Truckers say the way they're treated by their employers and the general public is causing drivers to

Discussion in 'Other News' started by Opus, Jan 16, 2022.

  1. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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  3. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    These guys in the article sound like a bunch of whiners to me. I personally don't have thise issues that often, and haven't had those issues that often since I've been driving. The average experienced trucker makes 65k or better, and that's good money. I think some drivers overspend at home and on the road, so they complain that wages are low. Companies can take it up another 20k yearly and drivers still will complain because so many of them are "Debbie Downers" by nature. I've said it in other threads, you want respect from the public, well....if you're driving around the country in a filthy truck, that don't help the cause. If you walk into the truck stop, or any place for that matter, looking like your own truck ran you over, then that won't generate respect either. I even see members on here do everything possible to sway newbies from driving, with those negative attitudes. Whatever attitude you exhibit, the public/new drivers will feed off it. In my estimation one of of the biggest reasons drivers quit because they aren't cut out for it. Many lack the mental toughness to do this job, and that's the number one thing needed to last. If a newbie is mentally fragile, then I'll know instantly that he or she won't make it.
     
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  4. jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    Yes, it takes a natural talent to be a professional driver!. NOT A STEERING WHEEL HOLDER!.
    Like me trying to be a Doctor. One of the reasons the industry keeps getting regulated so heavily and dumbing down of the equipment and all the nanny aides.

    Big fleets give 2 ####s about who they run thru the schools. As long as they pass a physical and drug test. You bring in all kinds
    People with hidden drug addictions, mental issues and list could go on.
    Lot’s of them are drawn in by the promise of big money and travel to see the country.
    Only to find out it’s a fabricated lie. They will be treated like crap from companies micromanaged, customers have little respect for drivers, drivers have little respect for customers or themselves. ((Some of them).
    For some trucking is a last resort other than working at the local convenience store.
    After 30+ years trucking. This industry is its own worst enemy. I hang around because I do my own thing.
    Hair testing coming but I believe the big fleets brought it on themselves. Hopefully they go bankrupt.
     
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  5. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    I don't think the big money thing is a lie totally. People want to get to the big bucks instantly, and don't have the patience to get their feet wet, and take the long hard road. Most people will have to take that road to get where they wanna. In trucking, I also don't think that it's necessarily how much money you make, but how you spend it. Even your lowest paying company can pay enough to make a living if you do what you're supposed to do. Also, many drivers leave the industry once they work that first holiday, miss that child's birthday, wedding anniversary etc. People get in their feelings, and when they call folks on those holidays and they may be too busy to entertain a trucker that's stuck out, oh goodness, watch out for those emotions.
     
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  6. Val_Caldera

    Val_Caldera Road Train Member

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    Oh, Okay, Right Side Steering. How many Trucks In The USA Are Right Side Steering??
    - - - -
    Like MANY, I too have been out on some Holidays as well not out.
    It Was What It Was, So What, I Wasn't Alone & It Got Better!

    Some People who may just simply be UNEMPLOYABLE could possibly believe that Trucking Is An All In Solution, then quickly enuf "discover" it's not as they "believed" from statements of the "non Information fabricating recruiters".

    Like ANY INDUSTRY, There Are Requirements but not being an Pain in/to Public ain't one of 'em, as was, is, will be demonstrated by some Newbs as well Experienced Drivers.
    I was one of the *"Pains In/To Public"* until the time of REASON and PATIENCE Overrode most of the Negativity which was Brought On By MY Thinking.
    *(However That being Said, I DID NOT Take Out Frustrations On The Equipment Becuz I wanted To Get Back To Base)*
    Hydration and Sustenance Played/Plays A LARGE PART As When Both Are Reduced, Attitudes & Energy Are Altered South, Which Can Explain Some Folks Going Ballistic Over Seemingly Innocuous Events Like Sitting In Line At A Fuel Stop Whether Or Not Fueling & Not Knowing Shift Change Is Occurring (that was a few times For I).

    Good Times, Bad Times, Other Times.

    ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, Keep Your Cool! ;):cool:

    CHEERS TO THEE & THINE!!
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2022
  7. smokey12

    smokey12 Road Train Member

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    So now.bring on the 18-21 year olds and foreigners..gotta keep those wages down..while the lobbying megas scream there is a trucking shortage so they can get what they want..BS.
     
  8. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    That ain't what drives wages down. What drives wages down are your small companies and owner ops.....it's too many of them. You got too many who get into it with little to no capital, poor equipment, and no education on the industry or business. This isn't a knock to all owners. For all who do it the right way, I am not talking about those. I'm talking about the uninformed ones. I remember this rookie owner op telling me about his load.....Roseland, LA to Portland, OR for a whopping rate if 3500 bucks. He told me they initially offered 2800. He really thought that he did a fine negotiating job. His truck looked bad by the way. Owner ops like this guy don't need to be in business. He hauled that load for peanuts because he had no idea how trucking works. People like him are the ones that drive down wages. When you have way too much competition, it diminishes value of the driver. Now there appears to be a shortage now, buts because of high consumer demand for just about......everything, and the industry is having difficulty keeping up at the moment.
     
  9. smokey12

    smokey12 Road Train Member

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    Great perspective and factual but it's likely a combination of both. I think it's being presented that there is a major trucking shortage but in reality it's a more of an effort by large companies to bring in foreigners and younger people to keep the wages down. Am offshoot of that is all the foreign owner operators that haul cheap cheap loads.
     
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  10. jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    nailed it. You keep hearing how shippers are hurting to move product. Trucking companies are taking advantage and crap.

    I deal with a reputable broker or 2 and they move loads to CA for less than $2.00 a mile by mostly foreigners that just want to get to CA and will take #### near anything.
     
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  11. LameMule

    LameMule Road Train Member

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    I always try to share rates with people I'm chatting with so if they're hauling cheap like that guy they'll wise up and pass on cheap stuff. If they're getting more than me then I try to figure out how to get a better rate.
     
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