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.

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).

 

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.

 

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 :roll: )

 

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.

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

 

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..... :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

:? :? :?

 

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

 

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.

 

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.