Trucker Researcher

Yes... Great read. I hope to have a similar product when I am finished. There is also a book called "Independents Declared: The Dilemmas of Independent Trucking" by Michael Agar. Both showcase the hardships of the industry.

 

Howdy folks-

I just wanted let people know that I am still interested in talking to as many drivers as possible about their work experiences. I have conducted about 10 in-depth interviews so far and have met some amazing people from it.

Please send me a PM if you are interested in being part of a project that has the goal of letting the public know how hard truckers work! Your location does not matter, as I can conduct the interview over the phone.

Thanks again,

Dan H.

 

I have read Mr. Belzer's book, and it is a fine one. However, Belzer comes from an economic standpoint, and I wish to focus on the day-to-day lives of drivers: how they maintain normalcy with their families, how they are harassed by enforcement officials, how they work much longer and much harder than the average American and how they are often treated negatively by shippers and receivers. Belzer mentions none of these aspects and I certainly think they deserve a lot more attention.

The reason why I decided to focus on truckers is because I found an industry that was unlike any other (this one), and found a bunch of hard working individuals who are increasingly facing difficult times, be it the fuel costs of OO's or the pressures that a company driver faces to perform and deliver a load on time. I believe that the more the public knows about drivers and their unique lives, the better off the industry (and it's drivers) will be in the long run.

Anyone who would like to share their story in an in-depth phone (or in-person) interview can help get the story out there. All interviews are anonymous, protecting your privacy. I can also email anyone more information about the study if they have any further questions.

 

Thanks for the support Jazzman.

I am seeing a lot of issues with driver retention and turnover. I agree that "cheap labor" has indeed had a large impact on the industry, shippers are trying to find the cheapest rates possible, and drivers wages have been fairly static for some time now (See "Sailors of the Concrete Sea" by Bellman, Monaco and Brooks).

What is really interesting to me these days is the amount of unpaid work in the industry... pre-trip inspections, weigh stations, time at shippers and receivers, etc. These things make the occupation unlike any other.

And I still haven't had any "takers" willing to be interviewed yet...