Why do people keep telling me trucking is not the same?

Oh yeah, this industry used to be regulated with high freight rates and a tiny fraction of today's shipping volume. Now that everyone has to compete that makes many people feel bad and they can't afford the outrageous shipping rates and inefficiencies of the past. It's like comparing a union job to someone that has to work for a living.

 

You Talking about addiction.
Which addicted? Why are there trucks with a classic design? Design that almost did not change 30 years? Because people are drawn to the past. A classic Piterbilt puts the driver in the old days when the driver has to mean free tough man that drives the economy of a great country.
You talk about Europe. America has no more freedom from Europe. She just has less restrictions. Restrictions make the tough man in pusi and when you see the grill of a classic truck does not already see the spirit of the free tough man. Now you see a pressured by restrictions doushebag.
sory for the strong words. Im just disapointed.
chrome fades people! its sad

 

Why is truck driving labeled as "unskilled labor"? What was the government thinking to assign that derogatory title to our jobs? If our jobs require absolutely no skill at all, then this country doesn't need PTI accredited driving schools, or the need to carry a CDL license.

Since we are "unskilled" then that means that EVERYONE should be able to jump in the seat of a truck with no training what so ever. That means that EVERYONE should be able to maneuver a truck through tight and narrow places, back with no training or assistance, stay out for weeks on end with not so decent pay compared to actual "professional" jobs, work an erratic and oftentimes rushed work schedule to meet pickup and delivery deadlines, drive a truck through inclement weather without wrecking, dealing with the daily stresses of this job, being away from family to earn some sort of living, etc.

Unskilled labor my ess. Maybe being an incompetent and complacent politician should be labeled under the "unskilled" category.

Talk about a slap in the face to the fine men and women that sacrifice their lives and comfortable livelihoods to get goods delivered at many places across this country.

But what the hell do YOU care? (question aimed at the gubment)

 

When this industry was in it's infancy, all you needed to do is get in a truck and start driving. We didn't have schools. In fact, commercial driving schools are a fairly recent concept. Since no extra skills or training were needed it wasn't considered a skilled profession. That was before a commercial license was required to drive. When I first started driving we had a chauffeur's license. That was replaced by the CDL. With all the current licensing and regulations it should be considered a skilled profession. Those who are usually considered skilled have a license to prove that they have a certain level of skill. We must renew our professional license every 4 years or so, depending on the state. It seems to me that if you are required to have a professional license to do your job then it should be considered a profession.

Having said that, it really doesn't make any difference to me. I can make a good living doing this whether it is considered skilled or unskilled. It doesn't change the amount of money that I earn.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gep1IXAeUkc

 

G/MAN - you're quite right, with the requirement of a CDL, plus knowledge of all the Rules and Regs required to move a load, it should be classified as a skilled profession.

However, I think it is unlikely that will happen in the near future. As "unskilled" and also exempt from being paid overtime, you have to ask yourself, in whose interests does it lie that being classed as unskilled labor??

Would a group such as Shippers and Big Trucking Companies perhaps come to mind?? They both gain from keeping driver wages as low as possible. Of course it would require political clout to have the classification changed - gee guess who has the most political clout?? Yup, same two groups.

Just my 2c........ and that's probably more than it's worth.

 

there use to be a brotherhood...........we looked out for each other, wasn't uncommon to see us in the lot grilling out and havin a brew together, knew each other by name and what they were drivin, where we was from, the new so called breed of trucker is not nor will ever be the real deal

 

When I started in '72 no one told me the industry sucked... because it didn't.

There were few 'bottom feeder' companies. I worked for a carrier that was know as the a last resort... if you had a bad record, were laid off or had little experience he would give you a chance.

My first week I doubled what I had made in my 40 hour job. Sure I drove a ten year old truck (I drive a 16 year old one now!) but I really learned the industry.

I lasted 90 days with the first guy...

Today you barely make fast food wages when you start out.

Years ago you could ask virtually any driver for help and you got it.... union/non-union/freight hauler... whomever. You got good advice.

Most drivers knew their trucks pretty good, too. Today most steering wheel holders can't find a dipstick much less be able to repair anything when it breaks.

Jimmy Hoffa always said his drivers wages should keep up with those of the other skilled trades... yes we were 'skilled' in those days. If Hoffa's rule had held true todays Teamsters would be making $75.00 per hour or more. The non-union plumber who just did some work for me charged $91.00 per hour... the Teamsters aren't making that and neither are the rest of us.

Deregulation had something to do with this but I never supported full deregulation... I preferred the industry 're-regulate' and allow single operators and small fleets to compete with the big guys at the big guys rates... that didn't happen and we began to see a slide in our freight rates and wages and our very standard of living.

Today the industry is not run by truckers... I'm talking about people who grew up in the industry seeing what it was first hand and making it run like a well oiled machine.

Instead today's companies are owned by big business and run by bean counters and marketing people... and IT departments.

And the federal government.

And with the Feds track record with the Post Office/Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security/The Highway Trust Fund et al. is it any wonder why many of us 'old timers' choose NOT to participate any more?

I still enjoy trucking... but I don't enjoy all the BS that has come between me and making a living.

 

people saying get out of trucking, what would you recommend someone do? every single blue collar field is heavily regulated, and more regulations have come. in massachusetts they regulate how many f-n nails you need in sheething, how to nail shingles on a roof, now you cant touch a house thats pre 1978 with out a lead certification, get caught and its 30k a day (yes, 30k per day) fine. you now need a certification to install insulation. ITS INSULATION! YOU CUT IT, AND STAPLE IT WOW.

you gotta suck it up, you're not going to find an industry thats less regulated, its everywhere and it sucks. either start voting and become politically involved or these things will continue to happen.

 

why did you post that? lol