All New Drivers,Check Out CNN Money

Windsmith for once I actually agree with one of your posts LOL. You hit the nail on the head with what you said. I was talking to a Werner driver who had been 2 years at werner and he said he got paid 22 cents per mile and was lucky to see home once every 3 months. How can any industry expect to attract new workers that will stay in the job long term when companies like that are paying such low wages? But if you have a job and stick it out it can be well worth it in the long run. As you stated the shortsightedness and resolve are lacking in alot of people and that wont change no matter what job they do. All these young bucks want to be making big dollars and be top of the ladder straight away, they dont realize that it takes years to move up in any field of employment , not just trucking. So they go from industry to industry quiting one for the other without ever sticking it out long enough to get anywere. Trucking is just a job, no different to anything else, if they dont stick it out for a few years there never going to see the better side that comes with experience

 

I think the trucking industry has been glamorized in some movies, shows, etc. When people really get behind the seat and see what it's all about, I'm sure they are disappointed. Going into ANY new career involves doing RESEARCH. Not just in the trucking industry, but in a lot of careers. I've seen people go to school (or not) for various other careers to be disappointed.
The flip side of it, is that these carriers KNOW the turn-over rate, the unemployment rate, etc. And they play their cards accordingly. My last position involved some very high skilled people who didn't see a raise for 3 years or more. Managements answer? We know there is nothing else out there for you, so deal with it (basically). I don't think there is any difference in this industry. I'm seeing people work more hours for less pay. Why? So they can bring a paycheck home.
When the pendulum swings the other way, I hope the drivers have the upper hand and change what is going on now.
All I can say is people really need to know what they're doing it BEFORE they do it. I know what I'm in for, and I'm partially prepared.

 

The big problem with trucking as a new career is the boredom. Once a newly licensed driver gets out on the road and sees that esentially all you do is drive for the entire day, plus a bit of loading/unloading , they find it very boring. Then there's the lack of social life, which for most younger people in their 20's is actually an important thing to them. Then there's the lack of options to have any resemblance of "freedom" to do what you want on your time off. Then once a month they receive there meagre pay check and wonder "what the hell am I doing this for". I for one am happy to have a job, I dont know about other people but I know what its like to struggle to find a decent job and appreciate the job I have and that it pays me an income. I know I wont ever become a millionaire from driving a truck(even owning one) but I am ok with that . Honestly I wouldnt know what to do with a million dollars anyway LOL! Having said all of that I wouldnt drive a truck OTR for 22 cpm as that werner driver i spoke with was. Thats just not right to pay a person that low and I say SHAME on those companies that exploit the people desperate for a job by paying them that low. I bet the ceo of werner would have a ####fit if his kid was getting paid 22 cpm to drive a truck so how dare they do it to other people. Too many double standards in the world these days.
PS I have nothing against werner , just using them as my example from my first hand experience of speaking with the driver.