Lifestyle Of A Truck Driver
Back in the 1970s and 80s, movies like “Smoky and the Bandit” and songs like C.W. McCall’s “Convoy” painted truck drivers as renegades. They were just good ol’ boys wearing cowboy hats, smoking cigarettes, staying in touch by pay phone and eating at roadside diners. And the trucks didn’t offer much more than a small bunk. But times have changed and technology has increased the quality of life. And for truck drivers, the use of technology has dramatically improved life on the road. The trucks have evolved to provide more comfort and convenience. Most trucks now offer air ride suspensions and many trucking companies are moving away from the standard 10-speed transmissions toward fuel-saving auto-shift transmissions. Conventional tractors with larger “condo” stand-up sleeper berths have replaced small cramped cabovers. Bunks are larger and provide more storage and better organization. Truck drivers have even brought some of the basic comforts of home into the cab. Today, it’s not uncommon to find microwaves, small refrigerators and televisions in the cab of the truck. Some drivers have even opted to add satellite television and dvd players for off-duty entertainment and relaxation.
Cell phones have replaced the pay phone as the primary choice for communicating with dispatchers and family. More recent advances now allow truck drivers to access the internet wirelessly right from the bunk of their trucks. Email, weather forecasts and directions are now as close as the touch of a button. Trucking companies have also moved to satellite communications systems to stay in contact with the drivers and relay important dispatching information directly to the cab.
Making the adjustment to the lifestyle of a truck driver is a key to a successful truck driving career. The requirements of the job aren’t like those of a 9 to 5 job. By adding some of the comforts of home, many truck drivers have found it easier to make the transition into a professional truck driving career.
To learn more about the modern lifestyle of today’s truck driver, watch the “The Lifestyle of the Professional Truck Driver” video.
