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Driver Shortage Creates Quandary for Trucking
Layover Magazine ^ | February 6, 2008

Posted on 02/11/2008 5:33:39 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
Yep! I started off as one but moved to logistics.

So, having never driven a truck, you think driving is a great job? why don't you quit and start driving? you could get rich!

61 posted on 02/11/2008 6:43:04 PM PST by MrPiper
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To: dragnet2
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?

If you're a young couple in love wanting to make some quick cash, what better opportunity is there? I've hired team drivers, girlfriend/boyfriend in their early 20s who worked for several years nonstop and then they have the money to buy a home (outright) and buy a car (outright). It's better than living paycheck-to-paycheck.

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.

If you can get a regional lane or a dedicated route, you won't have to deal with the weather or big-city traffic. Especially in the South or Midwest (Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri) the scenery is breathtaking.

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.

And the streets in the neighborhood don't have this either? ROFL. Today's truck stops aren't like they were in the 70s. Like the Road America truck stops have full restaurants and convenience stores with sleeping rooms.

62 posted on 02/11/2008 6:44:54 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (The Constitution does not give me the authority to run your life - Ron Paul)
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To: dragnet2

Do you enjoy making up facts as you go along? Do you get some sort of kick out of that?

You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. You’re in fairyland.


63 posted on 02/11/2008 6:45:33 PM PST by Onerom99
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To: Musket

It’s tough out there for a guy like myself. I have been in radio 39 years. Still do my weekend show. However, radio is like a lot of other “mature” industries. It’s a river of blood. The chances of my landing a new full time job are slim. Meanwhile, I have a wife and two teenage boys. At 57 few “entry level” positions are in my reach. It’s humbling. Never thought I’d be in this position. But, a lot of us “boomers” find ourselves here. The idea of driving is appealing. Yes, I’ve read the stories of the downside. But, I appreciate Schneider teaming up with AARP and welcoming people such as myself. Listen. I don’t have other “skills.” B.S. and M.A. in Broadcast Journalism and 39 years behind a microphone don’t count for much to a 38 year old HR trainee.


64 posted on 02/11/2008 6:46:46 PM PST by davidtalker (David Gold - goldtalk.com)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Probably due to the rising price of cocaine...


65 posted on 02/11/2008 6:46:58 PM PST by Doohickey (McCain 2008: A President with Tourette's will make press conferences interesting...)
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To: Onerom99
Equating truck driving with poor health is stupid.

Oh yes, sitting on your ass all day, eating mcdonalds for years, thats got to be good for you...

66 posted on 02/11/2008 6:46:58 PM PST by MrPiper
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To: MrPiper
LOL...

Being a trucker today is probably one of the worst jobs one could have. Especially if your married, and or have kids.

The pay sucks, the hours suck, and the job is hard and dangerous...

If I were single, I might consider it for 200k per year...I'd do it for 2 years and quit...Before I lost my mind.

67 posted on 02/11/2008 6:47:24 PM PST by dragnet2
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Amnesty agenda propaganda


68 posted on 02/11/2008 6:48:15 PM PST by Mamzelle (not mccain)
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To: MrPiper

LOL.. implying that everyone that drives trucks eats McDonalds?

These same people that eat McDonalds in their trucks would be on their asses eating McDonalds on their couches when they weren’t at their 9-5 job.

Boy are there some real know-nothings posting tonight or what.


69 posted on 02/11/2008 6:48:52 PM PST by Onerom99
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To: MrPiper
So, having never driven a truck, you think driving is a great job?

I went through the video game driver training simulation! I sat in with some drivers for their road tests. But no, I can't get my CDL. Two auto accidents, a suspension, and dozens of speeding tickets will do that to you ;-)

70 posted on 02/11/2008 6:49:18 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (The Constitution does not give me the authority to run your life - Ron Paul)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Sounds like they’re laying the groundwork to whine about how we need mexican truckers imported, since Americans won’t do it... at least not on their terms...


71 posted on 02/11/2008 6:50:36 PM PST by Califreak (Hangin' with Hunter-under the bus "Dread and Circuses")
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To: Califreak

Well all of these guys are whining about how horrible it is.. If you put an illegal into the cab they would be bitching about that too.

Some people just like to bitch about anything.


72 posted on 02/11/2008 6:51:30 PM PST by Onerom99
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To: dragnet2
Being a trucker today is probably one of the worst jobs one could have.

And many truck drivers would tell you sitting in an office is one of the worst jobs. Believe it or not, different people have different thoughts on what is an ideal job.

73 posted on 02/11/2008 6:51:33 PM PST by NittanyLion
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If we had any brains, we wouldn’t have abandond our rail lines. We should have built more.


74 posted on 02/11/2008 6:52:50 PM PST by listenhillary (Tag line is broken, repair technician has been notified.)
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To: davidtalker

Dude, My heart goes out to you. Good luck. I tried OTR driving and I got to tell you, it sucks. Say good bye to your family. It takes years of driving to get one of the dedicated runs this office person is talking about. Here’s a hint. Call UPS and see if they need drivers. THEY HAVE A WAITING LIST!


75 posted on 02/11/2008 6:53:12 PM PST by MrPiper
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To: davidtalker; MrPiper; dragnet2
Hey, I hear ya. I was enticed by the adventure, then repulsed by the little pay and lifestyle. It's disgusting. Everything that MrPiper and Dragnet2 have said here - it's all true. You can make more money delivering pizzas AND sleep in your own bed every night.

Night all.

76 posted on 02/11/2008 6:54:55 PM PST by Musket (It's very simple:<i>your quoted text pasted here</i><p> produces Quoted Italic with paragraph break)
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To: Onerom99
implying that everyone that drives trucks eats McDonalds?

Have you driven OTR? I have and the one thing on your mind is to stop quick and fast and get back on the road. Please advise on the fine dining at FlyingJ

77 posted on 02/11/2008 6:57:56 PM PST by MrPiper
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To: bshomoic
Does the company pay for gas, or is the 50 cents a mile supposed to cover the gas?

Referring to fuel or Diesel as "gas" will get you ragged on by an old school trucker. ;-)

78 posted on 02/11/2008 7:00:10 PM PST by Ghengis (Of course freedom is free. If it wasn't, it would be called expensivedom. ~Cindy Sheehan 11/11/06)
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To: Musket
Hey, I hear ya. I was enticed by the adventure, then repulsed by the little pay and lifestyle. It's disgusting. Everything that MrPiper and Dragnet2 have said here - it's all true. You can make more money delivering pizzas AND sleep in your own bed every night. Night all.

Thank you. The life sucks. and on that note, Night all also.

79 posted on 02/11/2008 7:00:45 PM PST by MrPiper
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To: Musket
Hey, I hear ya. I was enticed by the adventure, then repulsed by the little pay and lifestyle. It's disgusting. Everything that MrPiper and Dragnet2 have said here - it's all true. You can make more money delivering pizzas AND sleep in your own bed every night.

You bet. You can spot the recruiters and those that don't drive in a minute.

Lets put it this way, if it paid well, and was a decent job, they wouldn't be hurting for drivers as they have been for some YEARS now.

Illegals, the barely legal and the no-life down and outers are going to take over the entire industry. It's been happening for a long time, due to the terrible pay and working conditions.

Oh, and good night.

80 posted on 02/11/2008 7:03:45 PM PST by dragnet2
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