Men and women considering a career change or re-entering the workforce after completing military service or having raised families are finding professional truck driving opportunities an appealing choice.

"Some are attracted to the freedom of the open road after years of sitting behind a desk or working in a manufacturing environment, while others take comfort in the career's virtual immunity to layoffs," said Scott Arves, president of transportation at Schneider National Inc., one of North America's largest truckload carriers.
Technological advancements have dramatically enhanced the quality of life for professional truck drivers. Schneider National makes it easy for drivers to stay in touch with family and friends while on the road through in-cab e-mail, reduced rates for long-distance calls (home and cell phone plans), personal 800 numbers and voicemail.
Media ports at company-owned operating centers across the country enable drivers to hook up their laptops, surf the Web and send e-mail at no charge.
E-mail and cell phone are enabling Wayne Goodnature, a city council member in Austin, Minn., and a Schneider National driver, to connect with colleagues, constituents and family while he's on the road. Goodnature recently decided to pursue a career as a professional truck driver, but didn't want to give up his position on the city council.
He was able to coordinate a schedule with Schneider National that will accommodate his commitment to the city.
Goodnature drives as a team with his wife for two consecutive weeks and then spends three days off in Austin, a schedule that enables him to attend bi-monthly council meetings.
Balancing work with home life, family and outside interests are challenges professionals face in nearly every career. Trucking companies have made great progress in recent years to help drivers maintain a healthy balance through programs designed to get them home more often.
Schneider National's Home Run Program, for example, provides an alternative work arrangement that affords drivers a more predictable work schedule and maximum time at home. Dedicated accounts offered by many trucking companies also offer more time at home and predictable work schedules.
Schneider National driver Susan Burton wanted more predictability and chose to take advantage of the Home Run program. Now, she drives a regular schedule of two weeks on and one week off. Burton said this option fits her lifestyle because it is predictable and she can count on 17 weeks off during the year. "It's almost like working part-time and still earning what many people earn by working full-time. I love it."
Compensation is expected to increase across the transportation industry as trucking companies compete for drivers. The American Trucking Assns. estimates that trucking companies throughout the U.S. will hire more than 100,000 drivers over the next few years in an effort to keep pace with increasing freight volumes and shipper demands.
Schneider National introduced a major driver pay increase in February to enable it to recruit and retain new drivers to keep up with customer demand. In addition to competitive pay and benefits, a few companies, such as Schneider National, offer company-paid training, ongoing skill development and career advancement opportunities.
"As a result of our commitment to a healthy, balanced lifestyle through technology and programs designed to support more flexible schedules, we have seen an unprecedented level of interest in professional truck driving as a career choice among people looking for a career change or entering the workforce for a second or third time," added Schneider’s Arves.
For more information about professional truck driving, visit www.schneider.com or call (800) 447-7433.