As you know, 2011 promises to be a year of promise of better tonnage and margins. Challenges in driver recruiting and managing a driver force subject to the new CSA requirements, not to mention possible changes in hours of service will make it a good year for only the fittest and most nimble in the truckload transportation sector. It is no secret  that the driver supply surplus of a few years ago has turned into a shortage nearly overnight. Not surprisingly, company driver wages have begun to rise, with pay increases  of as much as $.05 per-mile. In some cases, these changes are impacting new hires only, and, in other cases, the reductions have impacted all drivers. This is critical information when assessing your position in the driver pay market. Today's economic conditions dictate this is not a market in which you can afford to overpay or underpay. 
 

Owner-operator rates are showing strength. We have reported owner-operator wage increases in the fourth quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011 of $.01 to $.025 per-mile. In fact, one very large carrier is now adjusting owner-operator pay on a quarterly basis based on prior quarter freight profitability.

We invite your questions, just call us at 816-442-7879.