Driver shortage?

Aug 12, 2021 at 06:18 PM CST + 14 - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I'm curious what everyone's thoughts are from other perspectives. I know it's unfair for me to assume that the things that I see, apply everywhere. From my perspective, the driver shortage seems very backwards. Maybe I'm wrong, and am looking forward to someone telling me what I'm missing. First thing, supply and demand, if there was a demand for drivers, the drivers should have some control of their lives, and they have none in my opinion. Regulation is heavy, home time light. Next is pay, if there's a shortage that's this devastating, why isn't driver pay reflecting that? Everyone has a different idea of good pay and cost of living is a huge deal, but if there's a driver shortage this crippling to the supply chain, why aren't drivers making 120k a year. In my opinion, 70k is not enough to keep me away from my family 5 days a week and 2500 hours a year Next is the road. If there is a shortage, where will they park once you find drivers? I've been in most of the country minus the coasts the last 30 days and parking is tricky at best. Better shut down early. I see thousands of trucks parked overnight ON THE INTERSTATE SHOULDER! rest areas full by 5, truck stops full by 4. Scales full by 6. Exit ramps, on ramps, gas stations all full, charging for parking in some cases. Next is lift axles. Every truck should be full a high percentage if we are struggling to move freight and I see lift axles up on most trailers and even tractor drive axles lifted. Lift axles are expensive options. Spot freight has been decent in alot of areas, hopper freight atrocious. But expenses are astronomical. I know lots of people need trucks and drivers, but where's the money to reflect that? And the struggles of this job? I'm not trying to start a fight, this is my perspective. Happy to hear why I'm wrong. Have a good one and stay safe

Replied on Fri, Aug 13, 2021 at 10:31 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Think of the "sign on bonus". My mind says a bonus is a reward for past performance. So a "sign on bonus", to me is a bribe.

Replied on Fri, Aug 13, 2021 at 10:31 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. When I hear someone complain about a driver shortage it tells me they suck at negotiating rates and that they don’t know how to bring the bacon home for their employees, but instead of looking in the mirror they keep deflecting blame like a wife beater.

Replied on Sat, Aug 14, 2021 at 08:34 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. THIS COUNTRY HAS A SURPLUS OF FAT PEOPLE. THE FOOD MUST BE GETTING TO THE STORES JUST FINE. I DON'T THINK ALL THESE FAT PEOPLE ARE GROWING IT AND FARMING THEMSELVES. FOOD IS HIGHER PRICED THOUGH. NOT SURE IF THAT IS DUE TO HIGHER TRUCK RATES OR DROUGHT MAYBE BOTH. WE CAN STILL BUY MOST OF THE SUPPLIES WE NEED TO GET BY AT THE STORES AND SOME THINGS WE MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT ON A LITTLE LIKE BUILDING SUPPLIES AND MACHINERY. I GUESS DALE THE FREIGHT IS STILL GETTING MOVED SOME HOW. SO I WOULD SAY NO TO DRIVER SHORTAGE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS QUALITY TRAINED PROFESSIOAL PEOPLE IN ALL INDUSTRY THAT ARE NOT LAZY BUMS AND CAN DRESS PROFESSIOAL ACT IT AND PRACTICE HYGENE AND CAN PASS A DRUG TEST AND GO 24 HOURS WITHOUT ALCOHOLIC DRINK. I SEE A LOT OF NEW DRIVERS BEING EXPLOITED BY BIG COMPANIES ALSO. NO WONDER THEY LATER GET ANGRY AND LEAVE. KIND OF LIKE THE DUMBER AND MORE NAIVE THEY ARE THE MORE THE COMPANY LIKES THEM. GOOD LUCK TO YOU

Replied on Sat, Aug 14, 2021 at 08:34 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

THIS COUNTRY HAS A SURPLUS OF FAT PEOPLE. THE FOOD MUST BE GETTING TO THE STORES JUST FINE. I DON'T THINK ALL THESE FAT PEOPLE ARE GROWING IT AND FARMING THEMSELVES. FOOD IS HIGHER PRICED THOUGH. NOT SURE IF THAT IS DUE TO HIGHER TRUCK RATES OR DROUGHT MAYBE BOTH. WE CAN STILL BUY MOST OF THE SUPPLIES WE NEED TO GET BY AT THE STORES AND SOME THINGS WE MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT ON A LITTLE LIKE BUILDING SUPPLIES AND MACHINERY. I GUESS DALE THE FREIGHT IS STILL GETTING MOVED SOME HOW. SO I WOULD SAY NO TO DRIVER SHORTAGE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS QUALITY TRAINED PROFESSIOAL PEOPLE IN ALL INDUSTRY THAT ARE NOT LAZY BUMS AND CAN DRESS PROFESSIOAL ACT IT AND PRACTICE HYGENE AND CAN PASS A DRUG TEST AND GO 24 HOURS WITHOUT ALCOHOLIC DRINK. I SEE A LOT OF NEW DRIVERS BEING EXPLOITED BY BIG COMPANIES ALSO. NO WONDER THEY LATER GET ANGRY AND LEAVE. KIND OF LIKE THE DUMBER AND MORE NAIVE THEY ARE THE MORE THE COMPANY LIKES THEM. GOOD LUCK TO YOU

Replied on Sat, Aug 14, 2021 at 06:23 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "THIS COUNTRY HAS A SURPLUS OF FAT PEOPLE. THE FOOD MUST BE GETTING TO THE STORES JUST FINE. I DON'T THINK ALL THESE FAT PEOPLE ARE GROWING IT AND FARMING THEMSELVES. FOOD IS HIGHER PRICED THOUGH. NOT SURE IF THAT IS DUE TO HIGHER TRUCK RATES OR DROUGHT MAYBE BOTH. WE CAN STILL BUY MOST OF THE SUPPLIES WE NEED TO GET BY AT THE STORES AND SOME THINGS WE MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT ON A LITTLE LIKE BUILDING SUPPLIES AND MACHINERY. I GUESS DALE THE FREIGHT IS STILL GETTING MOVED SOME HOW. SO I WOULD SAY NO TO DRIVER SHORTAGE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS QUALITY TRAINED PROFESSIOAL PEOPLE IN ALL INDUSTRY THAT ARE NOT LAZY BUMS AND CAN DRESS PROFESSIOAL ACT IT AND PRACTICE HYGENE AND CAN PASS A DRUG TEST AND GO 24 HOURS WITHOUT ALCOHOLIC DRINK. I SEE A LOT OF NEW DRIVERS BEING EXPLOITED BY BIG COMPANIES ALSO. NO WONDER THEY LATER GET ANGRY AND LEAVE. KIND OF LIKE THE DUMBER AND MORE NAIVE THEY ARE THE MORE THE COMPANY LIKES THEM. GOOD LUCK TO YOU " I agree with you on a few things. Big companies are definitely exploiting new people. And they are messing with fire because most of the new people are minorities. The social justice warriors are disgusted with how Amazon treats minorities, but they don't give a shit how trucking companies and brokerage companies treat them. I hate to say it, but the veterans in the industry treat new people the worst. I get the frustration because it seems hopeless for some of the idiots, but remember someone thought those veterans were dumb at one time too. Check out YouTube, people would rather stand and record a truck backing into another truck's hood rather then be a man and get up there and help the poor lad back in. Help them a couple times and they'll figure it out. And the way some people scream and yell on the cb about the tiniest little thing..... and you're still surprised that some people don't have a cb or turn it off. Anytime I'm in northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin my cb is off unless it's night. My thoughts on the driver shortage boil down to this. It's less expensive to buy adds looking for drivers, and buy politicians to help talk about a driver shortage than it is to pay a good wage to keep people. It's cheaper to have 10 people a day applying for a job because they heard there's a shortage of work. And to the guy complaining about "fat people" , what are you doing about it other than being egotistical? Are you helping anybody with exercise goals? As a farmer, are you raising quality healthy food? Or subsidized corn and beans?

Replied on Sat, Aug 14, 2021 at 06:23 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "THIS COUNTRY HAS A SURPLUS OF FAT PEOPLE. THE FOOD MUST BE GETTING TO THE STORES JUST FINE. I DON'T THINK ALL THESE FAT PEOPLE ARE GROWING IT AND FARMING THEMSELVES. FOOD IS HIGHER PRICED THOUGH. NOT SURE IF THAT IS DUE TO HIGHER TRUCK RATES OR DROUGHT MAYBE BOTH. WE CAN STILL BUY MOST OF THE SUPPLIES WE NEED TO GET BY AT THE STORES AND SOME THINGS WE MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT ON A LITTLE LIKE BUILDING SUPPLIES AND MACHINERY. I GUESS DALE THE FREIGHT IS STILL GETTING MOVED SOME HOW. SO I WOULD SAY NO TO DRIVER SHORTAGE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS QUALITY TRAINED PROFESSIOAL PEOPLE IN ALL INDUSTRY THAT ARE NOT LAZY BUMS AND CAN DRESS PROFESSIOAL ACT IT AND PRACTICE HYGENE AND CAN PASS A DRUG TEST AND GO 24 HOURS WITHOUT ALCOHOLIC DRINK. I SEE A LOT OF NEW DRIVERS BEING EXPLOITED BY BIG COMPANIES ALSO. NO WONDER THEY LATER GET ANGRY AND LEAVE. KIND OF LIKE THE DUMBER AND MORE NAIVE THEY ARE THE MORE THE COMPANY LIKES THEM. GOOD LUCK TO YOU "

I agree with you on a few things. Big companies are definitely exploiting new people. And they are messing with fire because most of the new people are minorities. The social justice warriors are disgusted with how Amazon treats minorities, but they don't give a shit how trucking companies and brokerage companies treat them. I hate to say it, but the veterans in the industry treat new people the worst. I get the frustration because it seems hopeless for some of the idiots, but remember someone thought those veterans were dumb at one time too. Check out YouTube, people would rather stand and record a truck backing into another truck's hood rather then be a man and get up there and help the poor lad back in. Help them a couple times and they'll figure it out. And the way some people scream and yell on the cb about the tiniest little thing..... and you're still surprised that some people don't have a cb or turn it off. Anytime I'm in northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin my cb is off unless it's night. My thoughts on the driver shortage boil down to this. It's less expensive to buy adds looking for drivers, and buy politicians to help talk about a driver shortage than it is to pay a good wage to keep people. It's cheaper to have 10 people a day applying for a job because they heard there's a shortage of work. And to the guy complaining about "fat people" , what are you doing about it other than being egotistical? Are you helping anybody with exercise goals? As a farmer, are you raising quality healthy food? Or subsidized corn and beans?

Replied on Sun, Aug 15, 2021 at 11:02 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. DALE I GUESS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY IS I SEE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY GOING TO THE WAYSIDE. THE WAY PEOPLE DRESS AND ACT, HYGENE, NOT TAKING CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN THAT THEY MAYBE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT HERE TO BE YOUR BABIES DADDY. AS FOR HELPING NEW DRIVERS I WILL ALWAYS TRY TO HELP THEM ANY WAY I CAN. I WAS THE SAME AS THEM 32 YEARS AGO AND DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DO MUCH AND SCARED AND NERVOUS. BUT THERE SOME REALLY GOOD PEOPLE THAT HELPED ME ALONG THE WAY AND IT REAL NICE WHEN I DO SEE NEW AND OLD PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY THAT TAKE PRIDE AND ACT VERY PROFESSIONAL. AS FOR FARM SUBSIDES AND ALMOST ALL SUBSIDES WOULD GO AWAY. BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON SUBSIDES SHOULD NOT BE IN BUSINESS. THIS COUNTRY NEEDS A LOT MORE TOUGH LOVE. HUNGER AND COLD IS BIG MOTIVATOR IN GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK. AS FAR AS DRIVER SHORTAGE I THINK ITS A BIG LINE OF CRAP! DO YOU REALLY SEE LOADS WAITIING FOR DAYS ON END TO BE SHIPPED? ITS GETTING MOVED SOMEHOW. BIG COMPANIES GET CHEAP HELP THROUGH THEIR TRAINING SCAMS AND LEASE PURCHASE NEVER NEVER PLANS WHICH IN RETURN STAGNATES WAGES FOR ALL. BUT THIS IS NOTHING YOU DON'T ALREADY KNOW. ALSO WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SNEAKING THROUGH THE BORDER AND NOT BEING KICKED OUT I'M NOT SURE IF THAT IS GOING TO HELP MATTERS. I JUST TRY TO KEEP DOING WHAT I AM DOING BETTER AND NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN ALL THE BAD STUFF GOING ON IN THE WORLD AND HOPEFULLY PROSPERITY FOLLOWS. HOPE YOU GET RICH

Replied on Sun, Aug 15, 2021 at 11:02 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

DALE I GUESS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY IS I SEE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY GOING TO THE WAYSIDE. THE WAY PEOPLE DRESS AND ACT, HYGENE, NOT TAKING CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN THAT THEY MAYBE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT HERE TO BE YOUR BABIES DADDY. AS FOR HELPING NEW DRIVERS I WILL ALWAYS TRY TO HELP THEM ANY WAY I CAN. I WAS THE SAME AS THEM 32 YEARS AGO AND DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DO MUCH AND SCARED AND NERVOUS. BUT THERE SOME REALLY GOOD PEOPLE THAT HELPED ME ALONG THE WAY AND IT REAL NICE WHEN I DO SEE NEW AND OLD PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY THAT TAKE PRIDE AND ACT VERY PROFESSIONAL. AS FOR FARM SUBSIDES AND ALMOST ALL SUBSIDES WOULD GO AWAY. BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON SUBSIDES SHOULD NOT BE IN BUSINESS. THIS COUNTRY NEEDS A LOT MORE TOUGH LOVE. HUNGER AND COLD IS BIG MOTIVATOR IN GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK. AS FAR AS DRIVER SHORTAGE I THINK ITS A BIG LINE OF CRAP! DO YOU REALLY SEE LOADS WAITIING FOR DAYS ON END TO BE SHIPPED? ITS GETTING MOVED SOMEHOW. BIG COMPANIES GET CHEAP HELP THROUGH THEIR TRAINING SCAMS AND LEASE PURCHASE NEVER NEVER PLANS WHICH IN RETURN STAGNATES WAGES FOR ALL. BUT THIS IS NOTHING YOU DON'T ALREADY KNOW. ALSO WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SNEAKING THROUGH THE BORDER AND NOT BEING KICKED OUT I'M NOT SURE IF THAT IS GOING TO HELP MATTERS. I JUST TRY TO KEEP DOING WHAT I AM DOING BETTER AND NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN ALL THE BAD STUFF GOING ON IN THE WORLD AND HOPEFULLY PROSPERITY FOLLOWS. HOPE YOU GET RICH

Replied on Mon, Aug 16, 2021 at 12:52 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I guess two things stick out to me, number one is that you don’t see shippers and receivers changing their bankers hours to accommodate trucks, and number two is that all dealers are sold out of new trucks, so how can their be a driver shortage? There has been a huge up swing in the price of used trucks (30%) as a record number of drivers have applied for authorities, but if your a shipper who is watching brokers raise rates you probably like to believe it’s being driven by a driver shortage. At the same time everyone else is complaining they can’t find people who want to work 40 hours a week, so if that is in fact the case then why would anyone want to drive a truck and work twice that? If Laziness is defined by not wanting to work 70 plus hours a week, what does that say for the folks in dispatch or operations?

Replied on Mon, Aug 16, 2021 at 12:52 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

I guess two things stick out to me, number one is that you don’t see shippers and receivers changing their bankers hours to accommodate trucks, and number two is that all dealers are sold out of new trucks, so how can their be a driver shortage? There has been a huge up swing in the price of used trucks (30%) as a record number of drivers have applied for authorities, but if your a shipper who is watching brokers raise rates you probably like to believe it’s being driven by a driver shortage. At the same time everyone else is complaining they can’t find people who want to work 40 hours a week, so if that is in fact the case then why would anyone want to drive a truck and work twice that? If Laziness is defined by not wanting to work 70 plus hours a week, what does that say for the folks in dispatch or operations?

Replied on Mon, Aug 16, 2021 at 12:52 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Darn good questions Dale.. I am at a loss on all of it as I watch this mess.

Replied on Mon, Aug 16, 2021 at 05:02 PM CST - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. P.S. Am I the only one who thinks Christopher has had too much caffeine? Sheesh...quit screaming...Or, if you don't know, typing in all caps is computer speak for SCREAMING! Please, push the coffee up away and turn off CAP LOCK!!!😳

Replied on Mon, Aug 16, 2021 at 05:02 PM CST + 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I really don't think there is a driver shortage. I think there is a driver retention problem. Low pay, long hours of uncompensated time, shippers and receivers who overschedule then under perform, and over regulation, all play a part. I further think groups like the ATA would rather continue to blow smoke about a shortage in order to bring a whole new group of sheep into the industry (18-year olds) that they can chew up and spit out, rather than deal with the real issues. Last but certainly not least are the carriers that have no idea what their cost of doing business is. Every time someone takes a cheap load, they set the bar for the rest of us who are trying to get the rates up. Speaking specifically about hopper freight, I get calls every day asking if I'd be interested in taking a load here or there. I tell them my hopper is parked right now, but when rates come up I'd definately like to get back under it. I always end the call asking if rates are on the upswing and are ALWAYS told no because there is always some who will haul it. My hope is at some point we can quit racing to the bottom. It constantly amazes me that there are people who think "if the wheels are turning, I'm earning" with no concept that their break even is $2.00 and they are running for 1.80. Those are the same people who say, "I ain't flipping no burgers, but if they did, everything they earn is net profit and they wouldn't be paying 20 cents a mile to be in the truck while crushing the rate for everyone else. Before someone goes off on a brokers are the problem rant, if you get your rate from a broker, who cares what they make? You got what you wanted. That is all, according to me...Amen😎

Replied on Mon, Aug 16, 2021 at 05:02 PM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

I really don't think there is a driver shortage. I think there is a driver retention problem. Low pay, long hours of uncompensated time, shippers and receivers who overschedule then under perform, and over regulation, all play a part. I further think groups like the ATA would rather continue to blow smoke about a shortage in order to bring a whole new group of sheep into the industry (18-year olds) that they can chew up and spit out, rather than deal with the real issues.

Last but certainly not least are the carriers that have no idea what their cost of doing business is. Every time someone takes a cheap load, they set the bar for the rest of us who are trying to get the rates up. Speaking specifically about hopper freight, I get calls every day asking if I'd be interested in taking a load here or there. I tell them my hopper is parked right now, but when rates come up I'd definately like to get back under it. I always end the call asking if rates are on the upswing and are ALWAYS told no because there is always some who will haul it. My hope is at some point we can quit racing to the bottom.

It constantly amazes me that there are people who think "if the wheels are turning, I'm earning" with no concept that their break even is $2.00 and they are running for 1.80. Those are the same people who say, "I ain't flipping no burgers, but if they did, everything they earn is net profit and they wouldn't be paying 20 cents a mile to be in the truck while crushing the rate for everyone else. Before someone goes off on a brokers are the problem rant, if you get your rate from a broker, who cares what they make? You got what you wanted.

That is all, according to me...Amen😎

Replied on Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 05:15 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "I really don't think there is a driver shortage. I think there is a driver retention problem. Low pay, long hours of uncompensated time, shippers and receivers who overschedule then under perform, and over regulation, all play a part. I further think groups like the ATA would rather continue to blow smoke about a shortage in order to bring a whole new group of sheep into the industry (18-year olds) that they can chew up and spit out, rather than deal with the real issues. Last but certainly not least are the carriers that have no idea what their cost of doing business is. Every time someone takes a cheap load, they set the bar for the rest of us who are trying to get the rates up. Speaking specifically about hopper freight, I get calls every day asking if I'd be interested in taking a load here or there. I tell them my hopper is parked right now, but when rates come up I'd definately like to get back under it. I always end the call asking if rates are on the upswing and are ALWAYS told no because there is always some who will haul it. My hope is at some point we can quit racing to the bottom. It constantly amazes me that there are people who think "if the wheels are turning, I'm earning" with no concept that their break even is $2.00 and they are running for 1.80. Those are the same people who say, "I ain't flipping no burgers, but if they did, everything they earn is net profit and they wouldn't be paying 20 cents a mile to be in the truck while crushing the rate for everyone else. Before someone goes off on a brokers are the problem rant, if you get your rate from a broker, who cares what they make? You got what you wanted. That is all, according to me...Amen😎" I think much of the driver shortage stories currently in the news are being driven by what’s going on at the ports like Long Beach, where container haulers are refusing loads because they can make far more in the spot market off load boards. 40 years ago the shippers told the government they wanted a deregulated transportation industry, well look how that turned out Shipping container prices are through the roof, and now they can’t find trucks either, everyone is cherry picking loads, just like the teamsters and ATA predicted would eventually happen.

Replied on Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 05:15 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "I really don't think there is a driver shortage. I think there is a driver retention problem. Low pay, long hours of uncompensated time, shippers and receivers who overschedule then under perform, and over regulation, all play a part. I further think groups like the ATA would rather continue to blow smoke about a shortage in order to bring a whole new group of sheep into the industry (18-year olds) that they can chew up and spit out, rather than deal with the real issues. Last but certainly not least are the carriers that have no idea what their cost of doing business is. Every time someone takes a cheap load, they set the bar for the rest of us who are trying to get the rates up. Speaking specifically about hopper freight, I get calls every day asking if I'd be interested in taking a load here or there. I tell them my hopper is parked right now, but when rates come up I'd definately like to get back under it. I always end the call asking if rates are on the upswing and are ALWAYS told no because there is always some who will haul it. My hope is at some point we can quit racing to the bottom. It constantly amazes me that there are people who think "if the wheels are turning, I'm earning" with no concept that their break even is $2.00 and they are running for 1.80. Those are the same people who say, "I ain't flipping no burgers, but if they did, everything they earn is net profit and they wouldn't be paying 20 cents a mile to be in the truck while crushing the rate for everyone else. Before someone goes off on a brokers are the problem rant, if you get your rate from a broker, who cares what they make? You got what you wanted. That is all, according to me...Amen😎"

I think much of the driver shortage stories currently in the news are being driven by what’s going on at the ports like Long Beach, where container haulers are refusing loads because they can make far more in the spot market off load boards. 40 years ago the shippers told the government they wanted a deregulated transportation industry, well look how that turned out Shipping container prices are through the roof, and now they can’t find trucks either, everyone is cherry picking loads, just like the teamsters and ATA predicted would eventually happen.

Replied on Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 03:01 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Well, from my perspective the struggle is real. We have been looking for drivers for serveral months now without any luck. I have posted ads on Indeed and Zip Recruiter and with our local paper with no luck. I did receive a few applicants from Indeed but those prospects lived in places like Alaska, California, Idaho and so on, we are in Oklahoma so I don't know why they would send me those. We are looking for company drivers for local work and OTR. I have contacted a couple of companies that specialize in finding drivers for a price. It's too early to tell if that is going to be successful or not. If anyone knows of any drivers available in Tulsa or the surrounding areas please let me know.

Replied on Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 03:01 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Well, from my perspective the struggle is real. We have been looking for drivers for serveral months now without any luck. I have posted ads on Indeed and Zip Recruiter and with our local paper with no luck. I did receive a few applicants from Indeed but those prospects lived in places like Alaska, California, Idaho and so on, we are in Oklahoma so I don't know why they would send me those. We are looking for company drivers for local work and OTR. I have contacted a couple of companies that specialize in finding drivers for a price. It's too early to tell if that is going to be successful or not. If anyone knows of any drivers available in Tulsa or the surrounding areas please let me know.

Replied on Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 04:01 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Well, from my perspective the struggle is real. We have been looking for drivers for serveral months now without any luck. I have posted ads on Indeed and Zip Recruiter and with our local paper with no luck. I did receive a few applicants from Indeed but those prospects lived in places like Alaska, California, Idaho and so on, we are in Oklahoma so I don't know why they would send me those. We are looking for company drivers for local work and OTR. I have contacted a couple of companies that specialize in finding drivers for a price. It's too early to tell if that is going to be successful or not. If anyone knows of any drivers available in Tulsa or the surrounding areas please let me know. " Thanks for your input Gary. I'm just asking to help understand, not to be a smart Alec, from your perspective, if you ran an ad that said "looking for a company driver, otr and local, 45 hours per week, 2 weeks paid vacation, health insurance, 30 dollars per hour starting wage. 1.5 overtime" would nobody inquire?

Replied on Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 04:01 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "Well, from my perspective the struggle is real. We have been looking for drivers for serveral months now without any luck. I have posted ads on Indeed and Zip Recruiter and with our local paper with no luck. I did receive a few applicants from Indeed but those prospects lived in places like Alaska, California, Idaho and so on, we are in Oklahoma so I don't know why they would send me those. We are looking for company drivers for local work and OTR. I have contacted a couple of companies that specialize in finding drivers for a price. It's too early to tell if that is going to be successful or not. If anyone knows of any drivers available in Tulsa or the surrounding areas please let me know. "

Thanks for your input Gary. I'm just asking to help understand, not to be a smart Alec, from your perspective, if you ran an ad that said "looking for a company driver, otr and local, 45 hours per week, 2 weeks paid vacation, health insurance, 30 dollars per hour starting wage. 1.5 overtime" would nobody inquire?

Replied on Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 07:32 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. A security guard can clock in on the job and get paid until he clocks out even if he takes a snooze on the job, but a truck driver is held liable for the security of the load for the entire time it is in transit, yet he only gets paid for the time he is driving? Wouldn’t it be funny if a driver was in sleeper berth and felt the truck rock, got up looked in the mirror and noticed thieves stealing the load and did nothing? Tell the cops I’m not a security guard, I am a driver it’s not my responsibility? How many of you think the driver would be criminally charged for that? Yet you eagerly give the drivers time away for free to the shippers? And wonder why nobody is interested in this job?

Replied on Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 07:32 AM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

A security guard can clock in on the job and get paid until he clocks out even if he takes a snooze on the job, but a truck driver is held liable for the security of the load for the entire time it is in transit, yet he only gets paid for the time he is driving? Wouldn’t it be funny if a driver was in sleeper berth and felt the truck rock, got up looked in the mirror and noticed thieves stealing the load and did nothing? Tell the cops I’m not a security guard, I am a driver it’s not my responsibility? How many of you think the driver would be criminally charged for that? Yet you eagerly give the drivers time away for free to the shippers? And wonder why nobody is interested in this job?

Replied on Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 02:49 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. All I can say is that it is very hard to compete with the federal government on wages when they give extra money to unemployed! Why would you want to go to work when you can make more money doing nothing?!

Replied on Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 03:30 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "All I can say is that it is very hard to compete with the federal government on wages when they give extra money to unemployed! Why would you want to go to work when you can make more money doing nothing?!" I agree that paying someone to do nothing is garbage 100 percent. But what does unemployment pay? I heard someone say it can be around 1000 a month? Maybe that's wrong? If it's correct, nobody can live on that. If there's a demand for drivers, there should be money to incentivize people to show up. Lazyness is nothing new. Money talks.

Replied on Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 03:30 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "All I can say is that it is very hard to compete with the federal government on wages when they give extra money to unemployed! Why would you want to go to work when you can make more money doing nothing?!"

I agree that paying someone to do nothing is garbage 100 percent. But what does unemployment pay? I heard someone say it can be around 1000 a month? Maybe that's wrong? If it's correct, nobody can live on that. If there's a demand for drivers, there should be money to incentivize people to show up. Lazyness is nothing new. Money talks.

Replied on Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 04:03 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "I agree that paying someone to do nothing is garbage 100 percent. But what does unemployment pay? I heard someone say it can be around 1000 a month? Maybe that's wrong? If it's correct, nobody can live on that. If there's a demand for drivers, there should be money to incentivize people to show up. Lazyness is nothing new. Money talks." With the extra 600 per week, many people were getting over 1000 per week. We never took a day off because of covid, even during the time when I and other office staff had covid! Big difference in the generations! Now our glorious government is giving away freebies to everyone EXCEPT those who work!

Replied on Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 04:03 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "I agree that paying someone to do nothing is garbage 100 percent. But what does unemployment pay? I heard someone say it can be around 1000 a month? Maybe that's wrong? If it's correct, nobody can live on that. If there's a demand for drivers, there should be money to incentivize people to show up. Lazyness is nothing new. Money talks."

With the extra 600 per week, many people were getting over 1000 per week. We never took a day off because of covid, even during the time when I and other office staff had covid! Big difference in the generations! Now our glorious government is giving away freebies to everyone EXCEPT those who work!

Replied on Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 04:23 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "I agree that paying someone to do nothing is garbage 100 percent. But what does unemployment pay? I heard someone say it can be around 1000 a month? Maybe that's wrong? If it's correct, nobody can live on that. If there's a demand for drivers, there should be money to incentivize people to show up. Lazyness is nothing new. Money talks." Thing about money incentives is that it is a double edged sword. Yes we should all make more money, BUT the money that needs to be made to survive is now passed on in higher prices at the store, at the dealership, at any retail outlet center and so on. It is just like when politicians get on a soap box and say that there needs to be a higher minimum wage! Well, what happens when the minimum wage for unskilled workers goes up? The cost of everything goes up and then the wages for skilled labor needs to move also. Basically we are in the same damn place we were in the beginning, other than the fact that the government can now take more from the lower classes too because they make more. How about we go back to a system where you are paid what you are worth? How about a flat rate tax so everyone pays something and there would be no loop holes for wealthy to get through? So many answers to questions that need to be asked. We will never get these questions answered until the government quits trying to be all things to everyone and quit spending like drunken sailors! (My appologies to drunken sailors, we all know you are better people than politicians!)

Replied on Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 04:23 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Thing about money incentives is that it is a double edged sword. Yes we should all make more money, BUT the money that needs to be made to survive is now passed on in higher prices at the store, at the dealership, at any retail outlet center and so on. It is just like when politicians get on a soap box and say that there needs to be a higher minimum wage! Well, what happens when the minimum wage for unskilled workers goes up? The cost of everything goes up and then the wages for skilled labor needs to move also. Basically we are in the same damn place we were in the beginning, other than the fact that the government can now take more from the lower classes too because they make more. How about we go back to a system where you are paid what you are worth? How about a flat rate tax so everyone pays something and there would be no loop holes for wealthy to get through? So many answers to questions that need to be asked. We will never get these questions answered until the government quits trying to be all things to everyone and quit spending like drunken sailors! (My appologies to drunken sailors, we all know you are better people than politicians!)

Replied on Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at 07:57 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "With the extra 600 per week, many people were getting over 1000 per week. We never took a day off because of covid, even during the time when I and other office staff had covid! Big difference in the generations! Now our glorious government is giving away freebies to everyone EXCEPT those who work!" Don't take anything I say in response to you negativity or anything like that, but I am going to be 100 percent honest. I'm considering leaving trucking. I've done well the last 2 years, but it feels fragile. If I lost 1 of my 2 main customers, I'd be screwed. Because of this consideration, I'm asking these questions legitimately because I want to know people's thought. I agree with you on pretty much everything you said. I consider myself a conservative person....but conservatism is not my religion. Does anybody have evidence that people are currently getting 1000 dollars a week to stay home today? Or is that conservatives trying to pass the blame of their own inability to pay a good wage, on to the employee asking for too much money?? I believe passionately in taking responsibility for your actions. I recommend every human being listen to Jocko willink discuss extreme ownership. When I went under financially when I was farming, I blamed EVERYONE, Chicago board of trade, mother nature, CHS. Turns out I made poor business decisions. I contemplated bankruptcy in 2018 as I was getting told by my banker that they would no longer fund me and that I needed to find a new bank and pay them off in 30 days. Here's what I learned..... nobody gave a shit that I went under, it was also nobody's problem but my own because it was my damn fault. But also, I was still subject to supply and demand. Fertilizer companies, seed companies, everyone still passed their expenses on to me even though I was struggling. As they should have. But from what I see, supply and demand never seems to matter when it comes to my pay. And everybody, including conservatives run to the government seeking protection from having to pay a good wage. Yes I agree, pay what people are worth. If there is a labor shortage, doesn't that mean people are worth more?? Look at the lumber shortage for example. Here's what happened, lumber distributers sold to local lumber yards at a higher price, and demanded payment upfront. Local lumber yards passed that upcharge on and also required upfront payment because of the circumstances and everyone was ok with it. But now there's supposedly a driver shortage, pay sucks, employees blame the drivers for wanting too much money rather than taking responsibility for their own personal business failures of not being able to pay decent.... and in many cases owner operators have to PAY MONEY TO GET THEIR OWN MONEY ON TIME. Maybe there is a driver shortage, but then that tells me there are just too many trucks out there. The older generation loves to accuse us young people of being spoiled and lazy. Sure some are. I'm 33, I have 3 daughters and my wife works part time because child care is insanely expensive. Have you baby boomers and industry veterans looked at what the average household income, cost of a house, cost of a car, cost of groceries was when you were in your 20s or 30s and compared those numbers to today? The ratios don't match. I'm not advocating for socialism. But a free market should dictate demand and pay should accommodate accordingly. If I can't afford an employee, which I have considered adding a truck last year, it's my fault that I can't pay, it means I need to do better. I can't provide the standard of living I want to my family at 15 per hour....or a free 1000 per week. It's not enough money, that's why I work hard. If my daughter's were old enough to be on their own today and were content to ALLOW an employee to pay them crap, I'd consider that a personal failure as a father

Replied on Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at 07:57 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "With the extra 600 per week, many people were getting over 1000 per week. We never took a day off because of covid, even during the time when I and other office staff had covid! Big difference in the generations! Now our glorious government is giving away freebies to everyone EXCEPT those who work!"

Don't take anything I say in response to you negativity or anything like that, but I am going to be 100 percent honest. I'm considering leaving trucking. I've done well the last 2 years, but it feels fragile. If I lost 1 of my 2 main customers, I'd be screwed. Because of this consideration, I'm asking these questions legitimately because I want to know people's thought. I agree with you on pretty much everything you said. I consider myself a conservative person....but conservatism is not my religion. Does anybody have evidence that people are currently getting 1000 dollars a week to stay home today? Or is that conservatives trying to pass the blame of their own inability to pay a good wage, on to the employee asking for too much money?? I believe passionately in taking responsibility for your actions. I recommend every human being listen to Jocko willink discuss extreme ownership. When I went under financially when I was farming, I blamed EVERYONE, Chicago board of trade, mother nature, CHS. Turns out I made poor business decisions. I contemplated bankruptcy in 2018 as I was getting told by my banker that they would no longer fund me and that I needed to find a new bank and pay them off in 30 days. Here's what I learned..... nobody gave a shit that I went under, it was also nobody's problem but my own because it was my damn fault. But also, I was still subject to supply and demand. Fertilizer companies, seed companies, everyone still passed their expenses on to me even though I was struggling. As they should have. But from what I see, supply and demand never seems to matter when it comes to my pay. And everybody, including conservatives run to the government seeking protection from having to pay a good wage. Yes I agree, pay what people are worth. If there is a labor shortage, doesn't that mean people are worth more?? Look at the lumber shortage for example. Here's what happened, lumber distributers sold to local lumber yards at a higher price, and demanded payment upfront. Local lumber yards passed that upcharge on and also required upfront payment because of the circumstances and everyone was ok with it. But now there's supposedly a driver shortage, pay sucks, employees blame the drivers for wanting too much money rather than taking responsibility for their own personal business failures of not being able to pay decent.... and in many cases owner operators have to PAY MONEY TO GET THEIR OWN MONEY ON TIME. Maybe there is a driver shortage, but then that tells me there are just too many trucks out there. The older generation loves to accuse us young people of being spoiled and lazy. Sure some are. I'm 33, I have 3 daughters and my wife works part time because child care is insanely expensive. Have you baby boomers and industry veterans looked at what the average household income, cost of a house, cost of a car, cost of groceries was when you were in your 20s or 30s and compared those numbers to today? The ratios don't match. I'm not advocating for socialism. But a free market should dictate demand and pay should accommodate accordingly. If I can't afford an employee, which I have considered adding a truck last year, it's my fault that I can't pay, it means I need to do better. I can't provide the standard of living I want to my family at 15 per hour....or a free 1000 per week. It's not enough money, that's why I work hard. If my daughter's were old enough to be on their own today and were content to ALLOW an employee to pay them crap, I'd consider that a personal failure as a father

Replied on Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at 12:06 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Don't take anything I say in response to you negativity or anything like that, but I am going to be 100 percent honest. I'm considering leaving trucking. I've done well the last 2 years, but it feels fragile. If I lost 1 of my 2 main customers, I'd be screwed. Because of this consideration, I'm asking these questions legitimately because I want to know people's thought. I agree with you on pretty much everything you said. I consider myself a conservative person....but conservatism is not my religion. Does anybody have evidence that people are currently getting 1000 dollars a week to stay home today? Or is that conservatives trying to pass the blame of their own inability to pay a good wage, on to the employee asking for too much money?? I believe passionately in taking responsibility for your actions. I recommend every human being listen to Jocko willink discuss extreme ownership. When I went under financially when I was farming, I blamed EVERYONE, Chicago board of trade, mother nature, CHS. Turns out I made poor business decisions. I contemplated bankruptcy in 2018 as I was getting told by my banker that they would no longer fund me and that I needed to find a new bank and pay them off in 30 days. Here's what I learned..... nobody gave a shit that I went under, it was also nobody's problem but my own because it was my damn fault. But also, I was still subject to supply and demand. Fertilizer companies, seed companies, everyone still passed their expenses on to me even though I was struggling. As they should have. But from what I see, supply and demand never seems to matter when it comes to my pay. And everybody, including conservatives run to the government seeking protection from having to pay a good wage. Yes I agree, pay what people are worth. If there is a labor shortage, doesn't that mean people are worth more?? Look at the lumber shortage for example. Here's what happened, lumber distributers sold to local lumber yards at a higher price, and demanded payment upfront. Local lumber yards passed that upcharge on and also required upfront payment because of the circumstances and everyone was ok with it. But now there's supposedly a driver shortage, pay sucks, employees blame the drivers for wanting too much money rather than taking responsibility for their own personal business failures of not being able to pay decent.... and in many cases owner operators have to PAY MONEY TO GET THEIR OWN MONEY ON TIME. Maybe there is a driver shortage, but then that tells me there are just too many trucks out there. The older generation loves to accuse us young people of being spoiled and lazy. Sure some are. I'm 33, I have 3 daughters and my wife works part time because child care is insanely expensive. Have you baby boomers and industry veterans looked at what the average household income, cost of a house, cost of a car, cost of groceries was when you were in your 20s or 30s and compared those numbers to today? The ratios don't match. I'm not advocating for socialism. But a free market should dictate demand and pay should accommodate accordingly. If I can't afford an employee, which I have considered adding a truck last year, it's my fault that I can't pay, it means I need to do better. I can't provide the standard of living I want to my family at 15 per hour....or a free 1000 per week. It's not enough money, that's why I work hard. If my daughter's were old enough to be on their own today and were content to ALLOW an employee to pay them crap, I'd consider that a personal failure as a father" Boy... I consider myself conservative of sorts too. But I came across a documentory on Netflix a while back and the title "Saving Capitalism" got my attention. By Robert B. Reich. Secatary of Labor under Clinton. Rush used to prononunce his name funny. A Liberal. There is a book by the same name. You should consider listening to it. I also consider myself fairly informed. I'm part way through the book for the second or third time. The older I get, the more information I take in, the less I understand. BUT, I do kind of understand, it's a F***ed up system. Big government...Big business...

Replied on Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at 12:06 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "Don't take anything I say in response to you negativity or anything like that, but I am going to be 100 percent honest. I'm considering leaving trucking. I've done well the last 2 years, but it feels fragile. If I lost 1 of my 2 main customers, I'd be screwed. Because of this consideration, I'm asking these questions legitimately because I want to know people's thought. I agree with you on pretty much everything you said. I consider myself a conservative person....but conservatism is not my religion. Does anybody have evidence that people are currently getting 1000 dollars a week to stay home today? Or is that conservatives trying to pass the blame of their own inability to pay a good wage, on to the employee asking for too much money?? I believe passionately in taking responsibility for your actions. I recommend every human being listen to Jocko willink discuss extreme ownership. When I went under financially when I was farming, I blamed EVERYONE, Chicago board of trade, mother nature, CHS. Turns out I made poor business decisions. I contemplated bankruptcy in 2018 as I was getting told by my banker that they would no longer fund me and that I needed to find a new bank and pay them off in 30 days. Here's what I learned..... nobody gave a shit that I went under, it was also nobody's problem but my own because it was my damn fault. But also, I was still subject to supply and demand. Fertilizer companies, seed companies, everyone still passed their expenses on to me even though I was struggling. As they should have. But from what I see, supply and demand never seems to matter when it comes to my pay. And everybody, including conservatives run to the government seeking protection from having to pay a good wage. Yes I agree, pay what people are worth. If there is a labor shortage, doesn't that mean people are worth more?? Look at the lumber shortage for example. Here's what happened, lumber distributers sold to local lumber yards at a higher price, and demanded payment upfront. Local lumber yards passed that upcharge on and also required upfront payment because of the circumstances and everyone was ok with it. But now there's supposedly a driver shortage, pay sucks, employees blame the drivers for wanting too much money rather than taking responsibility for their own personal business failures of not being able to pay decent.... and in many cases owner operators have to PAY MONEY TO GET THEIR OWN MONEY ON TIME. Maybe there is a driver shortage, but then that tells me there are just too many trucks out there. The older generation loves to accuse us young people of being spoiled and lazy. Sure some are. I'm 33, I have 3 daughters and my wife works part time because child care is insanely expensive. Have you baby boomers and industry veterans looked at what the average household income, cost of a house, cost of a car, cost of groceries was when you were in your 20s or 30s and compared those numbers to today? The ratios don't match. I'm not advocating for socialism. But a free market should dictate demand and pay should accommodate accordingly. If I can't afford an employee, which I have considered adding a truck last year, it's my fault that I can't pay, it means I need to do better. I can't provide the standard of living I want to my family at 15 per hour....or a free 1000 per week. It's not enough money, that's why I work hard. If my daughter's were old enough to be on their own today and were content to ALLOW an employee to pay them crap, I'd consider that a personal failure as a father"

Boy... I consider myself conservative of sorts too. But I came across a documentory on Netflix a while back and the title "Saving Capitalism" got my attention. By Robert B. Reich. Secatary of Labor under Clinton. Rush used to prononunce his name funny. A Liberal. There is a book by the same name. You should consider listening to it. I also consider myself fairly informed. I'm part way through the book for the second or third time. The older I get, the more information I take in, the less I understand. BUT, I do kind of understand, it's a F***ed up system. Big government...Big business...

Replied on Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at 12:06 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "A security guard can clock in on the job and get paid until he clocks out even if he takes a snooze on the job, but a truck driver is held liable for the security of the load for the entire time it is in transit, yet he only gets paid for the time he is driving? Wouldn’t it be funny if a driver was in sleeper berth and felt the truck rock, got up looked in the mirror and noticed thieves stealing the load and did nothing? Tell the cops I’m not a security guard, I am a driver it’s not my responsibility? How many of you think the driver would be criminally charged for that? Yet you eagerly give the drivers time away for free to the shippers? And wonder why nobody is interested in this job?" I read an info-mercial article of sorts in the "Movin On" newspaper recently about Koch Trucking (in your neighborhood) about their "fun freight". Boats, ATVs, snowmobiles etc. Pre-loaded trailers, arrange you own deliveries (at least on the boat side) and the receiver is happy to see you.

Replied on Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at 12:06 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "A security guard can clock in on the job and get paid until he clocks out even if he takes a snooze on the job, but a truck driver is held liable for the security of the load for the entire time it is in transit, yet he only gets paid for the time he is driving? Wouldn’t it be funny if a driver was in sleeper berth and felt the truck rock, got up looked in the mirror and noticed thieves stealing the load and did nothing? Tell the cops I’m not a security guard, I am a driver it’s not my responsibility? How many of you think the driver would be criminally charged for that? Yet you eagerly give the drivers time away for free to the shippers? And wonder why nobody is interested in this job?"

I read an info-mercial article of sorts in the "Movin On" newspaper recently about Koch Trucking (in your neighborhood) about their "fun freight". Boats, ATVs, snowmobiles etc. Pre-loaded trailers, arrange you own deliveries (at least on the boat side) and the receiver is happy to see you.

Replied on Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 07:04 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Don't take anything I say in response to you negativity or anything like that, but I am going to be 100 percent honest. I'm considering leaving trucking. I've done well the last 2 years, but it feels fragile. If I lost 1 of my 2 main customers, I'd be screwed. Because of this consideration, I'm asking these questions legitimately because I want to know people's thought. I agree with you on pretty much everything you said. I consider myself a conservative person....but conservatism is not my religion. Does anybody have evidence that people are currently getting 1000 dollars a week to stay home today? Or is that conservatives trying to pass the blame of their own inability to pay a good wage, on to the employee asking for too much money?? I believe passionately in taking responsibility for your actions. I recommend every human being listen to Jocko willink discuss extreme ownership. When I went under financially when I was farming, I blamed EVERYONE, Chicago board of trade, mother nature, CHS. Turns out I made poor business decisions. I contemplated bankruptcy in 2018 as I was getting told by my banker that they would no longer fund me and that I needed to find a new bank and pay them off in 30 days. Here's what I learned..... nobody gave a shit that I went under, it was also nobody's problem but my own because it was my damn fault. But also, I was still subject to supply and demand. Fertilizer companies, seed companies, everyone still passed their expenses on to me even though I was struggling. As they should have. But from what I see, supply and demand never seems to matter when it comes to my pay. And everybody, including conservatives run to the government seeking protection from having to pay a good wage. Yes I agree, pay what people are worth. If there is a labor shortage, doesn't that mean people are worth more?? Look at the lumber shortage for example. Here's what happened, lumber distributers sold to local lumber yards at a higher price, and demanded payment upfront. Local lumber yards passed that upcharge on and also required upfront payment because of the circumstances and everyone was ok with it. But now there's supposedly a driver shortage, pay sucks, employees blame the drivers for wanting too much money rather than taking responsibility for their own personal business failures of not being able to pay decent.... and in many cases owner operators have to PAY MONEY TO GET THEIR OWN MONEY ON TIME. Maybe there is a driver shortage, but then that tells me there are just too many trucks out there. The older generation loves to accuse us young people of being spoiled and lazy. Sure some are. I'm 33, I have 3 daughters and my wife works part time because child care is insanely expensive. Have you baby boomers and industry veterans looked at what the average household income, cost of a house, cost of a car, cost of groceries was when you were in your 20s or 30s and compared those numbers to today? The ratios don't match. I'm not advocating for socialism. But a free market should dictate demand and pay should accommodate accordingly. If I can't afford an employee, which I have considered adding a truck last year, it's my fault that I can't pay, it means I need to do better. I can't provide the standard of living I want to my family at 15 per hour....or a free 1000 per week. It's not enough money, that's why I work hard. If my daughter's were old enough to be on their own today and were content to ALLOW an employee to pay them crap, I'd consider that a personal failure as a father" Leadership starts at the top, and ours appears to be screwed up, a shortage benefit’s carriers and drivers because it gives them leverage over shippers when negotiating rates, so why in the hell should we want to give that up? Yet all the ATA talks about is solving the shortage? Seems like they represent the opposing team.

Replied on Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 07:04 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Leadership starts at the top, and ours appears to be screwed up, a shortage benefit’s carriers and drivers because it gives them leverage over shippers when negotiating rates, so why in the hell should we want to give that up? Yet all the ATA talks about is solving the shortage? Seems like they represent the opposing team.

Replied on Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 07:56 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Leadership starts at the top, and ours appears to be screwed up, a shortage benefit’s carriers and drivers because it gives them leverage over shippers when negotiating rates, so why in the hell should we want to give that up? Yet all the ATA talks about is solving the shortage? Seems like they represent the opposing team." The ATA DEFINATELY represents the mega carriers only and have for a very long time.

Replied on Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 07:56 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "Leadership starts at the top, and ours appears to be screwed up, a shortage benefit’s carriers and drivers because it gives them leverage over shippers when negotiating rates, so why in the hell should we want to give that up? Yet all the ATA talks about is solving the shortage? Seems like they represent the opposing team."

The ATA DEFINATELY represents the mega carriers only and have for a very long time.

Replied on Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 09:39 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "With the extra 600 per week, many people were getting over 1000 per week. We never took a day off because of covid, even during the time when I and other office staff had covid! Big difference in the generations! Now our glorious government is giving away freebies to everyone EXCEPT those who work!" If you want more of something subsidize it, if you want less of something tax it. We tax labor and incentivize laziness.

Replied on Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 09:39 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

If you want more of something subsidize it, if you want less of something tax it. We tax labor and incentivize laziness.

Replied on Wed, Aug 25, 2021 at 01:05 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Don't take anything I say in response to you negativity or anything like that, but I am going to be 100 percent honest. I'm considering leaving trucking. I've done well the last 2 years, but it feels fragile. If I lost 1 of my 2 main customers, I'd be screwed. Because of this consideration, I'm asking these questions legitimately because I want to know people's thought. I agree with you on pretty much everything you said. I consider myself a conservative person....but conservatism is not my religion. Does anybody have evidence that people are currently getting 1000 dollars a week to stay home today? Or is that conservatives trying to pass the blame of their own inability to pay a good wage, on to the employee asking for too much money?? I believe passionately in taking responsibility for your actions. I recommend every human being listen to Jocko willink discuss extreme ownership. When I went under financially when I was farming, I blamed EVERYONE, Chicago board of trade, mother nature, CHS. Turns out I made poor business decisions. I contemplated bankruptcy in 2018 as I was getting told by my banker that they would no longer fund me and that I needed to find a new bank and pay them off in 30 days. Here's what I learned..... nobody gave a shit that I went under, it was also nobody's problem but my own because it was my damn fault. But also, I was still subject to supply and demand. Fertilizer companies, seed companies, everyone still passed their expenses on to me even though I was struggling. As they should have. But from what I see, supply and demand never seems to matter when it comes to my pay. And everybody, including conservatives run to the government seeking protection from having to pay a good wage. Yes I agree, pay what people are worth. If there is a labor shortage, doesn't that mean people are worth more?? Look at the lumber shortage for example. Here's what happened, lumber distributers sold to local lumber yards at a higher price, and demanded payment upfront. Local lumber yards passed that upcharge on and also required upfront payment because of the circumstances and everyone was ok with it. But now there's supposedly a driver shortage, pay sucks, employees blame the drivers for wanting too much money rather than taking responsibility for their own personal business failures of not being able to pay decent.... and in many cases owner operators have to PAY MONEY TO GET THEIR OWN MONEY ON TIME. Maybe there is a driver shortage, but then that tells me there are just too many trucks out there. The older generation loves to accuse us young people of being spoiled and lazy. Sure some are. I'm 33, I have 3 daughters and my wife works part time because child care is insanely expensive. Have you baby boomers and industry veterans looked at what the average household income, cost of a house, cost of a car, cost of groceries was when you were in your 20s or 30s and compared those numbers to today? The ratios don't match. I'm not advocating for socialism. But a free market should dictate demand and pay should accommodate accordingly. If I can't afford an employee, which I have considered adding a truck last year, it's my fault that I can't pay, it means I need to do better. I can't provide the standard of living I want to my family at 15 per hour....or a free 1000 per week. It's not enough money, that's why I work hard. If my daughter's were old enough to be on their own today and were content to ALLOW an employee to pay them crap, I'd consider that a personal failure as a father" Yes, I have evidence of this! I know people personally who received this 600/week then was dropped to 300/week extra. ALL of them said they could not go back to work and make that kind of money! Now the scam is 350/month per dependent child! Why doesn't the government just say "screw freely without consquence because we will have your back"? If you have 5 kids and are on welfare, you are most likey making more than a skilled laborer! Government produces no product nor provides any service for profit! You can not spend like drunken sailors (my appologies to drunken sailors, as they are much better people than politians!) and offer people options to be lazy with no consequence! We NEED government to back off, get there noses out of our business' and get the people back to work! I am not a liberal, for sure and lean more conservative, BUT I think all in Washington wear the same cloak! There is NO possibility for anyone unaffiliated with either of the 2 parties to get elected or even get your ideas out there! This why Trump was so hated! He was not controlled by either party and was president because of his love for freedom and his country! The press and all of the pundants ran him down and the people looked at the press as if it were gospil! Y'all think things are bad now? Just wait, we ain't seen nothing yet!!!! Good luck and stay safe! Keith ET Trucking

Replied on Wed, Aug 25, 2021 at 01:05 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Yes, I have evidence of this! I know people personally who received this 600/week then was dropped to 300/week extra. ALL of them said they could not go back to work and make that kind of money! Now the scam is 350/month per dependent child! Why doesn't the government just say "screw freely without consquence because we will have your back"? If you have 5 kids and are on welfare, you are most likey making more than a skilled laborer! Government produces no product nor provides any service for profit! You can not spend like drunken sailors (my appologies to drunken sailors, as they are much better people than politians!) and offer people options to be lazy with no consequence! We NEED government to back off, get there noses out of our business' and get the people back to work!

I am not a liberal, for sure and lean more conservative, BUT I think all in Washington wear the same cloak! There is NO possibility for anyone unaffiliated with either of the 2 parties to get elected or even get your ideas out there! This why Trump was so hated! He was not controlled by either party and was president because of his love for freedom and his country! The press and all of the pundants ran him down and the people looked at the press as if it were gospil! Y'all think things are bad now? Just wait, we ain't seen nothing yet!!!!

Good luck and stay safe!

Keith

ET Trucking

Replied on Wed, Aug 25, 2021 at 09:39 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Kieth. I know people were getting that kind of money. But I'm asking if they currently are? If people aren't getting that money today, you can't use it as an excuse for a labor shortage. 350 per month per dependant child?? Nope. They are receiving their child tax credit up front now. I got 200 per 6 year old (I have twins) and 300 for my 2 year old. I got it for 2 months. It's not a forever thing, and it's not going to exceed what your normal child tax credit is....plus it's my money they are giving back for the child tax credit. But I agree with you 100 percent on everything else you said. Im not here to argue with you. The point I'm trying to make is that if a subway is complaining about not getting workers, and they are offering 11 dollars per hour, I don't feel bad for them. Yeah it's not a hard job and they are mostly young, but I made 18 per hour back in 07 and 08 driving truck for a farmer right in your neck of the woods when I was going to college. 11 per hour now??? Absurd. If a trucking company can't get a driver and they're only offering 45k a year, I have zero sympathy for them. I agree on everything else you've said, flat tax, pay based on performance. All of it.

Replied on Wed, Aug 25, 2021 at 09:39 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Kieth. I know people were getting that kind of money. But I'm asking if they currently are? If people aren't getting that money today, you can't use it as an excuse for a labor shortage. 350 per month per dependant child?? Nope. They are receiving their child tax credit up front now. I got 200 per 6 year old (I have twins) and 300 for my 2 year old. I got it for 2 months. It's not a forever thing, and it's not going to exceed what your normal child tax credit is....plus it's my money they are giving back for the child tax credit. But I agree with you 100 percent on everything else you said. Im not here to argue with you. The point I'm trying to make is that if a subway is complaining about not getting workers, and they are offering 11 dollars per hour, I don't feel bad for them. Yeah it's not a hard job and they are mostly young, but I made 18 per hour back in 07 and 08 driving truck for a farmer right in your neck of the woods when I was going to college. 11 per hour now??? Absurd. If a trucking company can't get a driver and they're only offering 45k a year, I have zero sympathy for them. I agree on everything else you've said, flat tax, pay based on performance. All of it.

Replied on Thu, Aug 26, 2021 at 10:52 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Police fraudulent freight brokerages, then the carrier makes more per load on average, and can pay the drivers more. This is cut and pasted from the 2022 budget for the Office of Inspector General for the DOT, in regards to their duties for the FMCSA. Tell me where it says they do anything to stop brokerage fraud, please! "Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration • Audit FMCSA’s efforts to collect comprehensive commercial motor carrier safety data; review the oversight of the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, which provides over $200 million to States to reduce the incidence and severity of commercial motor vehicle crashes; and assess FMCSA’s oversight to ensure States meet minimum Federal standards for issuing Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Certified Learners Permits. • Investigate violations of FMCSA regulations governing interstate transportation of household goods to protect consumers and workers from fraudulent and deceptive practices. • Investigate motor carrier safety violations, such as unsafe transport of hazardous materials, commercial driver’s license fraud by schools and third-party testers, and carriers that reincarnate with different identities to circumvent safety regulations and penalties" https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/files/OIG%20FY%202022%20CONG%20Submission%206-4-21.pdf You can find that on page 25. Not trying to hijack the thread, I just think this is an issue that would make for a better world for carriers. There are literally about 3 groups of people that need to be stopped, to stop probably 50% of the churn and burn freight brokeraqe scams...and that goes straight to the bottom line of the carriers, that could pay more and give more benefits. But most of the people here can guess which companies in the industry spend the most on lobbbying.

Replied on Thu, Aug 26, 2021 at 10:52 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Police fraudulent freight brokerages, then the carrier makes more per load on average, and can pay the drivers more.

This is cut and pasted from the 2022 budget for the Office of Inspector General for the DOT, in regards to their duties for the FMCSA. Tell me where it says they do anything to stop brokerage fraud, please!

"Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• Audit FMCSA’s efforts to collect comprehensive commercial motor carrier safety
data; review the oversight of the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, which
provides over $200 million to States to reduce the incidence and severity of
commercial motor vehicle crashes; and assess FMCSA’s oversight to ensure States
meet minimum Federal standards for issuing Commercial Driver’s Licenses and
Certified Learners Permits.
• Investigate violations of FMCSA regulations governing interstate transportation of
household goods to protect consumers and workers from fraudulent and deceptive
practices.
• Investigate motor carrier safety violations, such as unsafe transport of hazardous
materials, commercial driver’s license fraud by schools and third-party testers, and
carriers that reincarnate with different identities to circumvent safety regulations and
penalties"

https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/files/OIG%20FY%202022%20CONG%20Submission%206-4-21.pdf You can find that on page 25.

Not trying to hijack the thread, I just think this is an issue that would make for a better world for carriers. There are literally about 3 groups of people that need to be stopped, to stop probably 50% of the churn and burn freight brokeraqe scams...and that goes straight to the bottom line of the carriers, that could pay more and give more benefits. But most of the people here can guess which companies in the industry spend the most on lobbbying.

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