Baby boomers retiring and truck driver mills

14 years is long enough to see some trends. Turnover is less today than a few years ago. Many don't leave the industry but move to a different carrier. There were some figures published a few years ago that mentioned the average age of drivers, but I don't recall the number. Many older drivers you see have not been in this industry all that long. Older drivers are more sought after due to a better work ethic. Changes in the industry and more useless regulations have driven some out of the industry. Many have simply gotten tired and frustrated with all the BS. Recent changes in the economy have resulted in people coming into this industry from other non related industries, such as IT. The educational level has gotten higher in recent years. I have never known of this industry to have such a diverse group. You have high school graduates to PhD's. From factory workers to businessmen. You never know whom you are talking with sitting in a truck stop restaurant. It makes for some interesting conversations.

 

Really ? http://blog.cretecarrier.com/2011/1...rising-experts-cite-more-freight-regulations/

 

Just a few years ago turnover rate was around 136%.

 

My truck looks like a POS and has 800k plus on it.

ZERO breakdowns in the time I've been in it.

And I'm making money.

 

You seem to have done quite well setting the rate at about 70 cpm out and 62 cpm back.

 

A lot of reasons you don't see.... service failures, lack of commitment to the customer, poor communication... lots more to hauling freight than a cheap rate.

My son operates with his own authority... he has one steady customer but he's been underbid twice in the last few years. lost the biz for a month or two then the phone rings again... the other guys couldn't get trucks in on time, had late deliveries, etc.

Hundreds of customers are drawn to cheap rates... many learn their lesson very quickly. Like anything else you get what you pay for....

If you are with a "mill" I doubt you have many years in this biz...that 62 lifespan is for a "career" driver... not someone who only drives a few years late in life. I've been at this since 1972....

 

I don't see how your mill company could be hiding from you all the accidents they are having every day.

When I was an O/O at Fortune Xpress (TMC division), they actually put all the accidents in their monthly news letter. I didn't really consider TMC a mill then, and they had 50 - 60 accidents a month with a 3000 truck fleet. I consider that a ridiculous accident rate and that is low compared to some.

Many shippers will put up with that crap, many won't. The ones that won't will gladly pay more to be sure their freight stays safe.

 

Uh? I been wondering who's been stealing my fuel.

If he's company, he's doing okay. If he's O/O. Something is wrong with that picture.

But he could be hauling it on a moped, that would only take about $75 in fuel.