the debate continues about driver shortage.

With OTR carriers with over 100% turnover I doubt that more than 2% retired . Because of new regs ? Maybe 5% at most . A lot of drivers at OTR companies could probably keep running on recap but don't have the sense to

 

Well considering who the OP is that started this thread, I see it fitting to just go ahead and not read what anyone else has said but just throw it out there what I think.

There is no such thing as a driver shortage. You can believe there is a driver shortage when you go to the store and they tell you "sorry, we don't have any fresh produce today because we couldn't find anyone to drive it to us." The whole "driver shortage" myth is a simple by-product of supply and demand .... Shipper says he wants to pay, say, 1.25 to get his freight moved, nobody hauls it, he cries DRIVER SHORTAGE ... What do you know, when the price climbs he will eventually get someone to move it and there we have it, driver shortage narrowly avoided once again. If demand ACTUALLY outstripped capacity from time to time, then yes, we would have a driver shortage. They just conveniently forget to put the word "cheap" in front of "driver shortage".

 

I'm sorry but I need to stay under the radar otherwise I'd give you the link. I don't see an opening near Michigan though.

 

I don't think there is a shortage of drivers because when I advertise for drivers I get a lot of good drivers applying. In fact I even get drivers sending me resumes on a regular basis when I'm not advertising.

What we have is a shortage of good trucking companies willing to pay fair wages and provide good inexpensive benefits to their drivers. Also companies that are willing to treat drivers fairly and with open honesty.

Drivers are good men and women who desire to be treated with respect. I have found it is far easier and less expensive to replace any office personnel than it is to replace a driver or worst yet a team.

 

I think it's rare that there is truly a labor shortage.


A capitalist's favorite line in determining market value is "let the market decide". That is, unless they're on the losing end.


When there's a limited supply of what they're selling and it creates higher profits, they smile and use phrases like "supply and demand". When they don't want to pay more for labor, they frown and call it a "shortage".


The way they've traditionally gotten around "shortages" was to lobby the government and import cheap labor. This is proven again and again throughout history, whether it was in the form of slavery, or bringing in Chinese laborers to build railroads. Or most recently, sending tricky dick over to china to thaw relations and tap into a huge source of cheap labor.


If they upped the pay scales to meet supply and demand - whether the demand is in apple pickers or truck drivers, they would have more apple pickers and truck drivers. Alternatively, they could cry 'shortage' and lobby the government to import low cost apple pickers and truck drivers.

 

Starter carriers quit crying for immigrants because too many unemployed people here were willing to work cheaper .
Get this though .

http://www.theblaze.com/blog/2013/0...ive-obamacare-loophole-with-immigration-bill/

 

OTR companies in western TN are offering $1,500 sign on bonuses. One ad in a local paper said they were looking to hire 20 drivers. There are many companies running ads every week in all the local papers to try and get drivers.

 

There is also a housing shortage of 3500 sq ft houses under $100,000.