The current economy’s constant growth trend will affect the trucking business. The economy as a whole is making progress, which is helping to increase freight volumes. While development in industries like technology does not always convert into truckloads, manufacturing and construction growth benefit the transportation sector, which will lead to a rise in the need for truck drivers.
These events are now occurring as we watch them. The number of goods moving throughout the country is about to surpass the carriers’ carrying capabilities. This kind of economic pressure benefits our sector as long as it is going in the right way. All signs point to certain good influences in the trucking world, which benefit the sector in many ways.
- It raises the prices carriers may demand their services.
- To carry the growing amount of freight, more drivers are required.
- Orders for Class 8 trucks are more in demand as a result (tractor-trailers)
- That has a favorable impact on the wages of drivers.
We could address several other aspects, but those are the primary ones that I want to highlight so that we can debate what it means when truck driver demand is increasing.
The transportation business is an odd animal. You’ll see many individuals go to trucking as a source of employment during tough economic times. I am aware that many jobless persons turned to the trucking sector amid the economic hardships of the previous ten years.
Turn To Truck Driving After Losing 2.6 Million Jobs in 2008
We had so many ex-IT workers trying to switch occupations in our forum then that I couldn’t keep count. We’ve also seen several former law enforcement personnel who, frustrated with how their jobs were going, switched to trucking. Several industries were well-represented in our forum at that time as well.
In this industry, truck drivers are in high demand practically constantly. Just because the trucking sector could provide a job during challenging economic times, it has prevented many families from plunging headfirst into financial ruin. We continue to be a sizable, diversified civilization that consumes all kinds of commodities that trucks bring us because people constantly need to eat. Even in some of those years when our nation’s economy was not doing very well, I am certain that I maintained a high level of driving activity.
More people are driving trucks than ever before.
There is a growing need for drivers despite a decline in the number of persons eager to seek employment in the trucking business due to the somewhat altered economic climate. Many individuals who simply couldn’t find employment entered the trucking industry for the last ten years or more since trucking businesses were hiring. Demand from various industries is now putting further pressure on the labor markets. People may not be as eager to make the sacrifices that the trucking business expects of its drivers if employment starts to become accessible all of a sudden. These are all slow-moving factors, and although we will have to wait and see how they all pan out, for the most part, they ought to favor our careers as professional drivers.
Would the need for truck drivers be impacted by autonomous vehicles?
All of this plays straight into the hands of people promoting the autonomous car movement. Still, from what I can tell about the future, their main motivation right now is to get financing for R&D. Self-driving trucks won’t be available any time soon. They are not getting money by doing something; rather, they are generating money by making it seem as if they can complete anything.
While it may happen, that prospect does not affect your employment or future. Currently, their efforts are mostly focused on marketing and hoopla and have had little impact on the demand for drivers. The only impact I’ve seen is certain drivers’ unreasonable concern about self-driving trucks overthrowing them soon. I don’t see that happening, and you can be sure that our litigious culture is getting ready for a big fight about who will pay for the responsibility of an 80,000-pound truck that a person isn’t driving.
Driver-Less Does Not Always Mean Autonomous
Several individuals are confusing those two distinct concepts. I won’t hold my breath hoping that everything will be resolved quickly. The businesses promoting autonomous technology may profit in the meantime without having to put their ideas to use. Honestly, it seems this is where the entire drive has been. Fantasy will give way to reality when the “rubber meets the road,” as they say, and your employees will still be secure. The driver could even become more crucial at this point.
I’ve also read recent news articles about real autonomous vehicles making deliveries, so I’ve seen them. There is still a lot of marketing and excitement, and drivers are still there. In other instances, I’ve seen two or three people on board. It surely will reduce the cost of labor, don’t you think? Recall that the first significant lawsuit has not yet been filed, and I can assure you that some cunning attorneys are simply drooling over the whole scenario.
Recently, an Arizona lady crossing the street was murdered by a self-driving Uber vehicle. That tragic event demonstrates how far we have to go before autonomous cars become practical.
What Qualities Are Trucking Firms Seeking In A Driver?
Hence, while the need for drivers is increasing, we need to know what these trucking businesses are searching for. If we want to join the trend of good things occurring for drivers, we must understand what provides a driver an advantage over other job candidates. What about a driver appeals to people? What keeps a driver in control of his professional life? What can we do to present a favorable image of ourselves to the recruiters when they seek someone to assume the helm of one of those nice land yachts they have available? Certain things never change. See what you can do to get your greatest trucking job ever as we take a closer look at this.
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The normal drill will be required of you if you are fresh to the trucking business. Either complete a paid CDL training program and agree to work for the firm that taught you for a certain length of time, or get your CDL via a private truck driving school that may issue you a 160-hour training certificate.
Check out Paid CDL Training vs. Private CDL Training.
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Driver Switching
What some have referred to as the cannibalization of drivers is something that happens in the trucking business. Driver churn is a word you’ve probably heard before. A rise in driver demand may also have an impact on this phenomenon, which is influenced by a variety of factors. This phenomenon is simply truckers switching trucking companies, often followed by a minor boost in the driver’s Cents Per Mile (CPM) pay rate.
This issue accounts for a large portion of the trucking industry’s staggeringly high driver turnover rates. The figures do not always reflect the number of drivers who have quit the business; rather, they reflect the number of persons who have just changed careers in the last 12 months. As they can’t locate a firm that can satisfy them with their careers, many drivers are continually shifting about. When the demand for drivers is high, these people become very hypermotivated.
Top Tier Drivers Will Mainly see the Benefits of Increasing Driver Demand
The drivers who have proven themselves capable of getting the job done consistently are the ones who I believe will benefit the most from the stabilizing effects of economic improvements in our industry. These drivers have stood the test of time and proven they can do the job. When it comes to being in the driver’s seat for the greatest employment available, drivers who have shown their productivity and effectiveness will be in the lead. This is how I’ve always approached this work.
- Be reliable.
- Follow through on what you promise to accomplish.
- Get things done while keeping your head down.
- Don’t let anything happen while you’re not careful.
- Be successful.
- Be prepared to take whatever required action.
- Behave professionally at all times.
See the Requirements for Top-Rated Drivers
The need for excellent, reliable drivers is high. I’m not necessarily talking about the potential of switching jobs and receiving a significant wage boost, but it is a possibility. I’m talking about maintaining your current position of demand. It has always been the method to be paid in our line of work. Key components of a successful driver include being both very productive and safe at the same time.
I don’t advise individuals to switch employers in exchange for a two- to three-cent rise in mileage compensation. It would be a dumb move on your side to quitting for a few pennies more per mile at another carrier if you are willing to give up a good, stable job where you are treated well and given all sorts of benefits and miles. You will need to once again establish your worth while battling other drivers for goods. You will likely hinder your ability to make money for several years.
In your current employment, many have observed whether you’ve been keeping yourself at the top of the food chain. While you may not even be familiar with them, news spreads quickly at these trucking businesses. Several carriers have already altered their pay rates, as shown. Drivers from several businesses have reported that their fleets have seen uniform salary increases.
Your objective should be to establish yourself as a Top Tier Driver if you want to earn the highest salary possible in this field. If you’ve already missed the window of opportunity, you may have to settle with switching to a different carrier, where you’ll earn a pitiful few cents more per mile and take a risk on whether you’ll be given a chance to log some respectable miles.
If they move on, the kind of driver now receiving excellent, solid service will be sorely missed. They are the drivers who will soon be the focus of some of their employers’ attention.
Already, I can feel the winds of change sweeping through my current workplace. They are holding various meetings and striving to improve operations at the firm using the suggestions of the present drivers they want to retain on board.
The drivers who have already established a strong reputation will likely reap the most benefits from the present economic turmoil.
They will discover that their employer is significantly reliant on them. There will be more strong runs, therefore. As a result, both the mileage and the pay rate will increase. It implies that they will be relied upon to keep existing clients happy so they won’t turn elsewhere while frantically searching for the finest service during periods of high demand.
Being a truck driver at this time is fantastic.
Great drivers are living in fantastic times. Since it will work in your favor, I hope you have established a strong reputation. Constantly think about the choices available at other firms, but remember that sometimes what seems like better pastures could be deceptive. For the next several years, I think it will pay off greatly to continue doing a solid job in the organization where you are already well established.