corsia logo

The Misery of Long-haul Trucking.

The Misery of Long-haul Trucking.

Principles of Microeconomics state that when there is a high demand for a product, supply would also increase to satisfy the demand. This logic applies not only to market realities but also to workforce dynamics. When there is a need for IT specialists, you would expect employers to provide high salaries and good working conditions, which would attract more and more IT specialists. Yes. In some industries, this might be true. Long-haul trucking, however, is not one of them. It might just as well be exactly the opposite.

Despite being an industry that is a large factor in the American economy, long-haul trucking doesn’t seem to be a concern of the Department of Labor at all. Working conditions of long-haul truck drivers have worsened in the past years, and mistreatment is causing many drivers to leave the industry. As a result, employers hire young and less experienced drivers to whom they dedicate their 18-wheelers – a decision that puts both the employers and the employees in danger.

As a result of this unfortunate trend, the Senate has even approved a pilot program that will allow 18-year-olds to drive semis across state lines despite the fact that the 18- to 21-year-old demographic has one of the highest accident rates. When it comes to long-haul trucking, the government’s focus throughout the past years has been primarily on safety; which is quite understandable considering the high number of accidents involving semis on the road – every year about 5,000 people are killed in such accidents. But apart from safety, where is the concern for drivers themselves?

Truck drivers take pride in what they do, and this should not be underestimated. They show skill and focus in their daily job. Coordination and timing are required to keep track of the road and the gears. The prolonged working hours are always an obstacle which teaches drivers how to be persistent and courageous to keep their minds and eyes on the road. Factors such as weather conditions, construction zones, terrain, and road quality contribute to the difficulty of the job, requiring the drivers’ constant attention.

Did we mention that they have to fight boredom more often than any of us these days? Even if they drive with a partner, the picture can get quite dull sometimes. Being on the road for more than 14 hours on some days, driving through picturesque but monotonous views, days and days in a row can make drivers lose interest in any activity while they are on the road. They are living the dream – some might think – because they get to travel for so long. While others would realize – they are driving, but they are not tourists, which turns into not the most desired dream, but very often one’s worst nightmare. Waiting becomes their hobby. Or at least, their most often practiced activity. These factors affect not only truck operators’ safety but also their mental and emotional health. No sick pay or holiday pay to compensate for any of these either.

Most people don’t realize that long-haul trucking is a lifestyle choice, not just a profession.

They don’t go home every evening to their family like most other professionals, or when they do it is only for a couple of days, and they have to leave again. Drivers sleep, eat and spend their entire days in their trucks. They have to learn how to get by with as little food, drinks and even bathroom breaks as possible – because every minute they are parked at a rest stop is automatically lost income.

What is quite bothersome is that long-haul drivers are a concern of the Department of Transportation and not the Department of Labor. The lack of interest demonstrated by the Department of Labor allows employers to do whatever they please with their drivers and ends with drivers getting back on the road without having slept long enough or having cleared their minds before the next trip.

Long-haul truckers have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, divorce, and drug abuse than the average Americans.

Their eating habits are often neglectful; truck operators satisfy themselves with whatever they can find. Exercise, too, is, for the most part, non-existent. There simply isn’t time, and usually, truckers are exhausted.

“We found a lot of loneliness, anxiety, [illegal] substance use and unsafe sex. Depression is a problem, and, untreated, it can get worse,” says Mona Shatell, the author of several scientific surveys of the mental and physical health of long-haul truckers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, truck driver suicide rates are among the top five professions in the country.

Isn’t it obvious now why more and more long-haul drivers decide to leave the job? Many truck drivers consider their jobs a temporary solution to a current problem – whether to earn money for a worldwide trip, to save up and buy a house, or to pay off university bills. As you can see, they don’t have many motivational factors to keep them working in the industry either.

Truck drivers help the American economy thrive and what do they get in return?

The government tries to address some of these issues through regulations. Again, related to traffic safety. Maximum driving hours and mandatory rest times were enforced to protect drivers and others on the road from accidents. Organizations like “The Healthy Trucker” are starting to work to help long-haul drivers, now too.

Higher amounts of surveillance are another precaution of contradictory nature. Drivers are not only monitored for speed, but much more – they are provided with trucks that can only reach a certain speed, or have sensors installed on their vehicles which measure the distance between a truck and a car in front of it, and brakes if this distance is shorter than necessary.

Apart from this, however, not much has been done. All these are protective measures for safety. But do they even affect or benefit drivers as much as necessary?

Truck drivers have become outsiders. They sacrifice their life with their families and dedicate it to 18-wheel dangerous beasts instead. Since the Department of Labor is not associated with them in any way yet, they don’t even have an institution to turn to for support. Overall, the yearly medical check-ups and decreased driving hours have not shown any effect on drivers mental and physical condition yet.

Voluntary programs are now starting to focus on the issue and aim to provide tips and advice on what to eat while behind the wheel and how to exercise to stay healthy. Making sure these kind words reach long-haul drivers, however, would be the harder part. And yet, little things like this could change a person’s mindset for the better. And it seems like it is in the hands of the ordinary people to help this change occur.

Save

Share our experience:
Are you ready to ship a car?
Recent posts
car shipping quote

Truckers Can Fight Sex Trafficking

If You See Something, Say Something! This is the slogan of the nonprofit group Truckers Against Trafficking, the organization’s main goal is to have more

Shipping a Rivian

Shipping a Rivian

Shipping an electric vehicle like Rivian requires several considerations. Here we will share some key aspects to keep in mind when you need to ship

Read more

Corsia Logistics team works hard every day to ensure reliable expedited car shipping service. Our customer reviews prove that.

5-Star Rated Car Shipping Company

5/5
5/5
5/5

they trusted us

and here's what they say

Simon Moore
Great company
Read More
Looking for a logistics company, to ship my car, from California to Illinois,my first search, then Corsia showed up, skeptical. Call and a very friendly secretary: Elena. She guided me through, I scheduled and as she explained, all when smooth as scheduled Very happy I did the right choice. I'll recommend this great Company to anyone that is thinking to relocate a vehicle. Thanks Corsia logistics for your honesty and professionalism!
Elizabeth Woodward
High five's all around!
Read More
Corsia was highly recommended by a friend in the automobile industry. We needed to transport a cargo van from Seattle to Florida. We contacted Corsia who quickly arranged transport within just a few days. Communication was outstanding! Just a few email confirmations and we were all set. Mike was great and arrived right on time and delivered to Florida on schedule. Tip-avoid the hornets nest of auto brokers on line and just contact Corsia for a truly great experience!
Carrol Tiffany
Amazing
Read More
Corsia has been amazing. Their prices are really competitive but more importantly their customer service has been 5-Star. Elena followed up with me every step of the way, making sure there was no miscommunication between me & the driver. We are using them to ship a 2nd vehicle & would not hesitate to use them again!
Tony Boyd
Definitely recommend
Read More
I have recently used Corsia for long time family car with sentimental value that was moved I have recently used Corsia for shipment of my vehicle from Oregon to Arizona by recommendation from other family member who also used Corsia in the past. I am very pleased on the service and the communication throughout shipment. Ken was my direct contact and kept me informed along the move The car was picked up and delivered as communicated. I did use a enclosed mover and the driver was also clean cut professional and treated car as his own. I would definitely recommend Corsia again with the experience I have had. Thank you. T
JW
Top notch
Read More
Top notch Transport - Porsche 997 Top notch! As easy and efficient as one could possibly imagine. Great customer service.. thank you Luke. Great prices. Check. Timely communications. Check. Clean transport trailer. Check. Supremely careful driver. Check. Timely arrival. Check. Don't mess around elsewhere, just call Corsica and feel confident your transports needs are going to be exceeded. My Porsche 911 rode like a Queen in her enclosed chariot. I've never needed a transport company before, and I surely will use them every time. Do yourself a favor, seriously. Call now.
Geet Mp Haryana
Reliable, efficient
Read More
Corsia rep (Elena) was very proactive. Helped ship a car from CA to GA. She checked in with me via email quote and several phone calls to find me the best possible quote for the fastest available service. After several communications, Corsia was able to schedule a vehicle pickup the next day. The driver communicated well, and the vehicle arrived in final destination faster than we expected in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Corsia's reliable, efficient service.
Cay Liptak
Clean, efficient, wonderful
Read More
Thanks, Corsia! Pickup was so clean, efficient, and wonderful -- my only recommendation is to make sure you schedule it during the day so you can fully review the car in the daylight. Drop off was equally wonderful, and the whole trip went down without a hitch (pun intended!). Seriously, Corsia delivered my Jeep from CT to California with no issues or bumps in the road!
Csaba Kovesdy
Truly positive experience
Read More
Corsia Memphis to LA, mid-size SUV. I looked at 4 different companies amd Corsia was the most responsive of them. While being responsive, they were not unduly aggressive: when I indicated that I need to wait a month before making a decision they stopped contacting me and only came back with a reminder when I really needed it. Once I decided to engage Corsia they found me a transport within two days and the car was delivered (from Memphis to LA) in another two days. I had a truly positive experience.
Kelly Torres
Highly recommend
Read More
Working with Corsia Logistics was a great experience. Working with Corsia Logistics was wonderful. They were able to find a driver right away to transport our car. They were in constant communication as to when the car was getting picked up and dropped off. The driver also communicated with me as to when he would arrive. I would highly recommend Corsia Logistics.
Amy Nelson
Excellent Organization
Read More
Corsia was an excellent company to work with while I transferred my car across the US. A friend of mine suggested I use them as they had been very organized and trustworthy with her own car. I researched a few different place but decided to go with Corsia and I'm so glad I did! Any questions I had throughout the process they answered quickly and clearly. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them for others to use.
Previous
Next