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Truck drivers have been in short supply for years in America, but a wave of retirements combined with those simply quitting for less stressful jobs is exacerbating the supply chain crisis in the country.
A report released last month by the American Trucking Associations estimated that the industry lacks 80, 000 drivers , a record number, and a figure the association said could double for 2030 as more retire.
Empty shelves in empty stores, shoppers Christmas panic and congestion in the ports are some of the consequences.
US warehouses and containers are full of products and delivery times have been extended to me. ses, going from days to weeks for many products.
Supply chain problems stem from a number of factors, including an increase extraordinary demand for goods and the closure of factories abroad.
The situation has been aggravated by the shortage of truckers and the deterioration conditions across the transportation sector, making it even more difficult for consumers to get the things they want when they ask for them.
President Joe Biden announced last month that major ports and private companies would begin moving toward an operation of 24 hours in an effort to ease the stagnation.
But early results suggest trucking continues being a major bottleneck in that effort.
Los Angeles and Long Beach Port Directors said that At least initially, few additional truckers were showing up to take advantage of the extended hours.
The billion dollar infrastructure bill that the House passed last week could help mitigate shortages.
The legislation includes a pilot three-year apprenticeship program that would allow commercial truck drivers up to 18 years crossing state lines .
In most states, people under the age of 21 years can receive a commercial driver’s license, but federal regulations restrict them from driving interstate routes.
The shortage has alarmed trucking companies, who say there are not enough young people to replace those who are aging cing out of the workforce.
Stereotypes associated with work, isolated lifestyle, and younger generations’ focus on obtaining Four-year college degrees have made it harder for drivers to be tempted.
Trucking companies have also struggled to retain workers: fees turnover have reached 90 percent for large carriers.
In response, the companies have increased their wages. Average weekly earnings for long-distance drivers have increased by around 21 percent since the beginning of 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Last year, commercial truck drivers had an average salary of $ 47,130 Dollars.
Only 7 percent of truck drivers are women and 40 percent are minorities, according to a report by 2019 of American Trucking Associations. Some have also called for the weight limits for trucks to be increased to allow them to carry more cargo, or for the age limit for drivers to be permanently lowered.
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