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Big demand goes unmet for drivers of big rigs

Ohio’s unemployment is at 5.3 percent, and some noted economists say the country is in a recession, but the demand for more drivers of semi-trucks remains high.

In Ohio, the hiring is swift, said local recruiters.

“If you want to be working, truck driving is still a great job,” said Mike Moscinski, vice president of TrainCo. Inc., a driving school with an office in Perrysburg. “You can support your family, pay your bills, and have some extra [money].”

On average, drivers are paid $35,000 their first year, $40,000 to $50,000 a year within two years, and can increase to $80,000, several experts said.

Motor Carrier Services Inc. in Northwood, which recruits 25 drivers annually, is seeking two. It operates 100 trucks and requires two years’ commercial driving experience.

In Findlay, Garner Transportation Group is recruiting five to six drivers. It operates 90 trucks.

“We’re extremely busy in terms of freight and recruiting,” said Tim Chrulski, a recruiter with the company. “This is an industry that will never go away.”

In Perrysburg, Falcon Transport Co. is hiring 10 to 15 drivers.

Overall, the trucking industry is divided on the economy’s affects. Some argue that the industry is in a slump, others call that nonsense.

The Toledo Trucking Association said trucking is increasing because of imports, but national organizations contend the in-dustry is hurting.

“Freight is in a bit of a slump,” said Clayton Boyce, an executive at the American Trucking Association, representing 3,700 fleets.

“There has been a downturn since 2007 in the amount of freight available for hauling.”

Still, drivers are in short supply, said Mr. Moscinski and others. “It’s a great time to get into the business,” he said.

By 2016, the number of truck-driving jobs will increase by 258,000, according to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects.

More than 110,000 driving jobs are available nationally now, the American Truck Driving Association said.

Several local driving schools are poised to help.

TrainCo. Truck Driving School offers programs each month - a four-week day class, five-week night class, and 14-week weekend class.

The cost is $3,400 to $4,000 for 140 hours of instruction.

Owens Community College in Perrysburg Township has a two-week intensive program that costs $3,400 and includes 40 hours of classroom and 40 hours of driving instruction.

School instructors warn, however, the field is not for everyone.

“The lifestyle of a truck driver is very difficult,” said Mr. Moscinski of TrainCo. “If you take people that have punched a job 9 to 5 in a factory, and now they’re gone two weeks at a time and away from their family, people get into it and say ‘Not for me!’•”

Long-haul drivers can be on the road for two days, a week, or several weeks at a time.

Some drivers, however, are attracted by the lifestyle, said Mr. Boyce, of the national trade group.

“Some people love that job, and they tend to be people who don’t have children,” he said. “A new trend is to have married couples or retired men and women take jobs as long-haul drivers and get out to see the country.”

Because long-haul driving is so difficult, the employee turnover rate is exceedingly high, 80 percent and and above.

As a result, the industry is constantly looking for new drivers.

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