The real reason so many new drivers don't last...

As simplistic as that may sound to some of these guys, there is a whole lot of truth there.
I saw it nearly 30 years ago, and I'm sure it has always been that way.
Technology has only made us more aware of it. There was no instant mass communication that we have grown accustomed to. Not even a cell phone.
You just didn't see a guy anymore. "Wonder whatever happened to that new guy?"...."Hell if I know, prolly couldn't deal with it"
Now we know everything instantly. Factor in the sheer number of trucks on the road that has risen with the population. From 1980 to 2000 alone the amount of trucks doubled. I don't have a current figure, but I'm sure it's much higher now.
So mathematics dictate that the number of washouts will rise proportionately. And factor in the fact that we simply hear about it more, makes it seem like a new phenomenon to some people.

 

The #1 reason people quit the trucking business is there is no money in it. Read my previous post. I DON'T WORK FOR FREE. My time is valuable. I have to be paid for what I do. As long as these OTR outfits can keep getting chumps to work for free, they will do it.

 

Agreed.

Weakness. Thats the problem. Think the Vikings that sailed across the Atlantic in canoes ever b!thed to Leif Ericson about hometime? Think the guys that followed Washington through Valley Forge worried about healthcare? Think any pirates on Blackbeard's crew got to quit because they didnt want to latch all the hatches closed during bad weather? Think anyone from the James Gang got to go home for their daughter's birthday? Think any Mongol warriors got upset with Genghis Khan when he couldnt remember their name? Think the west would have been won if the horses needed a PM serive and the cowboys needed clean showers and IdleAir?

In the past, whether warrior, pirate, sailor, cowboy, whatever...when you signed up to do a job, you did it. You go home when the job is done.

People buy Harleys and leather, get all tattooed up and think theyre bikers. When they meet a real biker, theyre scared witless. Owning a motorcycle does not make you a biker. People buy cowboy hats and boots. Doesnt make a a cowhand. People go to truckdriving school and get their CDLs to drive a truck. Sure as heck doesnt make you a trucker.

Real bikers are tough. Trucking is a tough business. Recruiters make it sound like youre going to DisneyLand. Truth is, youre giving up one life for another. Cant do it? Dont bellyache...just go. Find another line of work.

 

Exactly! Don't like sitting 3 or 4 days waiting for a load(for free)? Don't like roasting in a 120 degree metal box in a piss soaked parking lot? Don't like chump change paychecks? Get a real job that pays you for what you do. Have a family life and live in a nice house.

No money in it, that's the problem!

 

depends on the job! some pay very well but are hard to get. you have to start somewhere!

 

I think trucking companies should be limited to 10 or 15 trucks.

These huge fleet near-monopolies are ridiculous and run down the price to haul freight because they are centralized from the top to the bottom and can afford to shave rates to to bone to drive independents out of business.

Drivers don't last because they are not supposed to, they are disposable to these immense centralized freight moving operations. There is an endless supply of steering wheel holders who would rather be doing something else but only get into driving because there is no-money-down to get behind the wheel of a $150,000 80,000 lb truck. After the honeymoon is over, they are out the door.

 

The place to start is at a truck dealership. If you can't afford to own your own equipment, you should find another line of work until you can. (at least thats the way it should be, but I dont expect 1% of society to follow that)

 

There you have the solution to many of the problems. Get rid of the company drivers. All truck drivers should be O/O.

 

Alittle hasty, but there is some truth here. I think alot of drivers would have a change of heart about their Co's if they really knew what it takes to make it in trucking. I've been on both sides of the coin and I"ll be the first to say that drivers put small trucking co's out of buisness faster than the economy would or could! As far as drivers not lasting, I believe it is a simple case of "they just dont know what it is their gettin into". Used to a child would grow up ridin with dad, then dad would be ridin with the child for awhile. Mostly, they knew what they were getting into before they ever got their drivers license. Trucking is a way of life, same with a drunk, drug abuser, etc...

 

There is money in it...more than ever. Thing is, a bunch of people that have nothing to do with a truck have their fingers in the pie. Whose fault is that?

But look at your post carefully.
1. If you are waiting 3-4 days for a load, your company is reaaaaaaaaallllly struggling...

...or trying to starve you out.

2. Roasting in a metal box. Sounds inhuman. Why do you do this? To cut down on idling? Save fuel? To get on your company's good side? Going green? Ummm....no. Not happening.

3. Chump change paychecks. Require $500 a day minimum. If I run 7 days straight, I should see a minimum of $3500. Minimum.

4. Home. Theres noone on the planet that I want to see every single day. People that have to be home every day are insecure. Like that Linus character without his blanket.