General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe U.S. needs 50,000 truck drivers to avoid a shipping squeeze
Retailers are facing a shipping squeeze, and the trucking industry just can't keep up.
According to the American Trucking Associations, there's a shortage of roughly 50,000 truck drivers across the country. And it's hitting both businesses and consumers in the wallet.
Companies are complaining about how the driver shortage is impacting their business. Meanwhile, the cost of convenient shipping is starting to catch up with consumers.
Amazon recently hiked its Prime membership to $119 a year from $99 a year. The retail giant said one of the reasons for the price jump was increased shipping costs.
But the driver shortage isn't just because of demand created by online shopping. There's a lot going on behind the scenes, according to Bob Costello, chief economist at American Trucking Associations.
"We have a demographics problem, demand is strong, trucks haul over 70 percent of the freight tonnage, our average age is very high, [and] we don't have enough females," said Costello.
"So much of it revolves around demographics."
To be fair, the trucking lifestyle isn't exactly an easy sell. Truck drivers work long hours, they're away from home for weeks on end, and oftentimes sleep inside the trucks themselves.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/the-us-needs-50000-truck-drivers-to-avoid-a-shipping-squeeze/ar-AAxVgET?li=BBnbfcN
CountAllVotes
(20,868 posts)He was a trucker and was staying overnight in his truck near Donner Pass.
He had a heart attack and died. They found him dead in his truck three days later leaving behind my friend with next to nothing.
Not good.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)I don't know about that.
https://www.ft.com/content/7686ea3e-e0dd-11e7-a0d4-0944c5f49e46
TimeSnowDemos
(476 posts)They're already being tested on the road, they provide a MASSIVE boost to revenue and are easier to deal with than humans. The technology is there, but it's still maturing... give it 10 years.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)terrible hours, too many rules, too much unpaid time spent waiting, low pay, and when you get stopped for an equipment violation you are stuck for the ticket. If you're an owner-operator, you could get doubly hammered with expenses and taxes.
And, it's not that easy driving a semi. Country music makes it sound cooler than it is.
There are a couple of drivers, maybe ex-drivers, here. Is this how it is?
global1
(25,242 posts)I'm sure Trump will latch on to that and say he's keeping his promise to reduce government regulations and as a result make it all the more dangerous for both us and the drivers. But the trucking companies will probably like it. They'll get a chance to reduce costs.
I'm sure that costs are also going up because of the rising fuel prices as well though.
liberaltrucker
(9,129 posts)Left the business in 2009 and haven't looked back. Even let
my CDL expire.
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)One way street, docked the truck and went up to the 6th floor printing place. By the time I came back down the ticket was on my truck while it was parked in the dock. Blocking traffic on a one way street was the ticket, while backed into the dock.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)until driverless trucks become more common.
sinkingfeeling
(51,454 posts)SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)Railroads can move the same freight for a fraction of the cost.
But compared to what existed 40-50 years ago our roailroad infrastructure is a shadow of itself. You have main trunk lines in place but the terminals needed to unload cargo are far fewer and the short lines that connected railroads to most of your smaller and even mid sized towns are being shut down and ripped up more and more.
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)I worked for 17 years as a freight brakeman / conductor for the Katy, and then the UP from 1977-1994.
Back then, and even more so today, all the RRs wanted was Unit Trains of coal, rock, grains and containerized freight. They made more money and required less handling (switching), or none at all, over the road, thus they could cut the train crews, from 4 men back when I was working to 2 today. The railroads really want 1 man crews, and they will never stop trying to get them.
The railroads themselves ran off the smaller business in small towns, because they did not want to service them. Thus they were able to get rid of the track serving these small towns and the cost involved.
You are absolutely right in your post, but I wanted to clarify who was really at fault.
SWBTATTReg
(22,114 posts)outwards towards the marketplace. Increase in pay would go a long way towards resolving this issue (I've known several long haul truckers, it's a hard life, hard to keep in contact w/ family and friends, etc.).
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)In any field, it is really a story of business resistance to increasing wages.
Girard442
(6,070 posts)...assume every article about worker shortages is a lie.
Pay, benefits, training, job security, and more. Its the way it used to be, and theres a reason it used to be that way. It worked.
But now, employees cant count on any of those things, And trucking company executives are shocked, shocked that they cant find workers. But now, employers Care about only one thing, their shareholders.