Originally Posted by weggie

Yeah, I think think there is a good deal of truth (not to mention wisdom) in what you say - but I don't see where it conflicts with what I said...

Besides, isn't comparing truck drivers and cops akin to comparing a dirty left sock to a dirty right sock? (JUST KIDDING - please don't come to my house and kill my dogs.)

As for newbie education, the "mill" I attended spent 4 days going over the manual so that we could pass the written test - and in my view that was more than was necessary. The point is, it's no more than a drill in rote memory that most quadrapeds could successfully acomplish. Then it was two weeks of practice on the exact course on which the driving test was given. I think I could've passed it in my sleep, and I don't think my 'school' experience is untypical. As to your statement that "then, the trucker trains with a company 3-6 months (i'm guessing...)" GUESS AGAIN! Either way, it's (from what I've heard) a far cry from police academy...other than you get to meet a lot of cops - lol.

As for truckers being held to high standards - I suspect most of the seemingly millions of regs we must live by are the result of bad things that have happened. One new law for every wreck...it isn't right, but that's the way it goes these days.

Finally, I didn't mean to "sell" anyone "short." I know that it takes more than a CDL to make a professional driver (in fact, that was sort of my 'tongue-in-cheek' point.) However, I think perhaps you're selling burger flippers short...that looks like hot, nasty work to me. Besides, after 750 miles, that burger flipper is much more welcome in my world than any truck driver.

Originally Posted by rwings

I am surprised about the low opinion that some drivers have toward their fellow drivers. After retiring from the military I was offered some very good jobs. I elected to become a driver because it is what I wanted to do, not because it was the only option available to me.

I agree with trucking-biker about turning the CB off at the truck stops because I don’t want to listen to the BBR’s and radio-ramboo’s. Instead of listening to that crap or parking in front of some video game all night. Try going in for a cup of coffee or start some conversations. I think you would be surprised by how many good decent people are “professional” drivers. This profession has its share of bottom feeders but they can be found in other professions as well. During the time I drove OTR I talked with a vast amount of people. I could live without talking to some of them again but for the most part I was impressed by how many good friendly people are out driving trucks for a living. Just my two cents on the subject.

Originally Posted by Road Dog

Sounds like we got someone here with a problem.Although its true that driving a truck isnt all that hard,in my years on the road I have seen all kinds of drivers out there.I have also seen all kinds of people in the other fields as well.I have done a few things in life,production work,maint.work,including machine and motor repair and rebuilding,welding,structural work,etc.Now back to truckin,what I really saw ouy there was a bunch of hard workin people.maybe you can teach anyone to drive a truck,but you cant teach just anyone to be a hardworking succesful driver.To be a succesful driver requires a lot of skill,planning,work ethics,etc.I am retired now,(again),and my hat is off to all the guys,and gals who are out there doing a great job driving.Most of them are not protected by a union,so they have to look out for themselves,and they do a darned good job of it.

Originally Posted by MICHAELJAYCLARK

the only thing that needs to be done is truckers need to band together and demand better. after all is said and done that would solve the whole issue.

Originally Posted by onexcop

Excellent points Cybergal and Hill-a-Billy!

In matter of fact, you might not be surprised to know, according to an article in ‘Praesidium Respublicae’, authored by Sam Huntington, "The teaching profession has the highest attrition rate among all of the occupations – most leaving the teaching field within three to five years." Not the Trucking Industry.

Moreover, albeit rhetorical I'm sure, the remark regarding a 130% attrition rate in our industry is a bit over stated. Even a 100% attrition rate would equate into the premise that no one ever retires from our industry. This is just not so.

Originally Posted by onexcop

I like unions, personally. Belonged to the Fraternal Order of Police and the Police Benevolence Association all my adult life. Still a member in fact... hey! wait a minute... I'm retired from there now, why am I still giving those guys my money? LOL!

Union hierarchy can't carry the load by themselves, though.

Originally Posted by weggie

I suspect we're confusing attrition with turnover. While I've no doubt teachers leave teaching at high rates (they are, for the most part, highly educated and leave to enter better paying, less stressful vocations) truck drivers mostly go from one dead-end misery to another.

And could you please send a hyperlink to Huntington's article in 'Preasidium Respublacie;' wouldn't you just know, my copy was destroyed (I'll spare you the details) while preparing crepe suzett in my sleeper. Hey, we've all been there - huh?.