One of the most recognizable trucks on the road is the car hauler. You’ve seen them on the highway, hauling cars, trucks and SUVs to their next destination, but have you ever thought about driving one as a career option for you? We talked to an experienced car hauler who gave us the facts about what this line of work is like. If you are interested in becoming a car hauler, here’s everything you need to know first. QualificationsLuckily for car haulers, the only requirement is that they have a valid CDL A. There are no additional endorsements necessary beyond that. Experience NeededOnce you’ve gotten your CDL A, the next thing you’ll need is some on the road experience before you start hauling cars. Granted, having x number of years of experience isn’t always necessary depending on the company you’re planning on working for. But most carriers prefer that their drivers have a few years of experience hauling dry van or reefer before they jump into car hauling. Clean Driving RecordIt isn’t unusual for car haulers to be carrying cargo that’s worth upwards of one hundred thousand dollars. That’s why these drivers need to be extremely safety-conscious and have a spotless (or near spotless) driving record. Total Attention to DetailCar hauling is a tough job. It requires total attention to detail at every step. More times than not, car haulers are responsible for not only driving the cars but loading and unloading them as well. This means 100% perfection in your routine while spacing the cars and strapping them down in place. Ensuring that there’s no damage to the vehicles in transit or during delivery is paramount to being a successful car hauler. We were about to talk with Robert Sitarski, Customer Service and Dealer Relations Supervisor with Drive My Way client, Hansen & Adkins. Robert has years of experience as a car hauler and shared his thoughts and advice for drivers considering this field. What made you interested in car hauling as a profession?
What advice do you have for truck drivers who are considering becoming car haulers?
What’s the best part about car hauling?
What’s the most difficult part of the job?
Is there anything else you think is important to add about car hauling?
If car hauling sounds like the job you’re looking for, consider creating a free profile with Drive My Way. Our proprietary software matches drivers with a job based on their qualifications and unique lifestyle needs. Looking for a new CDL Job?Drive My Way matches you with a job based on your preferences like pay, home time, touch level, and more. The post What Does It Take to Be a Car Hauler Truck Driver? appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/dwuEJ1e
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Small trucking company or large carrier? Every driver you ask will have their own opinion on which is better to work for. While there’s no one correct answer, there are pros and cons to each. Here’s what you need to know about small trucking companies vs large carriers, so you can make the best decision for you the next time you’re looking for a job. Working for a Small Trucking CompanyProsWhat drivers who work for a small trucking company probably like most about it is the fact that it’s, well, small. Drivers working for a small trucking company will often have more of a voice when it comes to operations, policies, and day to day management than they would if they worked for a large mega fleet. Another perk about working for a small trucking company is the ability to do some things outside your normal job description of truck driving. While this is understandably not what all drivers are looking for, small trucking companies are a great place to learn new skills that will help you later in your career. These skills could be anything from hauling different types of freight to learning the ins and outs of the financial side of the business. If you want to become an owner operator or even own your own fleet one day, this kind of experience is invaluable. ConsOne of the biggest issues with driving for a smaller trucking company is the heightened chance that the business won’t succeed, and the driver will be left without a job. If the trucking industry goes through a rough time, it’s much easier for a larger carrier to weather that storm than it is for a smaller, mom and pop company. Take for example what’s happened during the last few years. During and right after Covid, the number of small trucking companies and owner operators skyrocketed in response to the amount of freight that needed to be moved. Times were good for a while, but with diesel rising to never-before-seen prices and supply chain issues still prevalent, these small operations found it hard to survive and many shut their doors. Unfortunately, this left any drivers working for these carriers out in the cold. There’s also the chance that while working for a small company, they may begin to rely on you too much. While being part of a small team can be nice, you never want to feel like you’re being forced to take on too much because the boss doesn’t want to hire more drivers to help with the demand. Working for a Large CarrierProsIn general, larger carriers will have more robust healthcare and savings plans than smaller companies. These plans include medical, dental, vision, and most of the time even life insurance. This means that you and your family will be better set up in the case of a health emergency or if some other issue arises. This isn’t to say that all smaller trucking companies won’t offer these benefits, just that on average, the plans won’t be as good. Another benefit of working for a large carrier is their training and advancement programs. Generally, large carriers will have programs that help newer drivers, even those fresh out of CDL training, to get on the road by themselves safely and confidently. While this benefit is mostly geared towards new drivers, seasoned truckers should also look for training and advancement opportunities when researching a new company to work for. Some carriers have paid endorsement training, management training programs, and even have courses on how to become a driver liaison. ConsMany drivers will cite feeling like “a number instead of a name” while working for a large carrier. This is because at a large carrier, you’re going to be one of a hundred, one of a thousand, or even ten thousand. You could work there for 10 years and still won’t get to know the owner of the company or have any say in the company’s direction. But if you’re just looking to drive and collect a paycheck, then this won’t be that big of a deal for you. Larger carriers are also known for having tighter safety regulations and eyes on their drivers. One particularly divisive way they could do this is by using driver-facing cameras inside the cab. While measures like this can lead to safer driving, more experienced drivers may feel like they’re having someone breathing down their neck when it’s not needed. It’s important for drivers who are looking for a new job to remember that every carrier is different and won’t always fit into one of these neat buckets just because they’re a small company or a large carrier. It’s important to do your homework while looking for a new job and ask the right questions when you’re speaking with a recruiter or hiring manager to see if you’ve found the right place for you. Looking for a new CDL Job?Drive My Way matches you with a job based on your preferences like pay, home time, touch level, and more. The post Small Trucking Companies vs. Large Carriers: Which is Better? appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/V04FZWy Driver-facing cameras have become a hot button issue in the transportation industry over the past few years. Truck drivers are understandably wary about having recording devices pointing at them while they drive, but are there any benefits to these cameras? Here’s everything that drivers should know about driver-facing cameras. What are Driver-Facing Cameras?Driver-facing cameras are just what they sound like; cameras that are installed in a semi-truck cab that face the driver. Why are Carriers Installing Driver-Facing Cameras?There’s a lot of reasons that carriers are installing driver facing cameras, but the biggest one is it gives carriers a better chance to avoid liability in the case of an accident. Like seemingly everything else, insurance premiums for trucking carriers are on the rise, and installing driver facing cameras is just one way that carriers can reduce these costs. Why are Drivers Against Driver-Facing Cameras?The reason that drivers are against these cameras is pretty simple. Would you want to have a camera directly in front of your face during your work shift? The answer is probably, “no”. Truck driver’s feelings on front-facing cameras have been well-documented, but do they get a worse reputation than they deserve? Are There Any Benefits of Driver-Facing Cameras for the Driver?The main benefit of driver-facing cameras is that they can help prove a driver’s innocence in the case of an accident or traffic violation that otherwise wouldn’t have been seen. Most drivers will point out that that’s what dash cams are for (cameras that face the dashboard and show what the driver would see), but driver facing cameras can absolve a driver in the case that they’re being accused of distracted driving. Aside from that, the other benefit to driver-facing cameras is that it can lead to safer driving for newer drivers. A driver whose only been in the industry for 6 months to a year might have learned or adopted a bad habit that wasn’t noticed during CDL training or during their time with a driver trainer. Driver-facing cameras could in theory alert the carrier to this habit so that the driver can be coached on avoiding it. This, of course, is a debatable benefit to truck drivers. The reality, whether drivers like it or not, is that driver-facing cameras are becoming more and more popular for both commercial carriers and private fleets. With this in mind, we talked to Erin Lynch, Customer Success Manager with Drive My Way. We asked her thoughts on driver-facing cameras and what drivers should know about the new practice. When did driver-facing cameras start to become popular in the trucking industry, and why do you think they did?
Are trucking carriers using these cameras to watch drivers at all times?
Is there a good compromise for drivers wanting to protect their privacy and carriers wanting to increase their fleet’s safety?
Erin finished with these thoughts,
Looking for a new CDL Job?Drive My Way matches you with a job based on your preferences like pay, home time, touch level, and more. The post Driver Facing Cameras: Everything Truck Drivers Should Know appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/zR8lpAb Intermodal trucking can be a great option for truck drivers who are looking for a new job over the road and want to try something different than typical dry and reefer hauling. Here are 3 perks of being an intermodal trucker, along with quotes from actual intermodal drivers about what the job is like. What is Intermodal Trucking?Intermodal trucking, sometimes referred to as drayage, is the act of using a truck to move international cargo in specially designed containers from point A to point B. Usually this is either the first or last step in the overall intermodal transportation process. The containers that intermodal drivers haul are large, weather-hardy, and fit securely on several types of transport vehicles so that they can be moved easily between ship, plane, train, and truck. So, what about intermodal trucking makes it appeal to drivers? Here are 3 perks. 1. Consistent Schedule and Home TimeIf consistent home time and a healthy work/life balance are important to you, intermodal trucking might be a good choice for your next driving job. Drivers will tell you that the biggest benefit of this line of work is the consistent schedule and shorter routes. Drivers will usually complete at least one route, (most times more) in a single shift and be home every night. We spoke with an intermodal truck driver, David, and he shared his thoughts about this line of work,
2. Less Manual Labor and LoadingThe shipping containers that intermodal truckers haul move from transport vehicle to transport vehicle without being unpacked or broken down (With the exception of inspections by customs officials). They stay packed as is and sealed from the time they leave, until they get to their destination. At each stop the container moves to, there’s specialty equipment there to pick up the containers and place them on the trucks. It’s usually no touch for the drivers, which means less wear and tear on your body, and more time moving down the road. 3. FlexibilityMost intermodal drivers find the real perk of the job to be the flexibility that it provides them. We talked to another intermodal truck driver, Ritsuko, and she shared what she loves about intermodal trucking, including seeing the country and making money.
If you think that you’re up to the challenge of being an intermodal truck driver, do some research on companies in your area that specialize in this line of work. Keep in mind that intermodal trucking jobs will be much easier to find the closer you are to large ports and railyards. If you’re looking for another type of CDL A or B job, consider making a free profile with Drive My Way. Our patented technology matches drivers with jobs that are matches for their qualifications and lifestyle preferences. Looking for a new CDL Job?Drive My Way matches you with a job based on your preferences like pay, home time, touch level, and more. The post The 3 Perks of Intermodal Trucking appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/ZQb1GIs If you’re considering becoming a snowplow driver, now’s the time. Much like in every other sector of transportation, there’s a tight labor market for snowplow drivers, so state DOTs as well as private snow removal companies are looking to hire. Here are the need-to-know facts about being a snowplow driver, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you. What is a Snowplow Driver?A snowplow driver is someone who clears snow and ice from city streets, driveways, parking lots, and anywhere else cars drive. If the plow is attached to a dump truck chassis, they’ll usually drop salt as they plow as well. Generally, there’s two options for people who want to become snowplow drivers. You can either work for your state’s DOT or a private landscaping or snow removal company. What Equipment do Snowplow Drivers Use?It’s a common misconception that a “snowplow” is a kind of truck itself. A snowplow is actually just the attachment that is mounted on whatever vehicle that’s being used. If you choose the DOT route, you’ll likely be driving a dump truck with an attached plow. These are sometimes referred to as “winter service vehicles” and are used for plowing multi-lane city streets and highways. If you’re working for a landscaping or snow removal company, you’ll be driving a pickup truck or front-end loader with an attached snowplow. These vehicles are primarily used to plow smaller residential streets, parking lots, and driveways. What Qualifications are Needed to Become a Snowplow Driver?Snowplow drivers need to either hold their CDL A or B. There may be additional requirements based on your specific state, so be sure to check with your state’s B/DMW for more information. Since most snowplow drivers won’t be crossing state lines, this makes it a great option for drivers who aren’t 21 yet. How Much Does Being a Snowplow Driver Pay?Unless you live in a region of the country where snow is possible year-round, snowplow driving is a seasonal job. It’s great for drivers who are looking to make extra money during the winter months but isn’t sustainable year-round. Snowplow drivers will usually earn an hourly wage. This wage can be anywhere from $15-30 per hour depending on the state you live in and your experience level. This puts snowplow driving wages on the lower side when compared to other CDL B jobs. But keep in mind that snowplow driving is seasonal work, usually done to supplement someone’s income, not be their sole source of income. Here’s a breakdown of the average pay for snowplow drivers based on each state. What is Expected of Snowplow Drivers?Snowplow drivers are at the beck and call of the weather. If heavy snow or sleet is in the forecast, snowplow drivers can expect early mornings and late nights. Aside from that, snowplow drivers should be comfortable driving in poor weather conditions. These drivers are the first line of defense and often find themselves in the harshest elements, plowing roads that they can barely see. If you think that you’re up to the challenge of being a snowplow driver, you’re in luck. Many state DOTs and private companies are looking for these kinds of drivers right now. Visit your state’s DOT website or do some research on landscaping/snow removal companies in your area for more information. If you’re looking for another type of CDL A or B job, consider making a free profile with Drive My Way. Our patented technology matches drivers with jobs that are matches for their qualifications and lifestyle preferences. Looking for a new CDL Job?Drive My Way matches you with a job based on your preferences like pay, home time, touch level, and more. The post Considering Being a Snowplow Driver? Here are the Facts appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/ZQb1GIs |
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