Question:
Trucking companies across the country are having a hard time hiring enough drivers to haul an increased number of goods to stores and warehouses.
While there are many reasons for the current driver shortage, the main factor is the upswing in the economy.
In the first six months of this year, truck tonnage increased 7 percent compared with the same time period in 2003, according to the American Trucking Association.
There is a critical shortage of drivers, and that certainly has placed constraints on capacity, particularly as we've seen orders increase and the volume and traffic increase, said the National Industrial Transpoeration League.
In 2003, 9.1 billion tons of freight was moved in the US compared with 8.8 billion tons in 2001. The projected number for 2004 is 9.5 billion tons according to the ATA.
While the average truck driver makes $43.000 annually, the rigorous lifestyle is another factor adding to the shortage.
Many older drivers have retired, and the industry is having a hard time recruiting younger drivers. According to the ATA, the average truck driver is 43 years old, and industry turnover runs as high as 90 percent. There is more freight on the road now than there has been in a few years and we can't hire people fast enough.
I got that from the Denver Post, any comments.? That kind of hit home.

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The problem isnt really in hiring. The problem lies where it always has and that is retaining good, safe drivers.
Companies are going to have to start treating drivers like human beings for starters and up the pay rates secondly before you begin to see a decrease in the turnover rate.
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utrun 2001 Good comments, I agree with you 100 percent.
Companies are starting to treat drivers like human beings but some have a long ways to go, and the sad part it's most of the bigger companies.
Alot of companies are starting to put out good safe drivgers and again some are not. Pay rates are starting to go up and that will help alot. I think that most new drivers need to stick it out and give it some time and it will work out for most.

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Pay rates are on a big yo-yo with bean counting froot loops holding the string. A few years ago pay rates were climbing pretty fast and then fuel went up, freight slowed and the pay dropped fast. What we are seeing now as far as pay is a return to the rates we seen 3 or 4 years ago.
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Main factor? That's laughable.
The cure for the shortage(snicker) would be to offer regional work at double the wage. That would cure the "problem". Money and Hometime is the answer.
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Drivers have a lot to do with it.
Their need is so vast that they are used to getting more.
Truck drivers seem to have a glow about them. I know I am one. Always think what I could be getting here and there. Having to think about how good I had it here and there.
A truck driver could be getting paid 100k a year. They would still be looking around thinking there is more. I know there is.
The problems truck drivers have isn’t so much pay as it is education. Respect has a lot to do with it.
A truck driver can learn you need to be on level ground to close doors easy. Yet, it be a money or benefits issue we look for other truck drivers for info. We try and try and still think we are doing right because Jim did it.
We are secluded from normal forms of education. Not saying we are dumb. Nothing like that. Just we have very different sources of information then most.
The job is easy. It really is. Most carriers try to be competitive. They seem to forget to communicate with the drivers. When they try. The drivers seem to get this hard head.
There isn’t that much to what we do. Some get comfortable and love what they do. Others keep looking. Many have worked for the same carrier multiple times. Says a lot.
The job is monotonous. We need excitement. We look for it. I really feel this is the reason for the high turnover of industry stays.
Just like any onther job. We have those that get in and don’t like it. They are gone after a year or two. Many stick around for years. Job hopping. Looking for the next thing.
It is truck driving folks. Not much to it.
Find you a place that treats you right. Stay there. Just stay there. If you feel you have to do something else. Communicate with them tell them you need to do something else.
This is how I am anyway. I can’t do dedicated. I can for a week or so, after that I need more problems to solve. Once driving gets boring. I need something else.
My employer has been real cool. Even though My truck is leased on. They seem to have no problem giving me a week here and there in the office or doing safty. One would be amazed how well this works.
The job/career is very monotonous.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

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They have them lined up at the terminals every monday morning and by friday more quit than they hired that week.
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Really? Would you care to name these companies and point out how it is that they are different in their treatment of drivers from other companies? Thanks.

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This whole issue is a bunch of bull.
Do you notice stockouts at the mall or supermarket from inventory not being delievered due to a "shortage" of drivers? Do you see freight piling up at docks with nobody to deliver it? I sure as hell don't.
If there were stockouts and freight piling up, you can bet your bottom dollar that we would be seeing wages rise across the board. It's simple supply and demand, folks, and the fact that wages aren't going up tells you the real story here. Sure, OTR is a tough life, but more people would put up with the BS if the job paid what it was really worth. Average OTR wage is $43,000? What a joke! My uncle made $45,000 driving a truck in 1981!!!
The ATA wants everyone to believe a shortage exists so they can get illegals and younger drivers into their trucks. They can also push for laws to get the existing supply of drivers to drive longer hours (which they accomplished before the new HOS was put on hold for safety reasons). It's all a big game that the drivers always end up losing.

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John C
Companies are starting to treat their drivers better. There is still a long way to go. As far as which company, pick one. Some are better than others.

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compared to what a coolie
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You got it right Sarge.
Big

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zigzag
Yea, a coolie