Truck driver shortage, other troubles could push up prices for consumers

Harrisburg PA and yes it is train only. Two Norfolk Southern Intermodal terminals in Harrisburg PA (Rutherford terminal is in Harrisburg). One taking freight west the other taking freight south. You also have 3 more intermodal terminals 2 are a little over an hour away and the other is within an hour drive. The CSX railyard in Chambersburg we take freight there that is going to Arizona, the Norfolk Southern railyard in Greencastle PA we pick up/deliver freight that is primarily going to/coming from Mexico, and the other rail yard we go to once in a blue moon is the CSX rail yard in Baltimore. Also realize I am a company driver and are freight has literally been increasing 10-25% a year at my terminal for the last few years and is expected to keep increasing at this rate for the next few years.

If you want to know more about a strictly owner operator gig you would be better off talking to someone who works for Hub.

 

Well put but its not helpful to use their terminology.
When has immigration "reform" not equated to amnesty and when has it ever been good for the american economy or average american citizen worker !!
numbersusa.commmmm

 

I believe driver do themselves a disfavor by even repeating the phrase ' driver shortage' unless we correct it for reality
to be 'Driver PAY shortage' . Most of the better paying companies Ive heard of have very low turn over, on top of the that they often have decent retirement further incentive for the driver to stay. Yes I have to add many of those companies involve the U word.
In advertisement at least Ive actually seen some pay increases recently even swift recently called me with a surprising cpm (surprising for swift...).
But most with more experience here Im sure have seen the wages stagnate or worse over the past couple decades.

 

I too have noticed that driver pay is generally on the rise. I am glad to see that. The economy has greatly improved in recent years and unemployment is down below 6%. Citation: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

We all want more $ and we are more likely to get significant increases by increasing our skills or specializing or owning than waiting for wages to go up generally. I've only been doing this 2 1/2 years but I will make $60K this year working 50 hrs/week pulling a reefer - I can't say I am under-payed.

 

Quote: "Most of these costs will come directly out of executive benefits and stock options bonuses, or more marble flooring in the corporate office." LOL! Boy I would love to believe that! The one calling the shots will cut every ones pay before they loose their own, with VERY few exceptions. We really need to start paying attention, executive pay is as high as it has ever been - believe that. NTM any executive getting "fired", just means a fat severance bonus to take a vacation.

 

Drivers are getting out because they are tired of the wrapped up S$#@ sandwich with no bread when it comes to working 65 to 85 hours a week, averaging 12.85 an hour.

What a crock and for the folks that say that's just trucking! Your the reason its like that today, because that's what you've made it be with that attitude.

Shippers and recs., break downs, layovers, carriers and just all the plain BS that comes with the life as an ORT wasting time that you get screwed on.

People are getting out because allot can do better elsewhere out of the industry.

People don't want in because they want no part of the life. So while some retire, some quit and cant replace with new meat, they say if something does'nt change in the next decade there will be a 250,000 short industry, they are talking about the problem all over the news now with just 35,000 to 40,000 short.

Well thank deregulation for it, because when it came to drivers pay and benefits, drivers have been taking it in the backside every since. Our government exempted drivers from the fair labor act of 1935 because then drivers had better than average wages and safety standards that were inforced by all unions, so after dereg. came into affect, we got exempted from the fair labor act of 1935, and then became what the real world of what 75% of OTR Driver is today.

All I see is a bubble to be honest with you, they cut throat each other after dereg, then came after drivers as soon as the major players took control. Im really amazed it took 35 years though to see it begin. Just go's to show you what that saying can get you into. Ah, thats just Truckin! No it more like FN!

 

Do you work that much and for so little? If so, why? If not, what are you talking about?

I would never work those hours and I have no desire to drive 3000 miles/ week. Those who do that, or get less than $20/hr should get a better job - there are plenty to choose from.

 

funny that we got all these cos. crying driver shortage yet the majority of them still want to pay as little as they can and from a lot of what i read here treat theyre drivers like crap ...just because theres not many 1000.00 dlr cadillacs around doesent mean theres a cadillac shortage ....i dont feel a bit sorry for these cos. and if ya want good drivers open up your checkbook and treat drivers like human beings instead of a disposable comodity ...industry watchdogs have warned this was coming for a long time and the industry as always sits on their hands till it blows up in their face ...tough poo poo !

 

I take it your paid for all that wasted time at shippers and recievers.. You also get paid for breakdowns, layover etc. It all adds up man. Just in case your a union man.. 80% of the carriers out there arent. And yes the odds are great you will waste allot of time doing at these places making nothing, just to have to play catch up in the end with an ending result of yes 65 to 85 hours or so a week. Who do you drive for?

 

oh dont let the ltl union boys blow sunshine up ur ### ...they mostly drive ratty lookin junk and their cos. teeter on the edge of bankruptcy from one quarter to the next ..just ask yrc .
if the teamsters were serious about anything other than lining their own pockets they would be trying to organize the truckload segment but we dont hear a peep out of them till they start gloatin then when the thought of stickin theyre necks out to expand into truckload they shut up and go away cause that would reqiure work and money .