Back in November, our “Fleets’ Famine” cover story outlined the severity of the driver shortage. Things haven’t changed. If you’re safe and have a good work ethic, countless carriers would like to bid for your services.
That’s become even more evident as I see the growing interest in a new event, the 2006 Partners in Business Retention Forum. It’s produced by Overdrive, American Truck Business Services, Castrol and Freightliner. Executives from many of the top carriers will come to our Tuscaloosa, Ala., headquarters in October to learn more about how to retain good contractors.
Attendees will hear content developed by ATBS experts and Overdrive editors about how smart carriers can help their owner-operators get the training and consultation they need to succeed. They’ll hear from fellow executives, representing carriers with some of the lowest turnover rates in the business, about their successful approaches to holding on to top-rate owner-operators.
As fleets looking to improve their retention upgrade their owner-operator packages – everything from the hot buttons of pay and home time to more creative offerings such as flexible scheduling – you’re the winner. But don’t be too hasty to jump to the first carrier that promises 2 cents a mile more. Changing carriers can cost $5,000 to $10,000, depending on how you count the costs.
Make sure the compensation and fees you receive are competitive in today’s market. You work hard. You deserve the best.
–Brad Holthaus, Publisher
