Trucking Job Market Turns Around Big Time

Being a driver in 2007 through 2009 was a nightmare. Finally, there is good news. The market is turning around in a big way in 2010 and 2011 to the tune of 400,000 new jobs.

The cessation of the credit market would seem to have little to do with freight trucking. Unfortunately, we all learned just how intertwined the economy is during the Great Recession. When credit died off, so did the purchasing power of Americans. That resulted in a major downturn in the economy.


With purchases way down, freight orders dropped through the floor. Thousands of trucking companies closed their doors. Even huge companies like YRC were forced to their knees as they tried to survive the downturn. Perhaps the worst off were the drivers who saw jobs dry up. How bad did it get? The final numbers are not yet in, but it is believed nearly 150,000 jobs were lost. Personally, I think there were more.

The good news is such a downturn could not last. It may have seemed like it would, but it didn’t. Now we are seeing freight orders increase dramatically. You know what that means. There is now a big need for drivers. The trucking industry is estimated to add 200,000 positions in 2010 and the same amount again in 2011. That is a major turnaround to say the least.



The question is will you, the experienced driver return? Many are sick of the ups and downs of the industry. On top of that, we have an age problem in the industry where the vast majority of drivers are over the age of 50. With some drivers giving up on the industry and others retiring, trucking faces a shortage of drivers for the next five to ten years. Who could have imagined that a year ago?

If you are going to return to the driving market, make sure to drive a hard bargain. Drivers are in short supply, which means a premium should be paid for them.
 
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