I work in Supply Chain, and you're right about disruptions. My company employed more than 100k truckers in 2018, now we are down to 35k and we pay more than anyone else in the industry by far because our CEO is a former trucker.
We have weekly meetings where we basically have to decide what gets shipped where and triage what is most important. There are mass amounts of food just rotting in shipping containers all over the country. There's medicine and soft goods just gathering dust in the Port of Los Angeles and South Florida.
We were prioritizing gas heavily, but food is quickly starting to take over in importance due to the spoilage, which means gas prices are about to go up A LOT. Like 1-2 bucks a gallon in the next 45 days or so.
Our company doesn't do it, but I know other companies have government advisers who help with the triage stuff, we stay independent and work with our customers - the stores and shops - and let them decide what is most important and take that into account.
Thanks for the insight. Are you able to share why you think your company dropped to 35K truckers?
It's just been a lack of truckers available. We have raised what we pay them every quarter and still aren't getting takers.
Many seem to be choosing to find other work. I've talked to a lot of truckers who have transitioned to construction or local delivery for people like Amazon.
A big part is the cost associated with leasing their trucks too.
Thanks for the insights, again. An industry going through major transition. I wonder if there is a growing sentiment, too, that truckers don't want to be caught away from home when the shit really hits the fan. Or, worse, driving into/through dangerous areas. I'm sure it's a complex mix of variables. Stay safe yourself.
I can attest to that. That is actually the main thing that I worry about. My wife doesn't have a license and we have 2 kids. On top of that, delivering to fascist companies doesn't help either.