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One Well-Paying American Industry Can't Find Enough People To Hire (No College degree required)
Business Insider ^ | 06/25/2012 | Sam Ro

Posted on 06/25/2012 11:40:15 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

The U.S. economy can't function unless goods get from point A to B.

That's why we have air carriers like FedEx, railroaders like CSX, and truckers like J.B. Hunt.

Truckers are a crucial component in this equation because a plane or train can't exactly back into the loading dock of the local grocery store.

Unfortunately, America can't seem to find enough people to fill the cabs of their 18-wheelers.

USA Today's Paul Davidson reports:

A worsening shortage of truck drivers is pushing up freight rates and delaying some deliveries, defying the weak economy, high unemployment and falling gasoline prices.

Davidson identifies a few reasons why we can't seem to higher enough truckers:

* training costs are high and typically lasts weeks

* minimum age is 21 years

* safety ratings are horrible, causing the screening process to be stringent

However, the shortage is causing pay in the industry to rise. According to a consultant in Davidson's story, the average drivers' annual salary has increased 5 percent year-over-year to $50,000.

(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Society
KEYWORDS: jobs; trucking
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1 posted on 06/25/2012 11:40:24 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

2 posted on 06/25/2012 11:41:01 AM PDT by SeekAndFind (bOTRT)
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To: SeekAndFind

Where I live in central KY I saw a billboard seeking truck drivers. It advertized $60k a year plus benefits. That is huge in a land where if you make $10 an hour you are doing pretty good.

The cost of living is so low here I’ve thought about it. It’s sure easier than my current job, and I love driving. Still, it would be a huge cut.


3 posted on 06/25/2012 11:43:22 AM PDT by cuban leaf (Were doomed! Details at eleven.)
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To: SeekAndFind

when I ‘retire’ I am going to do this

i think long-haul trucking would let me see the country AND listen to conservative radio all day long my two favorite things

If only Rush was available on Satellite


4 posted on 06/25/2012 11:43:33 AM PDT by Mr. K (I AM WRITING-IN PALIN/GINGRICH)
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To: SeekAndFind

Truckers also get abused by their employers who demand that they obey speed limits while giving them delivery deadlines that require both speeding and skipping breaks and required sleep breaks. Thus there’s a huge turnover in the industry because not even immigrants are willing to work under such abusive conditions.


5 posted on 06/25/2012 11:44:02 AM PDT by MeganC (No way in Hell am I voting for Mitt Romney. Not now, not ever. Deal with it.)
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To: Mr. K

Rush is on so many stations I can’t imagine you’d have trouble getting him on terrestrial darn near anywhere.

Is there a Rush radio app for smartphone?


6 posted on 06/25/2012 11:47:09 AM PDT by nascarnation
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To: SeekAndFind

Great that those industries are hiring...but with trucking...they scared off so many with the NAFTA mandated, Bush supported, Obama approved Mexican Truckers Program...allowing Mexican trucks to go all over the US (instead of a 75 mi radius from the border).

This has been big talk among truckers for years...and it has scared many into leaving the industry

Dump the Mexican Trcuks rule, and trucking industry will hire again


7 posted on 06/25/2012 11:47:09 AM PDT by SeminoleCounty (When I said "close the borders", I did not mean the bookstore chain)
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To: SeekAndFind

1) it’s real work (which is SOOOOO 20th. Century!)

2) it’s getting harder and harder to find people who aren’t strung out on Crack, Smack, Bath Salts, Angel Dust, Roofies, Meth, Acid or Marijuana who can actually obtain a CDL.


8 posted on 06/25/2012 11:47:13 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: SeekAndFind

They need to “higher” a proofreader!


9 posted on 06/25/2012 11:48:34 AM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (The Second Amendment, a Matter of Fact, Not a Matter of Opinion)
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To: Mr. K
If only Rush was available on Satellite

streaming cellular for voice will only become more affordable. If you have a wifi device (e.g. iPhone, iPod Touch) you can download the podcasts at truckstops.
10 posted on 06/25/2012 11:48:48 AM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("You forget, it isn't who you claim, but instead, who claims you. We don't claim you!")
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To: Mr. K
If only Rush was available on Satellite

You can get him on iHeart Radio. No need for SiriusXM.

11 posted on 06/25/2012 11:48:48 AM PDT by unixfox (Abolish Slavery, Repeal The 16th Amendment!)
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To: SeekAndFind

What isn’t mentioned is that it’s a young man’s game.

The percentage of men over 45, who can “safely” drive with minimal sleep, WITHOUT DRUGS, is low!


12 posted on 06/25/2012 11:48:58 AM PDT by G Larry (There's no hope of a safe landing when you hire a suicidal pilot!)
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To: nascarnation
Is there a Rush radio app for smartphone?

IHeartRadio, the Clear Channel app, has lots and lots of Rush stations on it.
13 posted on 06/25/2012 11:49:18 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: SeekAndFind

Don’t forget about all the Obama trucking regulations and an economy in the depths of a depression and the fluctuating fuel prices.


14 posted on 06/25/2012 11:50:26 AM PDT by Uncle Slayton
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To: SeekAndFind
Pimping for Mexican truck drivers. After all the EPA gave grants of $1600.00 per truck Additional benefit is destroying another source of income for that pesky independent middle clas.
15 posted on 06/25/2012 11:50:26 AM PDT by khelus
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To: SeekAndFind

My guy drives his ‘18 wheels of justice’ and loves the job but hates the endless new rules and regulations.

The comment regarding the laws of how long one can drive vs the delivery time demands of the company, is 100% accurate and sheer insanity.


16 posted on 06/25/2012 11:52:39 AM PDT by AllAmericanGirl44 (Fluck this adminstration of misfits.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Good. Let the free market determine the salaries for truck drivers. It is often grueling and lifestyle-limiting work.


17 posted on 06/25/2012 11:52:43 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: Mr. K

I think Rush is on in every radio market in the nation (over 300 of them) and has more than 1 affiliate in many areas

Some radio stations in the west and midwest have flamethrower stations that can be heard for 100s of miles during the day, and a lot of those are Rush stations

Gosh, even in Canada you can pick up Rush US stations easily...esp close to the border

With the terrestrial coverage he has...Rush needs no satellite. He is on everywhere

I would love to drive trucks, because I naturally like to drive. But vision problems recently may prevent a trucking future for me


18 posted on 06/25/2012 11:55:03 AM PDT by SeminoleCounty (When I said "close the borders", I did not mean the bookstore chain)
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To: SeekAndFind

$50,000 isn’t enough for many of these youngins...like the Occupy guy Sean Hannity interviewed sometime back. He wouldn’t take a job for less than $100,000.


19 posted on 06/25/2012 11:55:36 AM PDT by fatnotlazy
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To: SWAMPSNIPER
They need to “higher” a proofreader!

I was going to say the same thing until I saw your post.

20 posted on 06/25/2012 11:56:12 AM PDT by scripter ("You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis)
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