Career Paths for Truck Drivers. Truck driving is an essential service and an in-demand career. Explore truck driver careers today with the help of Duncan and Son Lines, Inc. Find out how you can move ahead in your career and enjoy excellent driver benefits in Phoenix, AZ, and the surrounding areas. You don’t have to be gone from home weeks on end or drive outdated trucks to earn a living, but choose a career path that offers paid vacation, plenty of nights home, and a great price per mile.
Driving Careers
The most common careers in the trucking industry are drivers. Some drivers decide to own and operate their own trucks, but these professionals must take on a significant number of roles in one. As an owner-operator, you’ll need to maintain your own truck, market your services, and negotiate pay rates with customers. You may not have the stability you need for a consistent work day in and day out.
Another popular career option is a dedicated driver. As a dedicated driver with Duncan and Son Lines, Inc., you’ll simply show up to work and enjoy dedicated runs. Consistent work, competitive benefits, and plenty of home time allow you to focus on what you do best.
Explore the factors that go into a great trucking career. Dedicated drivers operate many truck types and haul a range of cargo. Route options and the specific company you drive for can also affect your career.
Cargo Considerations
Truck drivers with a CDL can operate a vast range of trucks and cargo types. Some cargo types require special endorsements on your license, while any licensed driver can haul others. Here are some common types of cargo that you may need to haul in your career:
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- Multiple Trailers
- Passengers
- Livestock
- Oversized Loads
- Tankers
- Hazardous Materials
Some unusual cargo options offer additional pay. Check with your trucking company to see if you may qualify for a mileage bonus if you become endorsed to haul another type of cargo. Adding endorsements to your license is a great way to move forward in your career. Even if you don’t receive additional pay, endorsements help you remain flexible and become a pivotal part of your trucking company.
Truck Types
Whether you select your cargo or are assigned a specific load to haul, it’s time to consider the best type of truck for the job. The latest truck technology advancements allow you to enjoy a comfortable, safe ride. Climate control systems, modern sleeper cabs, and automatic transmissions have all streamlined trucking, so work with a company that offers a state-of-the-art vehicle.
There are many makes and models of commercial trucks, but there are a few types you should be familiar with. Here are some common types of commercial trucks that you may have the opportunity to drive throughout your career:
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- Box trucks
- Flatbed trucks
- Refrigerator trucks
- Dump trucks
- Semi-trucks
There are pros and cons to every type of truck. It’s best to choose a truck based on your type of cargo, but sometimes you’ll need to use an alternative type of truck due to availability. When you work as a dedicated driver, you don’t need to worry about selecting the optimal truck type or maintaining an entire fleet of commercial vehicles. Simply hop in your assigned truck and hit the road.
Route Options
Most people think of truck drivers living life entirely on the road. While this may be the reality for some drivers, there is actually a range of route types available. Here are the three basic categories of routes you may find yourself driving throughout your career:
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- Long haul
- Regional
- Local
Long-haul routes are intense, cross-country trips that typically include heavy loads and long hours. These drivers may make extra pay but often spend days or weeks away from family and friends. Long-haul routes are an essential part of our national infrastructure, but our team at Duncan and Son Lines, Inc. isn’t focused on these difficult routes.
Even regional routes are rare in our company. Regional routes are typically defined as routes that are within 1,000 miles of your home. Some regional drivers are on the road for as much as ten days at a time, but others can make it back home most nights. Regional driving is also characterized as state-to-state travel.
Finally, the most common type of routes you’ll experience as a dedicated driver with our team are local routes. These short hauls are easy to take on in a typical workday, which means you’ll be home most nights out of the week. We’re committed to getting you home at least four nights every week, with routes no more than 375 miles away from your home.
Driving With Duncan and Son Lines, Inc.
We offer a number of benefits to drivers in Phoenix, AZ, and the surrounding areas. As a team member with Duncan and Son Lines, Inc., you can join a family of drivers and non-driving professionals committed to the following values:
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- Safe Operations
- Company Excellence
- Customer Focus
- Commitment to Employees
We work closely with our drivers to ensure they have safe, efficient trucks and any other equipment they may need. Reliable equipment and convenient routes give you peace of mind as you haul from Arizona to Long Beach and back, or take other routes.
Our base rate, benefits, and bonuses are highly competitive in the industry. If you’re unhappy with your existing job or don’t feel like you’re advancing in your career, we offer many ways to earn more while you enjoy evenings at home.
Trucking is a challenging and rewarding industry. Some positions require extended overtime and overnight routes. At Duncan and Son Lines, Inc., we offer competitive schedules, paid time off, and other benefits to help you avoid burnout. We care for our drivers and help them find ways to create a work-life balance.
Non-Driving Careers
If driving isn’t your passion, consider other ways to become involved in the trucking industry. There are a number of related positions or leadership positions you can move into to support truck drivers. Here are some options of careers for individuals not looking to drive or looking to move up into a management position:
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- Clerk
- Order filler
- Truck mechanic
- Trainer
- Supervisor
Check with our team to see if any of these positions are available. On-the-job training can help you transition from a driver to one of these roles, or you can ask about training course options to receive specific instruction on a non-driving career.
How To Advance in Your Truck Driving Career
One of the most important things you can do to advance your career is to earn a CDL license. If you aren’t already a commercially licensed driver, this license is essential to driving large vehicles and hauling heavy loads. Once you receive a CDL, consider applying for additional endorsements. You’ll need to pass a test for each one, but these endorsements are a great way to expand your horizons and prepare for additional load options.
Apply Today at Duncan and Son Lines
Learn more about truck driving careers in Phoenix, AZ, and the surrounding areas. Apply today to see if you qualify for an excellent dedicated driver role with our team. Enjoy great benefits, friendly coworkers, and a state-of-the-art truck as you haul essential goods throughout Arizona and the surrounding area.
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