The economy’s apparent stable growth trend will impact the trucking business. The economy is seeing improvements in several areas, helping increase freight volumes. Nevertheless, when we see some movement in sectors like manufacturing and construction, it positively impacts the transportation business. It will convert into an increase in demand for truck drivers. Growth in sectors like technology does not always transfer into truckloads.
These events are now taking place, as we can see. The freight moving throughout the country is about to surpass the carrying capacity of its carriers. Our industry benefits from any economic pressure like this that is headed correctly. All signs point to some good factors at work in the trucking business, which benefits the sector in many ways.
- It increases the cost that carriers may charge for their services.
- That makes more drivers necessary to carry the growing amount of freight.
- That increases the need for orders of Class 8 trucks (tractor-trailers)
- It has a favorable impact on driver pay rates.
While there are other aspects we could discuss, those are the key ones I want to emphasize so that we can debate what it means when truck driver demand is increasing.
The trucking business is a peculiar creature. Many individuals will turn to trucks as a source of employment during tough economic times. During the recent economic downturn, many jobless individuals turned to the trucking sector for employment.
It is Time To Convert To Truck Driving After 2.6 Million Jobs Were Lost in 2008
I am unsure how many ex-IT workers were trying to switch jobs at the time and joined our forum. Several former members of law enforcement who were dissatisfied with their professions and resorted to trucking have also been noticed. At those times, a wide range of other industries was also well-represented on our forum.
Truck drivers are in high demand in this industry practically constantly. Just by being able to offer employment during lean economic times, the trucking business has saved countless families from falling into financial ruin. Humans will always need to eat, and because our society is still big and diversified, we consume all kinds of things that vehicles provide us. Even in some of those years when our country’s economy was not doing so well overall, I am certain that I kept myself fairly busy as a driver.
Demand for truck drivers is higher than ever.
Now that the market has changed slightly, there is a growing need for drivers, but fewer people are ready to go to the trucking business for employment. Several jobless persons have entered the transportation industry over the last ten years since trucking businesses were hiring. Given that demand is increasing across several industries, the job markets are under further stress. People may not be as eager to make the sacrifices that the trucking business expects of its drivers if employment becomes suddenly accessible. These are all slow-moving factors, so it will be interesting to watch how they all pan out, but in general, they should benefit our careers as professional drivers.
Would autonomous vehicles change the need for truck drivers?
All of this plays straight into the hands of those pushing the autonomous car movement, but as far as the future is concerned, theirs is now just a drive for cash for R&D. There will not be any autonomous trucks anytime soon. They are not generating money by really doing anything; rather, they are making money by giving the impression that they may be able to.
While it could materialize, that possibility will not have much of an impact on your present or future employment. Currently, most of their efforts are marketing and unrest, and they have had little impact on the demand for drivers. The only impact I have seen is some unjustified worry from certain drivers who believe autonomous trucks will soon take over. I do not see that occurring, and you can be sure that our litigious culture is preparing for a major fight about who will be held responsible for an 80,000-pound truck that a person does not drive.
Driver-Less Does Not Always Mean Autonomous
Many people are confusing those two distinct concepts. I am not holding my breath for a quick resolution to this. The businesses promoting autonomous technology may earn money without being required to put their ideas into practice. In my opinion, this is where the focus of the whole effort has been. As they say, reality will prevail over fiction when the rubber meets the road, your employment will still be secure, and the driver may even become more crucial.
And sure, I have seen recent news articles mentioning genuine autonomous vehicles that are making deliveries. There are still drivers on board, and there is still a lot of marketing and hoopla. I have sometimes received stories that said two or three people were on board! It surely will lower labor expenses, do not you think? Recall that the first significant lawsuit has not yet been filed, and I can assure you that some cunning attorneys are drooling over the whole scenario.
A self-driving Uber vehicle just murdered a lady crossing the street in Arizona. That tragic event demonstrates how far we still have to go before self-driving cars become a reality.
What Skills Do Trucking Firms Want In A Driver?
So, it is important to comprehend what these trucking businesses are seeking at a time when driver demand is increasing. We must understand precisely what provides a driver that distinct advantage in the hiring process if we want to join in on the ride during a period of good things occurring for drivers. What qualifies a driver as desirable? What motivates a driver to maintain control over his career? When the recruiters are seeking someone to assume the helm of one of those lovely land yachts they have available, what can we do to present ourselves in a favorable light? Certain things, however, never change. Let us examine this and discover what you can do to get the finest trucking position you have ever had.
If you are new to the trucking profession, you must go through the normal drill. Either you must complete a paid CDL training program and agree to a certain amount of time working for the firm that taught you, or you must get your CDL from a private truck driving school that can issue you a 160-hour training certificate.
This procedure may be approached in any way, depending on your requirements and/or preferences. Of course, going the private method will be more expensive up front, but it offers no significant benefits over professional CDL training, which requires some time commitment. Both options are effective, and at Trucking Truth, we have a wealth of information to assist you in picking the best truck driving school.
Driver Changing
The trucking sector is home to several practices, including what some have dubbed “driver cannibalization.” You have probably heard of the phrase “driver churn.” While various factors contribute to this occurrence, a rise in driver demand may also have an impact. This phenomenon is just truckers switching trucking companies, and it often coincides with a modest rise in the driver’s salary in cents per mile (CPM).
This issue is largely to blame for the trucking industry’s staggeringly high driver turnover rates. The figures do not necessarily reflect how many drivers have quit the business; they reflect how many individuals have simply changed employment over the last year. As they do not locate any employers that can satisfy them with their careers, many drivers move about continuously. When drivers are highly needed, these individuals become very hypermotivated.
Increasing Driver Demand Will Benefit Top Tier Drivers the Most
The strong drivers who have survived the test of time and proved themselves capable of getting their tasks done regularly are the ones who I believe will gain the most from the stabilizing effects of economic improvements in our profession. When getting the greatest positions out there, those drivers who have shown their productivity and effectiveness will be in the driver’s seat. I have always approached this work in the same manner.
- Be dependable.
- Do what you claim you are going to do.
- Get things done while keeping your head down.
- Be safe.
- Be productive.
- Do whatever is required of you.
- Act in a very professional manner.
A skilled driver will find that he is in high demand. Although it is possible, I am not necessarily talking about the chance that you may switch jobs and get a significant income increase. I am referring to retaining oneself in your current position of demand. That is how you have always made money in your line of work. To succeed as a driver, one must be very productive and always safe.
I do not advise people to switch employers to get a two or three-penny-per-mile compensation rise. It would be a dumb move on your side to quitting for a few cents more per mile at another carrier if you are going to leave a good, stable job where you are given well and given all sorts of benefits and miles. You must establish your worth again and contend for freight with a different set of drivers. In my view, your earning potential will most likely be negatively impacted for a good several years.
In your current employment, many have observed whether you have kept yourself at the top of the food chain. You may not even be familiar with them, but be assured that word spreads quickly at these trucking firms. Several carriers have already changed the wage rates they provide. Drivers from various businesses have reported uniform wage increases in their fleets.
If you want to earn top income in this sector, your objective should be establishing yourself as a Top Tier Driver. If you have already lost that chance, you may have to settle with switching to a different carrier and earning a few meager cents more per mile while taking a gamble on whether or not you will be granted the chance to log any respectable miles.
The kind of driver now receiving excellent, solid service will be sorely missed if they go on. Such drivers are the ones who will soon get some attention from their companies.
With my current work, I can already feel the winds of change blowing through. Meetings of every type are being held, and improvements are being made at the firm with advice from the present drivers they want to retain on board.
The drivers already established a strong reputation and would stand to gain the most from the present economic turbulence.
They will discover that their employer has great faith in them. So, there will be additional strong runs. The mileage and pay rate will increase as a result. As a result, they will be expected to satisfy present clients so that they will not search elsewhere for the finest service during periods of high demand.
The Timing Is Right To Drive A Truck
Excellent drivers are living in wonderful times. I hope you have established a strong reputation since it will work in your favor. Always keep other firms’ choices in mind, but remember that occasionally, what seems like a better deal could be deceptive. In my opinion, continuing to work hard in an organization where you are already well-established will pay off greatly over the next few years.
