I've been in the freight business for 16 years. Started out driving a flatbed in Florida. Then worked for a dryage carrier in Orlando, then and OTR company as a dispatcher to O/O's then Managment at another carrier then finally to freight brokerage. A lot of drivers will call us leaches, scabs, blood suckers etc. Be that as it may I hold drivers in the highest regard.
Its truly the most thankless job I know of. Away from home weeks at a time. Insurance costs are up, fuel, tires, maint. truck stops charging exessive amounts for food, etc. If you can buy it a truck brought it.
Without trucks our economy would crash in hours not days.
Company drivers may make 60K a year, most average less and that doesnt account for meals, phone call and laundry away from home.
Good O/O's can make into the six figures with the right equipment, money mangement skills and business savy and right Broker. Some just need to see the light of day.
Keep in mind next time you start cussing a big rig, without them our ECONOMY STOPS. Let that guys come over next time his blinker is on.
My .02,