Dive Brief:
- U.S. Xpress has announced a new bonus program for current and prospective team drivers called TeamMax, which rewards paired drivers with $50,000 in bonuses and up to four weeks of paid vacation within a single year, HDT Trucking Info reported Monday.
- Additional benefits include first priority for the newest trucks and top priority at service centers. A full benefits package is also included.
- The goal of the program is to pair current U.S. Xpress drivers with newer drivers in order to lighten the burden of being an independent, responsible for all driving.
Dive Insight:
Team driving is a novel idea for addressing the driver shortage, but it's a challenging prospect.
With a 90% turnover rate and a current driver shortage estimated to be approximately 50,000 below need, the ELD mandate is just one more straw on the camel's back of an industry in trouble.
As a result, freight movers and 3PLs are attempting to draw new drivers to the field with big perks and incentives. They're also suggesting methods such as team driving, in which a pair of drivers avoid mandatory rest breaks by sharing duty. This allows the truck to cover more mileage, faster, and potentially gain the drivers more income per mile as a result.
But the strain of unending companionship can make the process difficult at best, hence the prospect's big bonus and novel presentation. Yet, if it can be managed, it's a good way to get freight moving in a time of chronic shortage, and for new drivers to gain confidence and experience on the road.
