The COVID-19 has accelerated the truck driver shortage immensely in the United States. Worries of a driver shortage have been a popular topic in recent years within the shipping industry. A driver shortage poses huge impacts to the economy and the way companies conduct business. There are many factors that are contributing to the shortage of drivers in recent years. As the economy bounces back, more drivers are needed for logistics and winch truck services.
Our Flint Michigan semi truck repair experts speak with drivers every day and talked about leading factors to the shortage.
Demographics
The average age of truck drivers is older than workers in many other industries around the country. As truck drivers wrap up their long tenures and retire, a need for a younger generation of drivers is created. The issue is, most of the younger generation do not find truck driving appealing. This is related to the immense push to go to college in recent decades which leaves blue-collar jobs and trades on the sideline. The younger generation doesn’t really know much about what being a truck driver is like and how it can benefit their situation.
As of now, truckers can earn their CDL at the age of 19 but are not permitted to travel across state lines until they are at least 21 years old. The driver shortage has prompted industry groups and unions to fight to lower the threshold for across-state travel, but it is quite a controversial topic in the realm of safety.
Lifestyle
Across many industries, the value for benefits outside of pay is increasing drastically. More workers are asking employers to create cultural changes and offer non-monetary benefits such as remote work, work-life balance perks, and so forth. In the trucking industry, work-life balance has been a huge topic of discussion. Most long-haul drivers spend a lot of time away from home and out on the road. This is a major con to the trucking industry and deters a lot of people from becoming a trucker. The nature of the job can put a lot of stress on families, friendships, and relationships. To negate that stress, they can utilize items such as those on CBD Oil UK.
Fleet management companies are exploring options to increase work-life balance. Unfortunately, it is taking quite some time to take effect due to fleet management companies crunching numbers and trying to find the best course of action for both parties. The options that are being explored are major route adjustments and more distribution centers throughout the country.
Pay
Pay has been a topic for decades in the trucking industry as well. Fleet management companies don’t have a consistent way of paying their drivers. Some companies pay by the mile. Others pay a salary. Certain companies require you to be responsible for your truck while others give you a truck to utilize while you’re with the company. Since the 1980s, truck driver wages have decreased drastically due to companies trying to offer cheaper shipping for consumers. This squeeze has put immense stress on the industry and has made recruitment very difficult. Some of the largest fleet companies in the United States are making an effort to improve wages and benefits. It is only natural when the demand for truck drivers is so high while the supply of them is so low.
If you have any questions regarding your semi-truck or diesel truck, reach out to TT Mobile Repair at 866-930-9037!
