It seems that many have the opinion that if they left expediting, all they could find is work at McD's. Frankly, Inkasnana, it doesn't take major skills to work fast food. That's why it's considered bottom of the rung. No, you're right in that someone with their college degree is not better than you. But if that person is making more money, then they have a better lifestyle. Personally, I did not come into this biz to make the wages they do at McD's. If that were the case, I'd be home flipping pizzas while going to school for something else. I'm happy doing what I'm doing, because I too hate the grind.
We do have to look at the facts of this, tho. Ppl are losing their jobs, and looking at truck driving as an alternative to flipping burgers, and still hold on to their dignities. Fact is, however, is that there are few who will take on newbs. And expediting, for the most part, welcomes them. So we will have more ppl coming into the biz who will compare expediting to McD's, because that is probably their only other opertunity. Face it... expediting looks good to the down and out.
As far as accepting less and giving more goes, how low will you go? Ppl talk about thinning the herd. But if more ppl are down and out, will they fill the herd? That will just drive the rates lower. Some, like me, will feel screwed when offered $1.35, as an independent, just as I'm sure TS owners feel the same way with their rates hitting 1.05. Once that bottom falls out, we'll be fighting over .75/mi, or less. Then the McD job will look very good. But by then, they'll all be taken by laid off executives.