sär-ka-zm - (noun) a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance

You do know I was being sincere don't you, Weggie? I genuinely respect your opinions (and I like busting your chops a little)

Likewise my friend - I totally enjoy our 'back-n-forth.' Hell, I'm a truck driver - thinking is a rare treat for me - and your observations are not only well thought, but also provoke thought, and in my opinion are most excellent.

Yeah,I have worked in a union shop most of my life, and held many offices on the local level. In the last 30 yrs, unions have slipped badly. Mainly because there is not much need for them anymore.When unions first became a neccesity, back in the 1920s, and 1930s, things were really rough on the American workers. Today there are still some unions doing a fine job, but they are pricing their members right out of a job. In my experience the unions spend more time protecting a bunch of lazy workers, no not workers but members from being fired.I found that a lot of the people coming into the unions thought they could do no wrong.If they screwed up they just knew the union would protect them. They have comepletly forgotten that even tho they are part of a union, they still should have to put in a good days work for a days pay. When I left the union shop and stared truckin, I never missed a beat, money wise. And guess what, I only had one guy to look out for and that was me. To my way of thinking, whether you are protected by a union or not, you still have to do a good job, and take pride in your work. So in my case going from a union shop into a driving job, with no union, was a relief. I could still usually get my own problems straightened out by talking to the right people. As I said in a prevous post, there are a lot of hard working truckers ut there who are making a decent living with no union, and my hat is off to them.

Well thanks all for your responses. I am not pissed at the trucking industry, I have posted that I love driving that truck and miss it very much, money talks and you know the rest. I had to get out of the truck for the money, I am a union plumber/pipefitter and will continue to pay a few union dues to earn the money. What bothers me is we have the supertruckers here who think that what another driver experience is bs, and suffer from tunnel vision, cant or wont see the big picture. Here is a point so you can understand what I am trying to get across here. In my union we have apprentice's, and some of our journeymen treat these young guys like trash, and I dont stand for it. I asked them what the journeymen want that apprentice to become? After a blank look they ask me what i am talking about. I say do you want that apprentice to become a journeymen or jerk? You treat him like a journeymen he or she will become a good journeymen, you treat them like a jerk thats what they will become. Oh I shut off the cb in the truck stops because of the jerks, hey tmc you ever gonna get that truck parked, or something like that would be a response. I was trying to be a professional and do it right. The experience people forget what it is like when they were new at this game. All the bad trucking post just proves that nobody ever stood up to these shoddy firms of crooks. The recruiters lie because they know they can get away with it, nobody ever got into their face about it. And we all know trucking ain't easy, and add that to the lies and bs they get from the trucking firms, the bs they get from the fellow drivers, cutting you off short, screaming at you thru the radio, because you are trying to do it right, and that takes longer for some. The lack of backbone statement is not just for the trucking industry. The trucking industry plays a larger part of our safety than what most know. And a 2 day shut down would open eyes. No one else has that power. Letting the Mexican trucks in here, makes my blood boil, we dont need them or the problems they will cause. Thanks again for you posts.

One ex cop,I"m with you on this one. There a quite a few so-called drivers out there that I won't run or work with,as I have got used to working by myself,always on time,very few problems. I check my tires and look under the truck and trailer everytime I stop. I can't believe that most drivers don't do a pretrip,oh yea,they write up one,but never check anything. They fuel and sometimes clean the windows and mirrors,most never check their tires.They never take a shower when you can't stand their smell,but take one when they can't stand their smell,I guess. They don't wash their elbows,or hands after going into the restroom,right into the buffet,and reach right in. Never wear gloves when changing trailers etc,greasy old hands on the steering wheel and oh that sleeper,it probably won't squeak when that lot lizard shows up,its got grease from head to toe,from floor to ceiling. I have a backbone and if I want a better paying job driving i go get one,instead of complaining and staying with these cheap companies out there,union or no union,you decide and go with it,there are great paying jobs driving all over the country. I get tired of all the complaints,I'm not making money,doing too much,not enough time to drink or play videos,try getting a shower,eating,sleeping and then put a good days work in and make money for your boss. Some of you that complain constantly,is it worth it,never shut that truck off,whether,summer winter,in between or when you play your games,etc.It's a wonder how any of these companies are making enough money to pay you. I am done now""",These comments are not meant to the drivers that are drivers and you certainly know who you are,keep on trucking,and enjoy your life to the fullest.

You have to learn to say what's on your mind and stop pulling punches, Buck and a half! LOL! I completely agree. Well stated!

__________________
The content on this post is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on matters of interest and is based upon the authors own experience(s). It is not intended to be comprehensive, nor does it constitute legal advice. You should seek legal, or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content within this post.

Still exist today. 4/10/08. I read a post about how Roehl treats Vets, and some respond to well you got lied to in the Military, so its ok for Roehl to lie to you. Whats that mean? Well you were shot at while in Iraq, so its ok for some to shoot at you now you are at home? Is that the mentallity in the trucking industry? Well that does explain alot. Its no wonder that truckers are thought as lowlife, no education, greasy spoons.

I see more and more drivers everyday that shouldn't be.

Whenever I actually talk to another driver, I try to ask why they are driving. The answers I usually get are anything BUT I love driving. This is the biggest difference between old hands and steering wheel holders.

Some think there's good money in trucking. Others can't stand a "boss" standing over their shoulder. There are even a few that say they don't want a "real" job! Where's the love?

I drive because I love to be on the highway. When I'm not in my truck, I find myself constantly starring at them when they go by. Listening to that exhaust growl like a chained beast. I love driving and I get paid for it! Ha!

You say lack of backbone - I say lack of love.

__________________
~Robert~ I only wish I was rich!

Me too. Trucks and Harleys, I stare at both.

__________________
Z-Lady's devoted hubby.