Having a healthy work-life balance is a standard that everyone should achieve. However, with some transportation careers, owning a NY junior license vs. NY senior license and developing a lifestyle that works for you can be a challenge. Truck driving and ride sharing are two completely different career options, but both will benefit from you taking a defensive driving course online.
Depending on what you’re looking for in life, you could find a benefit in one career over the other. That’s why we’re breaking down these career options. Here’s the life of a truck driver versus the life of an Uber driver.
Truck Driver Life
Long Nights and Deadlines
As a truck driver, you’ll be traveling far and wide. You’re expected to meet deadlines at all cost. This could mean you will have to drive late into the night – in some instances. Aside from the fight to stay awake behind the wheel, and ensuring you get plenty of sleep, you’ll deal with the late night reckless driver or sketchy behavior. However, some drivers might find solace in the quiet nights.
Cross Country Adventure
What comes from moving cargo is the adventure of traveling across the country. As a truck driver, you’ll get to visit cultural hotspots, hidden gems, and metropolitan areas. One of the biggest perks of the job is the constant travel and exposure to the outside world. You won’t miss out on sight-seeing or visiting national landmarks, either. Because of this, you could find some difficulty staying in contact with friends and family.
Laws and Regulations
Law and regulations play a big part in the truck driver’s career. They must abide by special road rules and safety checks to ensure the well-being of themselves, the cargo, and other drivers. This means stopping by weight stations, taking detours, or even avoiding overpasses. Staying up to date on the laws and regulations surrounding truck drivers will be detrimental to your career.
Cargo Well-Being
Another important aspect of the career is ensuring the well-being of your cargo. The responsibility of the truck driver isn’t just to see the country. They must ensure the cargo arrives safely to its destination – where ever that might be. In other words, you have to remain focused on how the cargo is placed in your truck, removed, and transported to guarantee its well-being.
Uber Driver Life
Working with Strangers
Life as an Uber driver can be unpredictable. You’re giving strangers a ride in your personal car. Essentially, it’s like hitchhiking but you get paid. What comes from this taxi-like service is interacting with people you’re unfamiliar with. This could be a great thing for socialites, but a nightmare for people who are shy. Along with this, you will meet a spectrum of personalities ranging from rude to thankful.
Constant Rush Hour
As an Uber driver, you’ll constantly feel pressured to arrive to the next destination in a timely fashion. This means you’ll have to balance driving efficiently and defensively. You might also feel a bit of pressure from the passenger to rush in some situations. The important thing to remember is to follow the rules of the road – even at the risk of receiving a negative rating in the app.
Passengers Messes and Well-Being
What comes from allowing a stranger to enter your car is the invitation of chaos. The people you let in could range from sloppy to clean. Depending on the passenger, you could find yourself cleaning up after the drop off. There’s plenty of horror stories telling how Uber drivers must clean up after passengers who spilt food, dropped a drink that stains, or were simply sick in the backseat. That’s why some drivers have opted to leaving a paper bag in the seat pockets.