Interesting and Surprising Facts About the Trucking Industry

[@louisbecker5941]

I got out of OTR after 17 years of it- never going back. Here is just ONE example of the HELL that drivers have to endure out there on the road: I had an auxiliary power unit on my truck for the purpose of minimizing truck idling in areas where idle time is regulated, but it had been temporarily inoperable for a few days due to a mechanical issue that I didn't have time to stop & have repaired before my delivery. I was parked at a produce terminal in a major US metro area during the night prior to the morning delivery. I was fighting off a cold, and it was in the single digits for outside temperature. I had been in the sleeper, but the temperature was dropping and I woke up shivering. At that point, I got into the drivers seat, cranked up the engine for some heat, but then dozed off on top of the steering wheel. Long story short, I received a $180.00 ticket for iding my truck's engine for over 15 minutes to keep myself warm. BUT... if I'd had a DOG in the truck with me, I could've gotten into a heap of trouble with the ASPCA for letting my truck get that cold with an animal inside. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs. But placing the physical comfort of a human being lower than that of an animal?... Yup! Thanks alot, mayor bloomberg... So, the next time you hear a trucker complain about being treated like a '2nd class citizen,' it actually gets worse than that.

[@Tyggs42]

Trucker here. Curiously few non owner/operator drivers see the 70k+ salaries you cite. Most company drivers see more like 40-50k on non specialty accounts. Often less. And much of the o/o pay is eaten up by maintenance and repairs, fuel costs, insurance, etc. Its also worth noting that the cost of living for an otr driver is much higher, as food and goods that are accessible to them tend to have inflated prices.

[@UpcycleElectronics]

I've got a class A. There are way too many unaddressed problems in the US system. For starters, the insurance costs are ridiculous for drivers. Second double time logs are standard practice to undermine regulation. Third the Federal DMV record combined with the state DMV record system is awful. For instance after getting injured and partially disabled, (the worst institution on the planet) "Child Services" took my license, because that's a thing if you miss payments, even with a broken neck and unable to leave a bed, never mind work, doesn't matter. Anyone with a class C (normal license) in this situation has a royal pain to deal with to get it sorted. I've gone to the DMV dozens of times, despite suffering physically to do so. I've waited on the phone for days worth of time, paid hundreds of dollars to sort out paperwork and ridiculous loopholes, to no avail. I just don't care any more. I have child services fixed and all the paperwork filed to release everything, but getting that through the DMV is mission impossible. Even if it ever gets fixed, I have 7 years to get a suspension off my Class A record when I haven't had a single diving violation in well over 10 years. My commercial insurance would be half or more of my pay because of this terrible system. Why in the hell would anybody want to deal with all of this kind of crap, and that doesn't even touch on the wonderful ineptitude of practically everyone driving a car these days. I got my class A as part of a crane operator's certification. I wouldn't consider long haul trucking even if it had a 6 figure take home salary. -Jake

[@10th_Doctor]

Very hard to do the double time logs anymore with the electronic logging system. As much as some truckers whine about them, it does prevent the carrier companies from overworking you.

[@cameronsmith4489]

I love this as it highlights my own job as a flatbed truck driver

[@GigawingsVideo]

Can you shed more of your experience in trucking and more reason why people quitting this job?

[@cameronsmith4489]

@@GigawingsVideo the main reason is just like Simon said, long time away from home. But the underlying problem with that is the abnormal schedules you have. There are days I'm driving all through the night and that interrupts my phone calls to home as I'm working when they can talk. I'm a flatbed trucker thus I can't really say much about dry van guys but my part of the business is the most dangerous of them because we are constantly climbing on and around our load which can be as high as 13 feet off the ground. Usually they have fall protection but not everyone has three money nor the room for that at some of these shippers

[@GigawingsVideo]

Wait, you must climb to fasten the container yourself? I thought it's supposed to be dockyard worker's responsibility. No wonder there's a lot of injury.

[@cameronsmith4489]

@@GigawingsVideo I never haul containers. They are a even more specialized flatbed. I am usually hailing other things, like building materials and metal coils.

[@10th_Doctor]

Different type of specialization. Many flatbedders pick up loads all around the country and have to make sure the load is balanced properly then tie it down and tarp it themselves. You tie your load down yourself to make sure it is done right because if anything happens, you are the one who takes the blame so do it yourself to make sure it is done right.

[@scottlemiere2024]

Truck drivers make half what they did in the 1970s. You can also look in the comments here to see how people treat truck drivers.

[@tncorgi92]

Was going to say the same thing. A lot of driving jobs (including passenger buses and short-haul) pay crap wages with no benefits plus the companies treat their drivers like subhumans. The shortage of drivers is a natural result of that.

[@spicychad55]

That and the signing bonuses are misleading. 10k when signed it? only hour by hour, which gets you less. long hours of driving with bunch of idiots makes you hate life more too.

[@scottlemiere2024]

Most signing bonuses I've seen that are more than $500 get paid out over time. Like if you get a $5000 bonus, you get half after 90 days and the other half at 180 days. Under $1000 though usually gets paid out after your first week out alone.

[@NathanCassidy721]

You can thank people not understanding just how crucial trucking is to the entire economy and the lobbyists of the industry’s biggest rival, the Train industry. But from what I’ve heard from a few friends I have in the broker industry, rates have never been better. Of course, THAT could be a regional thing where I’m at.

[@scottlemiere2024]

It's not. The brokers and companies just aren't passing the money on.

[@cadet50118]

Truck drivers also face isolation, cabin fever, road rage, city ordances against truckers, gas station food,14hr days,back problems and stress.

[@3210-n1x]

They get to drive around smoking weed listening to music

[@toxic1698]

@@3210-n1x totally, if you want to lose your job and get black listed.

[@3210-n1x]

@@toxic1698 hahaha

[@graemesydney38]

@3210 # totally, if you want to lose your job and get black listed." .....And become Big Bibba's bed buddy if you have an accident.

[@danielhristov6175]

I also got hemorrhoids from sitting all day long.

[@mikeadams2677]

Many times, hookers and terrorists get shown more respect than us truckers. Look, I'm not saying people have to bow down to us, but we're people too, and deserve as much respect as the next guy.

[@zvicinou]

Im a truck driver myself. In holland. I work around 50 to 60 hours a week. But im also home almost every night. I sleep in my truck only like 3 to 5 times a month. We have rules about how long we may drive and how many hours a day.and also mnay hours total work a day. We have a lot more rules about driving times and how many hours we need to rest ect. Breaking thise rules may result in high penalties. Even still i love my job. I got no boss looking at my shoulder. I can take breaks whenever i feel like it. My radio plays the music what i like. And have driven around almost everywhere by now. Ps. Also in holland we need more truck drivers, its not just the us

[@GigawingsVideo]

Well United states is way bigger in size compared to Holland.

[@VegasLoungeAct]

Sounds much better there. Get me a truck driving job in Holland. 🤣🤣

[@arsenal0095]

How much is the salary per month?

[@lucasprange7104]

What’s the percentage of your income that is taxed?

[@shebbs1]

Funny how Americans make comments about how big tge place is, remoteness and so on. Try Australia with greater distances between urban centres, plus our tricks are much larger than the average 18-wheeler.

[@camcam794]

I can’t believe I just remembered this. I dated a guy in high school, for a few months, who’s father died in a truck driving accident. He had been a truck driver for a long time. He was driving a unfamiliar route, and was following a map his boss had given him. There was a sharp turn that wasn’t shown on the map. He flipped his truck and died. Our theatre class got together to buy flowers for the funeral. I couldn’t imagine losing my dad the way he did

[@reynaaundrea2977]

I would love to see a TopTenz video about what would happen if the trucking industry completely shut down for 1 day or 1 week

[@scottlemiere2024]

Basically after 1 week, there would be no goods on the shelves, cars would no longer be able to move because they wouldn't be able to buy fuel and hospitals would run out of just about everything.

[@playbackproductions1]

The world would grind to a screeching halt! in every imaginable facet of modern life

[@reynaaundrea2977]

And yet people treat us like we're the scum of the earth and have little respect for us out on the road, not to mention if they cause an accident, it is automatically the truck drivers fault. However, a study in 2003 showed that 91% of the time, car drivers were at fault, and another in 2009 said that it was 81% of the time, car drivers again, were at fault.

[@lynchkid003]

One of the Reasons that It's hard to Recruit drivers is the immense discrimination they face. I work at a Truck stop, and I appreciate the attention you're bringing to the Issue.

[@kfstreich4787]

There is no truck driver shortage, there is a shortage at current pay rate. That $60,000 a year wage isn't equivalent to a teacher's wage, you are woking 14 hours a day 6 days a week, it isn't much over minimum wage when you consider what overtime pay would give you. The pay is similar to what it paid in the 80s, and you'll start close to $40,000 a year.

[@Kriss_L]

And teachers generally only work 9 months a year.

[@0fficialdregs]

one of my aunts who recently passed away used to co own a trucking company in illinois with her husband/my uncle (by marriage) and they had their own private trucking company before they sold it off many years ago

[@danielkyles3361]

I have a CDL and there are way more issues than the 6 he mentioned. High price of diesel, maintenance and expensive truck stop food. Horrible dispatch and long hours, terrible customer service at many warehouses are just some. I'll be back on the road next year, had to take some time off, will probably buy another truck, it's just my life I guess!!!

[@MrThebig125]

Yeah they're videos tend to be booshwazee liberal didn't think there was this removed from the working class even in their own country

[@Redbikemaster]

There's no going back once diesel is in your veins, is there driver? Only been driving 16 months, but I can't imagine any other life for me.

[@darinseansablan8977]

Trucks burn fuel like crazy and maintenance cost are high, making truck driving an even more undesirable career. On top of all that, you also have idiot drivers who make a mess of their day. And if that wasn't all bad, the laws in the US literally work against truck drivers... you should look more into that

[@samuelsanchez6140]

Actually modern trucks are crazy efficient for the work that they do! My first Volvo truck would average 9mpg while grossing 80k. Compare that to a 2500 or 3500 pickup towing 32k and getting the same mpg.

[@nikis222]

The biggest problem is the insane amount of government intervention. The D.O.T. expectations, lack of parking, and the way state and local governments treat truckers make the job nearly impossible to do legally. Also, companies and shippers treat drivers so badly that people quit the industry. The job itself besides these issues is actually very enjoyable.

[@ALL_that_ENDS]

Grew up a truckers son, parents currently own a long haul logistics company and trucking runs in the family. Thank you for this opportunity for the world to more understand the trucking industry. Out for months at a time, I've missed a lot of my own families birthdays, holidays and family milestones. It's not been a easy way to make a living, but I'd not trade it for anything. (except watching my kid grow up with her daddy.)

[@MrThebig125]

3 things you could have added their very technical and I can tell you don't know that make truck drivers personally so you wouldn't have caught it but litigation the D.O.T. and weight distribution are all on the heads of the drivers and companies tend to be laxidasical and force them to break those rules Unreasonable demands on the driver themselves is also a major reason management is usually very bad

[@TahoeJones]

Bridge length... Overall weight... How long...double books... All on the driver. I am so glad I saw the light and escaped.

[@Jo_Thee.Farmer]

As a truck driver we absolutely do not get paid more than teachers I'm a woman truck driver and a lot of these points are not true

[@10th_Doctor]

You only get paid while you are moving, cents per mile.

[@conorolaf1762]

I guess the only thing not delivered by truck would be babies, who are of course delivered by stork.

[@CerolianRepublic]

As a creator and long haul truck driver, I honestly appreciate the realistic truth behind this video. Well done.

[@jordanmariam8984]

Something you all forgot to mention on or about this video is the laws and punishment that a truck driver faces. Such as here in Texas where I fare from the state has what is referred to as the Sur-Charge Law in which any vehical moving violation you get a ticket, that is not news but what is, is that every ticket has a certain amount of points attached to it. So, let us say you received a ticket for speeding okay you receive one point get two or more points then Texas DPS (Texas Department of Public Safety) will send you a letter in the mail stating that you owe and will pay the state X amount of money per year for 3(three) years concurrently or the state will invalidate you Driver's License indefinitely until these moneys are paid in full. That is with a Passenger's Driver's License. But, if you possess a CDL (Truck Driver's License) then if you get 1(One) point then you will pay this Sur-Charge or your CDL will be invilidated without any recourse other than to pay the Sur-Charge in addition to paying the fine and court cost for the ticket. It is in actuality Double Jeopardy, because the fine you pay goes to the state, so you are being charged twice for the same crime.

[@snipervictim]

I used to drive over the road I stopped after 1 year why ? It is pimping 101 and I hated being pimped you live in a truck and you tale orders from people who live in a house . The people trying t0 get things moved have no compassion for you or your life you are just a means to a end and therefore expendable. My last days was a trip from Ohio to Toronto then to buffalo and then to Kentucky all in the same day ! I was tired wanted sleep a new pick up comes in for a package in Ohio to go to the other side of Ohio I did not want it I was way to tired . They told me about how they could male my life a living hell ETC I was stupid and young so I did the pick-up I drove something close to 1500 miles without a break and put many lives in danger out there. That was enough for me i was not going to put another life in danger so I left. Never looked back and will never go back they treat you like crap and the pay sucks. The problem will always be the same whenever money is number one then you get the same problem the truck is important the person isn't.

[@TahoeJones]

In my 2 years, I did dozens of deadhead/bobtail runs.(Swift) How about you? And then those times where you're driving an apartment size box down an alley width, @60+ MPH? Surrounded by little cars... Wasn't that just fun?

[@snipervictim]

@@TahoeJones lol yup only I was in a very large cargo van so I was really in love with wind because if the wind hit my rolling billboard I had a problem keeping it on the road !

[@kellylewisfischer181]

My husband changed careers from law enforcement to truck driving. While his salary has doubled (within the last several years) I certainly worry about him more than I did when he was in LE. Small disclaimer... he left LE pre Michael Brown and and all the riots (Lord knows I would have been a wreck) and now drives locally 98% of the time, there was a lot more worry when he was OTR.

[@YY-zj2gl]

In Australia it will cost you about $2000 to get a truck drivers license, and the testing is very strict.

[@mrsnufflegums]

I like this format, Simon. it still feels like a TopTenz video, even if there's not ten entries. While the more "Today I Found Out" style videos are great, i just dont think they feel right for this channel over your others.

[@GigawingsVideo]

Top ten format is not ideal for a long run since many things actually have less than 10 equivalents. So I'm not surprised when they finally change their format.

[@mrsnufflegums]

I agree with the premise but I don't think that switching to a Today I Found Out style is appropriate for this channel. The List format used here is important to keeping the channels feeling different from each other, even if they're not top 10 lists

[@XYGamingRemedyG]

I was a truck driver once. I was away from home for months at a time-one time 2 years-and I very often didn't get enough sleep. For a while, I was actually getting AMAZING pay, but it doesn't really even out when I never had a chance to meet girls, see my family, or even spend time with my friends. Oh, and don't forget getting threatened with my job if I didn't feel safe enough to drive in any given situation. OR the part that cost me my job: being urged to drive against the regulated hours of operation in order to make it on time to a delivery I otherwise wouldn't have even been able to make. It's awful. :/

[@JuanGarcia-mz9wy]

Finally someone did their homework and got the facts correct. If you really dove into it deeper it would be top 10000. Many people get their cdl but when they go to these mega carrier they end up quitting because the mega don't care about the drivers they care about the load. It took me over 20 years and moving to a different state to find the right job for me.

[@njmoto6473]

Cell phone addiction is a major problem in the industry right now. It's one of the biggest reasons for the high turn over. It's against the law to touch an electronic device while driving a commercial vehicle, but the amount of people addicted to their cell phones world wide is incredibly high. Adding women to their fleet will only compound this problem. When was the last time you saw a women put down her cell phone for any reason?

[@Iamtheliquor]

This video focuses on the US trucking industry but as a British Truck driver, there are many similarities. Theres also a crazy shortage of truck drivers here that the govt actually lowered the minimum age you can get your class one licence from 21 to 18! It can be a seriously stressful job. I.E. getting to places on time, dealing with idiotic car drivers etc

[@brendanroberts7949]

As a car driver I would like to argue the point about idiotic car drivers. But you are right to be fair.

[@matthewsones5287]

Only problem with your video is you listened to what Werner trucking has to say. Mega carriers are part of the problem by begging for more government regulation and cut throating prices to snuff out the competition. Government regulations, mega carriers treating drivers like a number not a human, and the amount of people who just do not pay attention while driving are some of the reasons people don’t want to drive. What these companies do not tell you is that to make that 70,000 a year it means driving 3,500 miles a week for the entire year. Plus working for companies that cap you out making only 65 miles an hour is worthless.

[@10th_Doctor]

Swap Werner for Swift and you'd be more accurate.

[@423chriscampbell]

Now your average driver at mega carriers get paid 34-36cpm and average only taking home 30-35k 50k is the highest end of new drivers and that's rare. I own and operate my own truck as such I know what these companies pay to move their goods and it does not move up with the cost of operating such as cost of tolls, fuel, and others. And our shift is 14hrs from start, can drive/be on duty 8 hours, must take 30 minute break, can drive up to 11hrs, or till the remainder of the 14hr clock is up, driver must now park and take 10hr rest break in truck, hotel (usually paid for out of drivers pocket), or home if applicable, the average driver is out 3-5 weeks before coming home for 2-3 days and do it all again. As well as a work week is limited to 70 hours of on duty/driving per week (7days) which when used a driver must take a 34 hr rest break usually in a truck stop. This 70hr limit is also reset on a 8 day cycle for example if a driver works 12 hours monday, by the following Monday they have used all 70 hours and are now not allowed to work, they can either take 34 hour rest or at midnight Monday night they will gain the previous 12 hours back on their clock they used on the previous Monday to work on Tuesday then this cycle repeats itself every night.

[@americanphoenix249]

Thanks for typing all that out and saving me the time lol keep it shiny side up driver.

[@courtneywillingham4409]

Appreciate what you said My husband and I own our truck and it is hard especially with the kids. Thanks again for saying what is true.

[@10th_Doctor]

Buddy is a flatbed hauler for a smaller company, 43 cpm, no speed governor and works 4 weeks on, off 1. The company he works for starts new drivers at 35 cpm and they train you. It's easy to get 50k from them at 600 miles per day * 6 days per week. Best yet, unlike the mega carriers, he gets a choice of loads after a drop off and can pick the one he wants, usually the one that has distance so he can keep driving, earning him more money.

[@yodaddy4944]

Prime starts at 40+ cpm

[@423chriscampbell]

@@yodaddy4944 refer is .44 advertised at the moment seams they upped the pay since I went to school. Right now I'm averaging 2.40 on loaded miles before expenses.

[@saulthechicanootaku]

It's a very lonely job from what I've heard.

[@Gonner453]

West Coast Emerald Bull Yes it is but if you’re married or have a girlfriend if your company will allow it or if you own your own truck they can’t come with you provided they’re not working.Due to the fact that you’re not in one spot very long

[@survivor-3572]

It's is very lonely did over the road for a 2 years before coming local .I spent 5-8 weeks on the road I probably only spent 5 min a day actually talking face to face with people.

[@mikeadams2677]

@@Gonner453 the downfall to that is we both know that cab can get very, very, small for some couples, and do more damage than leaving the better half at home.

[@mackdog3270]

Yup, if you're not hitched you should get used to your closest friends being strangers.

[@playbackproductions1]

It's funny how weird it is at first! Its common to talk out loud alone while getting used to it. But then u just maximize the time. I started learning japanese, listen to tons of lectures, lots of time to focus and think. Yes, lonely, but after a yr u can find local gigs where you're home and get great pay

[@0fficialdregs]

i respect and love truck drivers for their hard work and how much time they spend away.

[@VegasLoungeAct]

Truck driver shortage is a real, serious problem. To solve it, the industry will need to make the job more palatable for potential drivers by greatly limiting time away from home and hours on the road per day. These are the reasons no one wants to do the job.

[@10th_Doctor]

Some of us like those hours on the road. What they really need to do is pay better, give better benefits, and not treat their drivers like expendable pieces of meat. Looking at you Swift and England.

[@Liberty_Bull]

My dad was a trucker for just under three years. He started as an average sized guy, even on the slender side. He ballooned out in those years with a large, dense, hard to the touch belly from all of the sitting and eating truck stop food. He ended up having a massive heart attack that took him out of the job.

[@mackdog3270]

Thanks for the program. You raised the most important points to my mind. I've been a truck driver for five years now and while I love my job it's far harder and frankly more scary then most people would believe. The comparison between cops and truck drivers is far more apt then truckers and teachers in that the police live with a great deal of uncertainty in their job. And while I suppose facing an enraged second grader with a pair of scissors would be terrifying imagine facing a potential criminal or steering a 63' foot 75k lb truck through six lanes of bumper to bumper traffic. I believe that within three or four days without truckers making deliveries America would shut down. Again, thanks for the show, it's appreciated.

[@Choppincharlie]

The biggest reason we don’t what to drive anymore is the regulations the past administration placed on us. We’re sick of all the ridiculous rules and constantly being messed with by the state troopers because unlike a normal passenger car the cops don’t need a reason to pull us over. They can pull us over any time they feel like it, even if we haven’t broken any laws and say it’s a safety check.

[@taspats8701]

It used to be plenty of cdl drivers about 5 years ago,but dmvs around usa stoped renewing cdls without proof of residency, and now here you have it...

[@SheldonJohnsonSydney]

Major factoring being: how the trucking companies treat their drivers, pay, time expected away from home, other drivers on the road, etc. Most people try it, only to find out it's not worth the time or trouble to deal with it. I've been driving for 6 years and have heard the horror stories of both office personnel treating their drivers like their absolutely nothing to companies hiring drivers who can't correctly handle and won't learn how to handle a 63' 80,000 lb bullet down the highway. Pay wise, most companies start their drivers around $30k-$36k first year out. After that, the $50k+ becomes easier depending on what the driver hauls and the incentives that the company offers.

[@jorceshaman]

I always enjoy the videos that you narrate. I usually learn something new. I didn't actually learn anything here but wanted to thank you for educating others about our job! Excellent information as usual!

[@graemesydney38]

Sounds like an industry primed for automation.

[@Vaishino]

You know, instead of spending millions of dollars researching self driving trucks, have they considered expanding rail lines?

[@madmick3794]

Should come trucking in Oz. Many companies have yards a few hours apart so you start at 0700, take truck and trailer to the next yard, swap for truck and trailer headed the other way, home by 1700. Sounds a hell of a lot better than the US.

[@charlespfaff6585]

Thank-you, my brother was a truck driver and has told me of the horror stories about the road.

[@DG-america]

Driver make more than teachers, yes. But we also work more than them. At least 12 hours a day. We work through holidays, birthdays, extreme weather, sickness, fatigue, you name it. We leave our families. Most people on the road dont appreciate what we do for them, nor do they care. A very large part of the trucking industry is understanding that companies domt care about the drivers. The company's still hold on to the notion that we dont want to do anything but drive these trucks. That is far from the truth. This isn't 1970s trucking anymore. This is how we support our families, and we want to be a part of them. But companies do not care. The CEO of Werner is the last person that should be listened to about what the problems are......has part of the problem.

[@10th_Doctor]

Average truck driver pay - The Labor Department pegs the median annual salary for all truck drivers at around $40,000. Average teacher pay - $58,950. If only we made as much as teachers.

[@jimmypalmisano7484]

I only drove a big rig twice and i totally respect the drivers they are the most amazing people and considerate there is a total language that most little car drivers don’t know what so ever blinking headlights coming towards you means there’s cops with radar up ahead of you. Flashing lights behind you means you can get over into the lane in front of them. Blinking tail lights in front of you is a thank you. If they are two feet from your back bumper means please get out of the way you’re slowing me down. And a middle finger means you’re an idiot and you just cut me off. I can go on and on I’m sure someone will add to this but one thing is that they are courteous and professional thanks people

[@motor1841]

Lets not forget that States are shutting down rest stops which take away parking spots for big trucks, try finding a place to park after 3pm on the east coast!

[@freetolook3727]

#5 Don't forget about low back problems (herniated discs, sciatica, etc) due to sitting for long periods of time and pressure on left leg by shifting gears.

[@Coach_Stefan_Brule]

Love you Simon!!!

[@kenhelmers2603]

Interesting - as usual :) Thanks Simon

[@jimmyforbach6621]

Thank you for taking a look in to this and your right. I'm a truck driver my self.

[@dawge30]

Great video. As always, very well done. Also, as an interesting sidenote; I recently became a truck driver. Prior to this, I was a corrections officer for 7.5 years.

[@thewinspear7325]

For Trucks sake I want this job.

[@americanphoenix249]

Thanks for making a video about my industry. It's a difficult job at times but mostly it's fun. When they bring those self driving trucks around I'll beat them fair and honest.

[@poo11apr84]

It would be great to see an update to this after Covid 19

[@occupiedaustralia9952]

I was a furniture removalist truck driver in Australia , the moving furniture part was the easy part , the other dickheads on the road was one of the main reasons not to keep doing it.

[@Aeturnalis]

It may be different now, but when I was a lumper in a warehouse (2005 - 2007), most of the truckers were paid by the mile, and there's a law about how many hours a day they can drive. I remember one married couple who worked as a team for cross-country routes to get around the drive/sleep law, they made upwards of $80,000. One of my uncles drives more local routes... I don't know how much he makes, but I know it's not terrible. Even if the pay has gone up significantly since then, there's no way it would be worth it; it's a miserable job.

[@garyclark8034]

We cannot do without trucks and truckers but it sounds like we need to modernize our rail system. We used to have a huge rail system.

[@gericatt]

The last 5 seconds of the video perked my interest. I use to drive a truck so I can relate to the story. The biggest problem I had was boredom. Yes the danger is real with people and weather but boredom is the mind killer. Having a computer drive the truck most of the time would give a driver time to do something like sleep. That was the second problem that did not make it on your list. Say you make a delivery at 4 pm at a warehouse. The dispatcher already has you lined up for the next job to pick up but it is a live load. You will be sitting until at least 3 to 8 am the net morning if you are lucky. Then you have to start driving whenever that time is. Your sleep schedule gets messed up so bad. Fatigue will eventually put you down for a week of not driving.

[@robram008]

I just got a job in the trucking industry the other day thank you for this once I actually start making money I'm going to patreon

[@stephanie5878]

There's even a shortage of local area drivers, or drivers that stay within state lines.

[@timr109]

One of the main things hurting the trucking industry is mega carriers like swift and Schneider. They are throwing people through their training programs and not actually giving them the training they need to be a safe knowledgeable drive. I ran into a guy in Indianapolis back in 2019 who was trained by swift and they didn't even teach him how to open his hood on his Volvo or what anti-gel was. Anti-gel is a fuel additive to keep diesel fuel from gelling up on you in the winter that could cause thousands of dollars in repairs and towing bills.

[@undecidedgenius]

In my opinion, the biggest reason it is hard to get new drivers is because they start people with weird schedules with random days off (if any). People do not live to work, they work to live. If they gave them a set schedule (a reasonable schedule too), most would to drive truck for a living.

[@marvincrocs]

Many many drivers here in Jamaica🇯🇲 ready to fill those empty vacancies

[@twobrotherscycleanda]

40 hour work weeks 65k a year would bring me back.

[@rickmckown3214]

The trucking industry is the only one which has the possibility of theft at EVERY level between owner and driver.

[@davidprodigy5833]

When I was younger, my dad drove semi only for a year. He was gone Monday through Friday and was home for the weekends. But with four kids at home and then Mom still being at home, it just wasn't the right job for Dad to have being away from the family so often. That's why it only lasted for a year.

[@ernestbywater411]

How does the salary come out in regards to the hourly rate when you factor in overtime and per diem for being away from? Maybe some of the major transport companies need to reconsider the use of trains for the longer distance movements with the trucks only doing the local regional ends of the movements.

[@scottlemiere2024]

You don't generally get paid hourly, you don't get overtime (truck drivers are exempt from federal overtime laws and from most state overtime laws) and you don't get per diem. You can get a thing they CALL per diem, but the company takes a dime off of each mile you drive and give you back eight cents nontaxable pay. Doing that means you are no longer allowed to write off your road expenses on your taxes. You generally get paid per mile, most companies pay you from zip code to zip code, unless you are in a place like New York City where there are several zip codes. If you take a load from Portland, OR to Portland, OR you generally get paid a flat rate instead and no miles.

[@johndoe-wv3nu]

I drove for close to 15 years. I stopped driving in 2014. The pay doesn't justify the job any longer.

[@derrickwood1453]

You owe us 4 entries for the next video!

[@kingnightelf2256]

Yep it exactly the same in Australia

[@joseantoniolago5857]

I spend 5 years as a OTR driver and I'LL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!

[@mtodd4723]

America needs to up date it"s rail system . Also needs to cut back on the auto shut down on trucks stuck in traffic . The trucking laws & idiot drivers not driving, but playing on phones or with themselves while vehicles are in motion, these things need to change for the better .

[@423chriscampbell]

Trucks will not stop operating in traffic even if the electronic log says they are out of time. Some companies have however implimented an idle limiter usually 5 minutes where it will shut down if the external tempature is between 34-70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a simple matter of just restarting the truck if it does do this.

[@lucasprange7104]

The avg pay is maybe 20 Per hr. So maybe 50k+ if you are crazy efficient like me. My first gig was 70k, but I also unloaded my freight. Starting out wo exp and getting train you might get 36k after tax and training reimbursement.

[@SgtSupaman]

I would absolutely become a trucker if driverless trucks were introduced. Honestly, since I drive big military trucks for the Army, I would have had no problem becoming a civilian truck driver long ago, except that I get really bored and even sleepy when driving those big, slow things over long distances. I wouldn't want to have to streamline caffeine on a regular basis. But, if the truck could drive itself on long stretches of interstate, I would totally take that gig.

[@pyreneesfarm7818]

Two factors will help ease the problem, not everyone will like these. Hub and spoke systems where a driver goes out 250 to 300 miles to a terminal, drops the trailer and goes back home each day. Another idea that will be more complicated to make happen is special lanes for multiple 53 foot trailer rigs and multiple trucks operated by the driver in the lead truck. it is a type of platooning, but not on a public road. The lanes could have strong cables or walls to prevent an out of control truck from leaving the lane. Both are expensive, both are practical in their own way. If freight terminals were placed at the lane ending point, a yard driver could guide the second truck in and break the coupling for the second trailer, the road driver, who has only used about 1/2 his or her day, could hook to another set of trailers and return home that day. These are nontraditional ideas,but the traditional methods are failing to solve the problem of truck shortages.

[@jerrybass3333]

I was a otr truck driver. The regulations got to be too harsh to keep up.

[@YellowMustard]

I drive a truck, started in 2004. I believe, like everything else, the federal government is to blame for a driver shortage.

[@DogWalkerBill]

U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men needs to get it's butt in gear and get this done!

[@kilomike4380]

I didn’t bother to look at other comments,but ELD regulations should be number one in my book

[@playbackproductions1]

3yr driver here... first yr i was gone 6 days (within 200 miles of home), then home 2 days every week. Grossed just over 54k but worked 14hrs/day. Then, since standards are low everywhere, I got in with a local cryogenic company. 10hrs a day, over $200/day starting. Pay for being a trainer is amazing, signing bonuses always between 5 and 10 Grand!, raises every yr. Plus in cryogenics you still have to hook up so a robot won't replace u. Easy job, and I work out while unloading. Full benefits, decent 401k. Get into trucking, put in 1yr and move into cryogenics. You're welcome!

[@JackDecker63]

Do tell more.

[@erikdevries9208]

Trucks in Europe have synchronized manual transmissions, same as the one in your car. In North America they are not. This makes driving a truck more difficult to learn in North America. However, with the introduction of robotically controlled manual transmissions this is being addressed. As for fully automated trucks, they do not operate well in adverse weather, cannot handle snow and ice. They are useless for anything but standard loads, meaning that if the load is oversize, such as a bulldozer, or piece steel fabricated off site, a mobile home or anything else larger or heavier than normal, the system will not work. If current "driver aids" such as following distance and lane departure alarms are any indication, it will be a while yet before we see a truck run itself, aside from the occasional well publicized stunt. Freightliner for example (and I suspect others do too) offers a sensor that will keep the truck a certain distance away from the traffic it is following while cruise control is engaged. On a nice day, it does a decent job, even applying brakes when it senses traffic ahead slowing down. However, in poor weather it simply goes into error mode. If anything, such as snow or ice or a bit of wind blown paper covers the sensor it will not work. If the truck enters a curve, the sensor often confuses the guard rail for vehicle traffic and the truck suddenly slams on it's brakes, anticipating a potential crash situation. The same goes for overhead highway signs and occasionally, traffic lights.

[@AntifoulAwl]

Truckies carry the country.

[@heronimousbrapson863]

A truck driver shortage is the natural result of gutting the railroad system.

[@12799MaDeuce]

teachers in my public school district top out between $80-100k

[@STDRACO777]

And they work less hours and do less work.

[@MrThebig125]

Speaking from experience my dad the truck driver most truck drivers with a spotless record don't make near this

[@STDRACO777]

That's sad. I have family that moved to the USA to become a truck driver there. He seems to be very happy with his pay but his record is not clean. He once damaged the top of the truck as he was guided into a warehouse that was not high enough. Its something I am considering on doing even though its not like a dream job. Its more thanks to despiration. I live in south africa and the anti white laws are getting much worse.

[@scottlemiere2024]

Honestly, I would like to get out of truck driving and just keep my CDL as a back up in case of a layoff, but there really aren't a lot of jobs that pay a living wage unless you have a degree or have served an apprenticeship in one of the trade unions.

[@scottlemiere2024]

We have people who graduated trade school for welding in my town that can't get work welding.

[@rob1399]

trucking is a dream job if they'd just let us get home more.... I went local pulling demountables overnight in New England... it's not perfect but the pay is phenomenal and I get home every "night" (morning) haha.

[@stevemaviver357]

Everyone knows Truck Driving is a bad jop I GPS was put on trucks in the early 90's so companies knew where u were at all times. Money sucks and there no home life. Basically your a slave. I give all Truckers a lot of room plus they are the best drivers on the road at all times

[@robertthecag1230]

Locked in a box for 19 to 20 hrs a day. You work and sleep in the truck. Little to no human contact. Almost never home, if your a over the road driver. Forget about friends or a relationship. Check out a truck stop and see how healthy the drivers look. 1000 to 1500 miles a day. And the pay has dropped and costs have gone up. Why can't they find drivers? Mystery.

[@andrewcox4386]

In Europe more & more drivers are coming from the old eastern block but the life is just as grim as in the US. Makes you wonder why rail isn't a viable alternative.

[@marvincrocs]

I'm living in Jamaica🇯🇲 I'm a driver with almost 10 years experience I try every way to get a truck driving job in canada and it seem impossible

[@Loccyster]

'Will being paid to do less, work?' Yes. Yes, it will.

[@cynthialouiseshah4080]

Bull! Driving is like having to be a pilot and/or astronaut! And learn it all by yourself too.....hell is the life of a driver.

[@emeric3449]

Sold my w900L this year. Screw trucking!

[@95Clayska]

Pay the drivers and you’ll end the shortage. It’s a complicated process to pay a driver more but it’s simply the biggest reason so many drivers are quitting the industry. 60-70k USD a year is not enough to convince people to be away from their families for weeks or months.

[@johnkelly5949]

I honestly don't understand why we even have long haul truck drivers. It would be much cheaper to move things long distances via rail. Using loading/unloading points closer to the final destination would cut down on the need for them, or eliminate them completely.

[@pressedearth9492]

60-70 thousand a year is not enough to compensate a person for the amount of risk a truck driver is exposed to in the occupation.

[@stefanies1191]

I’m sorry but I call bs on the pay rate for new truckers. My husband has his class A cdl, has for years and has worked jobs that require a cdl for the last 11 years, and has talked to several companies as a potential new recruit. The best offer was 500.00 a week before taxes, and come home once a month. He makes the same or better driving a trash truck, cement mixer, or dump truck, and gets to come home every day.

[@NzAviator]

Truck drivers are possibly the most important job currently in the world. Think of one thing you own that hasnt Been on or used a truck in its manufacturing.

[@TimberGeek]

Maybe I should pick up a CDL before February.