Local trucking companies see effects of national truck driver shortage

March 4, 2019 | 3:30 am

Updated March 3, 2019 | 8:24 pm

The American Trucking Associations figures companies need about 60,000 drivers to fill the national shortage. | Photo by AP Imagery

America is currently experiencing a massive shortage of truck drivers. The American Trucking Associations figures companies need about 60,000 drivers to fill their need, a number that could top 100,000 in just a few years.

Drivers are needed to meet the demand from companies such as Amazon and Walmart that are shipping goods across the country, according to the American Trucking Associations.

Patrick Franey, owner of Franey Trucking, said even local companies are struggling to find drivers. He said there is definitely a shortage of qualified truckers.

“I feel some of the problem is people don’t want to be away from home so much,” he said. “Another part of the problem of driver shortage is the older generation is starting to retire and the younger generation that’s coming into the workforce don’t want to work. Kids nowadays don’t have to work for what they want.”

According to the Kentucky Trucking Association, there are 13,260 trucking companies located in the Commonwealth and 89.2 percent of Kentucky communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods.

Franey said he also is in need of owner-operators — drivers who own their own truck but who would still drive for Franey Trucking every week.

The company requires three years of driving experience, a clean background and a clean driving record. Candidates must also pass a pre-employment drug test and agree to random tests throughout the year.

“We like someone that is honest, dependable, on time, and willing to follow directions,” he said.

Franey said he thinks the trucking industry is a very good career choice. The drivers run Monday through Friday and are home for the weekends and are sometimes home at night during the week.

Franey said one of the pros of trucking is there are many different types of trailers to pull to haul many types of freight. Different drivers like to pull different trailers and haul different freight. What one driver loves to do another may not enjoy.

Total trucking industry wages paid in Kentucky in 2016 exceeded $5 billion, with an average annual trucking industry salary of $44,843. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers held 27,040 jobs with an average annual salary of $42,100.

“While it has its drawbacks of being gone from home a lot, it is a great way of making a good living,” Franey said. “If someone is thinking about getting a CDL (commercial driver license) I would highly recommend it. It opens so many different opportunities and job possibilities.”

March 4, 2019 | 3:30 am

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