Charles, true journalism is dead and has been for at least the last decade. Anybody can show up at a truck stop and find a bunch of whining malcontents to fit their narrative. I actually made some comments on that particular article when it first came out. It's some of the laziest journalism I've ever seen.
Trucking is an incredible job that requires incredible people. There's a lot of people out here who would be better suited for a different career. Why do they stay? I don't know, but a lot of them seem to stick with it long enough to know they have some mighty powerful feelings about it. There's always been this underlying group of whiners and complainers in the trucking industry. We can't shake them, we can't seem to educate them, and we sure can't seem to get them to plug their pie-holes.
Trucking is a rewarding career. It was just as rewarding then as it is now. The whole premise of the article is jaded and off base. You asked this question...
Are things better today???
My answer is that little has changed from then to now. I was one happy trucker then, and nothing is different today. Trucking has always been a performance based business. The Top Tier Drivers make this career work for them. Unfortunately there are a lot of drivers who don't understand the dynamics of competition that are involved in trucking. They end up being bench warmers and not getting to enjoy the perks and rewards of performing at a higher level.
If you're worried about throwing your life away as a trucker then don't even start this career. On the other hand, if you're up to the challenge of proving yourself as a key player in a competitive field, then jump in the driver pool. There's always room for guys and gals with fierce determination and a commitment to excellence. That's what makes trucking rewarding. Accomplishing goals, reaching higher, and digging deeper is what this career is all about. American truckers are resourceful people who get a job done that many fail at. It's a daily challenge with daily rewards. To know the satisfaction of a job well done requires doing the job well.
That's the big distinction between the whining complainers and the winning competitors. The winners are out here making things happen in their favor. The losers are always complaining and are never willing to take responsibility for their lackluster performance. We measure out our own rewards in this business. Our record of performance defines our level of success. You found an article that sympathizes with the whole concept of giving out participation trophies. In trucking you earn your satisfaction - you work for it. Success at trucking is very gratifying, but it's only granted to those who understand how you obtain it.
Operating While Intoxicated
That source of information is an alternative reality in regards to fact or truth.
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Are things better today???
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/22/us/trucking-jobs.html