Travis Miller assumed for years that turning 21 would be his most satisfying birthday. As it has turned out, his 22nd birthday this past October was even better. That's the day he completed truck-driving school and earned his Class-A Commercial Driver's License (CoDL). Interviewed that same day, Miller brimmed with excitement about his future. He was about to launch his driving career with the country's third largest carrier the following week, but took a moment to tell his story.

"I've always loved trucks and the idea of over-the-road truck driving. I have a high school diploma and have attended college. In fact, I'd be in school majoring in math or chemistry this fall if money hadn't gotten tight. When I really began to think about what I wanted to do next and the career I wanted, truck driving immediately came to mind. Now that I'm involved, I'm hooked for life."

Miller voices the emotions of many who pursue over-the-road or long-haul trucking. His CoDL opens doors in regional and local trucking as well, but he longs for the big trips. "I know being gone for long stretches at a time may be hard sometimes, but at this point in my life, it looks great." When asked if he'll be able to make it work someday when he has a family, Miller points out that any future wife will be familiar with his career from the start. "If I ever find I want to stick closer to home, my employer offers regional and local routes as well," he adds.

Education and Training

Headquartered in West Sacramento since 1976, Western Truck School is the oldest and largest truck-driving school on the West Coast. They have 20 locations throughout five states, with a dozen sites in California. Prospective students must have a high school diploma, a GED, or pass a proficiency test. Admissions director Dean Toney, says, "You certainly don't need a college degree for this training, but these days we're seeing students with all levels of education, including graduate degrees."

Training for a Class-A CoDL through Western Truck School takes four weeks. Special endorsements proving a level of proficiency on such topics as hazardous materials tankers and double trailers can be added to the standard license. Students learn about diesel engines and the cooling, lubrication, fuel, air and exhaust systems, transmissions, differentials, suspension, axles, tires and wheels, and braking systems. They also learn about pre-trip inspection, repair and maintenance, coupling and docking, backing maneuvers, shifting and braking techniques, weight distribution, secure loading, log books, map reading, trip planning, accident reporting, Department of Transportation regulations and preventative maintenance principles.

Cost of training ranges between $4000 and $5000 in Northern California. Long-haul companies differ from local companies in that they almost universally reimburse employees 100 percent for their driving- school tuition. In most cases, employees must sign a contract agreeing to stay with that company for a certain length of time to be reimbursed.

Have CoDL Will Travel

Once a CoDL is earned through a certified school, most students have an excellent chance of landing a job with a trucking company. Toney says, "We have more calls for drivers than we have students, and have nearly 100-percent placement." Drivers are in demand, and companies will take fresh graduates and furnish them with company-specific training. Long-haul companies differ from most local trucking companies in providing this additional training. Toney says, "Long-haul companies give drivers several weeks with a personal trainer to further their skills before they're turned loose on the road."

Long-haul companies give specific training suited to their routes, equipment and procedures. Drivers may learn about hauling dry vans, flatbeds, refrigerator units, tanks or any other type of specialty trailer. They'll also get hands-on training in the type of terrain they'll have to deal with, such as mountains or deserts.

Is Long-Haul Trucking For You?

Toney says, "There used to be a long-haul truck driver stereotype, and it was a strongly built man, unshaven from long days on the road, and with very little education. That stereotype is disappearing for good reason. Now the demand is so great that we get people from all walks of life - 18-year-olds fresh out of high school, senior citizens, college graduates, and people looking for a career change. I've seen schoolteachers and biochemists come through. Recently we trained a guy who owned an insurance agency for 25 years and decided he wanted to hit the road and drive trucks. Also, women used to be scarce, but now they're coming in droves."

Long-haul truck driving may be attracting people from all walks of life, but they all share a few common characteristics. A desire for the freedom of the open road is one bond, and the satisfaction of hands-on work with visible results is another. Another common similarity of long-haul truck drivers is family circumstance that allows long trips away from home, sometimes for weeks at a time.

Salaries, Benefits and Opportunities

Local companies usually pay by the hour, but long-haul company drivers are salaried with bonuses and other variables such as mileage and experience. First-year long-haul company drivers, considered entry-level student drivers, can earn $30,000 to $45,000. With a year or two under their belts, they earn the title of experienced driver and can negotiate pay. Salaries for experienced drivers can range from $40,000 to more than $100,000.

"Once you gain experience, there are many ways you can go," Toney continues. "The trucking industry has changed, and now when company recruiters assess employees, they look for more than the stereotypical trucker type. They look at the entire resume and work history to determine if someone may have management potential. Terminal manager and dispatcher positions can open for someone with the ability and the desire for

a more stationary job. Terminal managers can start at $75,000 and go up from there. Another option would be to become a trainer, with a salary of $60,000 to $100,000 per year."

Company Drivers and Owner-Operators

While company drivers can make good money, a potentially more lucrative route is that of owner-operator. Toney explains, "All the major companies, after a driver's been with them for about a year, will give that driver the option of leasing or buying one of their vehicles. Then the driver would contract with that company. Many owner-operators can make $150,000 gross from just one truck. Since there's such a shortage of drivers, an owner- operator can find more work than he can handle contracting with just one company and has no need to go hunting for work from company to company."

Owner-operators can buy another truck and hire an employee to drive the second route and make a percentage of that second truck. In fact, many owner- operators have built businesses by adding several trucks and have quit driving to manage their fleets. An owner-operator can grow a business to the point of actually breaking away from the contract company and beginning a separate trucking company. Many of today's big trucking companies began just that way.

The trucking industry's future is bright and with its various career avenues, such as trainer, dispatcher, manager, and owner-operator, it may be just what you've been looking for. Of course, there's always the option of remaining a well-paid company driver. No matter what Travis Miller's future holds, he says, "The idea of company driving suits me right now, and I don't ever plan on letting my Class A CoDL slip out of my hands."

• Westerntruckschool.com - oldest and largest truck school in Northern California offering day, night and weekend classes, job assistance, and financing. Phone (888) 860-1226
• 1truckdriverjobs.com - nationwide directory of truck driver jobs listed by company and state. Also includes a message board and classifieds.
• Infoporium.com/truckschools - nationwide directory of truck driving schools.
• Besttruckingschools.com - another directory of truck driving schools.
• Aptda.com - Association of Professional Truck Drivers of America (APTDA), non-profit organization that offers truck drivers low rates on insurance as well as discounted products and services.
• Cdltest.com - Commercial Driver Testing Services, Inc. offers CoDL preparation course and skills examination, and preparation materials such as videos, sample tests, and literature.
• Bestdriverjobs.com - Best Driver Jobs, Inc., offers links to companies nationwide, fuel prices, calendar of events, and more.
• Classadriverjobs.com - offers information and online carrier directory listings.