When working with new students coming into the transportation industry, I talk a lot about looking at companies and evaluating opportunities. Those that may be coming into a new career from other industries often try to evaluate transportation companies based on the dollar amount paid. That may be how you move ahead in other industries, but in the transportation industry that can actually cause you to work for the wrong carrier. I know what you are asking, you want to make more money so why wouldn’t I pick the top paying company? In transportation there are too many other factors to work with, for instance home time is a large factor, travel area, and workload are all things that need great consideration when choosing a carrier. One of the areas that are often overlooked however is the experience level. What is experience level?

I am not talking about the experience level of the driver, I am talking about the experience level or opportunities of the carrier. Let’s assume our driver Jim is just out of training school and evaluating carriers to go work for. He looks at three different carriers that all have the same pay scale, same travel areas, and same home time opportunities. The only difference in the carriers is their equipment. One runs dry vans only, one is flatbed only, and one has a variety of equipment and many divisions to move through later in his career. If Jim just looks at the basics as before he may choose the dry van carrier because the work is easier, but that may be a wrong move. To someone who has been driving for a while they may choose a carrier that does only one type of equipment haul because they have found what they like to do. For someone like Jim who is new to the industry, he would be better to choose a carrier that offers different types of equipment so he can find a fit and gain experience. In this case he would be better with carrier three that offers more opportunity for the future.

Making money in the transportation industry is often about specializing, but you can’t specialize out of the gate. You have to learn the industry, you have to experience different types of equipment, and you have to want to learn. If you sign on with carriers that only do one thing you would have to go through four or five different jobs to gain the same experience of one carrier with many different types of divisions. What is easier to do, change carriers five different times, or work for one carrier, and change divisions as you move through your career? Remember experience and attitude will dictate your career path and experiencing different types of equipment early in your career will help you make good decisions later on in life.

About the Author

Bruce Outridge has been in the transportation industry for over 30 years and is the author of books; Driven to Drive and Running by the Mile. Challenger Motor Freight Inc. Is based in Cambridge Ontario Canada and operates across North America. To learn more about Challenger and opportunities with the company please visit their website at www.challenger.com