I-244 and The Police

[AquaMan]

Trucking has exploded in the last few years?  I think you need to recheck your sources.  In around 2009 the industry dropped hard with the economy, and still has been struggling to recover.  It's finally starting to get revived to the point that the drivers can make a living at it again and not sitting for weeks waiting on a load or deadheading two states over, but it is far from exploding.  (And fyi, I come from a family of truck drivers, though very few have been able to stay with it for the last few years, so this is really first hand knowledge on my part.)

Trucking companies Custo. Everyone dropped hard in 2009 but trucking in general is long term strong. Truckers, though, are screwed and always have been. They are led to believe that its a bonanza, especially if you own your own truck, but few do well. The companies however are sitting on growth from internet sales and low cost imports from Mexico and Canada. Note the proliferation of companies on your next trip to OKC on the turnpike. Used to be just a few big names, now its WalMart, UPS, Braums, and lots of no names.

[AquaMan]

AquaMan does not accept second hand information.

I discount it greatly. Sorry if I hurt your feelings. No, not really.

I work with 30 other employees. 20 of them are ex-truckers with big trucker mouths. I travel with them and they share first hand stories. I listen and discount them too.

[AquaMan]

Perhaps they are just handed the text of a bill and are told "If you author this, we'll make sure you dont look soft on crime come re-election" which alleviates any necessity to actually think.

You either know some of them or the lobbyists who drink with them, don't you?

[heironymouspasparagus]

Trucking has exploded in the last few years?  I think you need to recheck your sources.  In around 2009 the industry dropped hard with the economy, and still has been struggling to recover.  It's finally starting to get revived to the point that the drivers can make a living at it again and not sitting for weeks waiting on a load or deadheading two states over, but it is far from exploding.  (And fyi, I come from a family of truck drivers, though very few have been able to stay with it for the last few years, so this is really first hand knowledge on my part.)

http://www.crgraphs.com/2011/09/transportation-graphs.html

Chart 2 shows intermodal - semi-trailer hauled by train.  Chart 4 shows ATA truck tonnage info.  Maybe not "exploding" but the trucking companies are doing as well as they ever have, while drivers are getting screwed pretty much as they always have - maybe worse.  One of the companies I drove for in the past was really into putting forward the idea that they were a Christian company (even putting a reference in their name - Covenant) but when it came down to the reality, they lied like most.  Cheated the drivers out of plenty of money.  Push drivers to drive with illegal loads - local companies are particularly bad about that, since there are few scales in this state.  If you see one of the local company trucks pulling 3 trailers, you can bet - and be virtually assured of winning - that the load is WAY over limit.  To the tune of 125,000 to 150,000 lbs gross.   And pushed the drivers to drive illegally - and punished those who wouldn't.  Business as usual for the industry.

There are good companies, but very few.  Ask the family members if they can tell you who the good ones are.  We can compare notes later....

And  AquaMan is dead on right about the "amateur hour" on the interstates of the current level of driver training.  It is unbelievably bad.  Having said that, we have a shining example of a great driver training school right here in Oklahoma.  It is exceptional!!  Central Tech Truck Driver Training school.  I know several graduates - all of them very good drivers.

[heironymouspasparagus]

I discount it greatly. Sorry if I hurt your feelings. No, not really.

I work with 30 other employees. 20 of them are ex-truckers with big trucker mouths. I travel with them and they share first hand stories. I listen and discount them too.

I wouldn't discount them completely.  They wrap it in a lot of sensationalism, but I bet there is a lot of truth within those layers of BS.  Probably at least mildly entertaining, too, aren't they??