I agree with all your points Daytona45, and yours also Truckerjo.

I agree that we need to start with ourselves, keep our self respect and put forth a good image.

Before we developed into such a huge rat's nest of a population, society did police it's self more. They shunned the ones that chose to live outside of civilized society's parameters, made their lives miserable in significant ways. Either they conformed or moved on.

You are right, I think, that it's about 25% of the drivers that are bad apples who have no self respect or self esteem. This type of person is a boil on the ### of society. They are usually cowards that like the anonymity of hiding behind the wheel and CB (is this type of person attracted to trucking because of this?). Though, most slink away when outnumbered on the CB.

That is what I am hoping for, that we will learn to group together and call these idiots on their slimy behavior. I can only see it becoming worse if those of us who care don't go shoulder to shoulder and push back.

Society sees us ALL as bullies and criminals because 25% is way too high of a percentage to have in one industry.

__________________

Any ideas on how we can eliminate people among the general population we find disgusting, and a drain on society?

George Carlin says it best; "God has a system for thinning out the stupid people and insuring they don't breed. We shouldn't be passing stupid laws to protect them."

__________________
.
I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

I agree....some don't know what water and soap are used for....I know that personal appearance counts for alot when meeting with the shipper or the consignee....I have been in line at truck stops and I could smell people behind me or beside me...its disgusting and we are watched constantly by the public...our appearance, the way we talk, the way we dress, the way we act in general....that is why we need to be in line always....because if we are to ever gain respect from the public eye then we must do our part and present ourselves as professionals!

__________________

"Once in every life....someone comes along and I was so in Love...it was almost like a song..."

I love the Truckers Report...my favorite place to be...

We both keep ourselves groomed and our equipment clean. I know that this is appreciated by shippers, consignees, and the public. As a result we have been treated better and at times more fairly.

When I have a tight turn with a 4-wheeler below me, that person tends to accept the intimidation and stress of having a big rig coming close when they look up and see a clean cut driver and nice equipment. If I smile when I'm cutting it close they generally smile back or at the least look relieved.

There is a domino effect to this also, when we are treated better we have a more positive outlook about our job and life in general.

It is a law of nature, what you reflect is reflected back.

__________________

Someone could start by picking up the pee bottles up and down the coast......some need to work on their jump shot

I agree with your statement...I have seen more pee bottles on the road, beside the road, at rest areas, even in truck stops...if we are to ever earn respect of others then we need to be more responsible and put the bottles where they belong..."in the frigging trash cans!"

__________________

"Once in every life....someone comes along and I was so in Love...it was almost like a song..."

I love the Truckers Report...my favorite place to be...

We need to stop using pee bottles, take the time to pull off and use a restroom, yeah it takes 10-15 minutes of driving sometimes to do this but who cares, we need to get out and stretch more anyways.

Sorry "RedBeard71", BUT "GasHauler" is the one that is correct here.. The driver that are trucking today are TOTALLY different than the drivers of yesterday,(1970&1980) The drivers today have NO respect for themselves, nor ANYONE else, and unti all of that changes, trucking will stay the way it is right now!!!