MolaKule
Staff member
Truck Driver Shortage not overblown.
- Thread starter MolaKule
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We've mismanaged the railways so much and they were the CHEAPEST & FASTEST way to get goods to market that now we have to rely on trucks which are not only more costly, but also plug our highways & roads. Atta way governments (all of them) Good Job!
I handle logistics for my employer. I get multiple cold calls per week from freight resellers, as if they've got so much capacity they're begging for business. Then I get calls from suppliers saying the carrier was a no-show three days in a row. MIT recently did a study and found large chunks of unused capacity throughout the system and we typically see trucks headed back to their terminals less than half full. It truly is a circus.
The DOT is going to allow 18 year olds to start driving 18 wheelers. I know we're short of drivers, but that seems nuts. I know I was not experienced enough behind the wheel or mature enough at that age.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/01...eens-to-drive-semi-trucks-across-state-lines/
https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/01...eens-to-drive-semi-trucks-across-state-lines/
When something is too efficient - then middle man makes little to no profit. So then the middle man overcomplicates things and starts swimming in money.
Usually, those situations can only exist when there are external forces like unions or government regulations which prevents cutting out the middleman.
More often than not those who create unions and government regulations become the middleman, and adjust regulations to maximize profits.
They already can. They just can't cross an imaginary line in the road called the state line.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Truck Driver wanted pieces actually advertise that we are pet friendly - but an apprentice
I don't know. Might be more attractive than joining the military if that is option A.
I believe it's the pay system that's screwed up, not really a shortage of drivers. Just too many companies treat the drivers as 1099's so they only get paid if they're driving. If they're stuck in traffic or at a loading dock, they don't get paid. Basically the race to the bottom happened and when you're at bottom, there's a shortage.
I worked at a trucking company doing IT back in the early 90's. I think back then, the truckers made around 50k or so a year. Not bad. But now, I think they're just making slightly more than that so wages have actually gone down for them over the years. They also have more expenses because now they can be owner operators so they're actually the owner of the business. But they're at the mercy of the companies they contract with. This is basically the same model that Uber exploits and it's no surprise that Uber has super high turnover. Not surprising to see that in the trucking industry.
Lots of shady companies. Recruiters straight up lie to drivers. Lots of promises that never get kept to the drivers from people I have talked to. You would think that they would figure out that treating employees decent will keep employees longer?
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
I have a class A CDL and love to drive. I am under three years from retiring from my current job. The way truck drivers are compensated, I will take a pass as a truck driver as I am in search of a new career post retirement.
During high school (1980) I worked in a warehouse, truck drivers in and out all day. All of the drivers were middle aged or older, and extremely professional. They never touched cargo/ freight, unless they wanted to lend a hand. They all had full health insurance, pension plan, and likely made more than many drivers today.
There is absolutely not a driver shortage. There is a compensation mismatch/ disconnect. Pay a compensation that matches all the challenges a truck driver deals with- every truck will have a competent and professional driver.
During high school (1980) I worked in a warehouse, truck drivers in and out all day. All of the drivers were middle aged or older, and extremely professional. They never touched cargo/ freight, unless they wanted to lend a hand. They all had full health insurance, pension plan, and likely made more than many drivers today.
There is absolutely not a driver shortage. There is a compensation mismatch/ disconnect. Pay a compensation that matches all the challenges a truck driver deals with- every truck will have a competent and professional driver.
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