Why drivers are always wanted?

The driver shortage is none existent.. The only shortage that there is a of companys that are willing to pay a good driver what he is worth.....!

 

The first few months or year burns most of them out. It's a tough, tough, profession to learn. Looking for unfamiliar places, finding a place to park for the night, going through Chicago, weather, driving at night.............

Here's an example:
Up yesterday at 0400 for a 0700 appointment in Birmingham, 150 miles away. I knew where the place was, but the other driver didn't. So I led him in. Then we waited until 1130! when I was unloaded.
Sent to Mobile, 260 miles away, to pick up supplies for our plant. I've been there, too, so it was easy (this time) They loaded me pronto, and then I headed for home, now 275 miles away.
So that's 150 + 260 + 275 miles, right? And with that long (unexplained) delay at the first place - the place that wanted me there at 0700 - it was midnight by the time I crawled into bed.
From the time I got up until the time I went back to bed, it was a 20 hour day!

But how about the driver I had to lead in? He got lost on the way in, called me and I told him to sit tight and I'd be along.
Then he got lost again in Mobile (these places are hard to find).
On top of that he started even before I did. So how did he get ahead of me at the first stop? I pulled over when the rising sun appeared below the traffic lights, that's how. Extra time, but safer.

And what if he had to make that trip by himself the first time? I did, and it wasn't any fun, either. But my first year is done. I have a good rolodex of all these accounts and a good software map (laptop) in the truck. I've got my favorite truckstops all figured out, I know I'm going to miss a few meals, know I'm going to not feel like driving sometimes, and on and on.

And tomorrow? Tomorrow I have to drop and hook in Atlanta (375 miles) at 0345. 0345! Can't be done earlier. Or later. So how am I gonna do that? There is no place to sleep in Atlanta at 0400, so I'm gonna have to sleep first and then continue my trip to North Carolina..............never mind, it's a logistic puzzle and I've already worked it out. But it took every bit of a year. Every bit.

 

So please explain to someone who is still in school, how you can work that many hours in a day. 685 miles in a day with an unload, and load. Figuring a conservative 55 mph average, your driving time is far greater than 10, and what happen to 14 hours in a day. Yet you did 20.

 

I think that a big problem is the poor pay in trucking. If a man or woman is spending 5 days and nights a week on the road, they should be bringing in at least $1000 per week in my opinion for this sacrifice. How can a person put in that type of commitment and bring in 30k to 40k per year?
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THAT KIND OF SALARY? ANSWER: NOT MUCH!!
The salary for truckers in the past was better with virtually the same salary and a better value for the dollar.

 

I would have to say a reason that most newbies quit is because of improper training from these CDL mills...I would think the primary focus would be on backing, coupling and planning your routes which are incorrect in most cases for these type of schools...they think if you can drive foward then thats good we are gonna send you with a trainer and he/she can teach you the rest....then the trainer thinks he/she should only show you company policies which they contradict by chillin in the sleeper while you are driving and not up front with you correcting any mistakes; so in turn when you are given your own truck and let loose as a solo, your screwups show, accidents happen, deliveries are late and safety is cussing at you. Luckily I was one of the few that has a can do attitude and caught on real quickly. But if I could do it over again, I would have gone to Sage professional truck driving school and learned the proper way and went with a better paying/ organized company. Thats just my opinion.

 

I agree with alaskan.Thats because I really don't think CDLs are "EARNED" any more. Don't really know if they ever WERE?There might be too much state maoney or fed money out there available to be just gobbled up, by whoever can be talked into taking a course on driving. I mean look at the last several years (5- 10 probably more),all the welfare stuff has been tightened up and people sometimes MAY not have choice,so to speak, to take a course in order to save thier bennies or something simiular. It may not be wide spread but common sense tells me that does and will happen

:smt096 :smt096

 

Is it possible that alot of drivers switch companies just to grab the signup bonus with their new company?

I know it would be short-sighted to switch for that alone, but thought I would throw it out there.

 

You average 55 counting stops. So 55 X 14 is 770. Want to see it another way? 70 X 11 = 770. I did 20 from the time I got up (my own bed, at home) until the time I got back in bed.
And then I got 16 hours off duty.
Now I gotta go back to work...............and that, boys and girls, is why I say "never, ever, work for a freight company". Find a company close to your home or move to where they are.

 

What, I am still confused on this. You can not drive more than 11 after 10 consecutive off so 55 X 11 is 605, unless the company you work for does not have to worry about DOT regs.

 

Its the law of averages. Yes, 55 x 11 is 605, but you have to average it out. I have driven 660 miles in a day with no loads/unloads, but have driven 550 + if your customer is on top of it. But, then again, I have driven 80 to 200 some odd miles in a day, too, because of scheduling. It is not a cut and dry thing the way I see it. You take what you can get out here. That is why it is SO important to choose your company carefully.