Truck driver turnover - why so high?

I thought about that too ... the individual needs to understand that there is the world driving for a mega-carrier and the small fly-by-night outfits (where probably 80% of the turnover occurs), then there is the world driving for the others; and the difference for the drivers is like night and day.

 

Why should they work 12 to 14 hours a day & the guy working at McDs makes more money per hour?...Everything always boils down to money...Pay a Man well & you will keep him..

 

It looks like the majority of the reasons for the turnover are covered. Also as one mentioned, it's the mega-carriers (Swift, Werner, etc) that have the high turnover for the reasons mentioned. Starting pay now for a driver fresh out of driving school with a brand new CDL is actually LOWER now than it was when I started in 1999. Yes, that's right, a lower starting pay now than then.

Another factor is the regulations that are crammed down our throats by the FMCSA and DOT. Add that and the crappy starting pay on top of the fact that most people are just not prepared for this industry and the lifestyle, and it's a recipe for failure.

 

Liz, I would say the reasons are: !)Long Hours, high stress, many grueling 14 hour days. 2)A big learning curve in the first year of driving-driving a truck safely takes skill and experience. 3)Time away from family. 4) Low beginning pay, although team drivers can do better than solo. 5)Near non exhistant vacation time. Also, you are dealing with shipping workers who can be rude, and often look down on drivers.

 

You also forgot to mention that turnover in this industry is measured in all terms and lumped together. Accounting for training attrition and promotion is all lumped together. The only industry in the nation that does that. It's not just drivers but the sum of all employees that turnover has always been high.

 

Another reason is that most new drivers have accidents, can't trip plan accurately, and pretty much some are scared to drive the mountain passes. Not to mention the change of season driving conditions and traffic .

Rolling the Smashed Pumpkin

 

I think that is more than a tad overstated. I have none of those issues. You would have been much better off with "some".

 

What is the name of the company that you work for?

 

Something that is overlooked by many starting out also is this, it is a job that you can get into a LOT of trouble , whether you are intentionally doing something wrong or just plain didn't know. Most jobs if you screw up or duck out for a smoke or what ever the case may be you might get written up....ooh big deal. But with truckin' there is no reminder or "hey get that fixed", it is a ticket right now. and most of them tickets are down right expensive to outrageously expensive. Plus with the truck it's a constant, something needs attention. lights are always going out, air hoses need changed, there is always, always some sort of repair that needs to be done to keep that equipment 100% in working order. Not everyone has enough mechanical knowledge to solder new lights in or change the headlamp or install a new mudflap. Or the time do so. You cant always pull the truck into a shop to get the little things done. The DOT knows this but they will surely capitalize on it none the less. So I'm sure there has been a lot of new drivers that had their wallet stomped on for something that their meager little paycheck wouldn't even cover and that was it for them.....Just a guess but I bet.

 

What recruiter told you that ? From a very reliable source

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/driver-turnover-falls-below-100-yippee/