When you hear that there is a massive shortage of truck driving jobs, what comes to mind? Then, what do you think when you hear that trucking companies aren’t hiring?
It’s a confusing situation, to say the least! I’m not quite sure what to think either way, but I thought this article was pretty interesting.
Read it then, in the comment box below, tell me what you think about the whole truck driver shortage situation. Thanks!
Have you been following the trucking news over the past few months? What do you think about the big trucking companies joining forces and buying out other trucking companies?
It almost makes me want to hold my breath waiting for the next big buyout, know there’s probably another one right around the corner!
When XPO Logistics bought Conway for $3 billion, that was a big eye-opener for me. I had heard of XPO, but had no clue they were a financial powerhouse!
But, I’ve been paying closer attention to what’s been going on in the trucking industry.
What sparked this blog post was simple. While at a delivery, my husband saw a very pregnant young lady. Every driver had to disconnect from the trailer in order to be loaded.
The young lady was loaded, but was having trouble letting her landing gear up. My husband went over to give her a hand.
Have you been turned down from a trucking job because your CSA score is less than desirable? Have you been put on probation, or just flat our fired because of your CSA score? Did your infractions start reporting before 2010? Let’s talk about it!
What sparked this week’s topic is an article I just read titled, “Rep. Sam Graves knocks down attempt to keep CSA scores public.” Every time I hear the term CSA, I get infuriated! I understand that we professional drivers should be held at a higher standard… I get that!
Does your trucking company use owner-operators to move freight for you or your customers? Are you trying to find ways to keep owner-operators loyal to your company?
Well… this article is for YOU!
The first part of this series was, “How to team up with your drivers, even if you’re not in the truck with them,” That article gave suggestions on how a trucking company could form a better working relationship with their company drivers.
Last week’s article was titled, “How to team up with your drivers, even when you’re not in the truck with them.” That article spoke about strengthening the working relation between the trucking company and their sub/ contractors.
Well, this article is the last in the series, and one I am very passionate about. Why? Because I’ve been an owner-operator for over 10 years. I was a contractor truck driver before that. But, to go a step further, I worked in Corporate America and local government, for over 20 years before that.
Do you wonder what your drivers are saying about you and your trucking company, when you’re not around? Do you want better communication with your drivers? Do you have a high driver turnover rate, but don’t know why?
If you have any question about how to bring you and your drivers closer, you may want to keep reading. Hopefully, you do have a genuine interest in creating a better working relationship with your drivers. This could easily help with driver retention. We all know how beneficial that is!
This blog post is part 1 of 3. Today, I’m talking about company truck drivers now. Based on feedback and comments from company drivers, over the past 12 years, I’ve come up with a few suggestions. If implemented, these small changes could make a big impact in your drivers’ attitudes, their performance and, ultimately, your trucking operation. I’m sure you’ve heard of, “the trickle down effect.”
Communication – Do you have a true open door policy? Can a driver come to you with a valid complaint, and expect it to be addressed, and hopefully resolved, quickly? If you answered, “No.” to either of these questions, you may have many unsatisfied drivers, and you don’t even know it. The same driver you’renot taking care of, is the very same person taking care of your customer. Think about it!
While parked at aPilot Travel Center in Ft, Waye, In, we saw two things that caught our attention and sparked an interesting discussion. The first was a young couple, maybe in their early 20s, holding hands, while walking to their truck. What was highly unusual about them, was that they were Amish. We’ve seen many Amish community members, but have never seen any of them driving a tractor trailer, only a horse and buggy.
That conversation was cut short when ano
ther driver parked his truck next to ours and got out. This driver looked to be maybe 17 years old, the same age as our youngest son. In fact, he actually looked like one of our son’s basketball teammates! We figured he might be only 18, but stays within the state of Indiana. My husband just shook his head and said, “Boy-oh-boy.”
If you’ve been following the news lately, you may have noticed that things aren’t so pretty in the trucking industry. A few weeks ago I shared an article with our Facebook Page audience titled, “Driver Attacks Co-Driver“. I don’t know exactly what happened in Hubbard, Oh that day, or exactly what their relationship was. It boils down to this… the male driver followed the female driver into the bathroom, beat her up really bad with an object and left the Flying J parking lot. He came back and turned himself into the police.Kelvin Fitzpatrick was charged with felonious assault and criminal damaging.
Now, a few days ago, I read an article, “Werner Driver Stabbed to Death by Trainee.” This article is about a 62 year old driver trainer, with 20 years driving experience under his belt. He was stabbed multiple times, by the trainee, in a rest area. This was going to be Mr. Ruiz’ last trainee because his granddaughter had just received her CDL, and he was going to team drive with her. Mr. Ruiz was due to retire from truck driving in 2017. This story was a true tear-jerker for me! Stanley Polk, the trainee, was way past his emotional limit and should have just walked away!
Here in Georgia, where we live, there’s a major problem on I-16. I read an article, “Three More Die on I-16 As a Result of a Truck Wreck.” Our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims in this incident. Unfortunately, this was the third multi-family collision, involving a tractor trailer, in the past 60 days!
My husband and I used to run I-16 on our Savannah route, 3-4 days each week. Although that was years ago, I still remember how easy it was to “set it and forget it.” (The cruise control) I don’t know if that’s the case with this driver, but it’s a horrible tragedy no matter what!
There are many reasons for the incidents that are happening. I think it all boils down stress, being over-worked and poor judgment. A key ingredient is that trucking doesn’t pay what it used to, so drivers are feeling the need to run harder… often times illegally. Trucking companies feel the need to run under qualified drivers, and to run their veteran drivers illegally, too. What’s a driver to do? Even with the severe driver shortage, there are limited driving opportunities in many areas. 
The cherry on top is the fact that the feds are always changing the current regulations, and coming up with new ones. The latest I heard on the speed limiters, is that they may actually be harmful to drivers’ health… OH REALLY NOW? I don’t agree with speed limiters, but who am I, right?
You can read the article, “Court says speed limiters dangerous to truck drivers, but Ontario doesn’t care.” Now, you may be thinking, “but I don’t even run in Canada.” Well, I’ll tell you like this… when the law is set in one place, even another country, others are sure to follow!
Like I said, I’m not a fan of speed limiters, and I’m not sure just how much help they’ll be with getting stressed and overworked truck drivers under control but something got to give! Between the safety of truck drivers from other vehicles on the road, the issues with dispatchers not letting drivers sleep — always wanting an update, and drivers having to run harder to make the same pay as five years ago — I repeat — something’s got to give!
So, what do you think? What has drivers losing it so easily and not walking away? Are you seeing — and keeping — the same income as two, three, or five years ago? Have you had to make any adjustments to keep your work or home situation running the same as before?
Please leave your questions or comments in the box below.
Until next time… Be awesome and Be safe!
I saw a rare, and always interesting situation, the other day. As we were about to head into Denny’s to eat at the Flying J in Blacksburg, SC, three men we
re leaving Denny’s. The three men were team truck drivers, one was a trainer, the other two men were trainees.
I immediately thought of my own team truck driving situation. My husband and I have some size on us. We usually take runs that are 800 miles or more. So, usually, one of us is driving while the other is asleep. Even in our situation, two people can be a bit much as far as space is concerned. Shoot… I’ll even go as far as to say as far as sanity is concerned! Lol 
I remember when I was attending Katlaw Truck Driving School in Austell, Ga that one of the instructors used to be an over-the-road trainer based in California. He said that one trucking company he worked for made him take about four trainees at one time… WHAT?! Yes… there would be five people in the truck at one time… for weeks at a time! I don’t know about you, but there is no way on God’s green Earth that you’d catch me in that situation! I think that’s illegal now, but still…
In the case with the three truck drivers, team driving in the same truck, my mind started wondering things like doesn’t the trainer have to be in the front seat a certain number of hours? So, when does the trainer get some sleep? When they stop to take a shower, how do they get a team shower from one shower credit? Or, how does the pay get split? Does the trainer get a flat salary and the trainees split the mileage?
I know there are certain parts of a training program that are pretty straight forward. I was just curious because their situation is very different. I mean, that’s another personality you have to work with. Another body odor you have to smell… and all this from people you probably never met before it was time to take off for the first time… BOY-OH-BOY!
Seeing these three drivers really made 
the wheels in my head start turning with curiosity. Have you, or anyone you know, been in this type of team truck driving situation, where there’s more than just a trainer and one trainee? If so, I’d love to hear how that worked out. How long did they have to work like that? The ups and the downs?
Leave your comment in the box below. If you want to let me know your experience, but don’t want it to be public… no problem! I still want to know what you went through if you liked your experience or not. Email me at Ericka@teamtrucking.net and let’s talk about it.
Until next week… Be awesome and be safe!
Team Trucking 