Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/14162
LogBook Driver shortage could worsen As the economy recovers and truck freight increases, a driver shortage is emerging, but several factors are working against meeting that demand, speakers said at a recent online seminar on The Emerging Driver Shortage. Forecasting below-average economic growth of 5 to 6 percent over the next three to four quarters, Noel Perry, a senior consul- tant at research firm FTR Associates, said, “We don’t have to have a wild recovery to get a driver shortage.” Perry and Tom Kretsinger Jr., president Download a free copy of this pre- sentation from our archives: Trucker- Webinars.com and chief operating officer of American Central Transport, gave their views at the webi- nar presented by Overdrive and Truckers News. Perry said that even though the driver shortage could average 200,000 drivers annually over the next couple of years, carriers are unwilling to gamble on ramping up hiring significantly “until they a strong, consistent, long record of earnings.” He said many carri- ers laid off recruiters, trainers and dispatchers and aren’t about to rehire them right away. Economic conditions have Celebrating 48 years of successful trucking, we Owner Operators are looking for quality flatbed/specialized owner operators to join our team. Whether you own your own truck or are looking for a Lease Purchase Program, we’d appreciate the opportunity to see what Sammons Trucking can do for you. reward $2000 sign on bonus for Owner Operators www.sammonstrucking.com 888-551-1959 74 OVERDRIVE AUGUST 2010 Sammons_OVD0810_PG.indd 1 7/13/10 1:45 PM created a driver shortage that will match the shortfall in 2004, Perry said. Experienced drivers are in short supply because many dropped out of the business or retired during the recession. Kretsinger said owner- operators are facing difficult times on many fronts, including running aging equipment, high maintenance costs, expensive new trucks, stagnant pay rates and government attacks on the inde- pendent contractor status. The federal government “has already increased the budget of the IRS to start auditing and challenging people, and that’s a frightening thing on the owner-operator side,” he said. Kretsinger said the reces- sion resulted in driver surpluses, reduced driver pay and the weeding out of the worst drivers. He said current or proposed reg- ulations such as Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010, tougher restrictions involving sleep apnea and other health problems, elec- tronic onboard recorders and new hours of service regulations will make it tougher to rebuild driver ranks. — Max Kvidera TRUCKING OPPORTUNITIES Visit www.overdrive.hotims.com and enter 222