The importance of trucking as an employer can be gauged by the fact that in the United States, trucking companies, warehouses and other private sector players employ more than 9 million people. One company, UPS, employs 60,000 workers. A total of 15.5 million trucks operate in the US, out of which 1.9 million are tractor trailers. Of the 3.3 million truck drivers in the US 10% are independent, a majority are owner operators. Canada on the other hand has in excess of 250,000 drivers.
Consider this. There are a whopping 360,000 trucking companies in the Unites States! 96% of these operate 28 or fewer trucks. 82% operate 6 or fewer trucks. A truck driver's job is a very popular one for many reasons. First the pay is very competitive and payment is based on mileage. Because of higher demand the pay increases regularly. A truck driver's schedule is very flexible. A person in this field can determine when to drive and when not to drive. The environment can be termed boss free.
If a person likes to travel, this job will allow seeing the country. It's like getting a paid vacation. The most important thing in these times of job insecurity, this a job to keep permanently since the demand for trucking is growing. There are lucrative retirement benefits offered by trucking companies. As a truck driver, you'll get to meet new people on a daily basis. This will help broaden one's horizon. Then there other safeguards like workers' compensation and short and long term disability bonuses. A trucking job is an attractive career option.
There are people who have a very strong entrepreneurial attitude who prefer to take the independent truck operator route. They are responsible for their own truck maintenance, insurance, fuel costs, bookkeeping, marketing and of course their own profits. Most owner-operators are happy about the fact that they are able to interact closely with their customers, which enables them to develop long term business relationships with them. This is a win-win situation where a trucker can get repeat business and the customers will get personal service and faster deliveries as well.
Most owner-operators have many years of trucking job experience. Over the years, they not only develop many useful contacts, they are also able to understand where the large trucking companies have pitfalls, and are able to provide better service when they set up their own business.
Thus, we see that trucking is a very popular profession which accommodates millions both as employees and entrepreneurs. As trucking is closely linked with a nation's economic progress it will always remain a priority industry for any nation across the world. A trucking professional is important for every business as it delivers a product to a consumer. Without transportation, an economy cannot thrive and businesses will not succeed.
