we have trade-platers at our yard every day collecting & delivering trucks & never see them hitch hiking any-more, the drivers say they would never get anywhere as no one stops for them
its either taxi’s, hire cars, or they have a car following to pick them up, occasionally they will get the bus to the train station
one firm we use a lot (UK Motor Services) have had the same lads for years & they all seem to enjoy it, as far as I understand those lads earn a % of each job & take a decent wage