Comments By DJames

I think when this stops, the market will begin to improve.

Let's hope Q4 '24.

From what I've been reading, alot are saying Q3 of 24. Miles and loads have picked up for me and been consistently busy for the last quarter. My TM and DMs have said there are still bad areas, but that freight has picked up for us. It's still a market that requires a driver to bring their A plus game every day though. At least with us, those that don't are sitting a lot.

That is good to hear that things are picking up and that consistency is there.

Normally, technology is a huge boom to the economy, but with AI, this is something we've never seen before. The big tech companies are laying off people in groups of 10,000 or more. Other corporations will follow, as soon as they figure out how to use AI.

Trucking seems pretty stable right now, and jobs are easy enough to find, as always. It might be tougher than it is during boom cycles, but the bust cycles don't last long in trucking because the industry adapts pretty quickly. When things get ugly, the number of trucks on the road decreases rather quickly, and rates pick up again.

I agree, the AI displacements could happen in much higher volume than technological displacements have in the past. Many times with tech advancements a newly created job is there to which the displaced workers can be moved. I think the rate at which AI can displace jobs will make that very difficult if not impossible.

In the past many thought that AI would impact blue collar jobs first and hit them the hardest, however it is looking like so many white collar jobs are going to be impacted prior to blue collar jobs.

Just wanted to see what you all think about the current downturn. It seems that with such a prolonged downturn that a change would be on the way sooner than later. I know the market is still clearing excess capacity and that nobody has a crystal ball, but when do you think things will start to pick up? 2024? Later?

Welcome back! I’ll jump in here too.. I just did 14,000 miles last month working for a small carrier. My buddy works for Walmart and has grossed $106k this year and he even had 10 weeks off for health reasons. I have another buddy working for a smaller carrier also pulling approximately 3000 miles a week.

Congrats on those miles....that is something!

Davy makes a very valid point. If you don’t have a commitment from the company yet, it could be a big mistake to move to TX just on the hope you will be accepted in their training program.

That's another thing that I would need to run by them...would it be possible to apply and get an orientation date contingent upon moving out to TX

Let me ask you this: Given that my current job is stable and the current state of the freight market would you recommend waiting it out a bit longer?

Welcome back! I’ll jump in here too.. You said that conditional hire or pre hire was back in 2020 so you’ll need to get back in touch with them and see if they’re still looking. I know things aren’t fantastic in trucking right now but if a reputable trucking company is willing to hire you and put you through training I see no reason to delay if trucking is what you want to do. Things are generally a bit slower out here but there are still plenty of us making money. I just did 14,000 miles last month working for a small carrier. My buddy works for Walmart and has grossed $106k this year and he even had 10 weeks off for health reasons. I have another buddy working for a smaller carrier also pulling approximately 3000 miles a week.

Yeah, if i were to stay in florida I would not give notice at the current job until I had an orientation date set. That's another thing I would need to ask them: Would I be able to apply to go into their facility in TX without having moved there.....just contingent upon moving out there?

Since it sounds like the company has operations in both states, I'd highly recommend that confirm you are hired and successfully graduate their program before moving. In the trucking industry right now, jobs can be difficult to come by.

Also, given failure rate of applicants in the first year, combined with the surplus of available drivers, if you have the opportunity confirmed, I'd recommend making it a success your top priority. Get the career and lifestyle started first, and make sure it's a successful launch, then change stuff.

Davy, Another good point. This was the sort of thing I was thinking about with the potential pitfalls involved with moving and going into a company. I did apply back in 2020 and was approved and given a conditional pre hire....but that was 2020 and like you mentioned there is a surplus of drivers now and it would be a completely different ball game.

As I am only supported by myself failure would not be an option and I would give this decision the dedication, attention and effort it deserves.

Let me ask you this: Given that my current job is stable and the current state of the freight market would you recommend waiting it out a bit longer?

BK, thanks for the input. I agree that it would probably be best to have everything squared away before starting trucking. I would imagine, like you said, that it would be very difficult to get things done from the truck and would be a distraction to have to take time off.

I know that companies don't look too favorably on frequent moves but I imagine one move and a few weeks of unemployment while getting established in TX would not be that big of a deal?

Hello again forum, I had something I wanted to run by you all:

After lurking for years I am looking to take the plunge here around March/April 2024.

I am currently in the Central Florida area. I am planning to go into Cypress trucking’s company CDL program. My ultimate plan is to use my mom’s house in TX as my residency and be out OTR as long as I can do it. My question is: Would it be best to start trucking here in FL and then transition out to TX after I am established in the company or would it be best to move out to TX, establish residency, then go into Cypress there?

You can train with Cypress in TX and FL and there is an academy over in Tampa which is about 70 mi from where I am. Starting in Florida would be easier in the near term, I could just put my stuff in storage and use a domicile service as I am not going to keep paying $1600 in rent for a place I will never see. I am single with no kids.

Of course I would have to eventually take time off and move everything over to TX, which is where moving out to TX and getting everything done now would put me ahead. I guess a lot of my trepidation comes from any potential pitfalls that could come with getting established in another state and starting in the trucking school/industry. What do you guys think would be the best path?