Profile For Mike H.

I'm not CDL driver. After I got lay off from other industry in 2001, I got a job at intermodal trucking company. I had no clue what is going on. I knew truck move cargo from point A to point B. but, I did not know how much is involve in transportation business and Safety. Drivers work irregular hours depends on trip distance, dispatchers response moment to moment emergency truck problems, customer service response to complaint from customers with no satisfactory answers. Few months after I started, one of our driver got involved in unimaginable multiple truck accident made me to walk away from this industry. I could not handle the pressure and chaos in trucking industry. truckers are at the bottom of the barrel in transportation with no respect. some times dissatisfied customers responded look down on you saying "you're just Trucker!!. Just do as I said!!!"

I walked away from this industry because I'm not cut out for this. Then I was out of job again. about a year later, I got a job offer from start up trucking company. I don't like the industry but, I took the offer, and you know the reason. It has been 12 years in this trucking industry. I agree with many drivers pain and suffering. irregular work hours, physical problems, low pay, unexpected condition on the road everyday, no health insurance, no retirement benefit, family issues, and list goes on and on. There is no respect for truck drivers and seniority is very rare. There are many more younger drivers keep coming in this industry and new trucking companies keep forming. surplus supply of trucker makes impossible to increase driver's wage. demand of transportation cost is so competitive, there is no room to make more money. it is difficult to be a truck driver.

However, unlike many other industry, job is always available for truck driver. Everyone knows transportation industry will grow every year. but, what is impact on drivers for transportation industry growth?

There are still some positive perspective in transportation. Compare to some jobs requires years of education back ground, you can find job with relatively short training time. Trucking office work such as customer service, dispatch, accounting are available with minimum back ground training and advancement is available based on individual skill and capability. Depends on your ability, your skill is easily transferable to other company as well. However, as driver, pay increase is difficult to expect due to profit on transportation is fixed. your years of knowledge and street smart is difficult to proof. therefore, increase in compensation is not easy.

I can't recommend anyone to become trucker for life. but, I often refer to become truck driver to young people looking for job. Not just driver for life but, for understand and be part of growing industry. For young people, they can start building career in transportation either from warehouse forklift driver or van driver handling hot shots. then get CDL A to other advancement after years on the road. I believe there is plenty of opportunity in transportation for younger people with no education background and needs income right away to support family. but, stay focused and lead successful career in transportation is challenging. They need mentor and guidance for many years.

By industry nature, many people in this industry don't have higher education. Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, engineers, and truck driver need continuing education. However, to advance in career, trucker needs more education while they have trucking job. Determination, and focus on future is needed. one of most important part as trucker is STAY HEALTHY. I can't emphasize enough for all drivers unhealthy eating habit and irregular work hours and lack of self training on physical and mental is must. you can't see dream of your life if you loose your health at 50.

This is good website to share and assist and find trust worthy of people in Transportation. Thank you for sharing

Mr. Old School Thank you