Driver Shortage?

No shortage. If anything there is an over capacity problem. With the economy in an economic downturn (I say recession) fright volumes are down overall as compared to previous years. Companies purchased and placed orders for trucks before the newest epa regs were enacted so they could save money. Now they all have new trucks sitting by the fence while they try to fill their older trucks with drivers.

Take a look at any truckstop you go by and you will see trucks parked. Some are on legitimate 10 hour breaks, some stopped for a pitstop (food, fuel, restroom, etc.) and still others are waiting for a new load. To my knowledge there are no shippers waiting for a truck to ship freight due to a shortage of drivers. The freight that is available is being moved. Unfortunately most companies do not have enough freight to keep all their drivers busy.

 

I think it's as simple as high turnover rates(the true definition of 'shortage'), high turnover rates that are caused by what?

Another part of the shortage(prob a small %) is the fact the industry seems to refuse experienced drivers, who like me, may have gotten off the road for a few years, wish to return, and they won't, for the most part allow us back into the drivers seat because we don't have a full year in the last 3. Huh?

I know it(rehiring drivers like me) would prob only fill a portion of the shortage, but a nickle is still worth more than a penny any day of the week.

 

There is no driver shortage. The driver shortage tale is a lie the companies are telling so they can get sympthetic treatment by the government. Usually, this takes the form of subsidies. If you knew even half of what is going on....

Yeah, when companies can afford to be picky, it's obvious there is no shortage of drivers. Insurance companies aren't the problem, really, as companies have the freedom to move among insurance carriers. If my outift's carrier is too restrictive, I'll simply move to another one that allows me to hire drivers who may have no recent driving experience. I would not allow my insurance company's restrictions to handcuff me and cost me business because of a supposed driver shortage. Companies aren't affected this way because there isn't really a driver shortage. This shortage business is just a lie the companies tell to the government so Uncle Samuel will keep providing them with a sugar titty to suckle.

 

Driver shortage? no
Freight Shortage? yes
There are plenty of drivers to go around but not enough freight to keep them as busy as many would like to be.

 

I agree, there is a driver shortage.

But what the callers failed to mention was, there is a shortage of drivers willing to be worked like dogs.

There is a shortage of drivers who enjoy being treated like dirt.

There is a shortage of drivers willing to work for .26 a mile (or less) after more than 3 years experience.

There are not enough drivers willing to sit and wait up to 48 hours for the next load.

There are not enough drivers willing to forget friends and family for the benefit of THEIR company.

There are not enough drivers willing to obey the companies every command.

There are not enough drivers willing to eat %$# 24/7 from people who sleep in a warm house, while telling us to turn our heat/AC off.

Yes there is a shortage. But, we freed the slaves over 100 years ago.

Free at last...Free at last.

 

Well if you put it that way. There is a massive shortage of slaves to drive trucks.

 

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I appreciated your post! This is the truth...thank you sir!

 

dont worry ,the mexican trucking industry will take care of everything!

 

It seems like channel 7 or 5 gets more traffic than 19