Welcome to the fray.  
  Never said the title companies never did not try to become more efficent, only said the easiest way to cut cost was to have the abstractors cut their fees.  Abstractors have been asked to cut their fees so many times over the years to protect the title company's profit that it has come to the point that abstractors can no longer survive with another fee cut.  Why is it our responsibility to keep the client in business.  If the client can't maintain or manage their business, maybe they should not be in business.
  Another point is that the all the rest of the work in the title industry is based off the abstractor's report, but then the abstractor is the lowest paid link in the chain.  Abstractors should be one of the highest paid since the abstractor assumes most of the risk.
  Another point is that the abstractors are not treated as the professional and profession that they are.  Abstractors, at least most of them like with any profession, are professionals within the title industry.  Not everyone can abstractor OR learn how to do it.  It takes a special mind set, skills and knowledge.  Yes there are on-line courses that can show a very general overview of the profession, but then each state is different, each county is different, each recorder, circuit clerk, collector, assessor's office is different.  Unless you are trained in the both book and in-the-field abstract knowledge and familiar with the state and county you search in, you put yourself at risk of a claim.
  Then we have this "Hurry Up And Got To Have It Now" notion that faster is always better.  Sorry, a quick search does not translate into a good search.  With all the risks involve with searching a property, an abstractor does not need someone constantly breathing now his neck saying "Is it done yet, is it done yet, is it done yet..."  A nice turn time is good, but what would you rather have, a fast search or a correct search?  We would rather tell a client that the search will take a couple of days and do it right then have them come back and question the search.
  So, defensive reaction?  Maybe, but if it is then maybe a few of the points above will help.

Jay