Fair to assume the driver shortage is real?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by UKJ, Jan 18, 2015.

  1. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

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    a driver w/your experience shouldn't have to settle for 59 mph.whew. how do you do it? best of luck to you sir-

    also curious as to when jabbawokky started posting items that have substance o them.:shock: cool jabbawokky. carry on.apparently making less money has allowed you to ponder as you roll along huh.
     
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  3. UKJ

    UKJ Heavy Load Member

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    I think Mavericks trucks go up to 72 mph, and the pay is decent...well for newbies anyway, you should see what you can negotiate with them for your experience. They are a starter company though so it may be beneath you, but never hurts to check it out.
     
  4. UKJ

    UKJ Heavy Load Member

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    Where I work right now our production is being halted because of the strike out on the ports out west! I am loving it! Shows how much truckers are actually needed to make this world go round, :biggrin_25514:
     
  5. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    Enlighten me, who is on strike, the truckers or the stevedore's, or the factory workers?
     
  6. jeff18

    jeff18 Medium Load Member

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    Dec 8, 2014
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    so? if i drive a day cab everyday flatbed. and make 9-to 11 stops locally and drive 180-to 450 miles but i do not have a sleeper attached to my truck insurance companies do not think i can drive? i am home every night sleep and sleep in my own bed. i think that is the only difference in what i do. i have been told by multiple otr companies that i have not driven otr recently enough to drive for them. laughable.
     
  7. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    I will "play games" sometimes, and apply at any of the mega-carriers. Ok, now as you can see by my bi-line, I am at 26 years driving, right? I did do LONG HAUL way back in the day. I get told, by these mega-carriers, that I am not qualified to go OTR either!

    BUT, believe it or not, there are SEVERAL (local) OTR companies here in my 2 state area, that want me, and send me emails to go to work for them! I even get emails AND phone calls from 3 driver leasing companies that have me on file, that HAVE OTR jobs they want me for. SO if I were you, I'd continue laughing at the ones that turn you AND me down!

    Benefits too as I see it, IF I were to ever go back OTR?

    At least I'd have NO problem parking the equipment on thier property!
     
    jeff18 Thanks this.
  8. UKJ

    UKJ Heavy Load Member

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    port drivers, we still have equipment we've been waiting on for ages, I told them serves them right for ordering Chinese crap components when we could have easily work with an American company a few states over and have much less quality issue. We might have to pay an extra .05 a piece though :biggrin_25523:
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2015
  9. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    Ok, so they are most likely union. As far as buying equipment from China, Japan, Ukraine, where ever, they ain't too cheap either! But this is how it is, competition.
     
  10. UKJ

    UKJ Heavy Load Member

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    From what I read, they are now union but weren't before. Not sure 100% what''s going on over there but it's creating problems for us getting equipment we need to finish a few projects. I laugh about it though because I know truckers get screwed on money all the time, so those truckers are finally being heard by striking. Now if only you OTR guys did the same :smt115

    And I agree that China is not really that cheap anymore, but their products are just as cheap as ever, we get so many failed units and junk we have to scrap it's unreal. It becomes cheaper to use US, Canada, Germany, UK, etc when sourcing parts when it comes to getting quality controlled units that 99%+ work and not the garbage China spits out with their high failure rates.
     
  11. saddle sore

    saddle sore Bobtail Member

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    Jan 19, 2015
    over yon
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    x#1,
    I thought the same thing,called and talked to many, many companies they all said same thing -no experience in last 3 years,that
    would make insurance companies balk at hiring.They could verify 15 of 18 years-12 with last company-it used to be back in the day no problem, but
    apparently new government rules say differently.I did call 3 different insurance companies about insuring me buying my own truck and guess what....no problem and rates quoted were pretty good.They asked how long I held a cdl,which was ever since cdl has been around-ran a check and was good to go.
    My thought they got a experienced driver cheap....well for a year anyway.
     
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