Letter to the Editor: Keeping Drivers

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If there were a driver shortage, trucking companies would have pricing power and be able to raise rates. Look at the price of fuel for the last few years. There never was a time we couldn’t get fuel; it was just in short supply and the price went through the roof.

If anything we have excess capacity. There are too many trucks for the freight out there today. Even a few years ago when the economy was doing well, there were no empty shelves at the stores or automotive assembly lines shutting down because they couldn’t find trucks.

George T. Thornes, in his letter to the editor, understands that most of the problem [with why we can’t keep drivers] is sitting in the dispatch chair (“Driver Issues,” Letters, 11-19, p. 8). If I don’t do my job and get freight delivered safely and on time, I’m replaced by someone who will do the job. Why aren’t dispatchers replaced if they don’t keep the drivers productive and get them home often?

Also, there is a story in the Executive Briefing about looking to Puerto Rico for drivers and how 25% of drivers make more than $47,000 per year (TTNews.com, 11-26). That also means 75% make less than $47,000.

Forty-seven-thousand dollars sounds like good money until you look at the hours worked to make it, minus the expense of living on the road. Most drivers are making less than $10 per hour. Is that good pay for risking your life and being subject to fines and, if the worst happens, end up in jail for a long time?

John Grady

I>Driver

I>Hamden, Conn.

This letter appeared in the Dec. 17 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.