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New Postal Service Business Model Creates Opportunity for Growth, Consolidation Among Private Mail Haulers

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/new...pportunity-growth-consolidation-among-private

"For decades, carriers were hired to haul mail over specific routes on a fixed schedule. Now the post office is awarding contracts to carriers that can provide service in a broader region and can expand or contract based on changes in mail volume.

The program, known as Dynamic Route Optimization, or DRO, also introduces a new form of compensation: paying carriers on a mileage rate rather than a contract rate."
 
Growth in Same-Day Delivery Set to Explode, Experts Say

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/growth-same-day-delivery-set-explode-experts-say

"One of the “explosive” changes in customer and distribution habits will be same-day delivery, something Plumeau said will cause companies to open more strategically located warehouses that don’t necessarily use trucks for final-mile delivery. Instead, they could use drones or vans.

But one constant need will be storage space. For every $1 billion in e-commerce sales, a company will need about 1.25 million square feet for warehousing, Plumeau said, citing CBRE, a commercial real estate services company.

To meet those needs for space, some firms are using an Airbnb-like approach to warehouse space. Plumeau said some companies are experimenting with asking property owners, from home owners to business owners, to hold packages for them until they can be delivered.

Plumeau called them “urban warehouses” and “micro” fulfillment centers."
 
$35 Million Settlement With Fedex Over Shipping Of Illegal Cigarettes

https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/att...sel-announce-35-million-settlement-fedex-over

The press release is heavily (dramatically)biased, but does also provide facts of the settlement:

"Under the terms of the settlement, FedEx agreed to implement reforms to ensure compliance with various laws. FedEx agreed to:

  • Cease domestic shipments of tobacco products, including cigarettes (with limited exceptions set forth in the Settlement Agreement);
  • Implement company-wide communications and annual training concerning tobacco shipments, including mandatory notices by employees to company officials if tobacco shipments are discovered;
  • Take disciplinary action against any employee or contractor who knowingly facilitates tobacco shipments; and
  • Retain an independent consultant recommended by the City and State to both advise and monitor the company’s compliance with the settlement agreement and with federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the shipment of tobacco. The consultant will immediately report violations to the City and State and provide quarterly reports."
 
One of the topics that was lost. Restored for reference value. Interesting data.

Labor Dept.: Don’t believe media on trucker shortage

https://www.fleetowner.com/open-road/labor-dept-don-t-believe-media-trucker-shortage

Is the U.S. labor market for truck drivers broken? (Mega Data from
Occupational Employment Statistics survey of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2019/article/is-the-us-labor-market-for-truck-drivers-broken.htm
Glad you brought it back, Swamp. Even a government survey sometimes, will make sense and show some truth. These companies that think $50,000 a year is great money,and offer crap insurance should read this article.
 
Glad you brought it back, Swamp. Even a government survey sometimes, will make sense and show some truth. These companies that think $50,000 a year is great money,and offer crap insurance should read this article.
Agreed, to a point. Still more jobs than qualified drivers. Companies WILL need to be among the employers of choice, if they expect to compete & grow.

The debate continues, with this from the other side.

ATA asserts government driver shortage study gets it wrong

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/d...overnment-driver-shortage-study-gets-it-wrong

“Not adjusting their conclusions for something as important as work-life balance leads the authors to make some ill-found claims.”
 
Owner-Operator Trucker Earnings to Level After Record 2018

https://www.trucks.com/2019/03/21/owner-operator-driver-pay-slows-2019/

"Average net income for the owner-operators increased 8.6 percent, or $5,178, to $65,360 last year over 2017 levels, according to the report."

A reminder about averages... Some make significantly more and some significantly less. Revenues (from the story) might sound pretty good, but the NET is what matters.
 
Owner-Operator Trucker Earnings to Level After Record 2018

https://www.trucks.com/2019/03/21/owner-operator-driver-pay-slows-2019/

"Average net income for the owner-operators increased 8.6 percent, or $5,178, to $65,360 last year over 2017 levels, according to the report."

A reminder about averages... Some make significantly more and some significantly less. Revenues (from the story) might sound pretty good, but the NET is what matters.
Would be interesting though Swamp, to check this out in a year. Because like the guy from The consulting firm said, ( not Satish), that the freight market is softening a bit. That will start the rate cutting again as capacity outweighs loads.
 
Agreed, to a point. Still more jobs than qualified drivers. Companies WILL need to be among the employers of choice, if they expect to compete & grow.

The debate continues, with this from the other side.

ATA asserts government driver shortage study gets it wrong

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/d...overnment-driver-shortage-study-gets-it-wrong

“Not adjusting their conclusions for something as important as work-life balance leads the authors to make some ill-found claims.”
Typical ATA response. They have always projected drivers in this country as having attained a business degree, but should work for low wages, and substandard benefits while trucking company owners pocket big profits. And when I used to read their weekly paper, Transport Topics, many articles favored shippers, and concerns about the shipping costs, and not the trucking companies, or their drivers. Especially union drivers.
 
Typical ATA response. They have always projected drivers in this country as having attained a business degree, but should work for low wages, and substandard benefits while trucking company owners pocket big profits. And when I used to read their weekly paper, Transport Topics, many articles favored shippers, and concerns about the shipping costs, and not the trucking companies, or their drivers. Especially union drivers.
Supply & demand. That is why driver wages are rapidly increasing. I think the biggest problem for the companies is they are not planning on how to attract drivers for the next 10 years. The fleet drivers average age is about 53. And maybe half won't make it to 62 in this business. Gone to long from the house. Sleeping in a closet on roller skates with a loud reefer running. Driver facing cameras. Law Enforcement. Staying medically qualified. Random drug & alcohol screens. Giving up 2 hours of pay or more @ the dock. Stuck in traffic making 2 bucks an hour. All of these add up. Companies will have to change how drivers are compensated & how they treat them to attract & retain a qualified & safe driver who wishes to stick around the industry. von.
 
Supply & demand. That is why driver wages are rapidly increasing. I think the biggest problem for the companies is they are not planning on how to attract drivers for the next 10 years. The fleet drivers average age is about 53. And maybe half won't make it to 62 in this business. Gone to long from the house. Sleeping in a closet on roller skates with a loud reefer running. Driver facing cameras. Law Enforcement. Staying medically qualified. Random drug & alcohol screens. Giving up 2 hours of pay or more @ the dock. Stuck in traffic making 2 bucks an hour. All of these add up. Companies will have to change how drivers are compensated & how they treat them to attract & retain a qualified & safe driver who wishes to stick around the industry. von.
The best description of the state of this industry, is the last sentence of your post...
 
The best description of the state of this industry, is the last sentence of your post...
You can throw all the money @ an employee. But if you miss treat them, they will leave, or the company will suffer from that employee who refuses to do anything extra because of the way they are treated. The Golden Rule applies in trucking like anywhere else. The value of a company is not in the stock, but in it's employees. Take care of the employee, & the stock will follow. Ignore your employees, & the stock will suffer. von.
 
You can throw all the money @ an employee. But if you miss treat them, they will leave, or the company will suffer from that employee who refuses to do anything extra because of the way they are treated. The Golden Rule applies in trucking like anywhere else. The value of a company is not in the stock, but in it's employees. Take care of the employee, & the stock will follow. Ignore your employees, & the stock will suffer. von.

I'm living proof, PIE quit paying me, so I quit!
 
Agreed, to a point. Still more jobs than qualified drivers. Companies WILL need to be among the employers of choice, if they expect to compete & grow.

The debate continues, with this from the other side.

ATA asserts government driver shortage study gets it wrong

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/d...overnment-driver-shortage-study-gets-it-wrong

“Not adjusting their conclusions for something as important as work-life balance leads the authors to make some ill-found claims.”

The entire premise of the ATA’s lobbying efforts are based on the systematic inflation of the “driver shortage”.

OOIDA has a lot of great material out there, debunking these claims.

The 3.5 million drivers claim, is also generously padded.

It’s been a political ploy for years in this country. Oh snap, the Threat level is Orange, no wait - It’s Red! We better give away some of our rights, STAT!

Nobody in their right mind SHOULD want 18 year olds doing one of the most dangerous and lonely jobs in this nation, but....

OMG we have a major driver shortage! Quick do something desperate! Change some laws! Hire some children!

Are those robots ready yet?

Because the rich, just aren’t rich enough. SMH
 
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The entire premise of the ATA’s lobbying efforts are based on the systematic inflation of the “driver shortage”.

OOIDA has a lot of great material out there, debunking these claims.

The 3.5 million drivers claim, is also generously padded.

It’s been a political ploy for years in this country. Oh snap, the Threat level is Orange, no wait - It’s Red! We better give away some of our rights, STAT!

Nobody in their right mind SHOULD want 18 year olds doing one of the most dangerous and lonely jobs in this nation, but....

OMG we have a major driver shortage! Quick do something desperate! Change some laws! Hire some children!

Are those robots ready yet?

Because the rich, just aren’t rich enough. SMH
It’s not a driver shortage; it’s a pay shortage
 
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