Dr Damon:
Hang on fella, I do know a few transport managers but the two who I am more friendly with are actually X drivers and it certainly is not up to them to increase drivers wages.
As for companies investing money to train drivers, I would imagine most do not have spare finance for that. Drivers in the past learned themselves after passing a test (and standards were far higher than now) but attitudes seem to have changed recently. Drivers do not help each other, do not communicate and will not stick up for each other.I just hope the driver you learned from knew what he was doing and was not teaching bad habits. Just because they have experience does not mean they are doing things correctly.
If you are expecting transport to change and improve you will be sadly disappointed especially when it comes to wages. Drivers (some) have shown they are not capable hence autonomy is coming fast.
I never said it was their decision but that is what it comes down to. As is often discussed on here there are plenty of decent drivers but they won’t work for the money on offer. Pay well you can pick from the best drivers as everyone will want to work for you. Pay low and you wont.
Again company’s say they don’t have the money to train but will pay the repair bills for damaged trucks? Surely training is cheaper? Also encourages some loyalty as the company is investing in you. Regards drivers helping each other I have had several issues talking to other drivers where there is a “language barrier”. Cant help each other then.
I think he knew what he was doing (as far as I can tell) particularly how to approach drops and road craft.
I never said I expect things to improve but the ways are there to do so. Its up to company’s to decide what they want to do. Regards wages I took a pay rise to do this as do many others. I was made redundant from a secure job but many others don’t have that. With no offense intended I don’t think some on here realise how poor employment opportunities are these days. Where older drivers say wages are poor compared to the past for many younger people its more than they can dream of.
Regards automation I was in London Tuesday overtaking a row of parked cars and cars coming the other way didn’t wait after I had pulled out. I got out and politely explained the gap wasn’t big enough for me to get in and get the trailer straight and they needed to move. He did once I explained and the others followed suit once they saw. What would your driverless truck have done?