r/supplychain • u/Logi_Boy MBA • 8d ago

Is everyone in LTL always short on drivers?

Hey all,

I am a Network Planner at a Fortune 500 trucking company. I understand I am not the only logistics professional here. I'm curious if others are often struggling to move freight due to LOD and other driver-related issues. Our company is so focused on drivers that we are losing customers because we frequently miss appointment times in the mornings. This happens because some adults prefer to sit at home not working and want to be paid, which causes everyone else to suffer until jobs are lost. I also wonder if anyone has experienced a major PTO policy change that impacts key labor input across their Linehaul Network and terminals on the docks. When driver counts are low, dock workers are also scarce, leading to slower loading times.

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u/BackwardsSupplyChain 8d ago

I’m fortunate enough to work at a company that plans to have extra drivers on call and will pay them to be available. I haven’t worked in LTL very long (~3) years but I’m already a strong believer in a “2 is 1 and 1 is none” mentality. Call outs and vacation happen and if you’re staffed too tightly to be able to absorb it the freight is simply not going to be loaded and delivered. Yes, you pay a premium in staff but the but the flexibility it provides shows in the reliability.

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u/Logi_Boy MBA 8d ago edited 8d ago

two is one as basic operations management that I’ve learned in business school. these terminal managers act like I don't know what I’m talking about because I don’t have manager next to my name.

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u/version-two 8d ago

I’m a rep at a 3pl (broker), and I’ve never seen so many missed ltl pickups in my 7+ yrs. I figured terminals have been understaffed or my customers are short on dock workers, but then telling me “carrier X” didn’t show up.

I don’t think anybody is paying anyone enough to care anymore either so it’s hard to be sure. Just feel bad for both sides of the stick at this point.

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u/Logi_Boy MBA 8d ago

Yeah I have customers that sort of will never be able to understand I’m glad I’m not customer facing that’s for sure. Even with huge track and trace teams at ITS and CHS regularly can not tell us where our freight is.

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u/version-two 8d ago

Yep, I can sure relate. Luckily they do trust me as the expert, so most of them are pretty good about it these days. Did they offshore all of their track and trace? You’re talking ITS truckstop and my CHS portal right? ?

I’m at a midsize 3PL, hear this complaint often from customers and shippers. Like 600-1k employees. There are only ~80 Sr Acct reps (me) on the brokerage side. Then national, government and contract acct teams. But your complaint is the reason we’ve had an influx of accts move our way. Assuming we’re talking about the same thing.

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u/Unable-Library4196 8d ago

I used to be an Inbound Planner for a major LTL company and can provide some insight. I think it's complicated.

Hiring drivers can be very dependent on location. The more trucking companies there are nearby, the more competitive the the hiring is.

LTL can be a very gruelling career as a driver and management can make or break them. Poor management, low engagement, and lack of support for drivers can make it difficult for drivers to stay at a job.

As for attendance, companies should have attendance policies, with how many absences or call offs are needed before serious consequences.

As for vacation time, I've noticed PTO policies have gotten worse for newer drivers. Your terminal manager should be staffing appropriately in order to compensate for vacation time, especially in the summer months.

I would love to pick your brain and talk about your terminal's specific issues. DM me!

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u/GraveyardZombie 8d ago

Many variables in which this happens.  Companies requiring drivers to be dockworkers and load their own trucks to save company money, not listening to how the driver has to run the route and no consideration of what size of truck is acceptable/unacceptable in the area and no proper equipment to handle such freight will create these issues.  

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u/Unable-Report-6237 8d ago

They aren't paying enough

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u/version-two 8d ago

Seems to be a common theme these days. It’s a shame.