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Keep On Truckin'The trucking industry in Illinois is on the move. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) projects that 38,000 truck drivers (in the "Heavy and Tractor Trailer" category) will be needed in 2012 – a more than 15% increase from the 33,000 drivers employed in 2002. (1) At the same time, the trucking industry is continuing to face worker shortages. A recent Crain's Chicago Business article explains that the industry has been enduring these shortages for years. (2) CJC explored some of the possible factors behind the driver shortages to learn more about potential opportunities, as well as any drawbacks that may exist for job seekers in this industry.
George Billows, executive director of the Illinois Trucking Association, a non-profit trade association that represents trucking companies, as well as independent owners and operators, attributes the shortage, in part, to a population of aging drivers. "The average age [range] of drivers [today] is in the mid- to upper fifties, so they'll be retiring. In ten years, the [trucking] industry will be short about 120,000 drivers [nationwide]," he says. Others believe the driver shortage is related to salaries. A report by The Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago (3) relates the findings of a transportation forum held in May 2004, during which trucking executives asserted they could not find enough qualified drivers – a problem they attributed to low wages. These executives further speculated that they would have to substantially raise trucking rates in order to increase wages.
Rob Hoffman, director of business development with World Business Chicago, a not-for-profit economic development organization promoting metropolitan Chicago, views the situation differently. He emphasizes that truck drivers are paid well, but, in spite of that, there is still a 100 percent turnover rate in the industry. Part of the reason is that truck driving is not your average nine-to-five job, according to Hoffman. "It's a way of life," he says, adding that drivers typically endure long absences from home, and that first-time truck drivers usually have to start out with long-distance trucking jobs until they build up seniority at a company. "You don't get to spend a lot of time with your family," says Hoffman. In addition, Hoffman says customers have higher expectations, which creates more stress for drivers. "There's a lot more technology… a lot more pressure [for drivers] to meet deadlines.... The truck driver is the last link in, frequently, a very long global supply chain," says Hoffman. He says that 85 percent of freight is moved by truck, and there are more than 200 truck terminals in the greater Chicago area.
Billows says the high turnover rate has been misrepresented. "The turnover is more of a contractual issue," says Billows. "[Independent drivers] who own their own trucks hopscotch around the country," he says. "They take on one assignment, finish it, and then go on to the next one... They're going from one company to another, based on where the jobs are," he explains. "They're not leaving the [trucking] industry to pursue other [careers]." By comparison, Billows says that most truck drivers who are hired as permanent drivers for one company usually work there for years. "This is a wonderful time for anyone who wants a challenging and exciting career. It's a 'people' business," says Billows, explaining that when truckers make their deliveries, they meet many individuals, such as consignees and shippers. He adds that salaries also remain competitive. "The trucking industry has always been one of the leaders in pay," he says, explaining that new drivers can make between $35,000 and $40,000 their first year. He says there is an especially big demand for over-the-road or "long-haul" drivers, who are often gone for days at a time; he says there's also a "decent" demand for local drivers. Curtis Colin, a veterans employment representative with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), says many of his clients don't want the long-haul jobs because they'd rather stay close to home and drive the local routes. Colin has found that most local routes go to drivers with seniority, but there are exceptions. "I've got one trucking company that hires for a Chicago-to-Milwaukee route and back [in the same day]. That's a good job for candidates," says Colin. Patriot Act/Hazmat Endorsement Since September 11, the rules and regulations pertaining to a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) have become much stricter. "Illinois is one of the toughest states in the country [regarding] our CDL rules and regulations," says Terry Montalbano, CDL administrator for the Illinois Secretary of State. This is especially true for drivers who will be hauling hazardous materials, such as gasoline, paint and even blood. Drivers who plan to haul such materials must have a Hazmat ("Hazardous Materials") endorsement on their CDL. According to Montalbano, an individual has to go through a number of steps to obtain that endorsement, including being fingerprinted for a background check and filling out a threat assessment form, which asks for detailed information about your employer, where you live, etc. "It's a snapshot of your life," says Montalbano.
The Patriot Act, along with other legislation passed after September 11, has made obtaining or renewing a Hazmat endorsement even more difficult, especially for job seekers with any type of criminal background. There is now a long "list" of disqualifying felonies, under federal law, which could potentially bar someone from getting a Hazmat endorsement, ranging from violent to nonviolent crimes. Though there are provisions in the law that allow someone to appeal a disqualification decision or, in some cases, request that restrictions be waived, it is uncertain how easy it will be for an individual to navigate through the system. "We're following this closely to see how the implementation of these standards is playing out," says Roberta Meyers-Peeples, co-director at National H.I.R.E. Network ("H.I.R.E." refers to: Helping Individuals with criminal records Re-enter through Employment), a national clearinghouse for information and an advocate for employment policy change. The Hazmat endorsement is especially significant because it enables CDL holders to earn a considerably larger salary. As well, employers may be more interested in hiring a driver who has a Hazmat endorsement, since he can haul any materials without restrictions. "It's definitely a plus to have the Hazmat endorsement," says Meyers-Peeples. "[With the Hazmat], you're not limited in any way." For more information on Hazmat laws, visit www.hirenetwork.org., or go to the National Employment Law Project's website: www.nelp.org. For individuals applying for a non-Hazmat CDL, the rules are not quite as stringent, but certain requirements still apply. You must be 18 years of age to apply for a CDL license to drive in-state, and age 21 to cross state lines. The main physical requirements include good hearing and 20/40 vision with or without glasses or corrective lenses. Be aware that all CDL computerized tests, as well as road and skills tests, are administered in English only. (4) Also, keep in mind that although no criminal background check is conducted for a non-Hazmat CDL, certain things such as a suspended or revoked license will prevent someone from obtaining the CDL. In addition, Montalbano points out that a criminal offense will show up on a person's driving record if the crime was committed with the use of a car. For example, if an individual robbed a bank or sold drugs using a car, those offenses will appear on the driving record, according to Montalbano. In addition, new federal provisions are cracking down on all CDL holders who are convicted of violating traffic laws while operating any type of motor vehicle. For example, if a CDL holder is convicted of violating a traffic law with his personal vehicle, that conviction now goes on his CDL driving record, according to Montalbano. In the past, personal motor vehicle convictions only showed up on a personal vehicle driving record.
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