After Covid they couldn’t get enough of them:
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After largely destroying the Teamster’s Union, and cutting pay and benefits, trucking companies have had trouble finding enough drivers. The thing in recent years is companies looking for “owner-operators”, where the driver shoulders all the financial risks of owning, maintaining, and insuring the truck, rather than the “JC”.
Steve
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My BIL used to be a long haul trucker and was an owner-operator. It is a tough life that is tough to make a profit at. Trucks can be $$$ to maintain. And as steve203 points out, the JC’s want that burden on someone else (like Uber does).
He does not drive anymore. Now he is an owner/mechanic to repair trucks. Better life, more money. He can even do repairs out-in-the-field, or is his shop at the back of his property. (yes, he can WFH!)
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That’s right, a majority of truck freight is by owner operators. It is more expensive than company owned but gives companies more flexibility. And the driver-owners? Well, Steve, you were never very happy working for someone else.
DB2
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