How can companies overcome trucker shortages?

With such massive driver shortages facing the trucking industry today, companies are being forced to go above and beyond the normal call of duty when it comes to recruitment. While this is certainly a rough time for the industry and the entities it serves, it could translate to improvements in the lifestyles and working situations of truckers all over the nation, especially if they are looking to take on more responsibilities. 

Certain companies are working to take more aggressive approaches to recruitment and optimization of load carrying, while others are entering into the market to alleviate some of the problems in a more advanced fashion. 

Improving benefits
WGEM, an Illinois ABC affiliate, interviewed several experts from the trucking industry to gather their thoughts on the shortage. One such insider, Phil Steinkamp, a teacher in a trucking training program, stated that the lack of available drivers and other changes challenging the industry are having existential impacts on the companies and truckers therein. 

"Other factors when we talk about the costs, fuel costs are a huge factor with shipping costs, the cost of new equipment, upgrading equipment, maintaining," he told the news site. "The costs are continuously rising as they are in any industry ... The lifestyle is improving the quality of life for the employees, companies realize that's important and they're doing a much better job than they were 20 years ago in trying to attract drivers." 

One of the reasons why this shortage is expected to become more tenuous is the fact that the average driver is around the age of 49 years old, CBS 58 explained. To begin the process of overcoming the issue, companies are widely increasing drivers' salaries, and also considering a switch away from per-mile compensation to further attract younger truckers. Better benefits, higher pay and a more preferable lifestyle could all help to alleviate the shortage. 

A new approach
Several companies have entered into the competition to "Uberize" the trucking industry. CNBC reported that CargoX is one of the more high-profile entrants into the industry, and has already got moving in Brazil, which is the third-largest freight market. Suffice it to say that if CargoX is successful, it could lead to higher annual earnings among the driving community in the United States, and get products moving more efficiently. 

CargoX's chief executive officer told CNBC that the goal is to get individual, owner-operator drivers to have full trucks whenever they drive, which might have a substantially positive impact on the industries most strained by the shortage as well. 

Stateside, WLRN pointed to a startup company based in Miami with a similar goal, and is called QuickLoad. Again, the company seeks to ensure that all loads are full for any freight truck, saving companies money, boosting efficiency and potentially increasing how much a trucker gets on each ride. 

Right now is a great time to be a driver, as there is much money to be made and improvements coming through with respect to lifestyle.