the attitude of the "new breed of driver"

Sad but true , it's the WHY ME generation.

 

Just because you do it right, everyone else does? I have received several text that say different. There is even a few post on here where the poster apologizes for the punctuation and grammer because they are on a cell phone.

 

Tazz, yes and no.

Yes there are some new people coming in that are gonna make good drivers someday.

But "old school"/ "new school" is not about that; it's about attitude.

Old School went like the old Trades Apprentice programs. You knew going in that you would start at the bottom, lowest wages, oldest equipment, crappiest runs. You took that and you learned and earned your way into the better stuff. Like many apprenticeships it took 4 or 5 years. Yes I got dirty. Yes I spent days off out in the garage with the mechanics, helping as much as they'd let me, just so I understood better how my truck worked and what I could or couldn't do to keep the old girl rolling. Yes, I've busted my hump changing tires (including the old "snap ring" wheels) because the tire guy was swamped. Yes I've changed fuel filters, fixed starters, fixed rad leaks,etc,etc on the side of the road in the most miserable weather and YES I've patched together my rig and limped it home when possible but it got fixed before I went back out.

I've got more than a little blood and hide on everything I've ever driven. I've driven hurt more than once and I've made my run when I felt like crap. Because that's what "old school" is. You go every step of the way and a couple steps beyond. Yes, it's a lifestyle. It"s a lifestyle of being proud of what you do and doing it well. It's being able to sit with the "big dogs" and know I belong; I understand them and they understand me. That's "old school" all the way dude.

If you don't know the difference after 11 years in well......

 

Yes it was , and a lot of us went through the same things. Work on a truck 1/2 the night and then head out and do the run.

Never heard ITS NOT MY JOB , and when a new truck came in , you knew the senior guy got it , you were for him not because you did it get it with all your 6 months experience.

 

To the O/P:



Well done, sir. You're doing your fellows proud.




I shall sit back and observe your example in order that I may perfect my own brand of whine.

 

What you would call Old School I call doing the job then. Forgive me if I see no need to celebrate someone actually doing their job.

Knowing your truck is part of the job, as well as knowing simple repairs. Making deliveries despite minor ailments is part of the job.

And I disagree. It is not a lifestyle, it is a job.

Having the honor, fortitude, and character to complete a job is an attribute not a lifestyle. Most that have it have no need to thump their chest or receive accolades for it either.

 

Ive seen your truck around....just sayin

 

When are WE gonna get over this us vs them attitude?

What is it gonna take for us ALL to stand together and stop pointing fingers?

Why cant we be friends?

 

I don't think anyone's thumping their chest, Tazz. 20-30 years ago, there weren't kagillions of students hitting the industry, and companies didn't have the electronic controls in place to have such a radical level of control.

Drivers had to be trusted to do their jobs correctly, plan their trips, routes, fuel stops, AND have some courtesy and professionalism towards each other and people they contact.

Many things are done for you these days - you're told where to fuel an EXACTLY how much fuel to get, what route to take, and when to drive and for how long.

These conditions allow for a less qualified and experienced driver to do the same job.. and there are definite differences between drivers 20-30 years ago and now.

Driving 40 hours a week, being home at night, having weekends off - THAT'S a job. OTR is a lifestyle, if you do what is needed to do the job, if that makes sense.