Transportation specialists, also known as truck drivers, are one of the most essential, yet underappreciated and disregarded professions in America. Truck drivers are treated as third class citizens, yet, without trucks, America stops. The reason I have chosen this career, is very simple. At the age of three years old, my father sat me on his lap, and let me steer a semi in an empty parking lot. He worked the fuel, brake, and clutch while I held the wheel. I was thoroughly hooked. Truck driving is in my blood, and has been a part of my life since birth. My father, grandfather, uncles, cousins, they all drove trucks, and it passed down to me. It is not a job, it is a life for me. The average American truck driver has a very complex and lengthy …show more content…
The hours worked, the salary, the benefits, overall the lifestyle that is present in trucking is one that I have a deep passion and love for, and I enjoy greatly. In 2012, the average truck driver’s salary was $40,000 dollars a year. This, doesn’t sound like a lot. However, this is what the average truck driver makes. In my line of trucking, I have a job opportunity that allows me to make a maximum of $144,000 dollars a year. The hours expected to work are 70 hours over the course of 8 days, with a maximum of 14 hours a day on duty. Once off duty, you must remain off of the clock for a minimum of 10 hours, with a mandatory 30 minute break after 8 hours. Also, you must remain off the clock for a minimum of 34 hours between 70 hour work weeks. This is designed to ensure that the driver is well rested, and adequately refreshed before driving again. This is a critical safety issue in today’s trucking industry. The benefits, are limited. Health insurance and medical coverage is not offered through many companies, citing high costs in a dangerous injury. However many companies give company credit cards to use for fuel, accessories, and living expenses while out on the road. Some even offer cell phone data plans, to limit the cost that drivers pay for basic internet, music streaming, and other types of technology, to aid the driver in his moral and work ethic of truck