What are the biggest problems in the trucking industry in the US?

I guess you didn't read the replies, before posting. Most of the post, have nothing to do with the drivers company.

 

nailed it !!!

 

Carlos you title your topic "What are the biggest problems in the trucking industry in the US? Is a loaded question(s) my answer, Government over regulation, the BROKERS, egocentric trucking CEO's, Lobbyist and Special Interest groups such as Citizens who hate big trucks and truck drivers (OK, I made that up but you get my meaning!) and 98.55% FRIGHTEN MALE TRUCK DRIVERS WHO HAVE BEEN ACCEPTING THIS CRAP (reg on top of reg on top of policy on top of rules on top of.......)for the past ten years or so!
Get to know the name of Anne S Ferro, she is the FMCSA Administrator. It almost pains me to even type out the title given to this, this, this; well her colleagues call her of all things HONORABLE!!!!!! If this is true then I want my fellow truck drivers to acknowledge my new title as Most Admired, High Miler, in the Continental (CONUS) and USAREUR (Europe), Best Maintained, Truck and all other Motor Vehicle Operator of the blasted Year!!!!!!Period
Please reference the following events in chronological order. The Bravery of European (Specifically French) Truck Drivers who are not afraid to stand up to and face off against their Governments meddling or over regulating their industry: Of course many US viewers of this post will have a problem with my response so I will brace myself for the emotional onslaught(s). You only need to google search the following headlines as they were reported/titled by International News agencies recently and in the past. Very interesting reads. see

Nov 3 2013, French Truckers strike threatens chaos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nov 2 2013, French Riot Police use tear gas against anti tax protestors, many truck drivers involved . . . . . . . . . .
Oct 2 2012, South Africa feels bite from Truckers strike . . . . . . . . . . .
Oct 19 2010, Protest and Strikes continue in France as Truck Drivers . . . . . . . . .
Oct 18 2010, Truck Drivers join French pension protest . . . . . . . .
Apr 16 2009, Why the French Love to Strike? French Air France workers and Truck Drivers join forces to paralyze . . . .
Oct 6, 2008, Truckers Strike in Europe causes casualties (Truckers in Spain, Portugal and France gain momentum....) . . .
Dec 11 1996, Spectacular victory for French Truck Drivers ending a 12 day national Trucker Strike . . . .
Nov-Dec 1995 National Workers French Pension Strikes, given strength from the support of Truck Drivers . . . . .
1994, Ten day Trucker Strike in France........ 1990 French Truckers Strike back...... 1984 . . . . . . .

As you can see, their has been a continuous pattern of the French Government trying to impose a variety of controls and restrictions but are met with absolute resistance from the French Truck Driver who not only stand up for their rights, but are also quick in response to help defend the rights of other industry workers in France. Truckers in France are a welcome and powerful group recognize by all French citizens.
But we American Truck Drivers talk the talk but skaarrrrd!!!!

 

The #1 issue with truckers at customers shipping/receiving is setting up appointments at the end of a drivers available hours and/or taking so long to load/unload that the driver doesn't have any hours left. Then the customer tells the driver to get off the property even though there are no legal hours left to drive.

This could be simplified as communication, let dispatch know. Sounds like a great solution if dispatch cared. Problem with that is that dispatch is always (unrealistically) optimistic and doesn't really care. Dispatch will say just go in to the customer and we'll figure it out then. When you arrive, verify that you won't have any hours left, and the customer confirms you can't take your break there, dispatch is of no help, they just wanted the delivery made. If government regulations weren't so tight then we'd be able to leave a customer when they are finished load/unloading. But since government isn't going to undo any hours of service regulations, we need customers to plan appointments better and/or allow drivers to take breaks if needed. Crying to dispatch about your hours isn't too ideal either, since you'll get labeled as a complainer, and eventually replaced.

There are other issues that are very important, such as idling for driver comfort (heat/ac) during 10 hour sleep break. But the topic was for dealing with customers is hours of service as stated above.

 

I'm not so sure,

anybody understands the question that was asked............

 

Right. Like, sitting at shippers/consignees? Low pay? Erratic dispatch? Did YOU read the replies? You have reading skills, don't you?

 

Truckers point of view, the loads must be ready to go if at all possible. This for the most part will keep things on time. And this through the driver, and company or no company (o/o & brokers) will help to attract new customers.

 

Same questions/gripes/problems have been going on since trucking started...I'm talking with horse and wagons....(Cartage companies they were called back then ) and , until people are able to stop being so greedy and self centered there are always gonna be these problems.....

 

Having to share the roads with 4 wheelers!

 

Ya think???????????