Looking for a class 1 City driver in Calgary Alberta. 18.00 to start Must have 3 years CITY exp. please call 333-7668
Truck drivers will get a better deal
· By: Drivers.com staff
· Date: 2004-09-20
Comments (35) Join conversation
The “worst driver shortage in 28 years,” is plaguing trucking companies throughout North America.
“We advertised for a week for a driver in Calgary and had three replies, none of them acceptable to us--two of the guys were over 60 and one who’s had seven jobs in five years,”says Steve Islaub, vice-president of Vedder Transport of Abbotsford, B.C., a 100-driver company that specializes in hauling edible liquids.
The shortage has been brewing on the back burner for quite a while, but now it seems to be critical. Some transportation observers are putting the blame squarely on the downloading of cost-cutting on to the shoulders of the driver. In the recent economic downturn the shipping community tended to take savings out of the trucker, observed Stan Dunford, CEO of Contrans, a truckload transportation services company with operations throughout Canada and the U.S.
Dunford anticipates that the shipping community will have to factor some serious increases into their pricing in order to hold drivers. His company is also stepping up incentives to reduce the rapid churn rate of drivers, which, in some cases exceeds 100% per year. “We’ve refurbished driver facilities at terminals , put in showers, improved lounges, provided PO boxes with keys for mail,” he told Report-ON-Business TV recently.
Amongst the factors causing drivers shortages:
- poor pay scales and deteriorating working conditions have led to high “churn” rates
- retirement of experienced drivers;
- tougher safety rules reducing driver hours of service;
- young people don’t like the lifestyle;
- problems recruiting young persons because of insurance rates
Over the past decade or so, truck driving has become the job of last resort. The odd hours for long distance driving and the adjustments needed by families makes for a very unattractive career unless the economy is so bad that there’s nothing else available. Job-hopping for improved hours and schedules became the rule rather than the exception.
Now, the driver shortage is causing companies to offer better pay and benefits. Drivers can start at $35,000, and eventually make $70,000 to $100,000 a year with overtime. Among the perks being offered are a chance to move to local routes to be home more and $5,000 signing bonuses. One company is offering a pay feature that allows drivers to get a tax benefit by treating part of their pay as reimbursement for meals and expenses.
One controversial solution to the driver shortage is causing concern to safety advocates … a pilot plan to allow 19- and 20-year-olds to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. “This is simply an effort by motor carriers to find a new source of people willing to work cheap and provisions in the proposal that would hold the driver captive to the carrier until he’s 21 amounts to no more than indentured servitude,” said Jim Johnston, president of the Owner-Operators and Independent Drivers Association.
Another contentious issue is the use of electronic devices to record driver’s hours behind the wheel. This would eliminate the log-book juggling that currently enables drivers and shippers to bend hours of service rules. The technologies are being pushed by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety but meeting stiff resistance from the trucking industry.
"If you're going to have enforcement based on electronic data, it had better be a lot better working than my laptop," says Bill Goose, vice president of engineering for the American Trucking Associations trade group. "Right now, we'd prefer voluntary use of the devices."
The need work through these issues is becoming urgent now as the economy picks up. By all accounts there’s rising demand for trucking services but growth is at a virtual standstill until additional truck drivers are attracted, says one executive. 
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Comments
Robyn, on Friday, 07. July 2006 at 08:25 AM
Dave, on Sunday, 05. November 2006 at 07:54 AM
Us younger driver's cannot get a job without experence, therefore we cannot get experence without a job! it's kind of distrubing as well.
don, on Friday, 05. January 2007 at 05:18 PM
just looking for that job driving truck but have
little exp. only 2years,and just like dave can't seem to
get a brake.the people that have the drive to"drive"
should be considered for the job
thanks
don l just consider me
local p&d lowermainland call;604-826-4451
Dvae Redmond, on Monday, 19. February 2007 at 11:38 AM
I was hired by a tanker company in Flordia and the first day we were signing forms ay a record pace and not enough time to read contents. The secound dar I wanted to see what I signed. One form with payroll dectuctions for 90 days for 400.00 for 125.00 worth of tools a elbow pipe and wrench. The other was to pay a precentage for my trip-pack. Stupid!
erik jan liedenbaum, on Friday, 23. February 2007 at 03:44 PM
I am Holland international truck driver with almost 23 experienced, seeking Canadian transport company interested with holland truck driver, please contact me : rik2801@yahoo.com or trukkerole@hotmail.com . thanks.
M. Joseph, on Wednesday, 28. February 2007 at 08:48 AM
I am a Class 1 Driver, bases in the united kingdom, I have 15 years driving experience,looking to work in canada,I have a clean drivers, licence. I would like to work for a major transport company in canada, I am british born. Thanks. please contact me at mj146@tiscali.co.uk or mj146@googlemail.com or telephone 00447944-116778. Thank-you.
patrick parker, on Tuesday, 06. March 2007 at 06:19 PM
have small load going from sothern california to melbourne flordia ready now
Ralph Williams, on Tuesday, 13. March 2007 at 07:14 AM
Left trucking a year ago,why,because of low pay. I was running local Balto to Pa two trips daily needed to make as least a thousand a week company unwilling to meet that price. I love trucking but my family can't afford me to.And by the way I have six years exp. flatbed, vans and reefers.
william Mcgee, on Tuesday, 10. April 2007 at 05:27 PM
I remember a bad accident involving a 18 year old driver of a tractor trailer from Canada. He improperly loaded a escavator, hit a skywalk for pedistrians which cause it to collaspe on the highway killing serial people. hiring young drivers with no common sense has a severe cost to human life down here in Baltimore, Maryland it happened 1997 on interstate 695.
alan robson, on Thursday, 19. April 2007 at 12:20 PM
i was a uk owner driver until a german factory train ran into me, by the way i was stationary, parked where i was told to park.
the germans did not even ask how i was,never worked since, now disabled,
i am still asking the german factory for a new truck. after all they wrecked mine,
Denny, on Thursday, 19. April 2007 at 10:43 PM
Robson, from what you say you should have no problem getting your truck replaced. What did the German factory owners say? Your case looks clear cut unless you were parked on an active track.
Sven, on Sunday, 27. May 2007 at 04:24 PM
Hey Robson,
I´m pretty sorry for you, but normally the insurance of the factory train owner will have to pay your truck if it is definitly unrepairable! Or your the poor, who was kidded by a badass! Didn´t they called the police?
When I read things like this, I´m ashamed being a german.
I wish you good luck!!!
Duncan Hawtin, on Thursday, 30. August 2007 at 04:59 PM
Hi, I'm looking for information about any Canadian trucking companies that use the adoption scheme. If anyone has any advice on this I would be grateful.
Cheers.
duncan.hawtin@tiscali.co.uk
Dieter Fouqret, on Saturday, 22. September 2007 at 08:13 AM
I'm a lisenced truck driver and a german citizen. I would like to move to canada (exact location not a problem) with my wife and child. I would need a letter of intent from my future employer to obtain a work permit. If any companies are interested in an experienced driver, I can be reached at simmeler@gmx.de
thanks
philip, on Tuesday, 02. October 2007 at 08:36 AM
i am from the uk and looking for work in canada, dont have any preference where.
i have 22 years of hgv driving and have driven all over furope and the uk in both left hand and right hand drive trucks.
i gained my certificate of competence 20 years ago, and also been transport manager and mechanic.
i have vast knowledge of using maps, atlas's etc .please contact me if you can help on:
ellis817@hotmail.com
harjit singh, on Thursday, 18. October 2007 at 04:59 AM
if any company wants HCV drivers in canada from dubai then contact at my number 9316676876
wayne foster, on Sunday, 11. November 2007 at 04:16 PM
hi i am a 30 year old truck driver in england would like the chance to work in canada any companies out there willing to take me on. if so my email is foggy.77@hotmail.com
many thanks
saptagiri, on Monday, 19. November 2007 at 08:07 AM
hello i am 35 year old indian , ihave 10years exp in long haul tractor tailor driveing and also taken 4 months CDL training in INDIA (government of andhra pradeh) iam interest work in canada
pls any body sponser me
thank you
sapthagirichada@yahoo.co.in
mobile 00 91 9391053603
Dennis, on Friday, 04. January 2008 at 07:24 PM
If there is a shortage of driver's,then why is so hard for an experienced driver,like me,to find a company that is willing to pay for experience.most companies want to pay the same as someone who has just gotten out of school.I think that's wrong,and that's why they can't find any good help.
krasimir Genov, on Wednesday, 16. January 2008 at 08:42 AM
Hi I`m a British citizen and I looking for work in Canada. I`m LGV-clas-1 driver.I have 20 years of exoeriance and have driven all over in Europe and UK.I would like to work for major transport company in Canada.Tanks.Please contact me at.www.kgenov@mail.bg or telefone 00447878334903
Chris, on Sunday, 27. January 2008 at 10:36 AM
Hi all, I have 18 years clas 1 experiance in the UK and would like some info on the Canadian Transport companies who sponser overseas drivers (if such companies exist)
I am looking for a new challange in my career so how better to do it than to move to a whole new country.
thx for any responce ....
Chris, on Sunday, 27. January 2008 at 10:39 AM
I had better leave a contact .... :)
cwalks@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks again ....
Taz (nickname), on Tuesday, 19. February 2008 at 12:26 PM
Alberta class#1 driver clean licence 30 yrs exp will consider any driving job based within Alberta. Have experience with most types of equipment and have traveled all over North America. Not scared to try new things. Willing to accept real money for a real days work!!
taztrucker@gmail.com
kota vasu, on Saturday, 23. February 2008 at 03:29 AM
Hi
Im from Indian 30 years I have 8 years long hual tractor trail driving experience I would like to work in Canada and I have take CDL training in India (government of andhra pradeh) if any any body can sopnser me I will lbe great full
thank u
kotavs@yahoo.com
Ramandeep Singh, on Friday, 21. March 2008 at 03:08 AM
if any company wants HCV drivers in usa then contact at my number 9417455104
lawrence, on Monday, 31. March 2008 at 08:24 AM
Hello
I am a British citizen with over ten years driving experience, Im looking at coming over and driving in Canada with eventually the thought of doing the ice road if any one could offer me any assistance it would be much appreiciated, many thanks for your time Lawrence
Please email me on racheldando@btinternet.com
Admin, on Monday, 31. March 2008 at 10:17 AM
One thing you can try Lawrence is posting a resume on our TRUCKING JOBS page and mentioning your ambition re driving the ice roads. It's free --
http://www.jobtarget.com/home/index.cfm?site_id=44
emma nicholls, on Friday, 25. April 2008 at 10:55 AM
hi im lookin to move to ottawa canada...i am interested in becomin a truck driver.....i am a 28 yr old female..if anyone as details of how to id appreciate the email...or if any truck companys are willing to sponsor me...email me... emma_nicholls142@hotmail.com
vineet jain, on Sunday, 22. June 2008 at 01:11 AM
hi i m looking to move in u.s i m an indian i am intrested in become a truck driver i am 27 yr old male if any truck company are willing to sponsor me ......... email me at ... justvineet_82@yahoo.co.in
Prem, on Tuesday, 01. July 2008 at 05:57 AM
Hello I am Nepalese
Currently I am Working in the Qatar as Mobile Crane Operator and Heavy Truck Driver for last 10 years.i have both valid License and Certificate.
i am 32 years old honest and hardworking. Now i am looking work in canada, USA, AUSTRALIA. If anyone kindhearter willing to sponsor. please contact me prem_bk08@hotmail.com PH.
+974 5330930 Thanks a lots
Admin, on Wednesday, 02. July 2008 at 04:19 AM
Hi,
Go to our jobs page at http://www.jobtarget.com/home/index.cfm?site_id=44
you can enter your resume free and check out jobs
stuart ratcliffe, on Monday, 28. July 2008 at 08:21 AM
hi i live in the uk and i am looking to work in alberta canada i have 22 years of exsperience driving and maitaining trucks and trailors i have worked on cat 3306 and 3406 engines fuller/eaton taransmisions i have also worked on cummins engines would any one be interested contact me at smratcliffe@yahoo.co.uk or 01244811584
Anuraag Sengupta, on Tuesday, 29. July 2008 at 12:19 PM
hi iam an an indian truck driver with 4 years of experience looking for a job in canada please contact me or email me-9849754846.Email-anuraag.sengupta@gmail.com
peter gomez, on Friday, 01. August 2008 at 01:34 PM
I am from Gambia and presently in Spain.I am looking for a company whom will train me in truck driving.. I will be glade to recieve email from any intrested company peter.gomez64@yahoo.com
David oriakhi, on Friday, 01. August 2008 at 01:39 PM
I am a nigerian,but i live in spain,i am jobless,pls if there is any thing you can do for me i will be very glad.I am a house painter by proffession.
contact... d_oriakhi@yahoo.co.uk
