What Changes Are Needed in trucking?

Maybe I'm not explaining my point clearly. To me, the difference in "true otr" and what your job entails is this. Since you are on a dedicated account, and you know in advance what you are doing, you would rarely need to worry about saving hours since it won't affect how many runs or loads you do. "True otr" once again to me, you never know when the only load they tell you about you may have to refuse since you didn't save as many hours as you could for driving. That affects your earning power, and that is why most drivers do what they do. If the wheels ain't turning, you ain't earning. With the years you have driving I assumed you had done some otr, that's why I don't understand why you think the way you do. I wish the way drivers got paid was different, but that's kinda like wishing politicians didn't lie. The cost of goods would skyrocket if they changed the pay structure, so it would most likely not increase our buying power that much. As far as my HOS knowledge goes, I was asked to teach a class at my former employers to the drivers, so take it for what it's worth. God bless ya Rick.

 

When he drove OTR it was a different world though. There was a driver shortage, there were a lot more good companies to work for, and just regular old OTR major carriers had a reason to treat drivers better...because they could easily get another job.

The person formerly known as my dad (long story) last drove OTR in 97, he can't even safely operate a car, had over 15 years of trucking experience, never went a whole year without an accident, cooked the logbook so much that he was driving 30+ hours at a time, etc. Never had a problem finding a job until he got his license suspended for 2 years for being an idiot ($fastcar++; $tickets++)

When i was looking for a job, i checked all the companies he worked for when he was OTR. Well, they were all out of business except for Metropolitan, and they fired him..LOL. Such names as Munson Transport, JDC Logistics, and Julius Kolosar were all out of business. I can only imagine why....

Of course the CDL mills still imagine theres a driver shortage, but you have to look at the facts....

 

Amen my friend. It is worse now than it used to be. I can get an otr job fairly easy with my mvr being clean, but my family situation has changed and I need to be home every day for my kids (another long story). Hopefully when the economy turns around we can earn a decent living once again. God bless you all.

 

This proves to me the biggest change that needs to happen is us.


What do you mean "A decent living"??If I wasn't I would be out of the truck!

Dispatcher starving me out??Then they would show a lack of respect to an ex-employee,long before I starve I will have other employment!

What is wrong with being a professional??Yes I know that we are classified as unskilled labor by the Federal Government.That however does not imply we must act like unskilled labor.

If the company feels that a million clean mile drivers are a dime a dozen,find someone that understands it is dedication to excellence that achieves that record.

I am a professional!I say that proudly.

When did the world get turned upside down that doing your labor in such a manner earned a derogatory conotation??



POGO said it "I have met the enemy,and he is us".

 

Not being sarcastic but someone being asked to teach a class on HOS doesn't really mean anything . I once worked for a small carrier that advertised income of $750 - $1200 a week . I complained after barely making $750 with weeks right at 70 hours . The owner said he'd give the number of a senior driver who taught new drivers how to do their logs . When I didn't call him he called me to give me a few tips , mostly never log more than a half hour loading or unloading . Bottom line , to make $800-$900 a week you had to work 80 or 90 hours and log 70 .

 

Not being sarcastic either but just cuz your safety dept. says it doesn't mean they aren't lying to you. And thanks for making my point. In order to make the most you can on the road you hafta do some fudging. God bless.

 

When did I say that you or anybody wasn't professional? Exactly what did I say that was derogatory? Show me one company who won't drop you, or leave you sitting if you consistently refuse loads, or are late very often for ANY reason. When was the last time a company asked you before they hired you how many safe miles you had? All they ask is have you had any tix or incidents in the last few years. I'm proud of my safety records as I should be, but no company gives a darn. Taking pride in what you do is great, but the vast majority of businesses don't care. The reality of trucking is this in most cases, if you won't do it some one will. Most drivers live paycheck to paycheck and can't afford to shut down. That's reality. God bless

 

change need to come to the trucking industry i would be the first for that if i still was a driver-(open heart surgery in december of 2009)
state labor law need changing first-(i think that would help a lot)
unions in the trucking companies would be a major help-(hear that tmc and werner)
just my thoughts.

 

If they raised the transport cost just .01 a pound would generate $200-$340 a truck load. That's more than enough to make things better for a driver and the basic consumer wouldn't even notice it.

The problem is the trucking companies would keep it and not share it with the driver.

There will be alot of changes in the next five years. When things are down like they are right now, there is no way but up.

 

i have to agree with rick g's first post! (rock on!)

when i was trucking i was a connecticut employee an iowa and nebraska employee and those are employed at will states.

state labor laws and federal labor laws need to be changed or updated to take some of the control/power from these companies to keep from using the "employed at will" cause and terminating employees just because they can.