Job hopping...let my experience be an example

What happened to the driver shortage?

First OP it is not you. It is probably not the multitude of jobs you have had. It is just unlike some in the industry lead you to believe, there is nothing even close to a shortage of drivers. Most employers can be nit picky as hell because there is such an abundance of qualified applicants.

 

I finally switched companies after my first 5 years and change. It gets easier after the first 2 years, ya get the newest trucks and best miles (YMMV). They started turning "corporate" and that was my cue to leave.

I'm the exception in this industry, but its not impossible.. On the other hand i know people with 2 years and 10 companies, resume lookin like a knocked over dumpster....

 

If anyone has a bunch of jobs it will be me.

I have had no trouble generally with the exception that half the jobs on paper don't exist anymore. There is nothing to call, mail or check on. Poof all gone. Therefore it did not happen. lol.

I don't do corporate. Too much. I liked Owners who lease onto very large essential companies which freight is badly needed and no shortage of.

If somehow through a medical million dollar parts and I am back involved with this trucking, my history going back a minimum of 10 years will be completely empty. With one entry. Medical management of DOT related problems. Once they see I still have skills and not just a flat newbie they will toss a bone. But that is not going to happen. I'll find something else to do with my time.

 

You raise a very important point. Last year I tried to recruit a very qualified owner operator to come lease on with my company. The sticking point was the number of different companies he had worked for in the last three years.

As my dad said, "Don't develop the habits of a quitter". A quitter starts looking for reasons to quit, rather than working through the problem to adapt or improve.

 

You might check with Jrayl, good luck to you.

 

While that may be true about quitting. Let's be realistic here.

WE're talking about the trucking industry. And most jobs just aren't worth a crap to hang on to.

As for qualified applicants. Maybe for OTR with automatics. But not for local since they can't handle stickshift.
STickshift drivers will get harder and harder to find.

 

might be, they can hire 2 drivers for the price of one experienced driver.

could be age discrimination, that will never be proven however.

but if you see lots of younger people, that's a clue.

older workers will retire soon, so why hire them when they will not stay long?

older drivers will most certainly have medical needs, as they age.

 

Ya this is true..

Sadly can't get a government subsidy for "new driver"

 

Where are you located?