Posted on 06/25/2012 11:40:15 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The U.S. economy can't function unless goods get from point A to B.
That's why we have air carriers like FedEx, railroaders like CSX, and truckers like J.B. Hunt.
Truckers are a crucial component in this equation because a plane or train can't exactly back into the loading dock of the local grocery store.
Unfortunately, America can't seem to find enough people to fill the cabs of their 18-wheelers.
USA Today's Paul Davidson reports:
A worsening shortage of truck drivers is pushing up freight rates and delaying some deliveries, defying the weak economy, high unemployment and falling gasoline prices.
Davidson identifies a few reasons why we can't seem to higher enough truckers:
* training costs are high and typically lasts weeks
* minimum age is 21 years
* safety ratings are horrible, causing the screening process to be stringent
However, the shortage is causing pay in the industry to rise. According to a consultant in Davidson's story, the average drivers' annual salary has increased 5 percent year-over-year to $50,000.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Where I live in central KY I saw a billboard seeking truck drivers. It advertized $60k a year plus benefits. That is huge in a land where if you make $10 an hour you are doing pretty good.
The cost of living is so low here I’ve thought about it. It’s sure easier than my current job, and I love driving. Still, it would be a huge cut.
when I ‘retire’ I am going to do this
i think long-haul trucking would let me see the country AND listen to conservative radio all day long my two favorite things
If only Rush was available on Satellite
Truckers also get abused by their employers who demand that they obey speed limits while giving them delivery deadlines that require both speeding and skipping breaks and required sleep breaks. Thus there’s a huge turnover in the industry because not even immigrants are willing to work under such abusive conditions.
Rush is on so many stations I can’t imagine you’d have trouble getting him on terrestrial darn near anywhere.
Is there a Rush radio app for smartphone?
Great that those industries are hiring...but with trucking...they scared off so many with the NAFTA mandated, Bush supported, Obama approved Mexican Truckers Program...allowing Mexican trucks to go all over the US (instead of a 75 mi radius from the border).
This has been big talk among truckers for years...and it has scared many into leaving the industry
Dump the Mexican Trcuks rule, and trucking industry will hire again
1) it’s real work (which is SOOOOO 20th. Century!)
2) it’s getting harder and harder to find people who aren’t strung out on Crack, Smack, Bath Salts, Angel Dust, Roofies, Meth, Acid or Marijuana who can actually obtain a CDL.
They need to “higher” a proofreader!
You can get him on iHeart Radio. No need for SiriusXM.
What isn’t mentioned is that it’s a young man’s game.
The percentage of men over 45, who can “safely” drive with minimal sleep, WITHOUT DRUGS, is low!
Don’t forget about all the Obama trucking regulations and an economy in the depths of a depression and the fluctuating fuel prices.
My guy drives his ‘18 wheels of justice’ and loves the job but hates the endless new rules and regulations.
The comment regarding the laws of how long one can drive vs the delivery time demands of the company, is 100% accurate and sheer insanity.
Good. Let the free market determine the salaries for truck drivers. It is often grueling and lifestyle-limiting work.
I think Rush is on in every radio market in the nation (over 300 of them) and has more than 1 affiliate in many areas
Some radio stations in the west and midwest have flamethrower stations that can be heard for 100s of miles during the day, and a lot of those are Rush stations
Gosh, even in Canada you can pick up Rush US stations easily...esp close to the border
With the terrestrial coverage he has...Rush needs no satellite. He is on everywhere
I would love to drive trucks, because I naturally like to drive. But vision problems recently may prevent a trucking future for me
$50,000 isn’t enough for many of these youngins...like the Occupy guy Sean Hannity interviewed sometime back. He wouldn’t take a job for less than $100,000.
I was going to say the same thing until I saw your post.
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