Shortage of Drivers?

I'll let you in on a little secret, not all of us older drivers are out here because we have to be. I started drawing my Teamster pension at age 54. I've had a part time job of some kind ever since. Now that I am over 65 I can drive and get away with it. I learned from my Dad that when you retire and set down and gradually become inactive that is the beginning of the end. I haul 1-2 OTR loads a month for a small company that I am their only driver. Gives me something to do and keeps my mind working, I'm 68 and I still enjoy it.

 

thanks Pattij...how you doing ??

 

You know they say 62.3% off all statistics are made up.

 

I think a lot of people have their priorities mixed up. One reason we need more money today than 30 years ago are taxes, of course. We pay more taxes and higher rates than ever. But, another reason is that some think that they need the most expensive cell phone, new car or truck and live in a bigger house than they need or can afford. We have become a society that doesn't want to wait until we can afford things. We want them NOW!! Sacrificing today will reap rewards tomorrow. Do you really need to drive that new $60,.000 vehicle? Could you get around with a $3,000 vehicle that you can pay cash rather than having an $800/month payment? If you want the expensive vehicle you could save the monthly payment and pay cash for it. That would save you thousands of dollars in interest payments. Rather than buying an expensive house with 3,000 square feet, could you get along with 1,000? Pay off the house and trade up using the equity in the smaller house. Again, it would save you thousands of dollars in interest. I know friends and acquaintances who tell me about the deductions for interest. It is still money you pay out for nothing more than buying something you may not really be able to afford. I have a friend who used to own about 16 trucks. He currently owns 2 and rotates driving them. Both have been paid off for a number of years. He doesn't need to make as much money since he doesn't have to support a bank or finance company with all that interest. He takes a lot of time off and still lives well.

I got rid of my dish several years ago. I saved $70/month by going back to antenna TV. When I grew up we only had 3 TV stations. There are a few things that I would like to see that are on cable, but for the most part I don't miss it. Most of what we would watch is on the major networks, anyway. Neither of us drive new vehicles, but are in excellent shape. I just spend less than $100 on my wife's vehicle yesterday for a minor repair, but I don't have payments. I changed from Sprint to prepaid on my cell phone and saved $60/month. Got rid of my Sprint air card that I was paying $65/month for one I pay $30/month.

It is a matter of setting priorities and deciding what is important to you. Money will NEVER make you happy. There are people who earn millions of dollars a year and are unhappy and seem to stay broke. There are also those who earn $20,000/year and manage to be happy, live comfortably and enjoy life.

Most people would like to earn more money. The real issue isn't how much you earn, but how much you can save. It isn't always about making more money, but managing what resources you have.

 

I feel my estimate on the low end, you being from Tex. certainly have your share unless you have your head................................................in the sand.

 

I have never heard of any other career field where there is an annual turnover rate in excess of 90%. Obviously that does not mean that 90% leave the career field every year, rather there is a lot of jumping around with people looking for greener pastures with other trucking companies. But still, 90% means there is something wrong. Why does a driver jump ship? We have all read these boards and know that there are common issues that cause the jump. Pay is probably at the top of the list followed by home time (schedule). Work environment (how the company treats you) and benefits follow close behind. When a company has to replace a driver they know exactly how much that costs them. Apparently it is still cheaper for most companies to replace rather than retain. This runs contrary to most other professions. Until it costs more to replace a driver than retain him the problem will not go away.

 

Trucking has taken full advantage of America's high unemployment rate. If not for the major flight of companies to avoid paying America's high taxes, the seemingly endless pool of trucking trainees would be much more shallow. Most prospective trucker hopefuls have simply ran out of options.

 

I hate when people say that because it is BS. Money can buy happiness in fact money is happiness granted you have health. If I won a million dollars tomorrow 95% of my problems would be over.

 

Money doesn't buy happiness. Money buys time. Money frees you from your work obligations if you have enough of it. But there are lots of people who have more money than they can spend, and are still miserable.

 

Perhaps, but there are much more of those who are poor and miserable.