Why do a Lot of New Drivers Fail in Trucking?

[BigMACK]

This is a loaded question if you ask me. There are hundreds of reasons that can cause new generation drivers to fail at trucking. However, I will only give what I think is the number one reason so you don't have to read for 10 days, okay?​

I have been trucking for over 10 years and have seen a lot of truckers come and go. Not just new drivers, but seasoned veterans as well. At first, I thought that some new drivers were failing because they were too hot headed and learned quickly that they didn't know anything when they "Thought" they new everything in the beginning. In fact, that is just part of the equation. What I think is the main reason why so many drivers fail is False Hope.

Let me clarify by example:
I was reading a trucking magazine that had LOTS of job opportunities posted inside and I realized that about %75 of them had one thing in common. What is that? you ask... Well, the companies in that %75 percentile were advertising $50+ earnings "POTENTIAL" per year for their drivers! AH HA! There is that magical word, Potential! That word has been the demise of Many old and new drivers. Most new drivers that see that word think of one thing, $50,000 per year. What they fail to to realize is, the "POTENTIAL" depends on several factors which include:

• Driver Performance
• Driver and Dispatcher Relationship
• Company Assets (Customers)
• Equipment reliability
• Economical Growth and Stability
• DOT regulations and more.....

I am not saying that the "potential" to make $50k per year isn't viable, because it is and there are tens of thousands of drivers that make that kind of money. But let's face it, The potential vs. the realistic in a not so perfect world can be very different. When a new driver works for a company who lured him/her in by the $50k potential earnings jumbo, and that company fails to deliver on that promise, the word potential falls out of the drivers mind. And, it doesn't matter who's fault it is why the driver didn't make that money, the driver is going to blame the company because in his/her mind the company said the driver would make $50k per year.

Look, everyone in this industry knows the money potential for the drivers. However, I propose that trucking companies that recruit to STOP writing these 50k potential ads, no matter how true it is, and advertise the "realistic" earnings instead. "Realistically", drivers can earn as much as they are worth. The driver themselves may not know it, but what if one driver is worth 30k and the next driver is worth 50k? Then the driver, who is only worth 30k, will be disappointed when he/she only makes 30k after reading the ad that ever so cleverly made him/her feel that he/she is worth 50k.

It's a psychology thing in my opinion. The companies are not false advertising, but I do think they are contributing to false hopes. They are trying to make ALL drivers feel like 50k (How Sweet!!!!) But making a driver feel like $50k when he/she is only worth $30k is a recipe for failure. I think these ads should read: "Big Money for Self Motivated Drivers Who Want to Make a Career Out of Trucking!" This puts drivers in the right mindset before they get behind the wheel and they will know that their income depends on them and the company as a team.

So, to summarize, new drivers are failing because they are not willing to work as much as it takes to make the "Big Bucks" in trucking and in turn are blaming the companies for not receiving the income "Potential" because and I quote, "But that's what the ad said".

You are only worth what you make yourself to be.​

 

[19speedracer]

It is against the law to use headphones or ear plugs while you are driving in some states, I know it is here in G.a.

 

[lunachic]

If we followed all the rules we would be poorer then poor, and that's pretty poor.wow, this is depressing.
D.O.T. has been working hard, kickem while there down.
And my message to them is the next state layoff could be you.
I laughed my butt off when the inspector we had problems with on a c/o was laid off..........................

 

[Grinder]

It is against the law to use headphones or ear plugs while you are driving in some states, I know it is here in G.a.

It's also against the law to drive 56 in IL and CA. How many drive 55? Rhetorical question...

I offered a solution that works. Take it or leave it.

 

[Diamonddriver]

Something I notice is that most new drivers are about middle age, usually coming from another job. I think a lot of the younger guys go out and give it a try, then find out that they do not have the patience, temperment, nor the willingness for the lifestyle.

They believe, ooohhh, go out, drive, see the country, make lots of money, and meet lots of people. A girl in every state. They soon realize that this is not always the case. Sure you will see some sights, from a distance, unless you want to stop the moneymakers (wheels) and go see them up close, it you can get a truck in there.

You will se a lot of people, long enough to to say hi, before you eat, shower, and then get some sleep.

You will meet girls, but any girl that is worth getting to know, probably will not want to wait for you to come around again (whenever that might be), and I personally would not go with no Lot Lizard.

Young men, and women, want to get out and party. Enjoy their young lives, and they will soon realize that with the demands of a trucker, this is not always a posibility.

This is when they quit, find another job, and maybe later come back to the call of the road.

 

[Tn. Truckers Wife]

Something I notice is that most new drivers are about middle age, usually coming from another job. I think a lot of the younger guys go out and give it a try, then find out that they do not have the patience, temperment, nor the willingness for the lifestyle.

They believe, ooohhh, go out, drive, see the country, make lots of money, and meet lots of people. A girl in every state. They soon realize that this is not always the case. Sure you will see some sights, from a distance, unless you want to stop the moneymakers (wheels) and go see them up close, it you can get a truck in there.

You will se a lot of people, long enough to to say hi, before you eat, shower, and then get some sleep.

You will meet girls, but any girl that is worth getting to know, probably will not want to wait for you to come around again (whenever that might be), and I personally would not go with no Lot Lizard.

Young men, and women, want to get out and party. Enjoy their young lives, and they will soon realize that with the demands of a trucker, this is not always a posibility.

This is when they quit, find another job, and maybe later come back to the call of the road.

A few years back i decided one summer that i would go out on the road with my husband and thought it would be fun.. I learned real quick there was no fun about it..It became rather miserable when you can't stop to pee or when your starving and you can't eat until you make the appt. or find a place where the truck can pull in. Not to mention, not being able to sleep when you are tired because of trying to make an appt. I learned real quick that it is a tough job..

 

[joetro]

It is against the law to use headphones or ear plugs while you are driving in some states, I know it is here in G.a.

Let's not forget the fact that, with those things in your ears, you can't hear things go wrong with the truck. Not everything can be felt.

On topic, as mentioned before, there are a ton of reasons why people fail at this job. Some are meant for it. Many are not. It's definitely a lifestyle change and not just for the driver, but the driver's family, as well. I missed a ton of birthdays, Christmases, Thanksgivings and anniversaries. One thing that drivers need to keep in their heads is that they chose that profession. Want to find a good outfit? Research. You can't necessarily (or ever) go by what the recruiters will tell you. Talk to drivers working for that company when you can. Of course, even then, it's tough to gauge how a company is to work for since the driver that's doing well at the moment will tell you it's great and a week later tell you that it's the worst company that's ever burned fuel. As with many things, it is what you make it.

My back injury was a blessing in disguise, in some ways. An injury (or worse) was the only way I would have ever gotten out of the truck. I love being home every night, eating with my family, but I have to be completely honest; I miss my trucks. I miss the lifestyle, I miss the solitude, I miss the good and crappy weather both. I miss it every single day. I now sit in a cubicle, but I have a diecast model of a truck from the last company for which I drove, I have a calendar from another trucking company and a few pictures of some of my trucks and loads. Someday, I may climb behind the wheel, but it will be awhile. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do now, but trucking wasn't just what I did, it's what I was.

Okay, sorry, got a little nostalgic for a bit, there.:sweat:

 

[joetro]

You know, I lost track on my last post and I apologize.

I don't know if it was mentioned before in this thread, but one of the big things that causes many drivers to fail is the ever-present lease. Too many want to own their trucks long before they're ready. I did it, as have many before and since. There is so much more to being an O/O than just making payments. You can put it down on paper a thousand times and at the end of the year have less money than what your plan stated. A gazillion variables need to be considered that are ignored in favor of owning one's own truck. Just because you own the truck, doesn't mean you make the decisions. If you're going to be an owner-operator, you not only have to work hard, but you have to work smart or you will fail.

 

[Aarre]

good points brought up there, music and eating.

I like for the truck to be as quiet as possible when I am sleeping, and unfortunately, I hear really well. A sound barrier between the sleeper and cab of the truck would be a great thing, IMO, because if the radio is on, I am going to here it.

Food is another issue. It would be hard for me to deal with a co-driver who always thinks he/she doesn't have time to stop and eat, and defaults to fast food for every meal.

I use earplugs and a mask over my eyes when I sleep in the bunk. Now, doesn't that make me a sissy, lol!!

 

[Aarre]

If we followed all the rules we would be poorer then poor, and that's pretty poor.wow, this is depressing.
D.O.T. has been working hard, kickem while there down.
And my message to them is the next state layoff could be you.
I laughed my butt off when the inspector we had problems with on a c/o was laid off..........................

I don't see how I can get around the DOT rules about runtimes -- unless I keep two runsheets, and I'm just not that smart.

 

[Grinder]

Well, I have been known to do a few things about DOT rules. But I did it because I screwed up and was trying to cover my own ass to get the load delivered on time. I hate it when I screw up like that. Thank God it is really rare.

If you keep track of hours, and have good trip planning skills, there is no real need to play with a log book. If you get a dispatch, and you cant p/u or del because of hours, do what you can and someone else finishes the load. What else can be done?That's my opinion, anyway.

11 hour shifts are long enough. 70 hours in 8 days is plenty. Then you have plenty of miles and deserve a break.

 

[patriciajnsn]

This is a loaded question if you ask me. There are hundreds of reasons that can cause new generation drivers to fail at trucking. However, I will only give what I think is the number one reason so you don't have to read for 10 days, okay?​

I have been trucking for over 10 years and have seen a lot of truckers come and go. Not just new drivers, but seasoned veterans as well. At first, I thought that some new drivers were failing because they were too hot headed and learned quickly that they didn't know anything when they "Thought" they new everything in the beginning. In fact, that is just part of the equation. What I think is the main reason why so many drivers fail is False Hope.

Let me clarify by example:

I was reading a trucking magazine that had LOTS of job opportunities posted inside and I realized that about %75 of them had one thing in common. What is that? you ask... Well, the companies in that %75 percentile were advertising $50+ earnings "POTENTIAL" per year for their drivers! AH HA! There is that magical word, Potential! That word has been the demise of Many old and new drivers. Most new drivers that see that word think of one thing, $50,000 per year. What they fail to to realize is, the "POTENTIAL" depends on several factors which include:

• Driver Performance
• Driver and Dispatcher Relationship
• Company Assets (Customers)
• Equipment reliability
• Economical Growth and Stability
• DOT regulations and more.....

I am not saying that the "potential" to make $50k per year isn't viable, because it is and there are tens of thousands of drivers that make that kind of money. But let's face it, The potential vs. the realistic in a not so perfect world can be very different. When a new driver works for a company who lured him/her in by the $50k potential earnings jumbo, and that company fails to deliver on that promise, the word potential falls out of the drivers mind. And, it doesn't matter who's fault it is why the driver didn't make that money, the driver is going to blame the company because in his/her mind the company said the driver would make $50k per year.

Look, everyone in this industry knows the money potential for the drivers. However, I propose that trucking companies that recruit to STOP writing these 50k potential ads, no matter how true it is, and advertise the "realistic" earnings instead. "Realistically", drivers can earn as much as they are worth. The driver themselves may not know it, but what if one driver is worth 30k and the next driver is worth 50k? Then the driver, who is only worth 30k, will be disappointed when he/she only makes 30k after reading the ad that ever so cleverly made him/her feel that he/she is worth 50k.

It's a psychology thing in my opinion. The companies are not false advertising, but I do think they are contributing to false hopes. They are trying to make ALL drivers feel like 50k (How Sweet!!!!) But making a driver feel like $50k when he/she is only worth $30k is a recipe for failure. I think these ads should read: "Big Money for Self Motivated Drivers Who Want to Make a Career Out of Trucking!" This puts drivers in the right mindset before they get behind the wheel and they will know that their income depends on them and the company as a team.

So, to summarize, new drivers are failing because they are not willing to work as much as it takes to make the "Big Bucks" in trucking and in turn are blaming the companies for not receiving the income "Potential" because and I quote, "But that's what the ad said".

You are only worth what you make yourself to be.​

Everything what you said IS SOOOOOOOOOOO TRUE.For me personally the thing I have an issue with the most is the companies.Im going to leave it at that.I already got banned for life from a website for voiceing my opinion a bit too strong and I won't do that again.

 

[Mike]

No concerns about that here. Giving opinions is how people find out things.

I already got banned for life from a website for voiceing my opinion a bit too strong and I won't do that again.

 

[gearjammer]

well i read thru this thread and haven't seen anyone mention a major problem in trucking,
Contrary to what the Anti Trucking Association says there are WAY too many drivers and TRUCKS trying to make a living compared to the amount of freight out there,
The ATA has said for years that there is a driver shortage,"wrong" the shortage they are talking about is a shortage of drivers willing to work for slave labor wages. Look at the number of trucking companies going out of business and still you see drivers are sitting and begging for loads so they can at least eat,and yet the idiots at ATA continually proclaim that the "driver" shortage is acute!!

To the people thinking about this lifestyle DO YOUR HOMEWORK this is not the business that it was even just 5 years ago, the recruiters are blowing sunshine up your ass when the promise you the world.

the $50,000 they say CAN be earned well they said the same thing 10 years ago so even if you do reach that goal think about it,if you made 50 grand ten years ago shouldn't the same work be around a hundred grand today??

According to his majesty Obama the low end of middle class is around a hundred grand and depending on the day of the week or the crowd he is hypnotizing the top end of middle class is 150,200,or 250 grand.

so IF you reach 50 grand according to "THE ONE" you are still only half way there.

 

[Duster]

I team drove Morris, and I'll tell ya what, It doesn't matter if your teaming driving with someone exactly like yourself, you will find that you and your teammate will argue regardless. If you are going to team up with someone. Don't worry about there music choice. Make sure they can drive, and can put in the same hours behind the wheel that you do. Plus, make sure they have the same work ethic as you, Worst thing you can end up with is someone who wants to stop at every truckstop when a load is hot and needs to go!

 

[2lilboots]

I team drove Morris, and I'll tell ya what, It doesn't matter if your teaming driving with someone exactly like yourself, you will find that you and your teammate will argue regardless. If you are going to team up with someone. Don't worry about there music choice. Make sure they can drive, and can put in the same hours behind the wheel that you do. Plus, make sure they have the same work ethic as you, Worst thing you can end up with is someone who wants to stop at every truckstop when a load is hot and needs to go!

That's right, get it delivered so you can get your next load asap!

 

[patriciajnsn]

This is a loaded question if you ask me. There are hundreds of reasons that can cause new generation drivers to fail at trucking. However, I will only give what I think is the number one reason so you don't have to read for 10 days, okay?​

I have been trucking for over 10 years and have seen a lot of truckers come and go. Not just new drivers, but seasoned veterans as well. At first, I thought that some new drivers were failing because they were too hot headed and learned quickly that they didn't know anything when they "Thought" they new everything in the beginning. In fact, that is just part of the equation. What I think is the main reason why so many drivers fail is False Hope.

Let me clarify by example:

I was reading a trucking magazine that had LOTS of job opportunities posted inside and I realized that about %75 of them had one thing in common. What is that? you ask... Well, the companies in that %75 percentile were advertising $50+ earnings "POTENTIAL" per year for their drivers! AH HA! There is that magical word, Potential! That word has been the demise of Many old and new drivers. Most new drivers that see that word think of one thing, $50,000 per year. What they fail to to realize is, the "POTENTIAL" depends on several factors which include:

• Driver Performance
• Driver and Dispatcher Relationship
• Company Assets (Customers)
• Equipment reliability
• Economical Growth and Stability
• DOT regulations and more.....

I am not saying that the "potential" to make $50k per year isn't viable, because it is and there are tens of thousands of drivers that make that kind of money. But let's face it, The potential vs. the realistic in a not so perfect world can be very different. When a new driver works for a company who lured him/her in by the $50k potential earnings jumbo, and that company fails to deliver on that promise, the word potential falls out of the drivers mind. And, it doesn't matter who's fault it is why the driver didn't make that money, the driver is going to blame the company because in his/her mind the company said the driver would make $50k per year.

Look, everyone in this industry knows the money potential for the drivers. However, I propose that trucking companies that recruit to STOP writing these 50k potential ads, no matter how true it is, and advertise the "realistic" earnings instead. "Realistically", drivers can earn as much as they are worth. The driver themselves may not know it, but what if one driver is worth 30k and the next driver is worth 50k? Then the driver, who is only worth 30k, will be disappointed when he/she only makes 30k after reading the ad that ever so cleverly made him/her feel that he/she is worth 50k.

It's a psychology thing in my opinion. The companies are not false advertising, but I do think they are contributing to false hopes. They are trying to make ALL drivers feel like 50k (How Sweet!!!!) But making a driver feel like $50k when he/she is only worth $30k is a recipe for failure. I think these ads should read: "Big Money for Self Motivated Drivers Who Want to Make a Career Out of Trucking!" This puts drivers in the right mindset before they get behind the wheel and they will know that their income depends on them and the company as a team.

So, to summarize, new drivers are failing because they are not willing to work as much as it takes to make the "Big Bucks" in trucking and in turn are blaming the companies for not receiving the income "Potential" because and I quote, "But that's what the ad said".

You are only worth what you make yourself to be.​

You know a driver could make the money and do it legally if it was'nt for the trucking companies making the driver sit for hrs waiting for a load or in my case,the customers making the driver sit for hrs waiting to get loaded or unloaded.Heck if I went strickly by the book I would go in debt and be better off flipping burgers.You don't get rich driving truck but u need to make a fairly good living to support bills and family.I get a kick out of these new drivers coming into the industry to make money.They have been lied to big time.I never came into the industry to make money.I did it just for something different and jobs here are scarce unless I want to be a people greeter at walmart.I got laid off from Gateway and they paid for my schooling so I thought why not i'll give it a shot.I never ever believed the recruiters that came to the school or I talked with on the phone.They make money by how many they do recruit so all you folks thinking about driving truck keep that in mind.The people to ask what a company is like IS THE DRIVERS WHO DRIVE FOR THAT COMPANY.Heck the recruiters don't know what the company is like anymore then u do.They just say what ya want to hear.Kind of like the president election.

 

[GREMLIC]

Moved this here its somewhat relevant

I have been out of school for several months now and was waiting to get my home life settled before heading out, I had several pre hires when I left school.


I had checked with 2 companies that I was considering going with , everything was fine I was told whenever I was ready to call them and travel arrangements would be made to start orientation .


Now ( October 17th )I was ready to go and made my calls only to find out there’s a backlog , I started trying to make arrangements around October 17th and the first date I got to start was November 16 this was with Covenant , my other choice was Swift, when I first checked with them they also had a November 16 starting date but I still had some paperwork to get settled with them, by the time I had taken care of my paperwork and checked back 2 to 3 days later the next orientation was for December 2nd.


It is now November 15 and in the past week both orientation dates have been pushed further off Covenant called and gave me a new date of November 24th and Swift gave me one on December 9th.


With both companies I was put on a list I was 1st and 2nd on the list to be called incase of dropouts, when I talked to Covenant to set orientation I was told that the dropout rate was practically Zero and they where having to make changes to accommodate the changing trend.


When Covenant called they told me 2 people had to be dropped from the schedule so lucky me received a new date of November 24th
Swift just emailed me a new date December 9th , no explanation .


I’m not sure what the schools are saying now but from what I have discovered there are plenty of drivers and if the schools continue there will soon be allot of pissed of graduates, in a matter of 2 to 3 months the whole new driver industry has had a major change and we all know why, no jobs so people are sticking it out.


For all the fact gathering potential new drivers beware I’m sure the recruiters are not passing this on, now their jobs are on the line , the trickle down effect keeps trickling down something needs to change.


I remember my dad telling me back when we had another depression the government started a job/work core program , not like we have now an actual place where the government hires thousands of people to do work on the country by fixing bridges roads clearing land for development ect., our country is in need of many upgrades and improvements.


One big thing that comes to mind is to step up the production of bio fuels and make our country self sufficient stop outsourcing and become self reliant , we already give enough money away we need to start helping ourselves and fixing our own problems , we know how we just need to kick someone in the ass and start getting it done.



But I guess this is a whole other subject.


Thank you for listening


GREMLIC disappointed in this world and its leaders


PEOPLE UNITE REBEL AND REBUILD

 

[searay]

I lost my ass my first time out as a O/O, Went back to a company driver and learned more. Now I found out having a nich is the place to be.

 

[dwexpress]

The biggest reason for alot of o/o failures is because of the lack of putting the business decisions before there personnel desicions. Once you become the owner/operator you have made the desicion to put business before pleasure if you want it to succeed. When it comes to hauling freight, you must make the desicion to go where the good loads go and not to take the cheaper loads just because it goes where you want to go or to the house, that seems to be a very big problem for alot of them. I don't like it that way either but thats the way it needs to be, if you have to stay out 2-4 weeks and work your way back home with good freight rather then go home every week with cheap freight that will be one of the quickest ways to run your business in the ground.

 

[lunachic]

Because most came out of saftey net jobs in a panic when the bottom fell out.
Into something u belived u would make a living out of, Which in turn flooded the industry with lower paying drivers....and in the end everyone got screwed more.