The trucking industry propaganda continues

It wasn't always this way, of course. Pre-1980 truckers earned very solid middle class wages. Truckers had a greater sense of brotherhood back then. Truckers who have some money in the bank and are reasonably unified wield a great deal of power... the have the ability to shut things down if they are trifled with. The government doesn't like groups of workers having that potential, so something had to be done... deregulation... put truckers in their proper place and keep them there.

 

Just stop.. why not spin some positive tale about the dude who was the captain of the Mayflower? It's GONE! All those drivers are gone! We live in a country where they are now applauding the robber barons and see everyone above them as the nobels. The inmates run the asylum and they LOVE how they are running it. I have been in this side show since the early 80's and after over thirty years in it, realized that it's been a colossal waste of time and effort.

 

I agree.

We had truckers by the dozen able to spend. My Uncle was one and in his day there were weeks in which his pockets overflowed. Literally almost more money than he knew what to do with sometimes.

This was before deregulation. Ive seen first hand how prosperity it was in them days for the truckers and indirectly for us.

The state school blathered about the American dollar system on money. But I was already aware of how it worked from the 100 dollar Silver Certificates on down in our home routinely. Until 71 or so you could redeem for silver bullion usually in American Eagles which was I think 1.60 or so per ounce back then.

 

There are plenty of American born citizens who come from low education, low income, or otherwise who are getting behind the wheel for the megas with the promise of $50-60K/yr jobs. It's not all just migrant workers who will work for peanuts....

 

Yep and that’s all it is a promise with the key phrase up to xxx amount knowing dang well you ain’t going to see $50-60k heck you got some seasoned drivers not making that much let alone a newbie

 

Whether the money is good or bad depends on your obligations off the road. While more money is always nice, how many drivers have you guys heard complain about their fixed costs at home? You know those drivers that bought a house or car that's too expensive, lavish spending habits, etc. It isn't bad money, it isn't great money. It'll do. That's how I look at it. You could pay drivers 100K per year, and the turnover will still be the same. You'll have the same whiners and such.

 

And they're the same ones that screech the loudest about how horrible unions are, or companies that use union labor

 

The big "screw you" came when deregulation was implemented in 1980. Before that, l was earning $2700 - $3300 every month after paying all expenses and taxes. That was a lot of money in those days.

 

Pre 198O almost everyone who wanted to work earned good middle class wages. Truck drivers are not the only professionals who have been screwed over by trickle down economics.

 

Stop rubbing it in yall. I'm waiting to get a load back home immediately so that as soon as I do I can quit this job as we speak. Going back to local dump truckin cuz I cant get home when promised and feeling a vibe of "idgaf about you driver, reschedule your appointments you made not my problem, eff you and your plans" not fair I ain't get to drive in the 70s and 80s when it was actually worth it