Do you know the pros and cons of truck driving? Learning about the truck driver lifestyle might help you figure out if this career path is right for you. Whether sitting up high in the cab of an 18-wheeler rolling across the nation or delivering materials and goods on regional routes, a trucker's lifestyle offers daily adventures.
Professional truck drivers explore exciting places, meet new people, and enjoy rewarding experiences that people working indoors cannot imagine. Truck driving professionals earn high-paying salaries working a variety of truck driver jobs.
This article details both truck driver benefits and struggles that drivers face, so you can decide if this lifestyle should be in your future.
BE PREPARED FOR THE TRUCK DRIVER LIFESTYLE
Recognizing the wealth of opportunities for men and women who hold CDLs attracts many people to the profession. But it’s critically important to have a sense of what the trucker lifestyle entails. In too many cases, people enter the field with expectations that it’s fast, easy cash. Driving truck remains hard work and is not suited for everyone.
According to an American Trucking Association report, 2020 saw driver turnover rates at 90 percent for large truckload carriers while small fleets saw a 3 point dip over the prior year to 69 percent. Those rates accounted for both normal attrition and drivers getting out of the industry for other reasons. Continued tightness in the driver market is expected to continue well into 2022 and beyond.That’s why it’s essential to have a realistic grasp of the industry's challenges about what the lifestyle is all about. This is what you can expect.
- Unusual Perks: It may come as a surprise, but truckers are often welcomed at stops with free coffee, lunch and other perks. In some cases, customers refuse modestly damaged packages, and you might be permitted to keep them. Truckers end up with some cool oddities!
- Trucks are Mini Homes: Today’s cabs frequently come with amenities such as air conditioning, heat, mini refrigerators, and cooking facilities. A crock pot or Foreman grill may not be entirely out of the question.
- Drive Alone: Professional drivers are generally alone in the vehicle for the entire route. The idea of picking up a hitchhiker for companionship is a poor decision that could get you fired. If you are considering a truck driving position, be sure you are comfortable with plenty of quiet time.
- Professional Courtesy: A minority of drivers believe that others should get out of their way because they are working. That attitude will likely not lead to longevity in the trucking industry. Companies routinely put a phone number on tractor trailers with slogans like “How’s my driving?” and disgruntled motorists absolutely call to complain. A courteous trucker is more likely to earn bonuses for their good driving habits.
- Capped Truck Speeds: The idea that drivers must race across the country to meet the boss’ demands is simply untrue. Today’s freight haulers are actually moving in the opposite direction by capping a rig’s speed capabilities under 65 mph. Driver safety is of the utmost importance.
- Fitness Challenge: Driving truck remains a relatively sedentary job. You will spend long hours in a seated position. This reality can lead to diminished health if you do not eat a healthy diet and do basic fitness activities when off duty. Consider getting a step counter and set walking goals, among other strategies to keep you in shape and healthy.
It takes a confident, independent personality to have a long and fruitful career as a truck driver. There are a wide range of positions besides long-haul driving, so you can choose the job that suits you best. Dedicated driving jobs with established companies can allow truckers to remain in one area and even be home every night. Plus, owner operators can negotiate pay and freelance with even more flexibility. Simply put, long-haul driving is not the only lifestyle available.
Benefits of Being a Truck Driver
Regardless of your personal preferences, there are certain aspects of the job that the vast majority of truckers agree are considered beneficial to their lifestyle. 
So, why should I be a truck driver?
- Freedom of the open road
- No boss looking over your shoulder
- Get paid good money to see the country
- Unrivaled job security
- Opportunity to become your own boss
The economic security of working in the trucking industry is undeniable. Ongoing driver shortages are forcing companies to compete by offering increased wages and benefits. There’s basically no such thing as an unemployed truck driver, just one weighing his or her best options. With that said, it still may be in your best interest to speak with fellow truckers about the realities of life on the road. Weigh their experiences and these considerations against the truck driving opportunities you are considering before you head out on the highway.
TRUCK DRIVER LIFESTYLE BENEFITS FOR MILLENNIALS
The median age of today’s trucker stands at about 47 years old. That means that over 1 million people will be needed to fill vacancies in an industry already burdened with worker shortages. By the same token, millennials are expected to comprise over 75% of the country’s labor force by 2030. It’s easy to see that millennials are the future of the trucking industry. If you are a millennial weighing your employment opportunities, it’s fair to ask: What does a trucker's lifestyle have to offer? What are the pros and cons of being a truck driver?
- Immediate Opportunity: To work in the high-paying trucking industry, millennials do not need a 4-year college degree. In fact, truck driver training schools require only a minimal investment by comparison. Trucking school can be completed in 2-3 months and good-paying trucking companies are willing to pay signing bonuses that cover part of your initial costs. What makes a truck driving career even more cost-effective is that financial aid for CDL school may be available, lowering your out-of-pocket expenses.
- Opportunity for Women: The perception of driving truck revolves around the image of an exhausted, unshaven older man driving all night and getting little sleep. Luckily, those days are long gone and much of the gender barrier that may have existed decades ago has been set aside.. Young women are rapidly entering the trucking workforce. According to USA Today, there are more than 217,000 long-haul women truckers, and the percentages rise each year. Further, women reportedly saw a $7,000 increase in driver pay over the last five years.
- Flexible Work Hours: According to reports by Forbes magazine and others, studies show that millennials place a high emphasis on flexible hours. Research indicates that many millennials are interested in non-traditional work schedules. Among the preferences outlined in the poll were alternative schedules, part-time, and freelance work. All of these options align with the truck driver lifestyle quite well!
- Excellent Pay: There are reportedly upwards of 100,000 trucking job openings available and not nearly enough qualified drivers to fill them. Today’s millennial fleet drivers are often paid $70,000 or more with the potential to earn bonuses and other perks. The pros of truck driving are simply unmatched by other entry level positions.
It’s also crucial for millennials thinking about a career as a professional driver to understand that today’s big rigs are comfortable and fully outfitted with the latest technologies. The technological advancements in other fields are being equally enjoyed by open road pros. The benefits of being a truck driver are plentiful, especially for younger professionals entering an industry desperate for more employees like them.
A robust economy and low unemployment offer working people a wealth of opportunities. Regardless of whether the economy continues to grow or another recession hits in the future, there are simply not enough qualified truck drivers to fill truck driving vacancies. One of the biggest, most unmistakable benefits of being a truck driver is that your future employment is secure. For more information about truck driver benefits or to review driving job opportunities, visit CDLjobs.com.
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