Shortage of truck drivers over 100,000
Interesting story, and shows how our population has a big chunk of people that are now retiring.
Link to R euters story: http://www.*******.com/article/2012/...87906Z20120810Jobs in construction paid an average of about $45,000 last year, and electrician salaries averaged $53,000, compared with about $40,000 for heavy- and tractor-trailer truck drivers, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Average driver salaries, based on government data, rose 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent annually over the past three years.
Keeping enough drivers on the road is critical for the industry, which moves about two-thirds of all freight in the United States. But a shortage of drivers, already approaching 100,000 truckers, is deepening even with U.S. unemployment over 8 percent.
By the end of next year, the shortage could more than double to 250,000, according to Noel Perry, principal of research firm Transport Fundamentals in Cornwall, Pennsylvania.
Just remember to replace the stars with R E U T E R S
Well if the major carriers paids drivers better they would attact more and increase retention.
With most of the big carriers now new drivers gtfo of the industry as soon as their contract is up. The pay is too low and they charge all sorts of hidden fees.
Anybody who sticks around has some kind of edge. Owner-operator, heavy-haul, specialty goods, etc. Company-driver for dispatched freight? No way. That's a sucker's job.
being a truck driver sucks, owner or not.
very hazardous for ones health.
The biggest problem is the minority of drivers who are tweakers. They encourage the criminal element at truckstops/rest areas. City planners shoving all the truck services of metro areas into the ghetto doesn't help either.Originally Posted by Stasi
Other than that, it's perfectly safe.
which pay, the 40K or is it normally lower? Because getting paid 40K to drive a truck is not bad at all. Mind you, you could get paid way more if you own your own truck and obtain contracts, but 40K a year isn't bad and I can imagine in some states it is very good (well, comparing housing costs, etc). Truck drivers pay depends on the job and how far you go, etc. At where I work, the truck drivers that drop off freight have to help unload the truck, and they get paid only if they arrive at the specific time they are given. But the pay ends up being real good in the end (especially if they do not hire a helping hand to unload the trailer).
$40k is the average and the trucking industry is diverse. There is a very large disparity between different groups. The owner-ops and specialty guys make pretty good money ($60k and up). Everyone else (the types of drivers lacking in the US) is lucky to make $30k.
The company drivers hauling no-touch freight and/or intermodal containers are the lowest paid. The linehaul is low to begin with then pile on the dispatching/safety overhead, fleet maintenance, and deadhead miles and there isn't anything left for the drivers.
Here's some numbers:
Figure a company pays a driver $0.29/mile. Working with 70-hour every 8 days HOS rule, figure 8.75 hours of work each day. 15 minutes have to go for Pre/post trip inspections. Another 15-30 minutes for fuel/cleaning the windows/faxing paperwork. That gives roughly 8 hours per day for driving. The trucks are governed at 62 mph. So 500 miles per day.
That means the driver will make $145 per day. Or $53k a year if the guy drove every single day 500 miles. That's the highest he can make. In reality, he'd be lucky to get half that because there is little to no tonnage for half the year and there will be many days on the road where he will have to sit and wait (unpaid) for an order.
good information, chiptox. A very good example.
actually truckers experience problems such as severe back pains, hemorrhoids, obesity, sleep apnea, lung problems due to heavy smoking and diesel exhaust, they become diabetic, kidney stones, high blood pressure. And the list goes on. Truck driving force is accountable for 15% of US work relate deaths.
I find it OK to work the truck for a year or two, while preferably one is still young, but to chose it as a lifetime profession is just not very smart.
On the other hand there are some strong in health people, who drive a truck their whole lives without much complications. But they are a minority.
No, that's not taking care of yourself. Chain smoking for 11 hours a day cannot honestly be blamed on the profession. Likewise diabetes and other health issues. They eat like crap because they don't bother to buy nutritious food. Their back hurts because they are fat. etc.
Btw, I've been driving OTR hauling household goods for 8 years. I know what I'm talking about.
Pretty much this. My uncle and aunt sold their truck stop of 30+ years and bought a semi for long haul. They did that a couple of years before uncle received one hell of a hemeroid (lol). Prior to going into it though, he was unhealthy with an unhealthy diet.
If you know you are going to be sitting for many hours a day and going long distances, best to go to the gym often (or go out for more walks, etc) and eat healthier. Truck stop food can be real good but real dangerous to the health (the stuff my Aunty would cook was so good but so bad for you). I mean, it is delicious to eat 2x6oz burger patty with lettus, tomatoes, fried egg, bacon smothered in mayo, but I can imagine what it does to these truckers who sit all day.
That being said, in todays economic climate, there is little room to complain. A lot are without jobs, and even if these jobs do not pay the best, it is better than nothing.
you're right about taking care of health part, but I also speak from experience, since I have several family members and some friends who drive OTR as well.
they do not like it, and only do this because they have no other job opportunities and still get health complications even while trying to minimize the pressure on health.
but I guess everyone is different.
also, to sepheronx, working out is quite unrealistic, if you are a full time employee, maybe once a week tops - simply not enough energy. they rather go to the the bar or something.
GO TO THE BAR?!?!? Are you kidding?
That's pretty much the worst thing you can do if you have to drive a full day the next day next to smoking crack with lot lizards. No offence, but your trucking family members/friends sound like they have their priorities all ****ed up.
OTR is a round-the-clock job and every minute you are on the road should be geared towards doing the work. Pounding beers at the corner tavern shouldn't be part of it at all. At the end of the day I eat some food, do paperwork, read a book/surf the net (if I have time), then rack out. The morning is when you get your excercise in. Get those endorphines going and become fully awake before you get behind the wheel. You gotta take 10 hours off to reset your daily HOS anyways so time for a morning jog is very doable.
[QUOTE=Chiptox;6313784]...The trucks are governed at 62 mph. So 500 miles per day.
....QUOTE]
Yet I'm doing 75 and the trucks are passing me?
[QUOTE=West Texican;6314870]Call the cops.
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