# What's up with the prejudice towards "transportation" workers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648 "2012-06-19T15:05:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/21 "2012-06-20T18:49:57Z")
Taxi cab drivers would be the one thing that rings true about the OP. Especially the NYC variety. One need only watch any TV show or film about New York to find the stereotypical Middle Eastern broken-english speaking lunatic driving weird shit hanging in the dashboard cabbie. There is some truth to that, although they have cracked down on a lot of the more aggregious infractions. Other than that, I don’t know of anyone giving the FedEx guy shit. And really other than the shitty pay (and maybe the hours…I know a lot of them have to work really early in the AM), it doesn’t seem like that bad of a job. In college, one of my many temp jobs was driving around town with another dude delviering meals to local schools and retirement homes. It sure beat working in a factory all day. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/22 "2012-06-20T19:25:28Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > maybe the SNL 'UBS guy" sketches, I think that was MADtv. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/23 "2012-06-20T19:38:08Z")
How many UPS drivers does it take to change a lightbulb? How did the catering driver burn her face? A newspaper delivery guy walks into a doctor’s office and says… ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/24 "2012-06-20T21:26:33Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > To complete the above post- > > With such a rich fuel supply, if delivery drivers were widely held in contempt, there would/should be dozens and dozens of jokes about them. There are not. On King of Queens, Doug Heffernan’s profession was not frequently the butt of jokes. I was never a regular viewer, but not a single instance comes to mind. UPS is also an exception, but it’s very specific to their practice of cutting time by not making sure you are available and their habit of leaving crap out to be stolen. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/25 "2012-06-20T21:29:02Z")
> [@SecretaryofEvil](#): > > Diamonds02, in previous posts you’ve made about your job as a delivery driver, you’ve mentioned that: > > You park on the left hand side of the road, blocking opposing traffic. > [Territorial Adults! - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=632961) > > Your coworker frequently honked his horn while driving through residential neighborhoods early in the morning. In fact, he caused such a commotion that people woke up and came to investigate. > [Is this against the law? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=634742) > > And your boss ordered you to run stop signs. > [Most unethical business you've worked for? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=653036) > > Is it really surprising that you encountered some hostility after behaving like that? I have no particular prejudice against “transportation” workers. But if they all behaved like that, I might develop some. Now that’s a good post. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/26 "2012-06-21T13:04:55Z")
I don’t know if anyone remembers this, but there was an Oprah episode in which she described UPS men as sexy. They are usually in really good shape from working a physically demanding job all day. My brother got dates, but he said he had a hard time getting women to see him as long term boyfriend/husband material and he was the kind of guy who wanted to settle down. Part of that could be that he lived in the DC area were people can be very conscious of job status, but he was making about $70k a year, which is decent pay. Anyway, alls well that ends well, he’s married, retired and doesn’t even own any brown clothing anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/27 "2012-06-21T14:06:25Z")
I can’t speak about the rest since I have never been a delivery driver. But I will say that as a police officer I have always given someone who drives for a living breaks over the rest of the public. Sometimes it’s not possible to give a break but I certainly don’t target them. I don’t know your posting history but with what others have posted, maybe it’s just you. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/28 "2012-06-21T18:43:26Z")
I think that should become a standard reply to a **Diamonds02** thread or post… _ **It’s just you!** _ ---
**Author:** ![Mopal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Mopal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mopal)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/29 "2012-06-21T19:06:06Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > There are plenty of jokes about greedy, unprincipled lawyers. When I was younger and more naive I thought those were joke also. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/30 "2012-06-21T20:51:25Z")
YogSosoth: > [@](#): > > Everyone can remember a time when they were stuck behind a bus, a tow truck, or a garbage truck. That kind of everyday common obstacles to our zipping 60mph down a 35mph zone happens a lot. Got it, so everyone who’s frustrated by being behind slow, big behemoths is a speeding maniac. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/31 "2012-06-21T23:22:26Z")
I can’t help you with an explanation - I’m courteous to all those people. My dog does, however, triumphantly scare the UPS lady away nearly every day. Actually, only when my dog is inside does she bark, when she is outside, she \*loves \*the UPS lady. (The UPS lady brings treats when she sees were are outside - she knows the way to a dog’s heart - or at least, \*my \*dog’s heart.) ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/32 "2012-06-22T02:07:38Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > Mailmen. Bus/cab/limo/shuttle drivers. Newspaper carriers. Catering drivers. Tow truck drivers. Ice cream truck drivers. UPS guys/girls. And so on… > > I’ve worked several jobs in the transportation industry, and I notice that I (and my co-workers) seem to have a rather large target on my back. > > I am a victim of other people’s road rage, much more often than when I’m driving my car. I’ve had random boys throw things at my vehicle. People often talk slow and loud to me, as if I cannot comprehend what they’re saying. Whenever I’m just drivng along, it’s not rare that I see women rolling their eyes at me. Cops follow me around, and have been pulled over for stupid things. Hell, even the dogs go crazy. Nearly all of my co-workers say they experience the same things. > > I could say it is a status thing. Most transportation jobs aren’t prestigious…but I’ve worked other non-prestigious jobs such as a receptionist and as a restaurant server…I didn’t recieve near as much hostility. > > It just seems to be a greater amount of distrust of transportation workers. > > We bring people’s mail, food, gifts, newpapers, remove their garbage, drive them around, why all of the hostility? > > A similar note, I have several friends who are chronically un- or underemployed, whenever I mention job openings there is absolutely no interest. I don’t think it’s the job. It’s the road. People are rude as hell on the road, to everyone. ---
**Author:** ![wheresmymind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/33 "2012-06-22T06:03:40Z")
I haven’t noticed any of the “prejudicial” activities in your OP. In fact, when I did a stint as a driver’s helper at UPS after college I noticed that other drivers were generally pretty gracious to us. Didn’t you have a thread a while back talking about how unreasonable you thought it was that people would beep their horns and give you dirty looks for breaking traffic laws with your delivery vehicle (parking on the wrong side of the street I believe)? Perhaps the prejudicial attitudes you see are aimed specifically at you, not all drivers. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/34 "2012-06-22T13:59:47Z")
> [@SecretaryofEvil](#): > > Diamonds02, in previous posts you’ve made about your job as a delivery driver, you’ve mentioned that: > > You park on the left hand side of the road, blocking opposing traffic. > [Territorial Adults! - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=632961) > > Your coworker frequently honked his horn while driving through residential neighborhoods early in the morning. In fact, he caused such a commotion that people woke up and came to investigate. > [Is this against the law? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=634742) > > And your boss ordered you to run stop signs. > [Most unethical business you've worked for? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=653036) > > Is it really surprising that you encountered some hostility after behaving like that? I have no particular prejudice against “transportation” workers. But if they all behaved like that, I might develop some. I think we’ve found our answer. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/35 "2012-06-22T14:24:39Z")
> [@wheresmymind](#): > > Didn’t you have a thread a while back talking about how unreasonable you thought it was that people would beep their horns and give you dirty looks for breaking traffic laws with your delivery vehicle (parking on the wrong side of the street I believe)? Perhaps the prejudicial attitudes you see are aimed specifically at you, not all drivers. To be fair, she also started a thread where she was extremely confused why friends would be upset when she came into their home and placed a loaded firearm on the coffee table. It’s not so much that Diamonds02 is bad at picking up social clues, she seems incapable of doing so altogether for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648/36 "2012-06-24T01:29:56Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > To be fair, she also started a thread where she was extremely confused why friends would be upset when she came into their home and placed a loaded firearm on the coffee table. It’s not so much that Diamonds02 is bad at picking up social clues, she seems incapable of doing so altogether for some reason. Wow. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-prejudice-towards-transportation-workers/625648.md?page=1)