Trucking Now vs. Back In The Day?

Not far from the truth.

 

I don't think truck driving has ever been considered a respectable profession by the mainstream public and media. Just look at the old movies that featured truckers. Name two that didn't have the truck driver portrayed as an outlaw or villain. Even the comedic, loveable Snowman was hauling an illegal load while on the run from the law.

I am far from an old-timer, but I remember my first truck driving job in 1996 and someone asking why I was settling for that as I was intelligent and capable of doing much more. He just didn't consider truck driving a profession worthy of anyone who was educated.

 

Yup, even truck drivers don't consider truck drivers worthy, hence the coined term, "steering wheel holder"

I made the mistake of telling a girl I dated once that I drove a truck, she flat out told me she doesn't date people like that. Can't blame her, if I had kids there's no way in hell my son will drive a truck or my daughter do anything with trucking. They'll be too good for that.

 

Times change guys. It always does. For those who don't know how to change will be left behind bitter, sad, and broke. For those who are capable of changing will adapt to the new way of doing things and will do just fine. This philosophy isn't just limited to trucking, it's pretty much the rule of life. It is Darwinism right in front of your eyes.

As the great 20th century philosopher Bruce Lee once said. "Be like water, my friend."

 

Where exactly are "the oakies"?

 

Hi Shooter, I always remember, $1.00/mile was the going rate into the 90's. Matter of fact, when I had my trucks (late 80's early 90's), I hauled RR cans out of Chicago for an outfit in Green Bay, and my average was about .92/mile ( about $1.85/mile today) and I did ok. Didn't buy any new cars and did all the work myself on my trucks, but did ok. Thanks on the ol' Pete. Ever since they changed the format here, I have a hard time posting pics, but I'll try this. That was my 2nd truck, the 1st being a '82 Western Star. The Pete was a '72 small window, 260" w.b. 400 Cummins, 13, manual steering. It was a cool truck, but had no business running it in the rail yards. I sold it in '93 to get a company job, to try and save my marriage, but ended up losing both. ( go figure).
http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2014/03/HowardArbiture_01_1500.jpg

 

We had to find a pay phone and check in by 5pm everyday or the boss man would sometimes shut your fuel card off.
Every driver had a CB. Mine was 23 channel. Got my first 40 channel CB in 1991.

 

It was sure alot more fun back when. As far as money can't say pissed it all away on the fun.

 

"someone will come along and do it for less"...and if enough drivers do that,that drives down wages,therefore blame the drivers for the low pay..

 

like the government then vs now.