Adding new drivers to the already overfilled job pool
#21
08-02-2009, 10:34 AM
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: The other side of the coin
Posts: 9,368
This was sent to me after he got wind that his report was being discussed on another site:
Tony (revvassago)
A couple of friends I have in the trucking industry pointed me in the direction of the message board you are writing on. It seems like you have an ax to grind with me, but you won't respond to me. That's fine. I tried to join the trucking board you are posting on so I can give my side of the story, but it says an administrator has to clear me first. I'll wait for that. In the meantime, I'm hoping you'll post this message along with the others I sent you. Again, my original story is on TRUCKING SCHOOLS. If I am assigned to do a story on the TRUCKING INDUSTRY, I will mention how small mom and pop truck businesses are closing. I will also mention how trucking capacity has been slowed down by economic factors. Everything you wrote to me in your e-mail slamming me will be brought up if I am assigned to do a story on the TRUCKING INDUSTRY. You assume I don't know anything about trucking, so I'll assume you don't know anything about broadcast news and the limitations we have on time for stories. I'll explain. I was assigned a story on the increasing enrollment for trucking schools. I have 90 seconds to do that story on the news. If I was given 10 minutes (like in network television), I would've had more time to get into the facts you are talking about. However, in local news, we are given 1 minute, 30 seconds, for each of our stories. Since my assignment was on TRUCKING SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, I didn't have the time to get into the ENTIRE TRUCKING INDUSTRY. I hope you post this message so you and others can get a clearer picture of what my assignment was, and what the story was about. Also, if you know of any better resources I should use when I do a story on the ENTIRE TRUCKING INDUSTRY, please e-mail them to me so I can get in touch with them. My uncle drives for Swift, my brother in-law drives for Express Freight out of Chattanooga, TN, and I have a couple of friends who do local driving back home in NY. I was in touch with some of them about trucking schools, and they both told me they're hearing about a lot of people trying to get their CDL's because of the economy. The story I did is true. It might not be the story you wanted to hear, and it might not be a story you like, but that doesn't mean I didn't do any research on it or that I'm ignoring what you're saying. Again, if you want to see a story on the TRUCKING INDUSTRY, get in touch with me and tell me who who you think I should call instead of anonymously slamming me on some message board. Alex Cabrero Reporter KSL News
#22
08-02-2009, 10:35 AM
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: The other side of the coin
Posts: 9,368
And, my response:
Alex,
My reason for not responding was not because I was ignoring you, but rather I was working. Having started my day just outside of New York city, I now find myself in southern North Carolina. Such are the limitations when it comes to driving a truck, and I apologize for giving you the impression that I was ignoring you. Furthermore, I have no axe to grind with you, but rather with some of the information that you presented in your report. You've stated several times that you were assigned with reporting on the increases in enrollment in trucking schools, but in your report, you gave some incorrect information about the trucking industry. In your report, you said, "Many people who have lost their jobs are finding a new career in an industry still looking for workers: trucking." This is completely untrue. Many veteran drivers are finding it nearly impossible to obtain employment, as well as new drivers who are going through these schools. As I stated in my initial email to you, over 3000 trucking companies went out of business last year alone. That's tens of thousands of drivers out of work, many of which are finding it impossible to find new jobs. In fact, there have been several reports recently that the supposed "driver shortage" that has plagued this industry no longer exists. Trucking capacity is at an all time high in relation to demand. There are too many trucks for the amount of available freight. For those going through school who are actually able to find a job, they will find that the demand for their services is limited. In your report, you state, "There is also a constant demand for truck drivers." Again, this is untrue. Turnover rates for the largest trucking companies in the country have dropped in half from just a year ago. Current drivers have wised up, and are not jumping from job to job the way they used to. The reason being, the ability to find another driving job easily is just no longer there. Trucking companies have scaled back their advertising to virtually nothing. Many who are still advertising and taking applications aren't currently hiring, but rather are "pooling" applications for the anticipated turnaround in 2010. The jobs these people are training for today won't even exist for another year, at best. Whoever told you that the drivers attending Roadmaster Driving School already have jobs lined up prior to attending was either misinformed or lying. There was a time when one could attend driving school, and secure a driving position upon completion, but those days are even gone. And lastly, you state, "Depending on the number of miles driven, truck drivers can earn $40,000 to $60,000 a year to start." Another untrue statement. A new driver can expect to earn between $25,000 and $35,000 per year starting out. A veteran driver may, after many years in the industry, earn approximately $50,000 per year, but even those jobs are rare. Statements such as these give those watching your report a false sense of the industry. If I were unemployed and watching this news report, I would walk away with the belief that jobs in trucking are plentiful and high paying, simply based upon your statements in the report. But the truth is far dimmer. Your report on trucking schools contained some very misleading information on the trucking industry. And that is what I am taking issue with. Tony
#23
08-02-2009, 10:49 AM
Board Regular
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: In the back of your mind
Posts: 421
Excellent job Rev!
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#24
08-02-2009, 10:55 AM
The statement about all of the students having jobs lined up is laughable.
What they might have is a conditional pre-hire with one of the mega-carriers. It will suck to be them when they get out of school and find out that their application and conditional pre-hire is on hold until the economy improves. I believe it was Evan Lockridge (sp?) on the Sirius trucking channel who reported that compared to last year at this time, 40% of the trucks in the country are no longer on the road. Not a good sign for anyone new trying to enter the industry. These schools and this reporter should be ashamed of themselves for giving people who are down on their luck such a false sense of hope.
#25
08-02-2009, 02:12 PM
Here is MY reply to this "so called" journalist:
Mr. Cabrero: I am known as GolfHobo on the Class A Drivers forum. I assume you have the link to the thread under discussion. The Rev is my antithesis, but I try to give him credit when it is due (which is quite often!) You see... we ALREADY have some really smart people in this industry (and MANY on our forum.) You should consider yourself "honored" that he took the time to discuss your report with you...AND us! I "understand" your defense of your position. Just an "assignment" after all. But, I have to agree with what he said about your "research." Understanding that you ONLY had 90 seconds to make your point, you COULD have found time for a little "reality." I'm a Democrat, in FAVOR of the economic stimulus package, and WANTING to see evidence that the job market is improving. But, I am strongly opposed to blowing smoke up the skirts of Americans who are dealing with layoffs and career decisions. I HAVE to wonder WHERE your assignment came from, and what was THEIR motivation. I got MY CDL through the WIA program about 4 years ago. It HAS changed my life! But, I could not condone unlimited expense of government money to retrain workers into the trucking industry under the current economic reality. Tony (we call him the Rev) is right about the BACKLOG of drivers who have gone through these schools, but can't find JOBS! He's right about the number of carriers who've closed their doors and put drivers out of work.... I'm ONE of them. I HAVE a job now, thanks to a friend AND my 3 years of experience. He's ALSO right about the fact that ALL schools promise "pre hirement" when no such thing really exists! I was "pre-hired" before spending WIA funds for school, ONLY to find out that it fell through. I was lucky to find a smaller company that would hire me, and I made about $35k my first year. That is the industry standard! Actually.... it may be a bit HIGH based on what I've heard from others on CAD who went with MEGA-Carriers who treat them like the "equipment" they drive! I have a saying that "trucking is NOT for Wusses!" That has many meanings, but ONE of them is that the MBA types will NOT find this industry anything LIKE what they are used to. It takes a special type of man OR woman to deal with the B.S. involved in this career field. YOUR report said NOTHING about how hard this life is! I understand your distinction between SCHOOLS and JOBS. But, what does it serve anyone if SCHOOL enrollment is up, and jobs are not? This applies (as you mentioned) to medical schools and even MBA programs. And I would THINK to Journalism as a career path... except that "blogging" is an unlimited source of employment. YOU are a "journalist," and as such, are required to tell the whole story...to get your FACTS straight.... and to "report" the TRUTH. Yes, it is TRUE that driver school employment is at an all-time high.... but, that is only PART of the story! Apparently, the ONLY part of the story that you were "spoon fed." The fact that you ONLY had 90 seconds to tell your "story," does NOT mean that you didn't have a day or two to research it properly.... or to REPORT it responsibly! And, in THAT regard.... you FAILED. FYI.... I TOOK journalism courses in school, and I KNOW a bit about what you do. I also know how the industry has declined. It is up to YOU to decide what type of "journalist" you want to be. I don't think I could DO your job under the current circumstances! But... neither could you do MINE! Oh sure.... you included the "personal interest" aspect of the guy out of work who needed to feed his family, and would "deign" to drive a truck if that was all that was left for him to do.... but, where is your reportage about the thousands who spent their last dime to go to CDL school and nothing CAME of it? Your application to join our forum is a mere formality, and I'm sure you will be approved. So, PLEASE join into this conversation and let us know what you are thinking. Or is there a bigger story about Michael Jackson lurking on the horizon? Hobo
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Remember... friends are few and far between. TRUCKIN' AIN'T FOR WUSSES!!! "I am willing to admit that I was wrong." The Rev.
#26
08-02-2009, 02:25 PM
In my email to Alex Cabrero, I listed training companies, and the restrictions they post, for the ones that post them. Also, listed a few companies, like Schnieder, that no longer trains new drivers. I have not heard back from him, but in answer to his statement about doing a piece on the trucking schools, it is misleading by not being complete, and therefore a dis-service to the public that is looking for hope. Rather like the people, a couple of years ago, that went to the tent city in Carson, NV, hoping to get a job in the casinos, only to find that they were not hiring. People are already trying to cope with a financial burden, and adding driving school costs to it, without getting a job, is not helping them at all. In a court of law, leaving out information in a manner that misleads the jury is considered lying under oathe. The same should also be true for the press and new media.
Part of my email to Alex:
"There is also a constant demand for truck drivers."
May we call this a misprint? While there is "constantly a demand for truck drivers", that demand is by no means constant. The demand varies from one period to the next. Just five years ago, companies were looking for nearly anyone they could get. Today, the requirements have tightened up because of the flood of drivers available. Only a year ago, Werner would accept a DUI if it was more than three years old. Today, it's no DUI... EVER. And, Werner is not the only one. Look at the requirements from a few years ago, and look at them today. Many of the students go into school without being told that things from their past will work against them. Drug charges will make it nearly impossible to find a job. With a DUI, they may as well not waste their money or they'll find that they owe thousands for school and can't find anyone to hire them. Any kind of speeding tickets may put them out of the game before they ever start. In my search, companies that still offer finish training to new drivers. FFE requires: DWI restriction - 5 years ago Moving violation restriction - 4 in the last 3 years (speeding tickets) Preventable accident restriction - 2 in the last 3 years Felony restriction - 10 years ago. May Trucking requires: DWI restriction - 5 years ago Moving violation restriction - 3 in the last 3 years Preventable accidents - 1 in the last three years Felony restriction - 5 years ago. Millis Transfer requires: DWI restriction - 5 years ago Moving violation restriction - 3 in the last 3 years Preventable accidents - 2 in the last 3 years Felony restriction - Less than 1 year ago. Prime Inc requires: DWI restriction - 3 years ago Moving violation restriction - 4 in the last three years Preventable accidents restriction - 4 in the last 3 years. Felony restriction - 7 years ago. Star Transportation requires: DWI restriction - NONE EVER Moving violation restriction - 3 in the last 3 years Preventable accident restriction - 4 in the last 3 years Felony restriction - NONE EVER Watkins Shepard Trucking requires: DWI restriction - 10 years old Moving violation restriction - 2 in the last 3 years Preventable accidents - 1 in the last 3 years Felony restriction - OLD. Conway Truckload has a training program, but NO DUI OR FELONY, EVER C R England - No listing of restrictions Swift - No listing of restrictions. But, we've had people come onto the forum asking help because Swift discharged them for the smallest of excuses. Roehl - I understand they still train, but will discharge a driver with very little reason and make it difficult to find another job.
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( R E T I R E D , and glad of it)
YES ! ! ! There is life after trucking. a GOOD life
#27
08-02-2009, 02:34 PM
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: The other side of the coin
Posts: 9,368
For the record, the forum that he is speaking of in his responses to me is not CAD. I have, however, given him a link to this forum, and will approve him immediately upon his registering. Mr. Cabrero has also expressed an interest in doing a story about the very issues we are raising.
#28
08-02-2009, 03:04 PM
If his story was about truck driving schools why did he include misleading information concerning starting wages? Seems to me he should have left that info out if it was strictly concerning the schools. The article sounds like an advertisement for Roadmasters. I wonder if Roadmasters advertises on channel 5 or an affiliate?
__________________
( R E T I R E D , and glad of it)
YES ! ! ! There is life after trucking. a GOOD life
#29
08-02-2009, 03:13 PM
That reporter seemed very catty in his first response,seems he doesnt like anyone questioning his work under any circumstances. And like was said above,the line about only accepting students that already have jobs lined up is laughable. I say good work Rev. That is a very misleading piece of journalism for anyone without a job looking for that last straw golden opportunity to get back on top. Jobless people on the verge of losing it all will turn their heads quick to see anything that is holding $40k-$60K a year in front of their faces for going to school for 3 weeks.
#30
08-02-2009, 03:15 PM
For the record, the forum that he is speaking of in his responses to me is not CAD. I have, however, given him a link to this forum, and will approve him immediately upon his registering. Mr. Cabrero has also expressed an interest in doing a story about the very issues we are raising.
No, I will not be hostile toward him and try to drive him off. At least, I don't think I will... Unless he refuses to print the other side of the story... We need a "smiley" of an Indian with war-paint...:smokin::smokin:
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YES ! ! ! There is life after trucking. a GOOD life |
