June 14 2022 in Truck Driving, Trucking

The Future of Automated Trucking: Why Truck Drivers Will Always Be Needed

The future of truck driving is looking more and more driverless every day. With the advent of automated trucking and developments in the industry, many truck drivers wonder whether they will be replaced by automation. There are several reasons why truck drivers will always be needed in the industry. This blog post outlines the future of automated truck driving, its impact on the industry, and what this means for truck drivers. Stay tuned to learn more!

What is Truck Automation?

Automated trucks are semi-trucks that have at least some level of autonomy. Engineers delineate six levels of automation. Level 0 refers to trucks with no automated ability and need truck drivers to do all of the driving. Level 5 is a fully automated truck that is self-driving even in inclement weather without the need for driver operation. Automated trucks that offer assisted steering and warnings for lane departures are considered a level 1. Levels 2 and 3 are being implemented by some major companies in the trucking industry in controlled environments.

What Impact Does Driverless Trucking Have on the Industry?

While there is a lot of money and a growing interest in truck automation, truck drivers should know that their jobs are still secure. Smaller logistics companies also lack the resources and investor funding to implement these technologies. The impact of automation in the trucking industry means more safety for the driver, specifically during long-hauls, decreased ship times, and reduced highway traffic. While there is a lot to gain from automated trucking, the critical need for human truck drivers will never disappear.

Will Truck Drivers Be Replaced?

A common misconception is that automated trucks will replace truck drivers. Although automated trucks have been in development for the past decade and more companies have begun experimenting with this technology, truck drivers shouldn’t stress about their job security. Since companies are only testing levels 2 and 3, they cannot operate without a human truck driver. Even if the industry transitions completely into level 5 automation, professional truck drivers will still be needed to supervise at all times in the event of an error or accident. One of the key things that driverless trucks don’t have is experience. The insight to navigate difficult situations, experience on the road, and the ability for error correction. Truck drivers are the most important part of the future of truck driving, and that will always be the case.

The Importance of Truck Drivers

Truck drivers do more than just drive. Self-driving trucks cannot loan and unload freight or provide excellent customer service dispatching details about an order. This provides job security for truckers and will for the foreseeable future. Trucking experience can only be gained by putting in miles on the road. This advantage makes truck drivers necessary for the job, and apart from driving, they have the human element to delegate tasks and the ability to carry them out. There is also the issue of safety. While self-driving cars grow in popularity and can be found increasingly on the road, automated trucks are not the same. Semi-trucks are obviously larger and lack the ability to maneuver around a potential accident or roadblock. It also takes more time for a truck to come to a full stop after braking, and there is not much room to avoid cars or people on the side of the road. The potential problems with sensors being on top of a truck’s cab also raise concerns. With the sensors and cameras located at the top of the cab, there is potential for it to be blinded by the sun, have trouble distinguishing between cars and large signs, and become impaired in inclement weather. All of these factors contribute to problems for trucks in city settings where there are constant needs for stopping, turning, and tight spaces. Truck drivers need to be there to supervise these situations and navigate them if the technology fails.

Warrior Logistics understands that truck drivers are their greatest assets. It’s their core value. If you’re worried about your job being replaced, know that Warrior Logistics will always know the importance of truck drivers and their invaluable daily impact on the industry. They hire the best people and provide top-of-the-line training to create a superior environment for them to thrive. Ready to join the team? Contact us today!

November 26 2021 in Trucking

Why Jobs In The Trucking Industry Are Recession Proof

Never has a recession-proof industry been more sought after than during a global pandemic, a pandemic that has seen jobs and livelihoods lost on a frightening scale. Further, this is not the first time in recent history that work, careers, and incomes have been lost following an economic crisis. You only have to look back to 2007 to recount the days of The Great Recession ensuing from the banking and property crisis. The economic fallout from that was catastrophic and took years of recovery. At the time, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a sector that was not affected as the ripple tore through the US economy and then the rest of the world.

That said, there are always some industries and sectors that can withstand a global economic shakedown. They may not come out completely unscathed, but they will remain intact and ready to fight on another day. Trucking is one such industry. While some truckers and truck logistics companies felt the pinch of the recession, and even with the recent pandemic, the industry as a whole has stood firm, and truckers’ jobs largely remain secure. A current shortage of truckers has meant hiring truck drivers is proving difficult, unheard of in times of economic crisis.

If that hasn’t convinced you, here are some more reasons why driving a truck can prove to be a recession-proof career.

Demand

As with any sector, its success is built upon demand. If there is a demand for something, businesses need to find a way to supply it. What is the most common form of supplying physical goods? You guessed it! Freight. If the recent pandemic highlighted anything regarding truckers, it’s that they are essential workers. Trucking was an industry that could not work from home. Without truckers on the road, there inevitably would be serious problems.

Allow yourself to imagine what might happen if all the truck drivers put down their keys and stayed home. How do you think the food on the grocery store shelves gets there? For that matter, how do you think the shelves themselves got there? What about the gas you put in your tank? Or the materials needed to build new houses, office buildings, and marketplaces? The need to transport goods from point A to point B has always been there, and it will always be there, regardless of technological advances. The truck is the technology that replaced the horse and cart. To date, hiring truck drivers has been one constant that has stood the test of time, recession or not. So whether you want part-time driving jobs or a full schedule, opting into the truck driving industry is a safe bet for your future employment prospects.

Specialization

Trucking ranges from local driving jobs to highly specialized and skilled trucking sectors, and there will always be a need for both. With the expansion of online retail, courier jobs have seen a massive spike in demand that isn’t likely to wane anytime soon. Trucking careers may start at entry-level truck driving jobs, but once you have both your license and experience, much more of the trucking world will be open to you. You can seek to specialize in various trucking jobs, which often bring with them very lucrative financial incentives — not to mention job security. If you can specialize in the right sector, you can further protect your trucking career.

You may, for example, specialize in driving hazardous materials. These types of trucking jobs typically require specific training and skill sets because, by nature, they impose various levels of risk to the driver’s health and safety. However, they also provide above-average financial returns. Hazardous material will always be a part of the world, whether for government entities or private companies, and somebody will always need to move it from one place to another.

Other areas in which truck drivers can specialize are ice road trucking, the mining industry, oversized loads, or long-distance haulage. But of course, specialized driving is not without its stresses. It requires more extensive training, a temperament for working in potentially dangerous and challenging conditions, and the flexibility to work for extended periods away from home. That said, the incentive in terms of pay and job security can certainly make it worthwhile.

Variety of trucking available

Trucking itself is a catch-all phrase that covers the many facets of truck drivers. While some sectors may require further training, if you can drive a truck, there will undoubtedly be a variety of trucking jobs available to you. It is often the case that, even if the demand in one sector goes down, there will always be other areas where demand remains stable or booms. Take, for example, the 2007 recession. The demand for housing all but stopped overnight, and industries within this sector felt the knock-on effect, including the truck drivers who transported the housing materials. However, those truck drivers weren’t left without viable work because they had the desired skill set to be easily redeployed in another sector. So, even if truckers are laid off from one form of employment, many find that it’s possible to easily switch the type of carrier they drive and continue working. Being laid off for most truckers is only a temporary state. Plus, in many cases, truckers are laid off and seek work elsewhere only to be called back to their previous employment when the demand has picked up again.

In conclusion

While it would be foolish to say that every trucker in every sector is recession-proof, there is undoubtedly a robust case to be made for the security that truck driving has to offer, even in times of unprecedented and unparalleled crises. You will be hard-pressed to find a truck driver out of work for a prolonged period of time — unless it’s by choice, of course. Driving a truck takes skill and dedication, but there is a field of driving to suit all truckers, whether they desire a local driving job or want to take on the responsibility of a highly skilled car hauler. The work is there. If you’re interested in becoming a truck driver or looking for work, start with Warrior Logistics. There has never been a better time.

September 02 2021 in Trucking, Truck Driving

Top 5 Reality Truck Driving Shows

Do you ever find yourself scrolling endlessly through your TV channel guide, just waiting for something interesting and exciting to catch your attention? You can only watch so many repeats before you start debating whether you even need access to a television, and it would seem that nothing remotely enticing is available to stream in the modern day.

Thankfully, your search for great shows can finally grind to a halt! The genre of trucker reality shows is here to save you from your mind-numbing scroll. Trucking shows can have you riding on the edge of your seat and binge-watching one episode after another, as the nail-biting experiences that some truckers go through regularly are enough to cause even the steeliest of individuals to shake in their boots.

If you’re interested in finding some of the best trucker shows available on TV today, then you’re in the right place. Read on for our thoughts on 5 amazing programs that offer the ultimate track-focused entertainment.

1. Ice Road Truckers

Ice Road Truckers is an American reality television series that originally premiered in June of 2007. It showcases the lives of truck drivers who operate across seasonal routes, navigating frozen lakes and rivers in remote Arctic territories throughout Canada and Alaska. During harsh winters, remote villages and work sites are totally cut off from the world.

To keep them supplied with all of their most essential items, a tenacious group of truckers drives their rigs over vast distances (often hundreds of miles) on some of the scariest ice roads. Often, the ice is unable to support the heavy rig, causing the drivers and their cargo to break through and forcing them to act quickly to avoid sinking to the bottom. Climb on board for a risky ride-along as they head straight into bone-chilling danger for the sake of those who cannot escape these icy landscapes.

2. American Trucker

American Trucker is a show on the Speed channel hosted by Robb Mariani. It has 28 episodes spanning 2 successful seasons. American Trucker results from Mariani’s desire to highlight the trucking industry and is based primarily on his knowledge and experience. The show follows him across the country as he tells the colorful stories of American truckers and their trucks.

With each episode, he also shares useful tips and tricks that everyone in the trucking industry should know. Mariani and the featured guests who power the show all have a solid grasp on the many demands and difficulties that the average trucker’s lifestyle can bring, and they do their best to present these challenges honestly and realistically for their audience. If you want to find an informative and educational trucking show, then American Trucker is a great option to look into.

3. Shipping Wars

Shipping Wars is a popular reality television series that first aired in January 2012. The show followed a varied cast of rookie and seasoned independent truckers who make money by transporting large, bulky, or unusual items that traditional truckers cannot or do not transport.

Each character competes for available shipments in timed auctions held by uShip, one of the world’s biggest online auction houses for independent shippers. In any given episode, the truckers will place bids on two separate shipments that have been listed online, and when the time limit runs out, the job is given to the lowest bidder.

This is, of course, at the client’s discretion, as it could be awarded to a pricier bidder that maintains higher levels of feedback from previous clients. The winning bidder then loads their cargo and attempts to transport it to its destination in good condition before the deadline hits, aiming to achieve great feedback due to their efforts. If you like shows that feature a fierce competition to complete nail-biting challenges, shipping wars are the perfect option.

4. World’s Toughest Trucker

World’s Toughest Trucker is a TV show originally broadcast on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom and Discovery Channel in the United States. The show pits eight seasoned truck drivers against one another in a series of different challenges that aim to test the true skill set of each. The winning trucker will receive a whopping sum of $150,000 (US) as well as the title of ‘The World’s Toughest Trucker.

The truckers who enter into the show are totally fearless, and they’re more than ready to showcase their abilities in some of the world’s most feared locations. When the show first aired, more than 60,000 hopefuls applied to participate in it, proving just how interesting and exciting the program really is. Who will come out on top as the world’s toughest trucker? Tune in to find out!

5. Highway Thru Hell

Highway Thru Hell is a documentary TV series based in Canada that details the day-to-day life of those who work for Jamie Davis Motor Trucking, which is a heavy vehicle rescue and recovery towing company. The show describes the hardships and difficulties that you can expect to face when operating along the dangerous and risky highways of the BC Interior.

The show was created by Neil Thomas, who met one of Jamie Davis’ heavy rescue operators after his own large moving truck fell into difficulties along Highway 5. Neil posed the idea of a show that features heavy recovery to Jamie, who expressed a strong desire to change the public perception surrounding his industry and help people understand what it takes to be a rescue and recovery trucker. Those on the show get themselves into some seriously tricky situations, but Davis’ team has the right experience and expertise needed to provide the most productive solution every time.

Conclusion

Each of these truck driving shows will give you a glimpse into the trucking companies as you’ve never seen them before, so there’s no time like the present to get lost in the enthralling stories featured in each of these exciting shows. Settle in from the comfort and safety of your own home and watch some of the world’s top truckers expertly perform risky maneuvers to overcome impossible odds.

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