There are plenty of “just a job” jobs out there. Jobs that provide a steady paycheck, regular hours, a cubicle and, maybe, donuts in the break room. Lots of people have those jobs and some even like them.

But those aren’t trucking jobs. Trucking jobs are, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse, vastly different than those other jobs. The pay varies and so do the hours; truckers can work, eat and sleep in the same cab, but it might be in a different state every day; they all have window offices and the view is ever-changing.

Driving a truck attracts and repels with equal force. Just as there are people who can’t imagine driving a truck for a living there are those who can’t imagine doing anything else.

Trucking is a hard, often-lonely job. While the pay can be decent, you don’t meet a lot of rich drivers. Trucking takes drivers away from their family and friends and it doesn’t respect birthdays, anniversaries and family events.

So why do truckers do it?

For some, trucking is freedom. Whether they’re fleet drivers or owner-operators, truckers have a degree of independence that cubicle dwellers don’t. They’re not staring at the same four walls, eating at the same fast food places for lunch or spending the day with the same co-workers. Yes, most truckers have bosses, but they aren’t down the hall.

Others like the travel. While driving is hardly a vacation, OTR truckers get a chance to see big parts of this country through their windshields. Get them talking and even the most grizzled drivers will reminisce about the glorious sunsets they’ve seen.

And they know their work is important. Though it’s not always reflected in their pay and public image, truckers are vital to the economy. Getting goods and raw materials from Point A to Point B safely and on time is what keeps this country ticking.

It can be gratifying work. Despite all the regulations and hassles from employers, shippers and dispatchers, there is a lot of satisfaction to be had in hauling loads from place to place.

Lastly, it’s a lifestyle. Trucking consumes your life more than, say, accounting does. For people who want that, it’s great. For those who don’t, it’s a poor fit, something new drivers will discover in a hurry.

As one member of our RoadPro Road Warrior Pro Driver Council put it: “Out here. you practically live, eat, and breathe the road. If you don't embrace it as a lifestyle and all the ups and downs that go with it, you could be in for a long, miserable JOB.”