"It's cheaper to give newbies the loads"! Why?

A lot of the bigger companies insure themselves. I don't pretend to be an expert on the subject; there are several threads in this forum that describe it better than I ever could.

In any case, it's not like adding a new driver to your household's car insurance policy. The cost for adding a new driver is purely theoretical for these companies; if something bad happens, then sure, they may have to pay something -- but there's no immediate added cost just because there's an inexperienced driver on their insurance policy.

Since hiring/training is itself a profitable enterprise for some of the large companies, trainers are at a premium. My previous employer, for instance, only required three months of solo-driving experience before you could become a trainer.

So it's little surprise that many trainers aren't very good examples to their students. Many, maybe even most of them are good drivers, but there's a surprising proportion of dreck out there.

You're right, though, that an experienced driver isn't necessarily better or safer than a new one. I am constantly in awe of the bad habits I see out on the road, every day. Tailgating, for one thing, seems to be the rule among most truckers out there, and I can't count how many times I've been honked at or cursed over the CB for going even 5 MPH over the speed limit in a construction zone.

Still, luck plays a role. The natural presumption is, I think, that if a driver has managed to survive X number of years without anything serious on his driving record -- even with all of the over-zealous regulations and money-hungry local governments out there -- then he must be better than a newer driver. Some people just seem to lead charmed lives, getting away with things I'd never in my wildest dreams even think of doing. Others learn the ropes early, and follow the rules.

Regardless, in most any job, seniority gives you higher wages. That's as it should be.

 

Well, I'm still 'the new guy' and overall I get no more and no less loads than the guys who have been around since I was back in high school. I do get the less desirable ones though when all other things are equal, which is how it should be.

Why some companies give preferential treatment to new drivers, if they really do, is no doubt based on what looks good on paper to someone sitting in an office. Unless you're planning to sit in that office don't worry about it.

 

Cheaper is just one reason . A big reason is they can't get anybody but newbies to work for their sorry azzes .

 

Simple . With over 100,000 jobs eliminated in the last year the ones that have jobs are holding on to them . You've read my posts . Carriers have reduced their fleets because freight has been on a steady decline .

 

one simple word . . . . . " S E A R C H " its in the tool bar of every forum running vBulletin Forum Software

 

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