It seems you can’t read a newspaper or watch the TV these days without hearing some expert or another weigh in with their two cents on the economy.

But unfortunately, it seems nobody’s on quite the same page.

‘Things are looking up, expect a rapid recovery,’ says one. Only to be contradicted by another who says ‘We’re not out of the woods yet, brace yourselves for more job losses.’

What gives? Are these economists not studying the same numbers?

I guess all we can do is take it all with a grain of salt and rely on our own observations to find out what’s truly in store. I, for one, am pitching my tent in the optimists’ camp.

Don’t get me wrong, trucking companies aren’t throwing any parties to celebrate the end of the recession just yet.

In fact, one of the industry’s best parties -the OTA convention and banquet -has been scaled back to just one day (Nov. 19) this year.

However, the people I’ve been talking to over the past eight weeks or so seem more optimistic than they have been at any time over the previous 18 months. Maybe ‘cautiously’ optimistic is the better term.

Here at Truck News, we’re seeing signs of a recovery.

For one, this issue has more driver ads than any other recent issue. Instead of parking trucks against the fence, it looks like some carriers are seeing a spike in demand.

Also, recent reports from industry forecasters have shown Class 8 build rates are beginning to climb from their low points in the second quarter. That’s more great news, especially for dealers and OEMs.

One thing’s for sure, whether your glass is half full or half empty, it’s not going to change how things play out.

Which is why I’m pitching my tent in the optimists’ camp -it’s much sunnier over here.

-Rob Wilkins is the publisher of Truck News and he can be reached at 416-510-5123.