Local trucks, which operate within a city, town, or limited area, usually do the initial pickups from plants and factories and take freight to terminals where it may be consolidated with other shipments or placed directly on a long distance truck. These same local trucks may pick up freight that has arrived at the terminal, and then deliver it to stores and homes.
Local truck drivers must be skilled and able to maneuver their vehicles through dense traffic and into tight parking spaces, thread their way through narrow alleys, and expertly back up to loading platforms.
The trucking industry is so diversified that it is impossible to mention all the types of companies that offer career possibilities. If this business interests you, obtain a chauffeur's license and start your job search right at home by considering some of the businesses that operate their trucks.
Some of these businesses employ drivers who are combination sales people and drivers, as in many laundry, dry cleaning, milk, and bakery businesses. Don't overlook the possibilities of a career as a driver with a fuel oil supplier who sells gasoline, bottled gas, and heating oil. A lumber yard that makes deliveries of building supplies, a road construction company that operates a fleet of trucks and other heavy equipment, a bulk milk company that delivers milk in huge stainless steel containers and the small retail stores that operate one or more delivery trucks all could offer employment opportunities.
The Local and Long Distance Movers
Another large segment of the trucking industry is devoted to moving. These companies transport furniture, pianos, and other household goods.
Back in 1891 two brothers living in Sioux City, Iowa, decided to earn their fame and fortune. They obtained a large cart, a strong horse, and lettered the side of the wagon: "Bekins, Moving & Storage." John and Martin Bekins had very little money, but lots of ambition and a sincere interest in each customer's individual needs.
One hundred years later, Bekins had grown to become the largest moving and storage company in the world, with over 400 locations in the United States and operations in more than 100 foreign countries. The company claimed that the brothers' original spirit was sustained and that personal service was still the cornerstone of the business, even though the company handles more than 900 moves each day.
This may seem like an astronomical number of moves for just one company, but perhaps it is not so surprising when you consider that about 40 million Americans, or a fifth of the population, move each year. It is the moving and storage industry that makes it possible for families to pack up and make moves of hundreds or thousands of miles, with every detail surrounding the move anticipated and efficiently handled.
Furniture movers employed by interstate companies often work in crews of three or four, one of whom is the driver who also loads and unloads along with the other movers. If one of the helpers is qualified to drive the truck, it may be possible for the van to make an uninterrupted long distance trip. Such movers may be away from home for weeks at a time. They lead irregular lives with sixty hours of work being considered a normal workweek.
Ability to read, write and do arithmetic, a strong back, good coordination, a sense of responsibility and a willingness to be helpful and courteous are the main personal requirements for this job. Drivers must hold a Class I driver's license for the kind of equipment they will be driving. Many companies give their employees training in both packing and driving.
The majority of furniture movers work for local companies that do short haul or local moving and also act as agents for interstate and international movers. The large moving companies have their own movers who may travel throughout the country as they transport several loads before returning to their regular terminal.
As the population continues to grow and people keep changing homes, the demand for movers should increase somewhat. Promotion to the position of estimator is possible for a mover. This person determines the weight and cost of shipping a houseful of furniture. A mover with a thorough knowledge of the business might be considered for promotion to dispatcher. The dispatcher is responsible for routing all the trucks and keeping in touch with all the drivers.
In addition to the usual clerical positions, there are openings for billing clerks, claims adjusters, maintenance workers, mechanics, and administrative personnel.
A word of warning: the moving business is a seasonal one. The busiest time is during the summer months of June, July, August, and September when children are not in school. The last week of each month is usually the busiest time.
For the names and addresses of prospective employers, look in the yellow pages of your telephone book under "Movers."
