Shortage is over

[Bumper]

Well it didnt take long, better keep your present jobs!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...-surplus_N.htm


Take a look at some of the readers comments too.

[Rev.Vassago]

There never really was a shortage. The only reason it ever appeared there was is because of the high turnover rate in the industry.

[Chasing Daylight]

The shortage was always a fictitious animal. If there had been an actual driver shortage, freight would be sitting on docks unmoved, stores would be lacking inventory, factories would be suffering shutdowns due to lack of raw material. All the freight that needs to move is moving, ergo no shortage. That has always been the case.

What there was, was companies that figured out they could have greater coverage with more drivers. More dirvers spread over more area means quicker response and less dead head. Mind you, that system also causes more drivers to sit idle as there is not enough freight to go around. But the companies don't care about that, afterall were talking about low life truck drivers.

"There's a segment of the blue-collar population that sees driving a truck over the road as a last resort," he said.

Ain't that the truth!

"I'm not just looking for steering-wheel holders any more," Lingyak said.

So before, you WERE looking for steering-wheel holders?!?!? LOL, that speaks volumes right there!

Though the current economic climate has helped narrow the gap, it hasn't solved the driver shortage problem, said Rob Reich, vice president of driver recruiting at Schneider National, a Green Bay, Wis.-based trucking company that employs some 15,000 drivers.

Although it has been easier to hire drivers lately, the company's turnover rate remains at around 60%, Reich said.

So let me get this straight...here we have all these guys out of work and Schneider is STILL burning through 60% of their drivers per year!

What there was, was companies that figured out they could have greater coverage with more drivers. More dirvers spread over more area means quicker response and less dead head. Mind you, that system also causes more drivers to sit idle as there is not enough freight to go around.

Indeed. This is due to the dysfunctional layover polices in OTR trucking....drivers only rate pay for sitting after 24 hours. And then drivers contribute to the problem by staying on line 1 or 2 while they're waiting for load assignments.

[zipy46]

I'm going to Jersey and seek employment in the garment district

where I am truly needed :P

Line 1...Line 2...

Log books ?

Who needs 'em

[Jumbo]

There never really was a shortage. The only reason it ever appeared there was is because of the high turnover rate in the industry.

So If everybody in these little truck stop books that is hiring has empty trucks to fill and they don't have enough drivers to fill all the empty trucks then isn't that a shortage? Or am I not seeing your point? If everybodies trucks are filled then there isn't a shortage. What there is a shortage of is experienced drivers who are willing to put up with the job because that is what they enjoy doing.

[Chasing Daylight]

There never really was a shortage. The only reason it ever appeared there was is because of the high turnover rate in the industry.

So If everybody in these little truck stop books that is hiring has empty trucks to fill and they don't have enough drivers to fill all the empty trucks then isn't that a shortage? Or am I not seeing your point? If everybodies trucks are filled then there isn't a shortage. What there is a shortage of is experienced drivers who are willing to put up with the job because that is what they enjoy doing.

Your using the wrong litmus test. If a company needs 50 trucks to move the freight they have booked, but they own 100 trucks, then they don't have to fill those other trucks to meet demand, thus no shortage. Sure, they could pull that freight more easily with 100 trucks, but it isn't necessary. As I said previously, the true test of a driver shortage is whether or not freight is being effectively moved. It is, and has been, which indicates no shortage exists or ever has. Forget experienced drivers, from the company prespective what there is a shortage of is fools who are willing to suffer chronic unpaid layovers so the company can have excess capacity available at all times.

[Jumbo]

I get it now. There isn't a shortage of drivers needed to move present freight levels. Thanks for the explanation.

[Rev.Vassago]

There never really was a shortage. The only reason it ever appeared there was is because of the high turnover rate in the industry.

So If everybody in these little truck stop books that is hiring has empty trucks to fill and they don't have enough drivers to fill all the empty trucks then isn't that a shortage? Or am I not seeing your point? If everybodies trucks are filled then there isn't a shortage. What there is a shortage of is experienced drivers who are willing to put up with the job because that is what they enjoy doing.

The problem was never enough warm bodies to hold the steering wheel. The problem was always keeping those warm bodies in the trucks, and preventing them from constantly switching carriers. When turnover is at 130%+, it creates an artificial shortage, because of the constant switching of drivers. The fact that SNI still claims a 60% turnover rate today speaks volumes.

[tropolisclone]

as fuel prices rise, companies will fold, and there will be alot more experienced drivers looking for work than ever before.

[zipy46]

The Internet is little more than a place where rumors find a place to die

[Ridge Runner]

The Internet is little more than a place where rumors find a place to die

Or take on a life of their own. :wink:

[unclehotte]

Isn't this great for all the big companies? Since there will be maybe soon more drivers then needed the next step will be lowering the pay since now we can be easily replaced.

[zipy46]

Isn't this great for all the big companies? Since there will be maybe soon more drivers then needed the next step will be lowering the pay since now we can be easily replaced.

I can only speak for me self...

But its difficult for one to constantly adjust to such a

nihilistic industry..

Such is the world of big trucks.

But then I suppose thats just the way industry in general is.

Who knows :wink:

[scania]

I think the shortage or turnover will be an ongoing problem for a while,because for one thing the av. age of a driver nowadays is between 40 and 50 (short timers)and most drivers out there is like the article said are doing this out of last resort.
Heck a firewatch working for a construction company gets paid around $20.00 p/h.
Truck driving is one of those jobs you just have to love doing,kinda like being a police officer or something you sure ain't doing it to get rich.

I'm not a truck driver (yet) but I'm in maintenance at a papermill,I have been there for 15 years now and I have lost all faith in the future of our company if something ever happens I will give truck driving a shot.
Even in maintenance you just don't see a whole lot of young people going to this profession,our maintenance force average age is alo up there between 40 and 50 something but you really can't blame the young man nowadays they're going to school and learn something which we encouraged them to do all their life cause they heard us complain about working conditions and pay enough throughout their childhood.
I'm 45 myself and encourage my kids to do the same thing,they have a college fund waiting for them.

Later

[zipy46]

it seems human nature to worry and complain alot ( i do it very often)

but actually,

i have been doing just fine on 400 to 550 a week for some time now.

it appears the whole world is just pissed off for no real reason.

very disgruntled...this place called earth

[Ronin]

it seems human nature to worry and complain alot ( i do it very often)

but actually,

i have been doing just fine on 400 to 550 a week for some time now.

it appears the whole world is just pissed off for no real reason.

very disgruntled...this place called earth

and it's no different than any other day, in any other industry, in any part of the planet.

[Phantom433a]

If there was truely a driver shortage....not one company would have been able to get away with cheap freight.

[scania]

Shortage of drivers=Shortage of drivers wanting to drive for pennies a mile.

[rodcannon]

Shortage of drivers=Shortage of drivers wanting to drive for pennies a mile.

I've read this about engineers, too. Companies complain about a shortage of engineers, but they are finding ways to get rid of older, higher paid engineers and just can't find enough young ones (who work cheaper) to take their place.