Why the Bad Attitudes?

Is it me, or have industry attitudes reached toward an all-time low? In this past year, I’ve listened to drivers and tow owners alike running their mouths and openly bad-mouthing their competition, law enforcement and even tow associations. I’m not sure what to make of it and it’s taking away that warm and fuzzy feeling I have for the industry with complaints of too many companies on the rotation list, cops are incompetent, company X undercutting our accounts … yada, yada, yada.

In my travels around the county teaching military recovery, my safety course, or as a consultant to business, some drivers and owners demonstrate callous insubordination towards what bothers them most. The local competition hates each other, association members openly declare their displeasures, and when required to attend periodical training classes, some have the proverbial meltdown because they know everything there is to know about towing.In a recent safety class, one participant ranted on (nearly) every topic discussed. Not only did it make for an uncomfortable classroom atmosphere, his comments were distracting and non-productive. When it’s clear that his intent was to sue everyone for everything and everyone could go “sit and spin,” it appeared that greener pastures or smoother waters weren’t intended in his fantasy world.I realize that the current state of towing affairs aren’t running like they used to, and I realize that today’s economy has taken a big bite out of everyone’s business … including my own. But, all of this incessant ragging is driving a huge wedge in how we serve the motoring public, auto clubs, conglomerate dispatch entities, insurance agencies, even law enforcement. Bad attitudes are alive and well on tower forums where written assaults clearly demonstrate negative attitudes, debatable mentalities, and a definite clear-cut illustration that “Johnny don’t play well with others.”While it’s generally my nature to side with America’s towers, I’m now to the point where I walk away from a runaway mouth with nothing good to say. I find bad attitudes are non-productive and irritating where I question my reasons to stay involved in this industry.So, while I’m on this soapbox, I choose my words wisely and offer simple advice: If you’re so damned upset with the industry that you’re now unable to cope with its personalities, behaviors, competitors, entities, and agencies working around you, perhaps it’s time you get out and open a flower shop.It’s tough enough to eke out a day-to-day existence without having to orbit around someone else’s nasty disposition.