If you’re like many drivers, you are constantly on the lookout for better driving opportunities. Maybe you want to stay closer to home for your family, or maybe your spouse has joined you and you’re looking for team options. Perhaps you are just tired of your driver manager and you are seeking a different carrier.
Whatever your situation is today, be careful before you leave, as the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the proverbial fence. In fact, the trucking industry today has experienced changes related to the economic conditions that make it more important for you to stay where you are now.
In the past, some recruiters often joked about the mirror test…if a driver could fog a mirror, they were hired. Unfortunately, this led to the view that drivers were “a dime a dozen” and could be treated as if they were easily replaceable. Fortunately, this economic environment has created a need for a more professional relationship between drivers and carriers.
With the legislative changes effective this summer, the percentage of highly qualified individuals could be reduced, and those with spotless driving records will rise to the top. Those who have frequently changed jobs, have too many violations or have little experience over the road will find it more difficult to change carriers.
However, while turnover is at its lowest point in years, that will change in the coming months. “As long as the driver’s [pay]check clears the bank and he gets miles, he’s staying put right now,” said Brian Thomforde, of Truckdriver.com, an internet recruiting site. “That will change when the economy gets better and the drivers are back ‘in the driver’s seat; again,” he added. This will lead to drivers checking out the grass on the other side of the fence!
According to the American Trucking Associations, driver turnover at large truckload carriers reached an all time low in the third quarter of 2009 of 43 percent and remained close to that figure (44 percent) during the final quarter of the year. This means that less than half of a typical fleet has left the company in a year. This is down from a truckload turnover rate of 136 percent in 2005 when fleets had a difficult time keeping their trucks filled with drivers because most of their workforce was switching carriers while looking for that greener grass.
Now that turnover is down and capacity is down, you should feel that your ability to drive a tractor-trailer is appreciated and valued, because it is. Your safe driving record is going to become more valuable soon. However, you should also have that same appreciation for your carrier, as they are dealing with changes that affect them too.
A recent report from Transport Capitol Partners states that one in four carriers are considering leaving the industry. This means that your company may not exist in the coming year. They could be struggling and looking for a way out of the recession by selling out to a competitor.
The truck you’re driving today could be a different color in the near future. So, if you are not happy right now, you might want to wait and see if things change for the better at your present company. You might have better opportunities with a change in ownership that you don’t have now. This is especially true if you work for a smaller carrier that could be acquired by a bigger company this year.
Presently, according to Marge Bailey of DriverFinder.net, “Many displaced drivers from smaller carriers who have lost their jobs because their carriers have closed or have reduced their driving fleet seem to have a more difficult time meeting the qualifications of the larger carriers.”
The grass in the lot at the next carrier may not be as green as the one you’re on now.
If you’re looking around for a “better” company, don’t make a quick decision to leave the one you’re with now. They’re trying to adjust to the economy, legislation, fuel prices and driver’s needs. There will be many changes in the coming months that will affect your job and your company, so you might want to consider staying on your side of the fence for now, it might be the greenest spot around!
When trucking co’s.start to show respect for truckers,train dispatchers,fleet managers with higher intregrity,paying detention,layover and on board computer dispatch problems are acknowledged and a host of other problems in the industry,driver retention will increase, Shame on their attitudes toward truckers. They are the only ones in the industry who get an above average salary along with perks.I have had to quit 2 jobs due to family emergency’s. So it angers these company’s and they advice dac and potiential co’s of company violation. usually a service failure, So no one will hire us. We have no recourse to adjust the truth. Complain of the shortage of drivers they will,but they need to look in the mirror and quit thinking about the 1 or 2 cents per mile they get from the drivers mileage.This better than thou attitude has to change.
I read many articles on the web abd paper with their upcoming changes,These hot shot are no different than the politions thru out the country. Their concerns amount to a self seving agenda. Bottom line is they all lie.I would say there is less then .5 percent good managers and dispatchers. Observing how many rotten truck drivers and new drivers coming out of these quick pop out schools will not benefit trucking co’s or the motoring public
Well said!
I found myself nodndig my noggin all the way through.
It’s really great that people are sharing this inforamtion.
I agree with you Will, being a truck driver for over 26 years I have seen a lot of changes. But what really angers me, is DAC, i.e. USIS, i.e. HireRight, these so called back ground check companies will accept any information a trucking company will give them about a driver that stood up to the trucking company, about any issue, from not being paid for sevices, i.e. unloading, detetion, mileage, to the way that these so called driver managers, load planners, and dispaters treat them. Because the trucking company is a paying subscriber for thier (HireRight) services. The best thing to do is to try and get on with a LTL carrier that dosen’t use services like Hire Right, one that will listen to your side of the story. These truck load carriers are full of it, they blow smoke up you to get you to oreintation, once your’er there they feel they have you. You might get the miles for a month, or two, or never go home , they will love you then. But a have a family emergency, or upset them in anyway, and watch what happens. Good luck to you Will, I hope evrything work out for you.
Never would have thunk I would find this so indsipnesbale.
The genius store called, they’re rnuning out of you.
Your wesibte has to be the electronic Swiss army knife for this topic.
A minute saved is a minute enaerd, and this saved hours!
nice information regarding employees…..thanx for sharing……….
Yo, that’s what’s up tutrhfully.
Heck of a job there, it absoltluey helps me out.
Fell out of bed feeling down. This has brgitheend my day!
I need a job. Company standards/ Insurance standards force new drivers to go to a hand full of companies that benefit greatly from these people to gain OTR experience.. Totally unfair. I left Werner because my TRAINER was deficating in a 5 gallon bucket on a daily basis and I had to live with the ritual for a week. Didn’t do it for the first two weeks. Wasn’t going to spend the next 3 to 4 months this way. Not to mention only getting per dium payon a daily basis. Trainer got all the miles pay, unloads pay, I didn’t get road time til after the last stop each day.
Honored military servicemen & women please listen carefully to what I offer you today. Please do not waste your time getting on with trucking companies who claim they respect your service, all these companies want is a warm body in their truck moving their loads. They will promise you everything, but what you will get is 2000-2500 miles a week. You will make $ 250.00 to $350.00 a week, this will go on for two years. Folks this not gauranteed income. When you are not moving you will not be paid. e.g, 28 cpm for 100 miles=$ 28.00 for 2 hours driving, impressive thats $ 14.00 per hour, you can possibly drive 10 hours daily =$ 14.00×10= $140.00 per day x 6 days= $840.00 a week. When you sit at adock for 3 hrs you get nothing. when you break down on the road you get nothing. Schneider trans. is the worst. you’ll be home 2 days month.
Excellent post! Keep up the sweet work!
On behalf of Schneider I must say Mike is respectfully full of B.S.! Schneider is a great company to drive for. Did you have that attitude with your DBL? You need CRST!!!
First of all, thank all of you for sharing your thoughts on a subject matter that has troubled me for 18 yrs. of driving. What is wrong with these companies that think they treat you like dirt ??? Management including dispatchers most times have no clue what they are doing or do they even care. Their jobs are challenging I realize that; BUT! DO NOT disrespect, punish, the people that is on your TEAM- your drivers. We have our issues on the road i.e.. traffic, weather conditions, lot lizards etc.. to deal with. WE ARE A TEAM start treating them like we are part of that team also. Good Luck & God Bless all of you