Part of that's because of a rapidly aging workforce: the average age of long-haul truck drivers is 46, according to the group. Not long they'll be past the age for heavy strenuous work.
Few long-haul truckers say wages are enough to make up for time away from their families.
Turnover in the industry is high.
One solution the the industry wants, getting young drivers into the industry earlier.
Trucking has not been among the vocational programs offered at high schools, because of age restrictions on interstate trucking. Federal law requires drivers of commercial vehicles to be at least 21 years old to cross state lines.
One solution the the industry wants, getting young drivers into the industry earlier.
Trucking has not been among the vocational programs offered at high schools, because of age restrictions on interstate trucking. Federal law requires drivers of commercial vehicles to be at least 21 years old to cross state lines.
(but any 18 year old in the military can operate any vehicle they are trained and checked out on, I know. I was single sticking a 6,900 ton reactor powered sub warship with torpedos. So, why can't can't 18 yr olds drive a semi across a state border? They can serve in the army as combat infantry in a foreign war, be drafted, or vote. Why can't they drive a business truck?)
"That's where you make most of your money at," says Joshua Hewitt, a 17-year-old senior at Williamsport High School who's enrolled in the trucking class. "You can make money in state, but over state, going from West Coast to East Coast — that's where you make the most money."
But now, the federal government is piloting a three-year apprentice program that will allow 18-to-20-year-olds to drive commercial vehicles on interstate routes, opening up career opportunities for high school graduates that didn't exist before.
"That's where you make most of your money at," says Joshua Hewitt, a 17-year-old senior at Williamsport High School who's enrolled in the trucking class. "You can make money in state, but over state, going from West Coast to East Coast — that's where you make the most money."
But now, the federal government is piloting a three-year apprentice program that will allow 18-to-20-year-olds to drive commercial vehicles on interstate routes, opening up career opportunities for high school graduates that didn't exist before.
My nephew got hired at 20 to drive an 18 wheeler, they just kept him in state until he turned 21.
ReplyDeletewish the govt would make up their mind about ages, gotta be 21 to drive trucks or buy beer or handguns, but 18 is responsible enough to vote?
the best part of this high school program would be for teenagers to see how all the other cars drive so dangerously around big trucks,, cutting in front of them, etc.
Turnover in the trucking industry is over 100% and its so high because the pay hasnt kept up with inflation, and the trucking companies AND the shippers and recievers they pickup and deliver to, treat the drivers so bad,
there is no shortage of drivers, just a shortage of drivers who are willing to be treated like dog doo for low pay. if the nurses at hospitals or school teachers had a 127% annual turnover rate it would be a national crisis and someone would be trying to figure out how to solve the issue, but since its truckers, who are right behind police officers in being hated and looked down upon, no one cares.
the latest huge spending bill by the rats in DC has soccer stadiums and spa and billions of taxpayer dollars spent for useless political payoffs, but not one nickel for more rest areas or anything that would help truckers or increase the supply of gas and diesel, and thus reduce the price.
a good two week truckers strike would get some attention
just imagine if ever trucker took their two week vacation at the same time...
I was a trucker from 1988 to 1995 and I made more money then, than the drivers make now,
and the govt isnt helping, the govt have closed rest areas instead of building more, the reason you see big trucks parked on the interstate ramps is because all the truck stops and rest areas are full,
If the truckers would stick together they couod be the most powerful political grouop in the nation, in less than a week. and it woudnt have to be a nationwide strike, just target a certain congressional district if some senator has said they are going to vote for cancelling a pipeline or raising taxes or allowing more foreign immigrants to be truck drivers etc.
no gasoline, no food, no FedEx, no UPS, no pickups or deliveries of any kind of freight or cargo in that congressmans district, and they would change their tune in a hurry.
as you know, ten years ago, california banned, with the stroke of a pen, the use of any truck manufactured before 2006, and is preparing to ban any truck built before 2010.
and in a few years they will ban all diesel powered trucks,
the truckers should have responded to this ten years ago with a strike, refusing to operate in california until the state changed the ban, but the truckers didnt strike, , so now the state is back to ban more trucks. the govt in california has already forced the price of gas and diesel to nearly double what is is everywhere else by requiring special blends that are used no where else in the world, and wont allow any new refineries and wont allow any improvements or upgrades to any refineries.
If there's one good indicator of whether it's a good job or not, it's the turnover rate (student jobs excepted). If you get paid well and have good working conditions, you're more likely to stick with what you do.
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