Truck Driver Shortage

UNFI out of Lancaster Tx, it's an organic foods distributor that delivers their own items.

 

There was something on the news over the weekend about holding people collecting public assistance and finding work. Those who are are on unemployment and public assistance will now be required to prove that they are actually looking for work. I have had the state employment office to send me a fax with lists of people who supposedly have applied for work. Most of those on these lists, I have never heard of or have an application. They have been making up companies where they have been applying just to keep their money coming.

 

How about the change the compensation method ? How about pay using the Department of labor standards and overtime pay rules, instead of the US DOT FMCSA rules. Use HOS for max hours allowed, and the labor Dept for the rate of pay.

Work an hour; get paid for an hour. Sounds like they have been using HOS since the 30's and there is always a shortage of drivers. I know they have HOS pay for airline pilots and no shortage of pilots, but top airline pilot pay is about 150K plus paid benefits, how many truck drivers clear that every year?

Heck at a truck stop a driver is responsible for the trucks security, shouldn't he at least get guards pay for those hours?

I'm not trying to change the industry, I'm asking if anyone thinks pay vs. hours is an issue? I can't see why sitting home on welfare wages should be more appealing than truck drivers pay. If NO-WORK pays a little, then WORK should pay a lot more.

 

The problem is that there are too many drivers who want to be paid for an hour of labor, but don't want to provide the labor. Some drivers would make much less than minimum wage if they were paid for the actual hours that they work.

Most pilots don't make $150,000 these days. In fact, most make less than the majority of truck drivers. Some make as little as $17,000-25,000/year.

Perhaps your carrier should charge you for providing a place to sleep and for the fuel you use idling to stay warm.

There are company drivers who earn from $75,000-125,000 or more, but most are not pulling a van and are in more specialized areas of this industry. When you look at driver wages you should also add in any benefits, such as health or life insurance that is paid by your employer. That is also part of your driver compensation.

When you are paid mileage or percentage, you are being paid based upon your personal productivity. That is fair. If you are being paid mileage, you can give yourself a raise by driving more miles in a day. If you are paid percentage, you can give yourself a raise by hauling higher dollar freight or getting your load off faster so that you can get another on the truck. To an extent, drivers are in control over their paychecks.

If you don't want to hone your skills or get into a more specialized area of the industry, you can always save your money, buy a truck and become an owner operator. You can take it a step further by getting your own authority and building your own fleet. Then, you can see how much you want to pay your drivers. I guarantee you that it will open your eyes and give you a much different perspective.

If none of the above appeal to you, then you can find something else to do more to your liking. There are still carriers who pay hourly, but most do LTL. Most of those carriers are in financial difficulty due to lower rates and higher wages that they have been paying drivers. Many have been forced to take pay cuts in order to keep their jobs. There are other options available to you, other than trucking. Take some college classes and get your degree. You may spend 4 years in school to earn less than you would in trucking. Then there is trade school. Plumbers, mechanics and electricians earn a good paycheck and are home every night. This is a competitive business. Compensation is dictated by freight rates and the cost of doing business. You are not going to be paid to "guard" your company truck. Nor are you going to be paid for sleeping, taking a shower or sleeping. If you want to be paid for that you should go to your local welfare office and sign up for food stamps and welfare. The government will pay you for doing nothing. Business will require labor in exchange for your paycheck.

 

He's right Ryan...... I started in aviation, once i was licensed I worked the right seat on a commuter for $8.00 an hour. I have friends still doing this....( it's a little better now ) make about 75k right seat waiting for a captains chair.... the thinking is they are paying me to learn. skills I would use one day to join UPS or somebody else.

And would you deny Sully Sullenburger his $150K ? That's why he gets that and more.

And yes I do think pay is an issue in this industry. If we compare Walmart to Schneider and the quality of applicants coming to see you it's a no brainer. And they don't apply because of the white trucks either.......

 

Its interesting how we get no protection from government when it comes to them policing our pay (less than minimum wage) and working conditions, but we get lots of attention by DOT, IRS, CARB...

 

+1 you are right

 

True, $36,000 a year IS a heck of alot better than $18,000 a year but... $36,000 a year is poverty level pay. Especially when you have to work 100 hrs a week to get it.

 

36k is not poverty level. One could live quite comfortably on 36k.

 

you do know they are going to use this "driver shortage" scam to bring in the mexican truckers right??? those guys would love to make 200$ a week.