Intermodal trucking is an excellent job option for truck drivers looking for a change of pace or those looking to enter truck driving as a career. There are many perks to intermodal truck driving that drivers may not experience when exploring other trucking jobs, such as over-the-road trucking. One of the main benefits of intermodal truck driving is that it allows for shorter trips that can be completed in one day or less. These trips typically include making stops at stores, distribution centers, farms, or processing facilities. Driving from these businesses usually adheres to the same schedule as the employees at these facilities, so drivers generally work between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. With over-the-road truck driving, you may spend days to weeks on the road, driving hundreds to thousands of miles. Read on to discover more perks of the intermodal truck driving profession!
A Healthy Work-Life Balance
Intermodal truck driving promotes a healthy balance between work and life and provides flexible scheduling options, a competitive salary, and dependable home time. Most of the time, this can not be said for other truck driving jobs. An intermodal truck driver permits time for drivers to be parents, find new hobbies, exercise, and much more. In addition, drivers are home enough to care for their family and any pets they may have, which makes being an intermodal truck driver that much better.
Most transportation with intermodal trucking does not involve hands-on deliveries, so drivers spend more time on the road and less time waiting around loading dock stations. This takes the pressure off many truck drivers, considering the low labor aspect of the job. In addition, containers can be efficiently dropped off and picked up in the yard, so drivers do not have to spend extensive time parking and waiting to load and unload their cargo.
Intermodal Truck Driver Compensation
Depending on experience, most intermodal truck drivers earn around $70,000, and the highest earners can make approximately $90,000 annually. Regional drivers generally earn more than local drivers. That being said, an intermodal truck driver’s salary is excellent for supporting a family. To become an intermodal truck driver, a person must graduate high school or get a GED and pass their state’s standard driver’s license exam. Then, they must complete professional truck driving training and earn a commercial motor vehicle license (CDL). After that, drivers can then apply for truck driving jobs! After the interview, some companies may require extra courses, but after all qualifications are met, they can get started driving.
A More Sustainable World
The sustainability of intermodal truck driving is another great bonus of the job. Transporting goods using intermodal methods can reduce the carbon footprint of shipping companies, while over-the-road trucking can be a significant source of pollution. Intermodal truck driving combines with rail travel, which ultimately reduces emissions. Also, railways and cargo ships used to transport large volumes of cargo yield less CO2 emissions than over-the-road trucking. The containers used for intermodal transport are made of durable materials designed to increase space efficiency and eliminate the need for single-use packing materials. Having a job that focuses on being more eco-friendly is a movement we are seeing now more than ever.
Many truck drivers prefer a more consistent schedule that keeps them close to home, which is why intermodal truck driving could be the perfect option! Because most routes include short hauls between local warehouses and shipyards or rail yards, there’s no long-distance hauling involved. Intermodal truck drivers typically stay in a small vicinity, meaning fewer hours on the road, fewer nights away from home, and more time to spend with friends and family! This profession also provides increased security, cost savings, and a reduced environmental footprint for companies.
Here at Northstar Transport Services, we specialize in Local, Regional & Over the Road, Full Containers, Reefer Containers, Hazardous Materials, Heavy Overweight Containers, Transload Services, United States Customs and Border Protection Bonded Carrier, Owned Fleet of 40’ & 20’ Chassis, and Specialized Tri-Axle for Overweight Containers. We focus on doing the best job of meeting our customers’ requirements in the most efficient and cost-effective manner with the same value-added service they have come to expect! For more information, visit our website.
Comments