dailymail.co.uk/news/article … 0-000.html
Personally, I’d rather they gave the money to me instead of spending it on the lorry.
Nice truck though.
Hmm. Very nice.
But surely the simple answer to the problem of driver shortages is to pay the drivers more money and treat them like human beings.
Just a thought.
Bacon Sandwich:
Hmm. Very nice.But surely the simple answer to the problem of driver shortages is to pay the drivers more money and treat them like human beings.
Just a thought.
I liked what the couple in the article did. Drive 21 days, 7 days in a hotel by the coast. What a life. No bills, all money in the bank. I suspect that’s only possible if you’ve no ties though.
I do agree with you though, higher wages would make the job more appealing.
Stick lorry driver on the green card list, problem solved Obama.
Should be standard spec for tramping anywhere in the world. If they want you to live out all week in a truck they should make it something more than a drivers seat and a bit of board masquerading as a bed barely large enough for your kids.
When you read the article its interesting to see the problems are the same as they are here - increase in demand for freight at a time when many drivers are retiring and young people are looking at far more attractive jobs. Also interesting to see the following comment which we’ve all said too many times.
‘If companies want more drivers they need to pay more,’ said Penn State Harrisburg professor Pete Swan said. ‘But firms are reluctant to do this.’
They’ll be coming out with the old line accustomed to many drivers here in the UK…
The money ■■■■ but you get to drive a nice truck
The way they pay over the road drivers in the US & Canada is crap.
The big majority, probably 99% are paid per mile and then they add extras on like $20 per drop or pick-up no mater if it takes 5mins or 24hrs.
Some pay detention time over 2hrs with a crappy hourly rate, most don’t.
Most pay a layover rate $50-$75 a day if you’re waiting for a load, some try and screw the drivers out of that.
The driver shortage is only going to get worse because they’re now trying to bring in mandatory electronic log books and 65mph speed limiters which will limit the drivers earning potential even more.
Quote… more attractive careers like the millitary
also (changing tack) ive noticed in pics etc that many u.s. truck seem very low on ground clearence compered to (standard) euro tractor units
If you gave a free firearm with every job they’d be rolling in applicants in septic tank land.
Edit: maybe NRA membership would need to be added to get the numbers in.
So if there’s such a driver shortage in the USA…wonder why Dolph is back in Bulgaria starting from scratch
anyway a truck with a toilet …oh what luxury… maybe the Europeans manufactures should be thinking down these lines… instead we have to park up in a lay bay and find bottles of ■■■■ dumped all over the place…■■■■■■ disgusting
Plus I find it such a micky take when you read threads on here about trampers that don’t have a microwave, company doesn’t want them using gas cookers… ffs talk about basics…
the truck is a stretched cascadia freightliner there nothing new in usa usually a couple who sell house after kids moved on then spec any truck up in one of many places around usa. they then pick where they fancy going thru a broker eg. in california ok dear lets go to florida . there wont be many of the long haul outfits speccing them up 4 joe average out 4 3wks but room in trucks here are way bigger than euroland its just all the other c…p u have to deal with 
Fridges are pretty much standard don’t take much to put an inverter and microwave in and most of the times there’s holes for them to fit into. Don’t forget though over here some drivers go away for 3-6 months. Sure the pay can ■■■■ a bit but also depends who you run for. Normally on my linger runs the only hold ups I get apart from the odd hassle with permits is if the place is shut when I get there
Swampey2418:
So if there’s such a driver shortage in the USA…wonder why Dolph is back in Bulgaria starting from scratchanyway a truck with a toilet …oh what luxury… maybe the Europeans manufactures should be thinking down these lines… instead we have to park up in a lay bay and find bottles of ■■■■ dumped all over the place…[zb] disgusting
Plus I find it such a micky take when you read threads on here about trampers that don’t have a microwave, company doesn’t want them using gas cookers… ffs talk about basics…
For multiple reasons which I have stated already(visa/starting family/finishing university/home sick etc.). I was making good money and the people around me who were driving trucks to. If you wanted to work there was plenty of good payed jobs.
Someone criticize me here, that I was driving for less then I should, which is total nonsense considering the financial crisis time.
Bacon Sandwich:
Hmm. Very nice.But surely the simple answer to the problem of driver shortages is to pay the drivers more money and treat them like human beings.
Just a thought.
Who has to treat them like human beings ?
Their customers ie distribution depots and the like otherwise what is that statement supposed to mean ?
horses for courses as the saying goes . 2yrs ago i did a stint 6mths without going home was single then saved a fair amount of cash no probs once u switch of from the normal world lol.
I spent my first 3 1/2 years here living in the truck, I spent maybe half a dozen nights a year in a hotel room, mainly Vegas.
Whilst I don’t do nights out myself, I often end up with a sleeper cab when doing local(ish) daywork through the agencies. Whilst the newer European trucks have modern electronic dashes with cruise control and air con, the function of it as a sleeping unit leaves a lot to be desired. In this day and age, there should be things like inbuilt TV aerials, USB ports and some means of having a wash in even the most basic spec of sleeper cab.
hi neil its steve where u from in uk m8 im based in prince edward island ex northampton been here 10 yrs sorry 2 go of subject fellas
neilg14:
The way they pay over the road drivers in the US & Canada is crap.
The big majority, probably 99% are paid per mile and then they add extras on like $20 per drop or pick-up no mater if it takes 5mins or 24hrs.
Some pay detention time over 2hrs with a crappy hourly rate, most don’t.
Most pay a layover rate $50-$75 a day if you’re waiting for a load, some try and screw the drivers out of that.
The driver shortage is only going to get worse because they’re now trying to bring in mandatory electronic log books and 65mph speed limiters which will limit the drivers earning potential even more.
We can only dream of 65mph and anyway log books are so 1970’s.
Bacon Sandwich:
Hmm. the simple answer to the problem of driver shortages
What driver shortages…?