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.​

 

[JedClampat]

I'm new, breaking in to the biz. I have never had a conventional job. Conventional hours. Conventional schedule. If I had a nickel for every holiday, Weekend or missed family/friend event I have amassed, I'd be a rich man.

I tried computers, web design. Was good at it. But I resented the corporate culture that working in a fancy building breeds. I couldn't sit at a desk in a room with no windows.

I worked in Sales for 10 years. I did very well at times, but working with the general public who make 3 Stooges decisions about buying a car or a house made me weary. I tried to help, I tried to counsel people into good money decisions, but the buying public wants to over-bloat themselves into oblivion with image and prestige. Basically, they want to throw their money away on placating their abysmal self image. It's no wonder this country is in the shape it is. Gordon Dekko said "greed is good." Yeah, right.

The buying public has become a mean spirited lot with no sense of fairness. With the number of auto dealerships that will be disbanded in the next year, one thing for sure will happen. With less competition, prices will go up. They'll get what they deserve. If I sound way too angry, try it for yourself.

So, the reason I told you that is to tell you this. I'm ready to roll down the interstate with my XM Satellite. Make pleasant small talk with the TA waitress. Be outside on a sunny day. Put my rainsuit on in the pouring rain. Heat, cold, snow, been there. Visit states I haven't been to. I want to do all 50. I want to float the gears. Alley dock it, straight back it and parallelle park it (my favorite) Find the good parking spots. Put a folding chair out and smoke a Gurkha Black Dragon at the end of a day, once in a while. The sweet smell of diesel awaits me.

Trucking may be hard, and I have no illusions of what my first year will be like. I just want to work. I've always worked hard at anything I've ever done. I play well with others and have empathy for what others have to do. I've always been determined to be the best at what I do for a living.

In reality, I just hope it's not pure, living H E double toothpicks. Somebody once said, never take hope away from a man, it may be all he's got. Hope never dissappoints.

 

[lunachic]

I don't know what you excpect to find out their, And I don't belive it's true about hope.
Your wanting to come into a industry that has been beat to the ground.

 

[RickG]

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

GREMLIC hasn't been seen since he reported from orientation in December but he makes good points . This is an old thread and reasons for failure have changed . Now many drivers fail due to a drop in both wages and miles . Newbies find out they can't survive on 1500 miles a week at $.22 a mile . If there weren't so many desperate wannabes from schools out there carriers would take more trucks off the road and experienced drivers would get more miles . But now there are always $.22 a mile newbies keeping the seats warm . As soon as one abandons a truck another one that's been waiting at home after orientation runs and grabs it .

 

[Tn. Truckers Wife]

GREMLIC hasn't been seen since he reported from orientation in December but he makes good points . This is an old thread and reasons for failure have changed . Now many drivers fail due to a drop in both wages and miles . Newbies find out they can't survive on 1500 miles a week at $.22 a mile . If there weren't so many desperate wannabes from schools out there carriers would take more trucks off the road and experienced drivers would get more miles . But now there are always $.22 a mile newbies keeping the seats warm . As soon as one abandons a truck another one that's been waiting at home after orientation runs and grabs it .

I think RickG's statement pretty much sums it up...Since the economy went down hill everyone has decided to become a trucker...Now there's tooooo many drivers and not enough freight...

 

[RickG]

I'm new, breaking in to the biz. I have never had a conventional job. Conventional hours. Conventional schedule. If I had a nickel for every holiday, Weekend or missed family/friend event I have amassed, I'd be a rich man.

I tried computers, web design. Was good at it. But I resented the corporate culture that working in a fancy building breeds. I couldn't sit at a desk in a room with no windows.

I worked in Sales for 10 years. I did very well at times, but working with the general public who make 3 Stooges decisions about buying a car or a house made me weary. I tried to help, I tried to counsel people into good money decisions, but the buying public wants to over-bloat themselves into oblivion with image and prestige. Basically, they want to throw their money away on placating their abysmal self image. It's no wonder this country is in the shape it is. Gordon Dekko said "greed is good." Yeah, right.

The buying public has become a mean spirited lot with no sense of fairness. With the number of auto dealerships that will be disbanded in the next year, one thing for sure will happen. With less competition, prices will go up. They'll get what they deserve. If I sound way too angry, try it for yourself.

So, the reason I told you that is to tell you this. I'm ready to roll down the interstate with my XM Satellite. Make pleasant small talk with the TA waitress. Be outside on a sunny day. Put my rainsuit on in the pouring rain. Heat, cold, snow, been there. Visit states I haven't been to. I want to do all 50. I want to float the gears. Alley dock it, straight back it and parallelle park it (my favorite) Find the good parking spots. Put a folding chair out and smoke a Gurkha Black Dragon at the end of a day, once in a while. The sweet smell of diesel awaits me.

Trucking may be hard, and I have no illusions of what my first year will be like. I just want to work. I've always worked hard at anything I've ever done. I play well with others and have empathy for what others have to do. I've always been determined to be the best at what I do for a living.

In reality, I just hope it's not pure, living H E double toothpicks. Somebody once said, never take hope away from a man, it may be all he's got. Hope never dissappoints.

With the lifestyle you want you may want to consider expediting . You'd have more choice in selecting loads and destinations . You'd be in a straight truck and have more parking options . Some campgtounds even welcome them . Check out Panther , Tristate , and Fedex Custom Critical websites for info on fleet owners hiring drivers .

 

[2lilboots]

I remember my first sunrise sitting in my truck, with my feet hanging out the window sipping my morning coffee at a roadside rest in Alabama....I thought it just doesn't get any better than this....then I drove through New Mexico during a sunrise and thought the same thing, then I drove through Wyoming and ditto....lol!

 

[patriciajnsn]

GREMLIC hasn't been seen since he reported from orientation in December but he makes good points . This is an old thread and reasons for failure have changed . Now many drivers fail due to a drop in both wages and miles . Newbies find out they can't survive on 1500 miles a week at $.22 a mile . If there weren't so many desperate wannabes from schools out there carriers would take more trucks off the road and experienced drivers would get more miles . But now there are always $.22 a mile newbies keeping the seats warm . As soon as one abandons a truck another one that's been waiting at home after orientation runs and grabs it .

I could'nt agree with you more GREMLIC.A driver quits they have 10 drivers to take that one drivers place.The pay does suck especially for the new drivers and the companies can get away with it.Economy keeps getting worse.Things keep going up.More taxes then I can count,but the trucking pay remains the same.

 

[JedClampat]

With the lifestyle you want you may want to consider expediting . You'd have more choice in selecting loads and destinations . You'd be in a straight truck and have more parking options . Some campgtounds even welcome them . Check out Panther , Tristate , and Fedex Custom Critical websites for info on fleet owners hiring drivers .

You may be correct Sir.

 

[JedClampat]

I don't know what you excpect to find out their, And I don't belive it's true about hope.
Your wanting to come into a industry that has been beat to the ground.

Eveyone's beat to the gound, except for maybe the guys who clean out foreclosed homes...

 

[JedClampat]

I could'nt agree with you more GREMLIC.A driver quits they have 10 drivers to take that one drivers place.The pay does suck especially for the new drivers and the companies can get away with it.Economy keeps getting worse.Things keep going up.More taxes then I can count,but the trucking pay remains the same.

It's like that in a lot of industries. Real Estate, Autos (used to be), Radio Broadcating (newbies willing to work for pennies).

No matter where you go, it boils down to one big fat spreadsheet on some guy's computer..

 

[JedClampat]

I remember my first sunrise sitting in my truck, with my feet hanging out the window sipping my morning coffee at a roadside rest in Alabama....I thought it just doesn't get any better than this....then I drove through New Mexico during a sunrise and thought the same thing, then I drove through Wyoming and ditto....lol!

I'd be appreciative to be anywhere with my feet hanging out and sipping coffee....and getting paid for it.

 

[RickG]

I'd be appreciative to be anywhere with my feet hanging out and sipping coffee....and getting paid for it.

Now she didn't say she was getting paid for sitting . When the wheels ain't turning the truck ain't earning .

 

[RickG]

I could'nt agree with you more GREMLIC.A driver quits they have 10 drivers to take that one drivers place.The pay does suck especially for the new drivers and the companies can get away with it.Economy keeps getting worse.Things keep going up.More taxes then I can count,but the trucking pay remains the same.

I have to disagree . Newbie pay keeps going down .

 

[2lilboots]

Now she didn't say she was getting paid for sitting . When the wheels ain't turning the truck ain't earning .

I wasn't getting paid to sit you were right about that RickG

 

[Keendriver]

I remember my first sunrise sitting in my truck, with my feet hanging out the window sipping my morning coffee at a roadside rest in Alabama....I thought it just doesn't get any better than this....then I drove through New Mexico during a sunrise and thought the same thing, then I drove through Wyoming and ditto....lol!

Didya have your boots on,or not?

 

[2lilboots]

Didya have your boots on,or not?

Boots were on.........:crazy:

 

[Keendriver]

Did you have anything else.......you know what, nevermind.:jiggy:

 

[patriciajnsn]

It's like that in a lot of industries. Real Estate, Autos (used to be), Radio Broadcating (newbies willing to work for pennies).

No matter where you go, it boils down to one big fat spreadsheet on some guy's computer..

You got that right.Wish every nebie would take a stand.But they have no clue what they are about to face because noone gives them a heads up on anything.

 

[JedClampat]

Now she didn't say she was getting paid for sitting . When the wheels ain't turning the truck ain't earning .

If I was in a truck with my feet hanging out I'd be closer to a paycheck than I am now.

I'm on my laptop in my favorite room in the house. It's sunny and breezy..a subperb Georgia spring day...but guess what? I ain't enjoying it because I'm stressed about not working. The back of a truck looks real good to me right about now. My wife is driving me nuts! That will probably change, but I'm living in now time.

I'm close to hooking on with someone. I thank the Lord for that. This is the worst economy I've seen since 1981. That was a rough one too. I clearly remember how painful it was to pay $1.29 a gallon of regular at the TA off I-95 in Brunswick, GA.

Yes, I agree with all about how the industry is. I really want to do this. I think truckers (for the most part) are hard working, under appreciated people. Perspective, I do believe, is the key.

Thank you all for your help...this is a great forum

 

[patriciajnsn]

Well you know what Jed,you want to do this I say GO FOR IT.You already know what you're about to face.What you have been told in here i'm sure you have already heard and then some.You are SOOOOOOOOOO RIGHT truckdrivers are very under appreciated.That is part of the industry that will never change.