Recruiting in the trucking industry isn’t always as straightforward as it should be.
Have you ever picked up those free magazines at truck stops?
Bursting with big promises, they make it sound like carriers are handing out gold bars.
But, as the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Let’s take a look at the REAL STORY behind these “irresistible” offers and look at a brighter, more honest approach some trucking companies are taking.
A recent magazine highlighted so-called pay raises by carriers, boasting an increase of 3.6 cents per mile. Sounds decent, right?
Let’s do the math. Over a perfect 600-mile run—which rarely happens, by the way—that’s an extra $21.66 a day before taxes. A
After deductions? You’re looking at a wholloping $15 to $18. Jeez, that’s barely enough for breakfast, let alone a meaningful increase to the balance in your bank account.
So why does this matter?
Because these publications are largely funded by carrier advertising dollars.
Our Translation: They’re designed to make carriers look good rather than deliver unbiased truths. This type of spin isn’t just misleading; it’s a subtle form of brainwashing meant to lure truck drivers into thinking they’re getting a sweet deal.
Truth is though? They absolutely are not.
TIP: Want to know how truckers can avoid falling for these tactics? Check out The Best 5 Ways For Truckers to Handle the Driver Recruiter.
Here’s a reality check for you.
In 1980, drivers were earning on the average around $37,000 annually.
Adjusted for today’s cost of living, that figure should be around $110,000.
You don’t need ME to tell you that is NOT what the average driver is pulling in today.
Most drivers are nowhere near that.
Despite decades of inflation and rising costs, pay scales in trucking simply haven’t kept up.
That’s why many seasoned drivers are furious, and rightly so.
Don’t settle for less.
Learn more about fair compensation in trucking with Navigating Fair Truck Driver Pay: Are You Earning Enough?.
Carriers are scrambling for drivers, and their desperation shows.
Promises of $5,000 sign-on bonuses from shady companies are just the tip of the iceberg.
Ever hear about carriers offering one-way bus tickets for recruit programs, only to leave unsuccessful candidates stranded? It’s been happening for years and it’s appalling.
Take, for instance, a $10,000 sign-on bonus offered to driving teams.
Sounds great, doesn’t it?
But dig a little deeper.
If a company won’t even pay to send you home when they reject you, how do you trust them to keep their bonus promises?
Well the straight up answer is ‘You can’t’.
If you’re looking for a trucking employer you can count on, we’ve compiled a list of trucking companies which we feel are worthy of further investigation for a driving job.
Here’s how to find the best trucking company to work for.
Finally, there’s some good news.
A Quebec-based company, CH Express, is rocking the industry by paying drivers by the hour.
And not just local haulers—this is for long-haul, flatbed truckers.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- New drivers: $25/hour while driving, + hourly for on-duty tasks like loading or tarping.
- Drivers with 5+ years of experience: Start at $33/hour when driving.
- CH Express Pay Package (Definitely worth looking at what a good pay package looks like)
This setup ensures drivers are fairly compensated for every moment they’re on duty.
It’s a huge deal, and proof that paying drivers fairly is possible without breaking the bank. If one carrier can do it, why can’t others?
Recruiting in trucking over the past 20+ years or so, has been turned into a game of smoke and mirrors.
Still is at some companies.
But you don’t have to play along.
Look past the glossy headlines and shallow promises.
If you’ve got a good gig now, think twice before jumping ship for a pipe dream.
If you’re searching for a new driving gig, dig deep, ask tough questions, and don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Keep your eyes open.
Drive safe.
And make every mile count.
