High Turnover on new drivers?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Russjac, Apr 8, 2012.

  1. Russjac

    Russjac Light Load Member

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    I am looking into being a driver, as I was just seperated from a job, and am ready for a change in careers. I am about 40, and have no close family or friends and I really don't care where I am, as long as I have a place.

    My old job I worked 14 hour days more than I wanted to as a manager for a well known pizza company, so long hours don't bother me. I am not out for the quick payday, so I am not expecting to get rich doing this.

    I have read lots of posts and the companies don't seem horrible, considering that this is a huge industry, people will always have bad experiences and the ones with bad experiences are more likely to relate them.

    This said, I keep seeing that this industry has a huge (80-90%) turnover rate. Is this true? Is this people getting out of the industry altogether, or changing companies?

    And if turnover is so high, then why?

    Thanks
     
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  3. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    You'll be working more, upsetting your sleep cycles, and making less money than your pizza job. And you'll be working for free at times. Most people expect something different. That's why.
     
  4. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    i believe the largest share of the turnover is due to unrealistic expectations of the unimformed. The training schools and training companies just run them thru and see what sticks. I just joined this rank but my previous career as a commercial fisherman has given me better insight into long hours inevitable delays and ability to roll with the punches Many ppl think they are on a romantic adventure but it is a lot of work driving planning trips and managing your hours to the best advantage to beat the system I call it one on one chess
     
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  5. Gizmo_Man

    Gizmo_Man Road Train Member

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    Turn over is high at many trucking companies. The reasons vary from one driver to another.

    Not enough miles per day

    Not enough home time

    Not many or any benefits

    poor equipment

    poorly maintained equipment

    not enough miles per week

    sitting too long waiting for dispatch to give you a load.

    run hard times for freight that was needed yesterday, but the warehouse said, they didn't need it till next week.

    and so on and so forth.
     
  6. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    There's a huge turn over rate.Every company is aggresively hireing drivers.Why you ask because some find out trucking isn't what it's cracked up to be.Many can't handle being gone for weeks.But mostly I think it's the pay,low miles and disrespect from the companies.You deffinately need thick skin if you wanna make a go at it in trucking.
     
  7. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Howcome there is no thank button on your post,I was going to hit the thank thingy.
     
  8. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Nevermind,it mysteriously appeared,lol
     
  9. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Main 2 reasons why I had such a bad work history at the beginning of my carreer was low pay and low miles and not getting any better in miles no matter how much I begged and pleaded for more miles.
     
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  10. Gambinos Wrath

    Gambinos Wrath Light Load Member

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    Like many jobs, it depends on the person, and their personality, I like people, but I like being alone, I did alot of research before jumping into this, it's a good job depending on what your looking for, I make good money, and when I'm not driving at night I see some thins I never dreamed of seeing, it's a beautiful country and what better way to see it then to get paid to do it, but that's me, I like the job
     
    Russjac Thanks this.
  11. Russjac

    Russjac Light Load Member

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    I don't know about that. I worked 60-80 hours a week, if we had a meeting I had to schedule my "day off" to be on that day and I made less than what even the lower estimates of starting drivers (except the people who said they make $100-200 every week).

    Every job has it's pile of crap, and one person's trash is another's treasure.

    The replies seem to blame the recruiting process for the turnover. I can believe this, one of the schools I went too looked like a welfare office (not being a snob, just calling it as I see it), so I bet a lot of the prospects are getting grants to go in, so nobody cares, including the student, if they are getting grants, if they don't pan out.

    Sucks for someone who gets the pitch and actually pays for their classes.
     
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