What happened to the old timers and renegades?

Discussion in 'Road Stories' started by Ice Queen, Nov 21, 2013.

  1. Ice Queen

    Ice Queen Light Load Member

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    As a kid I used to pack my bags and spend my summers on the truck with my father. I loved having the one on one time with my dad. I learned a lot on the road with pops. I used to think I was big stuff getting to sit in the "drivers only " section at the restaurants. There are a couple things I hardly see any more that I miss. Whenever my dad and I went into a truck stop or a restaurant there were always drivers that would talk to me about our trip and the drivers always had a little something they gave me ( piece of gum, 50 cents, model truck, ect). My dad was a renegade driver and would usually find another renegade to run down the road with. The other drivers were always kind and obliging on the CB for me to talk to. I used to think that truck drivers were the greatest.


    I keep a stock pile of things on hand for kids I meet on the road, but it seems that is a practice that has died out. For the most part I would be terrified to let a child on the CB anymore given the language you hear on it now.

    Are their any old timers or renegades out there that still have goodies for kids on the road? Are you a driver that grew up with memories from the road like mine? Or are you driver that reaches out to kids in some way to promote a positive image of truck drivers? If you are any of the above, please share your story or thoughts.
     
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  3. Ice Queen

    Ice Queen Light Load Member

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    Sad! I guess they are all gone and took the camaraderie from the road too.:biggrin_2553:
     
  4. Rocks

    Rocks Road Train Member

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    There are many veteran drivers in this forum and I know they would have many stories to share here... But the truth is that those times are gone gone for good... We are living a very different new era... an era of technology, computers, black boxes, tons of regulation and an over powerful government that doesn't like trucks... seems like... Besides, high fuel prices, low economy, mega carriers using cheap labor and competing with smaller fleet owners and such... Those good "old" drivers are either retiring or leaving this industry forever... I haven't been driving very long... I immigrated from another country about 20 yrs ago but have some great memories of when I used to hitchhike with truckers and 4 wheelers in my country of origin in the early 80's... :yes2557: No laws, no regulations, drivers taking pills to drive for days with no sleep... :shock: It was wild... And one of the best times in my life... :biggrin_25519:
     
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  5. kwloo

    kwloo Medium Load Member

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    Unfortunately- today you would be looked at suspiciously or maybe even reported for offering something to a child. Not like the days when I was growing up or even my chidren.
     
  6. Ice Queen

    Ice Queen Light Load Member

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    I understand what you are saying. I must not be taken too threatening I guess maybe because I am a soft spoken little woman.

    I completely agree that things have changed in the last 20 plus years. I'm not so sure it was for the better
     
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  7. jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    I also grew up in the truck. My grandparents use to run team in the mid 60's all the way up to 2001. . Good times spending summers in granddads old mack super liner etc. I have to agree those days sadly are gone. Now it's the me me me attitude. I tried to stop to help a lady with an overheating issue a few yrs ago in the desert southwest in the summer.she had a small child with her. I offered her some cold bottled water she locked herself and her child in the car. She said she didn't want my help she would wait for hwy patrol. And i'm a clean cut kind of guy i was dressed nice and all. She was just scared of a trk driver i guess???. I quit trying to help that's not the only incident either.
     
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  8. jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    AS FOR TALKING OR OFFERING SOMETHING TO THE KIDS I DON'T FOR FEAR IT WILL BE MISCONSTRUED AND GET ME INTO TROUBLE EVERYONE IS HYPER SENSITIVE NOW A DAYS. I OFFERED TO TAKE MY TRK AND TRAILER TO MY 17 YEAR OLDS HIGH SCHOOL FOR DRIVERS ED CLASS FOR A NO ZONE CLASS AND TO HELP EDUCATE FUTURE DRIVERS AND PUT A POSITIVE LIGHT ON THE INDUSTRY. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SAID NO THEY DIDN'T WANT A TRK DRIVER IN THERE SCHOOL WITH THE STUDENTS. QUOTING PRINCIPAL" THE STUDENTS DON'T NEED TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE AROUND TRUCKS. TRUCKS NEED TO BE OFF THE ROADS THEY ARE A HAZARD". WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?. I GIVE UP:biggrin_2552:
     
  9. Rocks

    Rocks Road Train Member

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    First of all, I thank you very much for your effort to teach the kids in the school and try to improve our image...:biggrin_25514: I wish many more would do the same. That's what we need, mandatory driving education in the schools and special focus on how to share the roads with big trucks because despite of whether folks like it or not, WE are a necessary "inconvenience" and without us the country would stop! How do those IGNORANT administrators think they would receive school materials and everything they use and consume if there were no trucks??? A hazard??? I would tell them, they are the real hazard... :biggrin_25510: They are the problem... Truckers are the safest drivers on the road, most accidents are caused by the motoring public, mostly 4 wheelers... I don't know what you told them... I know what I would tell them :biggrin_25516: but unfortunately I can't say it here...
    I encourage you sir to continue educating people, specially youngsters on how to be good drivers and spread awareness about this industry. I CONGRATULATE you for that! :yes2557:
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2013
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  10. indspirit

    indspirit Light Load Member

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    I started driving in the 70's at age 16. I own my truck and am a renegade driver. As for the cb most of us old guys that are still around know each other and what lanes they usually run. When we are in the same lane we call on 19 to see who is runing and then usually take it to another channel because of all the junk on 19 these days. As for the kids sad we do live in different times. I still carry things for kids but now in these days I always approach the parents first and ask if it's ok to give anything to the kids. Most let me some don't but those who d't thank me for asking. Some of us old guys are still around but we keep to ourselves and like it that way. By the time the government takes over trucking completely we will be gone.
     
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  11. Ice Queen

    Ice Queen Light Load Member

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    Indspirit, thank you for you post. I started this thread as my way to say, " I remember you and thank you for making my early trucking/ truck driver experience so great." I wish things were still like when I was a kid, they were fun then.:hello2::hello2:
     
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