Trucking companies, big box operations, and even the federal government remain focused on attracting people to earn their CDL and take a job as tractor-trailer operators.
While recruitment efforts involve sign-on bonuses, increased salaries, and perks, the country’s see-saw economic news may give some potential truckers reason for hesitation. Although diesel prices are high and inflation makes life more expensive, these discouraging issues have not affected the need for more truck drivers. In fact, recent freight hauling data indicates that the industry possesses plenty of room for growth as capacity reaches yet another peak.
First-quarter fleet research demonstrates Class 6-8 commercial motor vehicles were utilized at a rate of 86.2 percent, slightly exceeding a forecast of 82 percent. Trailer utilization for full-service rental fleets edged to nearly 97 percent, and for-hire truckers exceeded 93 percent. Upstart drivers may be pleased to know that 100 percent utilization may be impossible at any juncture because tractors and trailers get sidelined for a variety of reasons.
The 2022 first-quarter numbers highlight a freight hauling industry maximizing its assets, and every load requires a CDL professional who is earning money mile after mile. Prompted by increased demand for goods and materials, companies and owner-operators are placing an increased number of equipment orders. According to ACT Research information, trailer orders surged by 40 percent in March over the previous month. They were also 28 percent higher than March 2021.
“While total net orders jumped 40 percent month-over-month in March, the strength was dry van-centric. A 71 percent sequential surge in dry van net orders accounted for 96 percent of the total industry month-over-month gain. On a year-over-year basis, net orders were up 28 percent, with a similar story to the monthly results,” Frank Maly, director of CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT Research, reportedly stated. “We expect orders and production to travel in lockstep until 2023 order boards officially open. When that occurs, fleets likely will rush to formalize commitments that are already under discussion and negotiation.”
In laymen’s terms, fleets and independent truck operations are in a big hurry to add equipment. That means companies plan to hire experienced and newly-minted CDL professionals through 2022 and deep into 2023. Truckers deliver 72 percent of the country’s goods and materials, and the industry struggles with an 80,000 driver shortage. As an aging workforce retires and demand spikes, experts point to a trucker shortage reaching 160,000 in the coming years. Perhaps no profession will be more sought after than the truck driver going forward.
Source: fleetowner.com
Rates are low costs are high and shortage of drivers looks like customers gonna have to deliver their own sh#$%t
Low rates and high fuel costs are certainly a bummer for owner-ops, but not so much if you’re a company driver. I’ve done both and I’m not too proud to drive for a decent company. A lot of drivers have bad attitudes, I get it. Hey, it’s a tough life on the road sometimes. The pay is not great for all we do, but it beats living in your parents basement collecting gov hand outs. At least you’re contributing to the economy. A driver shortage means more miles for me in the distant foreseeable future. I choose a positive attitude and gonna keep on rolling…
Hmmm….I wonder why does a thankless job, which lacks prestige, good pay, respect, is scorned by the the public, is over regulated and micromanaged, and is super hard and dangerous, not attract hordes of eager new recruits???
Want to attract new drivers and keep the few new ones entering the industry? Try explaining why truck drivers work an average 65 hour week and never see a penny of what is called “overtime pay” in every other industry. Try explaining why a 12 hour day is considered “normal”. Try explaining why drivers are expected to do so much work for which they receive no compensation. Try explaining why every law enforcement agency in the country is allowed to stop a truck and “inspect” it without cause or justification. Try explaining why truck drivers have to have a special license endorsement for almost every vehicle configuration (air brakes, tandems, tankers, haz mat) yet four wheelers don’t. Try explaining split speed limits and no speed limiters on cars. Try explaining why a driver is expected to be away from home for two or more weeks at a time then get two days off (usually a Saturday and Sunday) to catch up with family, friends and life.