Before deregulation?????

It was the depression; lack of jobs and cutthroat completion ran trucking rates and therefore wages for those that did have jobs in the toliet.

FDR gave all the industries a chance to turn it around themselves. Truckings reform was tasked to the ATA and of course the ATA failed to deliver. So, FDR took charge of the situation and established the ICC

Forces outside the trucking arena lobbied for lower shipping rates.

 

Just remember that you're asking this question in a truck drivers forum. Answers you will receive here will be from a perspective of a truck driver. Truck drivers and operators benefited greatly by the lack of true competition that federal regulation provided.

If you want an economists perspective on the subject I would suggest that you read these two books. Somewhere hidden deep inside it's chapters is the subject of trucking regulations in the US.

"Free to Choose: A personal Statement", Milton Friedman
"Basic Economics", Thomas Sowell

 

I'm quite torn on the subject! From an independent view I know I would have never been granted authority. However I know I would have made more under regulation as a driver. Possibly more than I make now as an independent.

 

Are you sure about that @passingthru69 ? I thought it was republican idea.

 

All you had to do to was buy a black and gold Trans Am and you were good to go.

 

Here's a very good read if want to see the effects of deregulation.Weed out the airlines and bank stuff.Some sobering and staggering facts.I know there are lots of guys still here like me that lived and trucked through these times.Was very troubling for everyone back then.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/F...EREGULATION_JOBLESSNESS_BANKRUPTCY_DEBT_.html

 

Interesting info.

I started in the late 80's. But worked with guys who were around before deregulation. I thought I was making very good money,.. but they all said they had been making the same money for the last 10 yrs.

Being in my early 20's never paid them any mind when it came to 'Old School' talk. Now today having a different mindset,.. I see where they were coming from. As here we are 25 yrs later and I know I made more money back then than many drivers do today. And I was home almost every night.

Hurst

 

Not only was it better money,but teamster benefits.My children were born in the 70's,80's,and every time we checked out of the hospital at the billing window,the same thing."Oh,Teamsters,no additional charges",lol.They even paid for the TV in my wifes room.My monthly dues were 20 bucks back then.

 

Yes I know it was signed by Carter by I thought Nixon started the ball rolling. Didn't realize it went back to JFK and Bobby first I heard that. Or do you mean it was Ted?

From Wiki:
"Motor carrier deregulation was a part of a sweeping reduction in price controls, entry controls, and collective vendor price setting in United States transportation, begun in 1970-71 with initiatives in the Richard Nixon Administration, carried out through the Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter Administrations, and continued into the 1980s, collectively seen as a part of deregulation in the United States."