Driver Shortage Creates Quandary for Trucking

Layover Magazine ^ | February 6, 2008

[Musket]

But, I read horror stories about company training.

They're all true. But it goes beyond training - way beyond. Don't do it dude. You'll regret it - big time.

[MrPiper]

It's 14 hours per day and they can use the remaining 10 hours however they want.

And just how many years of OTR before you can get a dedicated run??? and 14 hr days.... ya, thats gonna attract a lot of good people ...NOT! PS, I have a class A w/all endorsments, can I start tomorrow with a dedicated run?

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I signed on with Werner 2 years ago, and when the training was complete, they paid me $150 a week

ROFL. That's because you were working for a mom-and-pop outfit. Step up to the Big Leagues with JB Hunt or Swift and you'd be making some big cash.

[Onerom99]

That’s complete and total nonsense.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

That's crap wage. Illegal aliens in Cal earn more than that. That's early 1990s wages man. lol

Horse doodles. How many other jobs start off at $35,000 a year? When you look at it, $35,000 is a lot of money. And that's just a ballpark estimate. Today's drivers can start off with way more than that if they're really into the business and not BSing around.

[MrPiper]

If you move to another carrier (like after six months) then they'll stick you with the bill for training.

And how many non trucking companies out there charge their employees for training?.............NONE

[Musket]

I’ll bet you’re a recruiter. You sound just like one.

[Onerom99]

I’m a supervisor at a warehousing complex. Our Jockey drivers, start out at more than $30k a year, some make more than $50k w/ some overtime.

[Musket]

That’s complete and total nonsense.

No it's not. It's the truth. I WISH it were nonsense.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

And just how many years of OTR before you can get a dedicated run?

That I don't know. Actually, I just have an outline of the industry and no concrete knowledge as I work in logistics (freight planning) and not the trucking center itself.

[dragnet2]

I've hired drivers fresh out of high school who signed up for team loads with their girlfriends and the two of them made over $100,000 cash each year.

Oh, so haul around your wife or girlfriend and make 100k while driving on icy roads, at night, in traffic, at sleazy truck stops, and LIVING in a freaky truck?

Like I said, to live in a truck, and drive in all that nasty, dangerous weather, with all the clowns on the road, they'd have to pay me 200k per year.

And let me tell ya, truck stops are low life and criminal hangouts. That's why the cops/feds have them under surveillance half the time. Drugs, prostitutes, interstate commerce fraud, theft, bums, transients, those on the run... etc, etc.

[Old Sarge]

If you wish for Quot to reply, you have to include him in the post.

[Onerom99]

For having nothing but a high school education (some of these guys have less), starting somewhere at $30k-$35k in todays world is a GREAT starting salary.

[Myrddin]

My brother-in-law is an owner/operator. When we last saw him in person, my wife and I suspected he had diabetes based on his insatiable thirst. Bingo! He started treating the diabetes. Last week his wife called. He was in the hospital with an infected gall bladder. A couple days after that call, she called to say he was having surgery to remove it. The gallstones burned through the gall bladder and damaged some adjacent organs. He'll be in the hospital for another week. Who knows when he'll be able to drive again. That's the real problem. He has to generate $7,000/month to keep ahead of his bills. It's difficult in good health. Clearly, all the time on the road is destroying his health.

[cripplecreek]

Don't do it dude. You'll regret it - big time.

Because its fast being turned into one more job Americans won't do.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I’ll bet you’re a recruiter. You sound just like one.

Yep! I started off as one but moved to logistics.

[MrPiper]

Horse doodles. How many other jobs start off at $35,000 a year?

Hell, I make that part time mowing lawns... And I don't have to go to New York!!!!!!!!!

[dragnet2]

And even at 100k....That's only about 65k or so a year after expenses, taxes etc etc...

I've known a few truckers...The one's still in it, hate it and want out bad....It just don't pay enough for no life, headache, not to mention the dangers involved.

[Onerom99]

What garbage.. My sister is a 27 year old day-care operator. She just had her gall bladder removed.

I know dozens of older gentleman who have been trucking all their lives and don’t have any problems. Equating truck driving with poor health is stupid.

[dragnet2]

For having nothing but a high school education (some of these guys have less), starting somewhere at $30k-$35k in todays world is a GREAT starting salary.

LOL! Your still living in the early 90s. Illegals in Cal earn more than that.