The Source for Trucking News, Opinions and Trucking Jobs | Driver shortage bottlenecks growth

The “driver shortage” is still in the news.

Driver shortage bottlenecks growth

High diesel prices and the uncertain costs of meeting 2007 diesel emissions requirements shouldn’t derail the trucking industry’s current robust economic growth, but a shortage of drivers could, according to a panelist speaking at the International Trucking Show.

Uncertain costs of 2007 engines aren’t going to derail the current growth? 2007 or the motors aren’t even here yet, but this guy is sure that only the driver shortage can derail (get it? Kind of an inside joke. The rail industry has derailed itself from lack of capacity and the overflow has gone to trucks. Or maybe I have a one track mind!) this growth spurt. That’s all it is. A spurt, all spurts and booms come to an end. If it’s such a shortage why aren’t store shelves empty?

…our customers have more readily accepted rate increases as capacity is failing to keep up with demand, fuel surcharge revenue has increased along with increased fuel prices… trucking companies are more profitable as conditions in the industry have swung in our favor,” he said.

And their solution to this driver shortage is -

In order to take advantage of those opportunities, though, trucking will have to “create a supply of qualified drivers,” Lovetro said. FedEx currently has an apprentice program

Instead of creating another supply of cheap drivers, since everyone is doing so well, might I suggest more $$$$$$$ ???

Lovetro said that future growth will also require increasing truck productivity through higher gross vehicle weights or longer combinations and that the industry will also have to find ways to enhance its safety and security.

Thanks to CRASH and Public Citizen, these aren’t going to happen. Companies want to make trucks more efficient but not pay the driver for the extra responsiblity.