| Well. I guess, I should jump into the discussion. I'm a truck driver with 18 years of experience. Between driving jobs I have had 3 breaks when I was doing programming/software development. I had never liked programming jobs, i always enjoyed driving. Programming is something I can do based on my unfinished education. I'm an immigrant. I follow the industry news. Both industries, I guess. First. You wont believe how diverse the truck driving jobs are and how diverse truck drivers as a group.
There is a fair populations of drivers with bachelor/masters degrees and pretty high IQs I had chosen the job because it is always there. No need for looking for one. After initial 2-3 years of entry level jobs (big/ corporate type companies driving dry vans with 90-100% turnover) good drivers migrate to niche
Jobs. Owner/operators with secured contracts. Or specialized freight. Oversized/high security/more dangerous/requiring specific skills (chemical tankers, medical equipment, military contracts etc) Company drivers in such fields are getting fair pay, very much equal to low/entry level unambiguous programming jobs in $70000-$100000 range. I get paid both by miles(normally under 10%less than actual miles) and time I spend at customers. But, unlike in programming field, I can dictate my conditions. Which is normally would be work hard 8-10 months/year and play with hobbies rest of the time. But yes, it feels like we are getting squeezed harder and harder. The problem is very much same like everywhere in the country. Big/corporate type companies with low pay are getting bigger and bigger share of the market. Going into owner/operator business(equal to being contractor/consultant) means get plummeted with regulations and costs of health insurance.
And, starting in December 2017, every truck must be equipped with eLog. Which is watching your every step and hackable by any kid with imagination. Hackability is written in the law. It requires eLog providing interface to truck's engine computer and having cellular contact with the outside world. Just look up eLog and trucking in google and cry and be nervous every time you see 18 wheeler. |