Just Sayin': The Trucking Swamp's Word Salad on Driver Retention & Turnover

If you’ve been around the trucking industry long enough, you’ve likely heard the same buzzwords and talking points regurgitated at conferences, in industry publications, and during webinars led by so-called “experts.” These are the folks who claim to be tackling the driver retention and turnover crisis, yet year after year, the problem persists.

Why? Because the Trucking Swamp thrives on double speak and word salad—a confusing mix of corporate jargon and vague solutions designed to give the illusion of progress while ensuring the status quo remains untouched.

The Art of Saying Nothing

Let’s break it down.

When discussing driver retention, we often hear phrases like:

?? “We are focusing on improving driver experience.”

?? “Driver turnover is a complex issue with no one-size-fits-all solution.”

?? “We are committed to providing a better work-life balance.”

?? “Retention starts with recruitment.”

?? “We value our drivers and are always looking for ways to improve.”

Sounds nice, right? But what does it actually mean?

Absolutely nothing. It’s a game of verbal gymnastics—saying a lot while saying nothing of substance.

No Real Solutions, Just Lip Service

For decades, the same people making these statements have had the power to change things. Yet the same problems remain:

? High turnover rates—even at companies that claim they’re “driver-centric.”

? Ineffective recruiting strategies—hiring based on availability rather than quality.

? Retention gimmicks—instead of real changes that would make drivers stay.

It’s all by design. Because if retention improved, the entire multi-million-dollar ecosystem built around recruiting new drivers would collapse.

Watch This Video: Trucking’s Ultimate Word Salad

To illustrate just how ridiculous and repetitive this double speak has become, check out the video below.

If you found yourself shaking your head, you’re not alone. This industry has perfected the art of saying nothing while pretending to solve everything.

The Real Solution: It Starts with Predictive Hiring

If trucking companies truly wanted to fix the driver turnover problem, they would start with Predictive Hiring and Behavioral Assessments. Instead of hiring anyone with a CDL and a pulse, they’d focus on bringing in quality, qualified drivers who are the right behavioral fit for the job.

Until the Trucking Swamp stops talking in circles and starts taking action, the industry will remain stuck in this endless cycle of high turnover and recruitment churn.

Just Sayin’...