Theres only been just a few times in 12 years that Ive needed to be off for something that I havent been able to be off. While most have a basic understanding of what truck drivers do, few know or appreciate all that goes into a driver's day-to-day living. I was a professional Schneider driver for many years and am now a Driver Instructor at Schneiders Green Bay training center. However, some OTR companies promise their drivers that they will be home every weekend. Storage for clothes and bags is also a must. Wait for my trailer to be live unloaded: When hauling freight that requires a live unload, I would bring the trailer to a receiving dock and wait for it to be unloaded. They keep us in nice equipment. Many people may not be able to handle 250 days on the road like the average truck driver is able to. He describes his job as laid-back with great benefits. $37.50 - $50.00 Per Hour (Employer est.) Take a 10-hour break after either 11 hours of driving or 14 hours of being on duty. Many truckers drive sleeper cabs, which have beds inside the cabin. According to the American Trucking Associations, the average age of OTR truck drivers is 46, and the average age of new drivers just beginning their careers in the industry is 35. According to her dispatch information, Jenny is heading across town to the port terminal to pick up a load of fresh produce. Where Did All the Truck Drivers Go? | ATBS CloudTrucks also offers flexibility by not forcing dispatch, so drivers can drive as little or as much as they want.. How is Regional Truck driving? The best way to answer that question is, it depends. 8 Facts About the Truck Driver Way of Life - Jobs What is a Supply Chain Network and How Does it Work? The best ones even offer creature comforts like mini-movie theaters, salons, barbershops, and shoeshine stations. The work and pay for a regional driving job is best suited to a single driver. Once theyve delivered their load of goods to a warehouse, regional drivers move these goods to distribution points. Where do they shower? Some trucking companies, like Schneider, have operating centers across the country that are equipped with amenities like showers. While wage growth fortruck drivershas lagged other industries in the past two decades, employers are beginning to steadily increase wages to retain current employees and entice new people to enter the field amid adriver shortage. Between the comfortable sleeper compartments built into trucks these days to all the conveniences that modern truck stops offer, it can be downright enjoyable. Less than two hundred years ago, a horse-drawn wagon of freight took six months or more to travel from coast to coast. Sleeping. Sure, it can be challenging to spend many hours and days on the road, but it can also be liberating and exciting, depending largely on your specific point of view. He's been the eyes and ears of our company since our founding in 1935, and he's excited to interact with prospective and current Schneider associates through "A Slice of Orange. AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming A day in the life of a regional truck driver/a day in the life of a truck driver, and the struggles of driving a semi truck. to chat with a driver recruiterMessage and data rates may apply. Unlike local drivers that are home every evening, OTR truckers are typically gone for weeks at a time. Ive been driving for Kloeckner Metals for 12 years now. Because semi-truck manufacturers realize that long-haul truck drivers can spend days and even weeks on the road, they make sleepers fully loaded to maximize comfort. A Different Way of Life: When driving, you live in a truck that is rarely larger than an 8 x 8 space. Many people may not be able to handle 250 days on the road like the average truck driver is able to . If you dont mind being away from home and enjoy working independently, then you may be well-suited for the life of a truck driver. A built-in refrigerator. 9 Pros and Cons of Local Truck Driving Jobs | Drive My Way If you value being physically present . Chesapeake Bay search continues for trucker - Richmond Times-Dispatch 1. I agree to receive email and SMS communication from The CDL School. Dinner: By carrying your own meals in an electronic cooler or fridge you can keep your food costs down. Walter thinks it is important to always look presentable. By now you should be familiar with JGLCs sister company, Greene Transport Company, which is coming up on their 20th year in service. At Drive My Way, we can help you find a great new job thats just the right fit for you and your lifestyle. Many truck drivers wear jeans, boots, and long sleeve shirts. Its no doubt that truckers work long hours. Less than two hundred years ago, a horse-drawn wagon of freight took six months or more to travel from coast to coast. Space for a microwave. Since your living space isnt exceptionally big while on the road, you have to master the art of staying organized and neat. Nicer sleeping compartments have a fold-out desk, space for a laptop computer, and even a toilet. Experienced truck drivers will often refer to trucking as a lifestyle rather than a job. This might seem a bit challenging at first, but once you set up everything according to your needs, its not any harder than keeping your apartment clean. Another way truckers pass the time when not driving is by spending time at truck stops. My daily mileage averaged 350-450 miles, with a day every so often over 500 miles. How Often Are Truck Drivers Home? - CDLjobs.com CloudTrucks drivers can make up to $6000 per week. Copyright 2023, Schneider. Blog Driver Life What Is the Typical Day in the Life of a Truck Driver? Most drivers work within a 1,000-mile radius and return home several times a month, often on the weekends. I understand I may unsubscribe at any time. Modern trucks have about an 8 x 8 of living space, or about the size of the early Apollo space capsules. Bowers' lawyers conceded that he attacked and killed worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018. . Usually whatever is most comfortable for them while they are driving. Theres a trucking driving job thats perfect for every professional CDL driver. Robert Bowers, 50, also wounded seven more, including five . Location*AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingWashington D.C. Do you have an affiliation with the US Military? Questions? However, before you take the leap and decide to become a truck driver, its essential to weigh the pros and cons. At the end of a driving day, its nice to get out of the truck and walk around; stretch legs and mind. A truck driver has been convicted of fatally shooting 11 worshippers at a synagogue in the deadliest attack on Jewish people in the US. Regional truck drivers make around $15,000 more per year than local drivers and are still home weekly. It all depends! With perishable products, schedule delivery times are normally in the early morning, so, that the loads we bring in can be distributed on the customers local trucks for daytime deliveries. Give us a call at (469) 250-1214, Lease on to a mega carrier while making your own decisions, Build business credit with every purchase. Over the road (OTR) truckers travel long distances and put in a lot of miles thats how they get paid, after all. January 1, 2023. Its not pretty: As you can see, if the trucking industry were to cease operating today, the country would descend into chaos. I have read the, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, CDL Vision Requirements For Truck Drivers, How to Go From Rookie Truck Driver to Experienced Trucker, Top Trucking Podcasts You Should Follow While Starting Your Career. Explore Schneiders OTR driving opportunities and hit the road! Call 1-877-791-9458 or pre-qualify online at DriveJBHunt.com. Your day will likely look a bit different if you are a bulk, intermodal, local or some other type of driver. Take a 30-minute break after, at most, eight hours of driving. With so many ways to stay entertained, drivers dont feel the need to socialize with one another as much as they did in the past. Its dark by the time Jenny reaches the truck stop she selected to stay for the night. To move goods across the country, truck drivers use various specialized equipment to haul everything from toilet paper to gasoline and everything in between. Regional trucking refers to the part of the country a driver moves goods and materials, and makes deliveries. But, if youre able to handle the long miles, lonely hours, and being away from your home and family for weeks and months at a time, truck driving might turn out to be your dream job. Sign up for a FreightWaves e-newsletter to stay informed of all news and trends impacting supply chain careers and operations. Defensive driving for truckers - TOP 7 tips. OTR and Regional drivers usually sleep in their sleeper berths. What is the life of a truck driver really like? Driving a commercial truck can be a very rewarding career, especially if you enjoy having time to yourself. Regional truck driving jobs | Schneider Extra Mile International Inc Trucking Company, Tips for drivers to reduce stress on the road, Defensive driving for truckers TOP 7 tips. As long as she makes her appointments on time, shes the captain of her ship. As far as regional work is concerned, It might be for you, it might not. Being a truck driver has its pros and cons just as all professions do. A driver can make a great salary, be successful and enjoy the other pleasures of life. But, since trucks come and go at all hours of the night and day, she decides to loop back around to the fuel island and top off her fuel tanks. This means that truck drivers may work up to 11 hours per day, but any driving completed over that limit will incur substantial penalties. The answer to "how often are truck drivers home" also depends on . Some have two beds and come equipped with a small refrigerator, microwave, and TV. Queens Crash Claims Life of 14-Year-Old Fortune Williams - NBC New York But what does a truck driver do to pass the time when not driving? Like any profession, the life of a truck driver has some benefits and challenges. Work-Life Balance as a Truck Driver: OTR vs. Local And More - CloudTrucks I have read the Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions. Legally, the Department of Transportation allows OTR drivers to drive up to a maximum of 11 hours per day, all of which must be completed within a 14-hour window. After her shower, she purchases a large cup of coffee and returns to her truck. You have 3 options to those jobs: Local, Regional and OTR. Friday, June 16, 2023, in Pittsburgh. A typical day differs depending on whether you are an over-the-road, regional trucker, or local delivery driver. Regional runs arent like that. Trucking has changed in the last 10 years. Eat at truck stops and/or fast-food restaurants. Get some coffee, walk around and inspect the truck and. Parking: Since I usually started my days early, Id do my best to be parked no later than 7 p.m. In the interest of safety, the Department of Transportation requires drivers take this half-hour break after, at most, eight hours of driving. Relationships between truckers arent as close as they used to be in the pre-internet world. From there, these businesses process your orders, and delivery drivers drop your items off at your front door. If all went according to plan, the driver would likely make it to their delivery location by early to midafternoon. What a trucker does after the driving hours depends on whether theyre a company driver or anowner operator. What Are the Differences Between Regional, OTR, and Local Truck Driving? August 12, 2021 Many people know about OTR (Over the Road) and local truck driving. What do they eat? Regional Truck Driving: What is it? | Napier Over the road (OTR) truckers travel long distances and put in a lot of miles that's how they get paid, after all. Your lifestyle as a truck driver depends on whether youre acompany driveror an owner operator, as well as on what type of driving you do local, regional, or OTR. When it comes to clothing for a truck driver, everyone is different. FreightWaves Ratings reference a list of approved sources for use of research to support editorial research and drafting. Pickup and delivery times dictate our lives on the road. Were only gone probably two or three nights a week, maybe four, sure not gone weeks at a time, so Ive only worked, I guess, probably three weekends all the way through in 12 years, and thats kind of unheard of in this line of work. When it comes to eating, OTR drivers usually: As an OTR driver, you will typically park you truck in one of four places to sleep: If the open road is calling, its time for you to answer and become a long-haul trucker. As long as you pick up and deliver your load on time and follow the law in between, nobody cares what you do or how you do it. For those drivers who need to be home some nights and most weekends, regional truck driving jobs are a great option. More and more restaurants include healthy options like salads or fish, so it often comes down to your personal choice. And keeps you from being someone who has to miss out on fun frequently because you are out of town. Truck drivers' home time varies. What To Look For When Buying a Used Semi-Truck. Truck stops have changed their menus so that we have healthier options and added fitness rooms and walking trails. Truck stops are not the only thing that has given these truck drivers more options, the trucks have also changed. Below, well highlight the typical schedule of a truck driver. In trucking, OTR stands for over-the-road. We all run electronic logs. How is Regional Truck driving? My answer will surprise some of you Effective/Applicability Date. J Blue Trucking, Inc. On top of that, they get the chance to haul various types of freight and see tons of new places across of the country. Many drivers equip their trucks with refrigerators, microwaves, satellite TV, video game consoles, and more. YesNo. All rights reserved. What does it take to become one? Like we always say, Dont forget to thank a truck driver. Today is her birthday, and her dispatcher has sent a happy birthday message. Sleeper cabs can come equipped with: A twin-sized bed (or two, for teams). What's the Difference? OTR Trucking vs Regional vs Local Explore Schneider's huge selection ofdriving opportunities near you to get your trucking career on the road. Where do they shower? Location/Region: Sanger, CA (93657) Applying for this job on Salary.com and explore the estimated salary as well. If you arent home every night, you can be home most nights and weekends. Thelife of atruck drivercan be challenging, but there are great benefits associated with the profession. He meal preps at home and if he needs something else while he is on the road, he will stop by a nearby grocery store with truck parking and runs in to get what he needs. Some of the top benefits of OTR driving are: OTR drivers maximize their miles, which usually results in higher pay, since they spend so much time on the road. Henry "H.G." A Day In The Life Of A Regional Truck Driver - YouTube This truck stop has an excellent restaurant, and since its her birthday, she decides to splurge and have a nice sit-down meal. 21 Pros and Cons to Life as a Truck Driver - Big Rig Pros Over the road (OTR) drivers spend weeks and months away from home, moving goods from coast to coast. Our regional drivers are home 2-3 nights each week and every weekend. 2023 Kloeckner Metals Corporation. Walk into the truck stop and do the morning rituals. Of course, this is not an issue tied exclusively to the trucking profession its a change that we are witnessing in every part of our society. For Jonathan . Its almost time to roll, but before she takes off, she performs a pre-trip inspection of her truck and trailer to ensure there are no hazardous defects that may endanger her or other motorists. Today the demand for truck drivers has never been higher due to the pandemic and its aftermath effects on ordinary folks in every city and town in the country. Most companies won't hire you as a regional driver any earlier, be sure to . Over-The-Road (OTR) Trucking: What It Is & Job Requirements Other times, Id wait and take one a bit later when I stopped to fuel and take a break. a clean criminal history. Rawlins, WY. They want the job done, but they also want you to be able to do what you can with your family. Post-trip inspection: Once parked, I'd do my post-trip inspection of the tractor and trailer to make sure the equipment was still in good shape after a day on the road. Work/life balance is a huge consideration for local drivers. OTR drivers sleep in sleeper cabs (or berths). As a truck driver, you want to know what is the best jobs available. You become part of a community dedicated to keeping our country moving, healthy, and strong. With 20 years of experience under his belt, Walter has been around to see the ups and downs that the trucking industry has endured. Schneider Guy loves the "Big Orange." Airplane*. For a driver, this doesnt allow much time to walk around and stretch your legs and rest your eyes very often each day. . You have 3 options to those jobs: Local, Regional and OTR. That said, the better part of any truck drivers day is spent behind the wheel delivering loads. Women in Trucking: Life as a Female Truck Driver - Napier Audiobooks are definitely underrated as a hands-free way to have fun, and we have a whole other blog ontrucking podcaststhat will help you get an idea of how rich and diverse this genre is. Some drivers, particularly owner-operators, personalize the space to make it feel homier. Today, that same trip can be made in as little as three to six days by a big truck hauling as much freight as thirty of those horse-drawn wagons. These drivers manage routes that have lengths that fall between local truck drivers' and OTR drivers' so their experience can sometimes be the best of both worlds. Since these runs are usually shorter, companies most often leave the regional truck driving jobs to solo drivers. There are healthy options for truckers now and they do not have to eat out of a gas stations or fast food just because they are on the road. We rely on truck drivers to get our products to our customers safely and on time. Its the best job around here. John Greene Logistics Company and Greene Transport Company address some of the most difficult aspects of the job, so that is more appealing for new drivers as well as our customers. Theyre going to know whats going on around you. The Carrier of the Future. Since I drove during the day, I started my shift early in the morning. A longtime private pilot and FAA-rated mechanic, he enjoys writing about ground and air-based transportation issues. Fill out a profile and get started today. Built-in storage and a desk. These include the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S Department of Transportation, Better Business Bureau, International Fuel Tax Association, Inc, Federal Highway Administration, additional Federal, State, and Local government websites, internal data compiling, original research, and commentary from industry experts. This might mean the Southwest region, which encompasses Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. After dinner, she returns to her truck, changes her log status to sleeper berth (where truckers typically sleep), and relaxes in her bunk watching the latest episode of her favorite show. Unfortunately, your browser doesn't support those technologies. After that, a driver might stay in the truck, where they can spend time watching movies or playing video games. You would hear other drivers going down the interstate, telling stories, making jokes and we would always let each other know if there were issues on the road ahead. In fact, the life of a truck driver is filled with challenges that are unique to this profession. at truck stop convenience stores. OTR driving jobs allow you to do just that while traveling across the country. Now that weve covered the pros and cons of being a truck driver and rode along with Jenny during her typical day at work, wed like to share with you some facts about truck drivers: You feel complete freedom. Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Mileage Reimbursement Rates. We are a family owned and operated trucking company out of Austin, TX. After shes finished with his drop and hook, she receives a message from dispatch with the details for her next load. Being a truck driver has its pros and cons just as all. Here are a couple of ways it couldve played out: Drop and hook the trailer I was hauling: While hauling drop-and-hook freight, I would simply drop off my trailer and pick up an empty one to take to a different shipper. She walks into the terminals shipping office, collects her bills of lading, returns to her truck, and leaves the port terminal. The many hours spent on the road can make truckers hungry. Clean driving record and able to pass a drug test. Owner operators own their own business so they might have to do some paperwork, call some customers, or manage other drivers under their authority. The benefits are great. I definitely plan on retiring from Kloeckner. Its not like youre gone all the time and never get to come home and see your family. Benefits. Other motorists saw Matthew John Livingston, 44, swerving between lanes on the Calder Freeway before his 43-tonne semitrailer crashed into the back of the Volkswagen on December 6, 2021. Privacy policy | Associate privacy disclosure | Do not sell or share my personal information (CA only) | Notice at collection (CA only) | Limit the use of my sensitive personal information (CA only) | Accessibility, Life of a truck driver: What an average day looks like, Schneider Office, Warehouse, and Mechanics Careers on Facebook, Schneider Office, Warehouse, and Mechanics Careers on Twitter, Schneider Office, Warehouse, and Mechanics Careers on YouTube, Schneider Office, Warehouse, and Mechanics Careers on Instagram, Schneider Office, Warehouse, and Mechanics Careers on LinkedIn. As a truck driver, you make an impact in the life of others, because of the clothes people wear, the smartphone and laptops people use, and the food people eat got to them because of your delivery. I talk about my experience doing Regional work. Truckers do not usually sleep in hotels because it is too expensive on the average driver's salary to spend every night in a motel or hotel. Occasionally, splurging for a thirty-four-hour reset at a motel provides an OTR driver a chance to get out of the truck for a little while. This can be quite a workout over the course of each day! If you drive at night, however, you may do some of the following in the evening. Regional drivers might come home one to three times a week, while OTR drivers stay on the road for two to three weeks at a time. The nature of a regional truck driving job usually dictates quick turns at each stop. After the show is over, she sets her alarm clock to ensure shes rolling in time to make her delivery on time and is asleep by 11pm. With OTR driving, you may make more, but you are only home once a month. This speaks volumes about how much being a trucker influences your everyday life. When spending the night at a major truck stop, you can also find places like super-truck showrooms, movie theaters, places for dining or dancing, etc. As we already mentioned, trucks today often have minifridges, which makes it much easier to store food of your choice. A 14-year-old girl was killed when a speeding car slammed into the back of a UPS truck in Queens. Experienced truck drivers are used to this lifestyle and it is an opportunity for them to travel across the country and rarely be stagnant in one place. Free time: I often spent the rest of my evening reading or using my computer, but there are plenty of other things OTR drivers can do for fun. 5 Challenges in the Life of A Truck Driver - Matheson Inc. Are you searching for a perfect fit regional truck driver job? Pre-trip inspection: After breakfast, I'd do my pre-trip inspection. Since I knew where my day would end, I would plan where I would be spending the night ahead of time. 19 May 2022 What Is the Typical Day in the Life of a Truck Driver? Truck driver lifestyle is nothing if not unique. The average trucker can cover 500 miles a day. If you require any type of accessibility adjustment, please request it. What is the life of a truck driver really like? Stephen M. Katz, The Virginian-Pilot. What is a day in the life of a trucker like? A little innovation can go a long way to prevent yourself from eating out for every meal. Once shes completed her inspection, she reviews her paperwork and changes her log status to off duty. How to Know if Being a Refrigerated Truck Driver is For You. Copyright 2022 Drive My Way. Currently, only 5.8% of truck drivers are female and there is a consistent demand for more.
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