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Benefits of Working for a Small Trucking Company

Is Bigger Always Better? Benefits of Working for a Small Trucking Company

You’ve probably heard other truck drivers talk badly about small truck driving companies. Maybe you’ve even made the mistake of ignoring job listings at small companies in favor of those at national companies. In this industry, small trucking companies often get a bad rap, which is actually very unfair.

There are many reasons that you may get more from working for a local trucking company—check out the benefits below if you’re trying to decide whether or not a local trucking company is the right career move for you.

May Have More Competitive Compensation Packages

In general, small trucking companies have much more competitive compensation packages than national companies. National companies tend to rely mostly on company drivers, while small companies may split their loads between company drivers and owner-operators.

Since small companies allocate part of their work to owner-operators, they tend to have less overhead, fewer equipment expenses, and fewer benefits expenses. This allows them to pay both company drivers and owner-operators more. In addition, local companies generally employ far fewer people in a smaller variety of positions, which further reduces overhead expenses and puts more money in drivers’ pockets.

Know Who You’re Working For and Wh

Working for a big company often means working for a nameless, faceless entity. Even if you know who owns the company and its history, you may not really feel like you’re part of it. With a local company, you often have a strong working relationship with the company owner and other important professionals. You know the history of the company, what its long-term aims are, and how you are benefiting both yourself and other drivers.

Contributing to the Local Economy

Even if you work for small truck companies that ship nationally, you know that the miles and hours you put in directly improve your community and your local economy. In a time when globalization seems to be minimizing the role of small businesses, this is a huge benefit for lots of drivers.

More Flexibility with Special Circumstances

Imagine this situation: your wife is put on bed rest during a difficult pregnancy, leaving your family with no childcare for the infant and toddler you already have at home. If you need to suddenly change your schedule, take on different hauls, or take time off to meet family obligations, you may be out of luck with a large trucking company.

Even if you put in years of service with a large company, you tend to be one of many reliable drivers. If you get a prime trucking position at a local company, your employer and managers see every day how much you do for the company and the hard work you put in. If they know that you’ve given plenty to the company, they may be more flexible when you need to call in a favor. In addition, the connections you build with other drivers at a small company may give you more options if you need to adapt your schedule.

Large companies tend to have strict protocols and restrictions in these situations, and a small USA trucking company is more likely to look at the entire situation before making a decision.

Whether you are a new or experienced driver, you could really enjoy working for a small trucking company, particularly if you like where you live and you plan on making a long-term career in the area. Go ahead and compare local and national truck driving jobs to learn more about their pay rates, compensation packages, and other benefits before you make a decision that’s right for you.