Trucking

That's good to hear that some companies still treat their employees fair and that they're happy working for them!

 

We've been thru all the driver shortage worries several times in the 3 decades I have been at this. While there is a sprinkling of truth about an actual shortage of "qualified" drivers thanks to the new CSA stuff, most of the so-called driver shortage has always been created by job hoppers looking for greener pastures. The carriers will start promising all kinds of stuff and drivers will waste time jumping from one carrier who didn't deliver on those promises to another carrier who won't fulfill their end of the bargain either. All that turnover will have the mega carriers and the ATA screaming about driver shortages.

But it makes it nicer for those of us that have solid reputations for longevity. Except for increased regulatory issues, I haven't seen any better days in trucking than now. Which is a large order to fill considering the overall economy. I am sure that there are some who are having a more difficult time of it now than in the past, and I hope they can find the right carrier, freight, etc that will turn that around for them.

 

If there were a true shortage, the cost of freight would be going UP,and the pay for drivers would do the same. Think on that one. People would not be sitting waiting for a load.

There will always be a need for freight to go from California to NYC. That may be true, however, beware of politicians trying to sell you snake oil.

Yes, JCW just switched careers. He left a field that pays it's people LESS than truckers, and you all need them just as much. After all, unless you live somewhere where there is an abundance of public transport, you all need your cars fixed. You think the MECHANIC gets the $80/hour the shop charges in labor? RIIIIIGHT.

 

No driver shortage just a pay shortage. For the work a driver does he should make 60 to 75,000 a year. That you have carriers out there that pay 22 to 30 cents per mile and people will drive for them that I will never understand.

 

SEWERMAN is right on point because these companies want to pay drivers nothing to do hard work in some cases !!!

 

i know... talked to a guy a while back and said he makes the same thing now as he did 20 years ago. we don't make enough!!!

 

That's because of all these refugee drivers coming in here from overseas.
To them .22 cpm is a good rate.
They are dilluting the pay scales across the board.
And the government does nothing to stop this undercutting because
the ATA is padding their pockets.
These mega haulers fly them in here and fly em home after six months.
Then they bring in another crop all over again.
As long as this practice continues pay rates will continue to drop.