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No Image March 07 2023 in Trucking, Truck Driving

Best Types of Truck Driving Jobs & How to Get Them

Truck drivers play a pivotal role in enabling economic growth, and the need for more professional truckers is set to increase along with the economy. Apart from providing a reliable income and job security, a truck driving career offers diverse opportunities in terms of truck driving job type, pay, and position.   

From entry-level truck driving jobs that allow drivers to get their foot in the door and develop on-the-job experience to roles that require niche skills, the trucking industry has something for anyone looking to hone their skillset and embrace a life out on the open road. This blog post will delve into the most common types of truck driving jobs, which trucking jobs pay the most, and how to land these positions.   

Types of Logistics Driver Jobs  

Dry Van Haulers: operate semi-trucks with easy-to-transport goods packed in boxes or pallets. Dry van haulers don’t typically have to load or unload cargo, allowing drivers time to relax between shifts.   

Freight Haulers: transport cargo not covered by dry van trucking, like hazardous goods, liquids, or oversized loads.    

Flatbed Trucking: operate an open-air trailer to transport oversized goods too large or awkward to fit into semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, like machinery or other vehicles. These routes are typically longer and require specialized skills to operate safely.   

Tanker Haulers: transport hazardous and nonhazardous liquids depending on the logistics company and client.   

Types of Truck Driving Positions  

Local, regional, and OTR truck driving positions refer to the time spent on the road as part of the job.   

Local: spends the least time on the road, and most local truck drivers return home daily. They usually operate alone and can run dedicated lanes or LTL (less than truckload).  

Regional: drivers transport cargo within specific regions in the US, spending an average of 1 to 2 weeks on the road at a time.  

Dedicated Lane: drivers use a specific route dedicated to a single customer to guarantee ongoing supplies and services at regular intervals. Dedicated lanes can cover short or long distances but are typically local routes.  

Over the Road (OTR): also called long-haul trucking, OTR truckers drive across the country and have likely visited all lower 48 states. OTR truck driving covers the longest distances and can take weeks or even months on the road, but the pay is significantly more than local and regional carriers.  

Which Truck Driving Jobs Make the Most Money?  

If you’re wondering which truck driving jobs pay the most, the answer lies in jobs that require specialized skills or have higher risks. In general, owner-operators, ice road truckers, tanker truckers, and team drivers are among the highest-paying ones in the industry. This is because these drivers spend the most time on the road, have the most experience and specialized training, and take on greater risks.  

How Do I Get These Jobs?

To earn more money as a professional truck driver, you’ll need to go above and beyond the standard and gain the skills, experience, and endorsements to open new doors for your career. Here are a few of the requirements involved in securing one of these highly sought-after trucking jobs: 

Risks & Liability: high-risk jobs like ice road trucking, tanker haulers, and more increase the level of danger associated with the job. Higher risk means more liability for you and your logistics company.   

Skills: complex skills required to navigate potentially dangerous situations  

Experience: the more experience you have on the road, the more you’ll typically make. Truck drivers with over five years of CDL experience are more likely to earn more and secure higher-paying jobs.  

Driving record: spotless record with no accidents or reckless driving citations  

Demand for Work: certain regions with a higher demand for truck drivers will pay more, specifically in more remote areas or areas needing truck drivers.  

What Are the Best Truck Driving Jobs?   

When it comes to truck driving jobs, there’s no one-size-fits-all option. Depending on your priorities, certain jobs might be a better fit for you. For instance, if you prioritize home time, a regional dedicated lane job might be ideal, while if you’re looking for top pay, OTR tanker trucking might be the way to go. It’s important to remember that the best job and salary will vary based on the logistics company you work for.  

Be a Truck Warrior 

Drive with Warrior Logistics for a reliable, rewarding, well-paying truck driving job and advance your professional career. Whether you’re interested in expanding your skills and income opportunities or seeking a stable living with flexible terms, we’ve got you covered.   

As FedEx Ground’s leading linehaul contractor, you’ll be welcomed into our Warrior family with competitive pay, benefits, a modern fleet, and ample growth opportunities. Apply today to join our Dallas, Houston, Denver, or Kansas City team, whether you’re an entry-level or experienced driver! 

 

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No Image February 22 2023 in Trucking, Truck Driving

No-Touch Freight Truck Driving Jobs: What You Need to Know

There’s much more to truck driving than just moving cargo from one place to another. Some companies require truck drivers to load and unload the trailer, which involves extensive physical labor and time. Some trucking companies, like Warrior Logistics, offer no-touch freight driving, meaning drivers don’t have to load or unload cargo themselves. In this blog post, we’ll explore no-touch freight driving, its benefits, and how to move your trucking career forward without ever having to life a thing. 

What Does No-Touch Freight Mean?  

No-touch freight means you operate the truck but don’t handle the cargo you’re hauling. While you take a break in the cab, employees of the shipper, consignee, or warehouse staff load or unload a trailer or container parked at a loading dock. This type of job could also mean drop-and-hook freight.   

What Does Drop-and-Hook Mean?  

This type of transportation means truck drivers drop off a loaded or unloaded trailer or container at the warehouse destination and then hook up to another trailer or container without touching the freight or waiting around for the cargo to be loaded and unloaded.  

Top 3 Benefits of No-Touch Freight Driving  

The main benefit of no-touch freight driving is it reduces physical labor when drivers are at risk of fatigue or getting injured by warehouse equipment. It saves time in loading and offloading freight. When delivered, breaking down pallet loads takes a lot of time and effort for the driver.  

Saves time  

Depending on what you’re transporting, loading and unloading might be time-consuming. No-touch freight allows you to sleep, make a call, or unwind while others handle the heavy lifting.  

Less liability  

No-touch freight jobs reduce liability. Any particular driver has enough liability just by driving a truck on the road. A new degree of responsibility is added while handling freight on a loading dock. This could be less stressful for many truck drivers who want to focus on driving and reaching checkpoints on time.   

Things might go wrong at a loading bay because of elevated platforms, large goods, and equipment like dock ramps and forklifts. With no-touch freight, loading zones have a dedicated workforce familiar with the correct procedures, relieving you of some burdens.   

Safety  

Hauling freight can seriously injure truck drivers, especially if they have just spent several hours driving on the road. Drivers dramatically increase their risk of back, shoulder, and neck injuries when constantly having to load and unload cargo.  

Forklifts and pallet jacks can also injure your legs and feet without the proper safety precautions, and no-touch freight means you can maintain a safe distance to avoid the risk of harm.  

No-Touch Freight Truck Driving Job Requirements  

A truck driving career is great to pursue, but it requires a lot of responsibility. For many truck drivers moving freight is backbreaking.  

Because of these many benefits, many truck drivers seek no-touch freight carriers. The requirements for these positions are like those of traditional truck driving jobs but expect to be held to a higher degree of professionalism, accountability, and responsibility.   

It’s your job to ensure on-time and safe delivery and close communication with your operations manager and the final facility. Anyone who prefers to concentrate only on the driving part of trucking might choose no-touch freight.  

Looking for a No-Touch Freight Trucking Job?  

Warrior logistic is a leading transportation company powering FedEx Ground. Our Truck Warriors operate in our state-of-the-art Cascadia fleet, which is less than two years old, and enjoy hassle-free no-touch freight.  

If you’re looking to get exposure with one of the largest trucking companies in America and take your career to the next level without ever having to touch cargo, apply for a no-touch freight truck driving job with Warrior Logistics today!   

 

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No Image February 07 2023 in Trucking, Truck Driving

Does Age Matter for Truck Driving Jobs?

Today, more and more people are considering truck driving as a possible career option. Despite the common misconception that truck driving is a job for only young people, age is not a barrier to entering this rewarding field. In fact, the trucking industry values the skills and experience that older workers bring to the table.  

Many people, after retiring in their late 60s, start this career with a new passion and find it rewarding. But the question is, what are the age requirements for truck driving jobs? If you’ve ever asked this question, you’re not alone. 

What Are the Benefits of Being a Truck Driver? 

No doubt, truck driving has huge age diversity, so people of any age and background can build a fulfilling career and start earning. Demand for this specific job is increasing daily because of employee shortages. 

According to ATA (American Truck Association), as of 2021, more than 80,000 positions are employed, and by 2030, this number will increase. Furthermore, a lot of experienced truck drivers offer guidance and mentorship to new recruits, which supports the industry as a whole.  

By spending more time developing as a professional trucker and gaining experience on the road, you can explore unique growth opportunities within the field, making this career choice an excellent investment for your future. 

How Do I Become a Truck Driver? 

Fortunately, there is no truck driving age limit, but there are a few factors to consider before you can start earning. Here are some of them: 

Previous driving record: 

A basic requirement before you can start your career in truck driving is maintaining an excellent driving record. Professional carriers won’t consider hiring drivers who have a history of speeding, accidents, and other evidence of poor decision making. Commercial motor vehicles require more attention and a high level of skill, so safety is non-negotiable. 

Driver’s license: 

Depending on which type of truck and cargo you will be transporting, having the proper license to operate certain vehicles is the first step. Also, your driver’s license has to be commercial if your carrier falls in the CDL category.  

How Many Types of Truck Driving Jobs Are There? 

The trucking field is extremely versatile and offers a variety of different jobs. 

CDL Trucking Jobs  

A CDL or commercial driver’s license is required before you can drive commercial vehicles for a professional logistics company.  

Class A  

A class A driver’s license is mandatory if you are looking to drive multi-axle trailers, flatbeds, freight haulers, and tanker haulers. 

Class B 

By obtaining a Class B commercial license, you will be able to drive semi-trailers, small trucks, and buses.  

Class C 

Class C driver’s licenses are the most common and are required for driving cars, vans, and pickup trucks.  

Ready to Become a Truck Driver? 

We all know age is just a number, but this comes with unique advantages in the trucking industry. The interstate CDL requires you to be at least 18 years of age before you can obtain a commercial license. After you turn 21, you can start driving commercial motor vehicles in all other states.   

Truckers are the backbone of the American economy, and the top carriers like Warrior Logistics are ready to welcome you with open arms. Anyone older than 21 can start a truck driving career. As long as you can safely operate your vehicle, pass drug and alcohol screenings, and are in good physical and overall health, you can be a truck driver. 

Drive with Warrior 

Warrior Logistics is a leading transportation company powering FedEx Ground. Our Truck Warriors operate across the nation in our state-of-the-art Cascadia fleet, which is less than two years old.  

We believe truckers are called to a higher purpose and our driver-centric focus inspires a dynamic and results-driven culture. If you’re ready to move your career forward with one of the industry’s largest transportation companies, apply today! 

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No Image January 23 2023 in Trucking, Truck Driving

Will Self-Driving Trucks Make Trucking Jobs Easier?

The trucking industry is changing, not just because of self-driving freight trucks. As the economy grows, so does the demand for goods. 

And that means more and more cargo is being transported across the country — and around the world. Trucking companies are expected to hire an unprecedented number of drivers this year. That’s good news for people who want a job in trucking! But how will new technology like self-driving trucks affect your ability to land one? 

What Are Self-Driving Trucks?  

Self-driving trucks are trucks with some level of automation. They can operate on highways but require a human operator for off-highway driving, such as going through construction zones and urban areas.  

There are various levels of autonomy for self-driving trucks ranging from 1 to 5, but only levels 1 and 2 are legal for US roads. 

Level 1 automation means that the vehicle can provide steering assistance or braking and acceleration assistance, while level 2 applies to trucks with advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) with the ability to take over steering, acceleration, and breaking in specific scenarios. 

At the time being, only lower-level automation trucks are available; however, it’s worth mentioning that you can expect more as companies continue their research into this field. 

How Will Self-Driving Trucks Affect Truck Drivers?  

As automated trucking continues to develop, truckers may feel like they will be replaced. However, all levels of self-driving trucks need to be supervised by an experienced human truck driver. The skills required for a professional driver are not easily gained, and the training is extensive. In addition to driving expertise, drivers need good decision-making skills to ensure safe operations. 

Self-driving trucks are being developed for use on highways at low speeds, but this doesn’t mean that once on the road, these vehicles will make better decisions than humans. In fact, human drivers have an advantage over automated systems because they can react quickly if something goes wrong with their vehicle or if other cars on the road are driving dangerously. 

Trucking is the backbone of our economy, and truckers shouldn’t feel like they’ll be replaced anytime soon because the skills and experience gained as a professional truck driver outweigh driving automation by leaps and bounds! 

How Self-Driving Trucks Can Make Truck Driving Easier  

It’s no secret that driving trucks can be a stressful job. With long hours and tight deadlines, truck drivers often have to adhere to strict schedules that can take a toll on even the most seasoned professional. As such, the risk of accidents increases because of driver fatigue or other factors like road conditions and weather.  

Since self-driving trucks are designed for safety and assistance, they can potentially reduce the number of accidents and unsafe conditions on the road, making driving less stressful. Technologies like adaptive cruise control and break assistance enable a better driving experience for the driver. 

While the technology of self-driving trucks is expected to advance in the coming decades, it’s important to remember that even fully autonomous trucks require experienced human operators who are alert, engaged, and prepared to take control at any time. 

Drive with Warrior Logistics  

At Warrior Logistics, people are our greatest assets, and we strive to create an environment that enables each of our Warriors to achieve their fullest potential. We understand the value truck drivers bring to the American economy, so we ensure all our team members have the tools and resources they need for success. From rigorous safety training and competitive benefits to our state-of-the-art Cascadia fleet, we’ve got you covered. 

Move your career forward with one of America’s leading trucking companies. Apply today! 

 

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