“What can I promise you that will make you want to work for me? I will offer you more money than anyone else, a huge sign-on bonus, a new truck, you can set your own schedule…anything you want. Just tell me what it will take.”
How many times have you heard this from trucking companies trying to recruit you? How are these promises possible?
Easy, it’s a lie.
Here’s the problem: With few exceptions, trucking rates have not increased enough to cover all of these promises. So, why are companies peddling lies to drivers?
The Insider’s Scoop
I have been in the Transportation industry for over 33 years. I started as a truck driver in 1988. Over the years, I have been a Driver, Dispatcher, Operations Manager, Director of Safety; Recruiter; HR, and Trainer. I am only telling you this because I have been on both sides of the fence. So, I know how the game is played. Most employers out there see you as less educated individuals that are necessary for their business to succeed (sorry, but that is what they think). Therefore, they think that they can manipulate you, by making offers that seem “too good to be true.” (Remember what your mother said?)
Facts:
- For the first time ever, our industry faces a driver shortage. Every trucking company in the US is in-need-of CDL Drivers
- Baby Boomers are retiring or leaving our industry faster than the upcoming generations can replace them
- Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, almost every truck driving school in the country closed. (No graduates)
- You must be 21 years old in order to obtain an interstate CDL
- Most high school graduates that do not attend college, find a career in other industries due to the 21-year-old age limit
- Trucking is not a 9-5, M-F job. (I don’t care what recruiters tell you.)
So, all this added together is actually good for qualified CDL drivers. For the first time in the history of our industry, you are in the driver’s seat. (See what I did there?) So, how do you select the right job for you considering all the choices you have? Sure, you can chase money (sign-on bonus, etc.).
But trust me, NOBODY is going to hand you $10,000.00 when you walk into orientation! They are going to spread the sign-on bonus payments out for as long as they think they can. Two to three years, even longer in some cases. They want you to stay on, even after you figure out all the other stuff they promised you is BS in order to collect your sign-on bonus.
Some More BS
More money than anyone else is paying. Depending on which sector of the industry you are in, you will find that shipper rates don’t vary much. So, you may be pulling almost the same freight for almost the same pay. The only difference is the color of the truck you drive.
I am not saying this is always the case, but there are a lot of bottom-feeder companies out there that will haul freight not for profit, but for cash flow. They make it hard for anyone to raise freight rates. They are the same companies that are out there enticing you to work for them. Trust me on this, I compete with one of these companies every day.
Set Your Own Schedule
Think about it. Customers need their products delivered. I know, they do a horrible job of scheduling and you have to wait to load or unload. But the fact is, they control the ordering and scheduling of their loads.
No trucking company in the world is going to keep a customer by telling them, “sorry, our driver was not able to fit this load into his schedule.” If so, they won’t have that customer long. Remember, you will be gone before they lose a customer.
I am sorry, but I am hitting you with the truth, and it can be hard to take. At the end of the day, business is business. So, this is a lie as well. I am not saying that there aren’t any companies that will work with you on home time, there certainly are. But do not buy the “set your own schedule” line. It’s simply not possible.
Why Am I Telling You All of This?
Simple.
I am trying to recruit you! That’s right, I am trying to recruit you with the truth! What a concept, right? If you have read this far in this article, you are the kind of driver I want. You are interested in our industry and your career. You are looking to make informed decisions about your next employer.
All the people that stopped reading this article after the first paragraph or two just saved me a lot of work! I didn’t want them anyway. They are going to chase all the BS listed above. A big “thank you” to them! Like you, I don’t want to do extra work for nothing.
So, here is my no BS pitch. Feel free to talk to any of my drivers at any time to find out if I am lying! They are all over FB.
