'Indentured servitude': low pay and grueling conditions fueling US truck driver shortage

[Hortensis]

14. They aren't paid enough. No to the dishonest nonsense of "indentured servitude."

When you think about it, it's extremely insulting to today's free drivers.

Also to those who suffered and died as indentured "servants," a form of slavery. An estimated 40% of those sent to America died before regaining their freedom, and the health of many others was permanently broken. Rebellions by the growing numbers of of angry survivors, who'd survived only to be cheated of the workable land that had induced them to sign up for indenture, lead to replacement with chattel slavery from Africa.

"One of the biggest problems is that most drivers get paid by the mile, often meaning that while they’re waiting to load their trucks, stuck in traffic jams, or on mandatory rest breaks, they aren’t making money..."

“Drivers earn a piece-rate wage that may look attractive but, when they realize the big promises aren’t real, they exit,” ... If you can work construction and get paid $20 an hour and be home every night, why would you drive a truck and get paid $10 an hour to not be home for weeks?”

Demand is also very volatile, and many truckers are competing in an exploitative gig economy. We're going to have to get used to paying more for deliveries.