This is an emotionally charged issue, and always has been. I´d like to jump in with this: Truckers being the independent cusses that they are, are next to impossible to organize to do anything as a group for the greater good. There are plenty of idealists out there that want us all to hold hands and sing a couple of verses of Kumbaya, to get to their ideal of what this industry should do for the O&O´s, the company drivers, the small fleet owner etc. Depends on where your Peter Principle economic goal lies, in the great scheme of things. The reality of it is that we are in a global economy. It got global, because we let it go global. It´s the new generation, the latest business model, and curently the way of the capitlist world. We are all after a piece of the capitalist pie, and in true capitalist form we all want a larger slice, year in and year out. Add to the mix, the changing technology, the changing business climate that never stops, and all of the competitors that are in the game to win whatever they can, and you better know it´s not going to change. It hasn´t changed in 200 years, and is unlikely to change anytime soon. In competition there is always opportunity, that goes along with the change. The winners and the survivors will adapt, regroup, and compete better. The customer is alwyas right, pays the frieght in the end, and the employer will do whatever is necessary to get more biz. The survivors won´t be on the sidelines whining about whose fault it is that they are not getting their morsel of the coveted pie. Horseman, put it in perspective in my opinion, because he´s trying to find a solution, not crying in his beer about the problems. Beleive him, or don´t beleive him. That´s your choice. His company is competing at a level with it´s own specific problems. Too many look for trickle down goodies, as their right, because they happened to take a shot and become an O&O. There are no rights, for any of us. It´s time to make the decisions that get you to, or close to the goals that you set out to achieve no matter where you are in the food chain. If you don´t live up to your expectations in expediting, there are several other areas in trucking, that may be for you, if you want to work a little harder, stay out a while longer, and put the crying towel away, and make it work. All business is cyclical in nature, and expediting is no exception. Companies, and individuals enter into this business for the same reasons, which is e pluribis unum. The strong will survive, like in any industry. If you can´t play with the big dogs, stay on the porch, and go find another vocation where they do hold hands and you can do things like get face time, think out of the box, and let´s do lunch.
