Why aren't truckers in the driver's seat?

too many drivers out for just themselves. they'll do what needs to be done for the money, over hrs or whatever. can't us to agree on whether it's day or night, much less unite to fight for better working conditions.

 

Economically speaking, low barriers to entry into the field and quick training periods for replacements = no shortage big enough to cause a huge spike in pay. In my opinion of course.

 

The way a lot companies look at it, truck drivers are a dime a dozen, easily replaced. Its a revolving door, as many coming in as there are going out,(if you dont like it, quit, we'll have someone else in the truck tomorrow) at least with the larger companies.

 

I don't think there is a shortage of drivers, and I agree with the other posts. High driver turn over yes, but a driver shortage no. I think sometimes we confuse the two.

 

It's really kind of depressing but true. Very few trucking companies (large ones anyway) value a good employee and have this exact attitude. You'd think it would be more cost effective to have a fleet of highly skilled, experienced, motivated and loyal drivers but the bottom feeders must have put the numbers into a spreadsheet and figured out they can make a half cent per mile more profit the way it is.

 

You hit the nail on the head, until it becomes unprofitable to operate the way they currently are doing, it will not change. This holds true for any business.

 

don't forget about the gov. subsidy to companies to train people in a depressed area. they don't want you to stay so can reap another check for training a new one.

 

The only way that could happen is that the companies be found responsible for pay when the driver is detained, brokedown and etc. When that happens, they will then begin better treatment of the truck driver.

 

The "shortage" is scheme to get people into school and into orientation ready to roll to compensate for the high turnover. For the time being, it's cheaper than paying a few more pennies per mile, especially for the companies running driver mills --err--schools. How many drivers actually make it to the top of the pay scale?

Good way to research companies, now that I think about it... find out the percentage of drivers at the top of the scale.

I'm sure the ever changing regulations have pushed more than a few of the lifers into early retirement.