Cargo Jockey

Cargo Jockeys, also known as Transport Jockeys and Space Truckers, are individuals make their living hauling cargo across interplanetary voids in their spacecraft, typically small or medium sized transports, often individually customized.

Cargo jockeys provide an essential service to spacefaring societies by transporting finished goods and raw materials between inhabited worlds, typically to and from manufacturing plants, retail and distribution centers. Cargo jockeys are also responsible for inspecting their craft for mechanical items or issues relating to safe operation.

Types

There are three major types of cargo jockey employment:

• Owner-operators are individuals who own the spacecraft they pilot and can either lease their craft by contract with a cargo company to haul freight for that company using their own craft, or they haul loads for a number of companies and are self-employed independent contractors. There are also ones that lease a spacecraft from a company and make payments on it to buy it in two to five years.
• Company drivers are employees of a particular cargo company and pilot spacecraft provided by their employer.
• Independent Owner-Operators are those who own their own authority to haul goods and often pilot their own spacecraft, possibly owning a small fleet anywhere from 1-10 trucks, maybe as few as only 2 or 3 craft.

Cargo jockeys transporting illegal contraband, such as controlled substances or weapons, are known as smugglers.