Truck Driver Turnover – Is it Really 100 Plus Percent?
10/21/07
http://www.scdigest.com/assets/on_ta...3.php?cid=1307

Each individual company may have a turnover rate that high. The entire industry may only be churning between the carriers. It would be interesting to find out if there are ways of tracing the overall turnover.

Is there a resource that reports the turnover rate per company?

Most large companies will not give the public their true turn over rate. If they just treated the drivers like people it will go away. My neighbor use to work at SNI as a dispatcher. SNI was alway telling them not to think about the driver, only to think about the truck without a person in it. Driver needs were alway second to moving freight.

If the companies were truly worried about the turnover rate things would change. In any other industry if the demand for workers are down, pay and benefits go up. As long as the companies can keep drivers in the trucks, they don't really worry about turn over.


Mark

I agree. I've long thought the best business philosophy is that the owners or top management of a company should put their priority on taking care of their employees, who will in turn take care of the customers, who will in turn take care of the profits.

Unfortunately, there seems to be too many businesses who are focused solely on the profit at the expense of their employees -- and ultimately at the expense of their customers.

I really don't see the problem here. Companies aren't in the business of providing someone a job just so that employees can feel all warm and cozy with a daily pat on the back.

Truckers sign on the dotted line to move freight. In return a company gives you a paycheck. Nothing in the agreement states they have to make you feel appreciated. If they do...great.

If you want daily affirmation get a puppy.

I never stated anything about getting daily affirmation. Being treated with respect would be nice. Getting time off when request would be nice. Getting home like the company states in recruiting flyer's. How about a bonus program that has real goals?

Once you stop treating people like people loyalty goes way down. Ever wonder why drivers just drop trailer and leave the needed repairs for the next driver? How about the drivers that never shut the truck off, I've asked a few, I get its not my truck and fuel. What about the companies that won't fix the A/C or Heat? What about the companies that won't fix the am/fm radio. Then you have the few that will only fix the required item per a DOT inspection, anything else can wait. Having some respect for the drivers comfort, the driver is what makes everyone the money.

How about this one, which companies have a turn over under 20%. What are they doing different?

I have zero problems with the company I drive for. I get paid what should on the stated pay date. I get home on the request date all but once in 2 1/2 years, had me home the next morning though, added the missed time at home on the end. I pay nothing out of my pocket for the company or truck, I have all the toll cards, Ez-Pass, and comm-checks for everything else. The only money I spend on the road is for me, I don't have to fight and beg for reimbursement. I get all the miles I want to drive, to date I have never been stuck waiting for a load more than 6 hours.

If you like being treated the way you are then fine, that is your choice.

Mark

Ever wonder why drivers just drop trailer and leave the needed repairs for the next driver?

1.) Because their to lazy to do their jobs!!

How about the drivers that never shut the truck off, I've asked a few, I get its not my truck and fuel.

2.) Thats right, Their workin for the man, NOT their selves or their future, or their families!!!

What about the companies that won't fix the A/C or Heat?

3.) I drove for years without AC and with brokin heaters!!! (But then again back then you had to work for money!!)

What about the companies that won't fix the am/fm radio.

3.) I can still remember the first truck I drove that had a radio, it didnt work and when I asked the owner if I could replace it (Notice, "IF I COULD REPLACE IT") he told me to listen to the truck and the CB, that was far more important!!!

Having some respect for the drivers comfort, the driver is what makes everyone the money.

4.) This is where you are wrong in my opinion. You couldnt be any closer to the bottom of the ladder!!

I pay nothing out of my pocket for the company or truck, I have all the toll cards, Ez-Pass, and comm-checks for everything else.

5.) I just wounder where all these "PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS" would be if you took all this away. Take the computers out, take the cell phones away. I figure all us TRUCKERS would have the road to ourselves!!!

Now, I agree with you on some things such as, getting paid for duties performed, But I believe the biggest reason for driver turnovers isnot the co's. but its modern day "PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS" wanting to be spoon fed and their butts pampered. Now days drivers sign up with co's. based on PAY, and HOMETIME! (WHO"S GONNA PAY ME THE MOST FOR THE LESS WORK PERFOEMED?) Used to be for the trucks, and the road!! Now, Ive been on both sides of the coin, and my thoughts are there are fewer truckers and more professional drivers, and a professional driver will never be happy with a truckers job! You could give em a gold bar and they would complain about it being to heavy! If your not happy with your job, maybe you should change your career choice to one that meets your expectations and needs instead of expecting someone or some company to take care of you, because even though things seem to be going fine now you will hit the wall again. I think some people expect to much out of trucking. Just my thoughts.

But like everything in this world, times have changed..............................

Mark

This is painfully true, but the job is still the same! People and the attitudes towards trucking has changed. For me, watching and listening to most of the drivers now days kinda puts me inthe mind of a 4yr college grad. bringing their education and ways to a fast food resturant. Your right, "like everything in this world, times have changed.............................." but for the worse. I have drove all my life and I have often told younger drivers, If your not content with the job, you better find somthing else to do! Well, if you just listen to most drivers talk, you'll find out their far from content. Want, Want, Want, they all want more than they got, and that isnot a content person. Their needs exceed what a career in trucking can ever offer them, but insted of moving on, they insist on dragging down co's. with their own problems. Problems brought on by trying to have a career in trucking, so what do they do??? They try to bend, and manipulate the industry and its ways to harkin to their personal needs. Just ask yourself how many times you have ever herd the phrase "Truckin aint what it used to be", well, my friend, Nothing about trucking has changed, only the people behind the wheels.