simpsontruckdriver
Guest
It's been in the news constantly, there is a trucker shortage! Facts are, there is NOT a shortage of drivers. Instead, it's a shortage of drivers willing to be paid less than $0.53/mile. In 2004, I had 365 days of experience as a truck driver, I moved from Werner Enterprises (aka slave-driver, they paid the least while worked the most) to Shaffer Trucking (aka Crete Carriers). I went from $0.30/mile to $0.36/mile. In 2021 money, that is $0.52/mile! Training carriers like CRST, Werner Enterprises, CR England, etc are screaming that they need drivers, so they got the American Trucking Association to petition Congress to allow 18-20 year old kids to drive nationwide AND to allow drivers who only have a temporary CDL permit to drive without a trainer in the passenger seat. All so they can pay drivers so little, which also saves shippers (distribution centers, factories, etc) money. As a side note, I was delivering a trailer full of Sparkling Ice to a distributor in Deerfield Beach FL the other day. I talked with one of the receiving managers, he said they ordered a trailer full of product 2 months ago, the broker who they are working with can't find a truck (who is willing to be paid low wages) to bring it down. I told him we have plenty of drivers who can haul it, but obviously we charge more. I drive for Heartland Express, I make real good money regardless of miles, inexpensive benefits, and I am home every weekend.
So, any time you hear "trucker shortage", know that it is a shortage of drivers willing to be paid little. Or, it is like a person with experience in cashier/restaurant, they have a choice of $12/hour at one or $16/hour at another, both with 40 hour work-weeks and benefits.
TS
So, any time you hear "trucker shortage", know that it is a shortage of drivers willing to be paid little. Or, it is like a person with experience in cashier/restaurant, they have a choice of $12/hour at one or $16/hour at another, both with 40 hour work-weeks and benefits.
TS