Company Lies

Interestingly enough, most large corporations today were originally founded by some guy who thought he could do better than the current big players in the game were doing. Walmart was started out of disappointment for the way Kmart did things, Pappa Johns founded for the way Pizza Hut did things.

So I'm all for people being disgruntled with the current situation to the point they're ready to take action. But creating a mob scene or going on strike isn't going to work in trucking. The industry is too fragmented. We need someone to start a company that pays their drivers so well and treats them so well that everyone will have to follow suit.

Now we have to see who's ready to step up to the plate and go for it. Sounds to me like Rick is the man for the job!

Well back then and up to 1992, my step father retired from ABF and retired comfortable, thank you ABF for thatt.

Sounds like a flyer from 1978

the Driver is and always will be the heart and soul, and without him being told this and shown this, it's just an abuse of another man/ woman being prayed upon.

The drivers are certainly the ones taking the most risk and making the most sacrifices to get freight moved around the country. No doubt about it. But at the same time there are an awful lot of drivers today working under conditions they're quite happy with. Most drivers that are working for successful carriers make very good money, especially for a blue collar job. Most are driving nearly new and very well maintained equipment. Most have solid benefits.

Could things be better? Always.

Could they be worse? Well they actually used to be quite a bit worse in a lot of ways. The trucks were far less comfortable and reliable. Many of the safety standards today either weren't enforced well or didn't exist at all years ago so drivers were running multiple logbooks and taking huge risks to make all the money they could. They were also forced into running illegal hours and unsafe equipment or they'd be sent packing.

However, and this is the biggie, when adjusted for inflation drivers used to make way, way more money than they do today. In fact, in the early 90's it was considerably more than what it is today. This is a chart I've shared a few times:

So wages have decreased relative to inflation but safety standards, driver protections, and even other areas within the industry like rest areas and truck stops have actually improved quite a bit over the years.

So there's always room for improvement but it's gonna be a long, tough road. The profit margins are pretty slim in this industry so it's hard to really give drivers a sizeable wage increase and still remain profitable without making cutbacks elsewhere.

Well back then and up to 1992, my step father retired from ABF and retired comfortable, thank you ABF for thatt.

Sounds like a flyer from 1978

And the were probably a UNION HOUSE - and he got a TEAMSTERS RETIREMENT (what was left that Hoffa didn't give away to the mob).

Not you in particular - but it seems lately - that we've had a few members that have been on here a year or more - that have gone way out in left field about the industry.

Rick

I would do anything that would benefit the driver, and I to would not want a mob scene or anything that would endanger a driver, I want to get the professional driver who is committed to this industry what he and his family deserve for the sacrifice we make each and every time we leave our family and go out and do a job that serves each and every person in this nation! And for all of you who don't take to heart of what we the professional truck driver do day in and day out,and take seriously, shame on you for not giving this industry what it deserves, 100 percent of safety, dedication and professionalism... You can hate all you want, bit you, will always be a part of the problem and not a part of the solution.

Interestingly enough, most large corporations today were originally founded by some guy who thought he could do better than the current big players in the game were doing. Walmart was started out of disappointment for the way Kmart did things, Pappa Johns founded for the way Pizza Hut did things.

So I'm all for people being disgruntled with the current situation to the point they're ready to take action. But creating a mob scene or going on strike isn't going to work in trucking. The industry is too fragmented. We need someone to start a company that pays their drivers so well and treats them so well that everyone will have to follow suit.

Now we have to see who's ready to step up to the plate and go for it. Sounds to me like Rick is the man for the job!

It all sounds great on paper, but where are you going to find Customers to pay the considerably higher freight bills to accommodate all of the pay and perks your Company will offer its Drivers. It is simple supply and demand. Capitalism if you will. There are Many Companies that offer much of what you spell out in your post. They Only hire the" Best and Brightest, so to speak. All of those things you mention will never be available to the majority of Drivers. That would be Utopia. Utopia does not exist here on Earth. Never has, Never will. Communists have been promising Utopia to the masses for generations and generations now. We know the results!

Nice try

Well, I this is a forum to share, and that's what I'm doing, just sharing my experiences and views, that's what Open Forum means, I'm not here to insure anyone, I'm simply stating facts, and I know there are SOME great Companies out there, it's just my opinion they are way to far few of them, and they can only hire so many?

I totally agree with you Brett, as you can read by the few replies, it's a topic that only few dare venture into, but again, I would do anything I could do to help my brother truck drivers ..

the Driver is and always will be the heart and soul, and without him being told this and shown this, it's just an abuse of another man/ woman being prayed upon.

The drivers are certainly the ones taking the most risk and making the most sacrifices to get freight moved around the country. No doubt about it. But at the same time there are an awful lot of drivers today working under conditions they're quite happy with. Most drivers that are working for successful carriers make very good money, especially for a blue collar job. Most are driving nearly new and very well maintained equipment. Most have solid benefits.

Could things be better? Always.

Could they be worse? Well they actually used to be quite a bit worse in a lot of ways. The trucks were far less comfortable and reliable. Many of the safety standards today either weren't enforced well or didn't exist at all years ago so drivers were running multiple logbooks and taking huge risks to make all the money they could. They were also forced into running illegal hours and unsafe equipment or they'd be sent packing.

However, and this is the biggie, when adjusted for inflation drivers used to make way, way more money than they do today. In fact, in the early 90's it was considerably more than what it is today. This is a chart I've shared a few times:

So wages have decreased relative to inflation but safety standards, driver protections, and even other areas within the industry like rest areas and truck stops have actually improved quite a bit over the years.

So there's always room for improvement but it's gonna be a long, tough road. The profit margins are pretty slim in this industry so it's hard to really give drivers a sizeable wage increase and still remain profitable without making cutbacks elsewhere.

Of course it is, and again, one person can make change, but think of what a thousand or more could do that think and feel the same, it's my opinion, and to be able to voice my opinion is just That, and for you to voice yours is just that, yours.

It all sounds great on paper, but where are you going to find Customers to pay the considerably higher freight bills to accommodate all of the pay and perks your Company will offer its Drivers. It is simple supply and demand. Capitalism if you will. There are Many Companies that offer much of what you spell out in your post. They Only hire the" Best and Brightest, so to speak. All of those things you mention will never be available to the majority of Drivers. That would be Utopia. Utopia does not exist here on Earth. Never has, Never will. Communists have been promising Utopia to the masses for generations and generations now. We know the results!

Nice try

as you can read by the few replies, it's a topic that only few dare venture into

Well, the thing is there are tons and tons of people over the years who have genuinely tried to make the best environment possible for their drivers. I mean, tons of drivers have gone into ownership over the years with the best of intentions. Unfortunately as a company it's hard enough to survive at all without trying to create an extra special environment for drivers. But to go above and beyond what your competitors are doing for their drivers and remaining profitable is extremely difficult.

A lot of times if you dig around you'll find different companies taking different tactics but in the end it comes down to what you prefer as a driver. For instance, some companies will offer you a lot higher wages than other companies but they'll require you to buy your own equipment (like chains, tarps, load bars, etc) and for the highest pay level you'll have to drive a lightweight truck which has far less room in it than the standard trucks. So you make high wages, but some of that comes back out in the form of paying for equipment and you're also giving up the bigger truck to get it.

On the other hand there are companies that know a lot of drivers like those extra perks with their trucks. The company pays a little less but they put on a cool paint scheme and they give drivers more creature comforts like free DirectTV packages and a fancier set of chrome gauges and an 18 speed transmission - that sort of stuff.

Then again home time is the most important thing for a lot of drivers so they're willing to take a little less wage and a little less truck in order to be home more often. If they didn't make those sacrifices the company couldn't afford the inefficient use of their trucks like that.

So unfortunately with the slim profit margins in the industry you get stuck in a position where you have to rob Paul to pay Peter. Do you reduce the quality of the trucks to pay higher wages? Do you require a driver stay out longer if they want to make more per mile so the trucks get utilized more efficiently? Do you put fancy trucks on the road hoping to attract drivers that care enough about a fancy truck that they're willing to sacrifice a little pay and home time for it?

That's the balancing act these companies have to play. No matter what they do there will be some drivers who are thrilled and some that walk off the job immediately. So they kind of have to pick a strategy and go for it.