The trucking industry is changing and that means for the drivers as well. With a higher standard reaching out across the industry through the CSA, certain trucking companies are finding themselves in a much different position than ever before. No longer will all the blame be placed on truck drivers for violating HOS rules, running faulty or dangerous equipment or placing all the responsibility on the professional driver. Both driver and company will receive violation points through the CSA.
It is imperative that trucking companies operate in a safe and professional manner or risk intervention from the CSA and if they fail to comply, the company could face an Operations Out-of Service Order. Due to this new initiative, many experienced, veteran drivers are finding themselves out of work due to companies anticipating that tests for BMI and sleep apnea will be included in future government mandates. Although the FMCSA has stated that as of right now, these tests are not a part of the CSA regulations, we believe that they will be included sometime in the future. Many older veteran drivers with desirable PSP’s are finding it difficult to find work, either because of their age or physical appearance (BMI), as some companies are adding additional testing to their hiring requirements.
Companies who are carrying out these tests appear to be searching for the “cream of the crop”and are most likely doing so, to lower their insurance rates and ultimately increase their bottom line. With many of the veteran drivers either retiring, leaving the industry or as a result of not being hired and losing their jobs due to the effects of CSA and their PSP, a flood of inexperienced drivers are anticipated. Many will show a “perfect” PSP as they are new to the industry and will not have a 3 and 5 year look back of violations and crashes. These perfect PSP records will then reflect a perfect driver safety score for the motor carrier as long as they do not receive violations once employed.
Trucking companies are reacting to the CSA ( including their anticipation for possible future medical mandates), and driver PSP, and therefore experienced truck drivers are being dismissed by many within the the industry. Furthermore, many motor carriers are now very concerned about the lack of qualified truck drivers available to them. Ironically, there are trucking companies who are finding quality, professional drivers to hire and are not having these same problems. I believe that the motor carriers who will eventually have the most problems “finding” quality drivers, will not just be because of the driver PSP, but will be more to do with their treatment of drivers in the past and their unwillingness to change their ways.
Attracting Quality Drivers for the Trucking Industry on Truth About Trucking “LIVE” Blog Talk Radio.
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