Wheels of Progress

1950's historical promotional documentary made by P.I.E. (Pacific Intermountain Express) a defunct trucking company now, PIE was once a significant motor carrier. Wheels of Progress. Enjoy

[cobratrick]

How far we've fallen from the standards and pride we once expected of each other on the highways. Such a shame. Wish I could have been around in the good ol' days.

[M]

WOW ! That was back when we took pride in our work & workers were appreciated ! Incredible film clip!

[Sarayah]

By the mid 1960s P.I.E. extended service to the east coast through more acquisitions, having 67 terminals in 29 states. In 1973 the company was purchased by IU International, and in 1983 merged with Ryder Truck Lines, forming Ryder/P.I.E Nationwide. In 1985 the company was sold again, with the name shortened to P.I.E. Nationwide. By 1989 loses were staggering, and the company was sold again, absorbing Transcon Lines.

Loses continued, and in 1990 P.I.E. filed Chapter XI bankruptcy. An attempt to scale back operations failed, with one of America’s most famous common carriers closing their doors forever, but leaving many fond memories.

[shahrokhnazari]

That maintenance department was amazing! Back when men were men and people took pride in their work.

[rexcars]

All these 50s documentaries have this air of optimism about them. It must have been nice to feel our country was on top and it was getting better. How much changed in 10-15 years after this was filmed.

[AlaskaTrucker]

All WWII and probably some Korean War Veterans in this piece, also. They look happy in this video because they are. They'd been through everything from Pearl Harbor to D-Day and were happy just to be alive. I remember these type of men, growing up as a kid. I am fortunate because I got to spend a lot of time with many of them and they were great bunch of guys to be around. They didn't have computers or cell phones in their trucks but they weren't in as much of a hurry as we are today either. These men were indeed, our finest generation. Thanks for posting, the golden age of trucking, love it!

[johnjohnston]

whoever did this voice over, must have been, a busy man, back in the 50s, everything from national defence, to trucking, and everything in between, lol

[americanpatriot]

P.I.E looked like it was a great place to work back in the day. Just imagine if trucking companies today took care of their trucks and drivers as well as shown in this video...

[MrJoeairman]

Wow. I remember when I was a kid in the early 70's. My dad's car broke down on side of highway east of El Paso, a trucker pulled over and put engine fire out for us, then gave us ride to nearest town. Them days are gone.

[nickneforos]

What a great video. I found it funny that the trucker and highway patrol man waving with their hands as opposed to the middle finger. Such a shame what this great industry has become. its just sad anymore.

[bennyrobinson]

Back in the day when highways were 2 lane, all truck drivers waved at each other and the highway patrolman.!!

[MoeDCFCD]

Thanks for sharing I was really impressed that they turn over a truck from rebuild in 48 hours.  unrivaled probably to this day.

[daviddebergh]

This documentary doesn't describe most of the drivers today. Some of us (even though I'm new) try to keep the pride of driving trucks alive. Love talking to old timers and looking at their cool rigs.

[dannobloomquisr]

Fun to see the old days. I drive 48 states and Canada now in 2021. I use electronic log books and would never ever go back to paper.other motorists show great respect to me and the highway patrol is my only friend on the road. In the winter I stop for every broke down car. I don't leave anyone on the road. They expect us to help and we do. People send their baby girls out into the world and say to them "if you have any trouble flag down a big truck that's an honest man and he will help you". In my home town I am trash, on the road I am a real person with an important job. They give me their valuable freight and I haul it somewhere and deliver it on time maybe 300 miles maybe 3500 miles we do it and cash our checks. I have talked to drivers from Russia, Nepal, India, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, France, Jamaica, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Kenya, Canada, Mexico, China west Africa, south Africa, east Africa, Romania, the middle east and other places. Never met one that I didn't like they are my new friends they keep their mouth shut and get the job Commentators wish they could drive a 1949 peterbilt and wear a sportcoat and a tie. What planet are you All complain but no one will do the job. It is now 5:30am time to go to work. Happy trails to all.

[jschmid]

I love those day cabs petes pie had. No air ride but, however they had an incredible maintenance program back then.

[rileydog]

What a great film. Thanks for sharing it . PIE was a company I remember for the nice trucks they had all over the country. The drivers really dressed nice too. Sorry to see the large carriers of that era gone. Take care, Tom.

[garyharrall]

Never exceed 50mph. Wow. Still I love this ol school trucking. I'm a truck driver and my grandpa was a trucker during tge 50s and 60s. He used to tell us stories about them "good ol days"

[Josh-of-all-Trades]

So much has changed. One might think that things would be better now, but our standards have dropped significantly. So sad.

[brianvandorp]

I was introduced to trucking in the early 1970s, riding along with my uncle at the age of 10. Trucking back then was considered a professional trade. I got my class 1 in 1988, and have watched the trucking industry continuously denigrate with every passing year. Pretty damn sad considering it's the MOST important industry in North America

[andyharman]

I love the attitude portrayed in this video; of the dedication to doing a job well.  I wonder how long PIE held to the policy of having their drivers stop to give aid to other motorists.  I'm sad to say that it would be very naïve to have such a policy today.