Driving a Stretched Peterbilt

Very nice! There is hope for the future with youth like him.

 

We are clearly from different worlds, pal. Oh boy, he drove junk for 3 years, I drove junk for 25 years, and yes, a large car Pete was my goal. Someday, I said, but the kid needed braces and the minivan trans is slipping, I had no time or resources for a project like this. I had to drive that IHTranstar to Ohio. If you haven't driven older trucks, you really can't have a valid opinion. Many here know what I mean. And by your "it's not 1950s" comment dates you. I drove "junk" well into the 80s. And it's not his home country, his broken English is the giveaway.

 

Look, I have drove some junk and you sound like a bitter old man. He’s made different decisions than you. We don’t all go down the same path. Maybe he doesn’t have a wife and kid that needs braces. That makes a big difference on what a man can afford. Maybe it’s not his home country, but he’s out here hustling and working on his dream. You gotta respect a young man that is doing that.

Stop being a hater.

 

You look, I AM a bitter old man, and for good reason. This kid is no more a truck driver than Minnie Pearl. I don't know what era you are from, but I'm clearly the odd man out here. I apologize for that.

 

Well, that’s just sad.

 

Well I’ve driven 4 different trucks two of which I owned. Every one of them was a Freightliner and ever one was a good truck. Not saying I loved them, but never minded them too much. I admit I’m starting to feel like I’ve payed my dues though. I’d really like to upgrade to a Western Star at least.

 

It’s no longer an upgrade. Except in price.

 

As a bonus that makes it easier to put your feet up on the dash without your sandals sliding off.

 

I do apologize, and I realize it's sad, it's partly why I'm so bummed. It's been over 20 years since I drove a truck, and I saw at that time, things weren't going the way I liked, and got out then. One can't possibly deny what a different job it is today, with electronics and all. We did all the thinking, not a screen, and quite frankly, it's what motivated me to do this job. You never knew what was going to happen, and had to be prepared. To make money, you had to. Help was not a button away. I don't blame younger drivers really, compared to who I replaced, I and drivers like me, had it made, and crude by todays standards.
Also when I say "junk", I don't mean that literally. They were good trucks, just a little rough around the edges. I never drove a gas job REO, ( the 50s spoken of) but not much better. It was compliant for the time, deemed junk today, but a progression in trucks that helped spawn the "rolling apartments" and 6 lane interstates (that drivers still can't handle) of today. It's okay, I and drivers my age, have a lot of memories younger drivers could never experience BECAUSE of the equipment. It was a great, yet challenging time to be a trucker.