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Posted: 4/27/2016 6:51:49 AM EST
Been reading a few articles about the need for and lack of pro truck drivers.

Why is this?

Low pay?
Horrible long hours?
Too difficult to get into?
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 6:52:49 AM EST
[#1]
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 6:53:58 AM EST
[#2]
Regulated to death.



Our government at work.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 6:54:48 AM EST
[#3]
Hellifiknow
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 6:55:23 AM EST
[#4]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.
View Quote


Me no sabe.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 6:58:10 AM EST
[#5]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Me no sabe.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.


Me no sabe.


It's genetic...
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 6:58:29 AM EST
[#6]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Regulated to death.

Our government at work.
View Quote


The limitations on hours per day seems to have screwed their ability to make decent money, and get back home.

I dont want them behind the wheel 16 hours a day either , but having them spend more time in truck stops watching porn and playing video poker than actually driving doesnt make much sense.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:00:51 AM EST
[#7]
Gov. regs

Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:00:52 AM EST
[#8]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


The limitations on hours per day seems to have screwed their ability to make decent money, and get back home.

I dont want them behind the wheel 16 hours a day either , but having them spend more time in truck stops watching porn and playing video poker than actually driving doesnt make much sense.
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Regulated to death.

Our government at work.


The limitations on hours per day seems to have screwed their ability to make decent money, and get back home.

I dont want them behind the wheel 16 hours a day either , but having them spend more time in truck stops watching porn and playing video poker than actually driving doesnt make much sense.


Pffft, nothing a little cocaine or crystal meth can't fix!
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:01:17 AM EST
[#9]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.
View Quote




Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people. I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like that to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought. What do you think? Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:01:24 AM EST
[#10]
Less significant though still an issue is consistently passing the drug screening.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:01:28 AM EST
[#11]
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:02:14 AM EST
[#12]
Electronic log books killed their chances to cook the books and make bank, since it's not a lucrative profession nobody wants in.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:03:12 AM EST
[#13]
Did a ridealong with my brother once.  Damn did that suck.  I have lots of reasons why I wouldn't be a truck driver.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:04:49 AM EST
[#14]
Long hours , low pay , heavy levels of government harassment on a local and federal level . The only real money in trucking is to do specialty work haul odd loads etc.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:07:48 AM EST
[#15]
More lot lizards for me.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:08:21 AM EST
[#16]
Paving the way for driverless trucks. Go Google!
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:10:06 AM EST
[#17]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:




Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people. I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like that to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought. What do you think? Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.




Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people. I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like that to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought. What do you think? Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.

Uh oh
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:10:33 AM EST
[#18]
It is hard for a whole lot of folks to pass the "Wis Quiz", plus you have a good driving record and show up for work every day.  Where are you going to find folks like that?
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:15:16 AM EST
[#19]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Regulated to death.

Our government at work.
View Quote


This, and it's a lot of work for damn little pay in most instances.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:22:38 AM EST
[#20]
There's an influx of Middle Eastern truck drivers that barely speak English, and will haul for peanuts.

That's why.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:29:58 AM EST
[#21]
Drove for a few years after college, now work in the transportation sales side.

LOTS of reasons, no single one:
Drug testing weeds out over half of applicants, literally half the ones we got.
Strict log and safety guidelines making it hard to make a good daily wage. (You can thank the Teamsters for demanding hours of service restrictions, easy to make a decent daily wage when your union inflates your per hour/mile rate)
Tight credit restrictions by banks making credit for a truck purchase difficult
(and sorry) But the general demographic of drivers that I've met would rather collect welfare than work.
Costs of regulations on vehicles and operations driving down driver wages for new hires, therefore, making it unprofitable for new drivers (combine that with hard to get credit for truck purchase and you get problems).

As a sales guy, its hard to compete in the transportation market.  Labor commodities are difficult to make a decent margin on, so cuts are usually made with the easiest route:  Driver pay.  Congress requires you to have certain equipment, maintenance intervals and inspections, therefore, wages are the first target.

LOTS more west Africans, Indians/Pakistani, etc... who are decent drivers, but face language barriers when given specific instructions (like "back into dock 4") who are willing to work for less.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:30:24 AM EST
[#22]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
There's an influx of Middle Eastern truck drivers that barely speak English, and will haul for peanuts.

That's why.
View Quote

Yep...all over Dayton Ohio...they drive Maserati's and get the government contracts.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:35:15 AM EST
[#23]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

Yep...all over Dayton Ohio...they drive Maserati's and get the government contracts.
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
There's an influx of Middle Eastern truck drivers that barely speak English, and will haul for peanuts.

That's why.

Yep...all over Dayton Ohio...they drive Maserati's and get the government contracts.


Have they replaced the Eastern European/Russian drivers that were all over the place in the early 2000s?
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:38:18 AM EST
[#24]
Mexican drivers are smarter, smell better, able to pass the drug test, work harder and more respected than their US brothers.



































Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:49:00 AM EST
[#25]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:




Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people. I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like that to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought. What do you think? Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.




Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people. I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like that to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought. What do you think? Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.


I don't know whether to , , or

I imagine the job would be fine for a single person... but married?  Oh man... that would be tough.. even if the other half was with you... you'd literally be stuck in the cab of a truck together at all times.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:49:03 AM EST
[#26]
Low pay, shitty hours, and pencil whipped to death with regulations.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:49:53 AM EST
[#27]
Druck Tess.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:51:12 AM EST
[#28]
they only hire idiots that camp the left lane going uphill and takes 10 miles to pass another on the right side
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:52:57 AM EST
[#29]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:




Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people. I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like that to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought. What do you think? Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.




Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people. I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like that to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought. What do you think? Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.



I figured
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:54:59 AM EST
[#30]
What makes a truck driver professional lol?
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:55:12 AM EST
[#31]
I don't think many in gd could be a otr driver because of alcoholism, multiple bowel movements during the day, constant validation on the Internet addiction , weakness for strange women and relationship paranoia
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 7:59:43 AM EST
[#32]

Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:00:10 AM EST
[#33]
Sleep apnea
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:00:41 AM EST
[#34]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Have they replaced the Eastern European/Russian drivers that were all over the place in the early 2000s?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
There's an influx of Middle Eastern truck drivers that barely speak English, and will haul for peanuts.

That's why.

Yep...all over Dayton Ohio...they drive Maserati's and get the government contracts.


Have they replaced the Eastern European/Russian drivers that were all over the place in the early 2000s?


Fuck no.  I deal with those idiots and their broken ass trucks all the time.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:01:49 AM EST
[#35]
1. Govt regulations.
2. Most OTR companies are extremely shitty to work for. This includes but not limited to:
- mileage pay (not including 'out of route miles', only paying loaded miles. Etc.)
- taking a % of the FSC away from the driver.
- gross % of the load pay. ( companies skim from the top )
- sucking drivers into truck leases from the company. Or truck purchases via the company. So you get an old, out of date, broken truck at the end of 5+ years.
- mandating new equipment (3-5 years old at signing max.) Thus sucking the driver into more debt.

I can go on. I employ 6 individuals that I consider OTR drivers. They get paid hourly. If they're sitting waiting to get loaded, or unloaded. They get paid. If they're driving, they get paid. If they're sitting in traffic, they get paid.

All the guys I employ came from the previous situations above. They all can't believe how nice it is to get a consistent pay check. And not have to rush, or hurry, etc. Sure, it costs me a bit more money. But they will also do whatever I need, when I need it done. At the end, I'd rather pay more for a good, loyal, employee.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:03:28 AM EST
[#36]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.
View Quote


So....... you are aware?

Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:12:42 AM EST
[#37]
Not a knock on anyone that does it.... but to hell with all that driving. I could not do it. Have a friend that goes all over the US and sometimes it seems like fun but most of the time it seems regulated to hell, sitting and waiting to offload or pick up loads. Dealing with traffic, I would turn my truck into a killdozer in about a day.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:17:53 AM EST
[#38]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.
View Quote

Well played.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:19:09 AM EST
[#39]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Paving the way for driverless trucks  foreign drivers. Go Google!  
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FIFY

Mexican truckers.  Just hauling the freight Americans won't.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:30:23 AM EST
[#40]
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:30:47 AM EST
[#41]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

Uh oh
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.




Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people. I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like that to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought. What do you think? Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.

Uh oh



Now ya went an done it.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:31:44 AM EST
[#42]
I have a cousin that owns a trucking company, he can't get enough people to apply to drive, and most of the people that do can't pass a drug test.



He was tired of it, went to sell the company and some how ended up owning two more trucking companies on top of the first one. Sounds like nobody wants a part of that industry now.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:35:35 AM EST
[#43]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


1. Govt regulations.

2. Most OTR companies are extremely shitty to work for. This includes but not limited to:

- mileage pay (not including 'out of route miles', only paying loaded miles. Etc.)

- taking a % of the FSC away from the driver.

- gross % of the load pay. ( companies skim from the top )

- sucking drivers into truck leases from the company. Or truck purchases via the company. So you get an old, out of date, broken truck at the end of 5+ years.

- mandating new equipment (3-5 years old at signing max.) Thus sucking the driver into more debt.



I can go on. I employ 6 individuals that I consider OTR drivers. They get paid hourly. If they're sitting waiting to get loaded, or unloaded. They get paid. If they're driving, they get paid. If they're sitting in traffic, they get paid.



All the guys I employ came from the previous situations above. They all can't believe how nice it is to get a consistent pay check. And not have to rush, or hurry, etc. Sure, it costs me a bit more money. But they will also do whatever I need, when I need it done. At the end, I'd rather pay more for a good, loyal, employee.
View Quote




 
That's fucking crazy. You pay a little more, offer better employment terms, and end up with harder working and loyal employees?




Seriously man, ARFcom's "everyone's a worthless turd in the employment market" complainers would cough up their pop tarts if they read that.




You know, that's crazy talk, right?
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:38:10 AM EST
[#44]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
1. Govt regulations.
2. Most OTR companies are extremely shitty to work for. This includes but not limited to:
- mileage pay (not including 'out of route miles', only paying loaded miles. Etc.)
- taking a % of the FSC away from the driver.
- gross % of the load pay. ( companies skim from the top )
- sucking drivers into truck leases from the company. Or truck purchases via the company. So you get an old, out of date, broken truck at the end of 5+ years.
- mandating new equipment (3-5 years old at signing max.) Thus sucking the driver into more debt.

I can go on. I employ 6 individuals that I consider OTR drivers. They get paid hourly. If they're sitting waiting to get loaded, or unloaded. They get paid. If they're driving, they get paid. If they're sitting in traffic, they get paid.

All the guys I employ came from the previous situations above. They all can't believe how nice it is to get a consistent pay check. And not have to rush, or hurry, etc. Sure, it costs me a bit more money. But they will also do whatever I need, when I need it done. At the end, I'd rather pay more for a good, loyal, employee.
View Quote

Imagine that.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:38:35 AM EST
[#45]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:




Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people. I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like that to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought. What do you think? Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
'cause their Mom's have bad knees.




Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people. I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like that to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought. What do you think? Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.




Your e-penis is fucking HUGE
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:38:37 AM EST
[#46]
Because as jobs go, it a decent way to make a fair amount money.

As careers go, it's a fucking dead end.

I left after 10 years and found myself a career.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:42:14 AM EST
[#47]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Regulated to death.



Our government at work.

View Quote
Yup.

 



You have to buy a new truck with government emissions systems that will put you down five times a year, and cost tens of thousands to fix until it blows an engine and bankrupts you.




Constant harassment by DOT.




Also Dispatchers that screw you over and leave you sitting unloaded for two days at a time, or run you ragged chasing impossible schedules.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:44:25 AM EST
[#48]
Dead end career. 18-wheelers will be automated in 10-15 years.

Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:51:18 AM EST
[#49]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Dead end career. 18-wheelers will be automated in 10-15 years.



http://cdn1.sciencefiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Terminator-Genisys-Terminator-1024x681.jpg
View Quote




Maybe, perhaps, if MIRACULOUS changes happen in distribution networks, you might see point-to-point automation - but you'll NEVER see driverless big-rigs navigating 100% of the routes out there now, our infrastructure, guidance technology, and the all-too-frail human dispatching issues make it impossible.




I'd bet my life's savings that in 20 years, not even 10% of the trucking industry is fully automated.
Link Posted: 4/27/2016 8:53:54 AM EST
[#50]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
It is hard for a whole lot of folks to pass the "Wis Quiz", plus you have a good driving record and show up for work every day.  Where are you going to find folks like that?
View Quote


This is what I'm hearing from two friends who run fleets. They are also hurting for help right now.
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