Truck Companies Looking for Drivers - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Curt Casper

OMAHA (KPTM) – If you have traveled down I-80 recently, you may have noticed there aren't as many truckers around. That is because there really aren't a lot of truckers driving for trucking companies.

Nationally there is a 500,000 trucker shortage and there is an immediate need for 30,000 of them.

Wynne Transportation tells Fox 42 News they are short about 15 drivers. This is the worst the company has seen in its more than 60 years of operation.

Joe Wynne said, "We have never had empty trucks at this rate."

The reason for the trucker shortage? Older truck drivers. Larry Johnson of Nebraska Trucking Association tells Fox 42 News the average age of a trucker is 58. The baby boomer generation is starting to retire and there aren't' enough truckers to fill the void.

"There are not a lot of new younger drivers coming out of high school or even in their 20's to fill this position," Wynne said."

Wynne tells Fox 42 News this is going to start affecting costumers at the store.

"Having a store run out of fuel, you would notice it at different shopping centers, etc. Maybe running out of product or running lower on warehouse socked pile they normally would have," he said.

But Johnson isn't worried about the shortage. He tells Fox 42 News it only means there needs to be a better focus on recruiting.

The problem for the truck companies is federal regulations require a truck driver must be 21-years-old before he can operate a truck.

"There is always going to be trucks moving," Johnson said.

Wynne would like to get the extra 15 truckers so they can get the petroleum to the company's customers. 

"It needs to be more of an issue, I don't know why it is getting blown over," he said, "for us, and we would just like to service our costumer better."