Truckers are not happy right now. They’re angry and frustrated about the state of the trucking industry, and rightfully so. The recent wave of driver shortages has forced carriers to implement extreme measures in order to keep their trucks on the road. You’ve probably read about these measures in the news: mandatory overtime, new hiring standards that exclude anyone with tattoos or long hair, and even a 40-pound weight limit for potential drivers. It sounds like the plot from some dystopian sci-fi novel, but it’s all real, and it’s hurting more than just truckers. Everyone involved in this industry is suffering as a result of these changes—consumers included. There is a lot of misinformation out there about truckers that makes them seem like strange and scary people; so let’s correct that right now by busting some common trucker stereotypes once and for all.
Why Are Truckers So Angry?
The Lack of Transparency in Freight Rates
The lack of transparency in the pricing system for freight rates is a big problem for truck drivers and other individuals in the transportation industry. Unfortunately, this is a situation that is fairly common with most large trucking companies. Essentially, these companies can manipulate the pricing system in any way they see fit for a variety of reasons. Because the system is not transparent, smaller trucking companies and owner-operators are unable to challenge the rates that the larger companies set. This results in unfair pricing practices and higher rates for smaller companies that are already struggling to stay afloat. It’s a system that benefits the large trucking companies while putting smaller companies out of business.
Contractor Problems
Another major issue facing the trucking industry is the companies that employ contractors rather than full-time employees. This system makes it very easy for a company to terminate an employee to avoid offering them certain benefits. It also provides an easy way for companies to avoid paying workers who have been injured while on the job. After the federal government implemented new regulations regarding interstate commerce in 2005, many trucking companies transitioned from hiring full-time employees to hiring contractors. This was especially common with trucking companies that primarily serve the long-haul industry.
The Excessive Use of Remote Electronic Track Devices (eTD)
Remote Electronic Track Devices, or eTD, are devices used by trucking companies to track their drivers. Unfortunately, many companies are using eTDs in an excessive manner, something that has resulted in a class-action lawsuit. The eTD devices measure how fast the driver is going, how long they are at a stop, and how long it takes them to drive from one place to another. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, some companies are requiring their drivers to use the devices for as much as 14 hours a day. While the remote track devices can certainly be useful in tracking a driver’s speed, time, and mileage, they can also be used to track the driver’s location. There are many instances in which trucking companies have used the device to track their drivers while they are off the clock — which is a violation of privacy.
The Failure to Utilize Technology and Big Data
Before we go any further, we must first define what “Big Data” is. Big data is a term used to describe a large volume of data — usually data that cannot be processed by conventional data-processing tools. In the trucking industry, big data refers to data about the trucking industry itself. Big data could include data about the pricing system, data about the use of eTDs, or even historical data about traffic conditions. Unfortunately, the trucking industry has yet to fully embrace the use of big data. There are a few reasons for this. For starters, the trucking industry is extremely fragmented. There are a lot of small companies and owner-operators who struggle to compete against the larger trucking companies. As a result, smaller companies often lack the resources needed to fully utilize big data.
There Are Ways To Deal With Trucker Using Relaxation Techniques
- The trucking industry is also very secretive. Trucking companies are typically very protective of their data, and they often do not share it with other companies. This makes it difficult for smaller companies to utilize big data.
- Finally, the trucking industry is extremely competitive, which can cause some drivers to be angry at the company that employs them. If a driver feels that his or her company is not treating them fairly, he or she may become angry and lash out at the company. In order to deal with this anger, many trucking companies have implemented programs that allow drivers to vent their frustrations in a safe environment. These programs include “driver forums” where drivers can discuss issues with other drivers and “driver chat rooms” where they can talk about their experiences in an anonymous way.
- The use of relaxation techniques such as meditation has also been shown to help reduce anger among truckers.
- Finally, there are ways to deal with anger among truckers that do not involve talking about it at all — such as using relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
- The use of relaxation techniques such as meditation has also been shown to help reduce anger among truckers.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the trucking industry is currently facing a number of serious issues, many of which have yet to be resolved. There are a number of issues that need to be addressed, such as the lack of transparency in the pricing system, contractor problems, the excessive use of remote electronic track devices, and the failure to utilize technology and big data. Hopefully, the trucking industry will be able to resolve these issues in the near future because the American public relies on trucks for nearly everything that they need or use. If these issues are not resolved, it could result in a major disruption in both people and goods.
FAQ:
Q: What is the difference between a driver and a trucker?
A: A trucker is someone who drives a truck. A driver is someone who operates a truck.
Q: What is the difference between an owner-operator and a company driver?
A: An owner-operator is someone who owns their own trucking company. A company driver works for an established company.
Q: What are eTDs?
A: Electronic Toll Collection (eToll) devices are electronic devices that are used to collect tolls from vehicles on toll roads. The devices are typically mounted on the windshield of vehicles and can be used to pay tolls without stopping at the toll booth. The devices can also be used to track the location of vehicles while they are off duty, which is illegal in some states.
Q: What does “off duty” mean?
A: Off-duty means that you have stopped driving your vehicle for whatever reason (i.e., you have stopped at a rest area, pulled over to take care of personal business, etc.). It does not mean that you have been pulled over by law enforcement or otherwise detained by law enforcement officials for any reason whatsoever.
