HOS Reform

The problem of "not enough work to go around" is not a problem in need of a solution. The solution already exists and that is a -stronger economy- and more people well employed. Trucking companies are keeping all their assets manned with newbies, reducing miles for everyone else ... ask them what they plan on doing about it. Answer? nothing. The act of having to turn away ONE load because they don't have an available truck in the region is something the large carriers do not EVER want to have to do. Also, I suspect tax credits for hiring (and training) or other types of hiring incentives have A LOT to do with current problems of the constant hiring that keeps the system flooded with driver wannabe's, year round.

Nobody who plans on remaining profitable and in business 2 years from now is going to pay it's OTR drivers "by the hour". If you're unhappy with the pay you're receiving as a driver, than quit and go work in some other field or make yourself more valuable to the carrier is all I know to say to you. Trying to make a square peg go into a round hole is an exercise in futility.

 

The nation's trucking industry has been far under-utilized and over-staffed (truckers and trucks, not office personnel) for decades.

What?! Where did you get that from??? Equipmet is under utilized ( 62% ideal ) because of managements oppressive anti driver policies and cheap pay causes drivers to leave / jump for a nickel. ( I didn't need software for that either ) This leaves iron against the fence and destroys utilization numbers.

Overstaffed? By whom? Too many drivers?? Several mega managers would argue this point with you. Seems they can't get anybody to fill their empty seats and they don't know why. ( so they are buying software from the yahoo bros. to tell them why )

And FYI: truck management is their own worst enemy ( just like drivers ) , they are terrified to tell a customer no, they can't do it right now and this feeds the retention windmill. They over hire to cover , starve all and lose 3/4 and the pendulum swings back the other way and we do it again.

( I buy coke so I can work longer so I can earn more money so I can buy more coke so I can work longer so I can earn more money )

One mega in particular comes to mind: he openly whines to a trucker mag about iron against the fence and no drivers yet instead of paying more and attracting quality he add pillars to his palace in Chattanooga and installs a private gym. Walmart has a waiting list...why don't you?????

The logic employed is astounding !

 

I only agree with u until u start thinking the solution is quitting. Sorry bub, but that's why the industry has abused drivers for so long. America wasn't built by quitters

 

Quitting would be the answer if there wasn't so many wannabes tripping all overthemselves to be the next victims. Carriers love to see drivers quit so they can bring on fresh $300 a week team drivers

 

Oh I hear u there, they don't like it when u stick it out for the completion of ure contract ... Or so it seems.

PS; Still waiting for you to prove my theory wrong PAMela

 

My opinion, the current setup is perfect. What i don't want is the changes they are going to make soon (1/2 hour break during 14 hour zone, etc).

 

Thanks for getting us back on topic Trucker Mike .... Yeah, that 1/2 is good in a way but will only hurt the 14 ... that darn 14 ... They should do a study to truly see if it truly helps or not, I mean what are they using to base this off of? #s? There is so much going wrong in the industry; like we don't even get the courtesy of the scientific method, it's just 'here, this'll work ... I thought this up during dinner last night'

 

Perhaps if it went they would still need to have a set sleep period of no less than 8hrs in 24 hrs.: you know if they give an inch, someone will take a mile.

 

No one has mentioned the 34hr restart that will go into effect next year with the 2 sleep period between 1am and 5am and how that is going to ### the applecart. You will be taking off more than 34hrs if you stop earlier in the day, so you will be giving away driving time in the long run.