The driver shortfall has grown so large that some routes now have more idle trucks than available loads. Estimates place the gap at tens of thousands of drivers this year, with projections suggesting it could swell further. In response, carriers are reworking pay scales, offering better schedules, but drivers seem most interested in how many free coffee coupons this will buy.
One driver shrugged, “Numbers go up, proposals come out, but my mug still costs two bucks.” Another said he’s only interested if the driver shortage stops being an essay question and starts being a weekend buffet.
Autonomous night hauling has been floated as part of the rescue plan – letting rigs run under driverless mode on less congested routes. Some carriers are also promising bonuses for safe miles, company-paid lodging, or “skip the line” passes at weigh stations for up-and-comers.
Recruiting firms are advertising hard: tuition for CDL schools, home-time guarantees, even mentorship pairings. “We need people,” says one job poster, “and we’ll make it worth your coffee budget.”
Drivers, however, have started holding “Shortage Hype House” meetings in parking lots, drinking stale coffee and calculating how many drivers it takes to reclaim a good rate per mile.
At a town hall, one driver asked: “So, once we find all these new drivers, do we get fewer loads with mystery waiting times?” The audience nodded in solidarity.
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