Future Outlook of Trucking :: miscellaneous

Future Outlook of TruckingWhen you think of dangerous occupations, which ones get to mind? Do you think about the police officer who risks his liveliness daily to protect persons and property? Or the firefighter who places the safety of others to a higher place his own? Those are dangerous professions, but based on the perpendicularly numbers of lives lost, the single most dangerous profession is that of a transport device driver. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more hand motortruck drivers died while working in 2003 than the combined total deaths of police officers, loggers, construction laborers and aircraft pilots (Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2003, page13). In addition to the danger of highway driving, there are increased wellness risks from poor diet, irregular sleep patterns, and lack of exercise. Some call truck driving the loneliest job, and for good reason. Weeks on the road away from family and children displace stress the most even-tempered pers on. Combine that with delays at shippers and receivers, unsympathetic dispatchers and improper breakdowns and you can see why driving is so stressful. Even with the risks associated with driving, truck driving is appealing because it is more than just a job. It takes a get by lifestyle change and requires a serious commitment to be a successful over-the-road driver. If you ask the average person to describe the job of a truck driver, you would probably hear it described in simple hurt such as, Truckers drive a truck and deliver freight. If that it were as simple as that Truck drivers have to wear some(prenominal) different hats. A driver must have some robotic skills, good map reading skills, own good time way skills, and have good people skills. A driver must possess a valid class A commercial drivers license (CDL). CDL applicants must pass a general driving create verbally exam, a class A exam and an air brake exam. In addition, CDL holders have the option to add endorseme nts to their license. Endorsements include the authorization to pull tankers, effigy and triple trailers, or haul hazardous materials. In addition, a driver must pass a driving test demonstrating driving ability, indorse ability and parking skills. Furthermore, the driver must demonstrate a fuck pre-trip safety inspection, verbally identify the parts of the truck, and describe possible malfunctions for all(prenominal) part.Truck driving requires specialized knowledge of airbrakes systems, securing and transporting hazardous materials, calculating and conforming to various state bridge laws and safely maneuvering a 70-foot, 40-ton vehicle in varying terrains, traffic and weather.