Trucking

In between all the stats, there are three points that show age does matter. This is from Jim York’s June column in Fleetowner mag.

Older but wiser - Fleetowner.com
…the majority (62.7%)) of drivers are under age 46. However, that demographic changed during 1999-2001. The number of younger drivers (under 46) declined from 65.2% in 1999 to [...]

At least companies are looking good. Read that first line a couple of times and let it sink in.

Looking good - From Fleetowner.com
Despite a tight labor market and higher fuel costs, most Truckload and LTL carriers showed remarkably higher profits for the first quarter.

Did you get that? Despite a “driver shortage” and higher fuel costs, [...]

A good article from Milwaukee.
JS Online: Truck drivers needed all over
Trucking companies in Wisconsin and nationwide again are struggling to fill their rigs with drivers amid an expanding economy and strong demand for shipping.
That sounds reasonable enough from what we’ve been hearing. The answer to the problem is in the same article.

This from Schneider National
Schneider National Announces a $5,000 Sign-on Bonus
North America’s largest truckload carrier, announced today it will offer a $5,000 sign-on bonus for experienced drivers and owner operators. Experienced new hires and owner operators will receive $1,400 after orientation and $300 each month for 12 months.
It’s a start, but not enough. They are [...]

In a perfect situation, I agree with this -

The Trucking Monkey Weblog with Elegant John ? Mexican Trucks-A Moot Point!
On a short-distance basis, say trips to Corpus Christi or San Antonio, a different scenario would exist. These destinations would represent extensions of the Mexico carrier freight bill. Instead of the bill saying Monterrey, Mexico, [...]

Since the Supreme Court said that Bush doesn’t have to have EPA approval to allow Mexican trucks into the country, California is using the ‘clean air’ argument to keep them out of their state.
The Sacramento Bee — sacbee.com — Rivals ahead for U.S. truckers
“I will probably end up replacing a number of my U.S. drivers [...]