The volatility of the oil and gas industry is exactly why I choose not to work in it. When I graduated in 2009, the O&G industry was the only strong(ish) industry still going. But I refused to work in an industry that is as up and down as it is. So it took a while to find work then. But today, I am still employed, and have no worry about my job. And, I'm making 2/3 more now than then.
Also, doing a quick math calc, using these two site's information:
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/data/historical/people/
http://www.statista.com/statistics/204740/retail-price-of-gasoline-in-the-united-states-since-1990/
The portion of income going to gas (based on 20mpg and 15kmi / yr) was 62% higher in 2010 than it was in 1995.
The cost per gallon of gas is up 150% + over 1995 costs. Average inflation should only be 55.8% for that time period. So gas has gone up 3x more than income, which has followed the expected inflation value almost exactly.
I'm sorry to hear about anyone's woes, but wishing worse on the rest of the population because you happen to be on the receiving end when it does go up is self centered and short sighted in my opinion.
Which is exactly why I left 21 years in oil field manufacturing and went to electric utilities.