Being bored sitting behind a computer when I should be out driving, I keep looking at the different sites trying to find a job I could qualify for....with my CDL trashed for 1 more year, I'm still sitting it out.....

However, I'm seeing more and more driving jobs being posted.....now most are requiring a clean CDL with 2 - 5 years experience, but still, more are being posted...

Is it that the economy is getting better?

Or does it have to do with the new regulations my brother is telling me about??

What have you seen in the industry?

I heard our GDP was projected to be over 3%, and the numbers came in below that. Not a whole lot of optimism, as we are basically in a stalled recovery.

Lots of conflicting info out there, and I think some of that is according to where you live. Some areas of the country, (like where I live) the unemployment is about twice the national average. These areas are the first to be effected, and the last to recover. The recession stifled consumer demand, but new jobs are necessary due to demand picking up again, as well as the need to fill in the loss of drivers from retirement, or drivers leaving because of the new regulations, or the usual turn over rate.

There is a genuine increase in demand, but I don't think trucking companies will be rushing to build up their fleet, with so much uncertainty, and after the last few years of rate scalping. With an increase in demand, I'm sure the rates will increase, allowing companies to hire new drivers. The prices of most stuff has increased about 30% in the last year, and it looks like that's going to continue. There has to be a point where companies worry if they can meet the demand, and I think that's where we are at.

It's also possible that insurance companies are being more picky about drivers too. There is also over $1 billion in adjustable rate mortgages getting ready to reset in Jan-Feb. The smart money is expecting a million forclosures from it.

I'm not entirely sure what the job market is like as a whole, but one of the problems I've been running into is that you need experience. Being a driver fresh out of school and who just earned her CDL, it's hard to get a position where they'll trust you to do as you're told and do it well. It can be really frustrating. Then again, I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be to have experience but with a few things wrong.

I hope you're able to find something. I see lots of jobs out there -- so it may very well be the economy picking up. I would think that there would be something for the both of us. Good luck!!!

I know a number of people that are dumping their houses. They're paying a mortgage on $150,000, and the market value is not only $70,000. They're giving them back to the banks to get out from under them. Don't think the banks are liking in any, though.