The U.S. Is Running Out of Truckers

I don't want to do it, but its definitely not something that someone at a shipper can't be taught.

 

I Beg to differ.........USA is Not running Out of drivers. Us, Old timers that have known the Industry for decades now, have gain Wisdom and understanding. The industry has suffered changes within the last 15 yrs that had crippled the good bussiness part of it. It has always been a sacrifice to stay away from family and only see them Two months out of the year. It was financially good for the Family and You as the provider. Today it is Not so. Your Social skills now rely on Electronics. Your Life really takes a Turn for the worst. (Remember, It is all on a case by case order, every driver's Story is different, but BASICALLY the same.). The way the economy is regulated and controlled takes a big toll on You and your health. Think about it, what really calls the younger generation out there into OTR this days is.....""Uhh Wao..!! $1,300 / 1,400 bucks a week..". By the time new drivers come to understand how the "ball runs" in Trucking, most end up leaving the bussiness or going to the Intrastate part of it. Also, Do not forget....,,The Importation of Inmigrant drivers and the "Driver Factories" are creating a Dynamic that is no longer attractive to most experienced drivers. I could go On and On and will not have space enough to convey All the details. Do this; Start a daily record of everything that goes on. Activities, Incidents, Income, expenses, All expenses, even that daily Coke or Gum pack.!!!, extras, put it all on paper. After 30 days on the road, Total it up and do it for 90 days in a roll. A person with simple math. knowledge will come to understand that the numbers are Not attractive. Then at the same time, study your Social life, Hobbies and others, then Think. ** I could "Cash my Ticket to Paradise" at any moment....Is this Trucking Life really worth it? Am'I happy.? By then, I'm sure you will have the answer right in front of You. HAPPY TRAILS..!!!!

 

I'm pretty sure the car hauler said he goes to peoples residences. which means you'd have to have someone riding in the truck to do all the loading at the minimum. and as far as having people at the docks to do all the rest of the things you mentioned. those companies would have to hire even more people than just the driver.. it doesn't make economical sense for them to do that when they already have someone that does both jobs for one wage.

but back on the topic of a driver shortage and big companies driving the cost to haul freight over the moon. a simple solution would be for companies to work directly with more owner ops to secure themselves a better rate. the individuals that can broker their own freight will have the advantage and could provide the same service at a reduced rate since they're not carrying the overhead of a billion dollar company over their head (pun intended). the key to that will be insurance providers.

 

Heck Union carpenters where I'm from in Chicago are topped out at $46-hr. Pension, top of the line insurance. One of them makes what two of Swift, Schneider etc etc do a year.

 

The whole "pay more money" is going to automatically stop truckers from throwing piss bottles, driving like ########, causing accidents....right.

 

If anything higher wages for truck drivers will give more sense of entitlement. "I make $100k a year, i can throw piss bottles if i want." says the average disgruntled swift employee making 100k a year lol.

 

Adjusting for inflation I'm makin considerably less today than in the 70's....and in those days only a very few hardcore independents stayed away more than a week....just about everything was out and back.....Now companies actually advertise bs like 1 day off for every week and nonsense like that.....There's no way this biz is going to attract anything but bottom of the barrel employees
Unless wages raise substantially.....
It was a good living years ago....hell I took home almost 27k in 1976....now match that to prices....I paid(mortgaged) a 3 bedroom 2bsth brand new house with a pool for 21.5k.....less than a years salary
When u consider the avg price of a home today vs wages....we r way behind....& don't even get me started on wages vs new vehicles.....a full years pay+ in many cases for a new pickup???
And now the govt gonna stop letting us deduct living expenses
What's the point?

 

I meant that from someone else perspective. I personally feel im paid accordingly and do my best to drive safe. I dont throw piss bottles, keep my truck clean, respectful to others...etc

 

There doesn't seem to be a shortage of steering wheel holders......just say'n

 

Driver wages are are beyond pathetic and being stuck on the road 25 days a month or more is just plain slavery. Pay drivers the .75 to 1.00 per mile that they should be making and give them two days a week off like a normal human being and the driver shortage would be a thing of the past. The problem is that truck drivers are looked at as less than human, and until those perceptions change, driving a truck is going to be about as attractive as sticking ones leg into a bear trap...actually, I think the bear trap might have slightly more appeal.