Our internet was face to face forums with other Roberts Express Drivers sitting at two or more tables pushed together in a Union 76 truckstop. There were no fleet owners in the early days because, as I recall, Roberts Express would only lease on three trucks per family unit. Most folks were eager to learn the business at these gatherings and as they became more experienced, they would share tips and techniques on the business of expediting.
Most of the expediters that we met during 1989 and in the first half of the 90's, were people, like Rene' and me, who had retired from other endeavors and were intrigued by the opportunities and lifestyle of expediting. We have a notebook with dozens of names, addresses and home phone numbers of folks like us who enjoyed the camaraderie. We learned from each other and, like the EO forum content, the info on company policies and procedures was sincere but was not always accurate; over time, we sorted out the good from the not so good.
We had no cell phones with which to keep in touch with the carrier, our family or other drivers. We conducted all our business with the carrier at roadside pay phones. When we used the customer's phone for the mandatory pickup info call-in, we often waited, on hold, for up to half of an hour, usually under the worrying stares of the shipping clerk who was concerned that their freight was not getting the expedited treatment for which they paid top dollar.
Some people say those were the 'good ole days', but when you consider that we now have cell phones, satellite communications, trucks with accessorized sleepers, EO forums, Expediter specific trucks shows and seminars and even an expediter digest, these times are the real 'good ole days'.
