I know that there as been numerous changes in the road haulage industry in our life times and not all for the better and it seems a long time since a 180 bhp engine or there about was the norm for 32 tons gross but the work still got done.
It now seems as though around 450 bhp is the norm for 44 tons gross but payloads have only increased by around 40% so it would be interesting to hear others views on how it seems to have been two steps forward and one step back.
My own personal view is that the rot set in when it was the way forward to have university graduates ( with no practical experience ) taking over the running of firms as against the old system of learning on the job and working up through the ranks.
cheers Johnnie
100% AGREE.
Years back if you were good enough,and showed the boss you could walk the walk and wanted it you would have worked your way up but for the last while you started as a driver and that was your all. 
jimmy
sammyopisite:
I know that there as been numerous changes in the road haulage industry in our life times and not all for the better and it seems a long time since a 180 bhp engine or there about was the norm for 32 tons gross but the work still got done.
It now seems as though around 450 bhp is the norm for 44 tons gross but payloads have only increased by around 40% so it would be interesting to hear others views on how it seems to have been two steps forward and one step back.
My own personal view is that the rot set in when it was the way forward to have university graduates ( with no practical experience ) taking over the running of firms as against the old system of learning on the job and working up through the ranks.
cheers Johnnie
Spot on mate. And the malaise is wider than transport. You might look at commerce and industry generally. Certainly, the same happened to education when administrators instead of educators started to take the tiller. Robert