Things you should know before pursuing a career in trucking

Contrary to popular belief, the trucking industry is constantly changing and evolving. Even more conservative forecasts show that the industry will grow by several percentage points over the next few years, and the demand for drivers is constantly growing. Because of this, the industry is trying to modernize faster than ever before. As such, there has never been a better time to start a career in the trucking industry. Before you get started, here are a few things that might surprise you in this industry.

Technological leaps

The trucking industry may seem to be immune to the effects of technology. After all, the basics of work have always been “loading, driving and disembarking”. However, technology is affecting the industry far more than it seems. New fleet applications make it easier to plan shipments, organize repairs, order, and track inventory such as undercarriage parts. This greatly simplifies the entire transportation process, helps to reduce downtime and improves the route.

Another important factor in the industry is the emergence of automated vehicle technology. That’s right, passenger vehicles aren’t the only ones looking to a driverless future. While the availability of automated vehicles is still a long way off, driverless trucks are being investigated by several companies, including the pioneer company Tesla, which has already invested heavily in hybrid electric cargo cabins to reduce industrial emissions.

Warehouses

Perhaps this is not so surprising. But the warehouses are really big. Really big. In fact, the average warehouse size has doubled since 2002, and with the continued growth in demand for specialized distribution centers, this growth will not stop anytime soon. The average shipping warehouse is estimated to be approximately (or more) 25,000 square feet. This number only increases when you think of some of the largest drop shippers in the industry, such as large retailers and several huge online marketplaces.

Even warehouses are working to streamline the shipping process. While some still use traditional loading bays to fill trucks, others use a checkpoint model filled with massive mezzanines for large trucks and independent shippers. While it may not be hard to say that these warehouses are large, chances are you will have a hard time not saying “wow” when you first enter one.

The need for quality

Remember a little about the growing need for qualified drivers? With the growth of the industry, this has never been so true. The best carriers are always on the lookout for new talent. They are also willing to invest in quality and loyalty, and even smaller carriers have begun to build their strengths to match their competition. This means an increase in starting salaries, better route accessibility, transportation in the city and health insurance benefits.

The huge prevalence of trucking, which is now truly ubiquitous, means there is an unprecedented level of operational safety to have. The trucking industry has gained a certain level of notoriety as a result of high turnover rates, so carriers are working to stimulate retention. In addition, since shipping and distribution exists in almost every corner of the country, you could, in effect, choose where you live, knowing that work will be waiting for you.

Further path

While the trucking industry may not be all that appealing, it is still taking steps to be much more modern and welcoming. From technological advances to the growing need for workers in industry, this is a great time to think about starting your trucking career. The only thing left for you to do is explore the road ahead.

If you want to learn more about how to become a trucker or start your own trucking business, check out this guide on how to start a trucking company.

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