Driver Shortage?

Economy going in the toilet. Another big "re-training" push paid for by the taxpayers. The truck companies and schools want a chunk of the dollars. Companies want a steady supply of new drivers to keep wages down.

 

Shortage of drivers? Yes and no.Depends on what segment of trucking you are employed in.There are alot of jobs out that are recession proof in trucking but then there are quite a few that can't ride out an economic downturn.Two,maybe three years ago,I would say there was a shortage of qualifiyed drivers.Now,with the slower economy,companies just pick and choose.Shippers do the same when looking for the best rate whether it be local or longhaul.If the economy picks up you'll proably see an increase in hiring but until then,companies have the upper hand.Pick the best and pay them less.I think that will be their motto.Do some research on the trucking companies you might like to hire on to first.Check their website for what they haul and then check how they are doing on the stockmarket and how the freight they haul is doing on the market.Household goods,lumber,steel,electronics to name a few.On a lighter note.I thought that casket makers and haulers were immune from a downturn.No.Their profits are off too.Seems people are picking cremation instead.$4000.00 versus a 700.00 cremation fee?Do you blame them?Pine box for me.My brother is a carpenter.I should get a discount,I hope.

 

danc694u,

Exellent reply. You touched on just about everything. I would only add a few items.

All drivers should be paid in some manner from the time they start their day until their day ends. That means pre/post trip, fueling, breakdown and waiting to load or unload. No giving up any of your time. How many drivers can say their company does that for them?

Healthcare (medical, dental and vision) should be affordable to the driver and their families. By affordable, I mean less than $200.00 per month.

What about pay for holidays, jury service, funeral and vacation. Anyone?

What does it cost a driver to live on the road? They have to pay for meals, laundry, toiletries etc.

I live in Los Angeles. I know the cost of living is less in most areas but that does not negate the fact that most OTR drivers are grossly underpaid in my opinion.

Here is an example of my day today. Started at 0215 (too early). Drove to San Diego, dropped one trailer (43,000 lbs) and P/U another trailer (480 lbs). Brought that back to L.A. P/U another trailer (39,00 lbs) and drove to Chino. I was there for almost 3 hours to get unloaded (forklift). Returned to the yard at 1520. Dropped the trailer, did post trip & paperwork. Took my 45 minute break and left at 1630.

Totals;
Driving-7.25 hours
On duty not driving-6.75 hours
Miles-321
Pay-$410.38

This is only to show others that there is something better out if they look for it.

Drive safe

 

Grrreat pay but is that as a company driver or as an owner op? If its a company which 1 and can I have an application?!

 

Check your pm.

Drive safe

 

Me too please.

 

Thankyou if I ever decide to move to Ca I may just use that info. Although I would prefer a daylight shift!

 

As a company trainer, I try to get new drivers going, when they first get recruited. Most just out of some driving school, or our school. Most with
no real driving skills. Try heading down a rain slick hill in the middle of the night hauling 80,000 lbs of caustic acid, with backed up traffic ahead of you and a real green trainee behind the wheel.

There is no shortage of drivers, at least not in my area of the country, my company keeps drivers around for 2 or 3 yrs, then pulls some rule on
them to let them go. Even if they have a perfect record, dosent matter,
new drivers make alot less money. And its about the profit folks, always has been and always will be. But having had alot of differnt type jobs, in my working life, all companies are doing the same thing. In the end theres alot more people then there are jobs, so many have gone to mexico, and the like, this isnt just in labor type jobs, its all jobs across the board.

Remember....Russia changed....China changed....America is changing.
Charles

 

I'm curious as to what "rule" are these companies using to let good employees go? I know here in NYS employers have what's called "free will" to let an employee go for NO(zip, zilch, notta) reason.