You can still buy custom made cowboy boots by making a mold and sending in to

GOOGLE search Bishops Handmande Boots

Is there any chance that you could show up and surprise your dad? I bet that would mean alot more to him than anything else!

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Stupidity will get you killed.

Well the best thing I can think of that always made my job so much better, and relived much of my stress was my truck seat.. Any way you can make that man feel more comfortable in his seat would be a great gift.. I personally bought a $1800 seat that had all kinds of features, massage, heat and oh oh so comfortable.. You don't have to spend that much for a seat, they make a few really nice seat cushions that are gel filled ext.. they cost anywhere from $45-250.. don't remember the exact name but it is eagle something (would post a link but that's advertising, something we can't do on the forum) Do a Google search on trucker seat cushions and you will find a few..

I can be in the truck stop and think to myself man I can't wait to get back in my seat lol.. that's how well it helps..

I think he would like a brand called Deer Stags they are oil and slip resistant and non marking

Why not help build his confidence and get him the Rosetta stone to learn English better

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FSU -

I think 18wheeldumptrucker hit it on the head. The BEST gift would be you on the doorstep. On the other hand, you know your dad better than I do. A little. Maybe.

So, since you think shoes are the best choice....I understand his plight. Depending on the manufacturer, I wear an 11 EE to a 13 E. You don't find those at walmart!

Except, actually, this time I did. If Dad doesn't need boots, but can work with tennie-runners, see if you can find a Boulder model 2576842. It's got a lot of mesh work in the sides and uppers, so your feet stay REALLY cool (which is a very good thing for me, or my trainer would toss me out of the truck - my sweaty feet are deadly). They don't lace/tie, so you don't break laces or eyelets ( I do that a lot ) - slip 'em on, slip 'em off. Comfortable as all get out. Big knobbly treads - good grip, non-marking.. all that good stuff.

I also like the idea of the Rosetta Stone software. It's excellent. My wife is using it to learn several languages for her job. Not to the point of conversation, really, but enough to talk to her ambulance patients and find out what's wrong. Ok, and maybe a LITTLE broken conversation. a familiar language when you are in trouble is a BIG help to the distressed.

I just don't know your father - so don't know how he would take it, or if he would use it.

As for the company he works for. That sounds low. I know companies rarely pay hub miles - so there's always a discrepancy between what they pay and what was driven. Your dad knows this too. I'm assuming they shorted him an *additional* 140 miles.

I know, I'm outside looking in through frosted glass, but if I were him, I'd start documenting. Document well. Then take the complaints to the state.

Even if the state does nothing, the trucking job market is not so tight that a good driver with a clean record can't get another job in fairly short order - even if he has trouble SPEAKING the language. (I had an Afghani in my CDL class. Understood the written word perfectly, and spoken pretty well - had a hard time making himself understood. He was the first one of us hired). Sticking with that company when they are actively screwing him is wrong, and they are counting on his unwillingness to give up the known evil and chance a worse one elsewhere.
I'm probably a good deal less polite than your father... but I'd likely be offering free instruction in sign language to a company that did that to me.

I know this is late - late on Father's Day.. so by the time you read it, too late for your dad's birthday. I don't know him, he doesn't know me. But give him a happy birthday greeting from me anyway. One of the best guys I ever worked with was a boatlift baby. My hat is off to anybody who makes it over here and becomes productive.

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Keep the big doors at the back!

I wanted to thank you all for your comments. Those of you who suggested that I'd visit him, it would be the best gift but unfortunately my school schedule does not allow it. As for the seat, my mother beat me to it! She bought him one last christmas... but it was a great suggestion.

I figured shoes were a safe bet and i knew he needed a nice, versatile pair that he could wear on and off the road. I finally settled on some nice Sperry Top Siders... ran me up 200 dollars but i got word from him today that he received them and absolutely loved them. He said they came just in time because he's leaving on another trip tomorrow.

As for the rosetta stone, i think that is a very creative and most importantly useful gift. However, I think with it being a computer based thing that he might not be so willing. His computer skills are lacking to say the least. But, I am thinking about maybe getting him some voice ones that he can pop into his cd player.

Back to his job... he actually is licensed to work with hazardous materials, so I don't think he should have THAT hard of a time finding a job.... our savings could hold them over if it did take a long time, but he rather not risk it. I am still trying to get him to pursue other options, but he's a very headstrong man and he rather overwork himself than not work at all.

With all that said, i want to thank you all again for your suggestions! I got a lot more feedback than I imagined I would! Thank you for being so welcoming as well!

Glad to hear you solved YOUR problem.

We still need to work on his

Yeah, I know the type. Put your shoulder to the stone and work your way through the pain.

If he's uncomfortable.. how about suggesting he simply go talk to other companies on his day off? (I think I Know better than to suggest he call in sick, when he's not. Prolly get offended. ) But talk to other companies. Even submit an application or two - he doesn't have to follow up on it. But it would absolutely give him an idea of how hireable he is.

It might help - even if he doesn't leave. He'll know he *can*.

As for Rosetta Stone - it really doesn't take much computer literacy. As I recall, just drop the CD in the coffee holder, and click the mouse a few times.. that's about it. There's a lot of audio involved, so in that regard it's not different from tapes, but you interact more.

The only reviews I have ever seen call it "THE" best way to learn a language.

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Keep the big doors at the back!