What's Up With the Trucking Industry???

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

According to the ATA (American Trucking Assoc.) there is a colossial driver shortage. When someone such as myself that's got training, experience, and a clean driving record, but has been out of the game for a while (about 27 months) applies for a job you are fed a ration of silliness about not being "current" like a commercial pilot that has decided to come out of retirement and needs recertification again. I'm hearing that it's all insurance related. Since when did a safe competent driver that's been hauling kids in a school bus within the last few months become incompetent when he decides to drive a truck again? This is bizarre! OzarksJohn

[cinok]

Te reason for that answer is most trucking companies have there own schools or are affilied with with one(kickback) just another way to try to make extra money. I'm a ex driver myself ripped my back apart. so I can never get a driving job again because of workmans comp claim really cant get any job. But if you are looking at getting back into the game try a small company they are looking for drivers not rookies.

[maineyankee]

You might also try the local comm col. for a course-- If nothing else they may put you in touch with companies in your area that might look at you situation.

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

I guess in my particular case that you could say that trucking has been a mixed blessing or a love hate relationship for me since 1986 when I went through an expensive 8 week training course. Due to an industry slump, my tender age of 23, and living in an area of the country that wasn't exactly a transportation hub I didn't get anything but seasonal harvest work under the wheel driving until I was 30. Had to get my CDL since my previous truck license was pre CDL. That cost me a day at at a Community college and another $150.00. Hauled hay with a guy locally until a sorry reefer outfit hired me, ran me for two weeks with the meanest old silverback gorilla of a driver trainer you ever saw and then nearly worked me to death in a 62 MPH truck till I wised up to THEIR S.O.P.. They didn't SAY cheat on your logs, they just gave you more to do than you could ever possibly get done legally. Gave up on trucking for quite some time after that mess. Went to work for an owner operator that apparently wanted team mileage out of a solo driver but didn't say that up front...Later got a gig with a guy that was pretty easy to work for, but there was a problem with too many deadhead miles. That was before the internet was chock full of backhaul opportunities. He didn't make much money and neither did I....Went on to other things here and there. About three years ago I got a good driving gig going with a guy and it WAS the best I ever had. Made OK money, not great, but OK for the time and place and they treated me very well. As the fickle finger of fate goes he laid me off 9 months later and ultimately went out of business. Given the disappointment and aggravation that I've experienced around the trucking business, I'm probably nuts to even devote a minutes thought to going back to work in the industry. Being told that you aren't adequately trained, adequately experienced, and aren't "current" enough to climb back into 3 out of four companies trucks after all the "stuff" I've been through over the last 22 years is pretty much the crown jewel on the biggest mountain of trucking industry recruitment crap yet. But if I would just take another truck driver training course..... or Buy my own tractor under a "program"....I just don't know anymore. One thing is for sure, I'm tired of talking to companies that are willing to take on convicted felons, DWI's, DUI's, Accidents, ETC, but give a squeaky clean guy a bad time because he hasn't driven OTR within 90 days or 6 months or 1 year or whatever their "policy" happens to be that particular day. RaNt MoDe OfF. OzarksJohn

[rAcErRicK]

Hello OzarksJ, yep, I'm not a pro driver, but have a few friends who are, and I understand much of what you say. Not a good situation at all. Hope it works out for you.

I jus dropped by to say hello and to tell you to hang around for awhile, there are at least a couple of drivers that hang here when they can, and will be able to talk "shop" with you for sure.

Good luck OJ
rick

[SkooliesRock]

3 words......

ICE ROAD TRUCKER ;)

[cinok]

What part of the country you in Im assuming AR or MO

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

I'm in the good part of the Ozarks. Missouri of course. ;) I'm about 50 minutes NE of Springfield. OzarksJohn

[cinok]

What about driving flatbed Imade good money and enjoy running for maverick out of little rock When i was there they were concerned with drivers needs and i know hat some of the guys were off the road for a while before coming on with them. Its different then reefer or box But they had a good training program about load securemnt and tarping and they even paid good money for orientation $100.a day compared to nothing at most companies good luck.

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

I've thought about flat bed. I only did that one time. I had to deliver a single transformer cabinet to a construction site. My biggest concern was all the strapping, chaining, and tarping. Especially trying to tarp in windy conditions with no help. I do see an awful lot of loads on flats and steps that are "no tarp" loads though. OzarksJohn

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

BTW folks, I got a lead on a hopper bottom grain haul that sounds like it might be workable. Have paperwork to do tonight. Wish me luck. OzarksJohn

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

I'm in the good part of the Ozarks. Missouri of course. ;) I'm about 50 minutes NE of Springfield. OzarksJohn
You're lucky that you put that little wink emoticon in there or you might'a started a little skirmish. ;)
Crossing my fingers, toes and eyes for ya, John!

[cinok]

Well good luck with grain hopper. Most of my loads were tarp gotpaid to tarp about 20.00 most of the time it took 1/2 hr.

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

Well, the first lead got a bit iffy this AM after having spent nearly 4 days last week messing with paperwork and faxin' my life history to a company 500 miles away. Picked up the phone this AM and was taking a road test in a big Pete before noon. Hadn't been in a truck in two years. Local outfit is going to run me this week. That happened so fast and easy that it's almost scary. Turns out that they are neighbors to the last trucking company I drove for....OzarksJohn

[knighthawk]

The oil and gas business is booming here in Texas. If you have a cdl the oil and gas companies will almost kidnap you.

[walls0stone]

Natural Gas companies working in Pa are paying men to run "hotshot" loads in pickup trucks. they need a part and they need it now.. so they pay very good but you gota go go go... one fellow was sent to Texas from PA for a part of some kind, I guess they wanted it fast and they needed it in to come un-busted, so they sent this man down and back.

Gave him $1,500 bucks and paid all expences.

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

Hurry up and wait seems to be the name of the game for everything. Got word today that it's going to cost them more than they had anticipated to get their other truck on the road. A lot more. So we are back to a maybe situation. Oh well, I did get another lead yesterday evening and I'll try to check that out tonight. Strikes me as odd if not downright strange that I'm running into so many logjams not of my doing in getting back on the road. I guess if I will just sit down, shut up, and put this dilema in God's hands he'll steer me to the right steering wheel eventually. They say the Lord works in mysterious ways, so I guess the best thing for me to do is just relax and let HIM take care of it.OzarksJohn

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

Hurry up and wait seems to be the name of the game for everything. Got word today that it's going to cost them more than they had anticipated to get their other truck on the road. A lot more. So we are back to a maybe situation. Oh well, I did get another lead yesterday evening and I'll try to check that out tonight. Strikes me as odd if not downright strange that I'm running into so many logjams not of my doing in getting back on the road. I guess if I will just sit down, shut up, and put this dilema in God's hands he'll steer me to the right steering wheel eventually. They say the Lord works in mysterious ways, so I guess the best thing for me to do is just relax and let HIM take care of it.OzarksJohn

[cinok]

I would be a little worried about a company that doesn't have enough capital to get the truck on the road. Unless they are on a COD payment system will they have enough money for payroll,fuel,etc.

[WileyCoyote]

My brother drives for a long-haul trucking company out of SLC UT. They are part of a national trucking company. He has a big sleeper cab that is VERY well cared for by the company, insurance and really great benefits. However, they also treat him like he is a two man truck, and don't give him time to make the stops unless he cheats on his log book. My SIL went with him for two weeks and swore, "Never again!" She didn't like not being able to stop for meals or showers when they were needed!

From what my brother says his company is BEGGING for qualified drivers, even with the expenses of fuel. You won't get home much; and when you are it is only for about 24 hours then back on the road again. But he IS making very good money. Fortunately he doesn't sleep much normally, and is very healthy and strong for a 63 year old fart. ;D

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy

Yes, anytime I know that someone made a snap decision on something as big as reactivating a truck and taking on a new hired hand, I do have reason to wonder and really very little reason to be suprised that they were rethinking their decision only hours later. From another knowledgeable source, the license fee to put an interstate truck on the road is about $1800 and insurance can be close to $7000 a year. Considering that, anyone would be having to look very closely at whether or not there was a high probabability of the revenue from the truck being good and immediate. I've also heard that even the livestock commodity feed thing is a bit slow right now. My guess is that animal feed probably isn't as in demand in summer as it is in the winter. Could be that those folks are taking a wait and see what changes. Unfortunately I can't.
As of this AM I Do have an approval in the bag with another company just as soon as the DOT drug screen comes back tomorrow, so should be on the road making money by next week with them. May not be as ideal as working for a local company, but at least it's money.
It's still frustrating to know that beyond any doubt that there is a decent trucking opportunity easily within 100 miles of home, with no way to hear about it except by accident. Next time around I think I'll newspaper advertise myself. If I'm active and current, there should be no shortage of owner operators needing help close to home and offering decent wages and frequent pass thru home opportunities. A step deck operator told me just yesterday that he rarely gets more than a day and a half from home anymore. I think that's what we all are looking for.OzarksJohn

[silvergramma]

hiya ozark,, my hubby had to take a refresher course ,, it got him in the front door .. we moved to north dakota i came here first then he came up on the bus.. he got hired the next day.. flat bed driver goes all over usa.... do what you gotta do

[crafty2002]

I think you are hitting the wall I hit in welding/fitting years back. They claim to be begging but are only takeing the cream of the crop. If you are an inch of fitting the bill, which you are because of the down time, same as I was, you are still an inch away from fitting the bill.
I live where I can look out the kitchen window and see trains passing several times every day.
They are loaded with trailers every day. I see trains go past that have nothing but trailers on them. The rail is coming back because of the fuel.
My BIL is a trucker and he can't get anything worth a s*** and he has been at it for 20+ years.
It's the same thing with everything else.
Like I have said before. Buckle up. Going to be a hard landing.
Good luck, bro.
Dennis

[silvergramma]

hey ozark its a 32 hour break you get between the 70 hours i think,,, i'll have to ask hubby now.. 14 hour days instead of 11 and the gals on the dispatch try to get hubby to jump the sheets but he has managed to fineggle them out of it.. unless he is literally stuck in the logs.. and cant get out of it but he figgered out how they play their games and usually wins... he does have bad stories about tarping in winds mosly due to lack of lights or help yes but i got him to start wearing these double lined rag wool gloves in winter so he dont lose his fingertips.. finally started wearing them
and has made a difference .. i also make all his meals ahead of time and freeze them and he has his fridge the coleman plug in as well as the truck has a built in fridge in behind the seat he takes a bin of dry goods with him as well as the crockpot and saucepan that both plug into the cig lighter there are times when he is home for more than a week but the money is good with this company and they give good christmas bonuses and some nice jackets or what have you.. they keep the trucks in good repair and a mechanic is on hand..i cant tell you the difference being with this company which is a local small one has made in his demeanor.. they care about their trucks and their drivers...they give good benefits and its really nice seing him not b******g for a change..flying j still gives coupons too
if you need a cash advance they have that policy as well.. good luck and we will be praying you get with the right company ... word to ya dont drive for arrow trucking.. bad bad bad

[fancyfowl]

My brother recently parked his truck in front of Peterbilt and told them they could have it, he is done. He has had a truck, up to 6 for a few years, since he was 20 years old, 39 years he has been independant. Most of those years hauling nothing but potatoes, mostly chip stock. He was loosing $5-9 thosand bucks a quarter for the last 18 months. went to driving for a local company and wonders why he didnt dump his own 30 years ago. Our families have all had our own businesses and there is a lot to be said for having your investment in a lunch bucket!

[rantinraven]

Ozark, I hope you get in to the position you are searching for. As one poster said Maverick out of Ar is a pretty good company I never hear any of their drivers say anything bad. JCT our of Sapulpa Oklahoma was real good back when I was with them. I was in a O/O deal but even the company drivers had good things to say. They are pretty strict on the logs, so they give plenty of time for rest in between but I never had to sit more than 18 without a load. They go to California ALOT so I don't know how you feel about that but no NY loads which was great for me. I wish you the best and I got everything crossed for you too. Raven

[Buck]

Howdy.

According to the ATA (American Trucking Assoc.) there is a colossial driver shortage. When someone such as myself that's got training, experience, and a clean driving record, but has been out of the game for a while (about 27 months) applies for a job you are fed a ration of silliness about not being "current" like a commercial pilot that has decided to come out of retirement and needs recertification again. I'm hearing that it's all insurance related. Since when did a safe competent driver that's been hauling kids in a school bus within the last few months become incompetent when he decides to drive a truck again? This is bizarre! OzarksJohn

While you may disagree I fully support re-training and re-testing for ANY
OTR driver away from the road for more than 6 months. YOU may be a
great driver but you are not the only nut behind the wheel on the roads
today. :o

Skills do get rusty and reflexes do get lax so it's right thing to do to re-test.

[Michael32170]

While you may disagree I fully support re-training and re-testing for ANY
OTR driver away from the road for more than 6 months. YOU may be a
great driver but you are not the only nut behind the wheel on the roads
today. :o

Skills do get rusty and reflexes do get lax so it's right thing to do to re-test.

That sounds a little excessive. Pilots don't even have to do that.

[AlchemyAcres]

While you may disagree I fully support re-training and re-testing for ANY
OTR driver away from the road for more than 6 months. YOU may be a
great driver but you are not the only nut behind the wheel on the roads
today. :o

Skills do get rusty and reflexes do get lax so it's right thing to do to re-test.


Requiring that all OTR drivers read and UNDERSTAND English would be a good start. ::)

If someone needs retraining after a 6 month hiatus they should never have been driving to begin with!!!!!!! ;D

~Martin

[Buck]

That sounds a little excessive. Pilots don't even have to do that.


No, not really. 6 months off the road is often caused by illness or injury.
That plus the changes that happen so quickly now due to road construction,
or changes to the laws that may be caused by the stimulis, need to be shared
with all road drivers. You & I both know that there way to many drivers, of
both road and car, that shouldn't even be on the road! :o

[Wyobuckaroo]

Has been a long time since I have used either my CDL or pilots license.

But do know that from the lowest level of each to the highest, there is more "currency of use, and retesting required" Coincidenataly this is to do with both these licenses carrying passengers. This is what I did.

I don't think carrying haz-met or anything else should be considered less important............

Wyo