US truckload driver turnover surges in second quarter: ATA report

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ARLINGTON, Va. — The annualized turnover rate for US-based linehaul truckload fleets of all sizes surged in the second quarter with turnover at large fleets breaking the 100% barrier for the first time in more than four years, according to the American Trucking Associations’ quarterly Trucking Activity Report.

For large truckload fleets, those who report in excess of $30 million in revenue, driver turnover rose 16 percentage points to 106% – the highest level since the fourth quarter of 2007. The last time the turnover rate was over 100% was in the first quarter of 2008.

“We continue to see steady, albeit sluggish, growth in freight volumes, which increases demand for drivers,” said ATA chief economist Bob Costello. “That, coupled with continued pressure on fleets to improve their safety records as a result of regulatory oversight changes, is increasing competition among carriers for drivers with clean histories.”

At smaller truckload fleets, turnover jumped to 86% in the second quarter, a 15-point jump over the previous quarter. The spike put turnover at its highest level since the third quarter of 2007.

“We have been contending that the driver shortage is by and large qualitative, rather than quantitative,” Costello said. “Despite some estimates, I believe that in terms of raw numbers, the trucking industry is currently short somewhere in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 drivers. However, if we continue to see growth in freight volumes, we can expect that number to rise in the near future, exacerbating the qualitative shortage and creating a quantitative one.”

The turnover rate for less-than-truckload fleets averaged just 9% in the second quarter, up from 8% in the previous quarter.

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  • WHO wants to work in an industry populated by illegal aliens.
    30% or more of the “drivers” in the southwest are Mexican laborers.
    Many are here Illegally. Most Journeyman wont tolerate having tomingle with criminals…here with FAKE documents…PRETENDING to be Jose Garcia
    or whatever FAKE name is on his FAKE CDL.
    So…many REAL drivers have simply LEFT trucking…hence this “turnover” is going to get a whole lot worse. This is the un publicized reason why
    drivers are LEAVING. This is part of their everyday life….brushing your teeth at 4am in the truckstop..getting ready for work…and some illegal aliens are shouting in Spanish in the truckstop restroom and casually
    blowing their Nose INTO the sink next to you…..just the BEGINNING of your day 1000 miles from your home. Go out to have breakfast and sit with
    a roomful of MORE Spanish Speaking Mexican”truckers”…..its pretty much a JOKE today..who could take this crap seriously?????
    This is part of the LIFESTYLE of the ROAD DRIVER today. It is NAUSEATING.
    Journalists are NOT aware of THIS REASON for Real Drivers LEAVING…they only surmize about CSA and Demographics..The American drivers are LEAVING trucking as the stamped of LOW Paid Wetbacks continues to POUR into the truckstops…..providing CHEAP LABOR for RICH TYCOONS.