Quote:
Originally Posted by Copperhead
I am starting to see a little upshift in driver demand, though this is going to be a slow process. I sense, from reading a lot of industry publications and watching the government mucking up the system with various moves, that any increased demand will be for O/O first before any real upsurge in company drivers. Driver experience/quality being equal, it is easier to bring on O/O than company drivers. With company drivers, you have to invest in equipment and have the tax and benefits issues to deal with. A lot of companies are not really ready to invest in equipment, and with the threat of ObamaCare, Cap & Trade environmental legislation, etc looming on the horizon, it is less risky to meet any increased demand by using O/O until the demand is more stable, then they will consider buying equipment and bringing on more company drivers. If timed right, it may be a good thing for someone considering getting a truck of their own, but the risk is greater than in the past. But, if timed right, it may turn out to be a real good thing. No one knows at this point. Kinda like trying to get in on that buying that stock that is poised to go thru the roof. It could tank and you lose all your investment.
Demand is slowly coming back. I am running my log book into the ground. But freight isn't stable yet.
You make a good point. However lots of these big companies have equipment parked. They will hire company drivers first to get a return on that capital investment before turning to OO's in my opinion.