Driving a Stretched Peterbilt

I’ve been at this rat race for 43 yrs. If I ever get to the point that I think I know everything about trucking I’ll quit before it kills me. And I’ve got 4 million miles of safe driving.

 

He’s constantly scanning the mirrors while watching the hood. He’s smooth on the controls and floats those gears quite well. He’s wearing a shirt, denim and real shoes. He has pride in that ride, pride in his appearance, he’s not an AHole behind the wheel, good work ethic…all positives.

Out of all the problems that we see in the industry, this young Man gets hate? Unbelievable.

 

Exactly why I like him. He clearly has been taught well and if we want this industry to be better we need more young people like him in it.

 

Fine, you made your point(s), and we can end this. On my behalf, all the drivers that would agree with me are probably pushing daisies, with the exception perhaps of "Ex-Trucker Alex", and my turn is coming. You younger drivers just haven't seen the progression, if you can call it that, that older drivers have seen. Not for the worse, if fact better on most accounts, and no, we aren't going to have drivers start out on R model Macks ( that I liked) anymore. Heck, todays "beaters" are better than anything we had. This kid will probably do okay, may never even see a flake of snow, although snow in NOLA, I bet freaked out many that run I-10 only. My only hope, is kids like this don't forget who paved the way for them to even think of driving a truck like this, at this age mind you. Years ago, you were lucky to ride shotgun at 23. Yes sir, I was mighty proud to finally drive that old Mack at 25, and never for a minute forgot those brave pioneers that DID drive those gas job REOs down 2 lane roads, with vacuum brakes, tube tires, a thermos of free coffee, and a belly full of the best food you could have. Ma worthy. Those were the good old days, my friends.
Amen, brothers, wherever you are.

 

You’re hung up on this guy having a Peterbilt but let’s look at some facts. It has the 2000 and older dash so at a minimum it’s nearing 25 years old. That means it would be like an “undeserving kid” in 1985 starting out in a 1960 model truck.

It’s a bad look when someone voices what another person deserves or not, especially when they work for it. April makes 28 years of this for me and I have zero desire to buy and rebuild a project truck so I have nothing but respect for this guy. One of my closest friends started out with one truck, a 1992 Peterbilt, when he was 18. He’s now up to roughly 50 trucks doing all hazmat work at the age of 34. Does he deserve what he has in your opinion because he didn’t start out in junk?

Everyone’s experience in this industry is different. You’ve done things I haven’t done, and I’ve done things you haven’t done. Respect is earned regardless of age and I’m not going to kiss the ring simply because someone has spent more time on this earth than I have. One person could have 30 years of experience and offer great advice. Another person could have one year of experience 30 times and only pass along bad habits.

 

ha ha you know come to think about it. what is with them shifters yeah I never had one of those. Mine was just little over seat height. if they think that they’re cool they’re super trucker that’s not gonna happen ha ha ha

 

H8ers gonna h8

 

My kid’s ride is the Pete mine the KW. 22 years old and been driving for 4 years. Me on the long side of three decades. Think I’ll tell him he hasn’t earned it and he gets the slope nose! Still waiting for my first new to me hood!

 

My nephew attended CDL school at the local community college right when he turned 20,

got recruited by a local heavy haul company , the heavy haul company has their own training program that lasts 6 to 9 months , for the new folks to learn all the tie downs and permits and trip planning for their oversize loads , which is all they do is oversize loads for a govt agency.

he was doing their loads that didn’t cross state lines , solo , before he was 21 .

when he was 23 he was hauling 16 wide by 99 foot long cargo , valued and insured at $55 million .
And was one of their driver trainers .


At 25 he was doing loads valued and insured at $900 million .

There ain’t many young folks that are suitable for this job but there’s a few .

 

The company my nephew works for hires new drivers with zero experience

they used to find experienced drivers and have them pass the background check ,

Now they find people who can pass the background check and then teach em how to drive a oversize load