Celebrating 25 Years in the Transportation Industry
As we continue our celebration of 25 years in the transportation industry, we thought it would be fun to reminisce about the many changes that have occurred in the industry. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and really see how far we have come.
One of the biggest changes has been that we live in a fast pace world. Our younger generation are accustomed to having access to things at the click of their fingertips. While some of these changes makes the life of a trucker easier, some of it makes you miss the times when things were just a little slower. The greatest change has been in the way we communicate. Twenty-five years ago, drivers had to locate a pay phone to call dispatch. Drivers not sure where their next pickup or delivery is, well that would require a call to the customer for directions. Oh, by the way, you better have a pen and notebook to write down the direction. In the world today, dispatch can send your next load electronically in 10 seconds and the GPS can help direct you to the next location. In the older days, drivers that had a breakdown on the side of the road relied on a fellow trucker to stop and take them to find a pay phone so you could call for assistance. Now with cell phones, you can make that call right away in most cases. Communicating with your family while out on the road has improved as well. STS driver, Robert P. shared that when he first started driving, he would have to go all day without talking to his family. He said that at the end of the day he would have to wait his turn for yet another one of those pay phones to call and make sure everything was good at home. Now he is able to facetime his family every morning before he starts his day!
Another big change that seasoned drivers have seen is with Truck Stops. These have become more of what is called a Travel Plaza catering more to 4 wheelers and truckers. The truck stops of the past really were Truck Stops. They all had designated areas for Tractors-Trailers and drivers and these areas were off limits to non-truckers. Fellow drivers, Lee J. and Robert P., also, agree that available food options have changed a lot too. Both drivers miss the days when you could sit down at a table for an evening meal and have a conversation with your waitress or waiter, or even a fellow driver. In today’s fast paced world, everyone wants their food fast and to get in and out as quick as they can. Lee suggests that perhaps Truck Stops would be better if they went back to the days of meat and veggies!
Although STS has been around for 25 years, not much has changed with the company. Sure, trucks are newer and better equipped, computers allow the driver and fleet manager to communicate better, but the environment of the company remains the same. Robert P. has driven for STS for 17 of the 25 years. Robert says that when he first started with STS in his own words ‘the Boss man’s door was always open and that he would really listen to the concerns of the drivers….and all these years later, it still is!’
In the coming weeks we will visit the “Then and Now” again. Send us your thoughts and experiences with the changes in the industry over the last 25 years…. Oh, the book we could write!
About Specialized Transportation Services…
Specialized Transportation Services (STS) is a leading transportation company who employs highly qualified drivers, utilizes the latest technologies and leverages the most advanced logistics management practices to deliver the best possible service to our customers and our drivers. From our drivers to our customer service, management, and office personnel, STS is built on nothing less than a team of dedicated professionals who care about the safe transportation of our customers’ products. We are committed to adding staff and drivers who have an exceptional work ethic and the desire to satisfy the customer.