Better pay in the 70s/80s

When I was teaming we always had a Tandem Freightliner and they were actually a smooth riding tractor. I briefly had a bid with a tandem Mack spring ride and it was much better than the single axles when pulling mty’s.

 

Oh yeah, single axle versus twin screw isn't even CLOSE. Night and day.

Freightliner gets a lot of flak, but I've always thought they make a fine tractor. Comfortable to drive. Decent power. Very well-balanced. I know they aren't up to snuff for certain HANDS around here, but I like them. Lol

 

###### strait.

 

There was a lot of pay disparity. Still had lower paying jobs, but if You had a good Record, and a few yrs experience, once you turned 25, a good Union paid job could be found. The pay was almost double the non Union pay. A real no brainer, as far as which was better.

 

It's still that way. And hell, a really good union job could pay you triple what the average mega carrier pays currently.

 

I agree, but like someone said, all wages have suffered. Trucking, once being the highest Unionized Industry, at 38%, if memory serves me well, has been one of the most drastic examples. I guess the fast pace of change in our industry is the main reason. It’s all changed, while still Operating at Capacity. That is there’s never been a shortage of work. A true microcosm of the bigger picture.Still,even today’s Union wages at the few Companies left, is quite a bit lower than in the past. It’s always been hard to earn a good living. Anyone who really thinks back, remembers families struggling while working as hard as possible. Some couldn’t afford Cars/ insurance, or telephones. Now We have cheaper prices on a lot of things, but also have bills for cable, internet,easy credit and credit cards.A lot has changed,

 

Thanks to the Teamsters, we got a raise when they got a new contract, When there was a recession, the Economy bounced back, you could build the savings back up, now it's still flat,

 

The only way to go is down, especially with all the immigration into the country. The reason for all the immigration is to depress wages. If you can't see that I don't know what to tell you. Oh sure, they are not driving trucks so much, but just it some time. I've encountered plenty of drivers who cannot communicate in English.

 

You can release your self but the only way to go is down-

RJD

 

When I was growing up you could stand at the harbor and it's jobs as far as the eye could see.

Now when I stand there, its condos as far as the eye can see.