off for each 6 days that you run. What this amounts to is... If you run three weeks you are off for three days. If you run four weeks you are off for four days...etc. etc. etc.

Are you wanting or needing the money that can be made by loading or unloading your own trailer? If you prefer a NO TOUCH run...it would be best if you pulled a Flatbed. Flatbed trailers are loaded mostly by forklift and cranes, therefore eliminating the drivers need to load and unload. Although, with a flatbed trailer, you will have load securement and tarping duties. It's important to remember that a wet tarp can easily weigh over a hundred pounds. Van trailers on the other hand are often loaded and unloaded by the drivers. Most companies pay you to load and unload the trailer but, is it money that you prefer?

The last thing that I am going to mention are BONUSES that most trucking companies offer. These bonuses range from bonuses that will pay you by the mile (mileage bonuses and fuel bonuses) to bonuses that pay you quarterly (profit sharing and quarterly performance bonuses) to bonuses that will pay only as they are earned (Hire-on bonus and new hire-referral bonus). Money can be made by trucking, it's just a matter of how much YOU want.

The choice to become a truck driver should be given a lot of thought. It is a demanding career but will promise you a secure future. Remember, if this is something that you want to do, when selecting a company to work for

in whatever you choose. We hope this page was helpful and taught you something that you may not have already known.

This page is being dedicated to truck drivers and their loved ones, because they are the sole reason that we have the nice things we have. Think about that for just a minute! If you were too look around your home or office... what can you see that hasn't been in the back of a Semi at least once? Think of all the supplies that are found at the local hospital, grocery store, department store, hardware store, pharmacy . The list goes on and on. So...this page goes out to EVERY trucker driver, Male or Female, who spends countless hours on the road away from home!

Always keep the truck drivers in your thoughts and on your minds. They truly are a special breed of people.

Here is another great poem from D.R. Madill. (Thanks again Dave for allowing me to use your writings on this page!)

Big Rig Thunder

From Halifax across to San Fran, and where-ever they may roam

Millions of miles of highways that the big rigs call their home

Come stand beside that highway anytime of night or day

Hear the mighty roll of thunder as they pass along their way

Across the snowcapped mountains and over hill and plain

No matter what the weather, be it sun or snow or rain

They travel every highway and haul every type of load

You know they would drive thru Hell if the Devil built a road

Lights shine in the darkness, see the shine of chrome and steel

And a special breed of driver that sits behind the wheel

The rhythm of the engine and the whining of the tires

It sets their blood to pumping and sets their souls on fire

This highway is a special place, come listen to the song

The sound of rolling thunder as the big rigs roll along

Come stand beside the highway anytime of night or day

Hear the mighty roll of thunder as they pass along the way

There is a link to my other page, Pay To Read Emails. Yes, you can get paid to read emails. Can you think of an easier way to make money. If not, then check it out!

Oh yes, Please look out for the

They deserve to live!!!

If I have missed any issues,or you have concerns, comments, or questions that I have not answered here...Jusk ASK! I want this page to be as complete as possible! You can get ahold of me by clicking the link below.