[fudimo]

2. The barriers to entry in the industry are so low that the trucker’s job has become completely commoditized and the only way to compete is by lowering costs and keeping labor costs down.

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Did you mean the barriers to enter the industry are too HIGH ?

I think part of the large turnover rate in the trucking industry has a lot to do with overzealous enforcement when it comes to truckers and their equipment. An example would be that a company I used to work for will not take any jobs going into California due to the hassle of regulating authorities.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Retirement dittos! I could do that job but parking/backing up would be my undoing. Vagabond lifestyle is for me. Anyone who can maneuver those rigs could be available using uber at the final destination. The grunt work(long haul) can be done by those like me ready to work cheap. Sleeping compartment can transfer passengers. Where am I wrong?

[Alberta's Child]

The barriers to entry are very low, in the context of the size of the industry. If you have a CDL, a good driving record, and some business sense, and don't mind the work, it doesn't get much cash to get into the industry at all. You can lease a rig and a trailer and get on the road serving your first customer and no time.

Enforcement problems are an issue, too. Interestingly, I think the best way to make money in trucking is to do the work that nobody else wants to do and figure out a way to deal with all those things that makes it difficult to do business. One advantage of running loads to a place where nobody likes to go is that those runs usually command a premium from the customer.