I am not sure that I would agree with you that driver wages are low. Truck drivers are among the highest paid career paths you can do without having the benefit of a college degree. Some mistakenly take the starting wages as something that is permanent. If you look as some of the union positions that require an apprenticeship, they don't start at top wages, either. I think the Teamsters fell on their own accord, with a little help from the federal government. Things began to change in this business when rates were deregulated and the threshold for entry was lowered where anyone with a few hundred dollars could get their authority. The real problem may just be in the quality of drivers and their lack of commitment to their company. When you only stay with a company for a few weeks or months you can't realistically expect to earn top wages. There is little reason for any employer to pay high wages to a driver who lacks any commitment to them. You can find higher wages for those who are willing to stick with it and do their best. In some ways, we were better off in the days of the real outlaws and regulation. Those who consider themselves outlaws today, have no idea of what it meant a few decades ago. We were not looked at so much as a cash cow that can be tapped any time there is a budget shortfall. But that is another subject.

 

[QUOTE=GMAN;453858]. True craftsmanship doesn't come cheap. I wonder how many people are actually willing to pay for good craftsmanship today?

In my opinion, people want quick and cheap. It's a disposable society.

 

[QUOTE=Bigmon;453872]BINGO! Right on the money. The real question is will it ever turn back around? I seriously doubt it.

 

Rosty, I would like to think that our fellow citizens will tire of spending good money on junk. I prefer quality. We used to pass along our old furniture to the next generation to set up housekeeping. Much of what you buy today will disintegrate if you spill water on it.

 

I would rather over pay for quality than under pay for junk!

 

Anything from Ikea. Which isn't cheap.

A friend of mine had a kitchen shop building kitchens from scratch including our own hardwood doors etc. Even with only two employees (him and I) , cheap shop rent and free tools and equipment from his father who retired it was tough to beat any of the mass produced garbage in price. People just aren't willing to pay for quality.

Someone should start a thread where people can post a rate they just hauled or were offered from where and what etc with details. Should make it easy to track how things are doing.

 

I think we have been over paying for junk. When things don't last and need to be replaced then we wind up paying more for what we buy in the long run.

 

Someone should start a thread where people can post a rate they just hauled or were offered from where and what etc with details. Should make it easy to track how things are doing.




that may not be a good idea. the details would enable someone to know the rate & then go in & cut it. I wouldnt mind posting any cheap freight that I refuse to take. if it's too cheap, I don't care who takes it. but if it is a decent rate, I don't want to advertise to rate cutters on 2nd thought, I probably would not want to post details on cheap loads either, cause some may still haul it & that is what keeps the rates low.

 

i like gman words, i use it today alot.... thanks but no thanks...

 

We used to haul for them -mostly reefer stuff. Going east to west, they sucked. But taking apples from Yakima, WA to PA or NJ was usually pretty good. Like anyone, it depends on the season and economy.

The nice thing about CHR is that you don't have to use a factoring company for fast pay. They factor for you for only 1.5%. It's all by fax and you get a deposit in your t-chek acct w/i 48 hrs. (we've actually had it in 24 at times, but they don't advertise this.)

Just be careful to PULP your produce and CHECK IT FOR QUALITY! We've had some moldy product on the dock before even picking up. :hellno: They tried to stick us with it. Keep a close eye on 'em!