“If you want a real life, don’t drive a truck.”
This bitter quote comes from Jack Paulden, an experienced truck driver from Ohio, in an interview with The Guardian. He has experienced the highs and lows, witnessing both the beauty and the darkness of life on the American roads. A typical day for Jack starts very early, around 5-6 am. The first task is to plan the optimal route, calculate refueling stops, and prepare for any unexpected situations that may arise on the road, from severe weather to traffic jams.
Long-haul truck on a highway at night with headlights, conveying the loneliness and hardship of long-haul truck drivers.
Truck drivers’ meals are often rushed, eaten in the truck cabin or at a roadside rest stop. As night falls, their resting place can be anywhere: a quiet park, a noisy truck stop, a deserted stretch of highway between states, or simply a hidden corner at a roadside diner, as long as there’s parking and no violations of the law. After a long, tiring day, they take a quick shower and have a late dinner. The limited evening time is often spent calling home, checking in with family and loved ones, trying to maintain connections with the personal lives they’ve temporarily put on hold.
When asked about work-life balance in long-haul trucking, Jack frankly admits: “If you want balance, you need a home to go to every night. Trucking doesn’t allow that. In my opinion, it’s very hard to balance life and truck driving.”
Jack’s journey into truck driving in the US was also quite unique and somewhat unexpected. He recalls: “In 2011, at the age of 58 and receiving unemployment benefits, I had almost given up hope of finding a job. When the local job center suggested truck driving training, I applied online and was surprised to be accepted the very next day. I spent $3,000 on 16 days of ‘intensive’ study at a truck driving school. Looking back, I still think that decision was a bit… crazy.”
Truck Driving in the US: Hidden Dangers and Severe Labor Shortages
It is no coincidence that truck driving in the US is ranked among the most dangerous jobs. The pay isn’t particularly attractive, the work is monotonous and boring, and drivers often face high levels of stress. According to the latest statistics from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck driving is in the top 10 most dangerous occupations in the country. The occupational injury rate is 24.03 per 100,000 workers, and the number of fatalities due to occupational accidents is 741.
An average truck driver in the US works continuously for 14 hours a day and gets only 10 hours of rest before starting the next shift. They rarely get a day off longer than one day per week and constantly face the looming risk of traffic accidents. Statistics show that truck drivers account for 12% of all fatalities in car accidents. Notably, their average annual salary is often below $38,000, while their working hours can be up to 4,400 hours per year. Although US law has regulations regarding truck drivers’ working hours, in reality, these regulations are often cleverly “circumvented.”
Truck drivers’ lives often disrupt their biological rhythms. Many have to drive through the night or eat dinner right before bed, which negatively impacts their health. Sitting continuously in the vehicle for long hours, with little physical activity, also leads to health problems such as stomach ailments, obesity, and musculoskeletal disorders. To stay awake on long journeys, many drivers resort to energy drinks and even stimulants. A worrying statistic shows that only 14% of the 3 million truck drivers in the US are not overweight or obese.
Harsh working conditions make it difficult for truck drivers to maintain regular health check-ups. Many ignore symptoms, only seeking medical attention when the condition becomes serious. In the past, US law used to prohibit people with a history of diabetes from driving trucks, a somewhat paradoxical regulation considering that the lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits of the profession increase the risk of diabetes. In addition, truck drivers face the risk of depression, psychological trauma, and other mental health issues due to frequent separation from family and lack of social connections. This situation is particularly common among veterans returning from wars like Iraq and Afghanistan, as in the case of Jack Paulden.
According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), at the end of 2015, the US was still short approximately 48,000 truck drivers. This number is projected to increase to 175,000 by 2024. The demand for domestic freight transport by truck in the US is consistently high, while the supply of truck drivers is not sufficient.
However, another paradox is also pointed out by the ATA: for every 100 new entrants to the profession, 136 quit because they cannot withstand the stress and life away from home. Bob Costello, Chief Economist of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), said: 88% of trucking companies are currently experiencing severe labor shortages.
Opportunities and Challenges for Vietnamese in US Trucking
Although truck driving in the US faces many difficulties and challenges, it also opens up significant job opportunities, especially in the context of current labor shortages. For the Vietnamese community in the US, this may be a career option worth considering, especially for those with good health, the ability to drive long distances, and a desire to find stable work with a decent income.
Opportunities:
- High recruitment demand: The shortage of truck drivers across the US creates many job opportunities for new entrants, including immigrants.
- Stable income: The starting salary for truck drivers may not be very high, but with experience and seniority, income can increase significantly, enough to cover living expenses and send money home to family.
- Development opportunities: In the transportation industry, there are many different positions and areas where truck drivers can develop their careers, such as becoming container truck drivers, tanker drivers, or fleet managers.
Challenges:
- Requirements for degrees and licenses: To practice truck driving in the US, you need a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and pass knowledge and driving skills tests. For new immigrants, getting familiar with US traffic laws and transportation regulations can be a challenge.
- Harsh working conditions: As mentioned above, truck driving requires good health, the ability to withstand high pressure, and acceptance of a life away from home.
- Competition: Although there is a labor shortage, competition in the industry still exists. To find a good job with a high salary, drivers need to constantly improve their skills and experience.
Advice for Vietnamese who want to pursue truck driving in the US:
- Research the profession thoroughly: Learn about the job, working conditions, income, and requirements of truck driving to make an informed decision.
- Prepare physically and mentally: Ensure good health and be ready to face the difficulties and challenges of the profession.
- Invest in training: Participate in professional truck driving training courses to obtain a CDL and acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.
- Look for job opportunities: Actively seek recruitment information on job websites, social media, or contact transportation companies directly.
- Continuously learn and improve: Always update your knowledge of traffic laws, safe driving skills, and new technologies in the transportation industry to develop a sustainable career.
Conclusion
Truck driving in the US is a challenging but also rewarding job. Behind the interstate trucking of goods is the hard, lonely, and potentially risky life of the drivers. However, in the current US economic and social context, this is still a viable career option, especially for those who are passionate about conquering the roads and are not afraid of difficulties. If you are a Vietnamese looking for job opportunities in the US and confident in your abilities, consider truck driving, a profession that, while difficult, still plays an important role in the US economy and society.
