Trucking is alot different now than it was 15 years ago. I'm not that old but every male on my fathers side has driven a truck since the age of 18, and i learned when i was 16. I myself even being young have seen how things have changed in even that short amount of time.

One thing we can't do much about is the four wheelers, you will go through hell dealing with them, but this post isn't about that. It's about the family, the unspoken partnership that was once trucking.

The fact is, we all do the same job, some differ a little bit on some levels but we're all away from our families, doing the country an unappreciated service to provide decent lives for our families. Young or old, weather you've been driving for 5 years or 35 we're still out there.

I want you new guys to know that there are alot of experienced guys on here, with great advice and you should take your time and go through this and listen to what they have to say. Read threads here about how to be considerate, etc. The point is there was once a time where -any- driver would give another driver the shirt off of his back. Little by little we can make these unselfish and friendly ways come back and make all of our jobs a little more enjoyable.

Every one of you have my respect for what you do, because i do it too and i know what you have to deal with. And i want you to know that theres a place in my heart, and in the heart of my family for every one of you, if theres a driver that needs help that i can provide, i will gladly make my load late doing so.

Some drivers wave in passing on the two lane, some just nod, me? I salute, and the reasons above are why. Let's bring these friendly ways back, and stop griping at each other about silly things, it will take a long time but we can instill the old ways on you new guys, and you can instill it onto each other!

Keep up the great work, Drivers.

Amen. would LOVE to see the old ways come back around. I can remember as a kid riding with my Dad, who drove for 37 years, and I was just dumbstruck by the amount of brotherhood that was shown out here.
That's one thing that irks me about all of the company bashing that goes on in the industry today. Sure, I've seen Swift/JB/Werner etc do some EALLY dumb stuff....but I've done stupid things too. And so has every driver that ever sat in the saddle. But, you know what? I've seen the "super truckers" display some real brain power too. Point is, what happened to the day of getting out there and giving the man ( or gal ) a hand, offering advice, etc?
And waving when you pass on a 2 lane? What happened to that? I mean, I wave to EVERY driver I pass, and I get fumed when they just stare back at you like you're an alien.
Or how about the courtesy flash when someone passes you? Is it that difficult to say thank you after you get by me?
C'mon folks, we're all out here hauling the same freight, dealing with he same crap.....we're in this together, whether you wanna admit it or not.

If we don't have each other, we don't have much. Like it or not, we're family!

well if we are all family, can someone tell uncle schneider the next time he has a driver pull in to eat and take a shower to not block in 8 trucks from pulling out of their spots. he parked them all in and should have heard the language when they couldn't find him

Grrrrrrrrr!!!11

I know the further east we go in Canada, the friendlier it gets. Granted, it's smaller here, fewer trucks on the road but it's by no means quiet, that's for sure.

I still wave to people when I drive in the country in my car if they're outside tending their yard or just sitting on the steps and they gladly wave back.

The "new generation" thinks I'm nuts and asks me, "Why'd you wave to them? Do you know them?" No. I'm just being friendly, as my parents were and their parents before them.

It's so sad to see the selfish, ungrateful, rude behavior that goes on in this world these days.

Think back to what used to be on TV and what's on now. My parents wouldn't let me watch most of what's on now, even though it's marketed for "family viewing". THere are no manners, the children are rude and "smart alecky".

Why can't people just be nice?

Great post! I hope we wave at each other some day

When you pass the big black Peterbilt flatbed, and the guy salutes ya, it's probably me.

Sure was nice when I was rollin' through Wyoming to have the experienced guys wave hello. Made all the difference when I was just starting out last winter!
This attitude will better the entire industry. Make it infectious! And thanks to the experienced drivers out there!

That wouldn't be a one-finger salute, would it?

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Z-Lady's devoted hubby.

We use the one finger salute quite a lot.

We do use the index finger though.

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Big Red



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