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Drivers Sound Off
Times are tough. The economy is either nearing a recession, in a recession or struggling to come out of recession; fuel prices are sky high; home foreclosures are through the roof; and just about everyone is on edge, wondering how they’ll make ends meet in this volatile economic environment. The trucking industry is suffering right along with the rest of the country, perhaps even more, because high fuel prices disproportionately impact it. With that in mind, Over the Road and Pro Trucker magazines asked a handful of professional truckers the following question:
What are your thoughts on the economy, and how has it impacted you?
Here are some of the responses:
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William E. Weeks, 64, Strasburg, VA
Professional driving experience: 27 years
“The economy is getting worse because of the fuel. I’m a company driver. I was an owner-operator, but I sold my truck. Glad I did. The economy has impacted the company I drive for quite a bit. The freight is there, though. Our company has good freight. We don’t haul anything cheap. We’re really strict about on-time delivery and that makes a difference.”
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Rick Cooper, 45, Chattanooga, TN
Professional driving experience: 14 years
“I drive local now, mostly government freight, so I’m doing OK, but the economy has got to be hard on owner-ops these days, especially with the cost of fuel and insurance so high. The economy impacts all of us, but at least I don’t have to worry about where my next load will come from.” |
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David Fagler, 69, Hetica, NY
Professional driving experience: 45 years
“I’m an owner-operator, so you know the economy is hurting me. It’s hurting everyone. With the high fuel prices, you just have to push it on to the consumers. Between me and my brother, we have 15 trucks. Business has slowed down, and I’m not too optimistic it’s going to turn around any time soon.”
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Steve Serr, 38, Indianapolis, IN
Professional driving experience: 17 years
“I don’t think the economy is as bad as they say it is. I’m a company driver. Yes, it has slowed down quite a bit and it’s impacted us somewhat, but not that much that I can see.”
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Bob Hock, 65, Minonk, IL
Professional driving experience: 44 years
“If the prices for delivery get in line with fuel prices, we can make a buck, but it’s tough for everyone. I’m a company driver, and I don’t know how owner-operators stand it right now. I don’t know how my boss stands it. You put $400 of fuel in the tank every day. These are tough economic times, but we’ve been through it before back in the late 1970s and 1980s. The economy is definitely in a slowdown and might be nearing a recession. It’s getting serious. Time will tell.” |
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