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Future of Truck Driving Jobs

Recently, the United States and Canada have been facing a truck driver shortage. With trucking being the backbone of so many industries, specifically manufacturing, the demand for qualified drivers is at an all-time high. Employers see the value of their workforce and are quickly adapting to attract individuals through competitive pay, benefits, and home every night. The future of truck driving jobs has never been brighter. Local truck driving jobs are improving and becoming more readily available each day.

At Heavy Weight Transport, we pride ourselves in offering the best perks and conditions for our employees. If you are looking for local trucking jobs, we want to hear from you! We have been on the forefront of investing in our workers as we grow together. The truck driver shortage has not stopped us from dedicating ourselves to what matters – our drivers. We encourage you to learn more about Heavy Weight Transport and our services as we are always on the lookout for new talent.

Over-the-road vs. local trucking jobs

Heavy weigth trucks

Some truck drivers have been leaving the industry due to long hours. Over-the-road (OTR) trucking jobs are what most people think of when they think of truck driving. OTR drivers spend most of their time on the road driving across the country for long haul jobs. OTR’s counterpart is local truck driving jobs which entails driving for much shorter distances and familiarity with the drop off and pickup locations. 

Many businesses have been improving their logistics and transportation networks in order to move closer to local trucking jobs as opposed to OTR. Heavy Weight Transport specializes in drayage, warehousing, and brokerage services which allows for our employees to have more flexibility in their work lives. If you are interested in truck driving jobs near me, it is worth your while to consider local truck driving jobs within your area. Most national companies have several locations around the country so you will have the benefit of working for a bigger business while staying within your region.

OTR truck driving jobs pros and cons

Do not completely disregard OTR driving and think local truck driving jobs are one-hundred percent better. For many people, over-the-road trucking jobs are a right fit. Let us get into the benefits and drawbacks of long haul trucking.

If you are someone that is drawn in by the big open road and traveling across the country, OTR is up your alley. Many OTR truckers emphasize the best part of the job is exploring different cities and meeting new people along the way. You may not always get to stay in one place for very long; however, if you dislike being tied down and are always looking for the next adventure, getting paid to drive through the country is not too bad of a job.

Additionally, over-the-road truckers earn great salaries and have ample room for growth. Within the trucking industry, it is one of the best positions to start out in and gain experience. As a trucker looks to enter specific niches, the more experience they have the more favorable they are. Nevertheless, let us not forget about the biggest deterrent and causing many truckers to leave – the long hours. Unlike local truck driving jobs, multiple days and nights of driving can take a toll on truckers. Even more, it becomes difficult for their families. If a work life balance is an important variable for your next job, you should look into local trucking jobs.

Local truck driving jobs pros and cons

Truck driving jobs near me makes your work life balance so much more manageable. In addition to avoiding being on the road for long hours and traveling far, you will have a more predictable schedule. Maybe you are a person who enjoys a routine. Most local drivers follow the same routes and become accustomed to their locations. It is also worth mentioning that forced dispatch, or requiring a driver to take a load, is very rare for us. Companies operating within local trucking jobs niches, like Heavy Weight Transport, are dedicated in providing their employees reasonable working conditions.

More so, these companies offer great benefits like health coverage, retirement plans, and paid time off. In contrast, OTR driving jobs may be more on a contract or pay-per-drive basis. Generally, you will only find full-time benefits with local truck driving jobs as well as being home each night.

Drayage jobs

The main drawback to local trucking jobs is that they can be hard to find and land the opportunity. The candidate pool for these openings will be tougher because you will be competing against drivers with significant amounts of experience. So if you are young in your career, it may make sense to complete a few years of OTR driving to build yourself up. All the same, local driving positions will require you to have passed or renewed your licenses, certifications, and credentials. Within the trucking industry, having obtained your CDL and TWIC are just a few prerequisites needed to be successful in the role.

Lastly, once you have applied and received a local truck driving position, the pre-employment measures will be more thorough. Since these companies care so much about their workforce, they want to ensure they hire qualified individuals. Background checks, drug alcohol screenings, and motor vehicle history reports will be utilized in determining your employment with these companies. Otherwise, when you get the green light to begin work, you will receive competitive pay and job security.

Truck driving jobs near me

Hopefully, we have sold you on local trucking jobs. Our recommendation to find these opportunities is to type in “truck driving jobs near me” in your search engine and see what pops up. The first criteria you will want in these jobs is that it is not too far away from where you live so you can be home every night. Further, browse through the job description’s responsibilities and see if it is of interest to you and that you can perform the tasks. Heavy Weight Transport has several openings at our locations across the country. Check out if there is a position near you and we highly recommend you to apply or refer a friend/family member.