Last week we looked at “hot shot trucking” and this week we are going to look at “Intermodal trucking”. So what exactly is intermodal trucking?~Tim McMahon, editor
As a truck driver, your skills are in higher demand today than ever before. While you may have many options from which to choose, intermodal trucking may be one you should seriously consider. If you are wondering why more and more truck drivers are choosing to focus on intermodal trucking, here are some of the biggest reasons for its growing popularity.
Far Less Labor
When you focus on intermodal trucking, you will have far less labor to perform as a driver. Since intermodal trucking is geared toward drop and hook delivery, this means you simply deliver shipping containers to customers, giving you no-touch freight that does not require you to spend time unloading.
Regular Schedule
As an intermodal truck driver, you will have a very consistent schedule that allows you to spend much more time with your family than if you were a long-haul driver. Since intermodal facilities usually operate 24/7, drivers often have the option to choose various shifts to work. Most often, you can expect to be home each day or at least several days per week.
Consistent Freight
Along with having a regular schedule that will accommodate your lifestyle and have you home with your family more often, intermodal trucking jobs also ensure you will have consistent freight to haul. Since the majority of your paycheck will be based on the number of loads you haul, always having available freight means you can do more driving and make more money.
Familiar Delivery Routes
When you are an intermodal truck driver, you will generally deliver to the same customers on a regular basis. As a result, you will not only get to know your customers better but also become familiar with the delivery routes used to reach your customers. This helps increase your efficiency since you won’t have to waste time wondering if you took the right turn or if you are lost.
On-Site Maintenance Teams
Finally, since you will be picking up your loads at railyards as they are delivered via train, you will have access to on-site truck maintenance teams at almost all railyards. Thus, should you be having problems with your truck, you can often get it fixed while you are waiting for a train to arrive with the shipping containers you will be delivering to your customers.
If you like consistent pay, a flexible yet regular schedule, and being home to eat dinner with your family almost if not every day, being an intermodal truck driver may be a great career choice.
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