2 answers
alan
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Updated
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How does Truck driving work?
As a truck/semi driver do you get to pick in what area you only want to drive in or does the company just decide where to put you for pick ups and deliveries?
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2 answers
Marc Bradburry II
Manager/Consultant
14
Answers
Henrietta, TX
Updated
Marc’s Answer
Not all CDL jobs are cross country, many are local and most cross country (OTR - Over the Road) drivers are dispatched as there is little time to bid and accept the work. A proficient OTR owner/driver works with a broker, if they get picky they get offered less work, but if you choose to do OTR it is probably to travel and see new areas of the country you haven't been, so this isn't an issue. Often OTR drivers can be gone at least a week (some choose longer) as when they deliver, they load back up to take to another location and work their way back to their hometown. Traveling with an empty trailer is losing money, so fewer OTR opportunities happen with direct round trip travel. Out of those I know in the truck industry, owning your own rig is more about customizations and comfortability versus a business decision since they spend most of their time in their trucks than anywhere else, they enjoy their freedom but the heart of their decision lies with being able to do what they want with their "office".
There are tons of jobs for CDL drivers that do not include travel. Construction, Utilities, Manufacturing all look for local CDL drivers. You can operate anything from a bob tail dump truck to a low boy combo delivering heavy equipment to job sites (if you want you can go after driver/equipment operator, show up with a dozer and play in the mud then pack up and head home) Other jobs like heavy aggregates (Rock Quarries) need cdl drivers to move material from area to area on-site and you never leave the quarry. Bottom line, a CDL is nice to have, it puts you ahead of most people when it comes to industrial and heavy manufacturing jobs.
There are tons of jobs for CDL drivers that do not include travel. Construction, Utilities, Manufacturing all look for local CDL drivers. You can operate anything from a bob tail dump truck to a low boy combo delivering heavy equipment to job sites (if you want you can go after driver/equipment operator, show up with a dozer and play in the mud then pack up and head home) Other jobs like heavy aggregates (Rock Quarries) need cdl drivers to move material from area to area on-site and you never leave the quarry. Bottom line, a CDL is nice to have, it puts you ahead of most people when it comes to industrial and heavy manufacturing jobs.
Hassan Al
Product Management Professional
372
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Hassan’s Answer
The answer will depend on if you're an employee of a company or an independent driver and there are pros and cons to both.
If you're an employee, then you drive where you're told and may not have much choice. Depending on the employer you may get benefits like insurance and vacation as well as a fixed salary or a set schedule with hourly rates. Maybe even some job security and a fixed schedule.
If you're independent, then you get to pick your jobs and drive where you want. You'll get higher rates, but have to withhold your own taxes and pay for insurance etc. So if the economy is good then you maybe able to earn more this way, but otherwise you may have a hard time making a living.
https://fittopass.espyr.com/truck-driver-pros-and-cons/ and https://www.truckingtruth.com/trucking_blogs/Article-3825/is-trucking-worth-it have an interesting take on if trucking is worth it.
If you're an employee, then you drive where you're told and may not have much choice. Depending on the employer you may get benefits like insurance and vacation as well as a fixed salary or a set schedule with hourly rates. Maybe even some job security and a fixed schedule.
If you're independent, then you get to pick your jobs and drive where you want. You'll get higher rates, but have to withhold your own taxes and pay for insurance etc. So if the economy is good then you maybe able to earn more this way, but otherwise you may have a hard time making a living.
https://fittopass.espyr.com/truck-driver-pros-and-cons/ and https://www.truckingtruth.com/trucking_blogs/Article-3825/is-trucking-worth-it have an interesting take on if trucking is worth it.