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A CDL trucking job is in high demand right now, which could be great news if you are considering joining the industry! Those who are interested in starting a career in trucking will like this article publicized by Transport Topics.

Writer John Cropley of The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, N.Y.) writes about the pros and cons of the trucking industry.

Here are some highlights from the article.

 1.  Starting wages are often more than $1,000 a week, and long-haul drivers with a high school diploma and a few years’ experience can earn $70,000 or more annually.

2. The volume of cargo trucked on American highways is continually increasing.

3. Truckers can move up to become a dispatcher or operations manager. Diesel technicians (they’re in short supply, too) can become a floor manager or department manager.

There are always opportunities for advancement, especially with the high demand of jobs right now. But along with all the perks, there are health, family and safety factors to consider. The author quotes Kendra Hems, president of New York State Motor Truck Association in Clifton Park, New York, saying:

4. “It’s not necessarily what you would consider a sexy career,” Hems said. To counter this, she said, “One of the things we try to do is educate potential candidates that this isn’t just a job, it’s a career path.”

Cropley continues with some cons about joining the industry.

5. Problems associated with the trucker lifestyle — inconsistent or insufficient sleep, smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet, sun damage to skin — remain up to the trucker to manage.

On top of that, purchasing and maintaining equipment gets costly. Cropley cites Timco Transportation of Glenville, N.Y. as one example.

6. A new truck and trailer combination costs Timco $182,000. Add a year’s worth of fees and surcharges and (company owner) Tim Adair is right around $190,000 for one big rig.

Like any career path there are going to be the ups and downs to CDL trucking jobs.

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Trucking Software Company Gets  Million in Venture Capital from Big Names

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One tech startup got a big financial boost this week when it received a $16 million windfall from investors. The Seattle-based trucking software startup Convoy makes a big splash with big-name tech investors. Investors include Jeff Bezos of Amazon, who likes what Convoy peddles.

Overall, Convoy’s software matches trucking companies to firms that need products transported.

Transport Topics magazine said word of the $16 million in new venture capital for Convoy. This comes only months after Convoy made a foray into Washington state’s technology scene. In addition, they raised $2.5 million in seed money from Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, among others.

“The new round, led by Menlo Park, California-based Greylock Partners, with participation from high-ranking Amazon.com executive Jeff Wilke, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom, Acosta Executive Chairman Gary Chartrand and LinkedIn executive Mike Gamson,” Transport Topics wrote.

Convoy creates software that connects truck drivers with freight that needs hauling. The startup developed a website and app into which freight companies enter information about what they need moved. It includes the equipment required. Next, Trucking companies then swoop in and claim the job. The traditional model involves companies working with third-party brokers to find truckers. Convoy lowers transport costs by cutting out the middle man and automating part of the process.

Convoy raised this second round of funding thanks to its rapid growth and increasing demand from trucking companies.

The company now stands at 31 employees

They preppe to relocate to a larger, 6,000-square-foot office space. It also announced this week that it will expand into Oregon. It plans to use its new funding to continue its expansion throughout the year.

“One of the only limits to our growth is how fast we can hire the people that we need,” Forecki said.

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