Driving

Opportunities You Can Find With a CDL License

July 15, 2024 by Tim McMahon

Deciding to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) can unlock a variety of career paths in the transportation industry. From long-haul trucking to local delivery, each role offers its own unique set of opportunities and demands. Whether driving across the country or staying within city limits, CDL holders can find fulfilling jobs that suit different lifestyles and preferences. Understanding the different opportunities available with a CDL can help you make an informed decision about which path might be right for you.

Long-Haul Truck Driver

Long-haul truck drivers are essential to the transportation industry, delivering goods across vast distances. These professionals typically drive heavy-duty trucks and spend several days or even weeks on the road giving you the opportunity to see a lot of the country. A key aspect of this career is the ability to navigate various terrains and weather conditions while adhering to strict delivery schedules. Long-haul drivers often experience the independence of solitary travel but must also manage tasks such as logging hours and maintaining their vehicles. Employers often look for reliability, a clean driving record, and the ability to manage extended periods away from home.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers earned $54,320 per year or $26.12 per hour in 2023. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers usually have a high school diploma and attend a professional truck driving school. They must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). [Read more…] about Opportunities You Can Find With a CDL License

Exploring the Benefits of a Career in Truck Driving

April 3, 2024 by Tim McMahon

Are you looking for a career that offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity for growth? If so, a career in truck driving may be the perfect fit for you. In this blog post, we will explore the many benefits of pursuing a career in truck driving and why it may be the right choice for you.

Competitive Salary

One of the biggest benefits of a career in truck driving is the competitive salary. Additionally, many trucking companies offer bonuses, benefits, and other incentives to attract and retain drivers. With the potential for overtime pay and opportunities for advancement, a career in truck driving can provide a lucrative income for individuals.

Job Security

Another advantage of a career in truck driving is the job security it offers. With the demand for goods constantly growing, there is a consistent need for truck drivers to transport goods across the country. This means that truck drivers are always in high demand, providing a sense of job security that may not be found in other industries. Additionally, advancements in technology and regulations have made truck driving safer and more efficient, further improving job security for drivers.

Want to Go Into Trucking? 5 Things to Know Beforehand

February 16, 2024 by Tim McMahon

The trucking industry is an essential part of our economy, and it requires hard-working individuals to keep it moving. If you’re considering getting into the trucking industry, congratulations! You’re taking your first step toward a rewarding career. However, there are some things that you should know before you dive headfirst into the trucking world. In this article, we’ll be discussing the top things you need to know before getting started in the trucking industry. Let’s get started!

Types of Trucking

There are a variety of different types of truck driving depending on the type of truck, whether it is local or long-haul, and the type of load carried.

According to Indeed:

Flat Bed Drivers earn an average of $60,049/yr. and carry equipment or other machinery that wouldn’t otherwise fit in a trailer.
Less-than-truckload (LTL) drivers handle smaller loads or shipments. They earn an average of $61,613/yr.
Refrigerated freight drivers, or reefer drivers, transport goods that require a specific temperature and earn $61,879/yr.
Over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers deliver larger amounts of goods in bigger trucks, including tractor-trailers and earn an average of $78,113/yr.
Tanker drivers transport gases or liquids, either long or short distances, may require special training and earn $88,918/yr.
Team drivers work with another driver to complete national or even cross-border hauls and earn an average of $105,789/yr.

Other variations include Intermodal Trucking which involves delivering containers that are simply dropped on a flat-bed truck. There is also Hot Shot trucking which involves hauling smaller, more time-sensitive loads within a specific timeframe, and usually to a single customer or location. You can be an “owner-operator” or work for a big or small company. There are also furniture movers, local delivery drivers, and hazardous material haulers, among others. [Read more…] about Want to Go Into Trucking? 5 Things to Know Beforehand

Love to Drive? These 6 Jobs Are For You

October 19, 2022 by Tim McMahon

If you enjoy driving and are looking for ways to earn some extra money or are interested in a career change, there are a number of unique jobs you could pursue. Here are 6 jobs that you’ll excel at if you love to drive. Most of these jobs require a special license to carry passengers or drive large vehicles.

Taxi Drivers

Taxi and Uber or Lyft drivers will typically make more in big cities, but you can even make some extra cash in smaller towns. These jobs are perfect for those who enjoy socializing since you’ll frequently meet new passengers. While the base pay for these positions may not be very high, you can make a decent amount of extra cash in tips. You’ll have to prepare yourself for some odd working hours, though, since your services will be needed most on weekends, evenings, and during large events. [Read more…] about Love to Drive? These 6 Jobs Are For You

Is Intermodal Trucking The Right Job For You?

April 13, 2022 by Tim McMahon

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. [Read more…] about Is Intermodal Trucking The Right Job For You?

4 Tests And Examinations You Need to Pass Before Becoming a Trucker

June 22, 2020 by Tim McMahon

Being a truck driver can be a rewarding experience. You have a chance to travel and make a good income. However, there are several tests that you will need to take before you become a truck driver.

Department of Transportation Exam

In order for you to be a truck driver, you will have to be healthy. That is why you will be required to take a DOT certified physical exam before you become a truck driver. The exam will consist of a hearing test, vision test, blood pressure check, pulse check, and general physical assessment. If the doctor finds any problems during the exam, then they will document it in your records. Keep in mind that a medical problem may not necessarily bar you from becoming a truck driver. However, you will have to get the proper treatment.

Commercial Driving Permit

Most people know that you are required to have a commercial driver’s license before they become a truck driver. However, you will have to get your commercial learner’s permit before you get your commercial driver’s license. You need to have a current driver’s license. You will have to pay a fee and pass a basic skills test.

Written Test

You will need to be [Read more…] about 4 Tests And Examinations You Need to Pass Before Becoming a Trucker

Best Side Hustles of 2019

July 2, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Changing careers is a risky business. But with unemployment rates at the lowest levels since 1969 finding a new job should be easier. However, if you’d like a little bit of insurance against the unexpected you might want to pick up a little “side hustle” cash to tide you through the transition. Or perhaps you are a stay at home mom and would like to pick up some extra cash. Here are some tips so you can make money from home.

Do Surveys

You may be wondering, why would you want to do something so completely boring and low-paying? However, not all surveys pay ridiculously low rates. Some can pay as much as $75. Look up good survey platforms and keep an eye out for surveys that match your experience and interests.

Play or Create Games

Believe it or not, this is a good way to make money. You can work with user Testing, which pays people to test out games and record their thoughts. That is a pretty exciting new way to make some money. You can make money and have fun while still feeling like a hardworking person.

Considering a Career in Trucking?

March 19, 2019 by Guest Contributor

Truck driving can be a very rewarding and fulfilling career if you are passionate about getting out and sightseeing. It can be fairly well paid career path and only requires a limited amount of training. This makes it an ideal choice for someone who wants to learn a new skill but isn’t quite interested in dedicating several years towards completing a degree. The following information provides a more in-depth look at four advantages associated with truck driving positions:

Benefits

Typically, most truck driving companies offer their employees great benefits. This includes different types of insurance, such as life, medical, and dental. They may also offer retirement plans, which can really help you later in life.

Flexibility

Usually, truck drivers are able to determine how far they would like to travel. If you are interested in traveling long distances, this is definitely a career option that will give you that opportunity. You may also get to choose to drive locally as well, which means you won’t be away from home for extended periods of time.

Outside Hours: When Can Your Lifestyle Affect Your Career?

November 29, 2017 by Guest Contributor

It’s always good to keep some kind of divide between your work and your social life. Maintaining some boundaries is something we all learn early on in some careers. Unfortunately, there are some activities that can cause major problems for you at work even though they are undertaken on your own personal time. Below are just a few ways your actions off the clock can impact your life while at work.

Performance Woes

How you spend your time outside the office can have a huge impact on how you perform during the workday. What you get up to doesn’t even have to be illegal, it just has to be a poor choice. Think about something as simple as staying up all night to go to a party. This can come back and bite you if you have a meeting early the next morning. Natural consequence is something everyone eventually learns about as they grow up, but it is no less important to remember when it comes to the daily grind. Make sure your outside life isn’t going to affect your workday performance before making the choice.

Morality Clauses

Certain jobs are held to higher moral standards, for good or ill. Many teachers, for example, have morality clauses that are strictly enforced by their employers. In some cases, something as simple and seemingly harmless as posting a picture on social media that has a beer bottle in the background can cause an individual to lose a job. Those who work for religious institutions are often also likewise held to very strict standards and some can find themselves unemployed for being seen out on a date or being accused of any kind of minor impropriety. You are responsible for holding yourself to any moral code or clause your employer might have in place.

Criminal Activity

Obviously, criminal activity can play a major role in one’s work life no matter what the field. There are very few jobs that look kindly on employees who commit any kind of criminal act while employed. Many licensed professionals, for example, can lose both their jobs and their licenses if they are caught driving drunk. According to one defense attorney, drunk driving can result in immediate driver’s license suspension in some cases, which could affect your commute to work or loss of job if driving is involved. In other situations, a criminal conviction can cause an individual to lose out on promotions or even further work opportunities.

From natural consequences to legal problems, what you do off the clock can impact your life while you’re at work. If you are in legal trouble, it’s a good idea to take defensive steps to protect your reputation, finances, and record. If your actions are causing problems at work, it’s a good idea to either reexamine those actions or your career. After all, maintaining that balance is important, even if it impacts your employment.

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5 Ways a DUI Can Affect Potential Employment

October 26, 2017 by Guest Contributor

Being convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) can carry many harsh consequences in a variety of aspects of your life. A conviction of a DUI is associated with possible jail time, fines, and attending rehabilitation classes, and it causes employment issues and family problems as well. According to DCMD Law “Every 30 minutes, someone in this country dies in an alcohol-related crash. Last year alone, over one million people were injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes.” In an effort to reduce the cause of such accidents Law Enforcement has been cracking down on those driving under the influence. Driving Under the Influence is a serious matter and even if you don’t cause an accident a DUI conviction can have serious consequences.

Although some of the penalties may be short-term, others can linger and continuously affect your daily life. One of the biggest long-term issues of a DUI relates to future employment, and here are five ways a conviction can affect it.

Losing Your Current Job

Some companies have policies allowing them immediately terminate your contract after a DUI conviction. (Primarily for those whose job involves or could involve driving). If this is not the case, you still may risk losing your current job due to missed work due to court appearances, required classes, and even imprisonment.

Education

If you are considering [Read more…] about 5 Ways a DUI Can Affect Potential Employment