Recession Drives Workers to Trucking

Surging unemployment solves industry's chronic struggle to haul in drivers
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 27, 2009 2:07 AM CST
Recession Drives Workers to Trucking
More than 137,650 trucks went off the road last year as thousands of trucking firms went out of business.   (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)

Hard times have reversed the trucking industry's trouble finding recruits, the Wall Street Journal reports. Applications have surged as workers who once shunned the industry's demanding conditions can no longer afford to be choosy. At the same time the number of trucks on the road has dropped. Firms that once engaged in cut-throat competition to lure drivers now have a backlog of applications. "I've never seen it like this in 24 years," said one company owner.
(More truckers stories.)

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