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. Itis 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.