Truck Driver Shortage

This was posted by Aiwiron in another thread on 10/21/12 titled, "Recession Trucker Story."

 

The real shortage is the lack of decent trucking companies. PLENTY of good drivers are available... Just my opinion.

Plenty of companies out there that lure you in, then starve you out.

 

There's not a shortage of drivers. There's a shortage of companies willing to pay drivers enough to keep them.

 

I'm sorry, but you have committed an unpardonable sin.

You are hereby sentenced to be a lease-operator at CRE until such time you are reduced to eating Ramen Noodles, uncooked, three meals a day.

 

Whats wrong with ramen noodles? Its all fun and games until the end of the world on Saturday. Then everyone will want my ramen noodles!!!

 

US Xpress has evidently partnered with Chattanooga State in their driver training program. I keep hearing about a driver shortage and it doesn't exist. I have posted this on other threads, but it bears repeating again. When freight rates climb significantly, when driver pay goes up significantly I might consider changing my opinion. When there has been a shortage of drivers and capacity, rates go up. When there is a shortage, I receive calls from brokers asking me to set my own rate. When they ask "What will it take for you to haul this load" and I name a high rate and they accept, I know that there is a shortage of trucks and drivers. That hasn't happened in 4 years. The first 3 quarters of 2008 were very good for trucking. We did very well. Since that time, rates have been down and capacity has been up. When there is more freight than drivers and trucks, rates rise and driver demand increases. There is considerable driver turnover, but it is down from a few years ago. What these articles don't tell you is that much of the driver turnover is from drivers leaving one carrier for another. There are some who are leaving the industry, but not all. When the economy begins to recover with more zeal, we might actually see a driver shortage. But, all indications are that the economy will continue to limp along for now. Some expect things to get worse before getting better.

You can earn a good living in trucking. Those with a couple of years experience, a good work history and clean mvr and CSA can do well.

 

It can be done if youre not sitting all the time. Youre first year or two you wont hit that mark, chalk it up to paying your dues and getting experience. There are great companies out there, you have too look for them because they do not need to advertise or give bonuses to get drivers. I run dedicated as an O/O, I catch crap from all the super truckers because they dont see how I make it on 1.45 a mile, but I get accessorial pay and detention im home 2.5 days a week and take 4 weeks vacation every year, and I still bring home 80,000 after all expenses and taxes. My company doesnt adbertise necause the turn over rate is well below average cause they take care of us.