Intestinal fortitude You make the statement in regard to paying TL drivers by the hour with overtime (see February Editor's Page) that "shippers won't pay," which is a totally incorrect statement. The correct statement is "shippers don't want to pay."
I will guarantee you that shippers will pay if enough trucking companies have the intestinal fortitude to tell shippers "if you won't pay, we won't haul your freight." The same thing goes for treatment of drivers by shippers and receivers. The same thing goes for drivers loading and unloading.
Trucking management only has to look in the mirror to see the reason for driver shortage and turnover problems. Treat and pay your drivers as you would like to be treated or find another line of work. - Eugene M. Arnott, president of Shawnee, Kan.-based Ashley Inc.
Young Turks? Allowing 18-year olds to run interstate is wrong (see February Driver's Lounge). It will screw up their lives. They will have no chance to marry, raise a family, or even develop as normal adults.
These companies crying about a shortage are the ones that have drivers quit because they are exhausted and still not making reasonable money. Normal people don't quit good jobs for no reason. What is their explanation for a broke driver spending his last $50 on a bus ticket?
I've been trucking for 24 years and I think I've tried every way imaginable to earn an honest living at it. I barely got by till I ... developed my own accounts with my own authority.
I'm presently running three trucks. I am now personal friends with the three men who have worked with me in the past, and the two who work with me now have been with me for three years. There is no driver shortage, just a shortage of human respect and a misuse of power. - Douglas L. Burton, a fleet owner who asked that his company name and location not be divulged
Young Turks II Hiring younger, less experienced drivers isn't the answer. All of the insurance and accident statistics prove that out. The trucking industry needs to reduce the number of available trucks, each fleet cut/reduce its equipment. Like other industry, trucking is supply and demand.
With fewer trucks the freight rates would soar, we could afford to pay experienced drivers more, and keep the highways safer. I sold 17 rigs last year; I did what I suggest. - T.L. Moore, owner of T.L. Moore, a carrier in operation since 1976 Trade shows 101
The Lett Group, a training company based in Silver Springs, Md., has introduced a new seminar program dubbed "Trade Show Etiquette" that teaches "simple practical techniques." Topics covered include how to foster career building relationships and the most critical words to use in trade show conversation. For a free brochure on the seminars, contact The Lett Group at 888-933-3883 or visit them on the Web at www.lettgroup.com.
A driver's view "A Radical Suggestion" (Editor's Page) and "Knocking the Dock" (In-Box) in the February issue nail 75% of the driver turnover-driver shortage problem facing freight haulers.
Spend all morning unloading; spend all afternoon reloading; drive all night. Do it again tomorrow, day after week after month after year for about $1.75 per hour for total time invested. Eventually, the driver gets smart (like I did) and quits, getting off the road. -Chris Buckner, who tells us he's been in "the day cab, private fleet food distribution business" for seven years and admits not having "what it takes to be a freight-hauler driver anymore."
