Truck Companies Drop Ball

[Copperhead]

I am relatively new to the forum but not to trucking, having close to 2 decades in the industry.

I have noticed one thing that companies can't seem to figure out. They are scrambling to hire drivers, promising them the moon, a pretty girl to ride in the truck, $1 million dollars a mile, etc.

Where they drop the ball is their efforts in recruiting and retaining Quality, experienced drivers.

After close to 20 years with NO preventable accidents, NO moving violations, and experience in Alaska, Canada, and the 48 States, etc, why in the world would I want to drive for a company that will only give me what they offer a recent truck school graduate?

The companies need to get their collective minds out of the Union mindset and think outside the box. Why not offer drivers like me the same vacation time we have now? Why not offer a premium pay that is over and above the pay rates offered? Why not provide a selection in region, routes, etc that are offered to senior drivers with the company? Why not offer benefits that start IMMEDIATELY and not have to wait 90 days.

Let's face it, recruiters. You are not going to get a Cadillac for the price of a Ford Focus. If you were a bank owner, you would not look for a senior bank officer and then start them as a bank teller. You want quality, then you are going to have to make deals.

Likewise, drivers. If we continue to play the same old game regarding moving to another company, they will play the same game that they have been for so long. We need to demand at least the same level of perks and benefits that we have at our present company at the very least.

Some may say "why move companies if you got these things"? True enough, but some of us have to deal with companies that get sold or close the doors. Why should we have to start from scratch all over again while the new company reaps all the benefits?

It's time to crawl out of the 20th century and get a handle on reality. That means both drivers and companies.

[VitoCorleone99]

Do they charge more for the freight if it's delivered by a "Quality, experienced driver"? If not, your bargaining position isn't going to be a very strong one.

if you should be in such demand, why are you looking for a job? or is this just the, things ain't the way they used to be speach, from someone that needs to get out.

[coalregion]

Do they charge more for the freight if it's delivered by a "Quality, experienced driver"? If not, your bargaining position isn't going to be a very strong one.

:twisted:

After close to 20 years with NO preventable accidents, NO moving violations, and experience in Alaska, Canada, and the 48 States, etc, why in the world would I want to drive for a company that will only give me what they offer a recent truck school graduate?

Because they can.

The companies need to get their collective minds out of the Union mindset and think outside the box. Why not offer drivers like me the same vacation time we have now? Why not offer a premium pay that is over and above the pay rates offered? Why not provide a selection in region, routes, etc that are offered to senior drivers with the company? Why not offer benefits that start IMMEDIATELY and not have to wait 90 days.

That's NOT a union mindset. If the industry was organized, your wages, benefits, and seniority would carry over to the next union carrier. That's what happened to alot of guys who went to UPS, Yellow, USF etc when Preston and CF went under.

If you were a bank owner, you would not look for a senior bank officer and then start them as a bank teller. You want quality, then you are going to have to make deals.

Because not just anyone can be a senior bank officer. You need a college degree and alot of experience with different areas of banking. I can train someone to drive a truck in a couple days.

Likewise, drivers. If we continue to play the same old game regarding moving to another company, they will play the same game that they have been for so long. We need to demand at least the same level of perks and benefits that we have at our present company at the very least.

Good luck with that one. You can't get two drivers to agree on the color of the sky much less come together for a united cause.

Why should we have to start from scratch all over again while the new company reaps all the benefits?

Again, because they can. The astronomical turnover rates mean that these carriers get a constant supply of low-wage workers. Don't let em' fool you with all this talk about a so-called "driver shortage" Do you see freight piling up on the docks, empty store shelves, long lines, etc? Of course not. It's just a ploy to get illegals and foriegners behind the wheel.

[Orangetxguy]

Again, because they can. The astronomical turnover rates mean that these carriers get a constant supply of low-wage workers. Don't let em' fool you with all this talk about a so-called "driver shortage" Do you see freight piling up on the docks, empty store shelves, long lines, etc? Of course not. It's just a ploy to get illegals and foriegners behind the wheel.

Now CFM...your being needlessly contentious there. Our "Guest Workers" have a right to earn a living don't they?

[Uturn2001]

For a long time the mindset in business has been that you need to spend a dollar to save a dime. You can look at virtually any industry and see this. They think why should we have to pay someone with many years of experience $10 an hour when we can hire 2 people for $4.90 each. Never mind that the person with years of experience may be 3 times more efficient in their work that the two new ones.

Sadly, in trucking, with the regs like they are, the only real cost savings a company may see is in accidents. Even if the experienced driver can run 3000 miles a week every week, the two newbies will only need to run 1500 miles each to equal that and everything over that is just "bonus" money for the company coffers.

IMHO the first thing that really needs to be corrected is truck driving needs to be classified as a skilled occupation. Unskilled labor generally means that most people can learn to do the job to a reasonable degree of proficiency with very little learning and/or training.

While to a certain point this holds true for trucking, it takes a lot more than training and experience for a driver to become truly efficient and proficient in the job.

[Skywalker]

For a long time the mindset in business has been that you need to spend a dollar to save a dime. You can look at virtually any industry and see this. They think why should we have to pay someone with many years of experience $10 an hour when we can hire 2 people for $4.90 each. Never mind that the person with years of experience may be 3 times more efficient in their work that the two new ones.

That mindset was primarily driven by cheap ass beancounters who still have a very perilous grasp on any form of "reality".

Sadly, in trucking, with the regs like they are, the only real cost savings a company may see is in accidents. Even if the experienced driver can run 3000 miles a week every week, the two newbies will only need to run 1500 miles each to equal that and everything over that is just "bonus" money for the company coffers.

Actually....the additional savings is garnered through less equipment cost, less maintenance costs, less insurance costs.... and less overall company contributions to benefits costs.

IMHO the first thing that really needs to be corrected is truck driving needs to be classified as a skilled occupation. Unskilled labor generally means that most people can learn to do the job to a reasonable degree of proficiency with very little learning and/or training.

Well, its up to "semi-skilled"....but if it ever gets classified to "skilled", then the wages will have to go up.

While to a certain point this holds true for trucking, it takes a lot more than training and experience for a driver to become truly efficient and proficient in the job.

While much of what you say is true, there is a certain mentality in the industry that is essentially "self-defeating". Personally, I think it can be viewed in terms of internecine turf protection...betwixt all levels of management in trucking companies.

Management wants a full fleet of capable drivers, recruiting tries to find them, operations doesn't give a damn what anyone else wants or thinks because the load just has to go. Safety plays games sometimes a wink and nod routine....but what happens is that the driver ends up the pawn in it all. He or she has no real voice, and in general catches the dirty end of the stick.

Management believes drivers are a dime a dozen, yet scream out of their mouths that there is a shortage, recruiting resorts to lies and trickery by way of vague promises to the drivers, and operations proves they are the tail that wags the dog. Safety barks at the moon.

I would be willing to bet at least one internet dollar that not one trucking company of any significant size (1000+ power units) has ever really done a single study on the reality of why drivers quit....and then tried to fix the problems.

Why would they not? Because in the industry there is a great deal of nepotism.....and someone may have to fire a family member, or a good friend. The truth is....until management takes the bull by the horns and makes the hard decisions....its not going to change.

I can tell you for certain...were I a company owner who had "anyone" in the company who cost me good drivers and all the associated costs putting red ink in a column....I would personally kick them out the door, regardless of who they were.

[pothole]

The only reason companies are crying "Driver Shortage" is they are aiming at being able to hire foreign nationals from beyond our southern border. There is no driver shortage. Schmucks are lined up a mile deep too get into CDL mills and lease purchase scams.
I recently heard of a Swift oreintation training program for new drivers that had over 125 people in it.
There is absolutely no driver shortage.
Companies merely want to have a fresh supply of drivers to churn through the industry , grind them up and spit them out. Why pay an experienced Driver that knows the Ropes and games when you can hire 10 newbies for chicken feed wages and treat them like garbage as was stated earlier in the topic stands true.
A new driver working for 500 dollars a week and getting the shaft at every turn is not in short supply. Chew them up make them quit snd get some more to fill their seats. This is how the mega carriers operate. Nobody ever gets to the top of the payscale and the pennies saved are justified.

[zipy46]

Every company has a percentage of unoccupied trucks that need filling.
They are motivated by the frieght loads they are missing out on than anything else.
Trucking is a bottom line bizz like all other bussiness. $$$$$$
People are just an operating expense like desiel fuel.
Its nothing personal.

True on the driver shortage issue...I am out here on the road and simply do not see a problem.
Who ever is pimping the idea is just trying to turn a buck also I suspect.

Bussiness as usual

[mx302dad]

The "driver shortage" is not a new issue. It was around when I got into this industry 20 years ago in 1987. BTW, that was years before NAFTA, GATT and all that other open border crap.

I recently heard of a Swift oreintation training program for new drivers that had over 125 people in it.
There is absolutely no driver shortage.

There was also probably only 10-20 that finished.
What there seems to be a shortage of is people that can pass a background check and/or a drug test.(that also includes current drivers).

[Copperhead]

You guys are right... there is no driver shortage. Just a massive turn around at all the carriers (some more, some less).

Look at the costs associated with constantly having to hire personnel. It borders on the $5K mark per driver, at least according to the bean counters I have talked with.

It isn't always about CPM that is the problem. It is very cost effective to get the good, quality drivers and then negotiate vacation time, starting benefits right away, or even providing a cell phone or other ammenities. It could be about CPM when you factor in the waste of constantly recruiting drivers. The good ones turn over very slowly compared to bad ones. I have always spent about 8+ years average with a carrier and am at that point with my current one and not leaving any time soon.

The main reason I brought this all up is that a number of carriers are trying to sweet talk me into moving to them. I have tried to negotiate the details and there is just this "one size fits all" mentality. It is untrue, as some have posted here, that I am looking for another job. But, when these other companies come a calling, at least they should be open to matching some of the benefits and such as I have now and not expect that I will settle for "1 week after the first year vacation" type of nonsense. Again, if they want quality, they should be able to negotiate. After all..... they called me.

[Hiway61]

One of the top executives for a megacarrier was quoted recently as saying, "There is no shortage of drivers, just a shortage of people who can live on what we can afford to pay". Or words to that effect.
Remember, a few letters about reality in the biz to your local politician - Congress and Senate can make a difference.
(Or so I'm told )

[Skywalker]

One of the top executives for a megacarrier was quoted recently as saying, "There is no shortage of drivers, just a shortage of people who can live on what we can afford to pay".

I would modify that statement to read "what we are willing to pay"..... while they pay themselves huge bonuses, stock options, and perks up the wazoo.

Remember, a few letters about reality in the biz to your local politician - Congress and Senate can make a difference.
(Or so I'm told )

Uh-huh....like the current, past or present flock of elected hacks has ever given a damn what the "voters" think.... :shock: The only time they ever care....is when they are "sucking up" to get the vote, and even then its just "lip service"...... :x

[worldisnotenough]

Hey dad! are you being cynical?

[Skywalker]

Hey dad! are you being cynical?

If you know the answer to the question: Are you a "turtle".... you already know the answer to that question.....

[worldisnotenough]

:? :? :?

[Skywalker]

:? :? :?

I explained it on the phone..... 8) BTW.... I lost your call....you must have gotten into the "wilds of Arkysaw"...

[Ian Williams]

Copperhead

If you want to get a premium wage get into a segment that the unwashed masses of N00bs are not qualified for. Serious Haz-Mat, Tankers, HHG, Cars, Overdimensional LTL, etc etc etc.

The Swift/Schneider/CRE model only works for low margin, high volume Reefer/Van loads. It kinda,sorta works with flatbeds and breaks down completely with anything requiring more skill.

When is the last time you can recall any of the above carriers pulling a trailer with Placards? Worst case scenario liability wise for a van full or dog food is perhaps $3-5M with ugly multiple fatalities. You can be on the hook for 10-100+ times that with serious HM. If your HM spills into a watershed or trashes a critical piece of infastructure (bridge or tunnel) all but the largest of companies could be toast.

A while ago Swift tried to break into Car Hauling on the east coast. Using their existing driver pool they attempted to gain market share but undercutting current pricing. They gained share but lost their shirt on claims. After a few years they withdrew from the segment.

Realistically you are never going to be able to earn more that .45-55 CPM doing OTR as a company driver.

In my world of LTL Super Trucker 70hrs/week workaholic Line drivers can earn $65-85k year. Its going to be neigh on impossible to get much above that for any company driving job.

If you were to go down the O/O the additional risk and responsibility of owning your own equipment and authority you could do somewhat better. I've talked to car haulers who gross north of $200k in a good year.

But the underlying thing here is that OTR Trucking in North America is almost a textbook case of perfect competition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_competition

Any yahoo with $15k for a beat up FLD and a used trailer is a potential competitor.

[GMAN]

Realistically you are never going to be able to earn more that .45-55 CPM doing OTR as a company driver.

Not quite true, Ian Williams. I pay my drivers percentage. I have had drivers earn more than $1/mile on some loads (over-sized or specialized). Of course that is not the norm, but it does happen. :wink: For the most part, that would be on the upper side of the income range today.