Truck-driving ranks to grow with economy

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS

Improvements in the nation’s economy are increasing the demand for goods shipped by truck — and the people who deliver them.

About 2,000 new truck-driving jobs will open in Indiana in 2011, according to The Indianapolis Star. It said the average trucker earns $37,588 a year.

According to industry officials, economic improvement and growth in shipping by truck go hand-in-hand. The retirement of baby-boomer truck drivers also is opening up positions for younger people now and in coming years.

“If you got it, a truck brought it,” said Gary Langston, president of the Indiana Motor Truck Association. “If the economy improves, obviously, we’ll have more stuff to haul because people buy more. And I try to be optimistic that will happen.”

Indianapolis-based Celadon will be hiring about 100 drivers this year. Celadon has 3,000 tractors and 9,000 trailers. Economic pressures drove many smaller trucking companies out of business, said founder and chief executive Steve Russell.

“As a consequence, there is a competitive shortage in the industry, and we want to take advantage of that,” Russell said. “Thank goodness we are strong — no bank debt. Absolutely we will be hiring more.”

The company requires drivers have nine months of experience, as well as a commercial driver’s license.

Other companies don’t require work experience, and those driving trucks of less than 26,000 pounds may not need a commercial license.

James Hugart, 63, of Martinsville, has four decades of truck-driving experience, including the last 18 with Wal-Mart. He said the job is rewarding but not for the faint of heart. His work week starts Monday between 9 and 10 a.m. and ends Friday between 3 and 6 p.m., with 11 hours of driving followed by 10 hours of rest.

Hugart said he normally tries to log about 600 miles a day. Much has improved in the last 40 years, he said, with others to load and unload and the introduction of air conditioning and power steering.

“Heck. We didn’t have anything other than a steering wheel back when I started,” said Hugart. “The job’s not hard. But you do have to be dedicated.”