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John Oliver did a video a few days ago [1] about some of the problems that truckers face. I can see where having an employer and a fixed salary, even if it's fr

by elihu 5y ago

John Oliver did a video a few days ago [1] about some of the problems that truckers face. I can see where having an employer and a fixed salary, even if it's from Walmart, might be preferable to having to deal being an independent trucker. Among the things that independent truckers have to put up with is that if they show up to pick up or drop off a load and it isn't ready, they just have to sit there and wait, and they're not compensated for their time. If we're looking at industry practices in need of reform, that would be one. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phieTCxQRLA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phieTCxQRLA

bushbaba 5y ago
Reforming would also improve our supply chain efficiency
- irrational 5y ago
  Just putting a rail line between the port of long beach and the warehouse where everything is delivered to would tremendously help things.
  - throwaway0a5e 5y ago
    That rail line would need to go through a union and that would be complicated. Probably cheaper to build a port from scratch in Baha and build a rail line to there than fight that fight.
zdragnar 5y ago
It is much the same in any industry that's a mix of independents and salaried folk. I write code for a living, and genuinely would not want to freelance or work short contracts. OTOH some associates I respect wouldn't want it any other way.
ethbr0 5y ago
There's also the driver being liable for the safety of the trailer they pick up, even though they've never seen it before they get to the yard, and the other parties (who are not liable) have every incentive to pressure the driver to just pull aged, unsafe equipment.
selecsosi 5y ago
Another discussion recently RE: issues with trucking coming from someone w/ experience in the industry that I thought was insightful (unironically covering main talking points of Oliver's segment) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30813331 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30813331

by elihu 5y ago

bushbaba 5y ago

Reforming would also improve our supply chain efficiency

irrational 5y ago
Just putting a rail line between the port of long beach and the warehouse where everything is delivered to would tremendously help things.
- throwaway0a5e 5y ago
  That rail line would need to go through a union and that would be complicated. Probably cheaper to build a port from scratch in Baha and build a rail line to there than fight that fight.

zdragnar 5y ago

It is much the same in any industry that's a mix of independents and salaried folk. I write code for a living, and genuinely would not want to freelance or work short contracts. OTOH some associates I respect wouldn't want it any other way.

ethbr0 5y ago

There's also the driver being liable for the safety of the trailer they pick up, even though they've never seen it before they get to the yard, and the other parties (who are not liable) have every incentive to pressure the driver to just pull aged, unsafe equipment.

selecsosi 5y ago

Another discussion recently RE: issues with trucking coming from someone w/ experience in the industry that I thought was insightful (unironically covering main talking points of Oliver's segment) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30813331 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30813331