The Future of the Trucking Industry and Driver Appreciation

This week on FreightWaves Community Spotlight: Appreciate your truck drivers (and maybe get them a new truck for Christmas!)

It's the second-to-last day of Truck Driver Appreciation Week, and Thomas Wasson is here to share his thoughts on how to truly appreciate these vital members of the supply chain.

Key topics covered:

• Spotlight driver Al Weber for his positive attitude and problem-solving skills

• Detention times: While they've improved slightly, nearly 40% of drivers still experience them, and getting paid for that downtime remains a big challenge (only 55% of carriers who invoice for detention actually get paid!)

• Class 8 truck orders: Data suggests there may be a lull in orders for new trucks in Q4 2024, due to a combination of factors including worked-through backlogs and a flooded used truck market.

• How to really appreciate your truck drivers: Forget the free dinner and platitudes! Drivers value home time, higher wages, and perks that make their lives on the road easier.

Thomas also emphasizes the importance of remembering the people behind the wheel. Every week should be Driver Appreciation Week!

Watch this video to learn more about driver detention, the state of the class 8 truck market, and most importantly, how to show your truck drivers you care.

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