Shortage of a certain type of labor is just an indicator that it doesn’t pay enough. I’ve also got a shortage of Tesla in my garage.
I suspect that most people would.
Obviously 1,000,000 is _too much_, but conversely whatever the current rate is, is probably too low.
It helps that I have the benefit of hindsight having only started my career in IT at 27, and done all sorts of other stuff before then, none of which had any long term prospects, nor did it pay $1MM/year.
What is basically happening is the trucking companies are living with a shortage of drivers, and waiting for self-driving to arrive.
A good example in the labour market is doctors. While experience may vary, at least in the jurisdiction I live, it is illegal for a doctor to accept more money from me in order to prioritize my care. Instead, the law mandates that patients are prioritized first by need, second by order of contact (i.e. first come, first served). If the doctors are busy, there is no legal priced-based mechanism for me to incentivize directing their services to me, thus there can be a shortage.
I am doubtful that there could be a shortage in the trucking industry. I'm certain if I offered a 30% raise to just about any truck driver, they would jump ship to my operation in a heartbeat. I know of nothing external that would prevent me from doing that. Realistically, I might not be able to pay that much, but that simply means I was never in the market in the first place (as your comment about Tesla alludes to).
It is funny how the term shortage is used differently in the labour market when compared to other markets, like cars. I often wonder if it is because people once heard about doctor shortages, which can legitimately happen (depending on local laws), misinterpreted what was being said, and extended that misinterpretation to all types of labour.
While there is this big push to legalize drugs like marijuana it does not negate federal and state rules against its use legal or not and certain occupations.
The job pays like shit. You have to pay $2-5k for classes to get a CDL or get locked in with a company that trains you and you pay back at their variable rates of interest... oh and they "lose payments" often along with charging you high late fees.
They take anyone with a heartbeat. It's the ultimate form of equality. If you're dumb enough or desperate enough, they'll take you no matter your gender, race or self identifying whatever.
The job pays like crap, you're treated like crap and your body goes to shit real fast.
There are regulations, and most of them are pro-trucker, aimed to protect them from abuse by the company. Problem is, a majority of voters have this weird and incredibly stupid fantasy that trucker life equals a cowboy life. Thus, company lobbyists are able to easily manipulate the narrative to the media, public and Congress. Making sure truckers don't get a voice or have a leg to stand on. Most truckers aren't the brightest bulbs in the shed. I had to do it out of desperation from a spat of unemployment. I had a plan and a way out, unlike most of them. What really sucks, most truckers are really good people. They do the job in hopes of putting their families in a better situation. But because the companies run them down and they only get 3-5 days a month of home time, nothing works out as expected. A lot get divorced in their first year or so. Argue? Oh, what's that, there's no loads coming out of butt fuck nowhere Wyoming. Looks like you're stuck there for the week. Btw, you are paid based on miles driven when you have a load. Thus, in that situation, I didn't get a paycheck for the week.
And it's one of those jobs that people need to stay in their lane about. If you were never one, you actually don't know the shit they go through.
So no, it needs more regulation. The kind of regulations that puts a noose around the company's necks.
Quick look, they did change the rules since I quit in 2012. Looks like a 60/70 hour limit in a 7/8 day span.
Though, you're restart is a wonderful 34 hours time-off in... a loud truck stop in the middle of nowhere. Always.
Oh, but you are protected (and I believe the insurance companies help with this too) that if a driver says road conditions are too dangerous, the company can't force them to drive anymore. Doesn't stop them from punishing you afterwards with too little loads.