Our profession is doomed unless drivers organize

No shortage of cheap foreign labor. They work for next to nothing.

 

Foreign labor is needed to drive costs of shipping. Further reducing driver salaries, further pushing people to welfare system, further pushing people to voting for the “everything is free” crowd.

Dependents on the system is key here.

 

dont blame them though- I mean, you think you have it bad ? how bad do you think those guys have it to be willing to do that ? I feel sorry for them- the companies using them bear the blame- sitting high on the hog fighting tooth and nail not to give an extra cent to you and me- but millions to the politicians so they can screw us more. union leadership will let negotiations drag out while they are held at swanky hotels on our dime - our problem is we are divided and conquered-all while we continue to feed the system - we are all disposable, replaceable- if we want change we have to stop feeding the system- that's the bottom line as I see it.
But, no one is going to do that- so I say take from it whatever you want or whatever you can get now- if you enjoy life on the road no family or whatever you can get- then enjoy. but if you have bought the line its going to get better then you havent been reading much - maybe buy lottery tickets instead. Disclosure: I was lucky, folks- I got in a good union place way ahead of my dues- because i kept on trying. and that is my final point is that you have to keep trying, because if you dont nothing is going to change. My son just landed his 1st job today- this was my advice to him to get out there and try- dont wait, keep knocking on doors- the other day someone said they were going to call him today, but they didnt so he picked up the phone of his own accord and made that call.
If your company is crap- dont wait for it to change- get out of your comfort zone and make that change for yourself.
Dont feed the system- it's rigged.

 

Another factor is age, I have noticed. To be young, say below 40, you're much more suited to put up with all the non-sense because you believe things will get better when you're older, that you'll advance one way or another into a better situation. And that is true for some, but not all for a variety of reasons.

So when you get into your mid-40's, and beyond, you realize that you're an old truck driver and nobody gives a #### about you, except hopefully your family. And God is always there for you. But to society, you basically are like a throw away at that point. You're expected to just do your job and not make any fuss. Whereas with younger drivers, management will tolerate some lip and disobedience because they're still young enough to be shaped and molded.

But because of all your experience, as an older driver, companies might even fear you because you know what is really going on. And you'll find some managers who even feel threatened that you might be able to get noticed and move in on their position. This is true with any job. But if you never really thought it out, it's a sobering reality to get up to 50 and above and realize that you've never attained more than being an unskilled laborer, as the government classifies truck drivers. Especially depending on what your upbringing was like. It could be a great achievement for many people. I don't mean to downplay it.

But this is all what partly led me to get my own truck. I never wanted to be an owner-operator, but I finally did it because of everything mentioned above and more.

 

It’s a sad but true fact long gone are the days of the teamsters actually getting #### done. Now most just cry about it and take it up the tail pipe.

 

The uneducated should not speak of what they don't know unless you're speaking from your vast tailpipe experience.

 

Sorry, I just came back from a vacation. It kind of looks like Miller is a somewhat decent company. Do you work there? It's not my cup of tea as I prefer to work Monday-Friday and be home every night.

 

No i don't. I have always worked for myself, but they would be my top pick if i ever wanted to be an employee.

 

Drivers could always make one i guess.