Driver shortages?
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Tam an owner-driver operating an artic on a weekly run to Germany and I am in need of a driver to cover a long-awaited holiday. I placed a small "free ad" in a trade magazine and I have just put the phone down on call number 50.
Now I will admit that about three or four calls were from timewasters just being nosey, but the rest were genuine men seeking work. Some were even prepared to pack in their "shunting" work for the chance of just three weeks for me.
From talking to these men, I am convinced that there is a good supply of experienced drivers out there, but the so-called shortage comes more from the fact that noone is offering the right money, or otherwise their terms are too severe. You really cannot expect good, experienced men to work away for up to six weeks at a time and pay them the equivalent of a cleaner's wages.
But more worrying was the fact that these men were all in the 35-plus age group; no youngsters, other than those newly qualified. So it would seem that it is true that there is no up-and-coming supply of new blood. Thank you for giving us such an informative magazine. Derek Moody, Woodstock, Oxford
E PS: I have been operating now for 20 years (last May) and am still looking for the "Golden Land"!