Finding drivers

Sort of disagree Mr. Ridgeline....We have a lack of experienced drivers (more than 2 years) who have good driving records, a clean arrest record, a good work ethic, with needed enhancements like hazmat, Twic card, etc. Every single owner/manager I've spoken to (and I've spoken to about 50 in the past 4 months) have told me they need more drivers because they have trucks sitting and freight available.

 

You would think a driver with all those things could command a premium but you would be wrong. Typical OTR drivers make about $40,000 a year. I had all of those things, still do, plus well over a million plus verifiable safe miles.

When I quit the company I had been at for 11 years a few years ago they didn't offer anything to give me any reason to stay. And they were looking for drivers back then just like every other company was, has been, and still are...

There aren't enough of the really good jobs for everyone. Just a bunch of low wages everywhere leading to a bunch of job hopping.

Everybody screams they want dependable drivers but very few pay well enough or are even worth a #### to work for in the first place.

 

You are correct. Typical OTR with the megas make crap wages. However, with a little digging and initiative, it's easy to make 70 or 80k a year if you have the credentials I mentioned. I've done it from day one and am now in my 5th year. Also, I'm 65 years old.

 

I'm not interested in an employee job anymore. I bought a truck for perks no employee out there ever has. Can you take off for 2 months at a time and go back to your job and everything be all peachy, them be cool with it? I didn't think so. When I got that sort of freedom I never looked back.

Now, I can tell you.. ..if I was interested in an employee job I would only work for 1 or 2 companies out here. I wouldn't even consider an "employee" job at a 1099 company like the one OP is talking about. No driver with a good record would. I'd expect some real benifits and pay.

 

Well Sir, I do get that kind of freedom in my company job. In fact, I have intentionally sought out high-paying, seasonal type jobs so that I can take off months at a time and still have good bottom line without the worries or headaches that O/O's tend to have.

Transmission died? Here's your truck, sir. Broke down? I'll just watch satellite TV and collect my hourly until the tow truck arrives. Fuel cost high? It's just plastic to me. Permits and licensing? Let me check...mmm....yeah they're up to date. Parking? I'm back...Here's your truck and trailer! Insurance? Tires? Tolls? Lease payment?... Well, you get my drift. I just drive, be safe, and make money for both myself and the owner....who rightly should make more than I do. After all, he has most of the problems.

 

If you enoy it, the headaches aren't so bad. Not everyone is cut out for it. Who do you drive for?

 

Every owner/manager needs those drivers like every used car dealer is selling below his cost.

 

Huh? Are you saying they don't need these type drivers?

 

^^ Should be self explanatory: Of course they all want "these types of drivers" but only at the piece work price that amounts to a little more then they pay fast food workers.

 

Detroit has a bunch of drivers but the problem is my truck is sitting because most of them should not even be allowed to drive a car!