turnover rate

They grew up in cushy jobs part time and their parents never taught them about sacrifice for bigger goals. Every single person I know including my trainer has left the job to go to other companies where they make $500 to $700 per week while I make up to $1600. I do understand if you are married with children that it is very hard to be gone, but as a single guy it is the best job ever.

 

I hear this a lot but even today I managed to go to the mall, eat, go shopping, and got a phone number from a hot college girl while using free wireless internet to stream my netflix and hulu movies. My appointment isn't until tomorrow at 2 pm so I had a lot of free time. All of the other truckers at the shipper just sit in their driver seat and stare out the window while I was out having fun.

 

IRONICALLY, the very people who would probably best handle this job quite well, are also the very same people that many trucking companies do NOT allow in their ranks as OTR truck drivers: HARDBOILED & HARDENED CRIMINALS who have done some SERIOUS time in our nations federal and state penitentiaries.

 

There was an article a while back that noted the #1 reason for turnover is a poor relationship with a dispatcher. Dispatchers can make or break a driver's "experience" with the company.

The flip side of that is that I think many many drivers have... less than optimal people skills... which can get in their way of forming a good working relationship with their dispatcher. Added to this is that I think a large segment of the trucking workforce doesn't really have much of an understanding of what goes on "behind the scenes" in terms of how loads get booked, planned, and dispatched. It seems like they think everyone has it out for THEM and it's all about THEM trying to "do me bad", which leads to a poor attitude and a chip on the shoulder. Frankly, it is an extremely rare thing for a company to have it out for you. It's not in their interest. What can be perceived as deliberate attempts to do you dry are in REALITY simply the machinations of getting loads through the booking to delivery process.

Take time to understand HOW loads get planned. TALK to the folks in planning, customer service, etc. and see what they are up against. GET A CLUE ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE.

 

Maybe today. But how often does that happen.

 

It's true that most do not what they are getting into. The misconception and no real plan or goals I believe are the main reasons. Poor training only builds a poor driver. Hardly anyone really knows how to drive and take care of the equipment when just getting out of school. Then, I hate to say it, you have the more experienced drivers sitting back and making fun at the new drivers to where it forces them to not seek out answers to their questions. Then then go out and drive and guess at a lot of items the should know. A lot of drivers believe that once they finish school that's it for training and where's the truck. Too many schools that are out there are teaching the students how to get their CDL and that's it.

I also believe there should be another endorsement on the CDL for driver trainer. That endorsement would require the applicant to have at least 5 years of safe driving. Then the FMCSA should establish rules and regulations for the company to follow the driver trainer program to ensure the new drivers are taught not only defensive driving but how to take care of the equipment. They don't need to become mechanics but a basic understanding of how the truck works. Spotting problems before they become catastrophic will save the company and driver money and time. They should also be given all the manuals and books that cover the rules and regulations for their job so they can review what is required of them for that job. I would hate to take a count on how many drivers do not know the CFR40 parts 100 to 177 and hauling hazmat loads. Then there needs to be an incentive for the driver trainers, maybe a little extra pay all the time. When the new driver leaves the program and goes out on he or she first runs they will have the confidence to be a safe driver and a good attitude so they can build on their career.

 

Trucking,

like other industries, will always have a high turnover rate. It's been this way since the 1980's.



Believe it or not,

higher pay does not solve the problem.