Numbers of drivers continue to decrease as the labor crisis in the trucking industry worsens. According to payroll data from the U.S. Labor Department, “the trucking sector lost 11,400 jobs month-over-month in September. That’s the largest decrease since April 2009.” With the average age of applicants too close to retirement, and a general lack of over-the-road drivers, there’s no immediate respite for the industry in sight. Read more…
Category Archives: Trucking
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION BRINGS TRUCKING COMMUNITY TOGETHER
With the availability of truck parking being a massive concern for drivers, Secretary Buttigieg spoke directly to truckers on the issue. The American Trucking Associations and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association sent a letter to the Department of Transportation earlier this year “citing that 98% percent of drivers report problems finding safe parking, costing drivers more than 56 minutes of drive-time to find parking. The wasted time is estimated to cause a $5,500 loss in annual compensation – roughly a 12% pay cut.” Read more…
TRUCKING JOBS ARE PLENTIFUL IN NEW YORK
Three counties in New York – Saratoga, Washington, and Warren – are doing all that they can to reverse the truck driver shortage trend and get more drivers behind the wheel. With an aging population of Baby Boomers nearing retirement, there’s an ongoing tri-county effort to promote available jobs for new, younger drivers, including offering to help these applicants with training and covering the costs associated. Read more…
TO RAISE OR NOT TO RAISE TRUCK DRIVER PAY
While the question of truck driver pay has divided drivers and carriers for a while now, Reliance Partners’ Vice President of Safety Brian Runnels “believes it’s a conversation worth having.” While trucking has always followed the model of not making money while wheels aren’t turning, Runnels believes “drivers today desire greater flexibility and aren’t as willing to trek 3,000 miles a week as previous generations did.” Read more…
JOHN LAWSON TRUCKING SCHOOL REOPENS
Newly reopened in a JD Food facility near Fresno, California, the John Lawson trucking school held a ribbon cutting ceremony this past Thursday. Funded by federal dollars through the Fresno Economic Development Corporation, “the school wants to double the number of students” to bring a whole new generation of truckers into the workforce. Read more…
WALMART HIRING TRUCKERS
Though Walmart’s plan of hiring 40,000 new employees ahead of the busy holiday season is lower than last year, holiday season staffing is as strong as ever. Amongst the positions quickly filling up are “approximately 1,500 full-time, permanent truck drivers with starting pay up to $110,000 a year.” Read more…
PENNSYLVANIANS UNCOMFORTABLE SHARING ROAD WITH SELF-DRIVING TRUCKS
According to a RABA research poll, Pennsylvanians aren’t exactly ecstatic about sharing the road with self-driving trucks and other vehicles. When asked how comfortable they are “sharing the road with ‘highly automated, driverless vehicles,’ over half of respondents said they were either ‘somewhat uncomfortable’ or ‘very uncomfortable’ with the idea.” Read more…
TRUCKING FOR KIDS CONVOY EVENT
On Sunday, September 18, the Maine Professional Drivers Association will be holding its 24th annual Trucking for Kids Convoy in “an effort to help Camp Sunshine and Camp POSTCARD raise funds for operations.” Activities will include: a touch-a-truck event, a truck show, a driver competition, raffle items, food, and much more. Read more…
SURVEY SHOWS BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF THE TRUCKING PROFESSION
Last year, during the height of the supply and transport challenges resulting from the pandemic, a survey concluded that 96% of truck drivers felt their job was appreciated, while this year that number has dipped to 67%. Amongst other surveyed questions, “83% of U.S. truck drivers say they experience daily challenges with recent increases in fuel prices, and almost three quarters (74%) say they are concerned about the pressure to work longer hours due to the driver shortage.” Read more…
HIGHEST PAYING TRUCK JOBS IN 2022
While working in the trucking industry can be “stressful and exhausting,” the salary is often excellent, especially if you work in long-haul routes or work with special loads. The industry offers countless types of cdl driver jobs, but the ones amongst the highest paid are: private fleet, ice road trucking, car haulers, team driving and owner operator. Even though these positions are associated with “higher risks,” experienced and well-trained drivers can find fruitful careers in a sector that’s currently going through a shortage. Read more…