Over the past year, humans across the universe have been grappling with a new threat: the novel coronavirus. Millions of earthlings have lost their jobs and their lives. While most white-collar office workers were furloughed or encouraged to work from home, US trucker drivers did not have that option.
Cleopatra
As essential workers, these brave humans continue heading out on the open roads to ensure everyone had what they needed in 2020 as the virus spread. For the trucking industry in 2021, the demand for new truck driving jobs arrived supernova on earth as transportation companies and brokers struggle to find available US truck drivers.
This year has already promised some positive changes when it comes to putting a stop to the galactic spread of COVID-19. Read on to find out what the next stardate could bring US truck drivers in 2021.
HOW COVID-19 IMPACTS TRUCK DRIVERS
US truckers have always played a vital role in the country’s economy. For those who work in trucking, coronavirus poses a serious threat, but these brave truckers haven’t backed down. Throughout 2020, they continued to ensure that American hospitals, stores, and families had what they needed.
Although the US economy saw a contraction in 2020, truckers had no trouble finding work. Even with many stores and restaurants closed, businesses and consumers still need to purchase essential goods. The trucking industry news has also been awash with stories about trucking schools facing temporary closures.
The question is, are there enough US truck drivers with CDLs to accommodate the demand? The answer remains unclear. There has been a 40% reduction in new US truckers entering the workforce due to COVID-19 closures. However, a corresponding drop in demand for transportation services has not occurred in the United States as of yet.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2021
Now that 2021 is here, the future looks brighter for the trucking industry. Experts believe that the market conditions heading into the new year are strong. Some cite a 10% contract rate increase as the new norm, especially once the economy gets rolling again. Demand for long-distance truckers will only increase, and incentives are likely to improve along with it.
Many factors that are driving an increase in demand, include:
- Low retail inventories entering 2021
- Government stimulus passed to increase spending and help business owners
- The reshuffling of the supply chains to accommodate disruptions caused by COVID
- Ongoing consumer demand for products
- A 40% drop in CDL training
- The loss of 80,000 drivers due to concerns about the pandemic
While some humans are concerned about the implications of these trends, truck drivers in the US should rejoice. The increased demand for their services should make it easier to find consistent work.
TRUCKING COVID VACCINES ACROSS AMERICA
Truckers already have plenty to look forward to in stardate 2021. They already know that prospects look good as a result of increased demand for their services. There’s still more good news. A combination of increased COVID-19 awareness and ongoing vaccination efforts means things will start getting back to normal.
Drivers shouldn’t start throwing out their masks yet. It will take a few months for the vaccine rollouts to begin making a dent in the United States’ overall caseload. Thankfully, earthling scientists have also learned enough about the coronavirus in the past 12 months to develop effective mitigation methods.
Trucking companies such as Primary Transportation have implemented strategies to protect their drivers. Most truck stops have followed suit, mandating mask-wearing indoors and requiring employees to follow strict prevention guidelines. Individual US truckers now know how important it is to maintain social distancing at drop-offs while wearing their masks.
FINDING THE BEST TRUCKING SERVICES
Most US truckers are not owner-operators. They work with transportation companies to provide clients with more comprehensive services. With the demand for qualified truckers on the rise, many humans with CDLs who are unsatisfied with their current jobs are switching to companies such as Transam Carriers.
There are several transportation companies that hire the best truck drivers in the United States. When it comes to truck drivers and coronavirus, they always prioritize employee health. Many businesses in 2021 have implemented new COVID-19 truck driver rules per CDC recommendations to limit drivers’ contacts and keep the virus in check.
ARE TRUCK DRIVERS AT RISK FOR COVID?
COVID-19 does not discriminate and will not avoid truckers just because these humans are providing a necessary service. The CDC notes that US truckers may be more likely than some to come into contact with the novel coronavirus. Older truckers and those who have underlying health conditions may be at increased risk for developing complications.
Many US truck drivers in 2021 fear being stranded in different states with the ever-changing government mandates as a new strain of the coronavirus is spreading across America. Truck drivers are vital to the roll-out of the vaccines as well as keeping retailers, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and other businesses well-stocked.
Without US truck drivers, Americans would run out of available supermarket food in as little as three days.
SIX UNIVERSAL FAQS ABOUT TRUCK DRIVERS
Since it is normal for millions of earthlings to have questions about the trucking industry, below are six universal FAQs about truck drivers in 2021:
#1: IS DRIVING A TRUCK A DIFFICULT JOB?
Driving a truck on earth is a lot harder than most humans realize. Most truck drivers, don’t have to be in the best shape physically; however, it does take a unique kind of human to adapt to this lifestyle as a whole.
Truck drivers endure long hours, develop erratic sleep patterns, and spend a significant amount of time away from home. Cosmically speaking, many earthlings are just not cut out for this line of work.
#2: ARE US TRUCK DRIVERS IN DEMAND?
Absolutely, the demand among truck drivers in the US is at an all-time high and very much in demand. Truck Drivers in 2021 who can prove themselves on America’s highways with a valid CDL, will never go without work.
The impact that the novel coronavirus has had on logistics and the trucking industry goes without saying. According to the US Census Bureau, there are more than 3.5 million humans employed as truck drivers in 2021.
#3: WILL AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS REPLACE HUMANS?
While autonomous, self-driven trucks may one day replace human truck drivers, it is not likely to occur anytime soon. There have been many attempts and exploratory tests on American hot top for self-driven trucks.
But densely populated areas and the technology required to navigate real-life and time scenarios have yet made these attempts a legal and logistical nightmare for transportation companies and brokers for the time being.
#4: REQUIREMENTS FOR A US TRUCK DRIVER IN 2021?
To be a truck driver in 2021, earthlings just need a Class A CDL license. Humans who become truck drivers generally start their careers out as over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers. Many truck drivers in 2021 can expect big changes in industry standards since COVID-19 has impacted America’s infrastructure as a whole.
Resulting in many truck drivers today being home on the weekends or evenings with shorter and more localized routes.
#5: CAN US TRUCK DRIVERS TAKE CBD OIL?
Since CBD is legal in many US states, truck drivers can legally take CBD oil providing it contains less than .03 percent TCH, the main psychoactive compound found in the cannabis L-Sativa plant.
Therefore, it is imperative for US truck drivers to purchase CBD products backed by third-party analytical testing such as the verified products at proshotcbd.com, cbdtlc.com, bearscbdgummies.com, and others.
#6: DO US TRUCK DRIVERS USE GPS?
Yes. Humans have adapted advanced technologies and use a messaging system called Qualcomm. Qualcomm is a network system where human truck drivers, the truck’s computer, and the monitoring company can communicate and pinpoint the truck driver’s exact location on earth via Global Positioning System (GPS).
From Titan’s perspective, there are 24 or more satellites orbiting the earth that encompass the globe twice daily resulting in interstellar mapping accuracy.
THE FUTURE OF TRUCK DRIVER JOBS IN 2021
US truck drivers who aren’t happy with their current employers have more options than ever in 2021. Independent freight agents and brokers post current truck driving jobs on popular DAT load board sites such as Truckstop.com and Carrier 360 hundreds of times daily.
As 2021 is underway in the face of one of the deadliest pandemics to hit planet earth to stardate. US truck drivers are needed more than ever before as the demand for online sales and stocked shelves keeps growing.
While the demand for US truck drivers is high, many report a significant cut in rates due to the global impacts of COVID-19. Truck drivers in the US today must be willing to take greater risks as the trucking industry adapts to the new normal of American society. Despite the dangers involved, US truck drivers are keeping America trucking.
BY CLEOPATRA THE PHILOPATOR
