Login
or
Register
Home
»
Trains Magazine
»
Forums
»
General Discussion
»
Truck Driver Shortage
Edit post
Edit your reply below.
Post Body
Enter your post below.
It is the way of life that are killing some of the drivers. <br /> <br />When I started late in the 1980's you actually had about 10 days to get to the West coast and life was pretty routine and decent with time each day for showers, food etc.. <br /> <br />With the qualcomm system cutting out the loss of information, increases efficency and other major and truly valued improve ments such as break down recovery etc etc etc. <br /> <br />Bottom line. PAY. A reefer driver probably will have to wait 40 hours each week. That is unpaid time. It is also time that is "Up-time" that is spent being awake and under pressure to get loaded and rolling. When it is actually loaded and ready the driver is too worn out, hungry, tired, dirty etc to make the run especially in remote areas. <br /> <br />Drivers who cannot manage the money bury themselves on comchecks. <br /> <br />Drivers who have kids, family and other life issues are sometimes caught between trucking and coming home to anything that may see McBuck to a factory for some. <br /> <br />Dispatch promises home time. Baloney. You can expect to be dispatched anywhere BUT your home town for at least 4 weeks. I have been gone for as long as 6 months. <br /> <br />Sickness, Sexual deviancy, drugs and problems in bad areas cut down on healthy and safe drivers. <br /> <br />Out moded laws and very very deep rooted ideas such as "Wink wink" regarding log books, pretrips, loads around scales known to be open etc etc... Anything that interferes with keeping the wheels rolling (Including sleep) are "Managed" to the point of breaking down of basic human decency and desire to make a good living. <br /> <br />Keep in mind that drivers are financially liable personally for many things while on the job. <br /> <br />If they cannot meet the schedules on time, there are 50 more coming out of orientation rested and eager to put in the 90 day wonder. <br /> <br />If I sound too negative that is only because I took a stand against most of these problems and with my spouse formed a good team that ran 24/7 only to see insufficient time in a day to get everything done that needs to be kept up. <br /> <br />Last and not the least is the environment on trash C.B. Prositute hunting, drug running and other activities that threaten a driver's personal welbeing and health. <br /> <br />The last 5 years of my trucking my radio was off unless leading a convoy thru bad weather. That I know how to do. <br /> <br />ANd my personal favorite..... <br /> <br />Drive 1200 miles over 24 hours arrive just in time to meet the appointment (Saving your job until the next run) only to be told you need to unload 1400 cases in 130 degree trailer heat in less than 5 hours so that they can clear the dock for shipping. <br /> <br />If you dont get unloaded in that time period then you will be sent away to wait until another appointment is made (usually several days later) totally wrecking your month away from home.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag
Update Reply
Join our Community!
Our community is
FREE
to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Login »
Register »
Search the Community
Newsletter Sign-Up
By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our
privacy policy
More great sites from Kalmbach Media
Terms Of Use
|
Privacy Policy
|
Copyright Policy