Advantages

Advantages

It all started with a phone call…

       Often trucking recruiters hear the horror stories from applicants when gathering their past employment history. “I wasn’t paid what they promised or my route was changed” is commonly heard while companies are screening for qualified applicants. Those of you who have years’ worth of experience in the transportation industry understand nothing ever works out perfectly. Despite some of the downfalls with working in transportation, below are few tips for Drivers. Especially those looking for driving positions in today’s competitive market.

What’s true and not true?

       Recruiters are hired to screen applications and find drivers who meet company hiring policies. Trucking Company’s disqualifications vary but the majority of midsize to larger ones typically follow the same guidelines. For example you have a recent DUI and/or a suspended license and a recruiter say you are qualified? Best advice is to change career fields for a while and excuses are like tires on a semi, it’s full of them.  Shifting towards the subject of pay, what’s a realistic figure? According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly income of a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver is $43,660 annually. At Florilli our OTR drivers on average make anywhere from $38,000 to $65,000 annually and depending on the driver's performance. Researching your job market is your responsibility and helps separates facts from fiction. Lastly when considering your next employer, make sure you are comfortable with equipment they are currently operating with.  Whether it is Peterbilt verses International or APU’s verses nothing. Asking your recruiter these types of questions reduces the chances of you wasting your time. Isn’t your time worth something, why waste it?

        Connect with us on Facebook, look for our next 3 part posting, ‘The Internet, fact or fiction’ and as always we appreciate all of our viewers and drivers. 

   Florilli's The Truckers Log

If you are wondering why trucking companies are blowing up your phones, filling up voice mail inbox and you literally just applied for only one driving position two minutes ago?  You can thank technology and the declining numbers of Americans wanting to become truck drivers.  Why is this happening?

According to the American Trucking Associations majority of today’s truckers are baby boomers and ages 44 to 65. Hiring shortages for qualified drivers is hurting the transportation industry as a whole.  Think about it, what happens in 20 years if no one takes your place behind the wheel?  Trucking companies have scrambled to shift their focus on the Millennials (Born 1978 to 2000) and different campaigns to attract fresh blood. Yet driving habits, government regulation and even technology advances have made a lot of millennials stray from long hours on the road. Looking north and bordering the U.S, Canada reports they’ll be short 48,000 drivers by 2024. Meaning the problem isn’t going away and it’s wide spread.

             In reality there is nothing a baby boomer can do about the shortage and bursts of phone calls. However since younger people aren’t rushing to become truckers. Why not play it to your advantage?  Remember in most job markets, older generations are threatened by the newer generation of job seekers. You can pay them less, they have little life experience and most importantly they are impressionable. Why pay someone older more and has bad habits, when you can pay someone younger less and impressionable?  The trucking industry is one of the few exceptions. Inevitably it’s up to you whether you answer the phone or not. Regardless, opportunity has no problem passing you by, especially when it’s beating down your door.

Look for our next post entitled ‘Advantages’ and learn how drivers can benefit from the hiring shortage. Connect with us online!