The United States of America gained its independence from England on July 4, 1776. One year later, residents of Philadelphia celebrated that freedom in the city’s streets. However, most Independence Day observances didn’t commonly occur until after the War of 1812.
As a democracy, the U.S. offers us a lot of freedoms. We can live where we choose, travel across the country and select the profession that interests us. As we celebrate Independence Day this year, we’d like to thank the veterans who are apart of the Dynamic Transit family!
Choosing a Career
As previously mentioned, living in a democracy means we have a lot of choices, and that includes jobs. Some people know what they want to do straight out of high school, and others switch careers multiple times.
Though some people like the structure an office job provides, individuals who prefer spontaneity and solitude often don’t want to be stuck in a cubicle for hours at a time. They don’t want co-workers or supervisors micromanaging their work and schedule.
If this sounds like you, becoming a truck driver may just be the answer. Let’s take a look at some of the freedoms this profession offers:
Financial Freedom
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual pay for truck drivers in the U.S. is $45,570. Though many young people attend a college or university for at least three or four years, they’re not guaranteed a job upon graduation. Being a truck driver doesn’t require a college degree; instead, your education comes in the form of a licensed training program.
Did you know that recent college graduates carry an average student loan balance of more than $35,000? Or that an estimated 70 percent of college seniors graduate with debt? Upon completing training for your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you’re not stuck with the large amount of debt with which many college graduates are burdened.
In addition to a salary, most trucking companies offer competitive benefits. These typically include health, dental and life insurance, 401(k) plans and even bonuses. Some outfits give benefits for safe driving, distance traveled and other milestones.
Freedom Through Flexibility
Most truck drivers are given a timetable for when a load should be delivered but can make their own decisions on how they manage their time getting to that destination. They must keep an electronic log and adhere to specific rules and regulations for things like hours of service, but they don’t have to keep a nine-to-five schedule like other professionals.
Along with stable but predictable hours around which they can plan, truckers typically can select what kind of haul – local, cross-region or long-distance – interests them most. As long as they utilize their time efficiently, they can make their own schedule.
Freedom Through Job Security
Being unemployed is often very stressful, both financially and emotionally. The reported shortage in the trucking industry is 60,000 drivers, meaning it offers extra job security to drivers. This is especially true for trucking veterans and those with exemplary driving records. Trucking is an essential part of the U.S. economy, something that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon.
Freedom to Travel
There are thousands of interesting places to visit across our spacious skies. However, many people can’t afford to travel extensively. Being a truck driver affords you the opportunity to see places you might not otherwise visit. You also get to meet a wide variety of people in different parts of the country if you choose the long-haul route. Some drivers get to experience travel as a team driver with their spouse, and even pets occasionally go along for the ride! Doesn’t sitting inside the comfort of your cab sound better than staring all workday at a blank wall?
If the freedoms enjoyed as a truck driver sound like something you’d like to experience, contact us to learn about a career with Dynamic Transit. Or, search through the positions we currently have available.